Archive copy by Jenni Baden Howard

‘French women want to be admired, so for them beauty is a serious business!’ explains Sanz. We thought it was only fair to reveal some of their best-kept secrets.

Perfect Pores

First and foremost, French women are fanatical about skincare. ‘It’s very important - more so than make-up,’ says Mathilde Thomas, one half of the husband and wife team behind the Caudelie range.

Bestsellers include the Eye Contour Grapeseed Cream (£21.25) and Eau de Beauté (£21.25), a toning spritzer loved by Isabelle Adjani, who regularly visits Caudelie’s spa in Bordeaux. Look out, too, for the new Vinolift (£39.50) anti-aging serum (tel: 0870- 2412163).

The MATIS range is another favourite (the Paris spa attracts a glitzy crowd). The new, radiance-boosting Vitamin Response collection includes a Brighten Moisturising Face Cream (£25) and Boost Face Oil (£19.50), designed to be used together (tel: 01322- 290101).

For teens, hip new French skincare company Epure offers trouble-shooting formulas such as the SOS Gel (£6) spot-zapper and Mat Multi-Vitamin Crème (£14.50), which moisturises and minimises shine (at Space NK, tel: 0870- 1699999).

With summer in mind, Ambre Solaire is the top selling suncare range in France - try the new SPF60 Tinted Facial Cream (£9.99). Meanwhile, the new Avène SPF 60A/B Extreme Sunblock Cream (£8.50, at Boots) is part of a new range, containing thermal spring water from the Eau Thermale spa in the South of France.

Last, but not least, drink up: ‘Drinking a litre of water, and eating five pieces of fruit, daily is very good for the skin,’ says Thomas.

BODY BEAUTIFUL

Skincare extends beyond the face and neck. ‘French women always use body creams,’ says Mathilde Thomas. ‘Often, a cream and oil are applied together after the shower.’ Try Caudelie’s Body Lotion (£12.75) and Firmness And Energy Oil (£29.75).

Firming, cellulite-busting treatments are also crucial, such as Phytomer’s CelluliMask (£22.60, tel: 0808- 1002204); Sisley’s new Phytosculptural (£63, tel: 0207- 491 2722) and Thalgo’s new Thalgogive Refining Serum (£32, tel: 0207- 512 0872).

To treat the all-important décolleté, Clarins’ Bust Firming Gel (£31) is a must-have. There’s even a Model Bust (£65) contraption, which can be hooked up to the cold tap for a bracing, firming treatment (very French). Decleor’s Perfect Bust (£25.75) mousse is another hit.

For everyday body-buffing, try Gatineau’s fresh pink Body Scrub (£30.75, tel: 0800- 7315805).

Le Maquillage

‘French women love dark eyes, so a black kohl pencil and mascara are essential,’ explains Dany Sanz. Get the look with Make Up For Ever’s Black Pencil (£9) in No 2 (tel: 0207- 529 5691), and Lancome’s fabulous Définicils (£15) in Noir Infini.

‘We also like to look healthy and “sunny”, so bronzing powder is another basic,’ says Sanz. French make-up artist Laura Mercier’s new Sun Dust (£28) is great (from Harrods and Space NK).

The French pout, says Sanz, is either ‘beige, brown or just naturally glossy,’ or ‘very dark and very shiny.’ Slick on something like Make Up For Ever’s Super Lip Gloss (£7.50) in No 2 (beige), No 4 (raspberry), or No 7 (dark chocolate).

According to Sylvie Chantecaille, founder of Chantecaille Beauté, make-up should be quick and easy to apply: ‘It shouldn’t take more than two minutes to look radiant,’ she maintains. Her Real Skin (£39) sheer compact base and Future Skin (£38) “whipped cream” foundation go a long way to help (at Fenwick, New Bond Street, London W1, and Space NK stores).

Nails go au naturel with a French Manicure. Isabella Rossellini’s new Manifesto Manicure Set (£14) contains everything you need, for hands and feet (at Harvey Nichols, London; tel: 0207- 235 5000). Or go for a simple coat of Chanel’s Le Vernis (£11.50) in Flamme Rose, a pinky neutral, or Essie’s Nail Enamel (£6.50) in French Francs (tel: 0208- 906 9090).

French Tressing

The perfect coiffure starts with the right cut: ‘French women expect their hair to look immaculate but not contrived,’ says Laurent Derame, who is renowned for providing the perfect “French finish” at Michaeljohn in Mayfair (tel: 0207- 629 6161).

‘At home, you need the right tools: a natural round bristle brush, and a hairdryer with a cool button, to set your blow-dry.’

Product-wise, the Phytologie range flies out off French pharmacies - try the classic Phyto 9 Leave In Conditioner (£10) or new PhytoCitrus Shine Enhancing Shampoo (£9; tel: 0207- 620 1771).

The ultimate treat for tinted tresses, Christophe Robin’s Lemon Shampoo (£22) and Lavender Oil (£20) treatment come from the Parisian colourist to Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Adjani and Vanessa Paradis (at Space NK).

Sensual Scents

‘Perfume is integral to the French woman’s grooming routine,’ says Roja Dove, Guerlain’s professeur des parfums. ‘They are usually very loyal to a “signature” fragrance, and layer the Parfum and Eau de Toilette.’

Guerlain’s bestselling scent in France is Shalimar (£26, 30 ml Eau de Toilette, and £62, 7.5 ml Parfum). Just a few other favourites: Chanel No 5 (£37.50, 50 ml Eau de Toilette); Paris by Yves Saint Laurent (£36, 30 ml Eau de Toilette); Christian Dior’s Diorissimo (£24, 30 ml Eau de Toilette) and Organza by Givenchy (£30, 30 ml Eau de Parfum).

From the House of Caron, founded in 1904, Fleurs de Rocaille (£42, 50ml Eau de Parfum) has been described as one of the great fragrances of the Twentieth Century (at Harrods, tel: 0207- 730 1234); while the House of Creed’s new 2000 Fleurs (£39.50, 30 ml “millesime strength” spray - a strong concentration exclusive to Creed) is a wonderfully fresh, feminine floral with an edge of green tea (at Harrods, from May).