I'm an American woman living in France and it is true the women here, in general, have a certain style and natural beauty. I rarely see a young woman with much make-up, although older ladies tend to wear it more. The skin care business is booming - my favorite products are from Yves Rocher (also available in the US).
I don't know why everyone thinks that French women do not shave or wear deodorant. I am sensitive to odor issues and have only twice been overcome by someone's fumes in almost a year and a half of living here. Both times were due to immigrants, not native French. Skirts and short pants are popular here, so it would be easy to tell if someone wasn't shaving. I've never seen a girl with unshaven legs here, although I'm sure they do exist. It's just not on a grand scale, as everyone seems to think.
Seriously, all those on this thread who will agree with this POV ( including moi) are American males who are tired of waiting incessantly for women to finish "putting on their faces" ( now there's a expression for you) and the endless trips to the powder room to "freshen up"
Want to see a female have a panic attack?. Watch when they're going out for a big night on the town, all dolled up, and they're carrying one of those very small, very expensive purses...which holds nothing..and they try to figure out what to put in it...I've had to carry my wife's and years back, daughters COMPACTS in my jacket pocket more times than I care to admit..
..what?
< ];^)