The Aesthete: Christine Nagel talks personal taste

The creator of scents for Guerlain, Jo Malone and Armani is the first female head perfumer at Hermès

My personal style signifier is a Slim d’Hermès watch that is the perfect expression of who I am. It is a big masculine watch in silver, and I alternate between brown and black leather straps. I love the simplicity of this piece. €5,650; hermes.com.

Nagel’s Slim d’Hermès watch, €5,650 | Image: Emmanuel Fradin

The last thing I bought and loved was a pair of traditional Venetian slippers in midnight-blue velvet. They are chic and, more importantly, are completely comfortable and can be worn with everything from jeans to more tailored pants. Dittura Massimo slippers, from €35; ditturamassimo.it. 

And the things I’m eyeing next are Pierre de Ronsard rose bushes and a trellis for the garden at my country home in Calvados. These old-fashioned pink and white climbing roses bloom well into the autumn.

Pierre de Ronsard roses

If I didn’t live in Paris, I would live in Normandy, near Deauville and Trouville. It’s the sea that I can’t live without, but the surrounding countryside is gorgeous too. I love the little markets, especially the fish market in Trouville, and this part of the world just feels very small and separate. L’Etoile des Mers is one of the best places for fresh, inventive lunches and the proprietress has a big personality that adds to the fun. For an excellent selection of clothing – just like Paris's Leclaireur but unknown – I love the Anne boutique. Everything it carries – especially designs by Laurence Bras – suits me perfectly, so there’s almost no need to shop in the city. Anne, 26 Rue Gambetta, 14800 Deauville (anne-deauville.fr). L’Etoile des Mers, 74 Rue Gambetta, 14800 Deauville (+332-1463 1018).

Deauville harbour

An object I would never part with is a reproduction of Rodin’s hand called Main dite de “Pianiste” . I bought this little sculpture 25 years ago and I think it’s symbolic of craftsmanship and creativity. I’m part Italian and tend to talk with my hands, so this piece is very special to me. 

Nagel’s reproduction of Main dite de “Pianiste” by Rodin | Image: Emmanuel Fradin

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is the Garden of Eden on the island of Giudecca in Venice. This secret garden, which is closed to the public, was planted by an Englishman in the late 1800s, and it’s still full of jasmine, orange blossom, magnolia, rose – all mixed with the salty Venetian air. It is such a simple, beautiful place and I had an immediate emotional response to it – so much so that I created a fragrance, Un Jardin sur la Lagune, that reflects its blooms throughout the seasons. Hermès Un Jardin sur la Lagune, £89 for 100ml EDT; hermes.com.

Vegetable tartare at L’Arpège in Paris | Image: Arpège

A recent “find” is the new Eataly in Le Marais. This Italian grocery concept store is very new to Paris, and I love its range of diverse yet simple products. In addition to buying delicious cheeses and pastas, it’s fun to just people-watch here. My mother is Italian, so I’m nostalgic for really good Italian ingredients. 37 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris (eataly.net). 

The last meal that truly impressed me was at Alain Passard's Arpège. He creates vegetable dishes using produce from his organic gardens in incredibly inventive ways. I’m always surprised – last time it was by the sugary tomatoes, a vegetarian tartare and truffles that were in season. Passard always intrigues me with dishes that are not only good for the tastebuds but for the nose as well. 84 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris (alain-passard.com). 

My favourite website is Husqvarna, a site that is all about my lawnmower, a current obsession. I also read The Business of Fashion, Le Monde, Le Figaro and The Washington Post for the news of the day. businessoffashion.com. husqvarna.com. lefigaro.fr. lemonde.fr. washingtonpost.com.

A long weekend in Palm Beach with Aerin Lauder

The scion of the Estée Lauder empire, founder of global luxury lifestyle brand Aerin and Palm Beach habituée shares one-off shops, compelling cultural programmes and top ice creams with Christina Ohly Evans. Portrait by Jeffery Salter

“Palm Beach has always been a big part of my life.  I grew up spending holidays here with my grandmother [Estée Lauder] and all of my family, and I love the beaches, the sun, the architecture…everything about the place. There is a clear sense of tradition here – people still don black tie for the annual Coconuts New Year’s Eve gala – but there is also an exciting, younger energy in town. The next generation is moving to Palm Beach, and there is an international draw because of its proximity to Miami, so the town feels more vibrant and creative than ever.

My grandmother – who was my mentor – always loved the elegance of Palm Beach; one of her earliest fragrances, Aliage, was inspired by the sporty lifestyle here. Estée always wore white pants, a Pucci shirt and a broad-brimmed straw hat, and my Palm Beach uniform isn’t much different – though I tend to wear white jeans instead. The town is little changed since my childhood; the colours of the bougainvillea, the sculpture gardens and the very specific Mediterranean style of architecture are all wonderfully intact. You’ll find these grand, sweeping estates, as well as beautiful apartments that were built by Addison Mizner in the 1920s. All of these homes and spaces have clear Spanish and Italian influences, with plenty of the white stucco that’s so perfect for the south Florida climate.

The pool at the Italian Renaissance-style Breakers Hotel

Palm Beach’s gardens are some of the most beautiful in the world. The Society of the Four Arts is one of my favourite places not just for flora – there are about 170 plant species including hibiscus, orchids and palms – but also for its incredible sculpture garden, complete with pergolas. It does all kinds of cultural programming – Simon Schama has been here, and documentary filmmaker Ric Burns – as well as concerts and screenings. This is a peaceful place to spend a morning, before heading to the nearby Lake Trail, a bike path that follows the edge of Lake Worth, past boat docks and historic homes and with gorgeous views along the Intracoastal Waterway.

There are all sorts of hotels in Palm Beach, from historical and grand to those with a more boutique feel. But the iconic Breakers, which was built in 1926 in the Italian Renaissance style, is among the best. This is a great spot for everything from tennis and golf to lounging by the pool in one of their cabanas; the spa and gym are perfection too. I’m a big fan of its breakfast buffet – which is served in a massive ballroom that makes you feel like you’re on an old ship. Its relatively new Seafood Bar offers some of the best crab cakes on the island. For a more intimate stay, Brazilian Court has apartment-style suites and also an excellent restaurant by Daniel Boulud, while I like The Colony Hotel in the centre of town for its old-world feel, complete with a beautiful high tea served on the porch.

The heart of Palm Beach is Worth Avenue. You’ll find some of the most incredible shops and restaurants here. One of the most special places, tucked away off Worth Avenue, is Via Mizner – a little courtyard, full of shops and restaurants, that’s on the US National Register of Historic Places. This whole area symbolises the Gilded Age and the work of architect Addison Mizner, whose designs line part of the street. I always encourage people to look up on Worth Avenue, because some of the most beautiful gardens dangle above them; even the palm trees lining the street are lit from below at night.

The shopping here is world class. Kassatly’s – opened in 1923, it’s Worth Avenue’s oldest shop – is a must for towels, while Leta Austin Foster is an institution for luxurious D Porthault linens and children’s clothing. Just next door you’ll find CJ Laing, one of the best places to stock up on cover‑ups, sandals and straw hats. For anyone interested in monogramming and embroidery – of everything, from hand towels to clothing – or even in personalising an order of Oreo cookies, Lori Jayne Monogramming & More is a truly unique find; she will customise virtually anything and her shop is a hidden gem. Hive is another must, for the array of housewares and accessories and, particularly, for the beautiful selection of notecards.

The elegant, old-world patio at Renato's | Image: Nickolas Sargent

In addition to great shopping, Via Mizner has some excellent restaurants. You can sit outside at Renato’s and enjoy really classic, fresh food: roasted baby artichokes and Dover sole in a beautiful setting. For a more casual bite, I like lunch or dinner at the nearby Pizza al Fresco; it has an excellent thin‑crust frutti di mare pizza and a lovely garden under twinkling lights.

What’s exceptional about this shopping area is its mix of old and new; you’ll find names like Valentino just up from a florist, Tom Mathieu, who does incredible arrangements with tropical plants. Trillion is another classic, with a hugely colourful array of cashmere for men and women. Its Italian sweaters in shades of hot pink, mint and purple are perfect for Palm Beach, and the shop is considered an institution for menswear in particular. Worth Avenue is also home to Mary Mahoney, a noted home-decor boutique where I always find unique glassware and Buccellati silver. And for lovers of vintage, there is no better place than Palm Beach because there is always an estate sale on somewhere. And the Church Mouse on South County Road is a treasure trove of everything from antique furniture to 1960s evening bags and clutches by Emilio Pucci.

Via Mizner, a Gilded Age courtyard, is home to many local restaurants and shops | Image: Susanne Kremer/4Corners Images

One of the newer additions to town is Sant Ambroeus in the Royal Poinciana Plaza, a sister to the New York and Milan cafés. I love it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes a hazelnut gelato from its standalone cart. But I’m actually very loyal to Sprinkles, the local ice cream shop nearby, because I’ve been going there all my life, and the homemade coconut ice cream is outstanding. For even more old-fashioned atmosphere, there’s Green’s Pharmacy on North County Road; it has a traditional soda fountain counter and makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches and vanilla milkshakes in town. You’ll also find things like Whitman’s Sampler boxes of chocolates and practical sun hats. The whole place is purely nostalgic.

For a short road trip, head just an hour south to Miami where the new Surf Club is both sleek and glamorous. The restaurant there, Le Sirenuse, serves food just like the food at the original in the famous hotel in Positano. You actually do feel transported to the Mediterranean.

Chic cover-ups, straw hats and bags at CJ Laing

My grandmother loved Palm Beach for the natural beauty, the sense of tradition and the people. Even today, there’s an embracing of the old world, but also a younger generation that feels tied to the area. The times that I shared here with my grandmother – visiting the Flagler Museum, sitting in the sunroom in her chairs or just cycling along the bike path – I now enjoy with my sons. I always hope that when people come to Palm Beach they access those same feelings of warmth and history. It is a place for people of all ages, with all kinds of varied interests; but Palm Beach hasn’t changed much over the many years I’ve been coming, and that’s what makes it so special.”

John Nollet: crowning glories

Statement-making handmade hair accessories

It was while working as a hair stylist to stars, including Nicole Kidman, Monica Bellucci, Uma Thurman and Vanessa Paradis, that John Nollet (fourth picture) had “the initial spark to create hair jewels”. The charming, Paris-based haute couturier of hair expanded his repertoire to include one-of-a-kind, handmade accessories that can range from feather-festooned barrettes (€600) to elaborate headbands and tiaras (€1,000-€7,000 and upwards), incorporating pearls, silk and raffia, often with the help of master embroiderers Métiers d’Art and Lemarié Ateliers.

Nollet delights in working with clients one on one – whether at his jewel-box salons at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme and Hôtel Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, or by email and phone. Most of his commissions are for special occasions – weddings, film premieres, black-tie soirées – and designed to enhance a specific outfit. For those interested in a subtle flourish, clips – or “sparks”, as Nollet calls them – can be created in hues of gold, silver and black to add a special flicker to cascading locks. Dramatic looks, however, are a Nollet strength; his Night Queen plume (€2,240, first picture), for example, is a statement-making accent to a traditional ponytail crafted in real hair of varying shades. Feathers (second and third pictures) are another signature, often embellished with intricate beadwork, and designs cost between €1,200-€5,000, depending on the complexity of the piece.

Bobbi Brown talks personal taste: Part One

Bobbi Brown’s cosmetics brand brings in over 10 per cent of parent company Estée Lauder’s annual revenues

My personal style signifiers are dark-framed glasses of my own design worn with a black jacket – Chanel or Barneys own label – and tailored black jeans; I have more than 30 pairs and like Rag & Bone. I also always wear a watch – a sporty Cartier on a black strap or my new Apple Watch by Hermès.www.apple.com. www.barneys.com. www.chanel.com. www.hermes.com. www.rag-bone.com.

An indulgence I would never forgo is really good Casa Dragones Joven tequila [pictured]. It’s made from pure blue agave and comes in a beautiful crystal decanter – but at $275 a bottle it’s definitely an indulgence. www.casadragones.com.

Baker’s Bay, the Bahamas | Image: © The Islands of the Bahamas

The last music I downloaded was for my upbeat playlist that I listen to when I run – Pitbull’s Time Of Our Lives, Jay Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail, Biggie Smalls’ Mo Money Mo Problems and Jeremih’s Don’t Tell ’Em. I love rap and hip hop.

The last thing I bought and loved was a Lanvin navy cardigan with rhinestone buttons. I found it at Jeffrey, a boutique in New York’s Meatpacking District; it was the only piece that called my name. It is one of Alber Elbaz’s last designs for Lanvin – part of design history. 449 W 14th St, New York, NY 10014 (+1212-206 1272; www.jeffreynewyork.com). www.lanvin.com.

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a red buffalo and pebble-leather tote with detachable clutch by Seattle-based Ampersand As Apostrophe. I have a bag obsession – lightweight ones without obvious logos – and like to support niche brands. $609; www.ampersandasapostrophe.com.

The site that inspires me is Baker’s Bay [pictured] in the Bahamas. We are building a home there and the peaceful surroundings, turquoise water and white sandy beaches are very calming.

A Chance in the World by Steve Pemberton

The books on my bedside table are often memoirs and currently include At Liberty: From Rehab to the Front Row by Liberty’s managing director Ed Burstell, and A Chance in the World [pictured] by Steve Pemberton, the story of a man who rose from broken foster home to Fortune 50 executive. It’s inspirational.

The best souvenir I’ve brought home is a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk [pictured] from Grays antiques in London. My husband and I bought it on the way to the airport with no time to overthink its price or practicality. It is one of my favourite pieces and serves as a coffee table in our living room. 58 Davies St, London W1 (020-7629 7034; www.graysantiques.com).

Brown’s vintage Louis Vuitton trunk | Image: Weston Wells

Objects I would never part with are framed photos of my sons – Dylan [25], Dakota [23] and Duke [17] – given to me by my husband for Mother’s Day. The beautiful silver frames hold the first picture taken of each child – they’re incredibly special.

The beauty staples I’m never without include my own Intensive Skin Serum Concealer, my “desert island cosmetic” that leaves my skin looking like I’ve had eight hours sleep; Bumble and Bumble’s Mending Shampoo and Conditioner, excellent for colour-treated hair; Tweezerman tweezers for their precision; and fragrance – one of my own, or Chanel No 5 or Cristalle, which are light and fresh. Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer, £28 for 7ml; www.bobbibrown.co.uk. Bumble and Bumble Mending Shampoo, £23 for 250ml, and Conditioner, £25 for 250ml; www.bumbleandbumble.co.uk. Chanel Cristalle, £52 for 50ml EDP, and No 5, £68 for 50ml EDP; www.chanel.com. Tweezerman tweezers, £19; www.tweezerman.co.uk.

Casa Dragones Tequila, $275 for 75cl

The last meal that truly impressed me was at RL in Chicago. The decor is perfect – clubby with rich fabrics and oil paintings. We had oysters with mignonette granité, followed by incredible Dover sole; they make a mean martini too. Chicago is my hometown and I’m friends with the Lauren family, so this place is very special to me. 115 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (+1312-475 1100; www.rlrestaurant.com).

My favourite websites include NYTimes.com, WSJ.com and FT.com for hard news, and Thecoveteur.com for the latest beauty products and trends. Twitter is my first check of the day; if any news is breaking, I’ll learn about it here. www.twitter.com.

Bobbi Brown talks personal taste: Part Two

The cosmetics doyenne concludes her compendium of passions with shopping in SoHo, her love affair with London and the wellbeing treatments she can’t live without

My style icon is Phoebe Philo. I like her simple aesthetic: a shirt is a shirt and a pair of trousers is a pair of trousers, but with her flawless design and fabric choices these pieces become special. She carries herself beautifully too and I think she is a wonderful role model – a working mother who puts her family first. To me, she embodies effortless, timeless style.

The best gift I’ve given recently was a series of portraits by photographer Henry Leutwyler, to my friend John Demsey [group president of Estée Lauder]. Leutwyler photographed his four-year-old daughter as a surprise. www.henryleutwyler.com.

Bobbi Brown’s Flamingos suede boots, £300 | Image: Weston Wells

And the best one I’ve received recently was a pair of delicate hoop earrings with clusters of dangling pearls by my favourite jewellery designer Ted Muehling. I have an incredible collection of his things – strands of pearls in rosy pink and opalescent colours; simple brushed-gold earrings – and they often inspire my make-up colours and collections. www.tedmuehling.com.

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year was Biarritz with my whole family, including my three grown sons and their girlfriends. There is nothing better than a beachy vacation with French food and we ate delicious seafood in atmospheric seaside restaurants like Le Surfing. It was a very relaxing, special trip. 9 Boulevard Prince de Galles, 64200 Biarritz (+3355-924 7872; www.lesurfing.fr).

The people I rely on for personal grooming and wellbeing include my osteopath, Dr Erik Steiner, whose bi-weekly sessions keep me perfectly aligned with just 45 minutes of gentle manipulation. Then there’s my manicurist, Roza Israel, who comes to our offices weekly and is available to all our staff, and my hairstylist Marissa Martoni at Marie Robinson; she’s been cutting my hair for years and I trust her completely. I also have regular Chinese massages at a small and non-descript salon near my house; I love the low-key atmosphere and the fact that I don’t have to book it in advance. Dr Erik Steiner, 41 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003 (+1212-227 6967; www.eriksteinerwellness.com). Marie Robinson Salon, 10th floor, 40 W 25th St, New York, NY 10010 (+1212- 358 7780; www.marierobinsonsalon.com). Roza Israel, rozaisrael@yahoo.com.

A recent “find” is Sant Ambroeus restaurant on Lafayette Street near our offices in New York. It’s been open for a while but is only now coming onto my radar. I love everything about the place – the warm atmosphere, the simple-yet-delicious food, the excellent people-watching. The owner is an amazing host. 265 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012 (+1212-966 2770; www.santambroeus.com).

Phoebe Philo | Image: David Sims

If I didn’t live in Montclair, New Jersey, the city I would live in is London because I am something of an Anglophile. I would love to live in Mayfair, at the Connaught, with its wonderful bar and special fresh-ginger tea. I like the beautiful architecture in this area and its proximity to Hyde Park, where I’d go running. Scott’s is one of my favourite restaurants in the world and I love the beautiful salads and grains at both The Detox Kitchen and Ottolenghi. I’m also a big fan of the theatre and living here would make seeing the latest plays much easier. The Connaught, Carlos Place (020-7499 7070; www.the-connaught.co.uk). Detox Kitchen, 10 Kingly Street (020-7439 9386; www.detoxkitchen.co.uk). Ottolenghi, 13 Motcomb Street (020-7823 2707; www.ottolenghi.co.uk). Scott’s, 20 Mount Street (020-7495 7309; www.scotts-restaurant.com).

The last thing I added to my wardrobe was a pair of black suede platform boots by Flamingos. I’m typically a sneaker girl and love comfortable footwear, but sometimes I need a bit of height. These boots have a thick rubber sole and can be worn with everything from Acne jeans to black Nili Lotan pants. £300; www.fwrd.com.

London at dusk | Image: Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

In my fridge you’ll always find almond milk for my morning espressos and freshly squeezed lemon juice for my husband’s hot-water infusions. There’ll be eggs, all kinds of berries for smoothies and, typically, the makings of a casual dinner – a roast chicken from Whole Foods, Rao’s pasta sauce, kale for a salad – and San Pellegrino grapefruit soda, which the whole family likes mixed with sparkling water. www.raos.com. www.sanpellegrinofruitbeverages.com. www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

My favourite room in my house is my bedroom. It’s a soothing space – very open and full of serene whites and greys. I like to retreat here to read and watch TV, usually at the same time, before drifting off to sleep.

Sant Ambroeus in SoHo | Image: Bruce Buck

The artists whose work I would collect if I could include Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. I love the colour, composition and openness of pop art, and while the vibrancy isn’t in keeping with my personal aesthetic, I find their work very stirring.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose SoHo in New York; I love the street life in this area and the high-low mix of stores. There’s Acne Studios and Maison Margiela for shoes and Steven Alan for its clothing edit. The spare Céline store on Wooster Street is my go-to for timeless pieces and I like J Crew for basics such as cashmere sweaters. Equinox has an excellent selection of freshly squeezed juices and raw foods and Balthazar is the best for delicious take away salads. Acne Studios, 33 Greene Street (+1212-334 8345; www.acnestudios.com).Balthazar, 80 Spring Street (+1212-965 1414; www.balthazarny.com). Céline, 67 Wooster Street (+1212-226 8001; www.celine.com). Equinox, 69 Prince Street (+1212-334 4631; www.equinox.com). J Crew, 99 Prince Street (+1212-966 2739; www.jcrew.com). Maison Margiela, 91 Grand Street (+1646-781 7852; www.maisonmargiela.com). Steven Alan, 230 Elizabeth Street (+1212-343 7974; www.stevenalan.com).

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be a chef. I like simple, great-tasting food that makes you look and feel good and I’d love to be able to cook on a regular basis. This is a huge area of interest for me, so much so that I’m signed up for cooking classes with Lily Kunin, founder of Clean Food, Dirty City, where I hope to learn to make delicious, plant-based meals. www.cleanfooddirtycity.com.

Radice Apothecary’s hydrating Myrrh Cream

A rich moisturiser with an equally rich Tuscan history

To my long list of Tuscan favourites I have recently added Radiće Apothecary – an under-the-radar organic brand, owned by third-generation Italian pharmacist and herbalist Jasmine Urzia. And it is her Myrrh Cream ($75 for 30ml, pictured) that I am particularly fond of.

After being tipped off about this ultra-lightweight anti-ageing lotion, I have been using it morning and night. The artisanal blend comprises myrrh resin (infused with oils and left to bake in the Italian sun), sandalwood, extracts of avocado and rosehip (which help strengthen skin), shea butter, vitamin E, hemp and jojoba oils. It also contains St John’s wort, a key skin-healing component. Myrrh Cream has a thin, almost milky texture, and I’ve been delighted with its hydrating effects, especially around my eyes.

Although Urzia is now based in New York, she is carrying on the family tradition started by her grandmother, crafting every lotion herself in small batches – all containing organic ingredients from the same Tuscan garden. Radiće Apothecary products are not widely available, nor are they sold online – you have to place an order via email. But as Urzia likes to personally connect with her customers, and even encourages email exchanges about everything from the anti-wrinkle properties of hemp oil to the use of black cumin-seed oil to treat eczema and rosacea, this only adds to the experience. As do the simple 1oz brown jars and bottles, which, helpfully, are airline-approved.

Farmaesthetics

An online bounty of herbaceous eco-beauty

Farmaesthetics is a curious name for a skincare range. But all becomes clear when it transpires that the entire collection of tinctures, serums, oils and mists (in their chic apothecary-style bottles, first image) is made using whole-herb ingredients sourced from  American family farms. The company was named in TIME Magazine’s “Green Style & Design 100: The People and Ideas Behind Today’s Most Influential Design”. Brenda Brock is the brains behind the brand and her formulations are garnering an increasingly loyal international following, now that they can be bought online and dispatched globally.

Shop by either skin type or category (from body zone to cleanser); the Standard Regimen option is a great place to start. This nine-item collection includes many of Farmaesthetics signature basics including rose-water and glycerin ($26), a fine herbal cleanser ($38) with witch hazel, and the herbal hydration mask ($48) – a refreshing paste designed to lift oils while moisturising the skin with beeswax, shea butter and soybean oil.

Dry and sensitive skin types are particularly well served. Fine facial oils ($58) with evening primrose and sweet cherry-seed oil extracts promise to brighten (and can also be used a primer before applying make-up), while nourishing lavender milk ($38, second image) is light enough to use even on children’s skin. One of the key ingredients in both products is calendula, which repairs skin damaged by sun, severe weather conditions and scarring.

The baby range, and gift sets for men, new mums and jetsetters (from $58) – each including Farmaesthetics favourites in TSA-approved miniature vials are also work checking out.

For more chemical-free beauty, try this natural night cream, or this organic Icelandic range.

Firle Place Herb Garden Collection

An e-cache of beauty products from a Sussex estate garden

Fresh from the Sussex gardens of Lady Alexandra Gage comes The Firle Place Herb Garden collection – a small-batch range of medicinal balms, beauty ointments and teas made using herbs and wildflowers from the expansive estate. The 17 products in four categories (beauty energy balms, teas, soaps and medicinal balms) are designed to enhance both body and mind; Gage contends that self-realisation and all-natural formulations are the keys to beauty.

Three jars of energising balm (£15 for 30g) – wood violets, snowdrops and daffodil and stone – all moisturise and relax as well as proclaim the importance of self-love, truth and acceptance. Yes, it’s a bit hippy-dippy, but endearingly so.  

Less philosophical are the medicinal balms targeted at specific ailments and areas. Hints of petitgrain, blue chamomile and patchouli in the Calming Balm (£12 for 30ml or £22 for 50ml) aid sleep, while lavender, spearmint and rosemary with a touch of vitamin E in the Gardener’s Hand Balm (£12 for 30ml) nourish cracked fingers. A special apis, ledum and tea tree oil balm treats bee and nettle stings (£12 for 30ml). And the Summer Skin Balm (£12 for 30ml) soothes sun-weary skin with its cooling geranium and hypericum extracts.

Naturally caffeine-free teas (all £4.50) include Digestive Comfort using lemon balm, chamomile and verbena, Happiness and Restful Sleep. Last but not least are handcrafted soaps (£5 each, 90g), made using pure plant oils including clary sage, calendula, lavender and spearmint – each designed to restore tranquillity while cleansing.

Before you leave the site, be sure to visit the photo gallery full of images of the walled gardens and allées of trees. If bucolic could be bottled, these would help the fantasy thrive.

Check out these fruity and floral fragrances or organic, chemical-free wrinkle cream that uses violet leaf extract to reduce fine lines.

Vintner’s Daughter: botanical serum from Napa Valley

An anti-ageing beauty product with vinous clout

When it comes to beauty products, I won’t sacrifice results for eco-friendliness, all natural ingredients or the complete absence of parabens, chemicals and fragrances. Bottom line: I seek serums, creams and cleansers that really deliver – and if they do so in a green way, well, so much the better.

And so to Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum ($185 for 30ml), a luxury phytoactive for the face that contains 22 of the world’s most powerful botanicals and essential oils, and which left my skin brighter, more evenly toned and with reduced sun spots.  

The force behind this liquid gold is April Gargiulo – a winemaker who co-owns Gargiulo Vineyards in Napa, California, and who set about creating a skincare formulation that was safe to use while she was pregnant. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of winemaking, she knew about the positive effect of grapes on the complexion. Starting with a base of grapeseed oil, Gargiulo then researched the most active herbal ingredients that would hydrate, nourish and calm even the most sensitive skin types. Hazelnut, avocado and rosehip oils strengthen elasticity and target UV damage; lavender, alfafa and nettle leaf are incorporated to infuse the skin with vitamins and combat wrinkles; while rosemary keeps acne at bay.

My current regimen includes twice-daily applications of the serum to the face and neck, followed by a light foundation. The cherry on the cake is that five per cent of each purchase goes to ending violence against women – and that’s a beautiful thing indeed.

Paris’s chic apothecary Buly 1803

A magical emporium inspired by 19th-century French hospital pharmacies

One of the most wonderful new additions to Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés is Buly 1803, a boutique specialising in scented oils, lotions, soaps, candles and creams. Although open for less than a year, this chic apothecary on Rue Bonaparte was inspired by traditional 19th-century French hospital pharmacies.

Image: Alexandre Guirkinger

Buly 1803 is a true labour of love for husband and wife owners Ramdane Touhami and Victoire de Taillac, and no detail has been overlooked, from exquisite oak shelves, marble counter surfaces and Sicilian floor tiles to the stylish, calligraphic labels and elegant back-lighting that renders glass vessels glowing. The duo had an impressive journey to launching the boutique: Touhami was the co-owner and artistic director of luxe candlemakers Cire Trudon, while de Taillac was communications director for Colette. Together, they have revived a venerable French brand – originally opened in 1803 under the name Bully (one “l” has been dropped to contemporise the name) – and have reimagined its formulations for a new age.

Image: Alexandre Guirkinger

Image: Alexandre Guirkinger

Inspired by the firm’s original vinegar perfume-making catalogues, the new concoctions now include natural ingredients – all free from parabens, phenoxyethanol and silicones. This jewel box of a shop invites experimentation and the eight water-based perfumes (€110 each, example in second picture) seemed an excellent place for me to start. Tuberose, bergamot, Scottish lichen and macassar scents were my favourites, each subtle and light. I also liked the Pommade Virginale (€35) face moisturiser, whose sweet almond-oil and linden-water mix I bought in a handy travel tube (it has proven particularly useful for long-haul flights). A similar version for the body – Pommade Concrete (€28, third picture) – enticed me with its tarot-card-inspired label, and is now my cold-weather staple for dry, chapped hands.

Image: Alexandre Guirkinger

I also stocked up on Buly’s vast selection of vegetable oils: from apricot kernel oil (from €4 for 10ml) to one pressed from baobab seeds (from €6 for 10ml). My favourite finds, however, were the scented “glass bell” candles (€120 each) made of rice, soy and copra, with names like “Genereaux D’Empire”(fourth picture) and “Retour D’Egypte”. The ultimate souvenir, however, might just have been the Opiate Dentaire (€18, sixth picture) – a brightening toothpaste with hints of rose.

It was near closing time when I discovered drawers full of natural-honeycomb sponges, horsehair gloves, boar-bristle brushes and Japanese-boxwood combs. They are top of my shopping list for next time...

Fueguia 1833: a beguiling Buenos Aires perfumery

This fragranced atelier makes its mark with uniquely South American scents

A recent trip to Buenos Aires yielded many treasures: a stay at boutique bolthole Hub Porteño in the chic Recoleta area; a fondness for empanadas; and the discovery of niche perfumery and candle atelier Fueguia 1833. I wandered into this lovely laboratory, just steps from my hotel door, in a jet-lagged haze and was overwhelmed by a profusion of South American scents.

Founded in 2010 by Julian Bedel and Ama Amoedo, this dark, decidedly sexy boutique was a labour of love – no detail or finish has been rushed or overlooked. Sleek recycled-glass jars dominate the room, and some 50-plus varieties create a quasi art installation. Low lighting, maps of Patagonia and simple wooden packaging add to the sumptuous elegance.

Perfumes are grouped into seven collections, including Destinos, Personajes and Fábula Fauna, but bespoke fragrances are also a key ingredient at Fueguia. All of Bedel’s creations incorporate flora and fauna from Patagonia, which he is happy to alter (or create anew) to suit a client’s wishes.

Castillos is just one scent in the Destinos collection and it masterfully mixes notes of jasmine, tuberose and the Argentinean favourite, mate, while Pampa Húmeda is meant to evoke the “green, clean” feel that occurs after a good downpour and incorporates hints of rosemary and eucalyptus. Other highlights include Darwin and Humboldt – from the citrusy Personajes range – as well as Jacarandá, a floral concoction with undertones of bergamot and cedar moss. Almost as compelling as the fragrances are the names ­– reflecting global travel, explorers and plant species. Fragrances are available in 30ml absoluto (£106), 30ml agua de perfume (£58) and 100ml perfume (£158), as well as in 15ml roll-on (£55), and each comes in a beautiful handmade wooden box (second picture).

Vegetable-based candles (third picture) are no also-rans and I purchased the Amalia Primavera (£78) – with its hints of floral ambergris and jasmine – although spicier versions, including the Noel with clove and grapefruit, also enticed.

The final element of the shop that I loved was its commitment to the environment and social programmes in South America. Forty-two per cent of the product price of all perfumes, candles and room fragrances is donated to Help Argentina, an organisation dedicated to funding educational projects throughout the country. Such social consciousness makes these scents all the sweeter.

Rodin’s moisture-rich Olio Lusso

Eleven essential oils in one small-batch skin salvation

As we emerged at last from winter, my skin was doing little skips. Thanks to the combined effects of an especially harsh New York cold patch and perhaps a little too much holiday sun (I know better, but it’s that wonderful vitamin D), my complexion has been left dull and rather lizard-like. But what’s got me through it is a recommendation from a clued-up-on-beauty friend: Rodin’s Olio Lusso (£97 for 30ml, pictured), aka “luxury oil”. This elegant moisturising serum is made from 11 essential oils sourced from plants and botanicals, with not an acid, perfume or chemical preservative in sight.

Developed by former fashion editor and stylist Linda Rodin, Olio Lusso face oil has garnered an ardent following since its launch five years ago. First mixed and bottled in Rodin’s Chelsea flat, it is now produced in larger batches in a boutique New Jersey factory to keep up with client demand.

There are many elixirs on the market that claim to repair dry, damaged skin but they often clog my pores with their thick emollients, or they sting because of some chemical ingredient. By contrast, I found Olio Lusso to be instantly soothing: its combination of jasmine, calendula flower, rosehip and sweet-almond oils is naturally calming.  

Of the other ingredients, one of the most unusual – and certainly most powerful – is neroli, an essential oil that is packed with vitamin C and helps to promote elasticity. Meanwhile, the fatty acids found in evening primrose oil, the anti-inflammatory properties of the Scandinavian arnica plant and the vitamins A and D found in apricot-seed oil, each make my weary visage perk up and say, “Thank you”.

Follain: a natural-beauty boutique in Boston

Eco chic for face, body and hair

When it comes to beauty products, I am by no means a devout user of environmentally friendly, ethically sourced products that are free from preservatives, colours and other unsavoury substances. I simply want the creams, cleansers and cosmetics that work most effectively, and if they happen to be natural, well then, so much the better. But I recently found a boutique – in Boston – that offers the perfect combination of good-for-environment brands and good-for-you results.

Follain – a Gaelic word meaning “healthy, wholesome and sound” – was opened last summer by skincare enthusiast Tara Foley, on a tree-lined street in Boston’s South End. The area is home to interesting shops, but her light-filled beauty emporium really stands out for its carefully curated selection of some 30-plus American-made natural and organic beauty products. In addition to the greatest hits of “clean” care, the space has been designed – using spare white marble and tile finishes throughout – to encourage experimentation with the products. An enormous double-basin sink that looks straight out of Provence is the centrepiece of one room, and thick, stone countertops invite customers to gather and learn about the latest toners and scrubs.

“We encourage our customers to select the best products for their skin type, rather than sticking with a certain brand,” says Foley. My re-education started with my face, and I was introduced to such Follain bestsellers as Amber Blue’s Anti-Aging Serum ($56), a Shamanuti Seaweed Toner ($28) and a thick Intensive Repair Balm by Tammy Fender ($130) that worked immediate wonders on my cracked, winter-weary hands.

Until recently, many of Follain’s products were only available in spas – RICA’s Body Butter ($36) and Soapwalla’s Body Oil ($28) to name two – and while I couldn’t get over the hurdle of all-natural deodorant (Soapwalla’s version, $14, is meant to be terrific), Foley almost convinced me, so fervent is her belief in these hand-selected goods. I walked away from my visit with bottles of Rahua’s Classic shampoo ($32) and conditioner ($34) and each provided an ever so lightly scented, silky finish that has proved to work just as well for my husband’s hair as my own thick, colour-treated mane.

Cosmetics are the hardest switch of all – I tend to be brand loyal out of sheer laziness – but Ilia’s Lip Conditioner ($24) with just a hint of colour and RMS Beauty’s Living Luminizer ($38)were all particularly tempting.In addition to all of this product goodness, Follain embraces the environment by offering select products (liquid hand and body soaps, for example) that are available for refill (second picture), in an effort to cut down on the immense plastic waste generated by bottles.

For those seeking artisanal products sans synthetic chemicals, Follain is a cheerful one-stop shop – whether in person or online.

37 Extreme Actives: one pot anti-ageing wonder?

The power of an all-in-one, emollient-rich anti-ageing cream

When it comes to high-end beauty products, the school run isn’t necessarily the first place I tend to look. But it was here that I was introduced to 37 Extreme Actives anti-ageing cream (£225), an anti-ageing wonder cream by Dr Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas MD PhD, which another mum swore was the key to “holding on to middle age”. She looks terrific and it was her desire to maintain her age-appropriate visage – rather than trying to look like a plumped-up teenager – that piqued my interest in the nutrient-rich product.

Before I put anything on my highly sensitive, rosacea-prone face, I do my research. This generally means that I use only simple, non-irritating cleansers and creams, and they must all have some sort of scientific backing. I was intrigued by Dr Alexiades-Armenakas’s bona fides: she holds three degrees from Harvard, including a PhD in genetics; was a Fulbright scholar, is a professor at the Yale University School of Medicine; and has consulted for L’Oréal on its anti-ageing formulations. Bottom line: scientific credentials – tick.

One month into my regimen and I am a convert to her all-in-one, emollient-rich lotion that I now use morning and night. I’ve learned a lot about actives – “ingredients that produce an intended action” – and how Dr Alexiades-Armenakas’s particular concoction actually works. Starting with a natural ingredient list that is sourced almost entirely from plants (versus those manufactured in a chemistry lab), 37 Extreme Actives is also free of parabens, colours and excess fragrance.

Unlike many formulations, this one delivers on the claim that it works in a matter of minutes, days and weeks. Minutes? Seriously. After the first use, my red cheeks were visibly calmer – which I assume is down to its combination of Bisabolol, coffee, yerba mate tea and feverfew. Within days I saw my crow’s feet become slightly less pronounced (could it be the complex peptides?) and now, in week four, my brown spots from past sun sins are starting to fade. It’s a knockout cocktail of antioxidants, Resveratrol, plankton and blue algae (for DNA defence) and soy and glycerine (for old-fashioned moisture). The result? My skin is, quite simply, rejuvenated.

In addition to short-term effects, 37 Extreme Actives promises to reverse wrinkling, restore cellular generation and create a stronger barrier to harsh pollutants over the long haul. For now, it allows me to apply just one cream versus many serums and substances, and there are no lasers, needles or foreign components involved – uplifting indeed.

Genius in a bottle: MCMC Fragrances

Bespoke perfumes from a bijou Brooklyn atelier

From humble beginnings in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, to a place on the shelves of Paris’s Colette and Tokyo’s Asoom, MCMC Fragrances’ founder Anne Serrano-McClain has quietly, but confidently, begun to make a name for herself among the perfume cognoscenti. A graduate of the prestigious Grasse Institute of Perfumery, she specialises in small batches of artisanal scent – many bespoke – that are created in-house.

Bespoke creations are a deceptively simple mix of just 10 to 20 ingredients, built around one of the main perfume families – citrus, wood or floral. Once Serrano-McClain has assessed her client’s affections for the various foundation options, she begins to build the scent with a delicate top note such as bergamot or cherry blossom, middle florals and a base note of sandalwood or vetiver. Those able to visit the Brooklyn studio can take part in a lesson in the art of perfume-making as they watch the process unfold before them – while those commissioning a scent from afar receive a beautiful box full of samples and scent strips to kick off the creative process.

“I enjoy working with clients to create their vision,” explains Serrano-McClain. “At the moment I am working with a jewellery designer who has long had a signature scent that her friends know her by. We are taking the musky base from this scent and combining it with rich floral notes that she encountered on a recent trip to Sicily.”

In addition to customised perfume, MCMC also offers a line of eight fragrances ($95 for 40ml) – Garden, Hunter (third picture), Kept, Love, Maine, Maui, Noble (second picture) and Phoenix, as well as cedar-wood inflected Dude No 1 Beard Oil ($65 for 30ml) and Dude No 1 Cologne ($75 for 30ml) – that often serve as a creative springboard for Serrano-McClain’s one-off commissions. Her special compositions – eau de parfum and perfume oils – are priced from $2,500 for a 50ml bottle, with refills at $275 each.

“When I discovered perfume, I realised this was the perfect medium for me as an artist,” says Serrano-McClain. “I’m interested in the way memories have a haze around them, how reality becomes ethereal and infused with meaning and romanticism. This is what I am hoping to convey through my fragrances.”

Flower power

The scent of the Swiss alps in one anti-ageing-cream jar

New York City is an awfully long way from mountainous Megève – and in particular the idyllic Les Fermes de Marie, an Haute Savoie hotel with a classic ski-chalet vibe. While travelling away from the Big Apple, I had the chance to visit this rustic-chic spot – and its sensational Pure Altitude Spa – last summer, and it was here that I discovered a skincare line made up of simple alpine plants, minerals and nourishing antioxidants.

I am not typically a spa-goer, but the low-key nature of this particular spot enticed me, and Pure’s signature Crème Edelweiss No 1 (€50) has been a beauty staple of mine ever since. This protecting and hydrating cream is wonderfully lightweight and free of cloying scent, which means that I can use it year round – morning, noon and night. I have naturally dry skin and this edelweiss-infused potion provides instant hydration and appears (if my constant scrutiny has shown correctly) to have decreased the fine lines and wrinkles around my sensitive eye area.

The secret in this little wonder jar is the Swiss edelweiss that has been harvested by hand and later dehydrated and infused into all of Pure’s formulations, mixed in Valréas, France. I’ve come to learn that this hearty special ingredient – which is considered to have potent anti-ageing benefits – is especially soothing and protective to distressed skin that has been exposed to harsh pollutants (that would be mine), changes in weather and the sun’s harmful rays.

More than the pre-make-up mosturising benefits that the cream provides, I find this fresh, clean product to be emotionally transporting. I may be looking out over a bustling Manhattan skyline each day, but after a dollop of Crème Edelwiss No 1, the peaceful, pristine Alps don’t seem that far away at all.

Francis Kurkdjian talks taste: Part Two

Krug champagne, Tokyo and unexpected parties round out the perfumer’s penchants

My style icon is my maternal grandfather. Both of my grandfathers were incredibly stylish, but my mother’s father had a separate dressing room complete with rows of white shirts and collections of hats and coats – everything was just perfect. His style was very Cary Grant, with a unique twist; he even wore sock holders, which I loved.

In my fridge you’ll always find Krug champagne, as well as a lot of food, because I love to cook. There tend to be dairy products – cheese, yoghurt – as well as filo pastry dough, as I like to make small, hot pastries filled with feta cheese. I also like making fruit compotes for dessert, so there are always plenty of apples around, too. www.krug.com.

A recent “find” is the new Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Pantin, just north of Paris. I met Thaddaeus at a dinner party hosted by Terry de Gunzburg many years ago and instantly became a fan. This space was once a heating systems factory and is designed to hold large-scale installations. 69 Avenue du Général Leclerc, Pantin 93500 (+331-5589 0110; www.ropac.net).

An Anselm Kiefer exhibition at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Pantin | Image: Courtesy Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris/Salzburg. Photo: Charles Duprat

The sight that inspires me is the rooftops of Paris as seen from the restaurant Georges, at the top of the Pompidou Centre. From here you have a 360° view of the cityscape, with its grey zinc roofs and the golden tops of monuments such as the Dôme des Invalides. These grey and gold hues are the inspiration for the colour codes of my Maison, and all of my perfumes. 19 Rue Beaubourg, Paris 75004 (+331-4478 4799; www.centrepompidou.fr).

The last meal that truly impressed me was at my friend Alexis Muñoz’s house. He is an amazing cook and manufactures his own olive oils. We sampled the various kinds, made from olives from different parts of southern Europe – some infused with lemon, some with mandarin orange – with a meal of simply grilled calamari, mixed lettuce, tomato and mozzarella. Sometimes less is more. From €11.40; www.alexismunoz.com.

The last music I downloaded was Bohèmes by my friend Béatrice Ardisson, a sound designer. She lives in London but whenever I need music for one of my in-store events in Paris, she is the first person I call. www.ardisong.com.

The Château Baccarat collection, with wine glasses from £64

The best gift I’ve given recently was a birthday party at my home in Paris, for a friend who lives in New York. Our group started with drinks, followed by dinner at a friend’s restaurant, before returning home for more champagne. It was a cool, unexpected party that lasted until 6am, and it was a great celebration.

And the best one I’ve received was an entire collection of new Château Baccarat crystal wine glasses. They are so pure and simple, and yet have a sophisticated design. From £64; www.baccarat.com and Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1 (020-7730 1234; www.harrods.com).

The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a dark-blue, wool and cashmere striped suit by Boglioli. I bought it at Avedis, my favourite men’s tailor in Paris. It has a three-button jacket and is very stylish. Avedis, 354 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 75001 (+331-5862 4937; www.avedis.fr). Boglioli,www.boglioli.it.

The Roses Costes Dani Roses boutique at Hotel Costes in Paris | Image: © Julio Piatti

My favourite room in my house is my kitchen. This is the place where I work, eat meals and host my friends for dinner. All parties – even ones with 50 people – always end up in the kitchen. The furniture is arranged in an L shape, which is inviting – as is the full bar area.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose the first arrondissement in Paris, where my flagship store is located. I like Rick Owens’s shop for the overall atmosphere. Au Vert et Plus sells beautiful flowers, and I buy the special roses from the Roses Costes Dani Roses boutique at the Hotel Costes. Chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin is also nearby; his creations are works of art, so I like to stop here whenever I am in the neighbourhood. And for lunch I’ll maybe have a chicken Caesar salad or a Casti burger at the lively Le Castiglione, just around the corner from the Place Vendôme. Au Vert et Plus, 14 Rue Saint Roch, Paris 75001 (+331-4020 4280; www.vertetplus.net). Jean-Paul Hévin, 231 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris (+331-5535 3596; www.jeanpaulhevin.com). Le Castiglione, 235 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 75001 (+331-4260 6822; www.lecastiglione.com). Rick Owens, Jardins Du Palais Royal, 130-133 Galerie De Valois, Paris 75001 (+331-4020 4252; www.rickowens.eu). Roses Costes Dani Roses, 239 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 75001 (+331-4244 5009; www.hotelcostes.co

The people I rely on for personal grooming and wellbeing are Cyril at Absolut’R for my haircuts, my personal trainer Stéphane Machovic, who comes to my home two mornings per week to work out, and physiotherapist Julien Montenot. I love a good massage, and Julien has the best hands in Paris. Absolut’R, 4 Rue Française, Paris 75001 (+331-4026 2464). Julien Montenot, +336-5002 6862. Stéphane Machovic, +336-4284 1393.

If I didn’t live in Paris, the city I would live in is Tokyo. I love the Japanese lifestyle as it is so out there – the fashion, the food, the colours; it really is a one-of-a-kind place. I always shop at Muji for things such as specially designed tableware and leather goods that I can’t buy elsewhere, and the Prada store is amazing architecturally. I like the Shinjuku area best, because it is very central and has amazing views. But while I love the cleanliness of the streets there, I’m still very happy living in Paris. Muji, Ginza Matsuzakaya, Matsuzakaya Ginzaten Honkan B2F, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (+813-3572 1111; www.muji.com). Prada, 6-10-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (+813-3575 9071; www.prada.com).

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be telling stories in other creative ways. There is a narrative to each of my scents, so I assume I would work in a field such as dance, literature, or art – who knows?

Francis Kurkdjian talks taste: Part One

Paris-based perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has collaborated with many of the great fashion houses and founded his eponymous Maison in 2009

My personal style signifier is one of my many scarves, made of cotton, silk or cashmere, depending on the season. My favourites are from Faliero Sarti in Florence and are made of lightweight cashmere in solid colours. I have to protect my nose and throat for my work – getting sick is a big fear. From €160; Via della Spada 24/R, 50123 Florence (+3905-5239 6538, www.falierosarti.com) and branches/stockists.

Faliero Sarti scarf, €325 | Image: TheCorner.com

The last thing I bought and loved was a brown leather wallet from Isaac Reina, a designer based in Paris’s third arrondissement. He makes sleek, simple, elegant wallets, laptop covers and bags that are like Hermès in terms of style and quality, but with a modern twist. €469; 38 Rue de Sévigné, Paris 75003 (+331-4278 8195; www.isaacreina.com).

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a new dining table, but I need to commission it first. Ideally it would be a round or oval shape, as I think that’s more inviting, and it would seat 10 to 12 people in order to host dinner parties. And I’d like one with a wood or marble surface, as the sound of things being placed on glass is just annoying.

Isaac Reina wallet, €469

An indulgence I would never forego is a particular pastry called religieuse [French for nun]. It is made of two choux cases filled with coffee-flavoured cream and is delicious. The best are from Stohrer, a bakery that has been in business since the 1730s. 51 Rue Montorgueil, Paris 75002 (+331-4233 3820; www.stohrer.fr).

Formentera, Spain | Image: © Massimo Ripani/SIME/4Corners Images

The grooming staple I’m never without is basic Nivea Creme. My dermatologist recommended it once and, while I thought she was crazy, she is very well respected so I followed her advice. It is now the only product I use, besides the Invigorating Scrub Mask with white clay by Herboristerie du Palais Royal. Herboristerie du Palais Royal Invigorating Scrub Mask, €9.90; 11 Rue des Petits Champs, Paris 75001 (+331-4297 5468; www.herboristerie.com). Nivea Creme, from £1.50 for 50ml; www.nivea.com.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is Elias Crespin. I discovered him just a few weeks ago at the Galerie Denise René and his work Plano Flexionante Circular is pure poetry – so elegant and mysterious. His oeuvre lies somewhere between sculpture and installation, and looking at his pieces provides great moments of subtle joy and emotion. Galerie Denise René, 22 Rue Charlot, Paris 75003 (+331-4887 7394; www.deniserene.com).

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Formentera. I have spent a week there with my closest friends every year for the past 10 years. We stay in a beautiful private house that was redesigned by Philippe Starck. It is an old barn in the middle of nowhere with grey concrete floors, and lots of white and blue elements mixed in. And the rooftop terrace is stunning. I think this is the perfect place to be.

The best souvenir I’ve brought home is dinnerware from Japan. It is exquisite and features various shapes, all in the loveliest pale-blue hue. I bought it in Tokyo, in the Ginza district, right across from the Kabuki-za theatre, at a store whose name I couldn’t understand.

The books on my bedside table are The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and The Sower by Kemble Scott. I also like to browse magazines such as Stiletto that have a wonderful, large format. I tend to read more on planes now – especially Courrier International on my iPad. www.courrierinternational.com. www.stiletto.fr.

An object I would never part with is my Pleyel grand piano. It was my great-uncle’s piano, and he was a conductor, composer and pianist. I’ve played the piano since I was seven years old and I’ve always had this one in my life. Music is something I can’t live without, and I still play for an hour a day at the weekends.

My favourite websites are news-related ones such as Atlantico and The Huffington Post. For beauty, I like Into the Gloss, and I also enjoy Ma Récréation, a great lifestyle blog by Lili Barbery-Coulon, who is a journalist for Le Monde and a former Vogue Paris beauty editor. www.atlantico.fr. www.huffingtonpost.com. www.intothegloss.com. www.ma-recreation.com.

A tinted treatment that turns back the clock

A miracle-working liquid that is a foundation, moisturiser and more

With regard to all things beauty, I’m pretty much drugstore the whole way. It’s not that I am some ravishing young thing who can easily get away with this low-maintenance approach; it’s simply that I’m a bit lazy and somewhat stingy in the product-buying area. In general, soap and water – with a dollop of moisturiser and occasional lashings of mascara – and I’m good to go. I also tend not to believe the hype when it comes to the latest beauty buzz surrounding laser technology, injectable things and magic serums of any sort.

All of this was true until I stumbled upon Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe by Le Métier de Beauté not too long ago. This (literal) silver bullet of a tinted treatment fluid provides exactly what my dull, somewhat splotchy skin had been crying out for. It gives sheer coverage that feels like moisturiser and not foundation, while seeming to truly smooth and re-invigorate my complexion.

Apparently it is the combination of four products in one (foundation, SPF20, anti-ageing retinol and a “brightener”) that allows this miracle liquid to increase blood flow to the skin for immediate results, as well as stimulate collagen production and lighten, noticeably, my fine lines (not to mention the bags under my eyes) with just a few applications.

Each 1oz cylinder of the talc-, fragrance- and dye-free treatment goes a long way, since you apply it just once daily to the face and neck. It’s available in three shades – one with apricot undertones, another neutral beige and one with a golden base that’s perfect for darker skin colours. A couple of pumps provides coverage that freshens me up without making me shiny, and lasts a working day without need for a touch-up.

I am certainly no scientist and, as previously mentioned, I don’t generally go in for beauty “miracles”; but Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe is the exception to my scepticism. It makes my skin feel tighter, my pores look smaller, and best of all – my litmus for a quality beauty product – I have no time or thinking added to my morning routine, as this one little bullet covers so many bases.