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French to English translations [PRO] Cosmetics, Beauty / hairdressing
French term or phrase:joue les accessoires
Describing a hair extension which is attached low down at the back of the head in the form of a plait shaped into an oval. Full description as follows:
Demi-attache bombée au niveau du vertex avec une tresse réalisée à l’envers qui joue les accessoires.
I do have a photo, but I don't know how to attach it to this question, sorry!
Explanation: I understand this differently : the braid/plait is done/folded under in such a way that it works as an accessory (holding the hair in position). My translation is not fantastic but it gives you an idea of what I am trying to put across
It's "jouer LES accessoires" (plural) because that is just how the French construction (gallicisme) is. C'est juste comme ça!
jouer les héros = to act like the hero
We singularize what the French pluralizes here, though I think the French can singularize it (jouer l'accessoire). That said, it's not as common as in the plural.
But if "jouer" meant "wear" (my examples where it does), then the definite article "les" following it would just be translated as "the" in English.
jouer les + noun (simuler) = to act as (very standard French)
It wasn't making sense to me because I don't know much about hair.
In the example below, "jouer les accessoires" doesn't mean "to act as" (how I got even more confused):
Débardeur anis et short kaki, avec des vêtements simples on joue les accessoires : multiples bracelets, collier à pampille, bijoux en bois et pierres naturelles... Au jeu de la baroudeuse, la féminité l'emporte toujours.
So, here, it means "one wears/you wear", more or less (not the meaning in your example, though).
It's definitely a hair extension - there's a picture. Its like a donut-shaped plait attached to the back of the head at the nape of the neck, so not an up-do at all! It's quite a loose, relaxed and pretty style. The whole article is about using hair pieces in the latest Spring/Summer styles.
...are we sure that 'une demi-attache' is actually a hair extension? I always thought an 'attache' is an 'up-do' ie a hairstyle? So a 'demi-attache' would be a style where some of the hair is 'up' but some is loose? I realise this isn't part of the question but I felt I should mention it. All set to stand corrected, though! FWIW, I'm with Transitwrite...
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Answers
2 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
sets off the accessories
Explanation: looking at the verb jouer, it could mean to work, to tuck in amongst others. In this context, I believe to set off would be appropriate, in other words, to highlight.
Suzanne Chackal Spain Local time: 02:33 Works in field Native speaker of: English
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
