Make-Up Artist Violette Shares Her Paris Beauty Guide
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For A Non-Invasive Face Lift
Head To: Barbara Sand
Le Boudoir Beauté. 21, rue de Marignan. 75008
“Barbara has been my facialist for 15 years – her hands are magic and I know others would say the same. Certified in sophrology – a hypnosis method – she’s known for her intensive massages, as well as her Sino-Japanese techniques that lift and firm the skin. The main method she uses is called ‘Kobido’ and it completely overhauls your complexion. Her treatments go beyond just looking after the surface of skin, they work the muscles underneath that hold your face up. I can’t recommend her enough – you won’t be disappointed.”
Visit BarbaraSand.com
For A Traditional Facial
Head To: Biologique Recherche
32 Avenue Des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris
“If you’re looking for a more traditional facial, go to Biologique Recherche. It’s home to some of the best aestheticians – they are all extremely well trained; I go there occasionally to have a deeper cleanse and a few extractions. The whole set-up is unique and while the products are an investment, they are worth it. Each formula is carefully considered and contains ingredients that are proven to make a difference. I love the brand’s Masque Vivant, which uses AHAs to gently exfoliate pores and regulate oil. It tightens and smooths at the same time. I also love to visit En Beauty Salon forreflexology.”
For Body Treatments
Head To: Cécile Cotten
L'Atelier Cécile Cotten Paris 3 est situé à deux pas du boulevard Beaumarchais
“Cécile is a bit of an insider secret – though probably not for long. Her treatments combine an infra-red sauna with deep massage techniques and other stimulating tools to completely detox your body. The experience is unlike anything else and the state-of-the-art technologies really deliver results. I recommend booking well in advance to secure a spot. I love that she only uses natural vegetable oils and products that have natural scents, too. She’s a must-try if you want to a bit of rejuvenation.”
For Skincare Staples
“The beauty of Paris is that the pharmacies are so convenient – in my opinion, you can’t go wrong, whichever one you walk into. The essentials I recommend snapping up are:
“It’s a classic. I use it to heal damaged skin, dryness and general irritation. It’s so gentle and can be used pretty much everywhere. It doubles up as a nice primer, too.
“If you have children, I recommend stocking up on this SPF. I’m a big fan of the brand as it focuses on thermal water-based products. Essentially, this means the formulas include a pure water that’s filtered through Alpine rocks – trust me, it makes a difference and it’s so soothing, not to mention really hydrating.
“I’m a big believer in discussing sanitary health as a woman – it’s bizarre to me that we don’t discuss the best products enough. With that in mind, I really want to recommend these tampons from Saforelle. I’m not normally a tampon fan, but they are essential during holiday season. At this time of year, I only use this brand. Why? Because they focus on vaginal health with in-built ‘florgynal’ which controls the flora of your vagina, maintain its pH to ensure zero irritation or sensitivity. It’s well worth stocking up when you’re in Paris – I’ve not found anything like them anywhere else.”
“My skin gets so dry and tight, but this soothes and conditions it every time. It’s rich and nourishing with a texture that immediately alleviates any discomfort. I like to put it all over my body then layer up with an oil to seal in the moisture.”
For Beauty Shopping
Head To: Le Bon Marché & Oh My Cream
24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
“You can’t come to Paris and not visit Le Bon Marché. It has the best brands and the chicest layout. Everything about the store is special, with a relaxed environment that’s never stuffy. I love to discover new brands there – look out for Holidermie. Its selection is vast, offering everything from luxe body washes to day creams and tools. Le Bon Marché is a great place to discover new make-up, too. I also like visiting Oh My Cream. There are a few in London now, but the Parisian stores are the originals. They have such a great selection and in-store experts who offer honest and non-biased advice, so you get the best products for your individual needs. I always stock up on Rahua haircare and RMS beauty products when I’m there.”
Visit OhMyCream.com
For Hair Styling & Blow-Dries
Head To: David Mallett
14 Rue Notre Dame des Victoires, 75002 Paris
“David is a recent discovery of mine. His work is very precise and I really recommend seeing him if you want something subtle but impactful. His clients include Léa Seydoux, Natalie Portman and Kate Winslet – need I say more? If you can’t book in with David, any of the stylists will do an amazing job – you won’t be disappointed. The space is so relaxing and you can book in for nail appointments, too, as well as cuts, blow-dries and updos.”
Visit David-Mallett.com
For Unique Fragrances
Head To: Officine Universelle Buly 1803
45 Rue de Saintonge
“In my opinion, Paris is the place to find a new fragrance. The best place to go is Buly 1803. The water perfumes are absolutely divine and to me, they are the epitome of French chicness. When you visit, you’ll see what I mean, but every scent there is different. It’s a great place to stock up on gifts, too – I love its handmade soaps and dried petals for the bathtub.”
Visit Buly1803.com
For Holistic Care
Head To: L'Appartement Holidermie
44 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75004
“I love L’Appartement Holdiermie. It’s an amazing destination to try holistic treatments that work from the inside out. That includes facials, intraoral massages inside your mouth to stimulate skin and blood flow, head and scalp treatments and body detoxes. The treatments are affordable too, starting at £45. They are relatively quick, too – which is why it’s such a great pitstop.”
Visit Holidermie.com
For more beauty tips & insider advice, follow @Violette_FR & shop her beauty line here
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