Claire Mosteghanemi

K.I.S.S. (keep it simple sista) seems to be the theme for Herglow features. I spot a woman with smooth skin looking for nuggets to add to my repertoire, just to find out we don’t have the same skin type and she uses some thick, hydrating cream that I either don’t need or is too expensive. I’m always scrolling social media looking for black women with smooth skin and it never takes long. The African Diaspora is so beautiful and I knew I was destined to feature a Parisian woman.

There has been a long history of Americans romanticizing the French. The new skin care line, Glossier, is inspired by the effortless beauty of the French. Simple, classic, and natural, all things I find aspirational. A few months ago I finished reading The French Beauty Solution by Mathilde Thomas, founder of Caudalie, and throughout the book Thomas reiterates the bare necessities that make the French so alluring. Maybe that’s what I noticed about Claire. Big hair and clear skin always catch my eye! How does she do it? I owe my smooth skin to wearing my hair away from my face, so I had to find out what is Claire doing that I need to take note of.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Claire, I am 24, and I live in Paris. I am financial controller and a web redactor/web editor for Cyclones Magazine.

How has your skin changed over the years?

I think I always had combination skin (as far as I can remember), but this past year I really feel that I have changed, mostly during winter. It is more reactive than ever.

What do you love about your skin & what are your concerns?

I would say that I really like my color. The way it takes the light. I did not notice until a couple of weeks ago when a coworker asked me what I put on my legs and if it was oil or something, because my legs had reflected gold in the sun. And I was like, “What? No I just put Nivea on my legs.”

Concerns? I guess I have dark circle under my eyes? I just don’t know what to do!

Walk us through your morning and nighttime regimens with your favorite products.

Morning

Wash my face with Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash or Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant (I have small spots on my cheeks)
Apply my La Roche Posay The Hydreane or Guerlain ‘Orchidée Impériale’ Gel Cream (I work at Guerlain)

Nighttime: It depends on my skin and on the time I have. I try to do a shortened Korean beauty routine sometimes.

Massage face with olive oil for 4 min. It helps to clean my skin from the dirt and pollution.
2 min. massage with a cleanser
Rinse with warm water for 4 min. and then cold water.
After cleansing my face, I apply La Roche Posay The Hydreane. If my skin is extra dry, I apply Biafine on the dry area. Biafine a French cream that you usually apply when you burned yourself or if you have sunburns.

If you had to pick one product, what can you not live without?

Chapstick! My lips need hydration.

What’s your favorite brand and why?

I don’t have a particular skincare brand that I use.

Are there tips you can share that have changed your skin care practices?

Water, water, and again water. I try to drink a lot of water, especially before going to sleep.

How do you avoid a skin crisis?

I get pimples during my period, so I try to sleep more and drink more water, but food is so important to me so no changes in my diet.

How do you pamper yourself?

After a hot shower, I like using the Aesop Facial Polishing Pair: Amazing Face Cleanser and Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant and leave on for 30 min. During those 30 min., I just watch a series, drink tea, and rest on my bed.

Who do you attribute your beauty to?

To my parents ! I am mixed so I took some stuff from the Algerian side and some other from Martinique.

Who is your melancrush?

I guess I could say Jasmine Tookes. Her skin is radiant!

How do you shop for skin care products and where?

I try to read about the product before buying it, and I don’t have a particular shop for skin care products. For example, I just buy Nivea Creme for my body. And I got a lot of Guerlain products right now so I am just testing them.