BILLY

Have you ever read an article or heard a story of questionable heritage that you chose to believe because it supported something you really wanted to be true? Did you continue to reference the story or article in your head like it was born of Harvard research to help rationalize questionable behavior? For example, maybe you like to smoke cigarettes and drink whiskey and have been considering doing so on a more full-time basis. Then, you remember that one block party a few years ago when your neighbor told you a story about their friend whose uncle’s coworker smoked two packs and chugged Jack Daniels every day of his adult life. The neighbor’s uncle’s coworker lived until 96, at which point he was tragically struck by a bus. 96? That’s pretty good. If that guy did it, then cigarettes and whiskey are obviously very close to being good for you. Rationalization for smoking and drinking achieved.

We all need rationalizations from time to time. One of the nice things about our information age is you can find an article, blog or story on any topic, however controversial, to support your current position. No changing necessary. You need to rationalize ingesting a 2 liter of Coke and a side of cake? Google, “Sugar is fine, right?” and you will find at least one article that supports your desire to consume sugar like it’s broccoli. Granted, you may have to scroll through lots of articles from actual doctors, but you’ll find one. As you can imagine, the political applications of this are staggering.

Imagine my delight when I read several Vogue articles that provided me with a style rationalization/upgrade I now embrace as scientific fact. Some background: .

When I’m running errands, etc. I don’t think a single onlooker would suspect my deep and passionate love of beauty products. Why? Because I typically don’t look very good. Not a low self-esteem “I don’t look good”, more of a legitimate “I didn’t brush my hair-I don’t look good”. My love of products operates from a very personal, heartfelt solution-of-the-week-oriented strategy located deep inside my head (and heart). Looking totally put together on a daily basis has never been my goal. In addition, my attention to my hair ends with coloring it. I wash it occasionally, but I am both incapable and uninterested in styling it unless you invite me to your wedding. In summary, it’s not unusual for me to spend 3-7 minutes carefully covering the redness around my chin and nose, only to leave the house without any eye makeup and my hair in a workout-sweat-scrunchie-bun.

According to several articles I have pieced together on vogue.com to rationalize my style philosophy, it turns out I am not lazy, I am simply French Girl Chic! Phew! For decades, trendsetters have been trying to articulate what makes French women so effortlessly stylish. French women are envied for achieving a sexy, chic look without looking totally put together from head to toe. They are chic because, for instance, they have chosen to pay attention to their skin and leave their hair winter frizzy. Or, if they work their hair into a messy ponytail, they swipe on a quick red lip and leave everything else bare. This rationalization is so effective, now when I leave the house with my hair in a rat tail contrasted with a carefully applied brow, I do so with the confidence of a French girl riding her bike in Paris.

Please feel free to adopt this beauty rationalization in your own life. We’re French Girl Chic, ladies. I may have to work a little harder to get those French girls to embrace yoga pants as pants, though…….

Everyone knows the French girls like their drugstores. I think they have better stuff in French drugstores, but in honor of our French Girl Chic diagnosis, here are a few of my drugstore faves:

Micellar water:

You’re probably seeing this stuff all around and wondering what it is. It’s been used in France for a hundred or so years, but it’s gaining popularity in the states recently. It’s just water infused with tiny oil particles that is used to clean the face. It gets off makeup, dirt and grime but doesn’t have to be rinsed afterward, making it a home run hit for those of you who take your makeup off before bed but can’t be bothered to make it to the sink. Or you want to maintain your skin while camping. The original French brand is Bioderma. I tried it and really liked it. I’ve been taking my makeup off with it before I do my NuFace (more on that later) when I don’t want to run upstairs and officially wash my face. It really works! Garnier just came out with one and Simple has one you can get at the drugstore, too. Here’s an article with more details if you’re curious: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/micellar-water-skincare_us_55a66a22e4b0896514cfd3c9

Bright Lip:

My stylish and pretty friend Danielle recently rocked an awesome red lip. When I asked her what kind of lipstick it was, she took out a red tube of Rimmel London lipstick. I was floored. Drugstore lipstick that looked that good. Naturally, I went out and bought a bunch (they were $5.49 a piece!). I’m in love. The formulation and color choices are impressive for such a low price. Not drying, great coverage. As someone who isn’t afraid to invest in a lip product, I was pleasantly surprised by these. You can find everything from a Kylie Jenner color, if that’s your thing, (104) to an exciting red to go with your new French Girl Chic look (110).

Feline Flick for Eye:

Eye makeup is what I blow off the most, but occasionally I want to step it up. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Super Slim Liner Black is great for creating a liquid liner cat eye and is only around 9 bucks. Can’t beat that!

Here's to French Girl Chic!

Keely