Golden Hour Rituals with Mandy Butera
There’s a certain hush to the hour just before dusk — the kind that softens edges and guilds ordinary moments. At Wren & Wild, founder Mandy Butera calls this her sacred “golden hour,” a daily pause where she unwinds, centers, and leans into rituals that feel both luxe and effortless. Below, Mandy shares her evening blueprint: simple, sensory, and focused on clean-beauty essentials that restore skin and spirit alike.
Begin with a slow, mindful walk
Mandy’s golden hour always starts outdoors. A 20-30 minute walk with her dog Booker (pictured below!) clears the day’s clutter and resets the nervous system. No phone, just breath and movement. Pay attention to the light - it’s grounding and free therapy.
A cup of something warm and soothing
Mandy favors a calming herbal tea while prepping for a warming bath and sips slowly. The ritual of holding warmth, inhaling gentle steam, and tasting something simple slows the racing mind and prepares you for deeper self-care.
Cleanse the day away
Before the bath or bedtime routine, a gentle cleanse is essential. Use lukewarm water and a clean face wash to rinse away the day’s impurities (Mandy’s go-to is the Active Renewal Cleanser from Vintner’s Daughter). Mandy recommends patting skin dry rather than rubbing, leaving a little moisture behind to help your skin barrier.
A restorative soak: bath + mood lighting
When she has the time, Mandy transforms her bathroom into a mini-sanctuary: low lights or candles, soft music, and a generous scoop of goop’s ‘The Martini’ bath soak in warm water. The mineral-rich soak lifts tension from shoulders and joints; the rose-hued crystals and steam feel indulgent without excess. Limit the bath to 20 minutes to avoid dehydrating skin, and keep a glass bottle of water nearby to stay hydrated.
The signature skincare
Post-soak, Mandy’s skin routine is pared-down but intentional. She reaches for the Active Botanical Serum from Vintner’s Daughter to nourish and repair. A few drops warmed between fingertips, press-and-hold applications across cheeks, forehead, and jawline, letting the oil-plant blend sink in. Follow with a lightweight moisturizer if you need extra comfort, but often the serum alone is rich enough for evening nourishment.
A final note
Golden hour isn’t about perfection; it’s an invitation. Whether you have a full soak or a shortened version with tea and a serum press, these moments build a bridge from hectic day to restorative night. At Wren & Wild, we believe beauty is the byproduct of calm, consistent care - clean products, intentional pauses, and the little luxuries that make daily rituals feel like an offering to yourself.
Try Mandy’s sequence tonight: a walk, a warm cup of tea, a goop bath for your next soak, and a nourishing press of Vintner’s Daughter serum. Share your golden hour with us @wrenandwild - we’d love to see how you make it your own!
XO,
Mandy
