Portrait

In Louise Damas's bathroom

Louise Damas creates jewelry the way she lives: with her hands, with her senses, and without ever striving for absolute perfection. These pieces, designed for everyday wear and made in France, bear the mark of her craftsmanship and accompany the memories of those who wear them. Her relationship with beauty is made of the same stuff: sincere, sensory, and never overdone. She opens up her bathroom to us—a world where white hair is synonymous with light, where rings pile up and earrings are worn as necklaces, and where taking care of oneself is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Tell us all about yourself

“My name is Louise Damas. I’m a jewelry designer and the founder of the eponymous brand I launched in 2012. I design jewelry intended for everyday wear—delicate, timeless pieces made in France. What I love most is design, whether it’s the object itself or the entire visual world surrounding it. But day to day, I’m first and foremost a business owner, wearing all the hats that come with the role.”

Have you always had a passion for jewelry?

“Yes, ever since I was a little girl. I’ve always loved creating things with my hands, imagining objects, and inventing worlds. As a child, I made all sorts of things, and later on, I turned to sculpture and modeling. Jewelry came a little later. I especially love creating these pieces because they have something very intimate about them: you wear them close to your body; they stand the test of time; and they accompany your memories.”

What was the turning point that inspired you to start your own brand?

“It all started pretty instinctively. At the time, I was a literature student at the Sorbonne and I was making jewelry at home, initially just for myself. I’ve always loved crafting and coming up with designs. Little by little, my friends and family started asking me for pieces, and then I took part in a few designer sales, opened an Instagram account, and launched a website created by a friend… without any real strategy. I think the real turning point was when I realized that this activity was taking up an increasingly important place in my life. As I neared the end of my bachelor’s degree, I had to choose between pursuing a master’s degree or trying to develop the brand. I decided to take a chance by taking a gap year… And in the end, I never stopped.”

How does beauty inspire your work?

“Beauty inspires me when it isn’t static. I’m more moved by something that’s alive, imperfect, and sensitive than by an aesthetic that’s too polished. It could be light, a texture, a silhouette, an attitude, a gesture… I love things that evoke emotion.”

Do you see your creativity as a source of inner well-being?

“Yes, absolutely. It’s a way of transforming emotions or intuitions into something tangible. My creative process is quite unique because I don’t really know how to draw. I make a few quick sketches to jot down my ideas, but I move on to three-dimensional forms very quickly. I start right away by shaping or sculpting the material. I work on my models using polymer clay or jewelry wax before sending them to my workshop to be cast. I like it when a piece of jewelry retains the traces of the artist’s touch and doesn’t look too perfect.”

What message would you like to convey through your creations?

“I want to create pieces that people wear for themselves—pieces that exude style, confidence, and joy. I hope my jewelry evokes a sense of freedom and a certain sensuality. I like to highlight what’s instinctive, irregular, almost organic—a femininity that doesn’t need to be polished or perfect to be strong and radiant.”

Have you always taken care of yourself?

“For me, beauty is linked to something sincere. I’m drawn to faces that seem alive, to individuality, and to the gentleness a person radiates—more so than to aesthetic perfection.”

"I really enjoy taking care of myself, but I don't spend too much time on it either. I'd rather take care of myself by spending time with the people I love."

And if we were to walk into your bathroom, what are your must-haves?

“I tend to stick to simple routines. I like products that appeal to the senses, with nice textures, but not too many layers, and definitely no overpowering scents. I don’t wear perfume.”

In the morning, I like to refresh my face with the Mega Water by Talm, then I apply a serum and a moisturizer.

At night, I wash my face first with oil, then with a gel. I apply a serum, followed by a moisturizer—or oil when I do gua sha.

Ever since my first pregnancy, I've been hooked on Mega Balm and Mega OilTalm, which I’ve never stopped using since. I mix them together and slather them all over my body every day after my shower.”

Aside from cosmetics, what are your wellness rituals for finding your center and feeling good?

“Getting out into nature and playing sports. I’ve been rock climbing since I was 8 years old. Mountain climbing is a true passion of mine, even though since becoming a mom I haven’t really had time to train at the gym. I mostly do it during vacations, and I hope to pass on this love of nature and outdoor sports to my daughters.”

“In Paris, to clear my mind, stay strong, and keep my energy up, I do Pilates and strength training. I also get around exclusively by bike. And then there are the meals I share with my loved ones. I was born in a restaurant—my parents are restaurateurs—and the pleasures of the table hold a very special place in my heart.”

Your jewelry is the perfect way to add light and radiance to your complexion. In your opinion, which makeup products are the ideal companions to go with it?

“It’s funny you should say that, because my mom always told me, ‘You don’t need makeup when you’re wearing colorful clothes and jewelry—that’s makeup enough.’ In the summer, I almost never wear makeup. I have dark skin and tan very quickly. In the winter, I wear it a little more often, but always very lightly: a bit of bronzer, blush, and tinted lip balm. When I go out, I sometimes wear brown mascara, too. I find that too much makeup can sometimes make my features look harsher.”

By the way, what pieces of jewelry do you wear every day?

“I almost always wear earrings. Right now, I’m only wearing silver. I find this colour luminous—perhaps even more so than gold, contrary to what people often think. I also like to stack chunky rings.”

You proudly show off your hair. What does that say about your relationship with yourself today?

“I wouldn’t say I proudly show them off, but they’re a part of me, and I don’t feel the need to hide them. I started getting gray hair around age 20, so I’ve never really associated them with old age. I think they brighten up my face—a bit like a piece of silver jewelry.”

And today, how do you feel about the passage of time and the changes it brings?

“All right. I truly love my life as an adult woman and a mom. Of course, I sometimes feel nostalgic for the carefree days of my youth, but actually, that doesn’t happen very often. I’ve never really had a hard time accepting the passage of time. Well, there is that frown line that’s starting to show, and I hate it because it makes me look stern—which isn’t really like me at all!”

You're a mom of two—do you think motherhood has changed the way you take care of yourself?

“Of course. My body changed a lot during my pregnancies. In particular, I lost a lot of weight and muscle mass, and I didn’t handle it well. Learning to reconnect with your body after pregnancy and accepting that it won’t be quite the same anymore are steps you have to take.

“Motherhood has also taught me to conserve my energy and maintain my balance during a time in life when we give so much to others.”