Slow living and ease are very rarely at the top of my mind as I go throughout my day. Products are released with the promise of addressing specific concerns and emphasizing prized features, and often, they’re marketed as having to be used in conjunction with yet another product for the full, uninhibited effect. When I’m introduced to a brand, whether or not it stands out to me at first glance, I ask myself the question that serves as the basis for much of my reasoning: Is this something I truly need or merely a product at the height of its popularity? My introduction to the newly launched skincare line Sonsie countered all my hesitation with one word—simplicity.
Sonsie is the brainchild of German-born model and content creator Marie von Behrens-Felipe, whose move to New York City at 21 served as a wake-up call for her multistep and time-consuming approach to skincare. Her skin, suffering at the hands of her constant travel and endless commitments, had definitely seen better days. The solution to her skincare woes lay in her European roots and called for the removal of excess and the simplification of her routine. This, in addition to years of development, led to the June 12 launch of Sonsie. Keep reading to learn more about Marie von Behrens-Felipe and her clean, simplicity-centered skincare brand.
There’s something so clean and effortless about your personal style. How would you describe it? Does the same approach apply to how you approach natural beauty?
Thank you. In most aspects of my life, I prefer simplicity over complexity. Over the past few years, I’ve found more and more beauty in the natural and intuitive parts of my everyday routines—whether it’s how I decorate my home or how I get dressed in the morning.
When I began brainstorming the first ideas for Sonsie, a lot of my motivation was coming from my own needs and desires. I wanted a skincare routine that was simple but impactful. I wanted just a couple of perfect products that would allow me to reset from all of the many-step routines.
To me, simplicity means elegance. I want things to feel easy and minimal but always with a touch of fun.
Sonsie offers minimal, simplified skincare. What inspired the brand, and why did you decide to focus on skincare?
When I moved from Germany to New York at 21, I was working, traveling all the time, and enjoying this new city to the fullest. I was constantly busy and would eat out for every single meal. My skin became stressed and unhappy. I tried to fix it with all the products I had access to due to my work, which in turn made things worse. When the pandemic came, I did a full reset. This meant slowing down, eating clean, and researching the science of skincare and what my skin actually needed.
All these ideas led to Sonsie, and I started working with a chemist to create my dream products: effective formulas that would simplify my routine and that I could use in different ways depending on the season or occasion.
How has your skincare routine changed over time to reflect new habits? Are there any tips and tricks you use for healthy skin?
My routine has evolved over the last few years. I used to try so many new products, and that overwhelmed my skin. Now, I stick to the few things that I really know work for me, even if the routine seems small compared to what other people do. Especially now that I’m pregnant, I am really down to the basics: cleanser, Super Serum, sunscreen, and the Multi Moisture Mask (either as a moisturizer or an overnight mask). It’s all I need at the moment.
What can we expect to see from Sonsie in its first year? Are there any products you especially love?
We are launching with three products, which I selfishly designed for my own needs. The first product that came to life is the Sonsie Super Serum, which moisturizes and calms your skin at the same time. It’s so soft, silky, and nourishing—it gives the most beautiful glow, and I never want to leave the house without wearing it.
Because I have very dry skin, I also wanted a product that provided the deep hydration that my skin craves. The Multi Moisture Mask was initially designed to just be an overnight mask that doesn’t show on your skin and absorbs so quickly that you can put it on the minute before going to bed. We quickly realized that it is also an amazing travel companion on long flights and works brilliantly as a moisturizer on colder days.
The Basic Balm is our third product. I couldn’t find a natural lip balm that had the smooth, long-lasting texture I wanted. It ended up being the most difficult product to develop, but I am so happy with the end result. I bring it everywhere.
European-inspired beauty has been trending recently. Why do you think it has such a heavy influence on the beauty industry?
I agree with this. People are thinking differently about beauty; they want to take care of themselves and realize that a quick fix is not what’s best for skin health in the long-term. I really feel that customers are looking past the filters and editing and care more about living a balanced life.
If you could offer beauty advice (makeup, skincare, fragrance, etc.) to your younger self, what would it be?
Less is more. I know it sounds boring, but I have found it to be so true. Throughout my life, I’ve been drawn to people who look natural and don’t think too much about the way they appear. Other than a good blush and a little something for my eyebrows, I have never used makeup. Skincare, on the other hand, has been an interest of mine since I was a teenager. It got to a point where I simply overdid it and used too many products. My skin was stressed, and I was so tired of the endless steps in my morning and night routines. I came to realize that, in all things, simplicity works best.
What does a balanced lifestyle mean to you, and how is it accomplished?
I believe you need to find beauty in the simple things in life. To me, there is nothing I cherish more than my everyday life at home—my family and routines and all the small habits I find happiness in. It’s truly things like going to the farmers market or on long walks by the lake with my husband and a cup of matcha, buying flowers and making my home look pretty, cooking a beautiful meal with local ingredients.
I have traveled extensively, dined out in so many amazing places, and attended beautiful events for work. I feel so fortunate to have these experiences, yet the older I get, the more I realize that my happiness is at home with my family and the people I love.
And now, a sweet and simple introduction to the brand and its products. “Sonsie” comes from the centuries-old Scottish term referring to maintaining the balance between a healthy inner and outer appearance. The brand is built on three guiding principles—progress over perfection, less is more meaningful, and moments that matter—each a reflection of von Behrens-Felipe’s belief that outer beauty begins with inner well-being. Check out Sonsie’s newly launched products below.
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