International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements and contributions of women in all walks of life. It is a day to recognise the power, resilience and brilliance of women who have shaped history. Among the countless women who have left a mark on the world is Madame Jeanne Gatineau, founder of Gatineau, a skincare brand that has stood the test of time for nearly a century. A legend in the beauty world, the story of this remarkable woman, at a time when women were largely excluded from business ventures, is incredible, as she broke barriers to fulfil her lifelong passion of creating a line of products to transform skincare for women.
The brand story….
Madame Jeanne Gatineau’s incredible journey begins in 1932 when she opened her first Parisian salon. A haven of peace and tranquillity, women would travel from afar to be treated, and she became highly regarded as an expert in her field. Through her experience of working as a facialist, she obtained a deep understanding of womens’ needs and desires and gained a complete knowledge of skincare. Her brand was born out of her own struggles to find effective skincare solutions and her dedication to helping women feel confident in their skin became the cornerstone of her business. She recognized the importance of choosing the best dermatologists and the most renowned biochemists to develop her own unique products to accompany her ground breaking professional treatment techniques - thus Gatineau, as we know it today, was born.
Such was the demand for these professional expert formulas that products for home use were launched soon after. By creating a brand that prioritised gentle, effective and natural ingredients combined with cutting-edge biotechnology she empowered women to believe that skincare was an essential part of self-care and would allow them to take care of themselves in a meaningful way.
Jeanne quickly becoming renowned as an authority within the world of skincare and so the prestigious Jeanne Gatineau School of Beauty opened in Paris in 1950 which provided expert training to many students over the years and laid the groundwork for future women in business.
The vision
The Gatineau philosophy remains the inspired marriage of the finest natural ingredients with the latest science, but the brand has evolved with the times, staying ahead of skincare trends, integrating the latest scientific technologies and ensuring the products meet the ever-changing needs of our clients. While embracing pioneering advancements in skincare technology, we have stayed fiercely loyal to the timeless values which originally inspired Jeanne Gatineau nearly 100 years ago which was to offer safe, effective and luxurious skincare products that allow women to look and feel good in their skin.
Honouring her achievements
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the incredible achievements of Madame Jeanne Gatineau who was an inspiration – not just because of her contributions to skincare, but because of her unwavering belief in the power of women. Her legacy lives on through every jar, bottle and product of Gatineau and her story continues to inspire all those who follow in her footsteps. Her journey serves as a reminder that women have always had the power to change the world, and her legacy will continue to shine brightly for generations to come.
Lucy x