Live Out Your French Beauty Fantasy at Camille Albane

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• US Creative Director Nicolas Tisler

The allure of French beauty is irresistible: daily croissants mixed with slender figures, perfectly tousled hair sitting atop effortless yet polished outfits. Now, Boston can partake in that carefree routine with the arrival of Camille Albane on Newbury Street. Boston's European touch is affirmed with this first US flagship of the internationally renowned French salon brand. Parisian-bred US Artistic Director Nicolas Tisler is at the helm, and every stylist is personally trained in the chain's signature razor haircutting, customized color, and cosmetic touch-ups.

Camille Albane practices the balayage technique of painting color onto strands while incorporating a combination of pigment from eight natural hues. To maintain lustrous color, a proprietary Pigma shampoo is mixed for each client as a complimentary take-away. A full product line is also available for purchase, including cosmetics designed by Christopher Picault, the international Dessange makeup artist and ambassador known for his celebrity clientele across the Atlantic.

Alongside its private line, the salon also boasts an Essie nail bar with every shade under the sun plus L'Oreal and TIGI products, rounding out the cosmetics chair and head-to-toe styling repertoire. Twice-annual collections are released for both trend-focused hair and makeup, coinciding with fashion seasons and playing off runway inspirations. We asked Tisler about distinguishing aspect of the French experience, to which he replied:

It's a global beauty ambiance: a friendly touch, the same salon concept with 500 locations around the world. Color is identity for the urban woman. This is a transplant from France, not just a French salon.

Fortunately, that French ambiance is not priced at a premium. With cuts starting at $75, balayage starting at $136, and a mani/pedi at $25/$40, Camille Albane is competitively affordable. On another feel-good note, the salon is donating 10% of all services to The One Fund throughout the month of May.
· Camille Albane Boston [Official Site]