A legacy of beauty: classics are icons, made to last
They have stood the test of time without ever disappearing from the market. There have been a few upgrades to their formulation, but they have remained true to the original concept.
There are ideas that transcend time: they anticipate it, reshape it and evolve alongside it. They reinvent ingredients, techniques and design to engage with the present, whilst remaining true to the original vision that, over the decades, has transformed them into much-loved classics of the cosmetics world.
1897/ WATER THAT HEALS The name derives from a combination of the Greek words eu (good) and dermis (skin), and the product marks the Japanese brand’s entry into the beauty sector. Eudermine Activating Essence by Shiseido (145 ml, €77) has been completely reinvented and reformulated to meet modern needs, such as stressful lifestyles, pollution and more intense UV rays. Enhanced with ActiveRED Technology, it is applied to the skin before serum and cream to boost its resilience, improve hydration and reduce dullness and fine lines. True to the Japanese philosophy mottainai (the regret of waste), the new bottle is refillable, with a 92 per cent reduction in plastic.
1924/ A FRAGRANCE THAT SMELLS OF FLOWERS When, in 1921, Gabrielle Chanel approached Ernest Beaux asking him to create ‘a perfume for women that smells of a woman’, he proposed a decidedly visionary composition, which involved the unprecedented use of aldehydes: thus was born N°5 Extract. A few years later came a new interpretation, N°5 Eau de Toilette by Chanel (75 ml, €150). An abstract floral bouquet with woody accents, where aldehydes enhance the notes of rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang, whilst vetiver and sandalwood lend structure and depth. Today’s bottle, with its linear and minimalist design, is still inspired by the original.
1925/ IN THE EMPEROR’S GARDENS It was in 1925, during the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, whilst the birth of Modernism was being celebrated, that Shalimar Eau de Parfum by Guerlain (50 ml, €118). Inspired by the gardens of the same name (which in the 17th century were the meeting place for Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, and his wife Mumtaz Mahal), even in its design: the bottle, with its stylised Art Deco curves, evokes their marvellous fountains. The fragrance of this first distinctive oriental perfume for women is a bold, timeless classic, instantly recognisable when you catch its scent, with a blend that is both sensual and fresh, featuring vanilla and powdery notes.
1953/ HAUTE COUTURE RED It was the first make-up product created by Christian Dior: a legendary lipstick which, over the years, has managed to reinvent itself whilst remaining true to tradition. The current formula of Rouge Dior by Dior (No. 999, €50), enriched with layers of red peony and floral oils, is even more pleasant to wear and performs better than ever, ensuring hydration, softness and long-lasting colour. The contemporary range is extensive and available in two finishes: satin and velvet. The packaging, with its reimagined silhouette yet still characterised by a sophisticated design, is now refillable, emphasising sustainability.
