Aventura, FL – June 16, 2015 – Caudalie, the French Vinotherapie skincare line, celebrated the official opening of its first brick-and-mortar Miami location inside the Aventura Mall with a VIP cocktail celebration. Caudalie Co-Founder, Bertrand Thomas joined five of Miami’s most fabulous women to welcome brand enthusiasts from all over South Florida to visit the new boutique spa. Hosts Maria Tettamanti, Leslie Wolfson, Katie Nullman and Jessica Dornbusch invited guests for an amazing sensory experience and gift bag full of Summer must have Caudalie products. Attendees were also treated to red and white wines from the founders family Vineyard of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte and delicious hors d’oeuvres. The Caudalie tag line that Beauty Grows Here couldn’t have been more apparent last Tuesday night.

World Red Eye seized the opportunity to chat with Caudalie Co-Founder, Mathilde Thomas, who gave us a more in-depth look into the brands initiative, as well as what it takes to have the perfect glow.

WRE: How did you first get into the skin care business?

MT: It all began in 1993 when my husband and I met Professor Vercauteren during the grape harvest in the vineyard of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte (my parents vineyard in Bordeaux). We were giving him a tour of the vines and he revealed that during the distillation process we were throwing away treasures. He revealed the amazing antioxidant powers of grapevine and grape polyphenols. That was when Caudalie was born. I founded Caudalie with Bertrand in 1995 and we still run this wonderful company with the same passion and conviction as we did on the very first day.

WRE: Tell us a bit about Caudalie.

MT: Caudalie (kodali) actually is a unit measuring the duration of the wine’s flavor on the palette. For each second the flavor remains, this is a Caudalie – this is where the name originated. It’s a family owned brand that has been 100% family run for the past 20 years.  It’s a unique luxury skincare brand that offers unique products with patented molecules and proven effectiveness.

WRE: What makes the products of Caudalie stand out over other beauty products?

MT: What makes Caudalie so unique is our commitment to Cosm’ethics. It’s my belief in using natural, eco-friendly products during formulation. The vine extracts used come from vineyards in the Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy regions. We have an environment commitment to industrial development and are also a member of 1% for the planet since 2013. Caudalie donates 1% of its global sales to NPOs that work to protect the environment. Anyone who purchases a Caudalie product, therefore, naturally contributes to this commitment.

WRE: There are so many different types of skin out there (ie. oily, dry, sensitive, ect.), how does Caudalie cater to each skin types various needs?

MT: We have various collections that target different concerns. There are different active ingredients that target each consumers skin type, depending on what they are in search of. For example, The Vinoperfect Collection is ideal for the client looking to brighten, lighten and even the skin tone, as it includes a patented ingredient called Viniferine. Viniferine stems from the grapevine and is a natural molecule to effectively fight against dark spots. Our Vinoperfect Radiance Correcting Serum is the number one anti-dark spot product in France right now.

WRE: What made you choose the Aventura Mall location to open up shop?

MT: The Aventura Mall is an incredible retail destination, one of the best malls in the nation. I love it because it caters to the Miami market but also Mexico, Latin America. We recently launched in Mexico and have four Caudalie Boutique Spas in Brazil. Our client is definitely an international traveler.

WRE: Does this location offer spa treatments? If so, what kind of treatments can we expect?

MT: The boutique has a treatment room that offers six signature Vinotherapie treatments, ranging from anti-aging facials to complexion blending.  We also offer express facials, a new oxygen serum treatment and a three body treatments. We also provide waxing and extraction services.

Our client is definitely an international traveler.

Mathilde Thomas, Co-Founder of Caudalie

Ashley Brozic

WRE: What is included in the process, from start of finish, when creating a new product?

MT: It all begins with the inspiration, which can come from many different places. I am always inspired by my family’s vineyard in Bordeaux. Inspiration can come from my Research Team in France and from Dr. David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School and his team, who are constantly discovering new ingredients and technologies every day.

WRE: Aside from sticking to a beauty regime, what are some other ways people can take better care of their skin?

MT: I would always suggest drinking lots of fluids and one glass of red wine a day at dinner, because it is actually very good for your skin! Also, always wearing SPF when outside is very important.

Maria Tettamanti, Sheana Dagrin, & Ria Michelle

Maria Tettamanti & Bertrand Thomas

WRE: Anything exciting admirers can expect from Caudalie in the near future?

MT: In September 2015, we are launching a ground breaking anti-aging collection that includes a patent filed by Caudalie and Dr. David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School. It will be a game changer for the beauty industry.

Katie Nullman, Maria Tettamanti, Bertrand Thomas, & Leslie Wolfson

Katie Nullman, Carole Silverman, Maria Tettamanti, Bertrand Thomas, & Leslie Wolfson

Carole Silverman, Maria Tettamanti, Bertrand Thomas, Leslie Wolfson, & Katie Nullman

Bertrand Thomas & Carole Silverman

Taneil Britton, Bertrand Thomas, & Valdet Bajraktari

Katie Nullman, Lori Spodak, & Mo Harwin

Katie Nullman, Lori Spodak, & Michelle Cooper

Michelle Cooper, Lori Spodak, & Katie Nullman

Desiree Lestingi, Lisa Petrillo, & Carole Silverman

I would always suggest drinking lots of fluids and one glass of red wine a day at dinner, because it is actually very good for your skin!

Mathilde Thomas, Co-Founder of Caudalie

Katie Nullman & Corey Feinsilver

Jessica Serafin & Yianna Zervas

Elizabeth Freeman & Corey Feinsilver

Mo Harwin & Corey Feinsilver

Martine Doucet

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