Global Glamonomics: Beauty on a Budget

Three women across the globe share their tips, routines, and total tabs.

By Elizabeth Flahive

Does the New Yorker who spends 20 times more on beauty maintenance than the Parisian make herself prettier — or just cash poor?

FRANCE
Total Monthly Spending: $117, Total Monthly Time Commitment: 14.1 hours

Justine Franquin, 24, jewelry and fashion editor, Stiletto magazine, Paris
French-born makeup artist Laura Mercier named her culty concealer Secret Camouflage, as her compatriots are militant about keeping beauty info classified. According to Mercier, "Your makeup should never say 'I've spent hours to look this good,'" while French editor Justine Franquin says it all comes down to focus: "I'll splurge only on what's essential for me — a deep conditioner for hair and a good day cream for skin."

SKIN
Franquin cleans and moisturizes with the same products in the a.m. and p.m. She exfoliates once a week.
Monthly Time Commitment: 40 minutes (10 minutes a week)
Monthly Spending: $25

HAIR
To enhance her natural waves, Franquin washes and conditions every night. She lets hair dry naturally and flat-irons a few pieces in front in the morning. Every two weeks, she'll use a deep-conditioning mask.
Monthly Time Commitment: 5 hours
Monthly Spending: $30

MAKEUP
In the winter, Franquin uses only Agnes B.'s apricot foundation. The rest of the year, she amps it up with more color.
Monthly Time Commitment: 5 hours
Monthly Spending: $12

BODY
A tried-and-true tub of Nivea is her moisturizer for the neck down. Simple, no-frills pedicures once a month with a neutral polish.
Monthly Time Commitment: 1.5 hours
Monthly Spending: $50

FITNESS
Franquin occasionally runs and walks for exercise but, like her Parisian friends, has never had a gym membership. (Maybe that's why French women spend nearly $100 million on slimming creams every year.)
Monthly Time Commitment: 2 hours
Monthly Spending: $0

FRANQUIN'S GROOMING STAPLES:
1. Guerlain Secret De Pureté, Crystal Lotus Flower
2. MAC Eyeshadow in Pandamonium
3. Make Up Forever Professional Paris Bronzing Powder in Mat Bronze
4. Shiseido Brilliant Bronze Self-Tanning Emulsion
5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+
6. Nivea Creme
7. Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense
8. Babyliss Ceramic Straightening Iron
9. Dessange Paris Color Setting Mask
10. Neutrogena Deep Clean Oil Free Cream Cleanser
11. Bourjois Paris Maxi Frange Extreme Professional Lash-Styling Mascara
12. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.

NEXT >> SOUTH KOREA: Total Monthly Spending: $430, Total Monthly Time Commitment: 38 hours

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