Caudalie’s Mathilde Thomas on The French Beauty Solution

How do French women do it? The radiant beauty of women like Marion Cotillard and Carla Bruni appears completely effortless, and we want in. Fortunately for us, Mathilde Thomas, author of The French Beauty Solution: Time-Tested Secrets to Look and Feel Beautiful Inside and Out, lets us in on the secret: “Beauty is a lifelong, active investment, not a quick fix.”

Mathilde Thomas is the cofounder of all-natural skin-care line Caudalie. She lives in New York, but grew up on her parent’s vineyard in Bordeaux (it’s not by coincidence that all of her products share the key-ingredient of grape-seed-oil). In her book, Thomas features multiple steps to naturally attaining the French-inspired beauty we all seek. The French Beauty Solution includes a three-day grape cleanse guide and Chapters like “Eat Like The French For A Gorgeous Glow.” In this particular chapter, Thomas explains which foods promote healthy skin. She explains that foods rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids help regenerate cells and regulate the immune system. In the same chapter, Thomas provides a simple list of which foods host a plenty of different vitamins. For example, apricots, papaya, and cantaloupe are all rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants.

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In her book she also includes some of her favorite recipes for do-it-yourself masks; all of the ingredients are ones you can find at home. For example, she describes a skin scrub for normal or dry skin that requires only oatmeal, sugar, and olive oil.

Here’s her recipe:

• 1/2 tsp regular (not instant) oatmeal
• 1/3 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• +Mix all ingredients together.
• +Rub gently on your face
• +Remove with tepid water and a washcloth

Thomas’ book is the package deal; she offers a wealth of knowledge in an easy-to-follow format accompanied by beautiful Parisian-inspired illustrations. Like she said, gaining and maintaining beauty is a process, but thanks to Thomas, we are now equipped with a few useful steps to help us get there.