Quotes from Julia Restoin Roitfeld

For my eyes, I think an eyelash curler makes me look much more awake, even when I haven't gotten much sleep. It's a really important tool for a mom to have. The MAC one works for me.

I had no boundaries at home, so I had nothing to push against. I only rebelled with clothing when I was 14. I would wear purple Doc Martens and had purple streaks in my hair, dirty jeans, and baggy tops. Very Britpop. Anything that wasn't girly or feminine. My mother hated it.

Having a manicure pulls a look together. Hands are the first thing people see after your face.

My mother was never very famous when I was growing up, so it wasn't so difficult. It was only when I left home and went to university that she become this style icon.

I'm always building images. Even when I go out and put a look together, it's in my head the whole day, like, how I'm going to create this whole story. But I'm never satisfied; it's always a work in progress no matter what. Every day is working.

My job description? It is many things; it is a whole universe created around the things that I like.

You don't have to wait for your career to take off to become a mum: that's kind of what I want to show. Becoming a mum made me even more driven, and I think it doesn't stop your career - it just boosts it. It makes you well-organised, and with a little bit of sacrifice, of course you can do it all.

My site is about women who want to look good and stay active: women who don't want to suddenly become 'just mums.' But it's not true that it is only about the glamorous side. Last time I was on a plane with Romy, she was sick all over me, and I wrote a tip about travelling with a change of outfit.

Being pregnant was the best time of my life because nothing could affect me. It was like a detox - I ate healthy, I slept a lot, and I didn't drink. All of my hormones were at the perfect levels.

I'm inspired by all those women in the '60s - they look so put-together and cool at the same time, and they all were moms - moms and career women. I do wear heels, though. Pretty much always. I need to feel good about myself, so even if it's casual, I'll slip them on.

I sometimes apply eyeliner - Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Eye Pencil in #1 Black - and smudge it with my fingers really quickly to give it a little lift, almost a cat eye. It's all about giving a lift now.

For me, beauty is more about prevention than anything. Especially now that I've hit 30, it's more about being careful and maintaining my skin. I want to keep my youth and freshness and be wrinkle-free as long as possible because I don't want to have to cheat - that's what I call any cosmetic surgeries: cheating.

I love Epsom salt and just use the inexpensive unscented ones from CVS. It's better than oils... those make the tub so gross, and I never feel like cleaning it right before I go out.

What I find is that you don't need to go for fancy mascara - I always get the L'Oreal ones from the drugstore. I get the gold tube, Voluminous Million Lashes in black.

Even on the red carpet, French celebrities keep it minimal. Think of Charlotte Gainsbourg - the look can be quite undone.

When I'm getting ready, I'll listen to '80s music on Spotify just to wake me up and put me in the mood. I like that it's cheesy.

Fashion hasn't changed enough yet. There's too much a stereotype of beauty.

I'm addicted to online shopping.

My parents were strict with school, strict with grades. I had piano classes, horseback riding, dance.

Tom Ford gave me high heels for the baby. They're a little kitten heel with a velvet rope that you tie. It's like a collection piece. I have to put it on the bookshelf, framed.

I guess you could say I want to become like Martha Stewart - just a sexier version!

I collect jewelry for a story - so something I got on a trip or something I got from my family. You know it always needs to have a meaning for me.

I'm really close to my family, and I really want one of my own. But the wedding, it's not necessary for me.