"In truth, our so-called effortless charm is nothing more than intentional calculations based on one holy principle - enhance your natural beauty."
- Julie Levoyer, Beauty Director of Stylist Magazine France
That's such a great beauty principle to live by: enhance your natural beauty! I admire that about our French sisters: the ability to be super comfortable in their own skin. Literally.
Audrey Hepburn, who was known for her natural beauty routines.
I found this super simple & luxurious French face mask, a prized beauty secret, in The Paris Bath & Beauty Book, that I thought was worth sharing with you here.
It's a Smoothing & Brightening Grape Face Mask. An indulgent treat for the skin & perfect, as we go into spring! Grapes have all the good stuff in them - anti-oxidants and essential oils that are supposed to be super hydrating.
For me, it's important to find beauty routines that are simple, otherwise I may never get around to them :) This one's super simple. 3 ingredients, 5 minutes to make.
I tried it out last week and it made my face look really smooth & fresh. The cooling effect lasted all day.
3 ingredients:
8-10 red or black grapes
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons gram flour
3 steps:
1. Mash the grapes in a bowl (you can use a potato masher or a hand blender, but keep the setting on low so it's more pulpy & less watery)
2. Add the olive oil & gram flour to the grapes, mix everything into a nice thick paste.
3. Apply it on your face (preferably leaning over the sink :)) and leave it on for a good 15 minutes. Wash it off with warm water.
Voila! You're face will look and feel rejuvenated.
How often should you apply this mask? It's a good idea to include a face mask in your weekly beauty routine. 1-2 times a week.
Club the mask with a feel-good movie (because, why not?) and take your relaxation to the next level :) I recommend Leap Year or episodes of The Paradise (they never get old!).
Let me know if you found this helpful. And if you have a favorite beauty ritual of your own, share it with me in the comments below.
