Co-founder of skincare brand Caudalie, Mathilde Thomas, shares which women have inspired her, her biggest struggle and what advice she'd give to her younger self.
08
Mar
Jess O'Sullivan
5 Minutes with Mathilde Thomas
Celebrating International Women’s Day, we’ve put together a Women in Beauty series delving into the lives of inspirational women heading up the beauty industry. Co-founder of skincare brand Caudalie, Mathilde Thomas, shares which women have inspired her, her biggest struggle and what advice she’d give to her younger self.
What was it that inspired you to create Caudalie?
Caudalie has a true story. It was born in Bordeaux at my family’s property, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, where the brand was born in 1995. It’s the nature that surrounds me and the «art de vivre » of this region which inspires me every day and makes Caudalie a very unique brand, with a beautiful heritage.
What is your desert island Caudalie product?
My Premier Cru Face Cream is my breakthrough product. It’s my one desert island product. It’s an all-in-one moisturiser that includes all three patented ingredients (anti-wrinkle and firming vine stalk Resveratrol, anti-oxidant and anti-pollution grape-seed Polyphenol, and lastly anti-dark spot Vine sap Viniferine).
It does everything from acting as a preventative and protecting the skin against free radicals, to brightening, and anti-ageing and firming.
I travel a lot and the Premier Cru Face Cream is the product I always keep in my suitcase.
What achievement are you most proud of, in work and life?
My family: my husband who is also my better half, my business partner and the father of our 3 kids. Our kids, citizens of the world who learned so much living in NY and HK for 7 years and now Paris.
My team of 900 people around the world. I am nothing without them. They are passionate and are writing the Caudalie story everyday with us.
What woman has had the most influence in your life? Or who is the woman you most admire?
The 3 women in my family. All of them strong, independent women.
My grandmas for different reason. Simone “Mam” was an entrepreneur before women could even vote and long before birth control existed(!). She was a trailblazer. She started with a tiny grocery store with my grandpa in the French Alps and grew the business to 900 people. She was a workaholic, always on the field with her team, leading by example, rooted in the ground, full of common sense, she was very charismatic and adored by her staff.
My other grandma, Yvonne was the incarnation of kindness, a French teacher and nature lover. She taught me the love of nature, the joy of simple things, what is important and what is not. I was fortunate enough to be raised by her.
My mother Florence for her drive and her all-time inspirational high energy.
What has been your biggest struggle?
Learning to say no!
My husband is a great help, and I am getting MUCH better with time.
What do you think women need to do more of, and less of?
A woman must take care of herself, she must try to have a balanced life, by sharing her time between her work, her family and her friends. But it is very important that she continues to take time just for herself: a massage at the spa, indulge in buying cosmetics, read a good book, drink a glass of good wine…
What gives you strength?
My family. My husband.
Seeing my children grow, seeing them becoming human beings with strong ethics.
What do you do for fun?
I sing with the family rock band AKA The French Fries.
What life advice would you give to your younger self?
Focus. Work hard. Do something you strongly believe in and you are passionate about. And do it well.
The secret is to balance your life between your job and your personal life – and always keep time just for yourself and for your loved one! Always keep in mind that creating a business
is a marathon, not a sprint.
What is the best thing about being a woman?
Giving birth, quite a unique experience!
What are your goals for the year ahead?
Continue to create the most effective products that are problem solvers, highly green formulas with refined textures and scents. In 2019, I’ll also launch my new generation of suncare range. Stay tuned!