Schön! alive 2 | impressions

image. Sky Lagoon. Courtesy of Pursuit | LOB Name

Imagine a place where vibrant creativity meets natural wonders and where ancient traditions are interwoven with innovative modern practices. As well as being Iceland’s business and cultural hub, Reykjavik is the perfect spot to discover a dynamic array of unforgettable wellness experiences, either within the picturesque city streets or just a stone’s throw from town.

the treatment | BIOEFFECT Glacier Glow

Step into a world where Icelandic science meets pure indulgence. BIOEFFECT, the brainchild of three visionary scientists, began with a breakthrough: bioengineering a plant-based replica of human Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). This patented process, using barley grown in geothermal greenhouses, creates potent cellular activators that trigger your skin’s renewal. The result? A brand whose science is as extraordinary as its luxury.

Situated in the serene embrace of The Reykjavik EDITION hotel, the BIOEFFECT Glacier Glow facial is more than a treatment – it’s a rejuvenating ritual. Targeting the five core causes of skin aging, it leaves you glowing, restored and visibly renewed.

Afterwards, wander to the BIOEFFECT store on Hafnarstræti for a state-of-the-art Skin Analysis and to stock up on the award-winning EGF Serum. It’s a must for anyone seeking to boost collagen and elastin for skin that looks – and feels – healthier than ever.

image. BIOEFFECT Glacier Glow facial

the restaurant | Matur og Drykkur

Nestled alongside the Saga Museum, this vibrant yet unpretentious restaurant promises to redefine your expectations of Icelandic fare. Here, visionary chefs transform the timeless heritage of traditional cuisine by infusing it with bold modern techniques and unexpected flavours, crafting unforgettable menus that mirror the rhythm of the seasons. Passionate about sustainability, they collaborate closely with local farmers to source the freshest, most exceptional ingredients the country has to offer. Renowned chef Gísli Matthías Auðunsson draws on the wisdom of historians and farmers, breathing new life into ancient recipes, many once thought lost to time.

Matur og Drykkur’s commitment to tradition – whether foraging wild seaweed and Arctic herbs or championing ethical, seasonal eating – embodies a progressive, deeply meaningful response to the challenges of the modern food world.

image. Matur og Drykkur

the scent | Fischersund

Fischersund is a family-run art collective with an exceptional perfumery attached, offering immersive experiences that include addictive perfumes, scented concerts and visual arts to facilitate its creative storytelling.

Fragrance invokes such nostalgic memories in all of us, and the brand’s six perfumes are created by one of the four self-taught siblings who started it. No.23 was the first of these and bottles the scent memory of their father working in the harbour, from the tobacco to the salty air. The latest addition to the range is No.8, a beautifully balanced scent of flower stalks, tart rhubarb, bergamot, orange cake, asphalt and Sitka spruce, evoking the freedom of childhood summers. Its warmth and happiness will transport you back to your youth. It’s no wonder this brand has garnered a cult following. 

image. Fischersund

the installation | Höfuðstöðin

Höfuðstöðin is described as Reykjavik’s living home of imagination and with the permanent, multi-sensory art installation ‘Chromo Sapiens’ by Shoplifter, you can see why. The rooms of this exhibit seem womb-like and start with what could be described as an open-eyed meditation. The visceral, riot of an art piece is an astonishing experience that triggers emotional reactions, but ones that leave you joyous and at peace when you emerge. Afterwards, you can paint your own version of ‘Chromo Sapiens’ before enjoying a moment of contemplation in the beautiful café.

image. Chromo Sapiens by Shoplifter at Höfuðstöðin

the skincare | Villimey

Villimey is a certified organic skincare range which is deep-rooted in Icelandic healing traditions that have been passed down through generations. The mineral-rich soils of the untainted Westfjords produce wild herbs that are hand-picked for use in the brand’s small batch balms. From a young age, founder Adalbjörg Thorsteinsdóttir was fascinated by the nature that she grew up surrounded by and the healing abilities of plants. She created her first balm – the Muscle and Joint Healing Salve – from her kitchen table in 1990. It’s effective on sore muscles, tired legs and inflammation, and even growing pains for teens, and was the start of a thriving range of balms, ointments and apple cider vinegars infused with herbs.

image. Villimey

the spa | Sky Lagoon

With its noteworthy architecture nestled against the wild North Atlantic Ocean, Sky Lagoon is bound to make an impression, and yet this geothermal spa is just moments away from downtown Reykjavik. The philosophy it carries at its core is to take guests on a journey through the fascinating and ancient Icelandic bathing culture. There are options to suit all budgets, but the ultimate experience is The Ritual. While repeated transitions from warmth to cold leave your mind calmed and refreshed and your skin glowing, these are greatly helped by cocktails from the Gelmir Cave bar next to the lagoon. If you can, try to visit around sunset as the experience of watching this from the comforting cocoon of the thermal waters is something you do not want to miss.

image. Sky Lagoon. Courtesy of Pursuit | LOB Name

words. Emma White Turle + Amy Irving

Aēsop Immaculate Facial Tonic

The winter months are well upon us. Grooming, in this season of shorter days and more intense weather, is less about transformation and more about rhythm – celebrating the beauty of small rituals that keep the senses feeling awake, looked after. It’s the gestures and products that make you feel like there is an anchor to the day, and always come with a bit of pleasure added in. Where better to look for inspiration, than the frontrunners and innovators in the realm of men’s beauty? Looking through seasonal releases, it’s clear that masculinity is leaning into that self-kindness: these are textures that cajole rather than smoulder, perfumes that accompany rather than shout. The boutique brands that cater to the men’s routine are all about intimacy and personality, bringing a sense of craft and precision to the art of grooming rather than following trends and tendencies. From artisanal historical houses, to those reinventing what masculinity is all about, this Schön! Alive guide hones in on what makes 2025 such a fascinating panorama for grooming.

L’Artisan Parfumeur | Histoire d’Orangers Extrême

Our first seasonal coup de coeur is from L’Artisan Parfumeur with their return to the beloved orange blossom? This Extrême edition is a beautiful, poetic tribute to the sun – to keep it with you during the long months of cold. Histoire d’Orangers Extrême deepens the original’s composition, infusing it with a pink pepper sparkle and a hint of cedar. This bottle, created by perfumer Marie Salamagne, balances contrasts that Schön! feels are perfect for the dark, melancholic streets of Paris in winter: the memories of summer, of sun-kissed walks, accompany you with suggestions of blooms and the powerful bitterness of orange blossom. Bring this poetic infusion that glows and smoulders to your seasonal favourites. 

Discover the L’Artisan Parfumeur perfumes here.

Aēsop | Skin Care+ Rituals

Skincare is safe in the hands of Aēsop, with formulations that provide all the indulgence and effective care needed for a solid grooming routine. For winter months, Lucent Facial Concentrate is Aēsop’s lightweight answer to deep hydration – an aqueous serum enriched with vitamin C and sodium carrageenan to brighten, tone and bring sustained moisture to the skin, without weight or shine. This is an ideal component for anyone who avoids heavy creams. Paired with Immaculate Facial Tonic – a gentle, daily resurfacing toner and smooths texture through a soft enzymatic exfoliation, this is a routine for men with a sense of precision. Combined, these Aēsop products creates noticeable refinement over time: the result is skin that simply looks well cared for. Top it off with the brand’s signature blend of rose, sandalwood and frankincense, and you have a ritual catering for a sensual but never showy man. Aēsop provides skincare tools for anyone who appreciates the quiet pleasure of good ingredients used well.

Discover the Aēsop range here.

Horace | Everyday Rituals, Elevated
Having revolutionised the grooming scene, Horace is continuing a quiet but confident takeover of the bathroom shelf with down-to-earth essentials that actually really, really work. In the fragrance realm, Vetiver Primavera arrives as a fresh, green-leaning eau de parfum – humble but confident. For winter, the new Horace lip balm is the perfect companion to keep hydration high during winter, while the compact, eco-conscious Mandarin Vetiver balm is your hands’ biggest friend for cold winter weather. A particularly chic addition to these staples is the collaboration with MoMA Design Store, which marks Horace’s U.S. debut. These co-branded soaps and hand washes are scented with soft woods, sage, citrus and musk. A wildly sensory addition to your routine that feels so honest that it’s like having a daily friend you can trust. Anywhere you go.

Discover the Horace range here.

Altesse | La Brosse d’une Vie
At Altesse Studio, savoir-faire has been handed down through generations. This is a house that enhances your rituals with heirlooms. As the last French family brushmakers, Altesse is a house that crafts each olive-wood tool by hand using natural and upcycled materials. Your grooming rituals, with Altesse, are designed to last a lifetime, not a season. For the beard bearers, Schön! suggests the signature 2-in-1 hair and beard brush turns grooming into something slower and more intentional. Caring for your facial hair with Altesse means curating natural gloss with each stroke. This is the kind of quiet luxury that we stand for: quality that resists the passing of time, and brings artisanal excellence to your everyday.

Discover Altesse here.

Dries Van Noten | Havana Gold
The Schön! team has been fervent admirers of the Dries Van Noten fragrances for years. With the latest release – Havana Gold – the journey is even more atmospheric: tobacco smoke drifting into the sweetness of licorice, with a pulse of amber underneath which brings depth and poetry to the composition. Perfumer Jordi Fernández has bottled the heat of Cuba: with a mise-en-scène that is revealed through tones and sensations, Havana Gold is a sensual, generous, mysterious offering. This is a scent that can be a memory and a dream, a desire and a journey. One thing is sure: its enthralling tones will make you travel. 

Discover Havana Gold by Dries Van Noten here.

Davines | Pasta & Love
When it comes to keeping the summer energy during winter months, you need look no further than Davines. The Pasta & Love Davines line is the perfect way to celebrate the slow-living Italian bon vivant. Inspired by a man who bikes, lingers over espresso, and takes pleasure in the small rituals done well, Pasta & Love has all the basics you need for a daily routine. The expanded range brings the same philosophy to shaving and beard care: citrus-bright notes, refined textures, and bottles designed to be kept, not discarded. Grooming here is not about hiding, perfecting, or performing – it’s all about the joy and energy of love, intimacy and self. Something Davines does so wonderfully.

Discover Pasta & Love by Davines here.

Loewe | The Crafted Collection
With the shift in the house’s creative direction, we also feel like this is the moment Loewe will reinvent beauty. Loewe’s Crafted Collection is the new offering from the iconic house, with an elevated sense of craft. The Crafted Collection is like taking a moment to pause in a perfumer’s atelier. With sculptural glass and granite bottle designs, each fragrance is built around a raw material, expressed with depth and clarity. In terms of sensations and smells, it’s an architectural ode to deep sensations: roasted Vanilla pairs sweetness with oakwood’s intrinsic warmth; Iris Root brings powder and herbaceous green lifted by Timut pepper; Bittersweet Oud shifts between resin, bitter orange zest and sandalwood cream. In the realm of unisex fragrances, these are compositions with ambition, personality and poetry – compositions that feel like objects of study, conversation, and desire. Schön! wholeheartedly approves.

Discover The Crafted Collection by Loewe here.

Dr. Barbara Sturm | Face Cream

The simplest routines are sometimes the best: Dr. Barbara Sturm strips skincare back to what actually matters. For men looking for a grooming discipline that can be done with ease, efficiency, and impact, the Face Cream for Men does all three. Lightweight and quick to absorb, it delivers a clean hit of hydration without residue. Purslane and skullcap – Sturm’s go-to anti-inflammatory heroes – are perfect to calm post-shave irritation and defend against daily stress factors. Using this on a daily basis leaves skin balanced, smooth, and revived. It’s skincare that fits the rhythm of a morning routine, not the other way around.

Discover the Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream For Men here.

words. Patrick Clark

Vila Vita Parc.
Courtesy of Vila Vita Parc, 2023

At Vila Vita Spa by Sisley Paris in Portugal’s Algarve, a different kind of beauty is being cultivated. At its heart is Judith Gerls, Spa Manager and a seasoned physiotherapist. Gerls leads with an approach that is both clinically precise and deeply intuitive.

Her domain is no ordinary spa; it is a sanctuary of 14 meticulously designed treatment rooms, dedicated spaces for osteopathy, physiotherapy and integrative therapies that blend high-tech biohacking with ancient healing wisdom. And yet, it’s not the menu of treatments that defines the Vila Vita Spa experience, but the intention behind them.

“Anti-ageing is both a science and a mindset,” Gerls tells Schön! alive, “It’s about understanding the layers of ourselves, from what we eat, to what we think, to how we care for our skin. When all these layers align, beauty becomes a reflection of balance.”

Seeking that balance is the goal of the Vila Vita Spa by Sisley Paris, located within the acclaimed Vila Vita Parc Resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The spa, which was recently named Portugal’s Best Resort Spa 2024 at the World Spa Awards for the fifth consecutive year, has been heralded as the pinnacle of the global wellness scene, recognised by both industry professionals and wellness devotees alike.

For Schön! alive, we sit down with Gerls to discuss how the Vila Vita Spa is unique compared to others, how they fuse advanced skincare technology with high-performance botanical products and sensorial rituals that go far beyond traditional beauty treatments, and more.

View the full interview and feature now, only in Schön! alive.

Vila Vita Spa by Sisley Paris.
photography. Shawn Fisher
Courtesy of Vila Vita Parc, 2019

Vila Vita Parc Spa.
photography. Shawn Fisher
Courtesy of Vila Vita Parc, 2019

Vila Vita Parc Spa Relax lounge.
photography. Shawn Fisher
Courtesy of Vila Vita Parc, 2019

Get your print copy of Schön! alive at Amazon.
Download your eBook.

words. Kelsey Barnes