An American in Paris

Having spent the last week wined and dined by the Parisians, I have returned inspired to incorporate the effortlessly polished style modeled by the lovely woman making their way through the streets of “The City of Light.” Never before have I enjoyed a good rose and baguette accompanied by a free runway show of casual cool, sun-kissed color, natural makeup and enviable accessories. The cobblestone sidewalks and streets provide a fairytale backdrop, bustling with businessmen riding to work on fancy scooters and fashionable women in designer shades making their way to their respective workplaces.

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And yet…I never felt more beautiful myself. This was not a “brand war,” or a case of caste economic superiority…These people, these women, embodied the confidence and sophistication that appeared as though they had “more important things to do” than be concerned with their appearances… A certain je ne sais quoi, convincing me that I too, could achieve this Parisian street style.

Take hair for instance…I doubt these women rise early (no one really seems to, at least not before a hot café au lait and croissant) to break out their flat irons and blow dryers; In fact, they seem to embrace their natural hair texture from wavy to unruly to bone-straight and wear it proudly, unapologetically. From the windblown blunt bangs from the depths of the metro and long layers reminiscent of another hippie era, no one was trying. And yet they made me want to try…Or at least figure out their magic. Textured bobs and beautifully grown out balayage, with the occasional platinum pixie, ruled the streets and taught me that maybe, if I stopped trying so hard…

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I stopped in a local drugstore for some nail clippers, a forgotten necessity on an overseas adventure. And what did I find? Oh sure, shampoo and conditioner, toiletry items, OTC pain relievers…as well as organic rose lip balms, floral body sprays and antiaging sunscreens from Caudalie, Le Prairie and even the coveted L’oreal. There was no makeup display, no endless aisle of hair styling products. I suppose looking around I may have understood that minus the occasional bold red lip, clean skin and subtle eye makeup allowed these women to easily transition from day to evening, always keeping that glorious rose lip balm in their back pocket(or uh, Chanel bag). No harsh lines, never

overdone-simply fresh and beautiful, allowing their natural beauty to actually be seen and not hidden (what a thought!).

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On my last full day in Paris, I hit the boutiques-hard. Having already spent the week observing various styles, I found myself gravitating towards dresses…A-line, flouncy skirts, bold prints…Feminine and soft, yet clean and sophisticated. Coincidence? I think not. My inner Parisian wanted desperately to surface and shout “Bonjour!” to the world (all while sporting a top knot and dahlia patterned sundress, of course…why don’t I wear more dresses again???).

My take away from this marvelous city? Keep it simple. Not a fan of long morning rituals? Work with what your mother blessed you with. Ditch your heat styling tools for this sticky, muggy weather and grab some humidity spray and shine drops to keeps your ends frizz-free. Work WITH your hair and not against it. Economy not really working in your favor? Invest in some balayage (maybe only once or twice a YEAR) and high quality hair products to keep your color fresh and tresses healthy in between visits. Don’t be afraid to rock your roots and spray some dry shampoo for added texture. Biking or commuting via public transportation (or good old fashioned walking)? Let comfort be your guide and explore mid-priced brands with natural fibers (think breezy cotton tops and well-fitted jeans, easy dresses and tailored slacks and blazers ) to look effortlessly chic, and invest in buttery leather (or vegan!) pumps and flats, never minimizing the power of a great sneaker(or sandal!) to get you from one side of Philly to the other(But PLEASE keep those heels and toes 💯 ).

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And finally, be YOU. Sure, I love a dramatic lash and magenta lip as much as the next girl, but don’t be afraid to let some freckles out and be seen. Do not underestimate the polish of a groomed brow and natural lip to do more for you than that MAC concealer ever will.

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Gentleman, I did not forget you. While my eyes naturally gravitated towards the mysterious and arguably “cool” women gracefully moving about town around me, I did take notice of those gents sporting blazers, designer jeans and of course, a great haircut (so keep that standing appointment every 2 weeks is all I’m saying because that fade is everything). It comes down to TAILORING, and making each article of clothing fit YOU-Not the other way around. (Might I suggest investing in socks and sunglasses…PRECISION boys 😎😎😎)

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If you make it over to France, take a look around. Breathe it all in and appreciate the differences, the history, the culture, the people…And then go back to your room, throw out your ugly wardrobe and make an appointment with your hair stylist and brow guru STAT!

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#relationshipgoals

 

 

By Anya Kats collage6