portrait

In Helena Soubeyrand's bathroom

A multifaceted artist whose sensibility is as unique as her talent, Helena Soubeyrand has traded the stage and film sets for pencils and paintbrushes, without altering her relationship to the body and emotion. With a philosophy of beauty deeply rooted in a holistic approach—one that inspires even her way of drawing—she is one of those individuals who shine as much through their creativity as through their sensitive view of the world. An interview with this artist who captures beauty—true beauty.

Tell us all about yourself

“I am a multidisciplinary artist; I work with different mediums on various surfaces; I love this freedom of interpretation, and I am the mother of two children, ages 6 and 2. I started out as an actress for many years, in theater and film, and I’ve been drawing all my life alongside that. Four years ago, I transitioned to painting full-time. I work primarily in figurative art, focusing especially on the face, using both hands—I’m ambidextrous—which requires a great deal of balance and concentration.”

Where does your passion for drawing come from?

“Both of my grandfathers used to draw a lot just for fun; my great-grandfather did, too. I inherited his box of pastels, which I cherish. I’m the only one in this line of descendants who makes a living from it—they didn’t have that choice—and I feel a sense of responsibility to live up to it, as well as a source of strength.”

You were an actress before devoting yourself fully to drawing. How did that transition come about?

“It didn’t happen overnight; it was a gradual process. On stage, we work with our bodies, with emotion, and through repetition, striving to convey the message as accurately as possible. When I draw in public, I rediscover that same feeling. But I’ve found a medium and a profession that better suit my personality and allow me to thrive.”

Drawing symmetrically with both hands is your signature move. What goes through your mind at that precise moment when both your hands move forward at the same time?

“There’s no longer any control. It’s a very peculiar state, similar to being on stage or under hypnosis. And the face that appears is never the one I had imagined; it’s as if we were searching for one another.”

How would you describe your beauty philosophy?

“Yes, beauty is a blend of presence, inner light, and love. What I look for in a face when I draw is precisely that presence. And it’s also the time and attention we allow ourselves.”

Have you always taken care of yourself?

“Yes, but not in that way. When I was an actress, I took care of my appearance because it was my tool of the trade, but I didn’t really take care of myself. The real turning point was becoming a mother. People talk a lot about how your body changes, but very little about the sleep you lose—at least in my case. Since my children were born, I haven’t slept the way I used to, and no one warned me that it would last this long. When you’re not sleeping well and juggling multiple roles at once—mother, artist, entrepreneur—self-care isn’t just about looking good anymore; it becomes essential to keeping it all together.”

What are the must-haves in your bathroom these days?

“My skin doesn’t handle the sun very well, so I apply SPF 50 every day. Then, the classic essentials: double cleansing and the Rich Cream fromOh My Cream Skincare, the Skin Web mask Mimétique (it’s amazing), the Fruit Acid Peel byAlaena, and the VOP 02 eye cream by Biologique Recherche. And my hair has been completely saved by Coelho Beauty products, the Intense Mask is incredible.”

What's your first beauty memory?

“My mother, her scarves that smelled of Guerlain, and her powder brushes in the bathroom. She loved putting on makeup in the morning, and that’s something I’ve inherited from her: it’s a moment I cherish, like a little breathing space to prepare myself before facing the outside world. And my great-grandmother, with her rice powder that smelled so good in her bathroom. My daughter watches me put on my makeup just as I used to watch my mom—I really love that moment with her.”

What are the essential steps to bring out your natural glow?

“TheLightindermLightinderm Device and the Nooance LED Nooance. It’s transformed my skin—it’s truly amazing.”

Beyond cosmetics, what wellness rituals help you refocus?

“I believe in ancestral practices—they haven’t stood the test of time for nothing. Burning sage, lighting a candle with an intention. I also read my tarot cards regularly. And cardiac coherence—which I discovered at a time when I was at my wits’ end. You slow your breathing for a few minutes, and your body finds its balance again. It taught me that I could give myself a boost all on my own; the sense of well-being is pretty amazing in just 5 minutes.”

Where do you find inspiration in your daily life to fuel your creativity?

“Everything that moves me. Ancient art, icons, the Renaissance, humanity reaching toward the light in the midst of darkness. This quest spans all generations, and it is very much present in sacred art. It deeply moves me.”

You've described an increasingly holistic approach to your work. How has that become part of your life?

“Sacred art and prayer have always been a part of my life, ever since the summers I spent across the street from the church at my grandparents’ house. I drifted away from it out of sadness, because of what men have justified in the name of religion. And today I’m returning to it in a different way—toward a more embodied and universal spirituality, oriented toward a common source. That’s what has made my work holistic: I no longer separate what I believe, what I experience, and what I paint.”

What have you been taught that you'd like to pass on to others?

“This is at the heart of all my work. We inherit a way of seeing the world, of seeing ourselves, and of loving. What I’d like to pass on to my children is a love for others and for themselves. It’s a lifelong quest, and it’s no small task because we mustn’t let our insecurities drive us.”

If you could only keep one beauty routine for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Drink water. It’s vital, of course, but it also gives you beautiful skin!”

Photo credit: Kate French and Oracle Paris

What's on the horizon for you?

“New collaborations. And my series of paintings, which is coming along.”

Discover Helena Soubeyrand's unique creations on her website www.helenasoubeyrand.com

And to stay up to date on all her news, check out her Instagram account @helenasoubeyrand.

Helena's Selection

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