Fragrance et coquetterie

Lovers of art deco and the fragrances of yesteryear, the Bienaime house, founded in Paris in 1935 by Robert Bienaime, is made for you. Dormant since the 1960s, the brand was bought in 2019 by Cécilia Mergui who knew how to restore it to its former glory while maintaining the spirit and heritage of its creator. It was by bargain hunting that Cecilia, literally falling under the spell of a period powder magazine in this house, began to be interested in Robert Bienaime, his history, his career, his creations. Fully aware that at the time the art of cosmetics was also a decorative art, containers being in themselves very often an object that was displayed in bathrooms and kept, and wishing to breathe new life into a house whose founder was a master in his field, Cécilia, with her experience in various houses such as Sézane or Merci, left everything to embark on this adventure. Bienaime was reborn in 2021: from bottles to fragrances, everything is under the sign of excellence and elegance. The bottles are made in Normandy by a Living Heritage Company, the balms and soaps are made in the south of France in accordance with traditional methods and the fragrances pay tribute to the fragrances that made the house famous. Cécilia Mergui is in line with its founder while adding a touch of modernity and her personality.

Fell in love is the term that immediately comes to mind when referring to this brand. Much more than a brand, it is a true house of know-how, charm and elegance that gives all its letters of nobility to the world of perfume and cosmetics. Beyond skincare, Bienimé is in itself an art of living: its bottles are magnificent, real works of art, the fragrances and textures are enchanting. The store is a trip in itself that must be visited. And what can we say about Cécilia Mergui, whose reserve and kindness are equal to the admiration and respect she has shown Robert Bienaime, for whose benefit she fades away with rare elegance. And yet, this house is reborn thanks to her and it is only doing her justice to show her all the gratitude that is due to her.

After more than 30 years spent with major international cosmetics companies, Christophe Bombana wanted to offer another way of perfumery, more natural, more affordable, more conscious and transparent while maintaining the excellent craftsmanship in this field and by revolutionizing the presentation of perfume bottles. Here we are talking about bottles, not flasks. Based on the philosophy of sustainable, green and sober luxury, 100bon develops fragrances and aromachology products made from natural and rare ingredients, in Grasse thanks to the collective of perfumers Robertet. The insertion of essential oils at the heart of the formulations brings well-being to body and mind, with inspiration taking precedence over olfaction.

100BON seduces by its successful combination of delicate and natural fragrances and its affordable side. The simplicity of bottles and containers does not detract from their visual aspect; on the contrary, the labels serve to tell a story, a journey in which we are invited to immerse ourselves. Rose & Bergamotte Cologne is thus an ode to love and floral poetry, a relaxing elixir bringing harmony, peace and sunshine to the heart. Letting Go is an aromachological mist of 10 essential oils that helps to relax. A little bit on the pillow and you are plunged into a delicate feeling of well-being.

From nursing care to committed beauty, Séverine Thomassin has put the same energy and the same determination into it: the passion and the desire to take care while remaining sensitive to her involvement in the ecosystem. After developing her first brand, Saly Saveons, on the shores of Lake Geneva, she wanted to go a step further by developing a range of committed treatments, committed to the origin of locally biobased ingredients, committed to humans by giving priority to employees in social reintegration, retraining or with disabilities, committed to health, committed to authenticity and effectiveness. A company built since 2021 on ethical, social and environmental values, in the process of being certified organic by the ECOCERT Group, in the process of being labeled Slow Cosmétiques and becoming a member of 1% For The Planet. A very beautiful cosmetics house that has been able to keep its promises by offering exceptional natural treatments, concentrated on pleasure and sensuality.

Valambrun is a bit like niche organic cosmetics, which, without being unaffordable, can make a difference with products with innovative textures and compositions that provide that feeling of luxury and well-being that is sometimes lacking in organic cosmetics. The kind of products that you don't see everywhere and that create a real moment of pleasure: you want to plunge your fingers into your jars containing cuddly cream with a compact whipped cream look or its facial scrub with an incredible texture and color. Body oils smell crazy and face mists are to die for. In addition, it must be recognized that this brand is very elegant, which does not ruin anything quite the opposite in its bathroom. A true art of living.

In April 2017, three friends passionate about crafts, raw and rare products embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure, with the desire to highlight the natural, transparent and human. Right, central, a story that begins in Madagascar, a country of rare and exceptional oils, unfortunately too little known for their taste, where the protection of the environment and the fair remuneration of producers are a real challenge. It is France, in their workshop in the Ardennes, that the company settles: the products are designed, manufactured there, in partnership with French and Malagasy producers, handpicked, in order to promote know-how of excellent quality that deserves to be highlighted and paid at their fair value. Thus, dozens of different oils are offered by the brand, presented in their raw state for their own virtues, sometimes combined for particular care, and which are also available as balms or essential oils.

At Svivias, we have been following, testing and loving for several years now. What we liked: transparency, the raw side of the products, the cost, the values. Nothing ostentatious: a simple but quality packaging with its bamboo lids or caps, all with a little quirky side coming from the name given to their products such as “Le Seigneur de la Peau”, “Cameline in Wonderland” or “The fabulous destiny of castor oil”. I would say that mymira products are the basics of a bathroom without breaking the bank, perfect for oil baths for hair, or to mix with body or face cream, or to use as a base for a DIY face mask, or simply for a specific need.

In 2017, Marion Weber founded Oden, focusing on the proximity of French producers and specializing in high-end raw vegetable oils. A family business that relies on its mother, who became a partner in the adventure, and a circle of friends, which allowed it to finance itself from the start. An approach that is far from being obvious, due to the cost of French raw materials, but which, essential for Marion, did not hesitate to travel around France in search of farmers with whom to establish partnerships and who, for some, took the step in contact with her to adapt their production to European cosmetic regulations. In fact, from the formulation of its products to their container, the entire Oden range can be proud to be 100% French, which has positioned it since its inception as a responsible and premium brand. A winning strategy, as Oden has continued to grow and develop, becoming an essential brand in this field of natural and committed cosmetics.

Oden is the brand that gives us the feeling of playing the apothecaries of yesteryear. Its oils, nestled in charming little bottles with a clean but elegant design, are applied directly to the skin but are also ideal for mixing into face or hair masks, to be added to day or night cream, or to be massaged on the body. I personally love the multivitamin serum, makeup remover oil and hazelnut oil, but all the products are great for those who love this natural, simple and unpretentious cosmetic side, which focuses on quality more than on the complexity of the compositions.

After twelve years in the beauty industry, this universe no longer held many secrets for Priscille Charton. However, finding less and less meaning in it, and after a year spent on a sailboat with her husband, she comes back with a new look and the profound desire to move the lines at her level: creating cosmetics, yes, but respectful of the environment and virtuous. It will take him a few years to make the switch and launch his own brand. She takes on Julien, then Martin, the three of them will launch a participatory fundraising campaign in 2022: Eclo, the Breton brand was born and offers a real alternative to women who care about respecting the environment but who love quality products. From the beginning, their common requirements came together to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible with biodegradable formulas, regenerative ingredients and compostable containers. The products, certified Cosmos Organics, are manufactured in Dinard, in a laboratory that meets the same environmental requirements.

How not to love this brand, which is recognizable among all thanks to its cute little jars that differ from each other, by category, thanks to the color of their lid: they can be stacked, slipped everywhere, applied with your finger and are very easy to use. The colors are also absolutely incredible, have an excellent hold and mix with each other. Recently, the range has been enriched with three eye pencils and a complexion enhancing serum. What can we say but perfect for this brand that fills all the boxes for eco-responsible, French and elegant cosmetics.

Since 2015, Minois has established itself among the range of cosmetics for toddlers, thanks to a clean and elegant design, an addictive smell characteristic of the brand, and an irreproachable composition, which make these products essential on the market, both in France and abroad. In a few years, Hélène Fulchi, eager to offer products that are both simple in composition but sophisticated in presentation, effective but elegant, irreproachable for the skin of toddlers but sensory, has constantly expanded her range to cover all the needs in this area of our children, even older ones, so incredible are the quality and the smell. After working for more than ten years in the field of media and communication, the idea of creating her own brand dedicated to the world of children emerged after the birth of her first child. A transparent approach and an attractive universe allowed it to quickly become known. The choice to manufacture in France also testifies to its desire to guarantee the origin and quality of products, through know-how that no longer needs to be demonstrated.

What is really the craziest thing about this brand, in addition to its refined and delicate packaging that elegantly refers to the world of childhood, are the smells. Discovered a few years ago when my children were younger, it took this site for me to remember this brand and immerse myself with delight in its textures and fragrances which remain enchanting even if my children have become teenagers and I am... an adult. A very beautiful brand to give as a birth gift, in order to delight young and old alike, while taking care of the skin and health.

Childhood memories undeniably end up catching up with and inspiring us. This was the case of the three Polette sisters who, inheriting Château de la Meynardie, a 17th century family estate of over two hectares surrounded by lime trees in the heart of the Dordogne, made it both bed and breakfast but also the source of the main ingredient in their cosmetics: linden. A family story where one has always worked in cosmetics, the other in perfumes and the third in painting, and a desire to share after their respective careers a common adventure around the family estate, and their respective talents. An alignment of professional and personal planets, around a discovery: the virtues of linden on the skin. Full of active molecules, linden regenerates the skin, detoxifies the body, and soothes the mind. Valued by plant biotechnology and neuroscience, harvested and dried on the estate, it reveals all its powers in Til products, with efficiency and sensoriality thanks to a master of perfumery, Francis Kurkdjian, which makes this house totally innovative on the market. A 100% French holistic brand, rooted in Dordogne like its lime trees.

Passionate about cosmetics, it was impossible to miss this brand that comes from my native region and whose founders speak with infectious enthusiasm. An umpteenth brand you will tell me but not only that. Cosmetics is a journey that is both sensory and effective, and as such plays a key role in the art of living and well-being. So many care homes, so many opportunities to enter different worlds, with fragrances and textures specific to each founder, which allow you to immerse yourself, according to their needs or moods, in new and beneficial olfactory dimensions. Huge crush on my part for the smells, and the “jelly on the skin” makeup remover. “The water that embraces” is very comforting in the evening after a shower, and “the gel that makes you sing” with its pearlescent texture is incredible. A very nice discovery.

In tribute to the name of her grandmother, Manifacier, which literally means “to do by hand”, Marine is setting up her eponymous house in 2022 after a professional retraining conducive to inspiring all those who hesitate to take the plunge. Notary, then real estate manager, Marine Domergue decided to train in the field of cold saponification at the UESS in Forcalquier, in the art of hydrolatherapy and aromatherapy in Paris and then in cosmetic formulations in Grasse. After a few years of carrying out two activities simultaneously, two years ago she decided to devote herself entirely to her passion. From her workshop in Montreuil, she formulates and develops her products, then has them manufactured in human-sized laboratories, based on plants sourced locally and mainly in the Mediterranean. Selected for their benefits and their active powers recognized in herbalism, plants are chosen to create sensory products, conducive to emotional well-being inspired by olfactology. From A to Z, its products are entirely designed to preserve both health and the environment, right down to soap packaging that comes from eco-managed forests and labels printed with vegetable ink.

What immediately appeals to Maison Manifacier is the elegance of its universe. Each product is associated with an animal and a plant appearing on the label or packaging, making it chic, aesthetic and poetic, and conducive to deliciously adorning a bathroom. Even the names of the products are enchanting: Envol for body lotion, Mist Céleste for hydrosol, Bel-Air cream for face cream or Jardin Sucrée for face oil. In use, these products are incredible: floral or herbaceous, sweet or acidic smell, the treatment looks like a spa and smells divinely, without however lasting too strongly for those who would prefer more neutral products. Met at a Salon, Marine is also absolutely adorable and talks about her job with passion. A simple and elegant house in the image of its founder.

The first niche brand founded in 1975, Le Jardin Retrove is a Perfume House founded by Yuri Gutsatz who, rejecting the constraints of traditional perfumery dominated by marketing, will become the first French perfumer to found his own House. He will leave his mark on the community with his thousands of laboratory tests, his formulas since 1935, his involvement in the Société Française des Parfumeurs, of which he was vice-president, and his decisive participation in the creation of the Osmotheque. Timeless, independent, artisanal and family-owned, this House was relaunched in 2017 by his son Michel and his wife Clara, thanks to the enthusiasm of perfumer Maxence Moutte, in an environmentally friendly manner, while maintaining Yuri's delicate olfactory formulas, his protocol, as well as his historical suppliers. This precious heritage of Yuri is being reborn and is gaining new momentum to embody an inspired, joyful brand, where aesthetics take as much place as the quality of fragrances, and which is exported all over the world.

Huge crush on this House which knew how to defend and perpetuate a precious heritage while giving it a new impetus bearing the imprint and personality of Michel and Clara. Here we tested a perfume from the Jardin d'Eté collection, “Summer Verbena” created from the original formulas of Yuri Gutsatz, and a perfume from the Jardin d'Arashiyama collection, bearing the sweet name of Osmanthe Liu Yuan, created by Maxence Moutte. Two eaux de parfume, each as delicious as the other.

The manufacture of beauty and well-being, such is the ambition of this soap factory created in 2019 by the fruit of a collaboration between Solène and Jérémy. A house that very quickly knew how to make a particular place for itself in the soap industry because of the originality of its decorative cement tile patterns, and the numerous partnerships with prestigious houses such as the Comedie Française, La Samaritaine, La Samaritaine, Sarah Lavoine and others that allowed the emergence of unique collections combining the know-how of their house and the specific universe of each one. A real mastery of shapes, colors and fragrances, while focusing on the essential: making beautiful and quality soaps. Patented know-how for a company whose aim is to become the symbol of beautiful and healthy soap, where no less than 40 to 50 successive steps are necessary to achieve these small aesthetic and cosmetic squares, each involving great technicality and perfect mastery, each new pattern often being at the origin of the implementation of new processes. The historic shop-workshop in the 11th arrondissement is now closing its doors, as a fundraiser is in progress in order to create a factory that is more adapted to their production volume.

I must admit that I have never used and tested soaps as much as since the birth of this project to pay tribute to our French artisans. It's crazy how many handmade soap factories you can find, an entire site could almost be dedicated to them if we wanted to list them all. We therefore have to make a few choices that are certainly very personal, the main criteria being those of beauty and know-how since they defend and highlight an art of living. So we couldn't miss this soap factory, which is a work of art. I don't have enough products to display a wide range of them, but besides the fact that they smell divine and are very pleasant to use, they are simply magnificent with their graphic effect.

Lovers in life and driven by the same passion, Sophie and Guillaume share a personal and professional odyssey made up of small steps taken one after the other, the result of meetings and partnerships that are the wealth and soul of this brand. Like many of our artisans, the desire to create differently, locally, leaving a personal imprint while using traditional skills. The story begins in 2021 with cold saponified soaps made entirely by hand, combining exceptional raw materials and fragrances from perfumers. A year later, the desire to go further led them to create their first eaux de parfume, which were more committed, with a territorial focus. Corks are designed as unique pieces that are entirely recycled and designed from shells and cork. Eaux de Parfum are created by different perfumers who each bring their expertise and vision. Each collection is designed around a poem that gives it an olfactory vision, making this odyssey a shared adventure.

It is difficult not to repeat yourself because all the creations on this site are necessarily favorites. In particular in this category dedicated to perfumery and cosmetics, all the brands chosen were chosen because of their history, their universe and the quality of their products, but also because they are very inspiring in terms of lifestyle. So, and of course, La Petite Madeleine is no exception: the bottles, the design, the designs on the boxes are absolutely delightful, and in addition the smells are intoxicating. Personally, I chose Sous le silence de la Rose with its fresh and floral fragrance, an ideal juice for summer. But all other scents are delicious, and if you don't wear them, you can find them in soaps or candles.