Paris is arguably the chicest city in the world. No wonder, then, that the beauty industry thrives there; new stores and salons constantly spring up and the products on offer certainly don’t disappoint.

Darphin, the French, almost offensively classic beauty brand, recently launched a new skincare system targeting the first signs of aging. Perhaps marking a more youthful pathway for the brand, the line is called Arovita C, and it encompasses everything to keep skin well maintained, including moisturizers and serums. All the Arovita C products in the range feature the proprietary Arovita Complex, a potent, energizing blend of select botanical extracts, carrot protein, caffeine, and vitamin C.

In keeping with the freshness of the new line, the packaging for the main line has been treated to a subtle makeover: the font has been altered, as have a few of the bottle shapes. Yet another newsflash at the house of Darphin: a new Spa shop opened in Paris’ exclusive Rue St-Honoré. Change is in the air, it seems.

The slick men’s range Biosthetique offers skin and hair care for men that is fuss-free, promoting a fresh, well-groomed appearance. It doesn’t look bad on the bathroom shelf, either, which is never a mean feat. Take your pick from an extensive collection that includes aftershave, anti-aging creams, and shower and hair gels. A new beauty flagship store opened in Paris in April, stocking products for both men and women.

John Nollet, hairdresser to stars like Johnny Depp and Monica Bellucci, launched a trunk with Louis Vuitton called Hair Room Service at Hotel Costes, where the celebrated stylist provides his treatments in private cubicles, using products chicly tucked into a trunk. Nollet’s services are also available at L’hôtel Cheval Blanc.

Jean Marc Joubert has opened his 11th salon in the center of Paris, in Rue de Louvre to be precise. Contemporary and slick, the salon promises a treat to the senses as well as a good haircut. Since the salon also functions as an academy, Joubert coincided the opening of the new premises with the launch of a new course on DVD, which teaches the skills of cut and color.

It’s rare that as much research and hard work is put into men’s skincare products as goes into their female counterparts. Skeen aims to change all that. Established in 2006, this French label uses the most sophisticated methods and ingredients to produce wrinkle-busting, hair-loss fighting, and slackness-breaking formulas for men fretting that youth is slipping through their fingers. The range is vast, and consists of regenerating anti-aging fluids, purifying cleansers, soothing balms, and exfoliating dermo peels. Who said men weren’t spoilt for choice in the beauty department?

Aesop, the hip Australian beauty brand that targets "thinking men and women," and has a penchant for covetable packaging similar to traditional medicine jars, opened the doors to its first store on Rue Bonaparte a few months ago. Expect to find the cream of the Aesop crop here, including, very fittingly, the French clay masque and the facial balancing gel.

The renowned perfume house Fragonard‘s line of high-end scents under the Confidentiel umbrella encompasses four sweet-smelling varieties. Each one is meant to tell a story and translate your emotions. Whether you wake up feeling arrogant, joyous, or romantic, there’s a scent to tap into your mood: the exotic Cette Nuit La, the fresh Soudain, the sensual Mensonge, or the refined Après Tout. For a bit of old-school French decadence, look no further.

Although spring is here, your libido might need a little boost to muster a rumble in the hay this summer. Help is at hand, thanks to the natural sexual stimulant Diapensia. Promising an effective solution to any sluggish sexual drive, the product has been produced by a team of experts under strict technical and scientific conditions. Time to invest in some new, fancy lingerie, then. There’s no better place than Paris to do so, but that’s another chapter altogether.

-Emma Holmqvist

Photos:
1-2 Darphin Arivita C
Biosthetique
John Nollet haircuts
Jean Marc Joubert’s DVD