French Magnificence Secrets and techniques and Ageing Superbly with Garance Doré

This month we’re embracing conversations round love of all types. And with regards to loving ourselves, there’s nothing extra highly effective than embracing our personal distinctive magnificence. As a substitute of getting caught within the “new yr, new you” cycle of making an attempt to fully makeover ourselves, what if we targeted on cultivating our inside magnificence and radiating confidence? In different phrases, the French method, and nobody epitomizes it higher than my buddy Garance Doré. From her easy model to her humor and charm, Garance is an icon of magnificence in each sense of the phrase.
I interviewed Garance over on my Substack publication, and it was such an impactful piece, I wished to share with all of you right here, as properly. On this dialog, we discuss French versus American magnificence tradition, tips on how to “age superbly,” and why simplicity and confidence are all the time in model.
P.S. Garance shared her French magnificence necessities in this month’s subject of Camille Kinds EDIT they usually’re so good!

Hello Garance! Let’s begin with a query I’m certain you get requested on a regular basis—what units French magnificence aside from an American method?
It’s humorous, as a result of I used to be simply having espresso in Paris with a buddy who’s very Parisian. She’s 5’4″, wore no make-up, had her hair down naturally, and was in a superb coat. To me, that’s French magnificence—this easy confidence and perspective. It’s not about perfection. Just a little shadow beneath the eyes or a wrinkle isn’t seen as a flaw; it’s simply life. The main target isn’t on tiny particulars however on the general vibe and the way somebody carries themselves. That confidence makes every part else secondary.
It actually does come right down to inside confidence. I’ve seen that once I’m not feeling nice about myself, I are inclined to overcompensate with extra make-up or making an attempt too laborious with my outfit, and it by no means works.
Precisely. Confidence reveals, and it’s magnetic. We wish to really feel it, and be round it. So something that initiatives that, whether or not it’s a beautiful crimson lip or no make-up in any respect, the content material has to say “I’m assured. I be ok with who I’m. I’m happy with myself. I’m happy with my age and my flaws.”
It’s such a special perspective than within the U.S., the place magnificence typically seems like a dialog about what’s trending.
Precisely, and I’ve all the time been drawn to simplicity. French pharmacies are stuffed with unbelievable merchandise that don’t break the bank, and French girls are inclined to fastidiously select sure merchandise and stick to them for years. It’s all about consistency. Which is my entire philosophy behind my model Doré. Generally our pores and skin thanks us for placing much less on it. There’s this rush for brand spanking new components, and I believe that layering on too many issues can exhaust the pores and skin.
I’ve all the time been a French pharmacy lover, and I used to be raised figuring out that you simply don’t must spend a ton of cash to have very, excellent merchandise. However then within the early 2010s, I believe magnificence began altering, and we began studying in regards to the poisonous components in a lot of our skincare. And sadly, that included loads of the merchandise that I beloved within the French pharmacy.
I’m not an individual who likes to be tremendous granular and browse an extended record of components, so with Doré, I wished to create one thing easy and clear. Our clients see our emblem and know that it’s a product they will belief.
Talking of feeling lovely, what does growing older superbly imply to you?
Life is a piece in progress. And I believe our our sense of favor, our attract, our magnificence, it’s additionally the identical method. So I believe that growing older superbly is figuring out that I’ll by no means look the identical method in my 20s, my 30s, my 40s. I’m turning 50 subsequent yr, and I’m questioning—who’s that particular person? What does she appear like? It’s about being curious greater than judgmental, you recognize? And it’s additionally about asking what I wish to mission to the world.
It’s true that individuals have a look at you in another way as you age. However that doesn’t imply that they don’t have a look at me, it simply means it’s totally different. So what do I wish to radiate, and what do I wish to usher in folks’s life? And I believe that’s whenever you begin working extra in your aura and your vibe, and contemplating the sort of vitality you carry right into a room.

That’s so superbly mentioned. You’re probably the greatest examples in my very own life of somebody who embodies this sort of eternally youthful spirit. Your model evolves, however your aura stays the identical, and you’ve got the identical sense of vibrancy and curiosity. Are there every other private qualities that you simply assume we must always contemplate cultivating as we search to age superbly?
Thanks for that. I’m very optimistic, and I’m all the time very on this planet and in different folks. When you’ve gotten a thirst for brand spanking new issues, you by no means actually really feel outdated inside your self.
I’m residing in Paris proper now in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It’s a really outdated sort of neighborhood, and there may be this sort of mindfulness about others that I’m having fun with a lot. It’s a neighborhood with loads of older folks, and so there may be this old skool vibe. You hear, “Hey madam,” and there’s a kindness and politeness that’s so pretty.
After we discuss magnificence, certain it’s nice to have excellent pores and skin and plump lips and all that. However what can we carry after we stroll right into a room? I believe it’s extra a few smile and actually folks. It’s great to really feel seen, however you additionally need to see folks. If you discover the sweetness in others, I believe then it helps folks discover the sweetness in you.
That’s such a refreshing perspective. I’ve seen that the times once I’m connecting with different folks, even strangers once I’m out and about, I’ve a lot extra vitality myself. After which once I’m feeling just a little bit extra insular or simply not extending myself, I find yourself feeling drained.
We’re social animals. The largest marker of longevity shouldn’t be the dietary supplements you are taking, it’s not even the meals you eat. It’s not the train, it’s your group. And this sense of connecting with others performs out in so some ways as we go about our days.
The best way we divulge heart’s contents to folks, if we’re current with others, if we rise up straight and smile—all these little social cues radiate magnificence greater than anything. Individuals not often discuss these issues once they discuss magnificence. However actually, we wish to be lovely so that individuals see us and love us. And there are such a lot of methods to try this that aren’t like, an ideal forehead. As you become old, your vibe and your vitality are going to be much more necessary as a result of every part on the surface will change.
Constructing your self value in your exterior look is a really shaky basis. Okay, one final query earlier than we wrap up: What’s the most effective magnificence recommendation you’ve ever obtained?
By no means deny your self the pleasure of feeling lovely. Whether or not it’s exercising, placing on make-up, or dressing up for your self, these easy acts make you’re feeling good and present up absolutely. Magnificence is about pleasure, not obligation. And it’s one thing we are able to share with others—it’s a present to ourselves and the world.
I like that. It’s such a fantastic reminder to search out pleasure in caring for ourselves. Thanks a lot, Garance, for sharing your knowledge and inspiration.
Subscribe to Garance’s must-read Substack right here!