Intentionality ||| Mindful Consumption || Sustainability | Self-Care
Offline, she can be found hiking, thrifting, sipping coffee, or geeking out over vintage beauty ads—all while dreaming up ways to make sustainability and self-care more accessible.
How it Started
I used to spend every paycheck on clothes and cosmetics, caught in a cycle of overconsumption that I mistook for self-expression. Growing up, I was teased about my appearance, and by the time I had my own money, I believed that beauty and confidence could be bought. Fast fashion, limited-edition palettes, and trendy pieces filled my closet—but no matter how much I consumed, the insecurity lingered.
Then, in 2009, before sustainable fashion was even a conversation, I came across a CNN article about pollution in the Pearl River. The story laid bare the environmental devastation caused by fast fashion, and for the first time, I saw beyond the marketing and into the true cost of my choices. That article changed everything.
I quit fast fashion cold turkey. I learned to sew, to mend, to appreciate what I already had. Without the constant chase for the next trend, I started discovering myself. Over the past 15 years, I’ve realized I don’t miss the endless cycle of buying and discarding. Instead, I found something deeper: clarity, confidence, and a connection to my values.
Changing my consumption habits changed me. I came to understand that fashion isn’t just about clothing or makeup—it’s about how we live our lives. Every choice, every purchase, every refusal to buy into a system that thrives on insecurity contributes to the life we build. For me, that life is grounded in nature, authenticity, and intentionality. I no longer see fashion as a means to fix myself; instead, it’s a reflection of who I’ve become
Intentionality
Before buying, I ask: Do I truly need this? Why do I want it? Mindful consumption starts with questioning habits, marketing influences, and emotional triggers—so every choice aligns with my values.
Make It Fun
Can I thrift it? Borrow it? Mend it? Prioritizing pre-loved, upcycled, or repurposed goods isn’t just sustainable—it’s a creative challenge. I love thinking like a scientist and engineer, finding ways to repair or reinvent something before buying new.
Use What You Have
Trends—especially in beauty and fashion—are designed to make us buy before something disappears. But I believe in finishing what I own (even if I’m bored with it), getting creative with what’s already available, and resisting the pressure to constantly upgrade.
Time in Nature as an Antidote
Nature is the ultimate reset. The more I’m touching trees, the more I
remember what truly matters—and it’s rarely my physical appearance, the urge to buy something new, or the stress of my to-do list.
Ingredients Over Marketing
Fancy packaging and clever marketing exist to distract us from what’s inside. I always check the ingredients—whether it’s in cosmetics, clothing fibers, or furniture finishes—because transparency matters more than a trendy label.
My Purchasing Pillars
I Believe in..
Not chasing money
Ditching corporate beauty & fashion
Observing product-free days
Using products before buying more
Thrifting, mending & creating
I’m a mom, a doctoral student in health and science communication, an educator, creator, and a community builder. My work is all about helping women rethink beauty, fashion, and home products—not by following trends, but by making choices that align with self-care, sustainability, and well-being.
For years, I bought into the idea that beauty meant more—more products, more steps, more effort. But through my research and personal journey, I’ve realized that less is often better—for our health, our wallets, and the planet.
Meet
Ashlee
Providing simple, science-backed swaps that drastically reduce chemicals in your home and body
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Sharing what I learn in a way that inspires curiosity, not fear
Researching how advertising has shaped beauty and fashion norms—often making them feel oppressive and demanding
I’m into
To me, sustainable living isn’t about buying “green” products or living in fear of every ingredient—it’s about finding balance, making intentional choices, and redefining beauty and wellness on my own terms.
There’s no one approach to conscious consumption, but I hope we can explore together, leave the judgment behind, and build a lifestyle that feels good—one that makes us excited to wake up in the morning.
Ashlee Neumann is a doctoral student at The University of Texas at Austin researching at the intersection of advertising, consumer well-being, and sustainability. With a background in chemistry and STEM education, she investigates how advertising shapes how we see ourselves, and the impacts of chemicals in everyday products on our health.
Passionate about helping women break free from toxic beauty norms, Ashlee creates content that challenges industry narratives and empowers people to make informed, intentional choices. Through her research, writing, and weekly Skinsabbath newsletter, she encourages a shift from overconsumption to a more mindful, balanced way of engaging with beauty and wellness.
