Photo by Gil Anselmi

Caroline Wachsmuth is a Swiss-born, French-speaking, multi-faceted healing artist. A yoga instructor and massage therapist for over 20 years, she is also an athletic trainer, author, and natural-born entrepreneur who creates beauty and lifestyle products. She became a Reiki Master in 2020 and believes that mind–body awareness is the foundation within us—one that requires constant attention and care.

Caroline began her career as a journalist, writing about wellness, psychology, and the art of living. Along the way, she founded an award-winning skincare brand in Paris, which she led for 11 years and which became the first certified organic skincare brand in France. She has lived and worked across three continents and 15 cities, and is now based between Geneva, Cape Town, and Paris.

She is the founder of Apium Lab, an open bureau dedicated to bespoke beauty creation—formulating sensorial experiences, products, and objects. Her mission is to inspire a more connected way of living, surrounded by beauty that nourishes the spirit through scent, texture, ritual, wellness, and thoughtfully crafted pieces.

Photo By Kayleigh Jade Fenwick

Caroline is also the author of Seasons, a beauty book she first released in 2013. Since then, she has published three updated editions, with a brand-new edition and an accompanying ensemble of creations currently in the works for Fall 2026. She also completed a memoir in 2024. Although it is ready for publication, she has chosen to keep it as a personal creative space and source of inspiration.

As a therapist, she believes in the healing power of touch and sees guiding others on their path to transformation as one of her greatest innate strengths.

Photo © @kirstenmuensterjewelry

Collaborations

VIOLETTE_FR

It was in 2017 when my dear friend Violette, as she was dreaming of creating her own brand, asked me “Will you collaborate?” The beauty veteran in me—and, more importantly, my heart—said yes immediately.

The brand launched in April 2021, and I love everything about it. Meet the two formulas I poured my heart and passion into—my babies: Avec Amour, the roll-on fragrance, and Boum Boum Milk, the all-over hydrating spray.

Try them for yourself, and explore the rest of her collection if you haven’t already.

The Friends Collection

CECILE’S ROSE OIL

This bespoke beauty oil was formulated for “Hollysiz”, a French singer and a dear friend of mine. Cécile Cassel was one of the very first—and most genuine—supporters of my previous organic beauty line, Doux me. It felt only natural that her dream product would be the first creation in the CarolineW Friends Collection.

An exquisite bouquet of rose and precious white flowers, this beautiful blend was crafted exclusively for her personal use.

Art direction and illustration by Isabelle Rivoire-Grange.

ELISA’S PERFUME OIL

The second bespoke product of Carolinew Friends Collection was designed for Elisa Sednaoui Dellal, a multi-talented woman who started her career as an actress and model. Today, she devotes herself to her true passions—social entrepreneurship, writing, and public speaking—as the founder of Funatasia.

This perfume oil was crafted exclusively for her personal use. Entirely handmade, each ingredient was carefully selected according to her favorite scents and skincare preferences. Composed of a proprietary fragrance blend of jasmine, tiare flower, and ruby grapefruit, it embodies sensuality, femininity, and warmth.

Special thanks to artist Marcela Gutierrez for Elisa’s portrait.

CATHERINE’S PERFUME OIL

Introducing ‘Mana 28’, the bespoke perfume oil I created for my astral sister Catherine Michiels . We met 30 years ago while working in the publishing industry in Brussels. From there, we each followed our true callings—until one day, she asked me to create a perfume oil that would be entirely her.

I crafted it with so much joy, and it quickly sold out. Think of a subtle blend of rose, poplar bud extracts, lavender, coconut oil, and a touch of Hawaiian magic. The image here captures our sweet Mana at 28—an energy we want to hold onto as a forever inspiration.

A new version is currently in the works. In the meantime, explore her creations or go say hello at her Aix-en-Provence Atelier.

Creation of Doux me

DOUX ME: FIRST ORGANIC CERTIFIED FRENCH BRAND IN FRANCE

For those who don’t know Doux me, I launched the brand in Paris in 2002 with just four face creams. It was the very first organic skincare brand in France to bear the Ecocert label—at a time when Ecocert was only beginning to establish guidelines and standards for certifying skincare and body care.

I quickly expanded the range to 13 products, alongside a beautiful line of aromatherapy body oils used in the Beautyroom, the small eco-spa I created in Le Marais. The brand went on to win several awards, including the Beauty Challenger Prize in 2004 and the Creativity Prize in 2006 at Cosmeeting, the International Beauty Trade Show in Paris.

Our comforting face mask & scrub, as well as the Lotion Mist Make-Up Remover, were named “Best Skincare” in 2010 and 2011 by L’Observatoire des Cosmétiques. I sold the brand in 2012 before moving to San Francisco.

The products were displayed in a one-of-a-kind, fully customized see-through fridge. The idea was to express a new philosophy: that whatever we apply to our skin ultimately enters our body. Storing beauty products in the fridge became a ritual—a reminder to care for our bodies and skin with conscious awareness.

This vision came to life thanks to a French designer Olivier Peyricot.

DOUX ME BEAUTY ROOM

This is the healing sanctuary I created in the heart of Le Marais in Paris. A cosy space where clients could come to experience my custom-made facials, body massages, and energy work. It held so much soul and vibrance. Some clients would even ask if they could stay an extra hour after their treatment to enjoy the space, meditate, or simply sip a cup of tea in peace.

Picture: Coco Amaradeil

DOUX ME CHARM WITH CATHERINE MICHIELS

This is a very special collaboration with my talented jeweler friend Catherine Michiels: a silver charm in which she carved two of my favorite symbols—a lily and a butterfly—coming together as a single pattern, evoking beauty, friendship, and reinvention. It can be worn on any silk cord or chain of your choice. Available on demand.”