Parisian cool: it's proverbial. And it's not just a question of genes or attitude, as we reveal in our new series. We spend time with different French women and each month reveal one of their closely guarded beauty secrets.
Five a day, every day
For French beauty expert Laurence Monod, the secret to Parisian beauty starts at the market. Shopping for fresh vegetables is the basis of a healthy diet, and as a result, her healthy and glowing skin. Every weekend, you’ll find her at the Marché d’Aligre in Quinze-Vingts a quarter in the South-East of Paris.
Laurence, what are your favourite vegetables?
I try to eat five portions a day of seasonal, colorful vegetables to give my complexion a boost, fill my diet with vitamins and phytonutrients, and add fun to my dishes.
Tomatoes are essential. Whether you view them as a fruit or a vegetable, their skincare benefits are clear: They are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene, a beta-carotene which has anti-ageing properties and protects the skin from sun damage and enhances my tan from the inside.
What is your favourite tomato dish then?
Ratatouille is my perfect vegetable recipe for the summer. It contains all my favourite vegetables – tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes and peppers – and is also packed with antioxidants and vitamin C.
In winter, pumpkin and squash provide me with antioxidants, while sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene.