Christophe Robin
Christophe Robin made a name as the hair colourist to some of the biggest models in the 1990s. The man behind the hair colour of Elle Macpherson and Claudia Schiffer, he earned the trust and recognition of some of the biggest fashion designers and photographers of the time. In response to a frequently treated problem, in 1999 Robin created products that could target hair that had been damaged by colouring. Made with natural ingredients such as lavender and lemon, they offered the first detergent-free formulas for gentle and effective cleansing. Today, Christophe Robin’s bestsellers are his moisturising hair oil with lavender, and his cleansing mask with lemon, and his eponymous brand offers many more options to suit all hair care concerns. Whether you are looking for volumising or brightening shampoo, regenerating masks or colour boosts, there is something for everyone. The packaging is incredibly chic, too. All in all, Christophe Robin products are sure to take pride of place in any beauty cabinet.
Biologique Recherche
The brand behind the cult Lotion P50 exfoliating toner, Biologique Recherche is known for its clinical and effective skincare. Using pure, raw active ingredients, it is very much performance driven. The brand has built up a wide range of powerful products, all of which use a high concentration of botanical, marine and biological extracts for powerful results. With no artificial fragrances and a cold formulation manufacturing process to preserve the original structure of active ingredients, Biologique Recherche aims to target the skin in the most effective way possible. The brand offers everything from cleansers to serums and intensive creams, but the Lotion P50 range is the most famous and coveted of its product lines. Designed to exfoliate the skin, regulate excessive sebum secretion, moisturise and help maintain acid pH, Lotion P50 is where you should begin your initiation to the brand.
Joëlle Ciocco
When it comes to French beauty secrets, many French women live by the ethos that make-up comes very much second to skincare. French biochemist Joëlle Ciocco is a legendary dermatologist with a unique skincare approach that she calls Epidermologie. Ciocco has long studied the composition of skin and how it behaves in each individual, and she has spent more than three decades attending to the faces of French celebrities. She creates facials with formulated products designed for the needs of each individual face. Her beauty centre in the heart of the Madeleine district in Paris is frequented by some of the industry’s biggest names, and the brand’s skincare ranges can also be bought at some of the city’s most chic beauty stores. The Iconic Care range is at the heart of each of her treatments and would make a great addition to a beauty cabinet. From cleansing milks to perfecting lotion designed to restore and boost the skin’s oxygen balance, this is gold-level skincare.
Institut Esthederm
Institut Esthederm is best known for its innovative suncare, created for four different skin types and four levels of sun intensity. Institut Esthederm not only protects skin by blocking dangerous UVA and UVB rays but it helps stimulate, enhance and intensify a tan. Its suncare products have a beautiful texture and scent and offer exceptional quality for both face and body. The brand also has a wide range of other skincare, not least its new Excellage range which presents a series of products designed to strengthen and repair mature skin. The new serum, cream and eye contour cream work together to restore cohesion and dermal density for a strengthened epidermal barrier. They are ideal for those looking to boost hydration and add radiance to tired, dull-looking skin.
La Bouche Rouge
People the world over are becoming increasingly aware of the destructive effect of plastic on the planet. In a recent study into water contamination, 83% of the tap water sampled was found to be polluted by plastic. Manufactured exclusively in France, La Bouche Rouge is focused on reducing plastic consumption, and it offers a line of luxury, refillable lipsticks. Driven by the fact than an estimated one billion lipstick tubes are thrown away each year, the brand has designed beautiful leather lipstick cases that can be refilled with its striking red lipstick shades. Each case is designed as an object to have for life and is made in fine leather. As a special touch the cases can also be customised. The lipsticks are created without harmful ingredients or perfume and come in an impressive spectrum of reds, from burgundy to plum, and bright red to red with orange undertones. This is a great French beauty brand to have in your make-up kit, both for its ethos and its products.