French Queens: Beautician Training and Industry in France

The average French female invests into their looks, both with products and in care salons. And the concept of beauty reaches as far as the body and underwear. The “Silhoutte” — figure is centrally important and also a criteria for beauty pageants.

Charming and well-groomed Coralie Calistri works as a professional makeup artist in Montpellier. She has two trainings, both a cosmetology and a degree as a professional makeup artist. In the profession of beauty in France, there are numerous academies both private and public, however private schools are dominating. Although private, they seek the approval of the French Ministry of Education which gives more value to their degree. On average to study for a degree as a beautician takes two years. Competition is tough and work doesn’t come knocking on your door. To survive in the industry you have to be active, says Coralie. The french beauty industry is so broad that it’s internationally a huge employer in the field.

Incredibly so, the beauty industry has survived well despite economic crisis. Perhaps because the French are thought as the queens of natural beauty in the world, they are “authentically beautiful”. When professionals are asked about the cliche of the concept of French beauty, you always here to adjectives “chich” and “naturel”, elegant and natural. According to Coralie, the French concept is worryingly slipping into the mercy of surgery, far from the original ideal of the nation. Even women in their thirties, with a couple of extra lines want botox and other surgical “repair work”. In this many have gone way over their heads. Creating a fool out of the French fashion industry.

Myriam Stocco, who was selected as Miss France in 1971 and who has long worked as a jury of French pageant competitions, sees the big attitudes moving towards a more free and relaxed direction. Super beauties are still story like, even when walking in jeans and sneakers. Frenchwoman no longer bows to orderly fashion, and wants freedom which does not compromise their beauty, according to Myriam.