Stay like a local: why Airbnb gives you the most authentic Parisian experience

0 comments

Le Marais house

Since launching in 2008, Airbnb has blossomed into an enormous community that connects travellers with unique accommodation around the world. Similarly to the Uber generation (the worlds biggest taxi booking service that owns no cars) with bookings from over 60 million guests, Airbnb do not own a single property - rather they serve as a platform for hosts to advertise their spare spaces. From quaint apartments to castles and house boats, there’s currently over two million listings on Airbnb to choose from. 


Last year, Beyond Pricing reported Paris was most popular city on Airbnb, with over 43,800 listings it cleared second most popular city, New York, by over 10,000 spaces. Paris is notorious for it’s tiny hotel rooms that are usually ac- companied by a not-so-tiny price tag. On Airbnb, you can rent a real Parisian studio from as little as £20 a night, so it’s not hard to see why this platform is so popular in the French capital. What’s more is that staying in one of these listings will give you a much more authentic Parisian experience than any hotel room will.

Though it has become a great source for budget-travel, with Airbnb you don’t have to skimp on luxury either. Just £60 a night will get you a spacious Hausmannian one bed, complete with stunning traditional French windows and architecture. If you’ve got a little more to spend, £124 will get you a trendy three-person duplex in Le Marais (see top image) or for £200 per night you can stay in a 17th century Saint Germain mansion.

As you can see from the pictures, Paris- ians certainly know a thing or two about interior design, yet all retain a perfect Parisian charm that will make you feel like a local.

The Local Experience
There’s two ways to book your stay, either choose a space where you rent out the entire place, or just rent a private room within someone’s home. Bunking up with a local can be a great way to get advice on what to do and see during your stay, your Parisian host will know of the best spots you won’t nd in your guide- book.


Lia's Apartment
Paris-based Airbnb host Lia Moreau rents up to two private rooms in her colourful apartment in La Chapelle. “I bought the apartment opposite and knocked the wall through to make one big apartment. I keep one side for me and the other for my guests with a big shared lounge and kitchen area. I always leave a map of the area in the bedroom, where are spotted all shops you might need and a list of helpful information. In the living room, I leave a “tips" book with all of my favourite places in the area”. Plus, you can’t get much more authentic than sharing a space with a true Parisienne. However if you’re looking for a romantic hideaway or shared spaces aren’t for you, there’s still thousands of listings on Airbnb to enjoy all to yourself – just make sure to get as many tips from your host before or on arrival.

French at-mates aside, there’s plenty more reasons using Airbnb will make your stay more authentic. If you’ve stayed in one, you’ll know Parisian hotels are often located in clusters around the busiest tourism hot-spots in the city, be it in and around the Champs Elysées and Arc du Triomphe or by the Louvre and Tuileries Jardins. Most apartments on Airbnb, however, are situated in
local, residential neighbourhoods that otherwise you would have no reason for exploring. 

It’s these neighbourhoods that are often filled with the best local cafés and bakeries, you’ll easily stumble upon hidden gems in the form of charming boutiques in places like Montmartre or Pigalle, for example, or great restaurants and bars in districts like Republique.
Photographer Elisabeth Kirkman, often uses Airbnb on her trips to Paris for Fashion Week, “this Paris Fashion Week season just gone was my fourth time staying in an Airbnb apartment. I don’t think I’ll go back to hotels – it’s much more homely coming pack to a pretty French apartment as opposed to a poky hotel room. Every host I’ve met has always been really friendly and helpful, and I love finding nice cafés and restaurants around the local areas.”

You’ll almost always have your own kitchen and cooking equipment when booking an Airbnb space in Paris. This too means you can live like a local, pick- ing up bread or pastries for breakfast from the local boulangerie means you’ll save on overpriced crepes and, let’s face it, it’ll be a hell of a lot nicer than the ‘continental’ crap you’ll get at a hotel.

Simply enjoying a cup of co free on the balcony whilst taking in views of your local French street can feel oh-so-Pa- risian, once you figure out how to work the damn machine of course, perhaps another tip you should get from your host. Whilst exploring the local cuisine is an absolute must, if you’re in the city for a few nights, cooking dinner in your Parisian apartment is really quite homely and again gives you a real sense of ‘living’ in Paris.


Saint Germain mansion
Booking Your Trip
Tens of thousands of listings in one city can be quite overwhelming, and there’s some de nite scouring involved when
it comes to finding the perfect Parisian apartment for you. There is, however, a few things you can do to make the task a little easier. Airbnb’s easy-to-use search tool will help you filter listings according to dates, price range, amenities and so on, this will narrow things down a little.


Next up is choosing your neighbour- hood/ district, again Airbnb can help with this. If you’ve found a few you like the look of, scroll down to the map part of their page for a description on the area. They keep it brief, but a few choice words will help you decide if it’s the kind of place you’re looking for. 

For example, Airbnb describes Le Marais as “Scenes form a Woody Allen lm” along with “LGBTQ, Bohemian, Art Galleries, Fashion”and La Chapelle as “Tasty treats from around the world” with words “Ex- otic, Multicultural, Crowded, Market”, giving you a short but e ective synopsis of the area and how appropriate it may be for you. They’ll also tell you if the area is ‘Touristy’, so for something a little more authentic, you’ll know to avoid those spots.

From here, you can then use their search tool to zoom in on your desired area where it will then give you all relevant spaces in that specific location. Another tip for sussing out the area would be to take a peak at the address on Google’s street view - this will give you a real-life look at what to expect in the area and just how local it is.

Message your host. Airbnb’s messaging feature is easy to use on your laptop, tablet or phone and notices you as a social sharing app would. You’ll also get an email and text with every new message so you won’t miss anything important. Here you can con rm dates, ask any questions to the host, from whether you can have your fashion week invitations posted there for example, or the nearest metro stations and airport connections. A good host will be promt to respond and making contact before your trip is a good way to get to know them first.

A good host will also have good reviews. When you think you’ve found your perfect place, take a good read through the reviews to make sure it definitely is perfect. Fellow travellers are here able to warn you of any problems with the accommodation or host (things to watch out for: communication errors, funny smells and area safety, for example). And as this is a community, it works both ways, you too will get a review of your stay as a guest that future hosts can see.

This travel site has revolutionised the way we travel, connecting not only people to places but to other like minded people. Download the app, have a browse through the endless Parisian places. Live like a local and see which one will be your home away from home next time you visit Pairs for an authentic, memorable experience. 

Images courtesy of Airbnb

24 hours in Paris this summer

0 comments


Visiting Paris, especially from London, can often be a quicker and easier trip than
going home to see your folks for the weekend. The Eurostar will have you from St. Pancras to Gare du Nord in under a swift two and a half hours. Given the busy lives we lead today, taking a three to four day long weekend isn’t always an option – but don’t let that stop you visiting Paris. Though you can easily spend a week exploring new corners and pretty streets of the city, there’s a tonne you can see and do in just 24 hours, so long as you plan it right.

Top tip: If you haven’t already, download city mapper to your smart-phone. This app will show you all available routes from A to B and guide you through each step, from how many minutes walk to the nearest metro and which bus on what bus stop to how much an Uber will be - the wonder app is essential for your 24hrs in Paris. 





The French woman’s art of eating rich and staying slim

0 comments


They seem to have it all don’t they? We’ve already concluded French women are the best dressed, are brilliant at interior design and live in probably the prettiest city in the world. So it’s hard not to feel even a little envious of the fact they enjoy one of the worlds nest cuisines too, especially when they all seem to stay so slim. How? All of those baguettes, all that cheese, wine? What’s their secret? This topic has been a height of discussion for years, I’m sure you’ve heard of Mireille Giuliano's French Women Don’t Get Fat. In fact, there’s an endless list of self-help and cook books and blogs dedicated to French eating culture, it really has become a fascination to foreigners. We take a look at the authors and experts and try to unearth the tricks behind eating rich and staying slim. 



Au natural
American ex-pat Susan Herrmann Loomis now lives in a small town just outside of Paris. Late last year she released her book, In A French Kitchen: Tales and Traditions of Everyday Home Cooking. A celebration of French lifestyle and food, she explores tips and tricks along with 85 French recipes you can try yourself. She regularly visits her local farmers markets and knows her vegetable salesmen, baker and butcher by name. “Sixty percent of the French buy their groceries at the farmers' market or at the épicerie. They all agree... that intimacy among the produce makes for better meals and, quite simply, a better life.” Loomis also reveals that refrigerators in French homes are actually usually pretty bare, bar some fresh meat, cheese and a couple bottles of wine, of course. She says this is because in France, the fridge is “a holding area rather than a storage bin.” 

It seems the integral key here is where your food comes from. Bread? Fine. Cheese? Fine. So long as it comes from your local cheese shop or boulangerie. French women shop for their produce locally, from market stalls and butchers. Think organic and no preservatives - it’s all about fresh, natural ingredients.

Emily Grossman, editor of French food and lifestyle blog Goutaste, recounts her one of her rst meals when moving to Paris. “I’d bought a single chicken breast from a butcher because I could barely a ord anything else, yet I felt I needed to have meat for dinner.” With a little browned fresh butter and wine she managed to create a delicious meal out of natural ingredients, on a budget. “The mere ingredients I had used turned my simple supper into something orgasmic – $5 for sublime pleasure, genetically pure, no toxins added.” Grossman also says you should shop for seasonal vegetables first, then choose meat as an afterthought, “this ensures your dish is veggie-heavy and veggie-focused.”

Unsatisfying, synthetic diet foods should also be avoided, they’re usually packed with faddy, over-processed ingredients with little nourishment. Get to know your local food salesmen, go for natural foods of the earth – they’re not only better for you, but are a treat for the tastebuds too. Remember, if you’re putting good, quality food in, your body should look good too.

All in moderation
"French women inherently understand that satisfaction is qualitative not quantitative” says Sally Asher, author
of Losing It in France: Les Secrets of the French Diet. We’ve established fresh produce and meat is essential. But of course, French women enjoy indulging too – in their wine, their chocolate. It is however, all in moderation. Yes, wine is an accompaniment to each course of a French meal, but it’s there in small measures, to compliment the food rather than to gulp and satisfy thirst. Same goes for dairy, fat and carbs, they’re not so much labelled as bad foods in France, “after all, a little baguette and brie won’t make you fat, but eating too much will” says Asher.


It’s well known the French often enjoy three-course meals, but what’s also common is that a French woman may leave half of what’s on her plate. Rather than clearing the plate, as so many other western cultures were taught and encouraged to do, the French work on internal cues; stopping when they are full rather than ensuring the plate is empty.

Another popular saying in France to remember here is to “eat like a queen in the morning, a princess for lunch and a poor girl at night,” as told to Elle by French Christian Dior Publicist, Fanny Bourdette-Donon. Breakfast should be the most important meal of the day, definitely, but contrary to the cliché, croissants are just for the week- end, when you have time to savour. Herrmann notes in her book that “croissants are considered special, and they're also the original fast food–you eat them for special occasions and for those desperate moments when you're starving and there wasn't time to make toast.”

“I eat everything, just not too much," says actress Sophie Marceau to Stylist. "Not junk food, but I love wine and chocolate.” We can take tips by simply sipping one or two small glasses of red with dinner, rather than guzzling the entire bottle. Or practice advice from Grossman, who suggests enjoying “a chocolate true after lunch, not 2 slices of cake.”

It’s not about restriction, but balance. French women won’t devour an entire French stick or wheel of Camembert to themselves. Indulge occasionally in your favourite treats, satisfying cravings is only natural and so long as it’s moderated, it won’t hurt you.

Sit at the table, take your time
In Paris (and all parts of France) eating isn't just a necessity, but a social ritual. “A meal is a very particular moment, in which you share pleasure, the food as well as the conversation,” Paris-based nutritionist Dr Françoise L’Hermite tells Stylist. Sitting to the table is a must, and frankly the idea of snacking or eating on the go is pretty ludicrous to the French.

The lifestyle of a Parisian is often hectic and busy, with more and more young people in the city getting lunch à porter (to go). They will always, however nd a park bench or peaceful spot to stop and eat, the French feel food deserves their full attention and respect.
In her book, Loomis recalls a bit of “excellent wisdom” from her friend, François Olivier, a cheese-maker, who told her, “If ever my grandfather caught me eating while standing, he would look at me and say, 'You wouldn't fill the gas tank of your car while the motor is running, would you? Sit down and take the time to eat.” 

Slowing it down will also give your body time to appreciate the flavours, and give your body time to acknowledge and tell you when it’s full. Dinner time, especially on weekends, eating and cooking is very much a social activity. Hosting a dinner party in your apartment is a common occurrence in Paris. Caroline De Maigret’s perfect Sunday is “friends and family gathered around a great lunch.” It’s not so much about showing o your talents in the kitchen, but bring- ing people together for a delicious homely meal.

Wine & cheese are actually good for you
For the most part – again moderation is important here. Grossman learned during her time in France that follow- ing a big meal with some natural cheese and drinking red wine throughout is essential for good digestion. And who are we to argue? Perhaps these foods, which we may normally perceive as naughty treats, are the key to how these slim French women digest their regular three course meals and keep a good physique.

Stylist also reported recently that the fermented, mould- ed cheeses like Camembert and Roquefort that France is famed for actually contain “anti-inflammatory properties that could help guard against cardiovascular diseases,” as suggested by Medical Hypotheses journal. Scientists have since announced these endings could explain why France has the lowest rate of cardiovascular mortality in the developed world.

Red wine, too, also has health benefits – particularly the French stuff. In addition to aiding digestion by cutting through fatty meats and rich butters, it’s been long believed that red wine is another diet staple that assists the low statistics if heart disease in France. It’s also easy on the calorie count and contains a high number of antioxidants. A definite yes from us!

So, in short: keep it natural, keep it moderated, sit at the table and remember a bit of cheese and red wine never hurt anyone. If you fancy putting your French chef’s hat on, turn over for a few of our favourite Parisian recipes to try out at home. 

Illustrating Paris with Elodië Nadreau

0 comments



From Rochas and Nina Ricci to Ladurée, Parisian il- lustrator Ëlodie Nadreau’s list of clients includes some of the biggest names in Paris. Her pastel and poetic works illustrate the prettiest and most beautiful side of the city, whilst capturing nostalgic elements of Paris and the lifestyle. From colourful creations featuring children to straight-o -the-runway illustrations, Ëlodie’s talent covers a range of themes. She’s had work exhibited in USA, Europe, Australia and also featured in publications such as Elle, Marie-Claire, Cosmopolitan. We caught up with the French artist to talk her beginnings as an illustrator, proudest works and favourite art spots in Paris.



How did you get started as an Illustrator?
For as long as I remember, I always drew or creat- ed stu . In my childhood I was fascinated by Disney's movies (and still am today) and my first idea was to become a cartoon animator. So I studied 2D and 3D animation, and after my degree I joined an agency and began to work for tv cartoons.
But there was something missing. So one day, I just quit my job and took one year drawing non- stop to finnd my own style and build a professional portfolio. I started to receive my rst illustrator orders in the beginning of 2010 and then I joined my representative team, Colagene, in 2011. This is the moment my career as a Fashion illustrator re- ally started as I received my first important orders in advertising.

Why Paris? Have you always been based here?
No, I was born and raised in a little island in the west coast of France called OlÈron island. I had to leave it for my studies and after Bordeaux and AngoulÍme I naturally landed in Paris which is the best place to become a fashion illustrator!
I'm really attached to my little island where I go back as often as I can, but in the mean time I really feel like a Parisian girl now. After 6 years in Paris, I'm still fascinated by 'la ville lumiËre’ (city of lights) and always feel like a tourist when I stroll in the streets of Paris.


Where in Paris are you based, do you have a sep- arate studio or work from home?
I love working at home with my fellow cat Kalua to keep me company. I'm based in 75011 in the east of Paris which is very central and bene ts from being just a step from Le Marais with a lot of good restaurants and galleries.

You have many beautiful pieces of artwork fea- turing some iconic parts of Paris on your web- site, how has working in the French city in u- enced your work?
Thank you! Yes you're right my work is de nitely in uenced by Paris. I think that over the past few years I became prouder and prouder to be Parisi- an and maybe a little bit chauvineI mean, I just fell in love with this beautiful city so it naturally appeared in my work. For example, I love adding French accessories to my girls in the illustrations I create, my favourites brand are Dior, Chloé and Chanel.



Our favourite illustration of yours is the woman on the bike (Rizzoli 2012). What are your favour- ite elements of Parisian lifestyle to capture in your work?
In fact, more than particular elements I try to capture a nostalgic and sweet atmosphere in
my illustrations. I love Paris in the 1950s and the 1960s and I'm very in uenced by Jean-Luc God- ard's movies and muses such as Anna Karina and Brigitte Bardot. 
Some people see Paris as a busy and crowded city, as for me it's the city of strolling. As Victor Hugo said “Errer est humain, âner est Parisien”. (Wan- dering is human, to stroll is Parisian. Victor Hugo, Les Misérables - 1862)

What is a typical working week like for you?
To keep me well organised, I have a daily planner that I print every Sunday and ll with the tasks and meetings of the week. I also set myself goals for the week and for every day to keep me focused on what I want to achieve. The thing I like in being a freelancer is that no week looks like another one. Usually I try to make the most cerebrals tasks in the morning (answering emails, coding on my websites and dealing with my social medias) and the afternoons is for drawing essentially.

Tell us about some of the iconic French brands you’ve been commissioned by, any favourites?
2 years ago Nina Ricci and Ladurée decided to gather their talents to compose a fragrance as a macaron and a macaron as a perfume: La Tentation de Nina. I've been commissioned to create a series of illustrations which have been featured in a short trailer to introduce this beautiful collaboration. I just love working with these 2 mythical Maisons. Recently I also had the chance to draw the invitation of Trianon de Versailles for the event 'La Magie de Deyrolle s'installe au Trianon de Versailles’ and also the sleepover invitation of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann & Airbnb.



Where do you personally go for inspiration? Tell us about any of your favourite spots in the city and favourite art galleries/museums.
I think I'm definitely a Spring girl, so for this reason as soon as the rst rays of sun appear in the city, there is nothing that can make me happi- er than strolling in the streets looking for cherry blossoms and magnolias. Here are my favourite spots to nd owers when Spring shows: Palais Royal Garden, Hotel de Ville and Champs de Mars (a perfect spot to capture a beautiful shot of Ei el tower among with cherry blossom or magnolias). My 3 favourites museums are: The Louvres; I'm literally fascinated by classical paintings of XVIIIe century that you can see at the 2nd oor. Musée d’Orsay, and also Carnavalet Museum (which has also the advantage of being free) dedicated to the capital's history from its origins until today. Located in the Marais, in two neighbouring mansions, the museum depicts Parisians’ lifestyle through ages, with beautiful collections of paintings, sculptures and furnitures. Particularly in love with paintings depicting the elegant society of XIXe century in fashionable places. (Une soirÈe au PrÈ-Catelan).

What do you do during your downtime in Paris?
Weekend are all about strolling in the capital, going in beautiful shop books (Artazart, monte-en-l'air) spending time with friends and discovering new spots (restaurants, bars...). For example I just discovered a cosy Ital- ian restaurant called Boboli in Le Marais last night that I highly recommend!

What is next for you? Are there any exciting projects you’re cur- rently working on you can tell us about? This year I decided to launch my own sta- tionery line which is a very exciting project! I can tell you that everything will be very Parisian of course, a lot of things to deal with, I hope to be ready for September. I also have a line of accessories on Parisian theme to be released soon with Merci Gustave!



Interview by Lucia Thomas-Howard. Visit Ëlodie’s site at www.elodie-illustrations.net  or find her on Instagram @ elodie_illustrations. 


Illustrations courtesy of Ëlodie Nadreau 

Quick Tips: blending in with the locals

0 comments


1. Never say bon appetit! Parisians never actually say this.

2. Stick to wearing neutral colours and don’t have too much skin on show. French style is all about classic pieces in navys, neutrals, and monochromes - save the garish prints and bright colours for home, even if it’s summertime.

3. Always say Bonjour. Always. Be it to your waiter when he rst greets you, to a smiling passer by or to someone serving you at the bakery. Only after 7pm, do you switch to Bonsoir.

4. La Bise. A light kiss on each cheek is the appropriate greeting in so- cial situations in Paris between women and men and women. Between men though, stick to a handshake.

5. Avoid the Champs Elyseés like the plague. No Parisian actually shops here, save the queues for Louis Vuitton and Ladureé and hit up the trendier district of Le Marais instead, or explore the independent and vintage boutiques in Pigalle and Montmartre.

6. Put the damn sel e stick away. You’ll stand out as a tourist like a sore thumb and let’s face it, they’re really quite irritating. Stick to a subtle camera to capture your favourite moments and don’t even think of stopping a local and asking them to do it.

7. Picnic. When the sun’s out, Parisians get their food to go and ock to the closest bit of green. Pick a spot in one of the Jardins, on the steps of the Sacré Coeur or by Canal Saint Martin to enjoy your lunch and don’t be afraid to take a bottle of beer or wine too. Locals will often drink outside when the weather’s good.

8. Download City Mapper and Uber. These two free apps will easily assist your journey planning and won’t have you standing in the middle of a street staring at an enormous paper map.

9. Embrace your inner snob. A Parisian cliché, maybe, but still often true, so show a little snobbery here and you'll blend in seamlessly.

10.Walk with purpose. Parisians are busy or know exactly where they’re going, dawdling aimlessly is a de nite no-no. 

Packing for Paris: the suitcase essentials

0 comments


Whether you’re travelling to the city of lights for one weekend or one month, it’s essential these 5 items come with you, particularly if you're trying to master the art of chic Parisian style.

A trench coat
Named in How to be Parisian and as a Parisienne’s absolute style essential, a trench coat will shelter you from the frequent showers and help you look like a local.

A pair of chic flats
If you’re visiting Paris from overseas, chances are you’ll be doing a lot of explor- ing. Elegant as you may look pounding the pavements in your favourite stilettos, your feet won’t be thanking you. “A pair of pointed flats for walking” is an essential for Paris regular Audrey Leighton-Rogers.

A little handbag
“A little Chanel bag” is another of Rogers’ suitcase must-haves. But if you aren’t yet lucky enough to own one of those (perhaps a trip to rue Cambon is in order) then another small, chic black bag will suffice. One big enough for your camera and lipstick but small enough not to be a nuisance, you don’t want to be lugging the kitchen sink around Paris.

Oversized sunglasses
In How To Be Parisian, Caroline De Maigret says the Parisienne should always wear these, "even when it’s raining, because you always have a reason to be wear- ing them: too bright out, a hangover, tears running down your face, a desire to be mysterious..."

A camera
It goes without saying, but there’ll be a beautiful photo opportunity on almost every street in Paris, so it’s totally worth packing your compact or SLR to capture some of these French moments. We all know you’ll want to show o on Instagram. 

Style and beauty advice by Caroline de Maigret

0 comments


Caroline De Maigret is arguably the epitome of Parisian chic. Always impeccably yet effortlessly dressed and hiding behind her messy fringe, long ciga- rette in hand, there’s an allure about her that’s unmistakably French. Often spotted
sauntering through the crowds (or walking in the Chanel show) at Paris Fashion Week, she’s a street style icon, in addition to her other roles as a model, music producer and now author. Though this substance of cool that surrounds her seems somewhat mysterious, De Maigret has taken to pages of her new book to divulge her best life tips alongside fellow French cohorts Sophie Mas, Audrey Diwan and Anne Berest in How To Be Parisian. Clever and often quite comical, How To Be Parisian is a perfect deconstruction of the French woman’s views on attitude, culture and fashion – here's some of our favourite bits on beauty and style. 



On Style
If you only own one sweater, make sure it’s cashmere. Wear a black bra under your white blouse, like two notes on a sheet of music.
Your should always have one thing left undone – the devil is in the details.

The Parisienne’s signature item is that vital detail that brings her out t together form head to toe. Whether it’s a trench coat, a pair of stilettos or a leather handbag, the item is precious. The signature item is an attitude. It is the gun in your holster that makes you feel well dressed and invincible.
The Essentials: jeans, men’s shoes, the bag, the little black blazer, ballet ats, a small silk scarf, the white shirt, a long trench, a thick scarf, the oversized sweater that slips o your shoulder, basic oversized sunglass- es, an oversized shirt, the simple but very expensive T-shirt.
If her wardrobe is made up of only black, it’s not because she’s in mourning. Quite the contrary. Black
is the colour of celebration, the colour of nights that never end, of women who pull the blinds to shut out the dawn.
The Parisienne wears very little jewellery. A ne chain, a small ring, a family heirloom. It is as discreet as pos- sible and should subtly suit you. It’s your trademark.

On Beauty
Find ‘your’ perfume before you turn thirty. Wear it for the next thirty years
Always be fuckable; when standing at line in the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of the night or even picking the kids up from school. You never know
Cut your own hair or ask your sister to do it for you. Of course you know celebrity hair- dressers, but only as friends.
Either go all grey or no grey. Salt and pepper is for the table.
Dry your hair not with a hair dryer (in fact you might as well throw your hair dryer away) but instead use two much more friendly resources: fresh air in the summer and a towel in the winter. Falling asleep with damp hair will give it an interesting shape when you wake up.
A touch of perfume on your hair, behind your ear or on the nape of your neck never did anyone any harm...
If you can’t live without your foundation, mix it with a touch of moisturiser to mute it’s e ect.
And a few strokes of mascara (Hypnose by Lancome) - be generous on your top and bot- tom lashes to accentuate your look and disguise any bags under your eyes - and bright red lipstick (Dior Addict) will not go amiss for a night out.
Short clean nails, sometimes worn with nail polish - but not always. Simplicity is key. In Fact, the French manicure is something of an enigma: it is the exact opposite of French chic.
Faux Pas: Having lip augmentation. It makes you look like a duck. Having more than two di erent colours in your hair.
Despite all these routines, the Parisienne retains her little imperfections, cherishes them even (the gap in her smile or her slightly crooked tooth, her prominent eyebrows or strong nose): these are signs of a certain strength of character and allow her to feel beautiful without being perfect. 

Welcome To Parisian Mag

0 comments


A city admired by people all over the world, Paris is a place we often visit, or
dream of visiting. There's an irresistible allure – be it from the food, fashion, culture or women of Paris. We are fascinated by the city of lights, by the wine, the art, the architecture and the art of French chic. Parisian magazine delves into these elements of Parisian life that we love, talking to natives in the city and producing writing that tells a story of the city. Stories that will inspire and guide you as you settle in to this little piece of Paris. The magazine on Parisian lifestyle, for the non-Parisienne.



Instagram

© parisian. Design by MangoBlogs.