Hair and beauty care

Beauty treatments

Jennifer: You’ll never guess where I went today!

Pete: No? Where?

Jennifer: Well, I decided to treat myself to a manicure at the beauty parlour. My nails have never felt so smooth.

Pete: And is that all you had done?

Jennifer: Well, yes, but the beautician was ever so helpful. She suggested that I have my eyebrows plucked next time.

Pete: That’s a trap - your eyebrows will grow back just as they were.

Jennifer: Oh it’s good to pamper yourself from time to time.

Pete: From time to time! You’ll soon be a regular customer.

Jennifer: I could try electrolysis. It’s permanent, you know.

Pete: Are you sure? Sounds painful to me.

Jennifer: I don’t mind suffering if the result is worthwhile.

Pete: And did they recommend any other, how should I put it, improvements?

Jennifer: Not really, just a few sessions in the solarium. It’s true, you feel so pale at this time of year.

Pete: That’s the biggest con of all! I suggest you save all the money you’re intending to spend on beauty treatments and go on a luxury holiday, instead. That way, you’ll get a real tan, and you can be sure that your skin won’t turn orange!

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Essential words

The conversation

beauty parlour = institut de beauté

nail = ongle

smooth = lisse

beautician = esthéticienne

helpful = serviable

have one’s eyebrows plucked = se faire épiler les sourcils

trap = piège

grow back = repousser

pamper oneself = se dorloter

painful = douloureux

be worthwhile = valoir la peine

how should I put it? = comment dire?

improvement = amélioration

con = arnaque

tan = bronzage

skin = peau

Extra vocabulary

blow dry = brushing

eyelashes and eyebrow dyeing = se taire teindre les cils et les soucis

facelift = lifting

facial = soin du visage

hairdresser = coiffeur(-euse)

have a nose job (fam) = se faire rectifier le nez

have a trim = rafraîchir sa coupe de cheveux

have one’s hair cut = se faire couper les cheveux

have one’s legs waxed = se faire épiler les jambes à la cire

highlights = mèches

manicurist = manucure

nail extensions = faux ongles

seaweed body wrap = soin enveloppant aux algues