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From mantras to meditation, mindfulness to manifestation, Well Intentioned offers an intimate look at how to make space for self-care in meaningful ways, big and small.
When Carolyn Murphy started modeling as a teenager in the early ’90s, there wasn’t a box to easily put her in. Southern born, lithe, and blonde, with high cheekbones and almondine blue eyes, she was neither glamazon, nor grunge waif. She never became a one-name wonder like so many of her contemporaries (Cindy, Linda, Naomi, Kate); but after more than two decades at the top of the industry, hers is a very different kind of singularity. But “All-American” is too lazy an epithet for Murphy, and “Girl Next Door” belies her coolness, which can cut through the camera lens. So, what is it about Murphy that has kept her in-demand at 47, as she celebrates 20 years as the face of Estée Lauder—one of the longest, ongoing beauty contracts, ever? “Throughout my life and my career, I’ve taken what I believe is both a relatable and authentic approach to style, health, and wellness,” she says on a call from southern California, where she relocated with her teenage daughter from Long Island when the pandemic broke out last March. Authentic is an overused word in our current vernacular, but it is accurate when parsing Murphy’s vintage Levi’s–clean skin–raked-back-hair-appeal, especially when it comes to her views on self care. “I’m fortunate that I had a mother who was really influenced by a lot of the food movements happening when I was growing up, going against the grain—literally and figuratively—and cultivating this awareness that we as her children were exposed to,” explains Murphy who was conscious of pesticides and eating seasonally and organic, long before Whole Foods became a nationwide institution. “I’ve dabbled in the woo woo, but to me, it really comes down to balance and being realistic with what I want to achieve.” Here, Murphy reveals how she listens to her body to provide what she needs at any given time. Sometimes, that’s yoga and gratitude (listen to an exclusive guided meditation from Murphy below); other times, “it’s a lot of chocolate. I’m still figuring it out, just like everyone else.”
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