French Women Don't Contour Because They Think Changing Your Face Is Weird

In a new interview with The Cut, French editorial makeup artist and famed Dior consultant Violette admits the unthinkable: In France, contouring is just not a thing. The attitude of French women towards their makeup is stereotypically laissez faire. You know, like: "This is my face!" and that is that.

"The main beauty philosophy in France is to accept who you are," she said. "That's what makes the French look so specific. We just do a little. We want to keep it simple. Even if we don't have the best cheekbones, we put the focus on our lips or lashes. Changing our face doesn't appeal to us."

The makeup artist is quick to note that it isn't a judgement call on American women's beauty habits ("America is really inspiring us in a good way... In America, it's about enjoying being a woman and celebrating it"). In fact, Violette admits that French women have started gravitating towards highlighters as a way to create dimension on the face.

What can we say: We are simultaneously surprised and not at all surprised. Ohhhh, to be French.

Read the whole (fascinating) thing on The Cut.

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