Words | Sandhya Chipalkatti
Sothys Paris, the luxurious French beauty brand, was launched in India this April. Founded in 1946, the Mas family acquired it and grew it into a global beauty brand. I met Christian Mas, President of Sothys Paris, during their launch at the HBS 2025 Show and spoke with him about the brand and their plans for India.
Sandhya Chipalkatti: Tell us about the brand Sothys.
Christian Mas: Sothys is a heritage beauty brand in France. It was founded in 1946 and will complete 80 years next year. It is from the new wave of French beauty of the 60s, and was a small company in Paris, when my family bought it. Little by little, my father worked hard, moved the factory and laboratory (we do everything in-house) to the South-west of France, where the family origins are and made it the big brand it is now.
SC: Which specific range of products are you launching today?
CM: Our partners wanted us to focus on Sothys’ strengths. So, focusing on the face first, we are launching our iconic products, e.g. the Sothys Desquacrem originally launched in the 60’s and evolving continuously, our Hydrating products, Institute treatments and Brightening Treatments.
SC: Are your products suitable for clients across the world?
CM: Yes, of course! There is certainly a difference between global skin and Caucasian skin. But being in the market for so long, we have the expertise to create formulations for different skin types and different textures of formulations that can adapt to different weather conditions. We have extensive experience in SE Asia, where our products are doing very well.
SC: Is there a certain Sothys treatment protocol?
CM: Yes! As it is a professional brand, everything starts from the treatment room. Treatment comes first, and retail comes after that. This is our philosophy. We have a laboratory with 30 employees, of which 2 are therapists who have their own treatment rooms, where we develop the protocols. So it’s really a step-by-step for developing specific protocols for each treatment – from the succession of products, the therapists’ manoeuvres…. to the result.
Therapists deliver the treatment to the client, and if they are trained well, the treatment and product will work magic. That is the beauty of our job. I always say, 50 per cent of the success is the brand, and 50 per cent, the therapist.
SC: What is the secret of the success of Sothys?
CM: I think what differentiates the brand is, first of all, that it’s a family company. This makes us think long-term, and that’s why we have been in the industry for so long, following an ethical approach. Secondly, our laboratory and our capacity to evolve. We launch 30 – 50 formulae every year, and we listen to our distributors with attention. We have spas work with us for 20 years, and therapists who have worked with us for 20 years too.
If Sothys did not innovate, they would change their brand! That’s the secret of success- to be the same brand, but keep evolving the product offering.
SC: What is the future of beauty given the AI and technology disruption?
CM: In product offering, in Europe, there has been a push towards organic. Then there are cosmeceuticals, and the push towards AI and machines is becoming stronger and stronger. So, I am sure it will come in some way. But I feel machines will never replace the beautician, but they can complement.
AI will be interesting if used wisely. It can be fantastic as support to skin diagnosis, etc., which we are working on. I feel it’s best if the skin is tested by AI tools and checked by humans. That, for me, is the difference between a professional brand and a retail-oriented brand.
SC: Can technology adoption go hand in hand with the emerging consumer demand for wellness?
CM: The customers today want everything – organic, at the same time super effective – efficient, almost medical, but also wellness oriented! But yes, the trend is certainly moving towards wellness, and it’s good. It is the fundamental core of our work.
SC: Do you see Sothys in Clinics, as they do beauty treatments now?
CM: Today, Salons view Clinics as competitors. But in fact, they could work together for the benefit of their customers. A beautician cannot take a doctor’s place. We may work with clinics and will have to check with doctors. They understand as well that they will retain their customer better if they do wellness and beauty care too.
SC: You launched Sothys at the HBS 2025 Show. How was your experience?
CM: I’d like to say I’m quite impressed. It is a very professional show, at the level of what we see in Europe. I didn’t have any expectations, but it’s a great show. I was impressed by the quality of the visitors. It is interesting to see that the key players in hair and beauty are here.
SC: Is there any message you’d like to give now that you are launching in India?
CM: We are really happy to be here! We are very happy with our partnership with Absolute Beauty Concepts and excited to see what will happen in the coming years in India with Sothys, because we think that the market in India is ready now.
I feel it’s best if the skin is tested by AI tools and checked by humans. That, for me, is the difference between a professional brand and a retail-oriented brand.
Salons view Clinics as competitors. But in fact, they could work together for the benefit of their customers.
