Slow beauty is the new clean beauty. There, I said it. Over the past few years, we’ve made a huge shift in our beauty habits by transitioning to clean beauty brands and cruelty-free products. And while that’s all well and good for us personally (and the bunnies), now it’s time to look at slow beauty.

What is slow beauty?

It’s fairly self-explanatory, just like when we think of the term “fast fashion.” I like to think of it also in the way we think of “slow living” and “slow food.” Slow beauty is a rapidly growing pocket of the beauty industry that refuses the “quick fix” and invasive products and procedures commonly found in the beauty world. Instead, slow beauty believers are drawn to the holistic approach with a focus on wellness and true skin health from the inside out.

There’s no shortage of beauty products on the shelves. In fact, some could say the industry is oversaturated and overcrowded. We’re constantly faced with products claiming to “revive,” “rejuvenate” and “fix” our skin and hair products. But these products don’t offer sustainable solutions. Slow beauty is a gentler and kinder alternative to the current trend for harsh and invasive aesthetic fixes that promise immediate results. It’s important to take the time to choose what products to buy. Slow beauty encourages us to think about what we really need from a product and make informed decisions on what we put on our skin.

Less is best

While shopping consciously is great, cutting back your shopping is even better. After all, buying new things is never entirely sustainable. And while buying secondhand or vintage doesn’t apply for beauty, a streamlined approach is possible.

Thanks to those overcrowded shelves, we’ve all become used to the 10-step skincare routines—but with slow beauty, you actually focus on quality over quantity. It puts an emphasis on the essentials—and slowing down your beauty routine can help you rediscover the value in the products you buy and use. It’s always tempting to jump on the next beauty trend, but just like slow fashion, slow beauty is about only buying the staple beauty products.

It takes time

Taking time out for yourself is not only part of slow beauty, but also essential for your overall wellbeing. When you are focusing on beauty and wellness from the inside out, give yourself permission to create an environment at home that allows you to indulge yourself. Choose products that you are excited to use! It doesn’t have to take a long time, but a regular skincare ritual is a great start to a healthy pattern.

Mindful consumption

You can’t just buy less “quick-fix” products and call it “slow beauty.” The concept is more about how we take after ourselves and how we feel about ourselves. When we slow down our beauty and skincare, we prioritize our health and wellbeing. It is a change in perspective that encourages a more responsible and healthier standpoint. This can include getting a good night’s sleep, eating a better diet or buying a product, which contains plant-based or vegan ingredients.

Slow beauty is also about taking more time to buy a skincare product and being patient with a product (not expecting overnight miracles, that the marketing hype promises). It is a mindful focus on your skin’s own functions and encourages us to consider what we really need from a product.

Slow beauty rituals to try:

• Dry-brush your body before hopping into the shower
• Try a DIY face mask with fresh ingredients
• Perform a daily acupressure self-massage
• Make a smoothie packed full of beauty-boosting foods

Slow beauty brands we love:

3rd Ritual

I love this set of botanical body lotions. Each one has a different scent and texture meant to be applied during different points of the day and for different grounding rituals. From palm inhalation to Savasana, this set is the epitome of slow beauty. I purchased my set last month and I can’t get enough.

Monastery

Our team can’t get enough of this small-batch San Francisco-based brand. These botanical skincare products are made with the world’s finest plant oils and absolutes. Each time I apply these products, it feels like a true luxury experience. We love everything from Monastery, but highly recommend the Rose Cleansing Oil, Attar Floral Repair Concentrate and Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost.

HiBAR

HiBAR’s solid, salon-quality shampoo and conditioner bars are also free of soap, silicone, sulfates, parabens, phthalates and cruelty. Is there a better way to pay tribute to slow beauty than by being kind to Mother Nature?

Loli

This indie beauty brand has reimagined every aspect of skincare, from its cruelty-free formulas to its minimal packaging. It goes by the ethos of being zero-waste, natural and completely customizable—giving you the personalized, sustainable routine that your skin will thank you for. Try our favorites: Blue Cornflower Micellar Water, Tea Seed Elixir Serum, Chia Carrot Brûlée Moisturizing Balm.

Codex

This beauty brand embodies slow beauty with its clean beauty products backed by science. If you are someone who needs data and facts to encourage your purchases, Codex is a great brand for you to try.  

Vintner’s Daughter

Vintner’s Daughter only sells two products, the Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical Serum. For skincare minimalists, these products are ideal. They are pricey, but they pack a punch and will last for a long time.

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