My Little Black Book Of Beauty: Mathilde Lacombe
My Little Black Book Of Beauty: Mathilde Lacombe

My Little Black Book Of Beauty: Mathilde Lacombe

As co-founder of French skincare brand Aime, Mathilde Lacombe knows exactly what’s worth the money in the beauty world – and what’s not. From the quirky acupuncture treatment she loves to the best manicure in Paris, here are the names and places she relies on time and again.
By Rebecca Hull
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Photography: @MATHILDELACOMBE

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

For Transformative Treatments…

I go to Elaine Huntzinger for the IntraOral facial. She does some acupuncture then massages the inside of your mouth. It's not very relaxing, but the results are so worth it – your cheekbones are much higher and the jaw is relaxed. I love it and can’t recommend it enough. Acupuncture facials are very underrated. I hate needles, but I trust Elaine and it doesn’t hurt at all. Plus, you see results instantly and you can really feel it in your whole body. I love how it balances my mood and reenergises me.

For Sensitive Skin…

I love the LED treatment at our AIME Glow Studio. If I had the time, I would do LED every single day. It's the best way to give your skin a glow – and it can be done in 20 minutes. I have rosacea and sensitive skin, and it calms down any redness and makes my skin plumper. I put a podcast on and just relax – it’s my favourite quick-fix beauty treatment.

For Good Hair…

I'm lucky enough to live in Reims, and if you're ever in the area I recommend visiting the Lea Loghan salon. I see Karen, who has been doing my hair for the last six years. The location is beautiful – it has an apartment feel to it with a stunning garden. I am a multi-tasker, so I love that they have a space for you to take your laptop with you. I don’t like wasting time and my highlights take a good four hours.

For Neat Nails…

When it comes to nails, I’m very particular. It’s all about the shortest possible nail, with clean cuticles and no colour. If I’m in Paris, I usually book a manicure via the Simone app, so they either come to my hotel or the office. It’s brilliant and they have great technicians. When I’m in Reims for my hair appointment, I try to see Cynthia for a manicure at the same time.

For Repeat Buys…

A few I swear by include REN’s Body Serum, which exfoliates and hydrates at the same time. I love Clé de Peau’s concealer too – in my opinion, it’s the best on the market. EltaMD’s Sunscreen is my top choice for protection, as it never irritates my existing sensitives, and I’m never without Bioderma’s Micellar Water – I always use it as a first cleanse and it’s the only product I use to remove my eye make-up. Finally, I’m never without my Aime French Glow Supplements. They saved me from my rosacea – the very reason I created Aime – and include a prescription tretinoin. 

For Conditioned Hair…

I love Olaplex – the formulas just work for me. I have fine hair, but they never weigh it down or cause it to go limp. It gets the job done.

For Smooth Skin…

My skincare routine is made up of a lot of French pharmacy brands. We’re lucky to have some amazing products – the formulas just work and are great for sensitive skin types. I love the Baume Cicaplast by La Roche-Posay. I use it after retinol to combat any irritation. I also use it on my kids if they have irritated skin.

For Nail Health…

I’m really bad at doing my nails myself, and I always leave it to the pros. The one thing I do myself, however, is use UKA Nail Oil to keep dry cuticles at bay. It’s a game-changer.

For Well-Shaped Brows…

I don’t do a lot to my brows – mainly because they won’t grow back. Every six months, I visit Le Regard Revolver in Paris for a brow lamination. I really like the effect, it makes my brows look fuller, and I get a tint done at the same time. Day to day, I love the Kosas Air Brow Gel and the pencil.

For Holistic Remedies…

Dry brushing is essential. I do it every morning before my shower. It’s amazing for activating fresh blood circulation, and it does help with minimising cellulite. I also use our tongue scraper every morning – it makes your mouth feel so much fresher.

For Unwinding At Home…

I love candles – they are the key to unwinding. I light one every night when I come home. My favourite is Santal Goa by Lalique. It’s so warming and has a real cosy feel to it.

For A Favourite Fragrance…

I wear Parfum de Peau every day. It's an oil perfume in a roll-on format, so it's very convenient and easy to reapply. It’s also unisex and adapts uniquely to each person’s skin. I love that I can layer it with other scents – at the moment I wear Escale à Portofino by Dior and Outrageous by Frédéric Malle. Fresh fragrances are my go-to – especially anything reminiscent of clean laundry.

For Niche Beauty Finds…

There’s nothing better than discovering new products on Instagram – the app is a great way to find out about niche brands. I also shop on Niche Beauty – it has a great selection. Then, whenever I get the chance to travel, I ask my community to share the best places to shop for beauty, and I always discover new things along the way.

For Good Glow…

Westman Atelier’s Lit-Up Stick is a staple in my make-up bag. It gives my skin a healthy glow that isn’t too shimmery. The Monika Blunder Cover is great for a bit of extra glow, too – though it’s foundation, the finish is dewy. It gives you that ‘your skin but better’ look.

For Hard-Working Facials…

As my skin is sensitive and rosacea prone, I don’t often go for facials. LED works the best for me – I treat it like facials. That said, I love Melanie Grant’s facials. If she was in Paris, I would see her every month for laser as well – she’s incredible.

Finally, For Ageing Well…

At Aime, we tend not to use the phrase ‘anti-ageing’ and instead say ‘ageing well’. To age well, I believe it’s all about making the right choices from the earliest age possible. Take care of yourself, move your body, exercise, don’t drink in excess and wear sunscreen. Likewise, eat a diverse and balanced diet – I also advocate taking collagen. All of this will impact how you age. It’s not about endless creams, it’s about the way you live.

Follow @MathildeLacombe & @AimeSkincare for more beauty products, tips & advice.

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