Rooted in Ritual: How MIRROR WATER is Redefining Wellness
What happens when a beauty insider turns her back on the performative side of self-care and builds something softer, slower, and more grounded in real life?
MIRROR WATER founder Estée Lalonde did just that. Born from a deeply personal wellness journey, her brand is a quiet rebellion against the quick-fix culture. In this interview, Estée opens up about creating with intention, the rituals that bring her back to herself, and why true transformation starts far beneath the surface.
MIRROR WATER was born from your own wellness journey. What was the moment you knew you needed to create something tangible from that experience?
I always knew I wanted to create something bigger than just me. I was tired of chasing the next “quick fix” to ease my depression and began craving something more honest and grounding.
I started turning inward, embracing soft rituals like bathing and just... pausing. Having built a community online, I realized I wasn’t alone in that need. Creating MIRROR WATER was about offering something real - something people could reach for when they needed to reconnect with themselves. After a decade in the beauty industry, nothing out there was doing it for me. So I took matters into my own hands!
The brand’s ethos is rooted in softness, reflection, and ritual. How do you personally incorporate those values into your day-to-day?
For me, it’s all about intention. Softness can look like allowing myself to have a slow morning or saying no when I need to rest. Reflection happens during my daily walks in nature, or while I'm lighting a candle in the evening and doing a bit of journaling - even if it’s just a sentence. And ritual... I love a body care ritual. Applying SMOOTH Body Oil after a shower, drinking my favorite tea, tidying my space while listening to a podcast - it’s all part of creating little moments that bring me back to myself.
Many beauty and wellness routines can feel performative. How does MIRROR WATER cut through that noise and offer something real?
I totally get it - open up social media and it’s a whirlwind of 6am workouts, green juices, endless supplements, and routines that feel more like performances than acts of self-care. It’s a lot.
At MIRROR WATER, we’ve always approached wellness from the inside out. We’re not here to sell perfection - we’re here to encourage presence. Our products are about creating space for yourself, for slowing down, tuning in, and reconnecting.
Yes, SMOOTH Body Oil will give you beautifully soft skin and a healthy glow - but more importantly, it invites you to spend a moment with your body. To pause. To be gentle. That’s where real transformation starts - not in the mirror, but within. And I think that message is resonating more and more. People are craving realness, and we’re here for that.
What’s one product in the MIRROR WATER line that feels especially essential right now, and why?
Right now, RUB Solid Balm feels especially essential. It’s the kind of product that brings instant comfort - rich, grounding, and deeply nourishing. I keep it nearby to massage into my temples, cuticles, or anywhere that needs a little extra care. It’s a pocket-sized moment of calm!
What’s inspiring you lately, books, people, feelings?
I always feel inspired by nature, especially during summer walks around London. I love noticing the way the trees shift with the seasons, the wildflowers popping up in unexpected places, the way light filters through the leaves. Even in a city like London, there are pockets of calm everywhere - Hampstead Heath is one of my favourite places. Being surrounded by greenery helps me slow down and reconnect.
To experience the ritual for yourself, shop MIRROR WATER at C.O. Bigelow.