Vive La France! Bloggers Celebrate Bastille Day At Phyto Universe

Last night beauty bloggers gathered at Phyto Universe in NYC to celebrate Bastille Day (a few days early!) with PHYTO hair care, LIERAC Paris skincare, and Caron fragrances. Guests were invited to learn about products from all brands, including some of our more recent launches. Experts were on hand to offer up their knowledge and everyone had a chance to mingle with fellow bloggers while munching on some delicious French delicacies (complete with cheese and paté, bien sur!). Live band, "The Hot Club of Hell's Kitchen," played French tunes in the background.

The night also included a mini French lesson, courtesy of Laurel Holland and the Alliance Francaise, in which bloggers learned beauty-related words and phrases associated with skin and hair, as well as hair care and skincare tips from celebrity stylist and salon owner, Julien Farel, and LIERAC's Director of Education, Catherine Raubiet.

Catherine provided great tips while highlighting some of the differences between the ways Americans and the French view skincare:

• Start early with skincare - Get regular facials as early as the teenage years. Americans view getting facials as a luxury, while the French see it as necessary for proper grooming.
  
  
• Use minimal makeup - keep makeup light! Cosmetics are intended to enahance beauty, not act as something to hide behind.
  
  
• Keep it gentle - Though Americans embrace more aggressive procedures (such as microdermabrasion, lasers, and peels), the French prefer more holistic approaches to skincare, with more of a reliance on botanics.
  
  
• Skincare regimen - It's important to maintain a proper skincare regimen including cleansing, moisturizing, and toning, in the morning AND at night. Also, exfoliate and use a mask at least once a week.
  
  
• Body care - Americans tend to forget about taking care of the skin on their bodies (just focus on moisturizing the face), but keeping the body hydrated is just as important!
  
  
• Minimal cosmetic surgery - Plastic surgery is much more common in the US than in France. The French prefer the use of non-invasive topical treatments.
  
  
• Approx. 30% of skin ages due to genetics....70% is in your control!

  
  
  Everyone had a great time at 'le soirée' (we ended up with more attendees than expected...the more the merrier!). A fabulous night indeed!

  
  
  Photos!

  
  
  

  
  
  

  The experts! Julien Farel and Catherine Raubiet

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  The band

  
  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  

  
  Caron's Diane Haska and Lauren of Everyday to Runway
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  A big MERCI to all who came out to Phyto Universe!