The Art of Ageless, French Allure: Three Generations of Beauty Wisdom
By Clémence von Mueffling
As the founder of Beauty and Well-Being and the author of Ageless Beauty the French Way, I often joke that my expertise wasn’t acquired, it was inherited. I grew up in a household where beauty was not a pastime, nor a luxury, but a quiet family tradition. Some children learn to cook from their grandmothers; I learned the art of self-care.
Three generations of beauty editors (both my mother and grandmother held coveted spots at French Vogue) shaped the philosophy I now share with women around the world. Their approach was never about chasing trends or defying time. Instead, it was about cultivating confidence, honoring what nature gave you, and practicing the kind of daily rituals that make you feel like your best self, not someone else’s idea of perfect.
My Grandmother: The Origin of the Ritual
My grandmother set the tone early with her infamous Sunday dinner rule: my sister and I were expected to “rendez-vous with mascara.” Even for a simple meal at home, you showed up polished, a little luminous, and fully present. It wasn’t about impressing anyone—it was about the way a tiny gesture, one coat of mascara, could change how you carry yourself.
But her greatest lesson was this: French women don’t fight their age. They evolve with it. The objective is never to look younger, but to look wonderfully, unequivocally good for the age you are now. Perfection is irrelevant; enhancing your natural assets is everything.
My Mother: The Custodian of Skin
From my mother, I inherited my reverence for skin. She always said, “You only have one face, why treat it harshly?” And she meant it. I treat mine like a beloved silk blouse: carefully, consistently, and never with anything abrasive. I massage it daily, Kobido or Pincement Jacquet style (face massage techniques) because the truth is, facial massage is one of the most underrated tools for tone, glow, and longevity.
She also taught me discipline: beauty is a habit. And caring for your skin begins with good hygiene, which is why I swear by double cleansing. Even when I’m exhausted, I never skip it. The first cleanse removes makeup and pollution; the second truly purifies the skin so it can regenerate overnight.
My current obsession? Alexandra Soveral’s Angel Balm. It smells divine and transforms my bathroom into a private spa. After cleansing, when my skin is clean and dry, I take a few seconds to massage my face—it is the quickest, most transformative ritual in my routine.
And although people assume I sleep in layers of night cream, the truth is, I don’t always. Some nights, I let my skin breathe completely bare. Other nights, especially in winter, I indulge in added hydration and run a humidifier to support my skin barrier.
Our Family Secrets: Simple, Timeless, Essential
We all share the same ethos: rely on quality basics and rely on them consistently. I still brush my hair with La Bonne Brosse, my favorite is model N.3, and I consider it one of the most elegant tools a woman can own.
Movement is another non-negotiable. As my mother loves to remind me, “A youthful body is a flexible body.” Vitalité is her mantra now more than ever; gentle exercise, spinal flexibility, and mobility over intensity.
The Lifestyle Behind the Glow
Beauty, as I learned, does not end at the bathroom mirror. My dinner habits, for instance, lean intentionally light: I avoid heavy gluten or dairy in the evening because it’s harder to digest. Fortunately, the world has caught up with alternatives and everything from gluten-free pasta to coconut yogurt. My favorites? Nairn’s for their biscuits, and Cocojune or Cocoyo for coconut yogurts.
But I also believe deeply in balance. Which is why every weekend, without exception, I savor a pain au chocolat with breakfast. The French know that pleasure is part of the equation.
The True Inheritance
People often assume I was handed a vault of secret formulas. In reality, what I inherited was far more valuable: a philosophy, one rooted in consistency, elegance, gentleness, and joyful discipline. Beauty is not a performance, it’s a practice. And when in doubt, add a smile, et voilà.