Take That Marion Cotillard! Multi-tasking Beauty Products Make for Minimalist Routine

When Paris transformed Audrey Hepburn from trembling adolescent to the elegant Sabrina, generations of American women took heed. The Frenchwoman took on mythic status in American culture; the fascination grew from Leslie Caron to Juliette Binoche to Audrey Tautou to Marion Cotillard; by turns charming, gamine, sultry, but always somehow more refined, more elegant.

Frenchwomen update their wardrobes with a mere 4-5 pieces per season, yet maintain a preternatural chic. This minimalism extends to their makeup, with most sporting a natural look: a dab of shadow, swipe of mascara and a little color on the lips.

But skincare regimens are a different story. The New York Times recently peeped at the bathroom shelves of several Frenchwomen, reporting:

"There will be day creams (with sunscreen), night creams (without it), re-pulping creams, serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners and salves for anything from orange-peel skin to varicose veins. But you might not find much soap. "

(No soap?! Mon dieu!)

"Ms. Caron says she doesn't use it on her face or her body (except for "certain places"). Madame Figaro magazine recently quoted the French actress and TV presenter Léa Drucker as saying, "The day I stopped using soap, my life changed." Post-transformation, she uses a hydrating cream."

Though a multitude of other products are mentioned, including pills and creams to encourage "accelerated reduction in the areas resistant to diet (hips, thighs and buttocks)" (seriously Frenchwomen, everyone knows cellulite creams are a scam!) the lack of soap, that most basic of hygiene rituals, raised a few eyebrows. And yet…generations of Frenchwomen can't be wrong, oui?

So in the name of American daring-do, I'm breaking down the skincare regime to minimalist extremes: 4 steps and 3 multi-tasking products.

1. Cleansing - Jojoba oil: It seems counter-intuitive to use oil to clean your face, but this plant-based wax is an excellent make-up remover. Dab a Q-tip in a drop to gently swab away eye make-up, or use a cotton pad for your face (just a few drops; a little bit goes a long way). The great thing about jojoba oil is that it's chemically similar to sebum, your natural skin oils, so it won't leave an oily residue on your face.


2. Exfoliation - baking soda or aspirin: this is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. There are several ways to exfoliate skin; two great methods are baking soda and aspirin. You can make a simple paste out of water and baking soda; the particles are very fine in comparison to many consumer exfoliants and more effective as well. Feel free to mix up your own "recipe", if you prefer a more moisturizing scrub, add a little bit of honey. Baking soda is also a workhorse; it can also be used as a tooth paste, laundry detergent, odor minimizer.
   
   Aspirin can also be used as an exfoliation treatment. Not only does it help with headaches, aspirin is also chemically similar to salicylic acid, which is used to treat acne and as a mild chemical exfoliant. Take 3-4 aspirin pills and crush them with a little water. (Uncoated aspirin pills are best for this, as they dissolve immediately when exposed to water. They're harder to find, however, because most manufacturers coat their pills to prevent stomach irritation). This mixture will be very watery and granular, so you can add a neutral binding agent like honey, a simple lotion or oil. Apply to your face for a few minutes, then use the granules as a scrub when you wash off the mask.


3. Moisturize - Jojoba oil: Several consumer products use jojoba oil to moisturize or hydrate skin. All you need is a few drops for your face, and it dries to a satiny finish because it's so similar to your natural skin oils. You can also use jojoba oil as a hair conditioner, scalp treatment, or cuticle moisturizer.


4. Apply Sunscreen: this is one of the most important elements of any skincare routine. I prefer using at least SPF 45 everyday. Pick a sunscreen that dries to a matte finish, so you avoid looking oily. My favorite product is a combination of foundation and sunscreen; Clinique Super City Block gives sheer coverage and goes up to SPF 45.

Et Voila! A skincare routine so rigorously edited it would make Carine Roitfeld squint in envy. The beauty of this skincare routine is that it can be easily customized and each item is readily available. Like a wardrobe of classic basics, these essential pieces multi-task well, cut down on clutter, and will carry you through season after season.

What are some of your favorite beauty multi-taskers? Share them with me in the comments!