BEAUTY TALK

Caudalíe co-founder Mathilde Thomas shares her eco-secrets

Caudalíe has strong roots in the use of natural ingredients. What is your personal philosophy? y? I formulate products for all women n who, like me, don’t want to choose between ween effectiveness and naturalness, glamour mour and ecology. I believe we can make e products that have it all. What is it about the industry that excites you? Creating the best products, the most effective green formula with luxurious textures and scents. Also, o, the fact that my company is a part of the organisation 1% for the Planet, , which means we give back one percent of f our global sales, profit or not, to environmental onmental charities. So far, we have commitments ments with WWF France and Coeur de Forêt, which plants a tree in Peru’s Andean Amazon for every Divine Oil purchased. The vineyard of your family estate Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux, is your source for ingredients like grape seed polyphenols and resveratrol, yes? Yes, our story starts here, at the heart of the vineyards. Bordeaux has the best wine, best food, and if I may say so myself, the best cheese at my sister’s restaurant at Les Sources de Caudalíe. Set deep within the vines, the Les Sources de Caudalíe Spa pa is also a treasure trove. My husband and I created a dream place where we offer divine treatments. Sounds like drinking red wine is one of your beauty secrets ... Yes, indeed. I take green tea, 90 percent dark chocolate, as well as a glass of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Lots of powerful antioxidants! I always say to drink half a glass of red wine every day, bike to work, and stay in love if you want to live and look beautiful. How active are you? I run after my kids, bike to work. I love outdoor activities with my husband; we swim, wakeboard, windsurf, jog, and ski. You travel a lot. Where are your favourite locations to unwind? Nothing feels more relaxing than Château Smith Haut Lafitte Vineyard! My parents and sister are there, and I love the wine! Spas that have left an impression? Parrot Cay for its yoga classes in Turks and Caicos. Amangiri in Utah for its architecture and pools. Trained as a perfumer, you now create scents for Caudalíe. Which one is your signature scent? It has to be my Thé de Vignes. It’s super sensual. It is in fact one of the most coveted eau fraîches in France. What is your beauty routine like? I mix Instant Foaming Cleanser with the Gentle Cleanser. After toner, a spritz of Beauty Elixir is a must, and light coverage using tinted moisturiser and bronzing powder. Lastly, a sweep of Nars blush. And for nights out? Lancôme mascara and Nars lipstick pencil in Baroque. I like a little more drama on the eyes so a kohl liner will never go wrong. Your go-to for cut and colour? My friends at Warren Tricomi are great. And finally, what is beauty to you? I like this quote by Linda Wells: “Beauty has started wars and inspired sonnets. It is serious and superficial. Beauty is about a dream of a better self.”