Bold claim: Wellness isn’t a luxury—it's a daily pact with your own pace, even when strength feels scarce. And this is where Cara Delevingne’s approach stands out. In a thoughtful conversation with WWD, the 33-year-old model and L’Oréal Paris spokesperson for Stand Up talks about blending beauty, personal growth, and evolving wellbeing in a way that feels personal and achievable.
After the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Delevingne opens up about her multi-faceted strategy for staying grounded. She describes drawing strength from a blend of self-defense training, breathwork, and deliberate rest, explaining how these practices help her navigate emotional moments and regain balance.
On beauty, she emphasizes removing the pressure and following her own rhythm. Beauty, to her, is a form of self-expression and a meditative ritual when she takes the time to prepare. She shares that getting ready can be less about outward appearance and more about the experience—music, presence, and the small act of choosing a lip color can shift how she feels about a day that might otherwise feel overwhelming. Sometimes, the ritual is simply about enjoying the moment with friends, not about chasing perfection in makeup.
There are days when makeup isn’t the answer for Delevingne. If she’s not in the mood for products, she doesn’t wear them. The decision hinges on how she feels in the moment and on meeting herself where she’s at. When she’s under the weather, Vitamin C takes precedence over concealer, and supplements aren’t a staple—she adapts her routine to how she feels, not to an external schedule.
Her social calendar follows the same flexible logic. If a night in seems right, she may opt out of attending, often signaling early that she might not go anyway. Her honesty helps prevent genuine flaky behavior, keeping expectations reasonable for herself and others.
Yet some wellness constants anchor her day. Each morning, she commits to 10 minutes of breathing exercises and yoga before touching her phone. This ritual wakes her body, stimulates circulation, and sets a calmer tone. She also aims to drink a substantial bottle of water daily to stay hydrated.
Beyond routines, Delevingne highlights the importance of micro-moments throughout the day: pausing to breathe, acknowledging when stress rises, and letting go of negative self-talk. She ends the day by congratulating herself on whatever she accomplished, even if nothing tangible was done, underscoring a fundamental belief: every day lived is a successful day.
This nuanced view challenges the all-or-nothing mindset often seen in wellness culture. It invites readers to consider how small, consistent practices—a few minutes of breath, a brief stretch, and intentional self-check-ins—can accumulate into meaningful wellbeing over time. Do you agree that wellness is more about consistency and presence than about chasing perfect routines? Share your thoughts and practices in the comments.
