A Guide to Paris’ Best Beauty and Wellness Treatments, According to Insiders Who Actually Know the City
Where to get a facial, a lymphatic drainage massage, and much, much more.
“Paris is a village,” my Parisian friend Magdali always says. This is in reference to her opinion that Paris may seem like a large, cosmopolitan city, but it’s really a small town, which means word gets around. (You could view this as half full or half empty, depending on how you’re looking at the glass.) When it comes to Paris’s best-kept beauty and wellness secrets, the only way to know what’s worth your money and time is not through some vague Google search, but via word of mouth, from people who know the city.
If you’re interested in expanding your Paris itinerary beyond the usual tourist haunts, we reached out to a few of our favorite, in-the-know Parisians to share their chosen destinations for all things beauty and wellness. Keep scrolling to read their recs.
Our Experts
Lindsey Tramuta, culture and travel journalist, bestselling author, podcaster, and editorial consultant who has been based in Paris since 2006.
Anne-Victoire Lefevre, Taiwan-born, Parisian-based, Lefevre is the Commercial Director for Michel Vivien where she manages all the communication, imagery, and style for the shoe house.
Yacine Diallo, born and raised in Paris, Diallo is a makeup artist who has worked with brands like Glossier, Laura Mercier, and Chane.
Virginie Dhello, after starting her career as a fashion editor in 2003 at French Glamour, Dhello founded Vvee Creative and Consulting Agency, focusing on strategy, content, and product development.
Fanny Bourdette-Donon, based in Paris, Bourdette-Donon is the international PR and special projects manager for Dior Beauty.
Sabina Socol, Parisian-based content creator and founder of the clothing brand Pujka.
Where to go for a facial
“One of the best facials I’ve ever had was earlier this year at Carita, the Parisian beauty temple (Maison de beauté as they call it), which reopened at the end of last year after a massive renovation. I immediately understood why men and women both (including major celebs) have sworn by their treatments over the years. Their facial protocols feature more than 60 unique “choreographed gestures,” high-precision hand movements that boost circulation and the lymphatic system. It was both relaxing and invigorating.” — Lindsey Tramuta
“I swear by a two-hour-long facial with makeup artist Mayumi Oda at Carboxytherapy Paris. She works on your facial muscles and personalizes each massage based on your needs. The before vs. after is amazing—my face is de-puffed and lifted, and I instantly have a healthy glow. I go see her at least once a month.” — Anne-Victorie Lefevre
“Whenever I want a facial, I go to this recently opened unknown gem in the 13th [arrondissement] called Makina Expert Facialist. I see Yue for a deep cleansing treatment, ‘a la hydra facial’, and she follows it with a mask, LED, and face massage. Yue is passionate, and her kobido massage will literally make me fall asleep while also making my face look so fresh and relaxed. Also, their prices are very reasonable considering the quality of their treatments and the products they use.” — Yacine Diallo
“For facials, I love to go to Faucheur Paris. They are the best for Kobido massages—they give you a natural lift and a beautiful glow that lasts a few days. I also love to go to Holidermie twice a year, usually after summer and before spring, for a deeply cleansing Hydrafacial.” — Virginie Dhello
“My go-to destination whenever I need some pampering and me time is the freshly reopened Dior Spa at Plaza Athénée. A real cocoon of softness where time seems suspended, I try to go once every two months for a HydraFacial followed by some LED therapy. Hydra facials are essential in my beauty routines to provide deep cleanse and exfoliation. To help boost cellular regeneration, I usually book a 45-minute LED therapy facial to follow, which is the perfect recipe for visibly brightened and firmer skin. I also usually restock on my favorite supplements during my spa visits: I started using Agent Nateur holi (mane) supplements a couple of months ago, which are doing wonders to my skin, hair, and nails.” — Fanny Bourdette-Donon
“I am obsessed with the Miracle Face lymphatic drainage. I have it done before a big event, shoot, or whenever I feel my face needs a relief from water retention. I’m very sensitive to that, so I try to avoid anything that makes me swallow, such as salt, but the Miracle Face massage has been a game changer. It’s relaxing, and the results are visible for at least a week.” — Sabina Socol
Where to shop for beauty products
“I regularly go to my local pharmacy or CityPharma if I’m in the 6th arrondissement, mostly for specific things: Bioderma and/or SVR bath oils and creams for atopic skin. For makeup, I’m fairly loyal to RMS Beauty, which I can get at Oh My Cream, a series of (unfortunately) named ‘clean’ beauty shops in Paris.” — Lindsey Tramuta
“Oh My Cream has the best selection of clean beauty products. You can buy them online or stop by one of the several shops they have in Paris. I discovered the Danish brand Rudolph Care through them, and now I can’t live without it.” — Anne-Victorie Lefevre
“If I want to shop beauty products for myself, the ground and first floor of The Bon Marche has all I need from the high-end brands—like Biologique Recherche and Aesop—to all the new niche brands from around the world. Not to mention, the store is gorgeous and, most of the time, quiet compared to other department stores. I like to go there and see everything in person, even if I don't end up buying anything.” — Yacine Diallo
“Since I am into clean beauty, I love to shop at OhMyCream. They have a selected curation of clean beauty brands I love, like Tata Harper, Susanne Kaufmann, and Ilia Beauty. I also love discovering new beauty brands at Le Bon Marché. Their beauty curation comes from all over the world.” — Virginie Dhello
Where to get your hair styled, cut, or colored
“This woman-run and owned salon in the Marais.” — Lindsey Tramuta
“For scalp and hair treatments, I would go to IBE Paris. I’ve known Nicole Pembrook, the owner, for many years, and I trust her experience with all hair textures. For braids, Alimatou at Before You Go is the best. Then, if I ever decide to cut my hair short again and have a transformation cut, I would want Etienne Sekola to do it in his cozy and stylish salon on 5 rue Aubriot in le Marais. — Yacine Diallo
“I am still looking for the perfect curly hair salon in Paris, but I take care of my hair with French brands like Cut By Fred, La Bonne Brosse, and Cair.” — Virginie Dhello
“I have different go-to artists depending on the style I’m looking to do. The absolute master when it comes to style and weave is Rio Sreedharan. Rio has become a dear friend through the years, and I love the way he continuously challenges me to try new styles. I usually go blond early in the year when my summer tan is long gone. My go-to artists for wigs are Stella Yato and Desmond Hair. When it comes to braiding, Ciara Costenoble is my girl!” — Fanny Bourdette-Donon
“I’ve been going to Mathilde for about three years now. She gets what I want perfectly, whether it’s for maintaining my hairstyle or doing a big change (last year, I went red with her).” — Sabina Socol
Where to get a manicure
“I’ve got one gal for nail art: Camille from Le 58 salon!” — Lindsey Tramuta
“Manucurist! I am a big fan of the brand and their Green Flash system for semi-permanent manicures. I use it at home, but if I want to buy a new color, get my nails done, or experiment with nail art, I go to their boutique salon in the 10th [arrondissement].” — Yacine Diallo
“I go to Vernissage in the 7th [arrondissement]. Best manicure in Paris!” — Fanny Bourdette-Donon
“For my nails, I go to Magnifique. It’s a classic nail salon, but they are just so extremely tedious and precise; my nails are literally perfect every single time.” — Sabina Socol
Where to get a massage or body treatment
“Nothing has topped the massage and facial combo at Guerlain’s headquarters on the Champs-Elysées. Not only is the space exquisite and ideal for pampering, but the therapists’ expertise speaks for itself.” — Lindsey Tramuta
“Badass Body is a cute, intimate, and women-only studio. The founder, Marion, does personalized face and body massages using different techniques. I love to get a mix of lymphatic drainage and remodeling on targeted body areas. I always feel so light and relaxed after.” — Anne-Victorie Lefevre
“My perfect bodycare day would be to first get an Infrared sauna session at Belleyme. I love this place and its founder, Carla Haddou. Then, I’d go across the street to Elisa Willet for a full-body lymphatic drainage and kobido face massage—she does wonders! I guarantee your skin will glow head to toe. Plus, you'll feel relaxed and energized at the same time. A full reset!” — Yacine Diallo
“I love getting a lymphatic drainage massage, and I try to go to Methode Anne Cali twice a month. Anne developed a specific method called GAD—it’s gentle, but really works. I always feel much lighter and relaxed at the end of the massage.” — Virginie Dhallo
Where to go for the ultimate spa experience
“Maison Alaena is amazing and has an incredible view of the city. I’ve tried their ‘Supreme’ body massage—inspired by Chinese medicine, it frees tension from the body while working along the meridians for relaxation. You can also reserve yoga lessons, expert consultations, facials, and more.” — Anne-Victorie Lefevre
Where to go for a wax
“Fauve Paris— 29 rue des Gravilliers—is the best place for a wax. They take their time and use thin wax strips to avoid any excessive pain, and they also have a special treatment that works to reduce redness, ingrown hairs, and irritation. Then, they finish with a massage to release any tension.” — Anne-Victorie Lefevre
“La Sultane de Saba, always and forever. I’ve been going to this place on and off for about 20 years. They use sugar wax, and you also can book a hammam and scrub session beforehand.” — Yacine Diallo
“Fauve Paris is a new beauty salon specializing in hair care, and they also offer a whole new wax experience. I am looking forward to trying their scalp massage, too.” — Virginie Dhallo
Where to get injectables
“I’ve never done any Botox, but I’ve done a few hyaluronic injections, and I have to say that Dr. Modiano is the best. I also love to see him for more gentle treatments like Oxygeneo, which gives the best glow ever.” — Virginie Dhallo
Where to go for a workout
“I’m not a high-cardio kind of woman, so I’m more inclined to take a Pilates reformer class at Reformation than anything else. But if I’m in a dancing mood, I like to sign up for classes at Dancefloor.” — Lindsey Tramuta
“I go to Reformation Pilates three times a week, and I love to book with different instructors, so the workouts are always different. My favorite instructors are Sia, Eugenie, Carlos, Audrey, Nail, and the founder, Cassandre. I love the Flow or Intense Reformer classes to work the whole body; Barre&Stretch for when I’m more stressed or in need of a good stretch; and Jump Baby Jump when I’m in the mood for a little more cardio.” — Anne-Victorie Lefevre
“Verena Tremel is the best, and her studio is very welcoming. She helped me get back in shape after pregnancy with a mix of reformer and gyrotonic private classes. You can also take mat pilates, yoga, or barre classes there.
“Chloé Lopes Gomes is an amazing ballet dancer, and she recently launched an online fitness platform, Bold Step Studio. She also offers in-person classes every Saturday morning at Studio Bleu.”— Yacine Diallo
“I’ve been going to Studio Rituel for my Pilates classes for years. I also do Xtendbarre classes there—a combo of cardio, barre, and dance, which I like to do once a week. And sometimes I’ll take a yoga class at My Ginger Studio or Riise.” — Virginie Dhallo
“Le Klay for the TRX classes which I try to go to every weekend.” — Fanny Bourdette-Donon
“My only workout is my ballet classes. I go to a personal teacher at Dancefloor Studio in Paris once or twice a week. I rekindled my passion for ballet after I had my baby, and it has helped me so much with muscle strength and posture, but also (and especially) for mental health. That’s why I like to take classes alone: focusing on my progress is helping me to let go of everything else. Rven though it’s hard, it’s extremely relaxing.” — Sabina Socol