Thanks to her mother and grandmother – both French Vogue beauty editors – Clémence von Mueffling learned beauty know-how with her ABC. She passes on three generations of skincare wisdom, French style
Clémence with her grandmother Régine and mother Lorraine
I like to joke that I was born in a jar. My mother Lorraine Bolloré and grandmother Régine Debrise were both beauty editors at French Vogue. They taught me, in their inimitable French way, that beauty is an attitude, a way of taking care of yourself.
My idea of heaven was being allowed to go with my mother to her office and looking at the shelves of beauty products, trying on new lipsticks and observing the other editors, busy and intense, with a noticeable confidence and savoir-faire in their style.
My mother and grandmother taught me that skincare starts at a young age. I still remember the day my mother showed me how to clean my face impeccably before going to bed. I was 13 years old.
I remember the looks at summer camp when I rubbed stretch-mark cream on to my thighs
That year, I was sent to summer camp in the US to improve my English. Inside my suitcase, my mother had carefully packed a bottle of Estée Lauder perfume, a Lierac stretch-mark cream and Clarins Eau Dynamisante moisturising body lotion, renowned for its pungent aroma.
I remember the shocked looks from my bunk-mates when I rubbed the Lierac cream on to my thighs. Their shock quickly turned to horror as they saw me applying some Clarins moisturiser to my legs after I showered. Though these girls were my age, they hadn’t begun any kind of beauty ritual. They thought I was crazy, but they were also happy to learn my techniques!
My grandmother not only expected her daughter to look impeccable but her granddaughters as well. She would tell me and my sister: ‘Rendezvous for dinner with some Rimmel mascara.’ The thought of us at the table sans mascara was inconceivable and we knew that she expected us to wear make-up, even for a casual Sunday dinner.
French style: ‘When I moved to New York, I understood that French women grasped the connection between beauty and wellness in a way that I wasn’t seeing in America’
When I moved to New York, I understood that French women grasped the connection between beauty and wellness in a way that I wasn’t seeing in America. I knew that skincare wasn’t just about using a really expensive cream on your face. If you’re not sleeping well or eating a healthy diet your skin will never glow; if you’re not enjoying life and savouring every moment – what the French call joie de vivre – it will show on your face. Beauty and wellness are about accepting who you are, making the most of what you have and being happy with the small changes you make to improve your daily routine, because real change is hard.
As my grandmother is fond of saying, ‘You’re never too old to learn – and to look even better!’ I am so lucky that I can look at my mother and grandmother and know exactly what awaits me, and I am so grateful that they are still here to give me advice. Just as my mother once did for me, I have a secret drawer at home where I keep some of my favourite beauty products for my daughter. I load it up with sample bottles of perfume, cute lip balms or new brushes: hidden treasures especially for her.
THE BEST-KEPT SECRET…
A facial massage is without doubt the single best noninvasive treatment for improving the quality of your skin. In France, it is a way of life. It tones and hydrates the skin and gives you a great glow. Just as working out tightens body muscles, facial massage tightens your skin and stimulates the muscles of the face in areas that usually become hollow with age.
Facial massage stimulates circulation and drainage, which awakens the complexion. It makes you feel wonderful, but if you can’t fit in an appointment, don’t despair because there’s a very easy way to add a few minutes of facial massage to your beauty routine. Gently rub around the eye sockets with eye cream. Use both index fingers to massage the frown lines with a knitting-like motion or zigzag between the brows for two or three minutes a day. Practise an upward movement from your décolleté and neck towards the ears.
Régine was a fashion model in the 50s. Here she wears Balenciaga
LORRAINE: ‘What made Estée Lauder was her “glow”. Hers was one of the first skincare companies to create a very light make-up to enhance the complexion while giving it a fresh luminosity. I still have vivid images of Estée. She used to spritz perfume in the air and walk through the mist so it would linger on her hair and clothing. She often came to Paris in the 1980s and once she invited me for lunch at Maxim’s. I didn’t touch my food as I was mesmerised by her charisma and too busy drinking in her words.’
I’m 88 but I still use the essentials – mascara, blush and lipstick –every day
REGINE: ‘I began as a model posing for acclaimed photographer Irving Penn, appearing on the cover of Vogue in October 1950 [below]. Having to do my own make-up was a great way to instil good skills. At my age – I’m 88 – I have switched to a lighter make-up formulation but I still use the everyday essentials: mascara, blush and lipstick. I have learnt never to look négligée [neglected]. In those days women would not look anything less than perfectly polished. This photograph [below] makes me realise how much beauty trends have changed. I grew up with very specific codes that were more sophisticated and glamorous, but women had to look perfect or they would be judged accordingly. Today, it is acceptable to favour a more casual look.’
Regine posing for Irving Penn, appearing on the cover of Vogue in October 1950
- This is an edited extract from Ageless Beauty by Clémence von Mueffling, to be published by Michael Joseph on 14 June, price £14.99, to order a copy for £11.24 (a 25 per cent discount) until 17 June, click here or call 0844 571 0640; p&p is free on orders over £15
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