Inside the biggest beauty space in Europe
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At 3,400sq m and occupying the entire basement of Samaritaine, this is the largest beauty retail space in Europe. But this is no typical basement space as it is bathed in natural light that pierces through the glass roof and large skylights above.
Some 200 beauty brands echo the richness and diversity of the Samaritaine architecture.
On the Pont-Neuf side, renowned names such as Dior, Chanel and Guerlain mingle in a Parisian setting created by Hubert de Malherbe, replete with parquet floors, gilded brass structures and mosaics in a nod to the building’s Art Nouveau origins.
On the Rivoli side, trendy and unisex brands including Aesop, The Ordinary and Le Labo are presented in the Pure Beauty area in an urban setting imagined by Cigüe with waxed concrete, metallic furniture, and raw materials such as wood. Samaritaine sales consultants accompany customers throughout the space to help them choose the brand of skincare or lipstick that best suits their needs.
Samaritaine boasts numerous exclusives from a variety of houses including lines from Dolce & Gabbana beauty, Helena Rubinstein, Clé de Peau Beauté, SK-II, Fragonard – the historic perfumer from Grasse has created its first point of sale in a department store here – together with Orveda Treatments and Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo.
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Scents and sensibility combine at Samaritaine {Photos: Matthieu Salvaing}
5 KEY BEAUTY SPACES
1. Cinq Mondes Spa: A French pioneer and expert in treatments and products inspired by beauty rituals from the five continents, Cinq Mondes has imagined an exclusive spa and boutique concept using the codes of a Parisian apartment that is both refined and cosy.
Located on the Rivoli side, with a view of the garden, this 400sq m space is a place of regeneration and well-being in the heart of Paris. It includes seven treatment rooms, a private hammam and a scrub room. Prices start at €116 for one hour of treatment.
Cinq Mondes Spa: A place of regeneration and well-being {Photo: Matthieu Salvaing}
2. Beauté Pure (Pure Beauty): The 80sq m green space is entirely dedicated to beauty products that feature responsible formulas or packaging. It offers some 40 brands including Westman Atelier, Holidermie, Dermalogica, Pai, Susanne Kaufmann and L:A Brulet.
Going green at Beauté Pure {Photo: We Are Contents}
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{Photo: We Are Contents}
3. Makeup Bar: In the centre of the beauty floor, a large table allows consumers to test an extensive selection of lipsticks and eyeshadows from carefully chosen makeup brands including Charlotte Tilbury, Christian Louboutin, Byredo, Hermès, Tom Ford and Dior.
The Makeup Bar also houses a range of masterclasses {Photo: Matthieu Salvaing}
4. Studio de Beauté: The 165sq m mineral space offers an innovative and global approach to natural beauty, hand and foot care. The service is provided by the ecological nail specialist Kure Bazaar (€38 for a manicure, € 5 for foot treatment), and hair styling (cut, styling, colour) by the rotating global hairdressers in residence. For the first time ever, the Canadian laboratory Theio Vitality offers a hair analysis to reveal the mineral composition of the body in order to enhance the wellbeing and beauty of nails and hair.
DFS dubs Studio de Beauté as ‘the new Parisian temple of clean beauty’ {Photo: We Are Contents}
5. House of Perfume: Described by DFS as a one-of-a-kind multi-brand and luxury space with prices ranging from €3,000-€300,000. Presented under large glass bells, consumers can discover exceptional juices and jewel bottles in Murano glass or set with precious stones. They will also encounter La Haute Parfumerie de Guerlain’s dedicated space, or rare pieces by Bvlgari, Chanel and Tiffany where they can have their bottles engraved. The balance of the fragrance selection (see second photo below) includes brands such as Diptyque, Frédéric Malle and Jo Malone, as well as a pop-up dedicated to Maison Francis Kurkdjian juices.
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SPOTLIGHT SERIES - NOVEMBER 2021
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