In 1958, the sisters revolutionised fashion and beauty by creating hairpieces for Givenchy’s show, bringing wigs back in vogue. So much so that the likes of Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot placed an order. Jean Seberg’s boy cut for Joan of Arc, that iconic “Deneuve” blonde and Françoise Hardy’s fringe were also thanks to the Carita sisters.

They believed that “Under a woman’s hair is her face. You merely have to look at it to understand it and reveal its beauty”, and so by transforming tresses and treating the visages underneath, they were able to empower each and every woman they touched. Not forgetting the men, of course, who were known to sneak in around the back to be groomed to perfection. Marlon Brando, Kirk Douglas and Pierre Cardin included.

PRODUCT PIONEERS

But Carita’s legacy wasn’t simply about celebrity clientele. It was about a rigorous commitment to research and a relentless pursuit of scientific breakthroughs that could translate into tangible results. Not only did the Carita sisters invent the now common-place three-step skincare routine, but they were pioneers in beauty tech and the use of facial massage in treatments. Carita’s labs became a crucible where potent ingredients were met with cutting-edge technology. From pioneering the use of microcurrents in facials to developing targeted serums with biomimetic peptides, Carita pushed the boundaries of what skincare could achieve.

To the Carita sisters, there is no beauty without light. As they famously said, “There are no ugly women, there are only grey women”, and so each of their products was designed and formulated to promote a youthful glow. From their legendary Rénovateur, the world’s first-ever detoxifying black scrub designed to prepare the skin, to their ultra-luxe, highly-concentrated ampoules that penetrated deep into the skin for visible results, Carita transformed the era’s thick, heavy products into lightweight, fluid formulas.

pampering perfection

Carita isn’t just about products. It’s about an experience. Stepping into the Carita Paris space is like entering a sanctuary of self-care. The air hums with the gentle murmur of therapists and the soft clinking of vials. The personalised facials, a symphony of touch and technology, are tailored to your individual needs, leaving you not just with glowing skin but with a renewed sense of self.

It was only natural that, as their products and treatments became more and more in demand by consumers and every celebrity and socialite, a space dedicated to all things Carita beauty became a necessity. And so, on December 15th 1952, the Maison de Beauté at 11 Faubourg Saint-Honoré opened its doors, as over 3,000 people came to witness the Duchess of Windsor cutting the ribbon. The guestlist was unparalleled, with the likes of Princess Grace of Monaco, Queen Noor of Jordan and Sophia Loren in attendance. Fast forward to today, and the space is not only bigger, better and more beautiful than before thanks to a two-year restoration and renovation project, but it’s still the secret to the on and off-screen glows of the industry’s elite.

Describing the space is no easy feat, and I’ve struggled with how to concisely capture the elegance and uniqueness of Carita’s Parisian home. It’s chic yet understated and effortlessly elegant. In the words of the brand, it’s a “light-filled coliseum” complete with a soaring atrium flooded with natural light, a sophisticated monotone colour scheme and peaceful haven away from the bustling designer boutiques just outside its doors.

It was an incredible experience to walk through the space alongside its architects Cristiano Benzoni and Sophie Thuillier, founders of REV Studio. “It was really interesting working for a brand like Carita Paris because the sisters were the first to turn a commercial brand into a cultural brand”, Cristiano explained as we sauntered through the huge glass archway entrance. “They were so connected to fashion designers and film directors, which really influenced their vision of beauty”.

This was important to the design duo, who wanted to keep the essence of Carita in the reimagined space, but to add a unique, modern twist. “We really played with the arch throughout the store, especially in the porch area”, Sophie told me. ” But the store has one weakness – it doesn’t have a shop window – so we needed to entice people to enter. The idea was to have a lot of different things happening so people want to climb the stairs and discover the space. To keep that feeling of seduction and mystery”.

The project was entirely eco-designed, from the use of materials and techniques chosen for their recyclability and sustainability to 95% of the demolition-related waste being recycled. Even the small details like innovative nozzles on the hairwashing basins have helped Carita save up to 60% of water.

At the base of the 1,800sqm, six-storey beauty hub lies the product floor, which sees floating staircases climb above it to reveal a floor of 11 treatment suites (complete with marble feature walls, artwork, and luxurious bedding), the health-conscious Rosy Et Maria Café headed up by Chef Amandine Chaignot, the Look Studio with its focus on all things eyes (lashes and semi-permanent makeup included), the stunning  85sqm Hair Salon boasting nine stations separated by huge art-deco-esque arched mirrors to offer privacy (speaking of which, there’s also a breathtaking private hair room accessible by its own staircase), and an exclusive beauty apartment bigger than most people’s homes.

Safe to say my goal in life is to one day have Cristiano and Sophie design my home. One can dream.

Fast forward to today, and Carita remains a beacon of Parisian grace with a distinctly modern edge. The elegant black and gold packaging, a nod to its heritage, houses formulations that are the result of decades of research. The iconic products are a testament to the Carita sisters’ vision that continues to evolve, boasting serums that mimic the skin’s natural repair mechanisms and creams that harness the power of epigenetics to rewrite the story of ageing.

And whilst you may not be able to have your tresses tended to by the Caritas themselves, the Maison appointed French hairstylist John Nollet – the man behind the manes of Monica Bellucci, Johnny Depp, Vanessa Paradis and Reese Witherspoon – as Artistic Director. From the young age of eight, he visited the Maison, the birthplace of some of the most iconic hair and beauty moments in the world, and was instantly hooked. Today, his “goal can be summed up with these three things: instilling my vision, sharing my experience and restoring this beautiful brand to its rightful place. Carita is truly an artistic project for me”.