Facial masks are an important part of any good skincare regimen. But it may seem overwhelming to figure out how to apply a face mask — or even how to choose the best face mask for your specific needs. We’re here to help!

We’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you level up your everyday beauty routine by adding regular self-care time with a face mask that fits your routine.

Our experts address all your masking questions, including:

• What does a face mask do?
• How often should you use a face mask?
• What is the best face mask for your skin?
• What to do after a face mask?

Let’s mask up!

Why Add Masking to Your Self-Care Regimen?

You face a lot in your everyday life. Aside from the environmental pollutants that barrage your skin as you move through the world, stress, age and diet can influence how your skin looks and feels. A quick routine of washing and slathering on moisturizer once or twice a day doesn’t do justice to the huge service our skin performs.

Adding a mask to your routine deep cleans your pores and addresses your skin’s deeper issues, like acne, dryness or discoloration. A quick skin analysis can clue you into your skin’s underlying needs.

How Often Should You Use a Face Mask?

This question gets a bit personal. Our aestheticians recommend masking one to two times a week as a general rule. But if you’re really serious about putting your best face forward on the regular, a mask session up to three times a week can really amplify the benefits. Think of at-home masking as a facial between professional facials — like brushing and flossing on the reg between dental visits. We all do that; right?

What Is the Best Face Mask for Me?

Choosing the right face mask for your skin’s needs is the first step toward successful masking. This important decision boils down to determining what your skin is hungry for. Ask yourself: What’s my biggest skin concern? We’ve curated masks to address dryness and flaky skin, hyperpigmentation like sunspots and acne scars, the wrinkles and sagging skin that come with age, visibly large pores and a host of acne concerns, including blackheads, cystic zits and excess oil production.

Skin Care Specialist Tip: If you have a combo plate of skin issues, as many of us do, consider learning how to multi-mask for a customized at-home facial experience.

How to Apply a Face Mask:

Create an at-home spa experience by gathering these items:

• The mask of your choice
• A clean washcloth
• A hairband or towel to keep your tresses out of the way, if necessary
• A magazine or other distraction

Set up your supplies on the bathroom counter and play some mellow, music if that helps to set a soothing mood. Roll up your sleeves and follow these steps:

1. Prep – Start with a clean canvas. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and use an exfoliant to clear away any dead cells crowding around your pores. This will set the stage for maximum absorption of your mask’s goodness.
2. Apply – Using clean fingers, apply a thin layer of mask all over your face, being sure to avoid the delicate tissue around your eyes. Stop a quarter inch or so from your hairline and ears. Depending on your unique needs, you may want to continue your mask onto your neck and décolletage.
3. Wait – Leave the mask on for 10 to 20 minutes — all mask products have specific instructions, so make sure to follow those. While you wait, peruse a fun article, listen to some music or sit quietly with your eyes closed and imagine your skin getting healthier.

How to Peel Off a Face Mask

Removing your mask is simple. Splash a little lukewarm water on the product to soften any dry spots, then rinse well until your face is clean. Rinse away any remnants with tepid water.

Post-Mask Procedures

Before you snap that #selfie of your mask-ified glow, take a moment for aftercare. Swipe a cotton ball soaked in high-quality toner over your face to reset your skin’s balance. Then layer on the moisture with a night cream or nourishing serum product that aligns with your skin’s needs. You can mask anytime, but it’s particularly advantageous to do it just before bedtime so your skin can regroup overnight.

Frequently Masked Questions

• Q: What does a face mask do?
• A: Face masks offer a deeper clean than everyday washing while addressing specific skin concerns, like excess oil production, dryness or acne eruptions.
• Q: How often should you use a face mask?
• A: Depending on your skin type, masking up to three times a week is acceptable.
• Q: What’s your advice for how to make your own face mask at home?
• A: Because the skin on your face is so delicate, we do not recommend concocting a homemade face mask. Many items in your pantry — like apple cider vinegar and turmeric — can cause irritation, redness or allergic reactions. It’s best to stick with reliable skincare products that are simple and effective.

Originally published as How to Apply Face Masks – Frequency & After-Care Tips from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

…or with any face moisturizer, for that matter.

1. Start with cleansed, toned skin.

2. Choose any Mario Badescu Facial Spray and mist, liberally. All of our Facial Sprays are formulated to, first and foremost, replenish skin with soothing, Aloe-infused hydration. What differentiates them is their unique botanical profile: each mist is infused with a different set of plant extracts and essential waters to boost your skin with additional benefits. This allows you to mix and match your mists depending on what you and your skin need at any given moment.

• FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, HERBS AND ROSEWATER adds a rejuvenating, clarifying boost with a blend of rejuvenating Rose and clarifying Thyme
• FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, CUCUMBER AND GREEN TEA adds an ultra-refreshing, cooling boost with restorative Green Tea and invigorating Peppermint Essential Water
• FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, CHAMOMILE AND LAVENDER adds a soothing, antioxidant-enriched boost with an infusion of calming Lavender Oil and Vitamin C
• FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, SAGE AND ORANGE BLOSSOM adds an uplifting boost with a citrus-y spritz of skin-loving botanicals

3. Apply a light, even layer of Hyaluronic Dew Cream (or your favorite moisturizer). The trick to maximizing your hydration and glow is to apply Hyaluronic Dew Cream immediately after you’ve misted, while your skin is still dewy. Because this formula features a Sodium Hyaluronate complex, this technique will help further boost hydration while adding additional botanical benefits into your skin care routine.

4.  Finish off with another round of misting. This step is optional, but if you’re going for a healthy, dewy sheen—mist once more.

In short: dew it for the glow. And improved moisturization, overall.

. . .

Originally published as How to Use Facial Spray with Hyaluronic Dew Cream from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

No matter who or where we are, our lives have changed dramatically in a matter of weeks. It’s impossible not to be affected by what’s going on—and now that we’re a month into life during a pandemic, one of the simplest ways to cope is to discover ways of de-stressing for you.

For most of us here at Badescu HQ, prioritizing time for skin care is our chosen method of self-care. (Naturally; we’re skin care fanatics here.) Here are a few #MBSkinTips on how we soothe stressed skin and establish some sense of normalcy: 

Keep a mist on hand at all times.

Any Facial Spray will do, but there’s no denying the aromatherapeutic properties that come with botanical-infused mists. Lavender is a classic go-to for soothing our skin and our senses, but really—it depends on what you need in any given moment:

• For a rejuvenating refresh, reach for Rose.
• For an invigorating boost, replenish with Green Tea.
• For calm and comfort, re-balance with Lavender.
• For an uplifting pick-me-up, refresh with Orange Blossom.

Be kind to your skin.

Stress materializes in a multitude of ways—and usually, it’s seen first and foremost on our skin. Whether it makes you break out, reactive, or red and irritated, we want to remind you to be gentle with yourself. Overworking your skin in the hopes of “fixing” the issue will only further worsen whatever it is you’re going through: don’t pick at any pesky pimples. Don’t dry out or over-exfoliate your complexion with treatments in pursuit of instant gratification.

Instead, make balance a priority. Reach for gentle, replenishing skin care instead.

Seek balance.

Happy, healthy skin is balanced skin. The key to achieving it is to adjust our typical routine in order to accommodate this new norm. Which means:

1. If you’re washing and sanitizing constantly, you’ll need to restore moisture and hydration to your skin.

• Comfort overworked hands with a nourishing, restorative hand cream like Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E or Rose Hand Cream with Vitamin E.
• Are your hands ultra-dry? Try Elasto-Seamollient Hand Cream, the richest formulation of all our hand creams.
• And if you’re still not sure which hand cream is right for you, check out our hand cream guide to pick the one that best suits your needs.

2. If you’re able to stay home all day, you’re battling with heat or air conditioning 24/7. Or, if you’re out working—especially if you’re a healthcare professional—you’re dealing with it all.* To make sure your skin stays balanced, take your hydration routine one step further by misting your skin before you moisturize. Doing so will help improve moisturization and infuse additional soothing, botanical benefits into any moisturizer applied afterwards. A few of our favorites are:

• A.H.A. & Ceramide Moisturizer, a light, brightening face cream perfect for combo-oily to oily skin.
• Buttermilk Moisturizer, a Lactic Acid-infused formula for normal to combo-dry skin.
• Honey Moisturizer, a radiance-boosting moisturizer for dry skin.
• Hyaluronic Day Cream, a mid-weight face cream for dry skin types who prefer a richer formulation.
• Cellufirm Moisturizer, the perfect parched or mature-skin face cream for smoothing, protein-enriched hydration.

3. If your skin is in serious distress, reach for a calming face mask. Use Azulene Calming Mask (for all skin types) or Healing & Soothing Mask (for oily or troubled skin types) after a long day. Each one is infused with soothing botanicals and other comforting ingredients to help restore, replenish, and bring your skin back to life. After 15-20 minutes, liberally mist your skin first to help ease the removal process.

Last but certainly not least, treat yourself.

• Exfoliate with Almond & Honey Face Scrub. It’s decadent, creamy, and positively delightful…and it’s gentle on delicate skin. Plus, it’s in a generous jar—which means you can use it on your body, too, guilt-free. Follow up with your favorite face moisturizer and body lotion.
• For added hydration and a dewy glow, incorporate Rose Hips Nourishing Oil into your skin care routine. A few drops are all you need to diminish any signs of dullness or dryness.
• Amp up your hand care routine. Treat your hands like you would your face and as often as you can: mist your hands with your favorite facial spray, apply a few drops of Super Peptide Serum for next-level moisturization and line-smoothing benefits, then follow with a generous layer of your favorite hand cream. Then, slip on your gloves to lock it all in. By they time you remove them, voila! Baby-soft hands.

.   .   .

* To our healthcare heroes: we are more grateful than ever for your steadfast support and display of bravery every day. Thank you.

Originally published as How to Soothe Stressed Skin from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Your choice of moisturizer can make or break your skin care regimen. Bold statement, I know, but I’m standing by it.

The way I see it, moisturizer is pretty much the porridge of skin care—you know, like from Goldilocks? If a face cream is too rich it can cause blackheads and breakouts. If it is too lightweight, it will leave your skin feeling dehydrated and tight. To win a coveted spot in your medicine cabinet it has to be just right, doesn’t it?  I can stick it out to the end of a bottle of cleanser that isn’t quite right until I try a new one. Heck, I’ll use pretty much any eye cream until I hit the bottom of the jar, but if I suspect that my face lotion has caused one single pimple . . .mmm, bye.

Because of this, I’ve created this guide to help you navigate our assortment. Keep reading to find the one that is “just right” for your individual skin type: 

Very Dry
Complex Moisturizer with Vitamin E SPF 20: Everything that dry, delicate skin needs in one place. Creamy, comforting moisture, antioxidant Vitamin E, and sun protection make this classic formula a long-time favorite of our most loyal customers.

Hydrating Moisturizer with Biocare & Hyaluronic Acid: For when you want the same cushiony formula as the Complex with Vitamin E without the sunscreen. Hyaluronic Acid adds moisture-binding muscle to help soften even the driest skin.

Dry
The Moisture Magnet SPF 15: Dry skin? This is your go-to. This best-selling formula thoroughly hydrates without sitting heavily on the skin and shields you from the harmful rays of the sun.

Cellufirm Moisturizer: Peptides, Collagen, and Vitamin E work to boost hydration levels . . .and your youthful appearance!

Combo/Dry
Hyaluronic Moisturizer SPF 15: Hyaluronic Acid helps to hydrate dry areas and SPF 15 protects.

Honey Moisturizer: This super-sweet, mid-weight formula sinks right in and uses Honey Extract to soften and hydrate.

Combo/Normal
Collagen Moisturizer SPF 15: A favorite of the staff at Mario Badescu’s New York City Salon, this feel-good staple contains Cottonseed Oil to replenish any dry bits without adding too much moisture to areas that lean oily.

Buttermilk Moisturizer: This classic was originally formulated by Mario Badescu himself, and is perfect for those who need replenishment but prefer the feeling of ultra-lightweight formulas. Lactic Acid helps up your glow factor.

Combo/Oily
Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 17: This tried-and-true go-to never disappoints. If you have combo/oily skin, this is a must.

A.H.A. & Ceramide Moisturizer: Keep it light and bright, literally. AHAs gently brighten while this lightweight formula imparts just the right amount of moisture to combo/oily skin types.

#MBSkinTip: Not into ultra-rich night creams? Try A.H.A. & Ceramide, Honey, or Buttermilk as part of your PM regimen.

Oily and Acne-Prone
Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30: We love this 3-in-1 formula that combines reparative Green Tea, oil-free hydration, and broad spectrum sunscreen.

Oil Free Moisturizer: The perfect boost to restore balance to oily and acne-prone skin.

Very Oily/Acne-Prone (and everyone else)
Herbal Hydrating Serum: Ok, this is technically a serum, but I’m including it in this post because it is my secret weapon for keeping my notoriously persnickety skin happy and hydrated. Herbal Hydrating Serum can be applied alone to the very oiliest skin types. It can also be used on any skin type in conjunction with any moisturizer. Herbal Hydrating Serum is a win for everyone.

Now that we have that sorted, where did those bears go?

Originally published as Best Face Moisturizer for Your Type from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Fact: Exfoliation is not something that is difficult to get people on board with.

Reason: Humans love to use face scrub, and by humans I mean me, probably you . . . and almost everyone. Who doesn’t love that extra-smooth feeling of freshly scrubbed skin? It’s addictive. As a skin pro, I spend much more time trying to convince overachieving exfoliators to take a rest day than I do preaching the benefits of using a scrub in the first place.

In addition to the instant gratification that exfoliation provides, doing it regularly encourages cell turnover (in other words, it triggers the body to produce beautiful, brand new baby skin cells to replace the old, dull ones that you are sloughing away). Most importantly, properly exfoliated skin is better able to absorb the serums and moisturizers applied onto it. That’s right kids— (#MBSkinTip in 3 . . . 2 . . .) proper exfoliation makes the rest of your products work better.

Now that we’ve established why we are all such motivated exfoliators, let’s determine which face scrub is the best fit for you.

If you like to take a gentle approach to exfoliation, snag a jar of Strawberry or Kiwi Face Scrub. Cornmeal and actual fruit seeds work to brighten.

Is your skin on the sensitive side? Almond & Honey Face Scrub is formulated with detoxifying Kaolin Clay, skin-softening Honey, and moisturizing Sweet Almond Oil. Ground Almonds and Cornmeal gently buff away dullness.

#MBSkinTip: Almond and Honey Scrub can play double-duty as an ultra-gentle face mask. After exfoliating, let it set for 10 minutes before you rinse!

If you like the feeling of a micro-fine exfoliant (sans microbeads!), you will love Botanical Exfoliating Scrub. This luxe, gel-based formula is brimming with good-for-your-skin natural ingredients including: Coconut Extract, Green Tea, Ginger, and Gingko Biloba. Skin is left smooth and perfectly polished.

Acne-erupted skin is delicate and may not be able to tolerate manual exfoliation (aka grainy scrubs), so get the smooth without the scrub by swapping your daily cleanser for Glycolic Foaming Cleanser three times per week.

Which of these is your match?

Originally published as The Best Face Scrub for Your Type from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Navigating the beauty world at large can be a dizzying experience, especially when you’re on a mission to find a solution, fast. Somewhere between a late-night YouTube/Instagram hole (which may or may not have been punctuated by a dimly-lit phone falling on our face, mid-scroll) and giving up altogether, there’s clarity.

Here’s how to find it. Whether you’re a skin care newbie or a seasoned skin connoisseur, we recommend starting with these basic steps:

1. Get to know your skin.

We recommend taking our free skin analysis as a jumping off point to receive a customized regimen, but it’s also important to consult an aesthetician. If you’re experiencing chronic acne, redness, sensitivity, or any other pressing concerns, do see a dermatologist. You’ll cut out a lot of trial and error when you work with an expert.

2. Start with the basics.

It’s human nature to go into a frenzied spree because you think you need everything, but resist as best you can. More often than not, the root of any concern (like a breakout) is an imbalance that results from something as simple as improper cleansing or lack of hydration. Hit pause before you buy every serum or spot treatment under the sun. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm both you and your skin.

Our philosophy revolves around keeping things simple yet effective, after all, and that applies to both the physical product and actual practice. We recommend using the following guidelines to build a basic skin care regimen that actually works:

1. Cleanser: Face wash seems like such a simple, inconsequential thing, but it easily may well be the most important product in your entire routine. Without a clean slate, anything applied onto the skin is useless. Make sure you wash away the makeup, oil, and impurities so your skin can actually absorb the benefits of your beloved serums and creams.
2. Toner: Also to be used twice daily. Toner helps re-balance the skin and impart complexion-boosting benefits, too.
3. Eye Cream: The eye area is one of the most delicate parts of your skin, so treat it with extra love and care. Mario Badescu was a firm believer that everyone over the age of 21 should have an eye cream in their routine. Apply eye cream every morning and evening to ensure your skin stays well moisturized.
4. Moisturizer: Hydration is key, no matter your skin type. Finding the right level of moisture is the difference between a happy, balanced complexion and one that’s, well, not. When properly moisturized, oily skin types will find that they’re far less prone to a greasy T-zone—and parched skin will relish in a dewy, healthy glow.
5. Exfoliant: Regular exfoliation is the solution to most skin care woes. Dull? Flaky? Congested? Uneven in tone and texture? Exfoliate. Our aestheticians recommend exfoliating 1-2 times a week for dry to normal skin, and 2-3 times a week for combination to oily skin types.
6. Mask: Masks are still having a moment—but they’ve been a core part of the MB regimen since 1967. Your twice-daily routine is maintenance; masking 2-3 times a week allows your skin to hit the reset button.

3. Introduce new products one by one.

Now that you have your regimen outlined, it’s tempting to try everything all at once… but don’t. Reign in the excitement just a bit and take it step by step, product by product. Doing so will allow you to actually gauge if a new product is effective, or in the case of a reaction (like a breakout), you can pinpoint the problem instantly.

Start with one to two products a day, then continue to add on.

If you have sensitive skin, patch-test each product before using it on your face. Apply a pea-sized amount to your inner elbow or wrist; if you experience irritation or redness, try something else instead. Once a product gets the green light, try it out for a week before adding another new product into the mix.

4. Ready to take it to the next level?

Once you’ve established the foundation, you’ll have a more accurate read of what your skin likes and truly needs. You might not need anything beyond your MB “six,” but if you find that you do, start adding additional products like a night cream, serum, spot treatment, or secondary mask (to rotate or multi-mask with).

A few pointers when expanding your skin care regimen, because layering is an art:

• You’ve seen our facial spray everywhere, but how do you actually use a face mist? Good news is that there’s no wrong way to use it, but there are a few ways to use it with purpose. We recommend misting your complexion after you’ve cleansed and toned your skin, but before you apply your moisturizer. Doing so will not only give your skin a botanical boost, but it’ll add essential hydration to your skin—which you then seal in with your face cream. Read this for more ways you can use your facial spray.
• Serums go on before your moisturizer or night cream. The only exception to the rule are products like our Herbal Hydrating Serum and Rose Hips Nourishing Oil, which can be applied before or after.
• Targeting breakouts? Apply Drying Lotion or Drying Cream directly onto the blemish and leave it alone. Avoid applying serum or face cream on top, and instead, moisturize around the area.

Learn more about the art of layering skin care, here.

5. Don’t be afraid to change your routine.

You should follow your regimen religiously, but that doesn’t mean the products within your routine are set in stone. Allow for flexibility because your skin is living, ever-changing organ; anything from seasonal shifts to new stress can affect it.

Adapt accordingly.

For example: You may find that your skin tends to get a little flaky and dehydrated come fall. Try incorporating an acid into your daily routine—such as through Glycolic Acid Toner—to help remove the buildup of dulling, dead skin cells. Then, counter the moisture loss by layering a serum under your current moisturizer or choosing a richer face cream.

Say you’re off to a warm-weather beach vacation. Lucky you! Arrive prepared, because the combination of travel stress and shock from extreme climate change can wreak havoc on our skin.

• Herbal Hydrating Serum will prove to be your best friend; it’s lightweight, oil-free, and can be worn over moisturizer to boost hydration or alone on super-hot, humid days.
• If your skin is oily to begin with, swap out Enzyme Cleansing Gel for Acne Facial Cleanser, which contains Salicylic Acid to help break down pore-clogging impurities and keep skin looking clear. Dry? Use Enzyme Cleansing Gel or Seaweed Cleansing Soap instead of your at-home face wash to rejuvenate skin.
• Don’t be afraid to change up your toner, too. Go a step up to combat unwanted shine and sweat. For example, dry skin types might want to use Seaweed Cleansing Lotion instead of their usual Aloe Vera Toner since the Witch Hazel boasts astringent properties. Combination skin should try using Cucumber Cleansing Lotion instead of Seaweed Cleansing Lotion, and oily types might find that Special Cucumber Lotion is a savior in clarifying and refreshing skin.

For more ideas, check out our #MarioMonthlyEdit where we show you how we’re switching things up our top shelf.

Originally published as How to Build a Skin Care Regimen that Works from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

It’s frustrating when a new purchase seems like a dud. Just as bad—or possibly worse—is when a tried-and-true favorite stops working altogether.

What now? What do you do when your skin care isn’t working?

Before you feel duped or defeated, remember that coming across the occasional roadblock is par the course of every skin care journey. All skin is unique, and though a cult favorite may not produce the same miracles on you as it does for others, not all is lost.

Here are five reasons why your skin care products might not be working—and how to fix it:

1. You’re not applying your skin care in the right order.

Layering comes down to a science that requires precision in the order of application. Apply incorrectly and you may be left wondering why you’re not getting results. The general rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest in texture:

1. Cleanser
2. Toner
3. Facial Spray (optional)
4. Eye Cream
5. Serum
6. Moisturizer/Face Cream

There are exceptions, of course (so refer to your product labels for specific directions), but the idea is to optimize absorption. Serums, for example, are highly concentrated formulas designed to address specific concerns. On that basis alone, they need to be applied closest to the skin in order to deliver fortified benefits efficiently and effectively. Face cream or moisturizer should then be applied on top to seal in the serum and guard against moisture loss.

To learn more about layering, read this comprehensive guide.

2. The change of seasons is affecting your skin.

Your solution? Listen to your skin and switch up your products accordingly. Is your skin feeling dry or more sensitive as the weather cools? Swap out your lightweight moisturizer for a richer face cream. Are you suddenly breaking out between seasons? Chances are, your skin is experiencing an imbalance, so adjust your regimen where needed and add one of these on-the-spot solutions to your routine to target blemishes. Does your skin appear oilier and congested? Use a clarifying astringent to remove all excess oil and add clay-based mask to your weekly routine for an effective deep-clean.

3. You’re not exfoliating.

If your skin isn’t clean, everything you do afterwards is pointless.

If you’re not exfoliating, dead skin cells and other impurities build up and clog your pores skin—which can leave your skin congested, uneven in texture, and prone to breakouts… and renders everything you apply thereafter pointless.

Moral of the story? Exfoliate regularly to help increase the efficacy of any skin care applied afterwards.

This is how often you should be exfoliating:

• 1-2 times per week for dry to combination or normal skin
• 2-3 times per week for combination to oily skin

Not exfoliating or not sure which scrub is best suited for our skin type? Use…

• Almond & Honey Face Scrub if you have dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
• Botanical Exfoliating Scrub no matter your skin type. If you love a granular scrub, this one’s for you!
• Strawberry Face Scrub if you have combo skin.
• Kiwi Face Scrub if you have relatively clear, combo/oily or oily skin.
• Glycolic Foaming Cleanser if you’re dry or oily. If you love an acid-based exfoliant, this will be a staple in your regimen

4. You’re using your products incorrectly.

We’ve all done it. In a haste of excitement, we apply with abandon, then wonder why we aren’t seeing the same results everyone else on Instagram is raving about. There’s always a chance that the product might not be right for your skin type, but there’s a lingering possibility that it could be.

Common mistakes include:

• Shaking the Drying Lotion.
• Not shaking the Buffering Lotion.
• Using the incorrect solution for the type of breakout you’re experiencing. Here’s a guide on the differences between Drying Lotion, Drying Cream, and Buffering Lotion.

When in doubt, ask us! Tweet or DM us with any questions.

5. Your perfect regimen is still out there, waiting.

Narrow down the endless options by taking our free skin analysis to find out which products are best suited for your skin type. Once you fill out the questionnaire, our skin specialists will customize a regimen based on your needs so you don’t have to do the guesswork.

It’s that simple.

. . .

Originally published as 5 Reasons Why Your Skin Care Products Aren’t “Working” from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

The Makeup Show is a magical event where makeup artists from New York City and beyond gather for two days of education, networking, and . . . shopping!

Every year for the last decade team Mario Badescu sets up shop and spends The Makeup Show days reuniting with our makeup artist friends, meeting new ones, and helping everyone who visits our booth choose the best products to use on their clients and themselves.

Want to know which MB products will be misted, dabbed, and patted onto celebrity skin backstage and in makeup trailers this year?

Here’s a list of our best-sellers from The Makeup Show NYC 2018:

10. Hyaluronic Eye Cream

Not only does this go-to eye cream formula moisturize without being heavy and smooth fine lines, it applies seamlessly onto skin creating the perfect canvas for concealer.

9. Buttermilk Moisturizer

This classic has endured for decades for good reason—the versatile formula provides a generous amount of moisture while being virtually weightless. Makeup artists love it for clients who don’t like when products feel heavy on the skin.

#MBSkinTip: Don’t like the feeling of rich night creams? Add Buttermilk Moisturizer into your PM skin routine instead to get skin-softening moisture without the weight!

8. Summer Shine Body Lotion

You don’t have to limit highlight to your cheekbones. Shins, collarbones, and shoulders can pop, too! Just apply Summer Shine Body lotion like our favorite pros do!

7. Herbal Hydrating Serum

This oil-free gel hydrating serum is quite literally a drink of water for parched skin. Its track record for hydrating even the most temperamental complexions without causing breakouts make it a makeup kit must-have.

6. Vitamin C Serum

This little bottle of magic is one of our most requested by celebrity makeup artists and not because they are finishing their bottles quickly, no. It’s because clients love it so much that the artists end up giving them the bottle to take home.

5. Glycolic Acid Toner

This toner is a favorite because it helps to gently reveal glowing, clear skin without being harsh. The mild formula contains brightening Glycolic Acid and Grapefruit Extract and is gentle enough to be used twice daily.

4. Enzyme Cleansing Gel

One of our artist friends told us that there are two things that get her out of bed when she has an early call time: coffee and Enzyme Cleansing Gel. This non-foaming gel formula is suitable for virtually every skin type and is, capital R, Refreshing!

3. Drying Lotion

Ah, pimples. The great equalizer. Yes, even your favorite model, influencer, or celebrity gets them from time to time, and when they do, there will be hundreds of makeup artists armed with a fresh bottle of Drying Lotion from The Makeup Show.

2. Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea

True story: we took this mist to fashion week so that makeup artists could give it a try before it officially launched, and the clean refreshing scent was so lovely it lifted everyone’s mood—even the models running in late with makeup on from their last show.

1. Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

You can’t go wrong with a classic—and neither did the hundreds of makeup artists who left this year’s Makeup Show with a bottle of this favorite. Whether it is used to wet brushes or sponges, boost moisture, hydrate the skin before a touch-up, or as a finishing step after an application this reliable kit staple is beloved by makeup artists and their notable clients alike.

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How many of these musts are in your skin stash?

Originally published as The Makeup Show NYC 2018 Top 10 List from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

From travel sizes to retailer exclusives, here is a list of our favorite insider intel to help you shop smarter:

1. Loyal to Mario Badescu Drying Lotion but hate glass bottles? Our much-loved blemish solution is available in a travel-friendly, shatter-proof plastic bottle on Nordstrom.com.

2. Love your cleanser (toner, body lotion, or shower gel) so much you wish you could bathe in it? Well, we can’t fill a bathtub for you, BUT most of our cleansers and toners are available on mariobadescu.com in 16oz. bottles. And the best part? The double-sized bottles aren’t double the price. That right. Snag a giant bottle of your go-to cleanser and put the money you saved toward a new bottle of Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater! Strategy, see?!

3. Speaking of Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater, did you know you can buy it in a giant 8oz. bottle? Or a very cute, carry-on friendly 2oz Bottle? You haven’t fallen down a rabbit hole, Alice, this is all real.

4. Calling all jet Setters, gym goers, and bi-coastal babes! You can buy travel-sized Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater, Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 15, and Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea on Ulta.com.

5. Are you in the know? Mariobadescu.com shoppers have access to exclusive GWPs, discounts, and free shipping on orders over $35? Sign up here and be the first to find out about our special offers.

6. Wondering how to get Mario Badescu samples? There are two main ways. The first way is for customers who’ve never taken our online skin analysis. Simply fill out the information requested here and a free sample regimen will be sent out for you. * ** The second way is to select three free samples whenever you place an order on mariobadescu.com.

Now, which of these tips will you put to use first?

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*Sample regimen only available in the United States.

**Must pay $2.95 for shipping and handling.

Originally published as Mario Hacks: Travel Sizes, Free Samples, and Beyond from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Skin care is an investment in both time and money. Here’s how to make it worth your while so you can get the most out of your Mario Badescu Skin Care products.

Addicted to our Facial Sprays?

Next time you need to replenish on your favorite face mist, order our larger, 8-oz bottle instead. It’s twice the product—but not the price.

Make your Drying Lotion last a little longer.

If you find that the clear liquid in your Drying Lotion seems “run out” faster than the pink sediment at the bottom, change up your Q-tips. We recommend using the thinner, pointed cotton swabs that allow for even more precise application—and also absorb less liquid.

Mask more effectively.

When applying your masks, you an opaque but thin layer over your skin. Doing so will not only prevent product waste, but also help the mask dry (and therefore, work) more effectively in the 10-20 minute time slot.

Try multi-masking to get the most effective results.

Take a minute to analyze your skin. You’ll notice that different areas of your face have different needs. For example, your forehead might need more moisture, but your T-zone needs some decongesting action. You could slap on one mask and call it a day (and you’d still get an overall boost in complexion), but multi-masking enables targeted solutions for each area.

Learn how to multi-mask here.

Do you feel like your skin changes easily from day to day, season to season?

Keep a serum on hand to customize the way you moisturize. (Check out our guide on how to find the perfect serum for your type.) Instead of settling or crowding your medicine cabinet with multiple moisturizers, layer a serum into the mix on days your skin craves extra hydration or needs a boost in glow.

Remove your makeup, cleanse twice daily, and exfoliate regularly.

If you don’t do commit to the above, you’re allowing layers of old makeup, pore-clogging oil, and dulling dead skin cells build up. Which means:

• You may be more prone to blackheads and pesky breakouts
• Your skin appears uneven in tone and texture
• Any product applied afterwards (like your beloved creams and serums) can’t penetrate as well as they would if they were applied on clean skin.

Moral of the story: Start with a clean slate every morning and before bed.

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Originally published as #MBSkinTips: How to Get the Most Out of Your Skin Care Products from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.