Less is More.

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” — Socrates

In fashion as well as beauty, less is more.  I vow I’m not preaching about sustainability (that’s a future newsletter) or encouraging anyone living a maximalist lifestyle to go against their grain.  You do you. 

But within your own parameters – having done the work to know who you are and what you want – when you incorporate a minimalist approach to life, simplicity and less clutter frees your mind for less anxiety and more creativity.  You can wear sequins around the clock and still have a heavily edited wardrobe, not holding onto pieces that no longer serve you.  You can enjoy a skincare regimen and still recognize 10-steps is not only unnecessary but overlapping actual benefits.

More is not more.

Minimalism is asking why before you buy (thanks for this astute quote, Francine Jay).  You don’t need to subscribe to the “does this spark joy” assessment with everything you own, but Marie Kondo — who now admits her own house is messy, and is easier on herself about staunch order — is on to something about why we can’t let go: “…when we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.” 

Letting go is freedom.

Less.

The ridiculous $673 (and now already on sale for $575) Kardashian skincare collection is just one of many brands that should stop us from building a regimen that requires a second mortgage.  Skin (or self) care should not be a part time job. 

Experts tout going from thinner to thickest, and swear by cleanser, toner, serum then moisturizer – with step one being the most important one.  As studies reveal 80% of people wash their face incorrectly, I recently interviewed Cayli Cavaco Reck, the founder of Knockout Beauty and a master of skincare, for this tell-all article in The Quality Edit.  My fave takeaway: “If we are not preparing the skin to receive the product, we have wasted our money.”

And as resident beauty disruptor, Jessica Defino, has heard from skincare pros: “Simplicity is vital when it comes to skincare.”

More is not only not more, but it can also be detrimental.

Even the most fabulous in fashion can benefit from Coco Chanel’s infamous advice: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off” and “It is always better to be underdressed.”  If she were alive today, I am certain she would tell us to edit our wardrobe more often to better see – and wear – what we already own. 

In lieu of Coco, I thrive on advice from Tibi founder, Amy Smilovic, who in addition to being a visionary female founder, guides us to authentic dressing and modern femininity.  Her less is more approach is demonstrated beautifully in her weekly Live Style Class and daily IG stories that utilize her Tibictionary.  Because regardless of your personal style, feeling confident while getting dressed with ease, is what we all seek.  Especially as our bodies shape shift with age.  And stay tuned, as I have learned Amy has a book coming out…

More.

We can all benefit from more free time, peace and stillness – and not just at the harried holidays.  I, for one, avow to start meditating to achieve this trifecta.  As a recovering perfectionist, I find Diana Winston, a former Buddhist nun turned Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, the perfect prelude. Between her books, app and free weekly drop-ins over zoom, there’s something for everyone.

With $16.4 billion in influencer marketing this year (and heading toward a staggering $143 billion by 2030) we can safely say we don’t need more. As we seek to know more – truth, not ad codes – and be burdened less, I rely on incredible start-ups that are as transparent as they are in line with my values.

Enter: Buy Verde. Led by Briana Hart, a phenomenal female founder resolving the age-old question: How can we command greater transparency from brands, and shop only those who hold our same values.  Buy Verde vets partners, working solely with companies that are proven planet friendly, strictly utilize clean ingredients, have ethical production, support (and create) jobs within a specific economy, and combine profit with purpose to give back to the community.  You can shop by values or category, confident there is zero greenwashing.

When we are mindful about what we do, wear and shop for, life is less transactional and more relational. And in connecting with others, more is always more.