Coco Govare

Beauty to me is deeply tied to self-discovery. I’m fascinated by how our tastes, expressions, and even personalities shift over time, which reflects in your beauty habits. 

As I age, my philosophy tends to align with true French nonchalance : “Less is definitely more.”

I’ve been seeing keratotherapist Helena Gruzka for years now, (she reigns supreme in Paris) and we’ve developed a skincare regimen tailored precisely to my skin’s needs, then I adjust it with seasonal changes and how my skin feels each day.

My morning routine is all about efficiency, especially with two kids to get ready for school. I start by rinsing my face with water only—no cleansers. Then I apply a vitamin C serum, alternating between La Roche-Posay and Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. Serum

Next is what I call “concoction time,” where I blend a small amount of Dr. Janka’s Milch-Héfé Biostimulin Crème with other products depending on my skin’s condition:

For dry days: I add Dr. Janka’s Soft Crème and Rouje L’Huile for extra hydration.

On good skin days: I opt for Naturium’s Multi-Peptides to keep my skin plump and smooth. Or Darphin Serum Essentiel, it was a gift, but it’s a definite repurchase. It’s incredibly lightweight, I adore it. Also like the Rhode glazing milk.

For PMS days: When breakouts happen, I reach for Dr. Janka’s Spézial Biostimulin Crème, which is targeted for spot treatment. It’s magic.

I massage it into the skin (it’s pretty thick) and depending on time I try and do a 3/4 minutes session of Guasha.

To finish up, I apply SPF, like the one from Beauty of Joseon, it’s very light and smooth.

Takes me no more than 5-10 minutes to get ready.

My evening routine is a bit more intensive. I double cleanse, starting with Bioderma Micellar Water, the original go-to for gentle cleansing. I also recently became a fan of Dore’s micellar and especially the reusable cloth pads that come with—they make makeup removal feel like a mini massage, the grip is great, and they’re so much more sustainable than single-use cotton. After micellar water, I follow with a more budget-friendly option, Anua’s Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil which feels similar.

A few times a week, I pat my skin with Lotion P50 (or softer version P50W depending on my skin that day). I’ll definitely skip it if it seems too harsh when I use retinol afterward.

Then serums. I’m lucky to receive quite a lot of products from friends in the industry, so I rotate: Biologique Recherche Elastine is a favorite mixed with a rich cream, and I also love Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair for the texture, doesn’t irritate the skin either. 

Twice a week, I replace it by tretinoin, I’ve gradually built up over the past year. Hard at first to figure out frequency and dosage, but I now use it twice weekly and notice a real improvement in texture, though maybe that’s just me. My dermatologist prescribes it, and I usually pick it up in France (Effederm or Retacnyl, depending on availability). I use a tiny “noisette” (pea-sized amount) and follow it with a super thick layer of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast, which I always bring back from Paris four tubes at a time.

Same if I feel its not the right timing, I switch to a softer option I recently discovered AlphaRet Overnight Cream, from Skin Better Science, I absolutely love it.

My friend Quentin Jones also introduced me to red light therapy, and I ended up buying the led mask from Omnilux. I’m obsessed with it—the red light feels genuinely relaxing as well. My sister, a beauty geek, insists there are far better options on the market, but I’m content with this one for now. The only thing is my kids are completely terrified of it, so finding the right time to use it can be tricky, as it requires a solid 10 minutes of uninterrupted alone time which isn’t always easy to come by.

I am definitely more a skincare girl than a make up girl, I find make up can easily go a bit vulgar on me to be honest.

For my everyday essentials, I stick to a few key items. First, a good concealer — I’m especially fond of Glossier’s stretch concealer. I know it’s a bit of a throwback, and there’s a lot of newer options out there, but I love how seamlessly it blends, it’s sheer enough I don’t feel like I’m wearing anything and I actually like a little dark circle. Also a lot of make up artists I work with swear by it because it’s so buildable.
I very rarely use foundation but if I do it’s always been Armani Luminous silk, but recently discovered Saie Skin tint, has very light coverage as well. 

Next up is blush. I go for creamy blushes; Ilia’s cream blush are my favorites, and I also love Violette’s Bisou Blush. 

For bronzer, I usually use the Hermes H Trio bronzer. But if I’m pressed for time, I’ll just use Glossier’s Cloud Paint in Dusk — it’s a perfect mix of bronzer and blush in one, gives me an immediate flush. If I don’t forget, and I often do, I add a dash of setting powder, I like the one by By Terry’s.

A good brow gel is also essential because I just have a bad eyebrow line.

Then, if I want a little more for an evening look, I’ll add a Laura Mercier Caviar Stick on that I smudge with my fingers on the lid and on my lower lash line, then some super slick mascara only on my top line (I like a natural look, so usually Les Filles en Rouje, it’s not too heavy), but recently discovered the colorful mascaras from Hermes, the brick color with my blue eye color looks great. 

And I’ll probably finish up by redefining my lip line with Charlotte Tilbury’s in Pillow Talk and then adding a swipe of some sheer, red-maroon-ish lipstick—just enough to look like I might have blood flow but not... If Hermès would just bring back the Beige Croisette shade, I’d be all set. It’s all about “my lips are like this without makeup” basically.

My hair care routine has been a journey.  After years of bleaching, my hair ended up breaking so much that at one point I had to embrace an undesired mullet-style cut.  Add in two pregnancies, and I’m still in recovery mode.  I haven’t found the absolute perfect routine yet, so I’m still experimenting.

In the winter, I love using the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub, it feels like a refreshing detox for my scalp. There’s something so satisfying about knowing I’m removing all the buildup and weird city gunk from my hair. Is it just me, or does hair get greasier twice as fast in New York ? For summer, I switch to a hydrating aloe vera shampoo, also from Christophe Robin. I always follow with a keratin-based Korean conditioner and mask, alternating with a moisture conditioner. Right now, I’m using the Ouai Moisture Conditioner—not sure how effective it is, but I love the smell.

Then, following advice from my colorist, Anthony (who I met at David Mallett after the “mullet incident” 10 years ago), I spray a leave-in keratin treatment like K18 or apply a small amount of Leonor Greyl Magnolia Oil along the lengths of my damp hair. I then immediately wrap my hair in a towel, letting it absorb the treatment until the warmth dissipates.

Brushing has also become a new obsessive habit. I used to be totally traumatised by brushing, worried about breakage – bleached hair girls will know – but now that I’ve returned to a more normal hair colour, it turns out brushing them twice a day has been helping so much in regaining strength and mass. My go-to is the Mason Pearson Junior Bristle & Nylon brush, nothing like it on the scalp. For something more affordable and travel-friendly, I also use La Bonne Brosse L’Universelle Mini.

Every morning, before anything else, I start drinking luke warm water mixed with lemon, plus a little grated ginger and turmeric. It’s my cleansing ritual, and I can’t skip it, it’s almost a bit manic.

I don’t have a set vitamin routine yet, but I’m looking to explore holistic medicine. A friend highly recommended Dr. Anthony Salzarulo (New York) for tailored regimen, so I’m planning to book a visit with him soon.

When it comes to food, I don’t follow strict rules, I tend to do a mix of high and low, “clean and nasty” as I call it. I don’t believe in strict rules in general, they make me unhappy, it especially applies to food. Same with not having coffee, I just can’t do it. 

Then in terms of practice, I must admit I’m not the meditation type. I’ve tried — truly, desperately — but it just doesn’t click for me. Yet.

Yoga, though, is my thing. I’ve been practicing pretty intensely for 10 years, and it’s my go-to for unwinding and finding some peace, especially in the evening.

Since moving to New York, I’ve discovered so many amazing studios and teachers. One of my favorites is Serena Thom, whose classes draw from Jivamukti, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa. It’s challenging, but I love seeing my progress and how it pushes me through phases of frustration and growth. For me, yoga is a practice that truly grounds me and really the only time I don’t think about anything else.

I’ve been a fan of Musc Ravageur by Frédéric Malle for many years now. It started as a gift for my husband, but now we share it. The brand recently became a client of mine, and now that I know the brand’s devotion to craftsmanship and ingredients, the fragrance has taken on an even deeper meaning. It’s truly a master’s brand—every detail, every note feels intentional, very audaciously composed.

Then there’s Bonpoint’s Eau de Senteur, a non-alcoholic fragrance. Total madeleine de Proust moment for me. If you were a kid in Paris in the ’90s, you remember. The scent takes me right back, and somehow, it’s still as good today for a fresh summery day. I love spraying it on my clothes.

For another light option, I reach for Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger. It’s delicate but memorable, the olfactory equivalent of white linen under warm sunlight.

I used to love Bal d’Afrique too, but I’ve smelled it on so many others that it’s lost a bit of its magic for me.

My little secret weapon would be Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt. I get an insane number of compliments whenever I wear it. I keep the travel size with me everywhere.

All that said, I’m still the first to forget to actually put any perfume on.

Using one product for multiple areas — I love applying the same color lip or blush product on my lips, cheeks, nose, and even eyes. Job is also easier done this way.

In Paris for a true skin reset, Helena Gruska is, without a doubt, the guru. She’s a keratotherapist—basically a skin expert of the highest order. Her treatments are around two hours long, occasionally a bit intense, but she completely transformed my skin when I was struggling with hormonal imbalances, and I’ve been a loyal client ever since. She’s incredibly discreet about her clientele, but let’s just say most of the French actresses are regulars.

For an incredible facial with the best products in the industry, Biologique Recherche is my favorite. I’ve probably gifted their facial to at least dozen people. I go to the Ambassy in Paris Rive Gauche but I believe they also have them here in New York. 

For a great kobido Marie Depoulain is my queen in Paris. Her hand is unparalleled. Anouk Biard is also a magician.

My favorite massage is at Suisen in the Marais. The atmosphere is so delicate, thoughtful, deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. It’s different from anything you know. Just a heads up, their waiting list can be quite long, so call weeks ahead.

For lymphatic drainage and tackling cellulite, I recently discovered Fessialiste thanks to my beauty guru friend, Fanny Moreau. Insaf works wonders with her Icoone machine. I believe Ricari in New York  also uses the same technique, I have yet to try.

The only person I trust with my color is Anthony (formerly of David Mallett), who now works out of his private Atelier at 29 Boulevard Voltaire. And when in need of a trim, it’s Adrien Coehlo at Très Confidentiel in Palais Royal. Or myself in front of the mirror… I also cut my children’s hair. Ask my husband what he thinks about the result though.

In New York, to be honest I’m still on the hunt for a facial that rivals my Paris favourites, but when it comes to massages, the therapists in Chinatown are unbeatable. Out of the many spots I’ve visited since I moved here, Pure Relax Spa on Broadway really stands out. It’s nothing fancy, but the practitioners are incredible. I’m thinking of trying their gua sha treatment next.
For something more upscale, I’ve added Spencer’s, a beautifully curated space to my list. Remedy Place is another spot I’m eager to try for their ice bath and sauna experience.