Payot cosmetics started with the vision of one of Europe's first female dermatologists in the 1920's. Dr Nadia Payot was born on the port city of Odessa towards the end of the 19th century, later moving to Paris and establishing the Payot Institute on Rue de Castiglione. Her great insight was that while fit bodies remain well-toned through the ageing process, faces succumb to wrinkles and sagging skin. She then sought to devise a series of facial exercises that would have the same effect as a gym workout has on the face. Inspiration came from the delicate grace of the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova and she developed a 42-movement routine of facial massage coupled with skin care formulations and relaxation. The fame of the Institute soon spread by word of mouth and today it remains one of the icons of beauty therapy.