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Stepping into Kindred Black’s Brooklyn studio, one enters a curated sanctuary of craftsmanship where shelves lined with vibrant hand-blown glass bottles from international artists catch the golden hour light, inviting a closer look at Kindred Black’s slow beauty treasures. The space remains minimalist and mindful, embodying Kindred Black’s core values of intention and consideration. Kindred Black co-founder Alice Wells explains, “We call our line Slow Beauty because we think that every aspect of one’s beauty regimen should be considered and we need to be connected with the products we use on our bodies.” As pioneers of slow living, Kindred Black weaves this philosophy into every aspect of its brand—from its thoughtful business model to an identity steeped in nature and history.
Alice Wells and her co-founder Jennifer Francis launched Kindred Black in 2015 as a platform for conscious consumerism, with an approach deeply rooted in history. Their recent holiday campaign draws inspiration from The Natural History, a multi-volume opus completed in 77 CE by philosopher and naturalist Pliny the Elder. “We’re big history buffs,” Wells explains. “When we come up with something new, it’s often sparked by an anecdote from ancient times—usually one written by Pliny.” Wells & Francis constantly revisit history for inspiration, from centuries-old botanical traditions like face oils made from Syrian and French plums cultivated during the Crusades to Kindred Black’s modern apothecary glass bottles, hand-blown in homage to 20th-century glassmaker René Lalique. Every element - from historical significance to ingredient sourcing to packaging - is thoroughly considered. By working closely with farmers and herbalists to create the most sustainable slow beauty line, their minimalist approach means each product is made in small batches and is in limited availability. “It’s essential to us that every element is of the highest quality, is the most eco-responsible option we can find, and that the line stays truly precious.”
Extending Kindred Black’s mantra of “love for our mother,” Wells approaches gifting with an eco-conscious mindset. She believes in “only giving someone a present that they actually need or will truly appreciate and cherish, rather than just crossing a name off your list." Thoughtfully chosen, Wells’ gifts are oftentimes small items - a tiny box with even something tinier inside like a shell from a beach trip, a folded note - symbolizing a special connection.
Whether it’s a tiny box or a tiny glass bottle, each is chosen with intention, reflecting a commitment and appreciation for mindful living. Kindred Black embraces a way of life beyond beauty - one where every choice carries meaning and every object is treated with care.
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photography by Xin Wang
1.
BECKY KIM: It was such a treat visiting the Kindred Black studio and seeing where all the magic happens! You and Jennifer have mastered the art of beautiful product photography – I was amazed to learn that you’re the photographer behind the stunning images. What inspires you and how did you develop Kindred Black's distinct visual style?
Alice Wells: Thank you so much for saying so! We shoot everything in natural light and have always been inspired by the crisp shadows and drama of full sunlight, it gives everything a quality that just cannot be replicated in the studio. Everything shines just a little brighter. When we first started KB we had an outdoor “studio” – white boards that I would take around wherever I was working, some days that would be a park, others a parking lot! But my shooting schedule was always dictated by the weather and what was happening outdoors.
When we started it was really important to us that all the imagery be beautiful and shied away from the usual ecommerce photography style. We wanted our website’s storefront and product pages to be equally beautiful. More and more people are doing that now, but in 2015 there was definitely a formula that we found pretty unappealing.
I’m always looking at classic still life imagery, I love Edward Weston’s shells, Mapplethorpe’s flowers. For our more editorial shoots we like to have a theme – this past year’s holiday shoot was inspired by Pliny the Elder’s multi-volume opus, The Natural History, completed in 77 CE. It’s thought of as the world’s very first encyclopedia, and we took that as a jumping off point.
2.
BECKY KIM: If you could collaborate with any artist or craftsperson from history — someone whose work has influenced you — who would it be and why?
Alice Wells: Pliny the Elder! Seriously, he wrote about anything you can think of in the natural world and then some. We’re big history buffs and when we have an idea for something new it’s often born out of an anecdote from ancient times, and it’s often one written by Pliny. How roses were used to scent the body and dried for cosmetics, but also used for sores in the mouth and rectal issues. How whispering into the ear of a donkey cures scorpion bites. He writes of an extinct herb prized by the Romans. This is usually the jumping off point for a new offering. And I’m sure he would have many interesting herbs and flower recommendations for a truly unusual perfume.
And for its bottle – René Lalique. He created some of the most beautiful glass work of the 20th century, often inspired by the treasures of the natural world.
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3.
BECKY KIM: Each of the glasses are individually hand blown and truly one-of-a-kind. Are there any challenges you’ve faced in trying to keep sustainability at the forefront of your brand while maintaining high-quality products?
Alice Wells: We call our line Slow Beauty because we think that every aspect of one’s beauty regimen should be considered and we need to be connected with the products we use on our bodies. We take this approach when working on the line – every decision we make when creating something new is hyper-considered from sourcing the ingredients to how the flower has been used through history, to the design of the glass vessel and the artist hand blowing it, to the waxing of the cork and the printing of the outer cartons. It’s essential to us that every element is of the highest quality, is the most eco-responsible option we can find, and that the line stays truly precious. All of these decisions come with a price tag and that’s the one thing that doesn’t get considered! We never make a decision because it’s going to improve our bottom line. That’s probably the biggest struggle, keeping the costs in a universe that isn’t completely unapproachable while still being able to keep the lights on. It’s tempting to have bottles mass produced overseas or partner with a factory that can scale our formulas, but then it would be a totally different product and one we’re not interested in getting behind.
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4.
BECKY KIM: In line with Kindred Black’s brand ethos, are there any new slow-living beauty or fashion brands you’re loving?
Alice Wells: Ever Amid – the founder, Nadine, worked for years perfecting a family lip balm recipe that is truly healing and nourishing. Like us, she is plastic free and packages in handmade vessels. She has two incredibly considered products: a ceremonial protection treatment for the lips and a lip stain companion to it, and both in precious ceramics.
Alice's Gift Recommendations
Tiny Boxes
$price varies
If you’re friends with me, you’ve probably received a tiny box with something even tinier inside. I like to put something special or symbolic inside like a shell from a beach we traveled to together, a folded up note, a tiny treasure or two.
Seed Talismans
Solid recycled sterling silver bat nut.
$250
Bat nuts, also known as "devil’s pods" are a type of aquatic seed thought to ward off negativity and attract positive energy. They’re really curious looking little objects and do look like tiny bats. Last year, we had our jeweler cast one in sterling silver. It’s such a nice and heavy piece, super satisfying in the hand. It’s a meaningful token, and it’s something you can be sure they don’t already have.
Kindred Black Peppermint Oil
A bracing pure peppermint oil from one of the oldest family run peppermint farms in the US.
$85
It’s one of my favorite things on our line. It’s incredible massaged into the back of the neck on a hot day, especially after a run or a little exercise. You can use it on the temples to help with a headache, put a drop in water for all kinds of stomach ailments, or a few drops blended into a body oil right before bed will make you sleep like a baby.
Milking a Duck
an intimate accounting of Parfet’s journey towards becoming a mother
$48
I’ve given our friend Kate Parfet’s book Milking a Duck to a few friends recently. It’s a meditation on motherhood, the journey to, the pain and joy. A book is always a thoughtful way to connect with what’s going on in another’s life.
Kindred Black Wild Harvested Creosote Salve
An all natural salve handmade by slowly infusing natural beeswax and olive oil with wild harvested creosote leaves, flowers, and fruit.
$85
It smells just like the desert in the rain. Nature’s first-aid, an amazing healer for the skin: burns, cuts, bumps, bites, you name it.
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5.
BECKY KIM: Your partnership as co-founders with Jennifer feels like sisters and true collaborators. Over the years, how have you thought about gifting for her—whether for special occasions or just because?
Alice Wells: I used to hunt down something that she would have never seen before – something that would surprise and delight. Once I came across an incredibly detailed, hand painted floral bedpan. Sadly I didn’t buy it, a real missed opportunity. But the past couple of years I’ve given her grab bags of things I’m really loving and that have made my life a little easier or brighter – a copper salt grinder, a great pair of socks, my favorite chocolates from Tucson (Monsoon). Simple gifts that I know she’ll appreciate.
6.
BECKY KIM: If you could gift each other one Kindred Black product to symbolize your journey together as co-founders, which one would it be and why?
Alice Wells: Ages ago we found an antique enamel snake ring that came apart into two distinct snake bands. It was spectacular. Snakes are a symbol of strength and bravery, and standing your ground in the face of adversity – a perfect talisman for us to share. We agreed that if it didn’t sell after a couple of weeks, we would keep the ring for ourselves. It was an incredible piece so, of course, it sold – we’ve tried to find another one, but in all these years have never seen a friendship piece quite like it.
7.
BECKY KIM: Kindred Black’s focus on sustainability is a great gift to someone as a way to introduce them to more eco-conscious beauty routines. Are there other lifestyle changes you'd suggest alongside switching to more sustainable beauty products?
Alice Wells: Buying less. That’s truly the best thing we all can do. Jen and I are both having a "no shopping for ourselves” year. If we absolutely need something, we can buy it secondhand. An important approach when gifting too – only giving someone a present that they actually need or will truly appreciate and cherish, rather than just crossing a name off your list.
8.
BECKY KIM: What’s the most memorable gift you’ve ever received that made you think differently about beauty or self-care?
Alice Wells: My grandmother gave me a tiny sterling perfume vessel on a chain when I was fairly young – it had a few drops of her perfume inside and to this day I can still smell the lingering notes of the scent. It immediately takes me to a time and place in my life, and brings her back to me. Scent has such a powerful effect on memory.
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