Effortless hair styles

Frédéric Fekkai could easily pen the sequel to Mireille Guiliano's best-selling book, French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure. In his case, the New York-based hairstylist to the stars could title his book French Women Always Look Fabulous: The Secret to Their Inimitable Style.

According to Fekkai, whose A-list clients include Sandra Bullock and Liv Tyler, the essence of beauty comes down to three things: it should be natural, effortless and chic. "French women have more personality when it comes to their style - they own their look," he explains. "In North America, so many women buy labels simply because they've seen them in a store window or they've read about them in some magazine, but they don't carry it off. They dress head to toe in one designer and end up looking like dolls. When I think of the elegant women of my childhood in Provence, they always looked so together and so natural. Simplicity was the key to their style. It was an effortless elegance that seems to be second nature to French women."

Fekkai, who owns salons in New York, Palm Beach and Beverly Hills, brings that same sensibility to his hairstyling. He's known for his clean, modern and carefree cuts that are timeless rather than driven by trends. He became interested in hairstyling when he was approached to audition for a part in a movie in Paris. A law school student at the time, he says he was intrigued watching the stylists on the set. "After that experience, I decided to leave law school and study hairstyling. It became my passion. Now I'm always encouraging people to find their passion and follow it. Don't be afraid of life. Travel. Get on a plane and let unscripted adventures unfold. Be open to experiences. The goal of any beautiful life is to be happy and to live well."

Fekkai's top four beauty secrets…

1. Pick a hairstyle that suits your personality and lifestyle -- forget the trends. "Years ago, there was one mood and one look and everyone followed it. If straight hair was in, women with curly hair had no choice. Do your homework when it comes to products. There are great products out there -- there's no reason to have a bad hair day."

2. You can acquire beauty and you can acquire style. "Some people have a genetic advantage, but I know so many beautiful people who don't think they're beautiful, so as a result, they don't come off as beautiful. It's all about how you feel inside."

3. You don't need plastic surgery to enhance your beauty. "I'm not against it, but I don't think women should make that decision lightly. I think it can look fake and I think that there's a risk that everyone ends up looking the same. They have the same nose, the same cheeks and the same lips. I think it's rather atrocious."

4. Less is more when it comes to beauty. "Learn to edit. That means less lipstick, less liner, less foundation, less hairspray. Use just enough makeup to enhance your beauty. That's the key to looking modern and fresh."