Renée Tse on why design matters in beauty and beyond
In a time when joy often comes from life’s smaller moments, surrounding ourselves with beauty has never felt more essential.
Aesthetically-pleasing design — whether in our homes, our wardrobes or the products we reach for every day — has become a quiet form of happiness, and the reason the packaging and presentation of beauty products is just as impactful as formulas and ingredients.
For me, beauty objects are not just functional — they’re part of the landscape of my life. I treat fragrance bottles like sculptures, dotting them around my home and displaying them next to my coffee table books like art. I invest in beautiful soap bottles for my bathroom and even keep a chic hand sanitizer in my car. These everyday objects punctuate otherwise ordinary routines, transforming simple acts — washing hands, spritzing perfume — into something that feels elevated. What’s more, well-made, considered objects are anything but disposable, becoming lifelong companions or even family heirlooms that speak to the sustainable qualities of expert craftsmanship. Design isn’t just decoration — it’s a way of uplifting the day-to-day moments that make up a life.
Of course, what’s inside the package matters most. But in today’s busy landscape, standout design is what captures attention first. It makes us pause, pick something up, purchase it and possibly even share it on social media. While the prevailing design trend of late has focused on a pared-down, streamlined look, keeping in step with what we typically think of as modern, we’re heading in a direction where products have a more covetable, indispensable quality.
A Hairbrush That Sparks Joy
Take the hairbrush: Most of us own a utilitarian version tucked away in a drawer. It does the job, but does it spark joy? Likely not. Enter La Bonne Brosse, the French brush with its candy-coloured palette and whimsically sculpted handle. It’s as much of an object d’art as it is a tool for healthy hair — something you actually want on display.
“We like the idea of putting beauty in something you touch every day,” says co-founder Flore des Robert. “We wanted something that would be very soft to touch and in a colour that would never be out of fashion — a colour that, twenty years down the road, you’ll still be super happy to have in your purse.” That intentionality is what makes design resonate: It’s not clutter, it’s care.
This pursuit of beauty extends far beyond the products themselves. Leading French retailers like La Samaritaine, Le Bon Marché and Printemps have shown the power of brick-and-mortar boutiques that are as thoughtfully designed as the items on their shelves. These spaces function as more than stores — they’re aspirational environments that invite you to imagine your own bathroom, vanity or living room elevated with the same sense of aesthetic harmony. It’s a legacy that stretches back to Helena Rubinstein’s beauty salons of the early 1900s, where interiors were curated with her collections of art and antiquities, offering women not only beauty treatments but also an education on elevating their standards of taste, design and refinement.
Living Beauty Toronto
Today, Living Beauty’s Toronto flagship continues this outlook in a thoroughly modern way. A reimagining of the traditional apothecary, the space features layers of clay-toned millwork, softened architectural curves and fluted windows that flood the interior with natural light. Mixed in are some quintessentially personal touches, including the fire-engine red, lip-shaped coffee table once belonging to André Leon Talley, which Living Beauty Founder and CEO Mariam White picked up at auction.
The combination flagship and spa is both luxurious and approachable, a place where design inspires curiosity and care while also offering respite from the noise of everyday life. It’s not just a place to shop — it’s an immersive experience that embodies the same philosophy as a beautifully designed bottle or brush: that beauty should touch the senses, spark joy and feel enduring.
Whether it’s a sculptural hairbrush, a glass soap bottle or a flagship that feels like a sanctuary, surrounding ourselves with beauty has an undeniable impact. These objects and spaces ground us, soothe us and remind us that even in moments when life feels overwhelming, we can reclaim a sense of control and delight. It’s the smallest joys — those daily touchpoints of design — that add up to something deeply meaningful.
Your Guide to La Bonne Brosse
- WHAT IT’S MADE OF: 100% boar bristle fibres
- WHO IT’S FOR: Keratin fibres in the bristles make this our pick for fine hair.
N.02 The Care & Detangling Brush
- WHAT IT’S MADE OF: Nylon and boar bristle fibres
- WHO IT’S FOR: Thanks to a mix of hydrating keratin fibres and detangling nylon bristles, it works wonders on normal to thick hair.
N.03 The Essential Gentle Scalp Care Hair Brush
- WHAT IT’S MADE OF: Nylon and boar bristle fibres
- WHO IT’S FOR: Thanks to a mix of hydrating keratin fibres and detangling nylon bristles, it works wonders on normal to thick hair.
N.04 The Massaging & Detangling Hair Brush
- WHAT IT’S MADE OF: 100% nylon fibres
- WHO IT’S FOR: All hair types, including curly, will benefit from the gentle detangling offered by this brush, for use on wet or dry hair.
