Bathroom Talk with Estée Lalonde, Founder of Mirror Water

The Mirror Water Selection

Vendor

Titre du produit

Vendor

Titre du produit

Vendor

Titre du produit

What is your definition of wellness and self-care?

A lot of people think wellness is 6 am workouts, overpriced green smoothies and unrealistic routines. I personally find the world of wellness to be overwhelming and oftentimes leads to me feeling even worse about myself which is the opposite of what the wellness industry should be about.

To me, wellness and self-care mean approaching life thoughtfully and deliberately. It means listening to your intuition and taking time to prioritise yourself, whatever that might look like for you. There are no hard and fast rules to wellness, but in general, my personal aim is to be more present and to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. There are many highs and lows in life and it’s important to go through the ebb and flow of emotions that comes with that.

How did your wellness philosophy influence the creation of Mirror Water?

I grew up in Canada, so I always leaned on the healing power of nature to help calm my nerves and help make me feel grounded. I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression since I was young and it’s taken me years to understand that side of myself. I’m someone who needs a lot of time on my own to help regulate my emotions and taking time to rest and relax is something that’s a non-negotiable for my own mental health. I’ve noticed that when I don’t make time to unwind, I feel unbalanced and disconnected from myself.

I know I’m not alone in this feeling and with life being more stressful than ever, it can be incredibly difficult to switch off. Taking a long, hot bath always brings me incredible comfort - it’s my own personal space to hold a mirror up to my day, week, month and even year to reflect on how I’m truly feeling. The comforting warmth of the water instantly makes my body relax and I crave letting go in that way at least on a weekly basis. Bathing is a manageable act of self-care that can be incorporated into my week and I can confidently say that I have never regretted having a bath.

What are your current Mirror Water favourites?

The Mirror Water Smooth Body Oil will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s our best-selling ultra-nourishing body oil that’s adored by so many. With the Smooth Body Oil, I wanted to create the non-greasy body oil of my dreams, combined with grounding, yet uplifting essential oils like bergamot and vetiver. It’s hard to describe how good it smells without trying it for yourself! We recently brought out a mini version - perfect for travel!

Why body care rather than skincare or makeup?

Working in the beauty industry for almost 15 years has allowed me to use a lot of different types of products. I love makeup and skincare, but for me body care and bathing is something special. It’s unique because it’s something to enjoy just for yourself.

I know that whenever I’m struggling with my mental health, the tub is my ultimate place to switch off and unwind. It’s a healing space for me and I wanted to create the Mirror Water world to let people know that they are not alone.

When I think back to the pandemic (which is when I started working on Mirror Water), I was in the bath every single day. That period has helped me make that connection between my journey, my interest in community, connection, and mental health, and my belief in the power of bathing and connecting with your body.

Why did you put mindfulness at the heart of your brand?

There’s a stat I read recently that states that 56% of young adults say they experience stress most days. I know what this feels like and I’m starting to appreciate that maybe there’s a way we can live that doesn’t involve being this stressed.

The tide is turning within the beauty industry - and we’re no longer focused on the surface level. I wanted to create a wellness brand that ventured below the surface. Mirror Water is leading the way within the emotional body care space, redefining body care as an essential aspect of self-care where nurturing our bodies is synonymous with well-being.

In creating Mirror Water, I recognise our products aren’t a cure - but I want to encourage people to prioritise themselves and emerge feeling a little better. Mirror Water is here to help you take the edge off.

How do you make sure to dedicate time for yourself?

It truly is difficult, but I have worked for myself for a very long time and have figured out what works for me. Firstly, I really try not to work on weekends, which is hard with so much going on, but I’ve got to practice what I preach for the sake of my own sanity! Most weekends you’ll find me taking my rescue dog Effie for long forest walks, taking yoga classes and definitely enjoying long soaks in the bath.

I also go for walks in the morning, noon and evening with my dog, so during the workweek, it’s an amazing excuse to get out of the flat and into the world. I enjoy stretching, so I make a point to do some stretches beside my desk throughout the day, which always helps me feel refreshed. I also love meeting up with my friends over a glass of wine in the evenings (not every day), but I am a huge lover of good food and conversation.

What’s in the future for Mirror Water?

I wish I knew! The journey of launching Mirror Water two years ago has been so incredible. I have learned a lot about myself and I’m excited about the future of the brand. I would love to create some bespoke massage treatments with our body oil and we have some exciting product launches very soon. I’m also interested in building out the articles on our website to become a hub of wellness resources.

Discover Mirror Water