The concept of elevating everyday routines through superior craftsmanship finds its most compelling expression in the workshops of Altesse Studio. This French manufacturer has spent 150 years perfecting the precise art of brush making, developing techniques that transform a simple grooming tool into a carefully engineered wellness instrument.
Founded in 1875, the company operates as one of the world’s last remaining handcraft brush manufacturers, maintaining methods passed down through generations. Their recognition as a Living Heritage Company by the French government in 2017 acknowledges not merely their longevity, but their continued innovation within traditional frameworks. Each brush emerges from their workshops bearing the hallmarks of genuine artisanal production: individually shaped olive wood handles, precisely tensioned natural bristles, and ergonomic designs that follow the natural curves of hair strands.
Decoding the French Formula for Hair Perfection
The company’s approach to brush construction centres on the meticulous tufting technique, where natural boar bristles are inserted into each brush head with exact tension, spacing, and angle calculations. This precision engineering produces demonstrable outcomes: clinical testing of their Repair & Shine Brushes shows 94% of users experienced smoother hair with reduced frizz, whilst 92% reported enhanced shine and 87% noted improved sebum distribution across their hair length.
“We are proud to perpetuate an ancestral know-how and to use the best possible raw materials as these are the key elements to craft effective brushes that bring genuine benefits to hair and body.”
Julia Tissot-Gaillard, CEO at Altesse Studio
These results stem from the unique properties of boar bristles, which share keratin composition with human hair. The fibrous structure enables natural oil distribution from scalp to tips, providing nutrition and protection whilst promoting shine. For their Detangling Brushes, bio-sourced nylon fibres are specifically selected for their ability to separate strands without tension or breakage.
The Science Behind Zero-Waste Luxury
Environmental responsibility forms a cornerstone of their manufacturing philosophy, this commitment manifests through practical application in their products. The olive wood selected for brush handles originates from trees too aged for olive production, giving this material renewed purpose. Each handle receives individual shaping, creating unique grain patterns whilst the natural linseed oil finish ensures longevity.
The production process is designed for minimal waste, with wood chips from manufacturing repurposed as fertiliser for local farms. Packaging is crafted from recycled plastic and thoughtfully designed as durable travel cases, offering lasting use beyond the point of purchase. Each case includes detailed guides on brushing techniques, hair type compatibility, and care routines to ensure users maximise the benefits of their grooming ritual.
Why Global Luxury Brands Choose This French Atelier
The organisation’s reputation within luxury markets stems from partnerships with established names including Kérastase, Leonor Greyl, Prose, Alexandre de Paris, L’Officine Universelle Buly, and Galeries Lafayette. These collaborations demonstrate the company’s ability to meet exacting standards across diverse luxury segments, from high-end salons to department store concessions.
Their brush collections address specific hair requirements through targeted design approaches. The Beauté Collection offers three distinct models: Gentle Detangling Brushes utilising bio-sourced nylon for pain-free separation, Repair & Shine Brushes featuring carefully calibrated boar bristles for oil distribution, and Brushing & Shine Brushes incorporating varied bristle heights for enhanced blow-drying efficiency.
Beyond Hair Care: The Wellness Revolution
Recent developments have seen the company extend their expertise into body care through collaboration with lymphatic drainage specialist Rebecca Trévalinet. This partnership produced the Vitalis Body Brush, available in Standard and Sensitive variations to accommodate different skin types. The collaboration addresses a documented gap in the body brush market, where products typically prove either insufficiently effective or excessively abrasive.
The body brush incorporates the same olive wood construction and precision tufting techniques, adapted for lymphatic stimulation rather than hair care. Trévalinet’s expertise in lymphatic drainage informed the bristle selection and handle ergonomics, creating a tool capable of supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes whilst maintaining skin comfort.
Each brush arrives with detailed protocols developed through months of testing and refinement. The approach emphasises technique over frequency, with specific guidance for morning energising sessions and evening relaxation routines. This methodical approach reflects the company’s broader philosophy of transforming routine activities into purposeful wellness practices.
The pricing structure begins at £210 for Beauté Collection pieces, with Prestige Collection brushes at £395 and the Vitalis Body Brush at £160. These prices reflect not merely the materials and craftsmanship involved, but the longevity expected from properly maintained pieces. The company positions their brushes as lifetime investments, designed for intergenerational use whilst maintaining performance standards throughout extended periods.
With a legacy spanning one and a half centuries, each hand-crafted piece reflects the meticulous standards that have defined the brand over generations, making these tools a refined addition to any considered wellness ritual.
Their brushes are available through the Altesse Studio website and select retailers including The Beauty Edit Mayfair, The French Pharmacy in London and John Bell & Croyden.