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Already broken a few of those resolutions?
No need to be discouraged. Nancy Wilson looks at a few quick fixes to give you a
lift
If you really want to know how French women stay
slim, you won't find the answer in the pages of Mireille Guiliano's French
Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure (UK: Chatto and
Windus, reviewed Reporter 108). The secret is the Cellu M6, a machine designed over 20 years ago by French
engineer Louis-Paul Guitay. Having suffered extensive tissue damage from a car
accident, Guitay had to undergo four hours of rolling manual massage a day to
try to loosen his scars. He found, though, that the quality of the manual
massages was too varied so he designed a machine that would deliver a consistent
rolling massage, combined with "an inhaler" to nourish the area. This technique
was successfully used to treat burn scars and is now recognised worldwide as the
"Rolls Royce" of cellulite and body contouring treatments, working through the
skin to mobilize the underlying tissue. Over 10,000 professionals in France use
the M6 and ten million people around the globe benefit from its roller motion.
"After fifteen half-hour sessions - which costs €400 - most of my clients, both
men and women, lose at least an inch," Vanessa Rodriguez of Perfect Lady
Institut told me, "and one woman actually lost three. The M6 is designed to
target problem cellulite that sweaty hours at the gym can't get to but regular
exercise and healthy eating are also essential to keeping your weight
down."
Tattoo you
 Often the hardest part of tackling weight issues
is the time it takes to see the results. To keep yourself up and motivated by
that reflection staring back at you, female readers might consider another trick
that French women adopt: semi-permanent makeup. Sabrina Versace of the Diane d'Estérel Beauty Centre is an esthéticienne
dermographe - a specialist in "tattooing" makeup to lips, eyes and eyebrows
that lasts about three years.
What are the advantages of maquillage
permanent? "First, for people with allergies this is a great idea. The
product is natural pigments, minerals and synthetics which is quality controlled
by the Ministry of Health. Second, it saves time. You get up in the morning and
you're ready to go. And lastly, for women who have had chemotherapy, eyebrows
- les sourcils - are a big thing. Unfortunately, this is a procedure I
perform more and more often."
How does it work? "As it doesn't penetrate
deeper than the first layer of skin, it's superficial. The skin therefore
rejuvenates slowly over time and eventually, after a few years, the makeup will
no longer be visible." And the procedure? "The first consultation is about 1.5
hours. I meet with the client to understand exactly what she wants and we decide
on a colour. Next I draw an outline and once we both agree on the shape, I get
down to work (above). There is a touch-up session about a month later which
lasts maybe an hour."
What are the biggest concerns? "Women are afraid
the results will be too dark or that it will hurt. A few precautions to note,
though. This is not suitable for either diabetics on insulin or someone who is
hemorrhagic. Pregnant women should also consult a doctor first." The cost? €390
for eyeliner, lipliner or eyebrows.
Unlike a new haircut or a "brushing",
dermographie needs to be planned in advance. There will be temporary
swelling for a day or so and if you're just about to head off on a tropical
getaway, you'll need to avoid the sun for one week after a treatment. "I love my
work because when I'm finished I see immediate results, like art," Sabrina
added. "It's satisfying to see a more than happy client."
Julie Ammirati who runs Secrets Beauté in
Valbonne offers something for those who cringe at the thought of tattooing: "In
twenty minutes, I can dye your eyelashes to make your eyes more intense. It
lasts about a month and only costs €20. The best part is that it doesn't break
your lashes like eyelash curlers do and unlike mascara, it won't run. Perfect
for the summer months."
From Riviera Reporter issue 125: Feb/March 2008
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