MEET SHEL PINK
Lifestyle futurist Shel Pink captured the attention of the spa industry when she founded and launched Sparitual in 2004. With a clear idea of an enlightened consumer in mind, she called them Sparitualists, and created a brand to honor the collective mind, body and spirit.
Can you tell us a little more about your beauty philosophy?
Growing up my mother’s mantra was and still is “health is wealth,” she taught me the importance of reading ingredient labels on beauty care products and she took me to spas at a young age as a place of prevention versus luxury, and made me aware of the importance of a healthy diet and to be aware of toxins in the environment. For me health, wellness and beauty have always been parts of a whole. My beauty philosophy stems from my upbringing to take a holistic approach to beauty and aging. When I went to college I discovered meditation and yoga. At the time yoga and meditation were not so accessible as it is today. When I moved out to Los Angeles I learned about Ayurveda and incorporated many of the Ayurvedic principles into my beauty practice. My beauty philosophy ultimately is about treating the mind, body and spirit from the inside out, and the outside in, and that beauty is unique to the individual. I also believe that we must take care of ourselves in deep and meaningful ways so we are best prepared to care for others and our community.
What are the 4 pillars of SLOW BEAUTY?
Philosophy. Recipes. Rituals. Mapping. In my book I outline what it means to have a philosophical approach to beauty and why that is important emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. In the Recipes and Rituals chapters I explain how to take a seasonal approach to your self-care practice, why that’s important and share many ideas and approaches from various cultures, and teachings that I have been exposed to over the years. In the final chapter, Mapping, I invite readers to map out their seasonal self-care practice in an interactive exercise. Overall, the 4 pillars, when practiced over time, help people to prioritize self-care, and give them tools and resources to nourish themselves in this fast paced world.
How can we incorporate SLOW BEAUTY practices into our lives?
The first step is to have the courage to slow down. We are all racing through our days, and are completely distracted by this 24/7 lifestyle. We don’t know how to “turn off”, and “unplug”, so we need to be intentional about it. In my book I share how to create a self-care itinerary and explain how to slowly incorporate these into your life daily, monthly and yearly. Overtime, these practices become your personal Slow Beauty practice.
Can you give us some resources that have been invaluable for you in your own path to self-awareness and deeper connection?
Meditation, daily self-massage, movement and a vegan diet have been invaluable to for me on this lifelong path to self-awareness and forging a deeper connection to myself. These are the foundational tools and resources in my slow beauty practice and then I weave the other knowledge in seasonally, as needed.
When do you feel you are the truest version of yourself?
After I meditate and clear away the stress that has accumulated I feel grounded, calm and open. These are moments when I feel at one. Being in nature, reading and creating art also give me this same experience of oneness.
A favorite recipe from the book:
I love the seasonal muddled waters. They are hydrating and contain ingredients that are beneficial to the skin, and are very easy to make.
What do you look for when you are shopping for beauty products?
I look for a clean ingredient deck, a good texture and efficacy!
What ingredient(s) have you recently re-discovered and are enamored with?
I’ve always loved Earl Grey tea, the aroma and the taste are delicious. When I researched the benefits of the earl grey tea blend I realized that earl grey tea would make an amazing ingredient in body care products. The blend is a combination of black tea extract, bergamot essential oil, orange essential oil, and marigold extract. Black tea is high in antioxidants, bergamot essential oil helps to reduce stress and anxiety, orange essential oil fights free radicals, and marigold extract is soothing to the skin and senses. We recently launched our Earl Grey body care collection contains an oil salve, body soufflé and teatox sugar scrub. These products are hydrating, and help to reduce inflammation to calm the skin and the senses. The products leave the skin with a healthy beautiful glow!
What is something you are deliberate about?
I am deliberate about my diet. I eat a vegan diet. I am also deliberate about spending quality time with my family and friends. I am also deliberate about my meditation practice. I meditate twice a day for 20 minutes.
What woman epitomizes beauty and grace for you?
I’ve always liked Lauren Hutton. She is a natural beauty, and classic in the way she dresses and presents herself.
What do you draw inspiration from?
Art. I studied history of art and the museum is my temple. I love all types of medium of art and love to know the stories of the artists that create the pieces and the process of how they go about creating. I’m also an avid reader. I draw a lot of inspiration from both fiction and non-fiction topics. And poetry! I am currently enrolled in a poetry class on Rumi, who is so inspirational to me. Rumi’s poetry has this ability to move everything superfluous out of the soul’s way so you can experience a deeper connection with the true self.
What’s your favorite self-care ritual?
Daily self-massage. I’ve been doing this ayurvedic practice for over 20 years and it has so many benefits. It tones the skin, increases circulation, detoxifies, nourishes the skin so it glows, helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
What are some of the social paradigms that you see we would be best to unhook from?
I’ve always believed it is important for women to define their own beauty standards. I’m excited to see the strong social movement to support this. Studies have shown that young girls who are exposed to hyper-sexualized images of women have more anxiety and depression. “sex sells” is detrimental to the health and well-being of young girls, women and to society as a whole. It is so important for us to continue to challenge how women are being portrayed in advertising. It’s important for women of all ages to see healthy, realistic reflections of womanhood.
Favorite morning ritual: Meditation and self-massage with SpaRitual Earl Grey Oil Salve
Favorite bedtime ritual: a cup of traditional medicines organic night night tea with Valerian and a foot massage with SpaRitual body soufflé.
Favorite Hair care tip: The Ayurvedic treatment known as Shirodhara. It simultaneously nourishes the hair and calms the central nervous system.
