After years working at major beauty brands, longtime friends Pauline Laurent and Flore des Robert realized that while hairbrushing is a daily wellness ritual for many French women, the brushes weren’t exactly vanity-worthy. So they set out to create one that was truly bonne—functional, elegant, the kind of thing that makes you want to brush your hair more. We included La Bonne Brosse in the “bespoke” shopping section of our Paris print issue (alongside some other favorites!), but then we kept seeing them pop up—on friends’ bathroom counters, in our Instagram feeds, even Tata Harper told us she always has one in her dopp kit—and we knew we had to hear more from Pauline and Flore themselves.
Tell us a bit about you and your company—how did you get started down this path?
After fifteen years in the corporate world at brands like L’Oreal, Estée Lauder and PUIG, we had a realization: trust, creativity and pleasure shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of efficiency. We didn’t exactly plan to launch a brush revolution, but as French women, we take our hair very seriously. And when we realized that brushing could be more than a routine—something closer to a meditative act of self-care—we knew we had something worth sharing. Brushing your hair is one of the simplest, most elegant ways to show your body and mind that you care. It’s a moment of calm, away from screens, where beauty becomes a tactile gesture. A brush, a breath, and voilà—you again. Each day, this belief grows stronger… as do our roots (quite literally).
What makes a hairbrush “bonne”? What did you feel was missing from the market?
Bonne means good, of course. But in French, it’s also about warmth, kindness, and intention. A “bonne brosse” is more than an object—it’s a companion in your beauty routine. Our brushes are designed not just to detangle, but to delight. They’re ergonomic, elegant and engravable, so each brush is both a tool and a treasure. We work with incredible artisans who share our vision that a hairbrush should be made with integrity. Bonne brushes are crafted with transparency, sustainability, and true French savoir-faire.
You’ve called your brushes a beauty tool and a wellness ritual—can you tell us about the philosophy behind that?
Brushing truly brings together beauty and wellness. It’s skincare for your scalp. With each stroke, you’re massaging, oxygenating, and rebalancing your hair ecosystem (yes, your hair has an ecosystem, too). Brushing helps distribute natural oils, brings shine to the lengths, and reduces your dependence on styling products—by up to 50%! Less product, less plastic, less noise. Très chic, très clean. Just three minutes a day is all it takes. It’s a small ritual with big benefits—for your hair, your mind, and even the planet.
How does La Bonne Brosse fit into the broader tradition of French beauty?
French beauty is built on timeless rituals, not trends. Think of those 18th-century portraits of princesses and their dames de compagnie brushing hair at the vanity—it was never just for style, it was an act of grace, connection and care. La Bonne Brosse is reviving that heritage with a modern twist. We collaborate with a French Living Heritage Company, guardians of traditional brushmaking craftsmanship, to produce sustainable, locally made pieces that respect both hair and planet. Take our handles for example—they are crafted from biodegradable cellulose acetate (a beautiful material made from cotton flowers and wood pulp), they’re durable, hypoallergenic, and—most importantly—plastic-free. Brushing is old-school. We just wanted to make it cool again.
As beauty industry veterans, what are a few products you always pack?
We’re quite different, which makes things more fun.
Pauline: I’m a skincare devotee—give me Augustinus Bader, Talm or Aime and I’m glowing.
Flore: I have a soft spot for bold makeup discoveries—from Violette’s flair to Victoria Beckham’s precision.
Summer can be harsh on our hair—all the sun, heat, humidity, salt water and chlorine. How do you keep your hair healthy and hydrated through it all?
Summer is wonderful for the soul, but let’s be honest—brutal on the scalp. Our golden rule: treat your hair like your skin. That’s exactly why we created our newest launch, the CAIR Protective Oil. It shields the hair from UV rays, salt, chlorine, and dryness while adding softness and shine—like SPF, but for your strands.We apply it before beach days, boat rides, or city strolls, and then brush it through our hair at night to distribute the nourishing ingredients from root to tip. Add a hat or silk scarf, and you’re not only protected—you’re Riviera chic.
If you’re zipping along the Riviera on a Riva, or cruising through St. Tropez in an open-air Mini Moke—do you do anything special for your hair? Or do you embrace the windswept look?
A little of both! A silk scarf tied loosely under the chin is our go-to for elegance et protection. It’s very Riviera 1960s—think Bardot but with better hair habits. That said, we do love the carefree, salty texture the wind brings. Brushing it out at night feels especially satisfying after a day like that.
How do you stay healthy and relaxed while traveling?
First rule: brush before takeoff, and after landing. It’s like pressing the reset button for your scalp and your mood. Then: hydration, hydration, hydration. Sparkling, still, herbal, hot—whatever works. It’s our secret to surviving jet lag, dry cabins, and long days. That, and a little sunshine whenever possible.
Do you take any particular supplements prior to/while traveling?
None. Unless Evian counts.
Any strategies for dealing with jet lag?
Chase the sun, not the screen. Follow the natural light, move your body early, and drink water as if it were a luxury serum.
What are some of your favorite beauty bring-backs from your travels?
Ah, the golden age of bringing back Carmex from the US or blotting papers from Korea! Now the world is more connected, but we still love finding hidden gems in boutique hotels or local apothecaries. In Greece, we stumbled upon an apothecary in Sifnos that makes a handmade olive oil and chamomile body balm we still dream about. In Morocco, la boutique riad near Ouarzazate (Dar Ahlam, aka La Maison des Rêves) gave us a rose and orange blossom mist that now lives in our fridge year-round.
Do you have any favorite pharmacies in Paris? (chains or one-off)
Yes! Citypharma in Saint-Germain is iconic—and chaotic. Go early and know what you want. But we’re loyal to Buly 1803 for their beautiful modern apothecary approach, and bespoke scent-infused lotions that feel like potions from another time.
What are a few of your favorite wellness destinations?
Anywhere with sand between our toes, sun on our faces, and zero Wi-Fi. Preferably with a good cocktail and a hammock. Disconnection is the ultimate beauty ritual. We recently stayed at the Hôtel Les Roches Rouges on the Côte d’Azur—raw nature, sea pools, no television, and pure Mediterranean light. Heaven.
Where are you dreaming of going next?
Korea and Japan are next on our map—for inspiration, discovery, and a little La Bonne Brosse expansion.
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