Welcome to The Simple Things, a wellness series dedicated to the routines and rituals that bring a sense of well-being to our daily lives. As the name implies, sometimes it’s not about making seismic shifts in our day-to-day—simple actions can be just as impactful for ourselves and for those in our community. This week, we’re chatting with actress and Guide BeautyChief Creative Officer Selma Blairon her approach to wellness after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, how Guide Beauty reignited her love for makeup, and how she continues to advocate for universal design.
How do you personally define wellness and how has this idea evolved over time?
"In my own search for wellness, I have realized some essentials. Feeling so unwell for much of my life, I could be quite ‘full on’ with attaining physical health in the past. I compartmentalized. I paid attention to the aspects of wellness that would get me feeling physically lighter, like gut cleanses and nutrition—using food as medicine. But it’s been feast or famine not having the stamina because of undiagnosed MS and POTS. Now that I am recovering, I have embraced the physical with the emotional, mental, financial, spiritual, and social [aspects of] wellness.
COVID isolation years have been a mirror, showing me that calming my nervous system really does involve so many areas of wellness. Writing, horseback riding, or even having my service dog as my ever-constant companion, help me focus and breathe. I have lassitude and extreme fatigue, so self-motivating is a challenge. I am proud that I can manage a lifestyle where my animals can give so much comfort and energy, so I can feel supported while raising my son. It took many years and a diagnosis to stop the treadmill of searching behind closed doors. Perspective and wellness are [both] reassuring."
Was wellness something that you were introduced to at a young age?
"My mother taught me personal style and to keep sugar to a minimum, so I at least [had] some foundation of caring for my body. But I grew up in a different time. It was meat and potatoes or [being] vegan, Jane Fonda or aerobics. Now that I have cleared up some lost energy, I have the patience to witness my own imbalances. I need to keep moving or my muscles and joints get quite stiff. I need to eat with care and keep things beautiful or I will rush and eat over the sink, as if I were not worth the effort. I am enjoying taking care of this stalwart frame of mine. It’s been through a lot. I experience grace and self-love now as I’ve grown over the years."
How did being diagnosed with MS in 2018 impact your approach to beauty and wellness?
"I stopped looking in a mirror when alopecia gnawed out my eyelashes on one eye and bald patches took root (or lack of) on my head. So that part of my wellness took a hiatus. Prednisone, chemo, and lack of some taken for granted coordination were a hit to my beauty routine. The effort of even getting out of a bath was too much. When I tried applying makeup, my unruly fingers and blurry vision made long brushes, liquid liner, and eyelash application impossible for me then. That time let me free some ego and embrace being the best I could be as a person."
What does your wellness routine look like today?
"I am in the process of learning rituals that work for me. My wellness routine definitely involves makeup, cleansers, and lymphatic massages to move all the groggy cellular debris that wind up in my jowls. Being outside in the heat during the day is very difficult with my MS. I get very weak, lose some clear speech, and the left leg goes offline. So I must wear a polar products ice vest when riding Mr. Nibbles, my horse, of course. It’s essential, as is [drinking] more water than I ever dreamed of. Learning to keep my movements smaller and more fluid by playing and working on training with my dog is a big part of keeping me moving and grounded.
Little tricks move the needle for me more now. I stopped my constant coffee drinking all day in lieu of this sports tea used by climbers. I have a tablespoon of sea moss jelly every morning and evening. I must swim as much as possible, in the ocean or in my cold pool. [First thing in the morning] I jump in; I need the shock."
Photos: Raul Romo
Has beauty always been something you leaned into as a form of self-care?
"As a teen, a new Chanel lipstick could make a whole summer vacation for me. I have always appreciated the fantasy of drama and allure from a fine beauty product. It was always a comfort zone. Now, everyone with a face seems to be a makeup expert, and it's an overwhelming experience as our skills and abilities leave us."
You joined forces with Guide Beauty as their chief creative officer. How has it been joining the team?
"A friend introduced me to Teri [Bryant] at Guide. I was so impressed with her story and her ability to create tools that have a simple and brilliant universal design. It forced me to get in front of the mirror so I could try out these products, and that said it all to me. I was curious. I saw and felt how my body relaxed when the brush didn’t fly out of my hands from some sudden throw. I could take more time to breathe into it. I adore makeup and I realized I missed looking after myself. I started to wake up more.
There are so many possibilities with the ease of the Guide applicators. It’s groundbreaking to have this new universal design in the beauty space. This is a baby brand, but it packs a punch with innovative design for all—not just those with disabilities. The very act of holding the Guide wand reminds me of possibilities. Knowing that so many will benefit—that feels right."
Have you been able to tap into your own experiences to help inform you in this role?
"I came on to Guide once it was designed and I was so blown away. We are adding to beauty with inclusivity in mind. I’m loving the time Terri and I have together using our faces as swatch tests. We were just looking at new innovations from the lab for lip colors and tubes. [We asked ourselves], can someone open this with one hand? Is this universal for all skin tones? How can we make this simpler? It’s great to get going and discover. We are really in a special place with the brand."
Where do you think there still needs to be progress in terms of creating universally-designed wellness products in today's industry?
"I want to have Guide in the same chic spaces we all love to linger in. I like the idea of collaborations as a way of introducing new products. I want to listen to what we need in this inclusive space and make it better.
You’ve partnered with Google to help build more inclusive and accessible practices in media for the disability community. Do you think similar work needs to be done in the beauty and wellness industry to expand representation, as well as accessibility?
"I partnered with Google to help build the bridge between the full-on ableist world and the rest of us. I see the need for visible ramps. Guide is a visible ramp for makeup application. I want everyone to feel welcome and invited in every area. We don’t want to feel it’s medicine, we want options too. I’m listening. That’s the best wellness plan for myself I bet!"
