Jennifer Cooper, E! EntertainmentBordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy—no, these aren't just wine regions anymore. They're the birthplaces of some of the most innovative skincare ingredients on the planet, and the experts at Caudalie have caught on.
Founded by Bertrand and Mathilde Thomas, Caudalie derives its ingredients straight from the grape vine. It all began on the family vineyard in 1993, when Mathilde discovered that byproducts from the harvest could be harnessed into a powerful, revitalizing skincare ingredient. More than 20 years and a few patents later, Caudalie is a pioneering force in the beauty industry with some of the best skincare goods on the market.
Here this week, Mathilde is opening up the offices of Caudalie New York for an inside look, and dishing on everything from her go-to beauty tips to her favorite spa indulgences.
What was your first job?
Before I started Caudalie, I was actually studying to be a perfumer and was planning on moving to Grasse, France.
How did you get started in your career?
It all began in 1993 when Bertrand and I were giving a tour of my family's vineyard, Chateau Smith Haute Lafitte, to a group of professors. It was Professor Vercauteren who had informed us the grape seeds and extract that we were throwing away from the distillation process of the wine were actually rich in polyphenols good for your skin. It was here that Caudalie was born.
What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day starts early in the morning with breakfast with my kids. I bike to work with my husband and have a morning calls with my teams in Paris. We regroup on all the global activity and product innovation. I have lunch with my New York office in our kitchen, and either head down to the Caudalie Boutique in the West Village or to the Vinotherapie Spa at The Plaza.
Tell us about your office décor. When did you last give your office a makeover?
I love my office in New York. It was designed two years ago with the help of my good friend Caleb Mulvena of Mapos Studio. The space is open, draped in natural light with a door leading to a balcony. I have an inspiration board, my lab wall of new formulas and a beautiful workspace that separates my office from my husband's…
Do you have a workspace at home or in different cities? How do they differ from your main office?
I have a few offices; one in Paris which is where our headquarters are, one in New York, and I'll soon have a third in Hong Kong when we move the end of this month.
What's the best part about your job?
There are so many amazing parts of my job. The innovation and working with my research lab and our partnership with Harvard Medical School inspire me to discover new ingredients and continue to create products every day.
What's your regular skincare routine?
It's fairly simple. My daytime routine starts with the Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser. Then I tone my skin with the Beauty Elixir, I apply Vinoperfect Serum and a moisturizer rich in antioxidants on top. In the summer I wear the Vinoperfect Tinted Moisturizer and in the colder seasons I wear Premier Cru. Then an SPF if my moisturizer doesn't have it inside, and an eye cream. At night I remove my eye makeup, cleanse, tone, exfoliate (at least once a week), apply a serum or an oil, then moisturizer and eye cream.
What beauty tips do you live by?
Never go to bed with your makeup still on… Beauty doesn't end at your chin; your French face extends from your head down to your décolleté. Always wear an SPF. A glass of red wine a night is good for your skin.
How often do you indulge in a spa day?
I try and get to a Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa once or twice a month. Regular facials not only have incredible effects on your skin, but also can help manage your stress levels. A little bit of pampering isn't just a luxury it's a necessity to help you de-stress and take away from the constant pressures of modern life.
What's the one item in your closet that you could never go without?
My Lanvin silk blouse.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
The sky's the limit. So cliché but very true. You must always continue to motivate yourself in all aspects of life.
Who are some of your career heroes?
My parents, of course. I love Brigitte Bardot and Juliette Binoche.
What's the most daring career risk you've ever taken at work?
Launching Caudalie overall was very risky, as the only two people who believed in the business at the start were myself and my husband, Caudalie co-founder Bertrand Thomas.
Finish the sentences below:
Today for lunch I had… Sweet Greens Harvest Bowl and Caudalie Herbal Tea.
The first website I log onto every day is… Caudalie (I'm obsessed!)
My usual Starbucks order is… I don't drink coffee. Green tea in the morning. Water rest of the day.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would… be working with fragrances.
My favorite place to visit is… my family's vineyard in Bordeaux, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.
My favorite accessory is… my Hermes satchel.
My favorite Instagram account is… the French Beauty Solution.
The book I'm reading right now is…The New York Times 36 hours Asia & Oceania.
What's Allison Janney's secret to looking great? Watch below!