Swedish Beauty Lessons from the Experts in Stockholm

The second you set foot in Stockholm, you notice the beauty: lush parks dotted with wildflowers, stunning centuries-old architecture, waterfronts that meet the Baltic Sea. But it's the locals who really caught my eye with their structured jackets and polished knits, effortlessly windswept, glossy hair, and cheeks flushed from the crisp air. That look is exactly why "Scandi beauty" has caught on far beyond Sweden. It's less about looking polished to perfection and more about looking like the healthiest, freshest version of yourself. 

"There is something very Swedish about not wanting beauty to feel too constructed," says Princess Madeleine of Sweden. "We tend to like a natural, effortless look—healthy skin, clean hair, minimal makeup."

For detailed instructions on how to get the look, I asked some of Stockholm's chicest women to divulge their best beauty secrets. 

EXPERT 1: HRH PRINCESS MADELEINE (BERNADOTTE) OF SWEDEN

CO-FOUNDER OF minLen

Best Swedish beauty tips:

Keep your beauty routine simple, don’t overcomplicate things, and spend time outside. In Sweden, we grow up being outdoors in every season and in almost every kind of weather. I genuinely think fresh air, movement, and being in nature make you look and feel better. I feel most beautiful when I have spent the day outside, and my cheeks are a little rosy from the fresh air—that naturalness is part of the philosophy behind minLen.

Where to go in Stockholm:

Djurgården. I love that you can be surrounded by nature and water while still being right in the middle of Stockholm. You can walk, cycle, spend time by the water, or disappear into the greenery for a while. For me, it captures something very special about Stockholm—how closely the city and nature coexist.

Off-duty/weekend plans:

Whenever we can, we escape to the countryside in the Swedish archipelago. It's where we can really switch off as a family and spend time outdoors, close to the water and nature. There is something incredibly restorative about the archipelago and the rhythm of life there. It feels very Swedish to me—simple, peaceful, close to nature, and completely shaped by the seasons.

EXPERT 2: PETRA TUNGÅRDEN

FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF ADOORE

Best Swedish beauty tips:

During the darker months in Sweden, when you barely see the sun, a little self-tan makes such a difference. I always feel more awake and put together when my skin has some warmth and glow, even if I haven’t slept enough or have spent the entire day indoors. When my hair is blown out, my skin has that warm glow, and I'm wearing a really fantastic dress, it makes me feel my most beautiful.  

Where to go in Stockholm:

If you want to dress up, people-watch, and have amazing food, Sperling is the place to be. If you want the best cocktail of your life served with a fun twist, the Cadier Bar at the Grand Hôtel is your destination.

Off-duty/weekend plans:

Probably at an auction, a flea market, or searching for a secondhand lamp that I suddenly feel I cannot live without. I love a good trip to Ulriksdals Värdshus, brunch, and then hitting Överjärva Gård to source antiques. And I always try to squeeze in a hot sculpt workout session at Burner.

EXPERT 3: JOSEFIN LANGÅRD

FOUNDER AND CEO OF MANTLE

Best Swedish beauty tips:

In Sweden, we are so deeply shaped by our natural environment that it is intrinsically woven into our culture. Moving through long, dark, bitterly dry winters into bright, exposed Nordic springs (plus spending as much time outdoors as possible in between) means everything we use has to be nourishing, strengthening, functional, and efficacious. Hydrate and moisturize religiously—find out what works for your skin. What we put into the body is the foundation for our health, but so is what we put on our skin—feeding my skin is second nature to me. I feel the most beautiful after a day on the water or hiking with natural rosy cheeks and a tired body.

Where to go in Stockholm:

Probably Nybrokajen. It’s so pretty all year round. Just walking along the waterfront toward Djurgården or Gamla stan, taking in the architecture and the city, is so beautiful to me.

Off-duty/weekend plans:

Digging in my garden, harvesting veggies, and flowers, and looking after my animals. Or watching my sons play soccer.

EXPERT 4: EMMA GUDMUNDSSON

FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER AT THE BANK HOTEL STOCKHOLM, A SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD PROPERTY

Best Swedish beauty tips:

To me, the Swedish beauty and wellness aesthetic is all about balance, simplicity, and feeling good. Growing up in Skåne, I’ve always had a strong connection to nature, the sea, and being outdoors. I think Swedish beauty is quite effortless—healthy skin, natural hair, and most importantly, taking care of yourself from the inside out. The cold Swedish weather makes it especially important for me to choose good, protective products for both my skin and hair. One thing my mum has always taught me is to take care of your décolletage just as much as your face. And if you’re going to have long hair, it has to be healthy—no split ends, otherwise the scissors come out!

Where to go in Stockholm:

Surfers on Norrlandsgatan is one of my favorite places for dinner—I love the energy, the food, and the atmosphere.

Off-duty/weekend plans:

You’ll probably find me at Fightbox getting a workout in with some friends, followed by a nice brunch, and then moving forward to Sacred Sauna: the perfect mix of sauna, cold plunge, music, and atmosphere.

EXPERT 5: GABRIELLA ELIO

MAKEUP ARTIST AND FOUNDER OF SWEED BEAUTY

Best Swedish beauty tips:

Drink hot water in the morning and try not to stare at yourself in the mirror too long. Us Swedes are experts in the importance of hydration since we live in extreme cold winter months. Swedish pharmacies have excellent hydration products you can’t find elsewhere in the world. My favorite is Miniderm Duo from ACO. It's not super glamorous, but it has emollients and humectants that are so moisturizing—there's no body lotion like it in the whole world. Swedish beauty is all about less is more and letting your skin breathe. Curled lashes, bright eyeliner inside the waterline to open up the eye and remove redness, a brown wing, and glowing skin make me ready for the day. 

Where to go in Stockholm:

Sturehof is a classic Swedish restaurant that has been around forever with amazing fish and seafood but also incredible Swedish meatballs (they are not often on the menu, but you can always order them). 

Off-duty/weekend plans:

A long walk (13,000 steps) around Djurgården, with its stunning nature by the water, and a stop at Djurgårdsbrunn for a cardamom bun.

EXPERT 6: MADELEINE ASPLUND KLINGSTEDT

INTERIOR DESIGNER AND OWNER OF ASPLUND KLINGSTEDT INTERIORS

Best Swedish beauty tips:

An easy one: Swedish lash lifts and saunas. I love the look of long, wide-awake lashes, so I make sure to treat and nourish my lashes. I love a lash lift, but I can mimic the effect with mascara, too. While saunas are more commonly associated with Finland, thanks to my dad, I've been doing saunas since I was a child—I still do it daily. It does wonders for your skin and circulation, and just as importantly, it helps you unwind.

Where to go in Stockholm:

I have quite a few favorite spots, but right now I've rediscovered my love for Djurgården. The plantings out there are beautiful at the moment, and with this crisp, sunny autumn we're having, it's just gorgeous, calming, and genuinely a pleasure to walk around out there. 

Off-duty/weekend plans:

I love walking, so on weekends you'll find me strolling, exploring, just being. I also love visiting beautiful places—nature, architecture, that kind of thing—and I'm a big fan of spa rituals. I'll admit I'm in quite a "zen" period right now, wanting to avoid anything stressful and just be surrounded by beauty and calm. I also love wandering through antique shops and other stores, where I get completely swept up in the sheer excitement of beautiful things—objects, architecture, all of it.

EXPERT 7: MALIN GLEMME

FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF LAYERED

Best Swedish beauty tips:

I believe in a short beauty routine, using mostly natural and organic products, and letting your natural features come through rather than trying to transform them. Good skin, healthy hair, and a little bit of makeup can go a long way. For me, feeling beautiful is often about feeling fresh and effortless rather than perfectly made up. I feel my best just after a shower, with a good blow-dry, a pair of jeans, a crisp cotton shirt, and very little makeup. My grandmother was always incredibly stylish and definitely influenced me. She always had beautifully manicured nails, a little lipstick, and a very feminine, polished look. But she also had something artistic and individual about her style. I think that combination of femininity, simplicity, and personality has stayed with me.

Where to go in Stockholm:

The Stockholm archipelago is probably my favorite place. Being surrounded by the sea and nature, yet still so close to the city, is something I never take for granted. In the city, I love Djurgården. It’s a beautiful royal park with nature, water, museums, and lovely cafés, and it feels almost like an escape from the city while still being right in the middle of Stockholm.

Off-duty/weekend plans:

If I have a whole weekend, I’ll usually want to get out into the archipelago and be close to the sea. If I’m staying in Stockholm, you’ll most likely find me on Djurgården. Walking, having lunch or coffee, or visiting one of the many great museums.

EXPERT 8: BIANCA INGROSSO

FOUNDER OF CAIA COSMETICS

Best Swedish beauty tips:

Swedes love being outdoors so we're always chasing that very natural, effortless, glowy glass skin. I love the Swedish approach to makeup (and it's part of the idea behind CAIA too): makeup should enhance your features and make you more confident and comfortable in your skin, but ultimately it should still look and feel like you. Less is more (we’re all for “lagom” in Sweden), but hydrating formulas that melt into your skin are essential. To get that natural effect, put your base/liquid products on your hand first, before applying them to your face. That way you get more control of how much product is on the brush.

Where to go in Stockholm:

I love Djurgården, for long walks—it’s the most beautiful place in Stockholm. And Baroma, my older brother Oliver’s restaurant. I might be a little biased, but I love what he’s created there—it has the absolute best Roman-inspired pizza in town. And of course, seeing customers discover CAIA in person, try the products, and really feel the space we’ve built at our flagship store is something I never get tired of. 

Off-duty/weekend plans:

I love traveling and try to do that as often as I can fit it into my schedule. I also enjoy good food and sharing it with friends and family. Right now, I’m really enjoying my new apartment in this historic building in central Stockholm so much that I barely want to leave in the morning.

EXPERT 9: CHARLOTTA ZETTERSTRÖM

FOUNDER OF FABRIQUE BAKERY

Best Swedish beauty tips:

The traditional sauna. Sweating out toxins and getting your circulation going—ideally in a wood-fired, birch-burning sauna—gives you an instant glow, hydration, and a sense of inner calm. I use the sauna every evening, and I can immediately tell when I’ve skipped it. I also inherited from my mum the belief that you have to take care of your skin from an early age—I’ve always been very diligent about it. (My mum even started taking me for facials when I was around eleven.) I’m very obsessed with sun protection and sunscreen. In fact, I get a slightly ridiculous amount of stress if I realize I’ve forgotten to put it on for the day.

Where to go in Stockholm:

My favorite place in Stockholm is actually Slipen. It’s located on Djurgården, right by the water, with views stretching all the way across Söder Mälarstrand. You can watch the bakers at work, and in the summer, you can sit outside and enjoy a traditional Swedish fika.

Off-duty/weekend plans:

On weekends, I love going to Slipen or Djurgårdsbrunn after a long walk around Djurgården, soaking up the energy of nature. Djurgården is a national city park right in the heart of Stockholm and such an oasis. I try to immerse myself in nature there whenever I get the chance.