By Faith Cummings
One of the first areas in our lives to take a hit when we get busy is our beauty routine. From throwing on a quick face just to look presentable for a virtual conference call or a mad dash out of the door to forgetting to wash our faces before slumber hits, the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day can sometimes make it impossible to use all the products we love if they’re not covering more than a few bases.
Divya Gugnani and Lindsay Ellingson know what it’s like to juggle, being a serial entrepreneur and supermodel, respectively, as well as being mothers. This is why they joined forces to create Wander Beauty, which offers up beauty essentials formulated from clean ingredients that multitask with the best of them. An eyeshadow that features both a cream color and satin-shimmer powder, an on-the-go stick that showcases both a blush and highlighter, and a cleanser that doubles as both a shampoo and body wash are just some of the hardworking collection highlights.
“We will continue to see beauty and beauty representation move away from perfection and into reality which encompasses all ages, genders, and ethnicities.”
The ingredients are doing the hard work as well, as all Wander Beauty products are cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and free of mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance. Plant-derived squalane, niacinamide, and castor oil are just a few of the powerhouse ingredients that help get the job done. And by done, we mean done to perfection!
GET TO KNOW – DIVYA GUGNANI AND LINDSAY ELLINGSON
What was the impetus to start your brand?
Divya + Lindsay: We were constantly time-starved and on the go. We needed fuss-free, foolproof beauty in motion so we launched Wander Beauty. We create clean beauty essentials you reach for every day, wherever you wander. Our multitaskers streamline your routine so you can spend more time doing the things you love.
Do you have a beauty philosophy? What is it?
Fewer, better beauty essentials. Fewer because all of our products are multitaskers that save you time and space. Better because everything is clean and created with globally-sourced ingredients that work with your skin, not against it. And lastly, we focus on just the essentials because we know people are busier than ever and need products with minimal effort and maximum results.
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now?
Divya: I was born in Springfield, Illinois, grew up mostly in Long Island, New York, and now live in New York City.
Lindsay: I grew up not far from Palm Springs, California and now live in Brooklyn.
What were some of your first memories of beauty growing up? What are some early beauty influences?
Divya: When I was growing up and starting to struggle with acne, my mom would never let me buy Neutrogena and Clearasil like all my friends. Instead, she wanted me to rely on the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of neem. Now as a mom of two, I do a lot of DIY treatments with my kids including milk face masks and egg hair masks.
Lindsay: I was a dancer growing up so my earliest memories were of doing stage makeup. I loved doing my makeup before competitions. We would glue on eyelashes and rhinestones and the makeup was pretty heavy but I learned so many tips and tricks. When I started modeling, I spent countless hours in the makeup chair where I developed such a passion for beauty and learned so much from the best artists around the world.
What does self-care look like in your life?
Divya: I practice transcendental meditation twice a day. It helps me manage stress and helps me focus on my daily tasks. I also love to swim and do streaming workouts, but nothing is as satisfying as a great at home facial every Sunday!
Lindsay: As a new mom, I feel like the best version of myself when I am rested and eating healthy. I go to bed at 9:30pm so that I can get the max amount of sleep. I also eat lots of nutritious and hearty foods to keep me energized and feeling great.
What inspires you most about the beauty landscape and industry today?
It’s amazing to see so many indie brands grow rapidly and achieve critical market share. It speaks to the shift in consumer preferences and how purchasing a product from a brand is a reflection of that consumer’s values.
What has been the biggest win thus far?
Divya: I love to see the incredible feedback from our community. Having over 70K posts using the #wanderbeauty hashtag speaks to the diverse community that is reaching for our clean beauty essentials every day.
Lindsay: Winning 6 Allure Best of Beauty Awards is something I am so proud of. All of the editors at Allure are beauty experts so it’s such a coveted and respected award to receive.
What would you like to see more of in the beauty industry when it comes to diversity and inclusivity?
Beauty is about feeling confident in your own skin. I think we will continue to see beauty and beauty representation move away from perfection and into reality which encompasses all ages, genders, and ethnicities.
