Aesthetician and facialist Sophie Carbonari, based in Paris, prepares for the arrival of her clients, often met with a hint of confusion as they navigate through the Jardin du Palais-Royal to reach her studio. Their journey leads them to Theoreme Editions, a design gallery, where Carbonari welcomes them amidst intriguing art pieces and decor.
“They sometimes ask why they enter through a furniture store,” she shares. “I tell them: ‘This isn’t IKEA.’ It feels uniquely unconventional since there’s no reception area. Guests walk through the gallery before heading upstairs to my studio.”
Her discreet setup caters perfectly to a high-profile clientele that includes names like Naomi Campbell and Natalie Portman. Carbonari meticulously organizes her schedule to ensure privacy, allowing no overlap in client visits. Flexibility is part of her service; clients often fly her out for urgent treatments before significant events, such as the Met Gala or the Venice Film Festival. Over two decades, she has gained acclaim for her expert technique focused on the fascia—connective tissue enveloping muscles—resulting in radiant, sculpted faces enhanced by therapeutic benefits.
“Fascia is a type of somatic tissue that links to our stress levels and emotions. Touching their face can reveal much about my clients’ emotional states,” she explains, modifying her techniques to release any tension present. “I’m not a healer; I won’t diagnose or prescribe. My focus is to remove whatever is inhibiting their facial expression, which helps clear their mind and puts them in a meditative state.”
Carbonari’s approach transcends typical beauty treatments, and her studio defies the norms of conventional wellness spaces. She took over the location three years ago from boutique owner Joyce Ma, known for her influence in Hong Kong’s fashion scene. Ma optimized the studio’s layout for feng shui, leading to an untouched crystal left in the corner to preserve positive energy.
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The interior of Carbonari’s studio is stripped-back, adorned with natural wooden elements. Two cream bouclé chairs provide seating in the waiting area, while a beauty bed is draped in earthy linens next to candles from Diptyque. Clients have access to a vanity with a selection of perfumes for a final spritz before leaving. What captivates them most, however, is the view. Arched windows fill the room with light, framing a landscape of exquisite gardens. In spring, blooming roses and magnolias draw the eye. Autumn ushers in vibrant, fallen leaves carpeting the grounds.
“This space allows for observation without being seen,” she notes. “One could spend hours sitting by the window, simply watching. It’s quite poetic.”
