Amal Amgaad, Director of Communications, YON-KA, on…
What French beauty means to her… “For me, French beauty begins with wellness, feeling mentally strong and healthy, taking care of your whole self. It is connected to eating clean and consuming pure. The everyday habits and rituals that support a strong mind and body generate a glow and life on which everything else rests. On that foundation, French beauty also takes on elements of effortlessness and minimalism. At a young age, I observed my mother in her own beauty ritual, with a focus on skin cleansing and hydration. I remember her taking me to the pharmacy to get my first moisturizer so that I could build my own routine. To this day, my sense of beauty is built on the goal of healthy skin.”
The French beauty philosophy… “French beauty is about living life, being in the world and with your family, and connecting with your friends rather than endlessly preparing for some show. Much is made of effortless chic and minimalism—it is true these are goals of French beauty, but not just because the aesthetic is pleasing, but because the priority is on health, individuality and expressing one’s true best. The goal is not to have perfect flawless skin of a specific look, but rather, through consistent rituals, to maintain healthiness with little need for enhancement, which then expresses itself in confidence for family, for work, for life. Natural products are regarded highly for this reason. On the other hand, French beauty is rooted in respect of mother earth. We love to use French products that are green, clean and genuinely give back to the planet!”
Her favorite French beauty tradition or treatment… “My approach to beauty is straightforward; I aim to look very natural. But it still requires some effort to achieve. My top priority is taking good care of my skin, which is not only good for looking my best, but for feeling my best. In this sense, French beauty is skin deep! From a young age, I was educated to look after my skin, focus on hydration, and opt for natural skincare where possible. French skincare is focused on healthy natural skin and that comes from proper hydration. Skin that is fully nourished is better protected to resist external factors and the signs of aging. In addition to a good skin regimen, I watch my diet (eating tons of fruits, mostly avoiding greasy foods, and limiting my meat intake). No matter how good or expensive your makeup or skincare is, your skin will show signs if you don't look after what you eat. Adding to this, I am a tea lover and will drink gallons of water throughout the day! This is key to getting glowing skin. And lastly, as a quick fix (as I am far from being a fan of surgery and more into enhancing what I already have), my mum has introduced me to some tricks and techniques to massage and exercise my face to keep the skin youthful!”
How Emily in Paris reflects French beauty… “When it comes to Emily in Paris, Camille is the genuine article, the representation of iconic French beauty with devil-may-care elegance that starts with healthy vitality. She perhaps wears some flourishes, but wears little makeup and the basis of her beauty is healthy glowing skin and energy. As a result, she looks great and authentic whether dressed down on vacation or at a dinner party.”
The product that best embodies French beauty… “While there is a focus on an appearance of effortless and minimalism, French women are very serious about their beauty products and their skincare routines. At the same time, simplicity and the adage of ‘less is more’ is held high. The key is to focus on self-care routines and rituals that work and are also straightforward enough to become consistent habits. For the French, it is natural to invest in quality over volume, and to invest in aging gracefully. Our velvety anti-aging creams, Time Resist Duo—a day/night ritual—helps to reverse time. It is infused with a youth-activating complex that helps skin defend against multiple signs of aging. The French have adopted micellar water as a gentler solution to tap water that helps clear away impurities without stripping the skin of its natural elements. Yon-Ka’s Eau Micellaire is a gentle cleanser and the most efficient makeup remover I have tried (even stubborn mascara will disappear with a simple swipe). We all invest in many serums or moisturizers, but a good cleanser is a base for healthy skin.”
