Beauty interview with Isabelle Carron : “Beauty brings us together !”
With gentleness and affection, Isabelle Carron, the creator of the brand Absolution, recalls her memories of Beauty. From her childhood wading in a pond, teasing frogs to a retreat in the middle of greenery, in front of the depths of trees and flowers, Isabelle captures the beauty of her surroundings. But also those who do her good, who question her about what she is. A poetic reflection, deeply rooted in a lifestyle dedicated to listening, sharing and transmission. Beauty without filters.
Can you tell us about the last time Beauty helped you or healed you?
It’s difficult for me to give just one answer, because I feel as if Beauty does something good for me every day, in lots of little ways. But my most beautiful memory of therapeutic Beauty is from two years ago, when I spent some time in the Cévennes mountain range. I left to go there when I was feeling exhausted, at the end of my tether. I was going to a retreat, in a place that was absolutely breathtaking. My bedroom had views onto the valley, and as soon as I got up, I would look across the entire valley and see so much green – all those trees, all that Beauty. I felt as if I had been deeply healed and repaired. It was wonderful. I still have a very strong memory of that time.
How do you bring more Beauty to the world?
It may sound a little presumptuous, but I try to bring more Beauty to the world through Absolution, by creating beautiful, effective products that help you to care for your skin so it can be beautiful, healthy and radiant. So you can glow. I want these products to make people feel good in their own skin, both figuratively and literally, so they don’t feel they have to “put their face on” before going outside. I also try to create Beauty by cooking, gardening, and taking care of the people I love.
If I say beauty, what do you think of?
When someone says Beauty, I think of lots of things! The sky, flowers, nature, life. They’re all incredibly beautiful. I also think of harmony – which is quite different from perfection. I think about the mind, about intelligence, for there can be such beauty in intelligence! And I think of tears. Tears are beautiful too.
Do you believe that Beauty will save us? How?
I believe that Beauty can save us, as it’s something that goes beyond us, that astounds us. Beauty is something we must look after and repair, and that makes us more receptive and attentive to other worlds and to ourselves. There is Beauty in taking a stance that is not aggressive or confrontational. So yes, I think that Beauty can save us. If we look for it everywhere, if we respect it, I believe it can unite us and help to build a better world.
Do you remember the first thing that amazed you as a child?
My first memories of Beauty are from a long time ago. I remember the first time I felt amazed as a little girl. I must have been seven or eight years old. I was out in the countryside, there was no telephone, and we were free to do what we wanted. I have this vivid memory of a pond, where I used to spend lots of time. That pond was home to an incredible world, with frogs and birds. I would spend hours contemplating this ecosystem and enjoying myself. I found it very beautiful and balanced.
Where does Beauty hide? Can it be found in the most ordinary things?
Beauty is hidden everywhere! Of course, we can find it in things that are easily seen as beautiful, such as magnificent buildings, flowers or people. But it’s also hidden in the smallest of things. There is Beauty in a fruit, in a vegetable. There’s the Beauty of life, and there’s even Beauty in imperfections. Beauty comes from the way we see things, and we know this, because we can find some things beautiful that don’t seem beautiful at first. Being able to see Beauty is a true gift.
What is your motto or philosophy in life to make you feel beautiful and fulfilled?
What I often try to say to myself is, “I’m OK as I am. I don’t need to be more.” We tend to always want to be more, to be better. This isn’t a bad thing. I like the notion of improvement, of trying to improve myself. But sometimes it’s also important to be able to say to yourself that you’re “enough” as you are. I think that’s something that can make you feel good.
What feeling does Beauty arouse in you? Could you describe it?
For me, there are two kinds of feelings. When it’s a feeling of Beauty that comes from nature, from life, I have this deep feeling that everything is in its place, as it should be, everything is one. It’s a very reassuring feeling. When a feeling of Beauty comes from a work of art, a dance performance, an exhibition, a book – something that has an intellectual aspect to it, while still having a real, material presence – then I have this feeling of awe that is very physical. Usually, I feel almost overcome. I get goose bumps, I feel moved, and I also have this feeling of power. It’s as if I’ve been given some powerful force. Beauty becomes a force for goodness, something very positive. It’s not a feeling I experience very often, but when I do, it’s quite extraordinary. I love it.
