Today we’re talking to Mario Badescu SoCal Account Executive, aka our favorite LA lady, Allie Schulps.

If you pick up your Buffering Lotion in Brea, masks in Manhattan Beach, or Cucumber Cleansing Lotion in Culver City, you are on Allie’s turf. Since the temperatures are nice and warm now, we thought Allie would be the perfect subject for our latest installment of #MarioMy5, our blog series in which we ask MB staffers to whittle down their favorites from the line to just five essentials.

Here at MB HQ Allie is known for her can-do attitude, wide smile, and irreverent sense of humor. Not to mention that every frigid East Coast winter we find it nearly impossible to resist living vicariously through Allie with her surf (literally. She’s a surf mom!) and sun lifestyle as we are shoveling ourselves out of the snow and trying not to slip on ice.

Allie’s 5

Here are Allie’s five in her own words:

Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion: Between the traffic and June Gloom here in LA I need a little brightening up in my day. One of my fave MB toners is our Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing lotion. I use it morning and night! It brightens and hydrates.

Vitamin C Serum: Afterward I use another gem of a brightener our AMAZING Vitamin C Serum.

Collagen Moisturizer SPF 15: To be topped off with a daily usage of Collagen Moisturizer SPF 15. It’s light, hydrating, and helps keep the sun’s rays at bay.

Enzyme Revitalizing Mask: When my skin is getting a bit dehydrated and lifeless, I bring it back with the ever so yummy Enzyme Revitalizing Mask. It adds hydration and the glow I need.

Glycolic Eye Cream: For a nice dewy look around the “old” eye area I warm up some of our Glycolic Eye Cream.

#MBSkinTip: a great sleeping eye cream for the side sleeper. Keeps the eyes supple and hydrated while you’re tossing and turning.

Botanical Exfoliating Scrub: Last but not least, the Botanical Exfoliating Scrub, what can I say . . . super gentle, exfoliates just enough, and keeps skin hydrated with the Coconut Extract.

Do you and Allie share any of the same favorites?

Originally published as #MBmy5: Allie from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Mario Badescu’s Chicago-based Account Executive, Lauren Cummings, brings her effervescent personality, can-do attitude, and encyclopedic knowledge of all things beauty-related everywhere she goes—and boy, does she go.

This busy lady and her team spread #MBSkinTips around the Chicago area and beyond. We asked her which MB products are at the top of her list, keep reading for Lauren’s must-haves!

Lauren’s Favorites

Skin Type

I have classic Combination Skin. I am oily through the T-zone and dehydrated through the cheeks. I also live in Chicago where the sun shines really bright, but the winter winds can dehydrate my skin even more!! And lastly, my skin is prone to acne, and that can leave discoloration and unwanted texture. Yikes!!

Lauren’s 5

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser: This foaming cleanser is the perfect way to gently improve uneven texture and tone. It effectively exfoliates and cleanses my skin while helping to address any small blemishes on my face without overdrying my skin.

Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion: This toner gently exfoliates my skin, and helps to reveal a more radiant, glowing, lit-from-within skin. It smells amazing and because it is alcohol-free, it aids in replenishing hydration.

Cellufirm Drops: I use this heavenly product as my daytime serum. Cellufirm Drops immediately hydrates and visibly plumps my skin. I notice increased firmness in my skin, as well as a really smooth texture. This product also does double-duty for me as an under eye serum layered underneath Hyaluronic Eye Cream.

Honey Moisturizer: This daytime moisturizer is the perfect amount of moisture for my Combination/dehydrated skin. It absorbs into my skin rapidly, while creating a smoother more radiant complexion. I love a slight glow to my skin before I apply foundation, and Honey Moisturizer creates the perfect canvas for my makeup. For the cold, dry Chicago winters, I like to add a few drops of the Herbal Hydrating Serum. It allows me to boost the hydration level in my skin care, when needed, without switching moisturizers.

#MBSkinTip: When I know the weather is going to be especially harsh, I like to press a little bit of a denser moisturizer or night cream into my cheeks, after I have applied my typical skincare regimen.

Silver Powder: Because I wear foundation daily, and have an oily t-zone, I am prone to blackheads on my nose and chin area. I use Silver Powder to address this issue. It immediately starts to break down the congestion and the clogged pores and after 10-20 minutes my nose and chin are clear of all blackheads. Silver Powder is a twice weekly staple product for me.

Thanks, Lauren. Stay warm out there!

Originally published as #MBmy5: Lauren from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

New year, new . . . blog series!

One of the most frequently asked questions we get here at Mario Badescu is, “What are your best products?” And while we love to give recommendations, that question doesn’t have a simple answer. There are a number of things that factor into deciding which products are best for your individual skin type. So we decided we’d ask MB insiders to tell us their skin types and whittle down their favorites (there are over 150 products in the full Mario Badescu line) to the very tippy-top five on their list. For our inaugural #MBmy5 post, meet Karolina!

Karolina is one of our favorite smiling faces around Mario Badescu headquarters. Whether she is plugging away on a spreadsheet or telling us about her latest adventure (did you catch her #MBTravels pics from Paris earlier this year? If not, have a look here and here), Kari shines bright.

Here are Karolina’s favorites in her own words:

Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone

1. By far my go-to, number one favorite is the Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. It’s my trusty sidekick in the fight against moisture loss by giving my skin quick refreshment. It’s multi-functional when a toner is out of reach, a mist for pre/post-makeup and the touch of Aloe even helps when a post-sun cooling gel is nowhere near. Whether it’s sitting behind a desk, in a car, or traveling on a plane, a bottle of facial spray is within my arm’s reach.

2. My go-to exfoliator and post workout in-shower cleanser is the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. Even though my skin is oily, it’s still sensitive and very acne-prone, so using exfoliators that have grit in them can irritate my skin. This, however, foams to a lightweight consistency that makes it ideal to use on my face, as well as on my chest and back to get rid of any dead skin cells. The scent also reminds me of summertime in Brooklyn eating Lemon Italian Ices as a child. Oh, nostalgia!

3. Since I started working at Mario Badescu, I’ve learned that different parts of your face have different needs, which means that different parts of your face need help from different masks, a.k.a. multi-masking! A few times a week you will find me looking like a pastel leopard covered in spots, with the largest areas covered in the Super Collagen Mask. This mask works great for my T-zone area, as well as for plumping areas on my cheeks where I have some post-acne scars. It’s very hydrating on areas where acne products tend to overdry the skin, especially during the winter season. I love using this mask before I go out or when I’m home for the night to give my complexion a boost of moisture and Collagen. It’s never too early to incorporate anti-aging into my regimen.

4. Even with oily skin and eyelids, it’s never too early to add an eye cream to a beauty regimen. Ceramide Eye Gel is a great, lightweight alternative to a heavily emollient eye cream. I am very prone to getting milia, or small white bumps, around my eye area from using thick eye creams. This gel’s glide-on texture doesn’t tug the under-eye area and makes it ideal for year-round use that won’t slip under makeup. Due to its gel consistency, it can be stored in the fridge to give my under-eyes a pick-me-up when they look puffy, especially when it looks like I missed out on some ZzZzZzs.

5. The second sunshine and humidity go away, my hands become parched. Especially during East Coast winters, when there’s no humidity and constant washing to keep germs and bacteria at bay. Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E is my ultimate savior. Its whipped consistency makes it lightweight and non-greasy. I love having the classic jar laying close by on my desk, that won’t leave residue on my mouse or keyboard. I’m even more obsessed now that the hand cream is available in a tube! It’s ideal to place in a bag or leave in the car to hydrate my dry hands on the go.

Originally published as #MBmy5: Karolina from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Repost: @bellahadid

While it may be tough to digest the internet’s newest foot contouring trend, taking hand care to the next level is something that everyone can get on board with. Celebrity manicurist Geraldine Holford used Mario Badescu Skin Care products to create a signature manicure for Met Gala attendees Bella Hadid (who was styled right down to her fingertips!), Alicia Vikander, and Lea Seydoux.

Here are the steps from Geraldine:

1. Spray Hands with Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater
2. Mix Rose Hips Nourishing Oil with Hydrating Hand Cream and massage
3. Wipe fingernails with Glycolic Acid Toner
4. Paint
5. Once dried, place a small amount of Cuticle Cream at the base of the nail or drop the Rose Hips Nourishing Oil onto the cuticle

.   .   .

Follow Geraldine on Instagram @geraldineholdford!

Originally published as Exclusive: How to Get Bella Hadid’s Met Gala 2016 Manicure from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

There’s nothing like a juicy “What’s In Her Medicine Cabinet” to start off the day (or read up on during a lunch break)…

WHO: Sarah Leingang, fashion and beauty editor of the new travel and wedding website, Destination: W. It goes without saying that she’s well-seasoned in what she does. Looking for impeccably cultivated pages of inspiration? Look no further…

WHERE: No surprise here – her well-curated medicine cabinet. Just sit back and admire that army of skincare goodies standing at attention (then whip out a pen and paper for some note taking!).

WHAT: Azulene Calming Mask, Buffering Lotion, Chamomile Cleansing Lotion, Drying Cream, Drying Mask, Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin C, Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 30, Olive Eye Cream, Rosewater Facial Spray, Special Eye Cream V, … and more.

WHY: She says: “My skin is super temperamental and sensitive. I have to be really careful with the products that I use. MB helps keep my skin in check!”

Drying Mask and Azulene Calming Mask: “Once a week I relax and give myself a facial. This combo of masks helps to keep my skin clear, smooth and moisturized.”

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser: “Since my skin is so sensitive, I can only use this cleanser twice a week. It’s amazing at getting rid of all the dirt and grime from the day.”

Chamomile Lotion: “I love the soothing effect of this toner! It definitely helps to calm down the redness in my skin.”

Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30: “I’m a total SPF addict. This product moisturizes without adding oil and doesn’t leave a yucky-chalky residue.”

.   .   . 

Thank you for an amazing insider peek, Sarah!

For more Destination: W, head on over to their Facebook page for daily updates.

Originally published as What’s In Her Medicine Cabinet: Sarah Leingang of Destination: W from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

WHO: Michelle. The impossibly chic Aussie fashion blogger behind the Tumblr “AMinuteAwayFromSnowing.” It’s a plethora of inspiration and personal snapshots that’s a cross between a mood board and insider peek into her wardrobe. Fashionistas, foodies, beauty girls, be warned – endless scrolling and wishlist-making will ensue.

WHAT: Herbal Hydrating Serum, Enzyme Cleansing Gel and a sample of the Kera Moisturizer.

WHERE: In her little brown bag after a trip to Kit to replenish some of her MB skincare!

WHY: She wrote:

“My USA trip [was] still four weeks away and I’ve been having such tremendous results with MB that I didn’t want to wait until my holiday to stock up.”

“…I also went out on a limb and purchased the Enzyme Cleansing Gel to replace the rather greasy Sorbolene Cream I’ve been using to wash my face. The lovely Kit SA also threw in a sample of the Kera Moisturizer which she highly recommended for my dry/sensitive skin. There was something about it that made me dubious but I used it last night and again this morning and I’ve been really impressed with it so far. The only drawback is that it doesn’t contain SPF, however it does sit lovely underneath my makeup (and absorbs quickly and without fuss) which is also really important to me.

Time to start penning those love letters to MB :)”

.   .   .

We’re so happy to hear you’re loving your MB experience! That’s a good enough love letter in and of itself!

(image via)

Originally published as Spotted! Aussie Fashion Blogger’s Mario Picks! from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Dani Stahl may quite possibly be the busiest girl in NYC. She’s the Style Editor-at-Large for NYLON Magazine, designs jewelry for Lia Sophia’s Red Carpet Collection, is the style expert on E!’s hit show Scouted!, and her social calendar? Well, let’s just say her dance card is always full.

What you might not know about Dani is that she is way dedicated to her regimen of skin care treatments, and has been a regular at the Mario Badescu Skin Care Salon for years. Let’s put it this way, if the Mario Badescu Skin Care Salon was a sitcom, Dani would be the beloved guest star that gets the big applause every time she effervescently breezes through the door.

I recently had the chance to chat skin and style with Dani. Here’s what she said: 

.   .   .

N: You were a client at Mario Badescu before I even started working here…

D: I grew up in the city, so that’s where you get a facial.

When I got into fashion it was always a constant. I would say about 10, 12 years ago I really, really started to use the products. It’s a constant staple in any routine I have going.

N: You are very dedicated and committed to your skin. What works for you? Which products and services make a difference?

D: One thing that I use endlessly and always is the Vitamin C Serum. My basic regime is the Glycolic Acid Toner, Vitamin C Serum, Hyaluronic or Glycolic Eye Cream. And then I love the Cellufirm [Drops] and the Hylauronic [Emulsion] w/ Vitamin C. I like anything Vitamin C. I like healing and repairing. I often use the Buttermilk [Moisturizer]. If I have a little breakout I love the Anti-Acne Serum.

I Love the Herbal Hydrating Serum. If it’s really dry in winter I like the Seaweed Night Cream. For a cleanser I like the Enzyme Cleansing Gel. I also like the Seaweed Cleansing Lotion, I like the Glycolic Cleanser too.  I really love the Enzyme [Revitalizing] Mask. I like the Healing [and Soothing] Mask; the Tightening Mask is good if you have an event.

N: How about services?

D: I can’t plug Irina [Dani’s aesthetician] enough, she is the ultimate service. Getting facials regularly is key. You have to keep it clean and fresh.

The beauty of the services is that they [the aestheticians] will tell you what you need.

What I discovered and got so many of my friends to do are the oxygen facials. You can think of it as “event face” like oh I’m going to a party or whatever it is I’m going to get this done and look great for a few days. If you do a series of them for six weeks diligently, once a week, it will affect your skin and really make a difference. I did it like a doctor’s appointment, to the T, 10 am on Tuesdays every week for 6 weeks. I couldn’t go anywhere without people asking what I was doing to my skin. I can’t recommend that enough. It’s all about consistency. You can’t do it just once, there’s no quick fix really.

N: Tell me, since you are a beauty girl, well fashion girl, but I know that secretly inside you are a beauty girl…

D: (Interjects) I am a beauty girl, on another planet I would have been a beauty editor. Really.

N: If you weren’t working in fashion what would you do?

D: I really can’t imagine not working in fashion. I will say this, I feel like beauty is fashion. I feel like it’s very intertwined. They go hand and hand. You know what I mean? What would I do without fashion? Oh, I’d be lost. I can’t imagine being without fashion.

N: When I was a kid my grandmother had these metal tubes of lipstick in her vanity and I would always peek at them and try them on, and my mother always had a bottle of L’Air du Temps on her dresser. I remember the glass bottle with the birds on top. Those are my earliest beauty memories. What do you remember from when you were little, what were your first beauty impressions? 

D: I also remember my grandmother’s vanity. It was all mirrored, it had all of her makeup very organized.  I was never allowed to touch it and my grandmother would meticulously apply her makeup for what seemed like hours. Even her hair, it used to be a joke that my grandfather couldn’t touch her hair. And you know my mom is very much my grandmother and I’m very much my mom just in updated versions. That vanity on Friday nights is the first thing that I think of.

N: I think a lot of people are intimidated by fashion and get stuck in a rut. If someone is stuck and they don’t know how to get out, what is one thing that they can do?  

I think one thing that is always easy is to experiment with is color. My thing is always that fashion is fun. It’s not a life commitment; you can put it on, you can take it off. I think an easy place to start is to add a pop of color. Often people fear color. I think it’s a really easy way to break out a little bit.  Also, I’m a walking accessory. Literally, accessories are just an amazing way to liven up your wardrobe. If you put on a great necklace or a statement bracelet or something, you’ve already jazzed up your whole look. Accessories are a great thing to experiment with. Accessories and color. It’s easily accessible; you probably already have it.

N: How do you define your personal style?

D: Eclectic. I always thought that I needed to define my look. Am I Uptown? Am I Downtown? But you don’t, again, fashion is fun. Fashion is about self expression: it can express the mood you are in for the day. I find all different things exciting.

N: You’re a New York girl, I’m a New York girl, MB is a New York brand.  What’s one of your favorite New York places that maybe the average person wouldn’t think of? 

D: Ummm Barney’s?! (We both laugh.) What is my favorite New York spot? My go-to answer is always Central Park, I don’t think that there are many days that go by that I don’t go to Central Park at some point, even in winter, that’s the New York getaway.

.   .   .

Originally published as SKIN DEEP WITH DANI STAHL: NYLON MAGAZINE’S STYLE EDITOR-AT-LARGE TALKS SKIN & STYLE from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

We’ve been going through a purgatory of skin sins here at the MB office. It’s never too late to make a change, and you know what they say about a good confession: to be clear of mind is to be clear in complexion.

Just recently I confessed to letting my makeup brushes go unwashed for years (!) before realizing that they were the culprits behind the congestion in my T-zone. While I’ve been diligent with a weekly cleanse since that revelation, changed habits mean very little unless they’re changed correctly.

This is where the expert comes in. We got in touch with Chad Hayduk, co-founder of Three Custom Color Specialists, for professional brush cleaning tips to help both you and me. Chad says:

.   .   .

“Just like great chef’s knives, professional makeup brushes are an investment.  One of the best ways to ensure a return on that investment is with proper brush care. Yes, they MUST be cleaned regularly which will prolong their life and maintain their softness.  The buildup can actually scratch the skin!

Cleaning removes dirt, oils, debris, makeup and dead skin cells, but how often should you do it? Honestly, and ideally, everyday. But not everyone has time for that.  Try for once a week and with anything going in or around the eye area at least every 2 days.

How to Clean Your Brushes:

Under the faucet, with warm water and the bristles pointing downward wet the bristles ONLY. This will help prevent any water from getting into the ferrule (the metal that holds the hairs together with glue) or down into the handle which (if wood) can cause expansion and cracking of the handle.

Use a mild shampoo, like my absolute favorite – gentle, yet thorough and smells great. Take a dab of shampoo on your fingertips or palm of your hand and gently swirl the bristles, sud-sing from ferrule to hair tips. Gently squeeze the hairs from ferrule to bristle ends over and over adding a little water at a time. Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear, keeping the bristles pointing down.

Squeeze out the water with a paper towel or hand towel and lay them to dry on their side. Be sure to reshape the brush at this point in time to prevent splaying. Never leave them to dry with the brush hairs up or completely submerge your brushes in water as water can seep into the ferrule and loosen the glue holding the brush together over time.

Let brushes dry completely before using. Dry time can vary, but to be safe, wait overnight.

These simple steps will keep your brushes in good condition and ensure you with years of beautiful makeup application!”

.   .   .

Thank you Chad!

Three Custom Color Specialists is a color cosmetics company with a full range of products for all skin types and tones. In addition to a Ready to Wear Collection with over 250 products, all hand-designed by their team of Color Specialists, 3C offers a unique service that will match any discontinued shade of makeup or create a custom color (hence the name!). The Custom Blending archives over 9,000 (!) discontinued shades dating back to the 1930’s. 

Originally published as SKIN TIPS: HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

… because we love talking skin care advice from our favorite makeup artists. 

We love makeup almost just as much as we love skincare. It’s a ranking that’s barely discernable (only by the tiniest of slivers), but simply because “there is no makeup or cosmetic artifice that will disguise neglected skin.” So said Mario Badescu himself.

That’s why we love it when our favorite makeup artists talk skin and the importance of skincare.

As Director of Artistry for The Makeup Show, The Powder Group, and On Makeup magazine, it’s clear makeup artist James Vincent has not only passion for the art but also prestige in the field as well. Film, theatre, television, editorial work, runway – Vincent has covered it (no pun intended) all. His celebrity clientele rolls deep, his bona fides even more extensive.

It’s not just about the makeup, though; an artist needs his canvas. And while every artist has his secrets, Vincent doesn’t hold back in sharing his tips reserved for his fabulous clientele.

“As a makeup artist, skin care is essential to everything I do. Without great skin and an even complexion you cannot bring across a beautiful makeup. I love Mario Badescu Herbal Toner and Moisture Magnet with every application to prepare the skin and keep the makeup lasting all day.”

Drying Lotion is his secret weapon – a must-have against blemishes, especially when working with regular clients and celebrities with hectic schedules. “[It] gets rid of problems on the skin so I don’t have to use so much makeup.”

He shared with us his skincare regimen for his clients: “… I recommend a classic routine of gentle cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. So many people look towards harsh cleansers that are too aggressive and think toners are an unnecessary step. For me, having the cleanser that is right for your skin type and following with a gentle toner sets the skin up for a better complexion. The Mario Badescu makeup removers are also gentle and effective and ideal for my clients that are in makeup everyday.”

Beautiful makeup starts with a clean, healthy complexion. It’s that simple.

Take it from the makeup artist himself.

.   .   .

His Mario Must-Haves: Carnation Eye Makeup Remover, Seaweed Cleansing Soap, Aloe Lotion, Drying Lotion, Silver Powder, Moisture Magnet, Oil-Free Moisturizer

His one true love: Rosewater Facial Spray

jamesvincentmakeup.net

@JVincentMakeup

… and for more Makeup Show Madness & Shopping with the Pros, click here.

themakeupshow.com

@TheMakeupShow

{image via}

Originally published as SKIN DEEP @ THE MAKEUP SHOW NYC 2012 WITH JAMES VINCENT: SKINCARE ADVICE FROM A MAKEUP ARTIST from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

All you need is friends, music, and good skincare to get you through music festival season…

WHO: Logan Horne. Not just any MB regular, but a New York City based stylist whose sartorial influence has the likes of Leighton Meester (also an avid MB fan!), Jessica Stam, and Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated models.

WHAT: The more natural, the better, Horne says. Coachella necessities include deodorant, toothpaste, Creed cologne, hair wax, Crest white strips, and a few MB products…

WHERE: In his bag of essentials for Coachella!

WHY:

• Aloe Moisturizer (SPF 15). “I love this face lotion because of its light texture and it’s healing properties.”

• Silver Powder. “Spending three days in the desert can take a toll on ones face. That’s why I choose this powder to help remove oil and congestion from my pores.”

• Suncare SPF 30. “Every time I go into Mario Badescu’s NY spa I love coming away with a fresh face and these little travel-sized capsules of sunscreen. These are great to throw in your purse or pocket to reapply as the day goes on and perfect for Coachella.”

• Enzyme Cleansing Gel. “This is by far my favorite day to day face wash. It’s mild enough to keep my skin happy while still giving me the cleanest feeling skin. After a day of concerts and crowds it’s the perfect way to rejuvenate and exfoliate.”

• Cucumber Cleansing Lotion. “After washing my face, I like to use this toner because it leaves my pores feeling clean and tight without overly drying me out. The cucumber concoction has a cooling sensation that wipes away all the heat from the day.”

We love hearing about your MB festival essentials, Logan!

.   .   .

We want to know – are you attending any festivals this season?

What are your concert skin care essentials?

Tell us in the comments below!

Originally published as IN HIS MEDICINE CABINET: THE COACHELLA EDITION from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.