thefrenchcaterpillar

Best Movies About Love (PART 1)

Posted on October 7, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

Having gone through many silly infatuations, tumultuous relationships and heart-wrenching breakups, I have watched many, many movies trying to approach the subject of love… and some have even managed to do just that, each in their own way.

So here I am to the rescue, on a mission to help people who, like me, love to binge-watch movies and have a cry fest over some douchebag who probably didn’t deserve you.

(SPOILER: The Notebook is not one of them!)

1. Moulin Rouge! (2001) Baz Luhrmann

Even if the Notebook didn’t make it to this list, I had to pick Moulin Rouge! as the #1 love movie (I’m trying not to say romantic, as not all movies in my list will be as romantic as this one). It’s an epic over-the-top movie about love in all its beauty. I know many people don’t like musicals, but I think everyone should give this a try. The cinematography is splendid, the costumes are magnificent and the lights and sets mesmerising.

Favourite scene: This is a tough one… There are so picturesque scenes in this movie: when Satine (Nicole Kidman) sings “Diamonds are a girls best friends”, the powerful tango to a cover of The Police’s song “Roxanne”, and of course the heartbreaking final scene… If I HAD TO pick one, I’d go with the classic Elephant scene. Everything about it is grandiose, but the medley song, featuring everything from David Bowie to Elton John, makes it a winner.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2014) by Michel Gondry

This movie is one of my favourite movies of all time. There is just so much poetry in Gondry’s directing, who really lures you into the magical world of a couple’s intimacy. I used to identify with the character of Clementine, like I do with all anti-manic pixie dream girls, which is pretty much resumed in these stills:

Favourite scene: When Joel (Jim Carrey) explores his deeper subconscious with Clementine (Kate Winslet) by reliving some childhood memories. It’s funny, it’s smart and… weirdly romantic.

3. The Lovers on the Bridge (1991) by Leos Carax

Another one of my all-time favourite movies. When I first saw this movie, it haunted me for days afterwards. I felt this unexplainable feeling of bitter melancholy and joyous hope at the same time. It’s the story of a woman and a man who fall in love while living in the streets, or to be more precise: the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris.

Favourite scene: The explosive scene where they (Juliette Binoche and Denis Lavant) dance to “Whole lotta love” by Led Zeppelin under a sky filled with fireworks.

4. Closer (2004) Mike Nichols

This movie is not very romantic in the sense that it’s very sceptical, but it’s still very much about love. It’s does not depict the idealistic kind of love you usually see in movies, but it shows the cracks, the misconceptions, the harsh reality of love. The story is a bit complicated to resume in a few lines, but it follows the fates of 4 individuals, beautifully portrayed by Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Jude Law and Clive Owen.

Favourite scene: Every scene with Natalie Portman, another anti-manic pixie dream girl, whom I think is brilliant in this movie. But I’d have to pick the very hot scene in the strip club, where she is wearing a pink wig and telling the only truth she’s willing to say to her ex -boyfriend’s girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend (told you it was complicated), portrayed by sex-god Clive Owen:

– Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off.

5. Jules and Jim (1962) François Truffaut

Obviously I had to pick one or two french movies, I’m half french after all. It’s a classic movie about three friends, and lovers, caught in a long-term triangle drama, or as the soundtrack song puts it, caught in the “Tourbillon de la vie” (the swirl of life).

Favourite scene: When Catherine (Jeanne Moreau) dresses up as a man and they run around the city like kids. It’s the first scene where you get a sense of the dynamic of the trio they’re about to form, but it’s also a feminist statement. As soon as she puts on that fake moustache you can feel a certain shift in Catherine, like she can finally be free.

6. Show Me Love (1998) Lukas Moodyson

Show Me Love is a movie about a teenage girl who falls in love with another girl in a small town in Sweden, but it’s also about heteronormativity, teen angst, sexism and the difficulties of coming out. The movie is very realistic, almost awkward at times, but it sends a powerful message of acceptance and whoever doesn’t go “aaaaaaw” at some point during this movie hasn’t got a heart.

Favourite scene: The last scene. Elin (Alexandra Dahlström) is just so awesome and brave in this scene, and it definitely made me want to stand up for love. I know it sounds cliché but hey, as I said in my last post about breakups, love is cliché.

7. Blue Valentine (2010) Derek Cianfrance

This is another realistic/cynical movie about relationships facing the ups and downs of life. The couple formed by Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling are simply adorable, but they are depicted in a very raw way, which makes it very romantic but also a bit depressing at the same time. I simply love these kinds of movies, I get to dream about love while accepting how absurd and cruel it can be.

Favourite scene: The Ukulele scene, hands down. It’s the cutest, just watch for yourself:

8. Rust and Bone (2012) Jacques Audiard

Another french movie, I know, I can be a bit chauvinistic when it comes to French movies and art… But this film is simply too beautiful not to make it to this list. I had this unexplainable crush on Matthias Schoenaerts after watching this movie, don’t ask me why unless you’re a psychiatrist. This movie is also very raw in its own way, but the love between the two characters, perfectly portrayed by Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts, just pierces through the screen.

Favourite scene: When he takes her swimming in the ocean. I cried.

9. Romeo+Juliet (1996 )Baz Luhrmann

Another epic movie by Baz Luhrmann, the eternal romantic who likes to kill all his characters and break our hearts over and over again. I don’t know how he managed to incorporate Shakespeare into our modern world, but if you let yourself get submerged by the atmosphere of the movie, you forget that the words you’re hearing are from the 16th century and let youself dream about a love as pure and naive as Romeo and Juliet’s. Oh and by the way, the soundtracks

Favourite scene: The whole Capulet’s masquerade party where Romeo and Juliet first meet is grandiose, not only for the cute “love at first sight” moment, but also for the crazy, explosive party led by Romeo’s brilliant friend Mercutio.

10. Before Sunrise / Sunset / Midnight trilogy (1995, 2004, 2013) Richard Linklater

A great trilogy by one of my absolute favourite directors of all time (if you haven’t seen Boyhood, go see it). It tells the story of the relationship Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) over a longer period of time, from their first meeting to the disillusionment they face together in middle age. By doing a trilogy, Richard Linklater really succeeds putting love – and life – into perspective, plus it’s perfect for binge-watching.

Favourite scene: The last scene. I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s really the outcome of hours of feature film. It was worth watching hours of feature film just for that scene. After following these two characters you start to get attached, so I was a bit sad it was over, but it had this unexpected cute optimism that made me smile.

PART 2 is coming with my top 11-20 movies about love, so stay posted!

Review + swatches: matte pink/mauve lipsticks (MAC, Bourjois)

Posted on October 6, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

This month I’ve purchased 3 new lipsticks with a semi-matte/matte finish and I thought I’d take the opportunity to give you a quick review.

From top to bottom: Bourjois Velvet in 09 Happy Nude Year; Bourjois 12 hours lipstick in 31 Beige Shooting; MAC Matte lipstick in 70 Mehr

1. Bourjois ROUGE EDITION Velvet in 09 Happy Nude Year (€14.50)

+ PLUS +

Light and creamy consistency
Nice velvety matte finish
Stays on well once it has dried
Smells wonderful

– MINUS –

Takes some time to dry
Hard to apply, it’s easier using your finger or a brush

* SHADE *

The shade “Happy Nude Year” is not really a nude, it’s a cool pink. As you can see from the swatches, it looks really different on the photos with or without flash. It looks more natural in real life, but can seem a bit more pink on photos. However, keep in mind that the color sets on your lips once it has dried. Be patient.

2. Bourjois ROUGE EDITION 12 hours lipstick in 31 Beige Shooting (€14,50)

+ PLUS +

Easy to apply
Smooth consistency
Natural finish
Not drying

– MINUS –

Does not last 12 hours
Not very pigmented (could also be a plus if that’s what you’re looking for!)

* SHADE *

“Beige Shooting” is actually not beige at all, it’s a pink/mauve nude. Don’t get fooled by the swatches, it’s actually less “cotton candy pink” on the lips than on the photos. It’s a perfect “my lips but better” color for everyday use: it’s discrete, but it still defines and enhances the lips beautifully.

PS: Whomever is in charge of naming the different shades at Bourjois should really consider getting another job. The rest of the Bourjois employees can go on making great budget lipsticks. Thank you for your comprehension.

3. MAC Matte Lipstick in 70 Mehr (€19.50)

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+ PLUS +

Highly pigmented
Nice matte finish
Easy to apply
Beautiful shades

– MINUS –

A bit dry
A bit too thick in consistency

* SHADE *
The shade “Mehr” is a kind of berry-brown pink. It’s a bit darker than it seems at first sight, and more pigmented than the 2 other lipsticks, but the color is gorgeous and can be worn for all occasions. I feel like this is perfect autumn/winter shade. It leaves a nice tint on the lips even hours after you’ve applied it, but if you tend to have dry lips use some lip balm to revive the color and prevent it from drying out.

Howdy!

How to get over a break up

Posted on September 29, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

I wanted to write a book about my last break-up, but by the time I had processed most of it I realised there was no story to tell that hadn’t been told before. Every word I would write would end up sounding like a big old cliché, because that’s exactly what it was. There’s nothing original about a break-up. Everyone has felt that wrenching pain, and everyone has thought “this will never go over”.

Spoiler: it will

We often feel like the deep, deep feeling of sadness we feel must be a proof of our deep, deep love to a person, when in truth it’s not always the lost love that causes the most pain, it’s our hurt ego. I’m not saying love is a myth and heartbreaks are silly delusions (well maybe a little bit), but in my opinion a lot of pain could be avoided by doing a little damage control. Some feelings are simply easier to neutralise by using your brain rather than your emotional instinct.

There are different stages of a break-up. I will use one of my favourite jazz albums of all time, (in)appropriately titled “Love Supreme”, by John Coltrane to name the different stages of a break up.

1. Acknowledgment

This is the first stage of a breakup. During that time, you will need to adapt to this new situation and let everything sink in. It’s important to create a new environment for yourself, a safe place. You can have a cry fest and binge-watch a romantic movies (PS: NEW POST TO COME WITH MY TOP MOVIES ABOUT LOVE!), but don’t let yourself get sucked into your own suffering. Avoid isolating yourself and find friends you can rely on which can give you the support you need or just keep you occupied. Finally, the most important thing is not to trigger yourself by reading old texts, stalking your ex on Facebook or listening to the songs that make you think of him/her. Try self-control, I promise you it’s very rewarding.

2. Resolution

If you’re still writing love letters to your ex or doing a list of all the ways you could get revenge by now, stop it. Now is the time to accept the reality of the situation: your relationship has ended and you need to get over it. Redecorate your apartment, party until dawn or focus on your career: whatever your thing is, do it. Try to refocus on yourself and the things you love (except your ex!). When I suddenly became single after a long relationship, I had completely forgotten how to do things just for me. I lived alone for the first time and suddenly it didn’t matter what food I ate, or if the apartment was clean, because no one was there to share it with me. I had to re-learn to enjoy doing things just for me.

3. Pursuance

Now you might think this stage is superfluous, but it’s actually crucial. Why? Because in my experience, when you start feeling better after a while there is often a backlash. It’s the same as when you stop smoking, at first your body goes into survival mode, your only focus is getting through the day. However, once the worst is over and you start feeling a bit more optimistic, you start to let your guard down and suddenly you’re standing drunk outside a bar with a cigarette in your hand. A breakup is quite similar. You can go from feeling like the world is yours, to hysterically crying because of a song on the radio that made you think of that one time he made fun of your belly button. You just need to push on and remind yourself why you broke up, over and over again.

4. Psalm

The final stage of absolution. But when are you really over someone? I don’t know. The appropriate question here is rather: when are you really over a breakup? When you stop feeling that twinge of regret when you think about your ex? When you can finally wear that dress he got you again? When you fall in love again? There are many symbolic milestones, each story has its own. To me it was seeing my ex again without my heart beating like it was about to explode. It sounds stupid, but had I listened to myself a couple of months earlier I never would have thought it was possible. I was genuinely and entirely convinced I was never going to get over our failed love story. I did.

There is no secret remedy for a heartache, but with a pinch of rationality, self-control and patience you will heal beautifully and be ready for… even more pain and deception!

YAY!!!

MAKEUP FAVOURITES

Posted on September 26, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

I thought it was time I updated my makeup routine as well. Makeup has really become a real interest of mine this past year. When I developed adult acne, I was so desperate to find foundations and concealers which would look natural, while doing the job of covering my zits and scars, that I started to spend a lot of time reading reviews, watching tutorials on Youtube, etc.

Here is a list of some of my favourite makeup products right now:

Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation by Vichy, but as a concealer
Fit Me Concealer by Maybelline to conceal my (very) dark circles
Dream Pure BB Cream by Maybelline with 2% Salicylic Acid
Miracle Touch by Max Factor – for touch ups (blends really well!)
HD powder by Makeup Forever or NYX (dupe) – to set the foundation and concealer
So Couture Volume Million Lashes Mascara by L’oréal – simply great
Gimme Brow by Benefit Cosmetics – easy and quick
Matte Lipstick in Mehr by MAC – gorgeous color

I also still use the Bourjois blush and bronzer powder, which I had reviewed before, but I’m actually looking for a more natural cool bronzer/contour shade. I will let you know if I find my holy grail!

UPDATED SKIN ROUTINE

Posted on September 25, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

Hi folks,

I’m back with a new skin routine! I have tried to stop using any potentially irritating products and given up on harsh acne-treating products, and I must say that after using these products for 3 months I see a real difference. I haven’t had any major breakouts, except 2 hormonal zits on my neck (?) the first month right before my period, but now my skin feels balanced and ready to heal. If you have sensitive acne-prone mixed skin like I have, this could be for you!

MORNING ROUTINE:

If I need to shower, I clean my face while showering with the So’ Bio etic Clarifying mousse which I actually bought in a supermarket and I was amazed! It really clarifies the skin and gives you a radiant look!

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If I don’t need to take a shower, I opt for a gentle clean with some Bioderma créaline H20 micellar water and/or some witch hazel water.

Now when it comes to my every-day moisturiser, I have a new favourite:

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the Clear it up oil-free moisturiser by Lumene

These past couple of months, I have been very disappointed by many high-end products, so I’ve decided to stop thinking that expensive means good, and simply base my decisions on the ingredients in the products. This moisturiser is cheap while really keeping my skin in control while not drying out my face at all. It’s not an acne-treating moisturiser, but it’s oil free and contains a short list of good ingredients and very little fragrance, which my sensitive skin always appreciates. It’s hard to find in stores but you can find it on internet.

EVENING ROUTINE:

If I’m wearing a lot of makeup, I use coconut oil and massage it into the skin. Then I start taking it off with a little warm water and finally use a cotton pad to take the rest off. 61hb3sobt1L._SL1000_.jpg

Then I use La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser to wash away any makeup residues.

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As the water is rather harsh in Paris (where I live) I try to always spray some chamomile or witch hazel water on my face after washing it with water.

Once my face is squeaky clean, I proceed with my favourite part of my skin routine: the Aromessence Neroli Night Balm by Decléor ❤

Where do I start… it’s simply the best thing that has ever happened to my skin. My mother has used it for years, but I’ve avoided her advice of trying it because I thought we did not have the same skin problems and there was no way it would work on my sensitive acne-prone skin. Boy was I wrong. Its composition is simply marvellous: the basil oil in the balm purifies my skin while the neroli hydrates and calms my skin. I wake up with beautifully hydrated, balanced and plumped skin. Even though it contains a lot of different essential oils it does not make my skin break out at all. I think this night balm + the oil-free moisturiser from Lumene is a really good combo for my whimsical skin.

MY SKIN ROUTINE

Posted on May 12, 2016 by thefrenchcaterpillar

Morning:

I start off by gently cleaning my face with Witch Hazel or Rose water and then apply my day cream. Right now I’m using the Melvita rose facial gel which is really fresh and hydrating and let’s the skin breathe. In the winter I use the Biodroga Puran Formula 24H care for dry impure skin.

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Night:

I first apply a large amount of coconul oil on my face and massage it into my skin and eyes. Coconut oil is a great make-up remover, even if you’re wearing waterproof mascara. I then wipe it off with a cotton ball or wipe. Then I either use my Konjac sponge with a little bit of oil and fragrance-free face wash, my Tri Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash or my Bioderma Sensibio H2o Micellar Water

As I have microcystic acne, I need quite a lot of exfoliation but as my skin is sensitive, I try to alternate between the three. Konjac sponges are very useful if you want a deep cleanse without irritating the skin. After that, I apply one of my home-made oil serums.

Right now I have two home-made oil mixes:

Balancing, Calming, Acne-fighting: Hazelnut oil with Lavender and Tea Tree essential oil
Balancing, Hydrating and Healing: Jojoba oil with a few drops of Vitamin E extract

I sometimes alternate with aloe-vera based serums when my skin isn’t dry. Other recipes to come !

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Do you own oil mix according to your skin type: it’s easy, cheap and natural!

Treatments:

I use La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Duo on spot that are still “under the skin” and for scars as it has two effects: it unclogs pores and works wonders on red scars. It’s also not as agressive as all other acne treatments.

To kill inflamed zits I use the miraculous Tea Tree oil. Tea tree oil is an aboslute must-have if you have problem skin. Crajiru extract is also very purifying but it’s a bit more expensive.

I also put Manuka honey on my dry spots and scars 3 times a week, it works miracle.

Once a week I steam-bath my face (or just put a hot towel on my face for a few minutes if I’m in a hurry), use a very gentle scrub such as Caudalie’s gentle scrub or my Konjac brush to gently exfoliate the skin before applying a home-made mask.

The base of the mask is pretty much always the same: clay (while, green or red) or yogurt, and then I add other cheap natural ingredients. I will make a complete list of easy DIY face mask recipes in my next post.

Basic Make-up:

Make Up Store Oil-free Primer

Biodrogan BB cream “for mixed impure skin”

Une concealer “Skin glow”

Une BB highlighting pen

Maybelline green concealer

Shiseido “UV Protective Compact Foundation” in the summer, a mineral powder in the winter.

Elizabeth Arden Blush “Wild Berry”

Bourjois Bronzing Powder “Délice de poudre”

Bare Minerals Eye Shadows “The Truth”

Maybelline Baby Balm “Cherry Me” or Isadora Twist-Up Matt Lips “Nude Rose”

Anastasia Brow Pommade “Taupe”

+ some brown eyeliner and waterproof mascara

DONE !

MY ACNE STORY

Posted on May 12, 2016 by thefrenchcaterpillar

Hi folks!

This is my first post, so much pressure! I want this blog to be a personal yet anonymous beauty, lifestyle and inspirational blog. It will feature beauty advice, monthly picks, product reviews, and other stuff to meditate upon !

Let’s will start off with the basics which will make all my other beauty posts much more relevant: my acne (never-ending) story.

My skin is mixed/sensitive and blessed with gorgeous adult acne <3<3

This is my left cheek and jaw today #scarredforlife #thuglife

Yes, I can laugh at it now. I have cried myself to sleep and cancelled enough meetings because of break-outs. I’ve learnt to deal with it now – at least psychologically. I had mild acne as a teen, but it wasn’t as bad and scarring as my microcystic adult acne. It started when i was 22 and I’m now 25. 3,5 years. At my worse, I could have over 20 mycrocysts ready to burst into flames and 5 fully-bloomed spots and many many scars and blemishes. Right now I have about 10 really small microcysts, 3 inflamed ones and a couple of scars.

My acne is caused by many, many things:

Lack of self-control
I can’t stop touching my face. It’s like an addiction. I know how bad it is for the skin, but I can’t help it. The urge to feel the spots, try to squeeze them or peel the dead skin off is simply too strong. It’s sick, I know.
Lack of hormonal balance.
I usually get small microcysts before my period who bloom during my period and heal… well when it’s time for the next menstrual cycle. There’s not much to do about this unfortunately.
Lack of will.
I smoke. A lot. Smoking is very bad for the skin: it clogs pores and gives you a dull complexion. But godammit I’m french, I’ll stop when I have kids. I also drink alcohol 1or 2 (or 3) times a week.
Lack of sleep.
I sleep an average of 6 hours a night. I’ve had insomnia in the past, and the moment all the lights are out and I’m trying to sleep is something I always try to put off that moment for as long as I can. I’m also a very stressed person, and stress is not good for the acne. Fun fact: According to a Chinese face-mapping, having acne on your chin is a sign of needing to chill.
Lack of hygiene.
I wash my hands about 20 times a day, clean my face twice a day and change my pillow often because of my allergy to dust/mites – but I don’t wash my brushes and clean my phone as often as I should. If you have acne on your cheekbones and ears like me, you probably should do it too.
Lack of diet.
I just know there is something I’m eating that is causing some of my breakouts. I’ve tried keeping a skin/food diary and cutting out dairy, but I haven’t found any particular intolerance or acne . I must say cutting down sugar helped. That one time when I cut down on sugar… As a true frenchie, I’m also addicted to bread and wheat in general. I have high amounts of Candida in my body, a bit above normal. Candida feeds off wheat. Candida can cause acne. That’s all I know, because I have never tried cutting off gluten, it’s just not for me. Cutting off gluten would be like cutting off a source of happiness in my life. A baguette a day keeps the psychologist away !
Lack of good skin genes.
My mother had adult acne during most of her 20’s and had huge cysts on the neck for 2 years in her 40’s. She also has thin, sensitive skin with visible veins – just like I do. Thanks for the DNA mom!