Published in The Journal January 2nd 2010
A FRENCHMAN based in the North East promises to bring a little 'ooh la la' to your beauty routine. CATHARINE HEWITSON looks at his new range.
IF you're looking for beauty products with a certain 'je ne sais quoi', look no further than Claude & Celeste.
At the heart of this beauty company is Frenchman Alex Jimenez, who hopes to introduce a little piece of France into our skin and beauty regimes.
Provence-born Alex came to the UK 12 years ago to work in the retail industry.
"I had been back and forth between the North East and Provence visiting friends, and I began to see opportunities in the region," he says.
He loved the area so much he decided to settle in Newcastle, working in retail.
Alex spotted a gap in the market to sell high-quality, authentically French beauty products. He travelled back to the South of France to source suppliers and after several years of careful research he founded Claude & Celeste. “I thought it would be nice to bring some part of my country here," the 35-year-old says.
With this in mind he has cherry-picked a range of handmade soaps, skincare, and bath and shower products and accessories which evoke memories of his home country.
All feature classic scents of the south of France, such as lavender, honey, almond and olive oil.
He is conscious of supporting small, family-run businesses in his home country and choosing suppliers who use traditional production methods, for example the soap manufacturer Alex uses has learned its trade over three generations.
He is also keen to make sure as much of the packaging as possible is recycled and wants to sell as many organic products as possible.
"It's the whole ethos of being friendly to both the environment and the body," he says.
Alex is an advocate of his range and recommends the argan oil products for anyone who has dry or sensitive skin. The oil is used in traditional Moroccan medicine and is believed to have medicinal as well as cosmetic properties. He suggests the argan oil soap (£4.99) or the orange blossom moisturiser with added argan oil (£21.99).
"There are only a limited number of suppliers in the UK who carry products with this ingredient. The products are great for skin conditions such as eczema, or used as a post-shaving product. It's important to not have too many chemicals in your beauty products," he advises.
The body butters (£17.99), which come in delicious flavours like vanilla, mango and caramel, are bestsellers, and their silicon-free recipe mean they instantly hydrate the skin.
Alex says: "Our products sink straight into the skin, rather than creating a greasy layer." The range is sold online and at a selection of boutiques across the UK, including Trampas - The Mens Room in Durham and Puddytigger in North Shields.
In the New Year, the exclusive range will be introduced to department stores in Carlisle and Harrogate.
Alex knows how difficult it can be to choose the perfect gift for a loved one. He plans to offer a gift solution service for anyone who doesn't know where to start.
"Men, in general, can be hopeless at buying gifts for their wives or girlfriends," he says. "This way, the woman creates a wish-list and all her partner needs to do is visit the website and make the payment!" You can also purchase from the comfort of your own home as Claude & Celeste offer a home party service, providing an opportunity to test the products and smell for yourself the scents that remind Alex of home.
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