Talking Beauty with a French Model
Yesterday, I had a live chat on Instagram with my friend Amandine, who lives in Paris and works as a model. Amandine has been a model for 11 years, and mostly does work in France, but has modeled for shoots in the United States as well.
Our conversation largely focused on beauty and wellness. We talked about how beauty standards differ amongst our countries (i.e., France and USA), what we do to stay well and healthy, and how we’ve lived during quarantine.
After our live chat, many people reached out and asked if we saved the live footage. Sadly, we didn’t! We are both first-timers to live chat and we will do better next time.
In the meantime, I was able to conjure up our conversation and put it in a blog post for everyone to revisit.
Here is my conversation with Amandine.
What is your beauty and wellness philosophy?
Less is more! Focus on quality over quantity. What you put inside your body is just as important as what you put on the outside.
You’ve modeled all over the world, including the USA. How does French beauty differ from the American beauty standard?
French women do more with less. It’s rare to see French women wearing high heel shoes; we like jeans and flats. Also, we have less obsession about exercise—I’ve never even been in a gym before!
Many women are scared about getting/looking older. What are your thoughts on the aging process?
We shouldn’t fight aging. We should just accept it. There is beauty in aging, a deeper beauty in the way our spirit takes up space in a room.
What are your thoughts on Botox?
I am not against it, if it makes you feel better about yourself. Personally, I like fine lines, especially the ones around your eyes that show you smile a lot. Those lines show you’re a happy person—and that’s nice!
What does your skincare and makeup routine look like?
I splash my face with water, and just normal soap to wash it. Right now, for my moisturizer, I use a face oil. It’s an organic line from Paris that I really like—they only use five ingredients!
What is your favorite piece in your closet?
I have always loved jeans! All types of jeans—I don’t have a favorite brand. If the jeans fit me the way I like, then they’re perfect. I wear jeans pretty much every day.
What has quarantine been like for you in France?
Our country opens business again on Monday! This time in quarantine has been nice, in a way. Even when I’m on holiday, I feel like there is work waiting for me. But during quarantine, everything has been shut down in a way that has allowed me to relax. I read more, cook, take walks outside. I think people will come out of quarantine appreciating these simple things more.
What do you see yourself doing after your modeling career?
I’m not sure, really. I don’t try to plan too far in the future; I try to live in the moment. I love what I am doing now, so I want to appreciate each shoot as much as possible.
What is your biggest beauty advice?
Love yourself. Give yourself more love. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the TRUTH, and it will show on the outside!