How To Feel Beautiful Without Being Perfect: French-Approved Rules to Live By

French actress Lou Doillon captures the essence of alluringly imperfect beauty

1. Don’t Fear Aging. Tout simplement – put simply, a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman, and she’ll turn heads at twenty-two or sixty-one. The key? Wear your inner beauty on the outside—because on the inside, we’re all ageless.
2. Always Keep One Element Of Your Look “Undone.” For all the work we put into primping and perfecting, real beauty is in finding balance. For example, pair an elegant outfit with undone-chic hair; or wear bold red lips with your loose tee and jeans.
3. Don’t Fish For Compliments. Don’t seek approval from others. Instead, cultivate your confidence. Identify a few things you truly love about yourself, and make them your mantra of the week. “J’adore mes yeux.” (“I love my eyes”).
4. Embrace Your Unique Features. When you accept the unique qualities of a bold nose, dark brows or spattering of freckles, they add character and confidence to your look—but when you love them, they become the je ne sais quoi that gives you an aura of irresistible allure.
5. Don’t Use Foundation. Dab a touch of concealer here and there and keep your skin dewy, fresh and natural. Devoted to your foundation? Mix it with moisturizer before applying for a beauty that’s au naturel.
6. Find Your Signature Scent. Nothing exudes confidence and allure like scent. Perfume is one of the most intimate expressions of who you are.
7. Reveal Your Character Flaws. Always late? Painfully shy? Don’t take yourself too seriously, and accept these qualities as part of your unique, loveable and ever-evolving appeal.
8. Wear Pretty Lingerie, Even When No One Else Will See. Go for a bra fitting and leave with pretty sets in luscious laces and sensuous shades you love. There is something so powerful about feeling beautiful for you!
9. Invest In Quality. Invest in a few fabulous, well-made items. A divinely soft cashmere sweater, irresistible leather coat, fabulous hobo or femme fatale pumps are signature pieces you can always rely on to feel strong and beautiful.
10. Don’t Take It Personally. Rejected by a lover? Gossiped about by a girlfriend? Ce n’est pas important. (It’s not important). A confident woman isn’t easily ruffled by others (or at least doesn’t show it). YOU are fabulously perfect in every imperfect way.