L'appartement 217

Carine Roitfeld likes L'appartement 217 for her body treatments, or as the spa's web site states, "soin de corps et d'esprit" (care of body and spirit). Located in the first arrondissement on rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, this sanctuary in the Hausmann style has been perfected by Feng Shui experts to be a place of total calm. All products used are natural, the kimonos for guests are made out of organic pine tree pulp "soft and downy as silk", the water in the spa is decalcified, and the electrical waves are insulated to neutralize any harmful effects. Conceived by Stéphane Jaulin (formerly beauty director for Colette), this spacious, well-lighted setting is a haven of calm in urban Paris. Stop into L'appartement 217 for a facial or massage and soothe your body and spirit beautifully.

Image of L'appartement 217 courtesy of vogue.fr

Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Eye Pencil

The key to the Carine Roitfeld look is that less is more: the area of focus is the eye leaving the skin free of foundation and the lips natural. Carine is a YSL girl all the way in choosing her favorite makeup products (unlike Julia who likes Chanel). Since the emphasis of the look is on "le smoky eye" invest in a good eyeliner. In defining her eyes, Carine prefers Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Eye Pencil in Mink Touch. Her intense look is framed by her strong, dark brows which must be perfectly groomed. Carine uses YSL Eyebrow Pencil in #2 Brown to tame her eyebrows and finish the look—voilà. No wonder her daily beauty ritual takes her ten minutes to complete.

Carine Roitfeld photograph © 2008 Hedi Slimane. All Rights Reserved.

Pilates

If you want to be a Roitfeld, then you need to have the body to fit the clothes. Although Carine attributes her perfect figure to the fact that she has been blessed with a meager appetite, she also begins her day with Pilates at 8 a.m. every morning. If you have never tried it, you may be surprised at how fast even a few minutes of Pilates practiced regularly will reshape your form.

Combining moves from aerobics and yoga, Pilates focuses on strengthening the core of the body, lengthening and toning rather than adding bulk as some workouts tend to do. I love Pilates but have limited time to work out; the great news is that practicing even ten to twenty minutes every other day can prove beneficial. If, like me, you don't have time or money to allot to the gym, pick up a copy of the new DVD Exhale: Core Fusion Pilates Plus. Each of the routines is only ten minutes long but I promise you will feel the burn and see results. Surely you have ten minutes a day to invest in a slim and fit physique. There are also free Pilates videos available via YouTube.

Carine Roitfeld in python ankle boots photograph source: stylesightings.com

Opium Body Lotion by Yves Saint Laurent

Carine Roitfeld's favorite way to scent is to rub herself from head to toe with the body lotion Opium by Yves Saint Laurent for Women, she has worn it for years. The exotic fragrance blends florals, mandarin, and coriander to evoke a rich essence, foreign yet familiar that is irresistible. I get compliments every time that I wear this, the warmth of this seductive scent is spicy but subtle. J'adore. For more of Carine's best loved scents, read about her obsession with the Diptyque Tubereuse Candle.