Beauty briefs: Say oui

By Terry Light Expert foundation. Photo / Supplied

Innovative French cosmetics line By Terry proved popular in Mecca Cosmetica's recent Beauty Election in which customers and staff voted for their pick of products sold across Mecca's Australasian stores. So did foundations from Chantecaille, a pricey skincare line. By Terry is the creation of Terry Gunzberg, who developed the original Touch Eclat concealer for Yves St Laurent. A number of her products use a similar brush pen technology. Her Rose de Rose blush, made with rose petals, was a staff selection, as was Darphin's sensitive skin Cleansing Milky Emulsion.

Ingredient update

Beauty companies are carefully watching - and no doubt furiously lobbying against - moves in France to ban a list of contentious ingredients from products. In May the French parliament narrowly passed a bill to ban parabens, phthalates and alkylphenols from beauty and consumer goods. To become law the move on the synthetic preservatives which can trigger reactions will require Senate approval. The ban is opposed by France's Health Minister, Xavier Bertrand, who is reported as saying it is premature and more scientific data is needed. For the natural skincare sector, which avoids the ingredients, such a move would be a boon.

The French, like the rest of the world, are showing more interest in natural ingredients, but there aren't many high-profile all-natural skincare brands out there. Phyts is a convincing recent addition to the New Zealand scene. And Avene makes soothing skincare using mineral waters.

French polish

If it's a facial or a body treatment you fancy, the chances are a French brand will be on offer at spas and salons. Names like Clarins, Sothys, Darphin, Collin and Thalgo are well-established in New Zealand. Ella Bache is being given a fresh push into the market. Botanical and marine extracts are firm favourites in many ranges. What distinguishes many French treatments is the emphasis on lymphatic drainage massage techniques which leave skin feeling toned and terrific.

Say fromage

For fresh breath and white teeth, Denblan toothpaste is a French favourite. It contains silica and herbal extracts, including mint and parsley, and its round grains work away at plaque. Denblan is made by the Darphin company, but you don't have to go to a salon to find it, as it's also stocked in some health food stores and at World Beauty, priced at $33.