The French Aesthetic

Last week, the announcement of French designer Isabel Marant's upcoming collaboration with H&M set the fashion world a-buzzin'. Marant's simple combination of urban cuts and ethnic detailing creates pieces that are oh-so-wearable and coveted the world over. Mavens of cool, put-together understated chic such as Miranda Kerr and Jessica Alba are regularly seen sporting Marant's creations.

For me, Isabel Marant's designs embody that French aesthetic, the one that says, "I just threw on whatever I saw first in my closet," yet still is the envy of many women. Made up of a minimum of good basic pieces, the typical French woman's wardrobe allows her to be practical yet timelessly stylish.

This philosophy often extends to the beauty department, where few but trusty staples feature. Perhaps this minimalist approach to make-up is attributed to the fact that the French take their skincare très seriously, which then leads to good skin that requires less make-up. I also find that French women tend to embrace their bare skin rather than hide it under layers of foundation. This whole attitude to beauty translates into a confidence that transcends even the best make-up's effects, achieving that something extra that you can never quite put your finger on.

Alors, skincare. French pharmacy brands are revered in the beauty world, and with good reason. Names like La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, and Avène pop up regularly on must-have skincare lists, and they are reputed for their effectiveness and quality. Even as a child and teenager, whenever I visited a dermatologist in Brussels for either acne or eczema problems, I would leave the doctor's office with a prescription for La Roche-Posay products (all of which did wonders for my skin). The fact that doctors trust such readily available products speaks volumes about why these French pharmacy brands continue to be so popular.

When it comes to make-up, less is definitely more. Surely nothing looks more chic than a barely-there base and a slick of red lipstick. All you really need for complexion is a tinted moisturiser or sheer base, such as the Becca Luminous Skin Colour and Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant Glow. If need be, conceal blemishes and dark circles, but be sure to use concealer minimally. Frame your eyes and face by defining your eyebrows with the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Hard 9 Eyebrow Pencil (costs a bomb, but gives the most natural definition to the brows by only adding pigment where it interacts with the oils on your eyebrows. 2 words: Holy. Grail.) Finish off with one coat of your favourite mascara; I'm currently alternating between the L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara and the No. 7 Fanomenal Lashes Mascara. The bold red lip is entirely optional, but I find it essential for adding a bit of Parisian allure. For those who are wary of too much colour on the lips, tap the lipstick onto your lips and blend with your finger for a more lived-in, subtle effect. Chanel Rouge Allure in Passion is the perfect blue-toned shade of red that is likely to suit most skin tones.

I believe there is a lot to take away from the French beauty philosophy, and narrowing the make-up regimen down to just a few items would make us appreciate and work more with what we naturally have. The French approach to style is equally commendable, as it would encourage us to value a smaller wardrobe of versatile yet high-quality pieces. And so I continue in hopes of attaining that je ne sais quoi. In the meantime, I will be waiting patiently until the Isabel Marant pour H&M collection launches.