On the Vanity | L’Officine Universelle Buly

Walking into L’Officine Universelle Buly is like stepping into an old world apothecary.  Tucked away on Paris’ fabled Left Bank, this intriguing boutique is redolent of the past, the faint aroma of candle smoke comingling with the scent of dried flowers and herbs.  The inviting interior is lined with intricately carved wooden cabinets that showcase the brand’s modern-day tinctures and potions, from splashy citrus eau de cologne to the coolest dental floss you’ve ever seen.  Marble countertops and glass cases display an array of fragrances in the brand’s iconic flaçon—a white bottle decorated with a regal gold seal and a circular metal cap etched with a wreath of leaves.

L’Officine’s product line was actually resurrected by Parisian couple Ramdane Touhami and Victoire de Taillac-Touhami, a design duo who discovered the archives of 19th century French perfumer Jean-Vincent Buly.  After exhaustive research, they uncovered many of his recipes for lotions, powders and creams that harness the power of nature, eons before that became a trend.  The couple then took these vintage formulas and reproduced them, housing them in elegant packaging straight out of the Napoleonic age.  While they retained some of the original formulas, the majority have been updated to conform to modern standards (they’re paraben-, alcohol- and silicone-free).  Offerings include metal tubes of pâte dentifrice that turn the simple act of brushing your teeth into a truly sensorial experience, with intriguing flavors like orange and ginger clove; a regenerating dry oil that can nourish even the most parched skin; and candles packaged in marble holders topped with beautiful glass domes that lend a regal touch to any room. 

Lait Virginal Peruvian Heliotrope (pictured) A romantic floral emulsion that leaves the skin petal soft, with notes of tonka bean, violet and a touch of sandalwood.

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Photography by Alison Engstrom