Mario Badescu Skin Care Feed http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/ Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog Feed EN <![CDATA[Try this: This Dry Skin Remedy is Too Good to Keep a Secret]]>


To restore moisture to dry skin combine 2 drops of the Herbal Hydrating Serum with 2 drops of the Rosehips Nourishing Oil in the palm of your hand.  Rub hands together and press the resulting emulsion onto clean skin.  Apply moisturizer on top.]]> Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/try-this--this-dry-skin-remedy-is-too-good-to-keep-a-secret http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/try-this--this-dry-skin-remedy-is-too-good-to-keep-a-secret http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/try-this--this-dry-skin-remedy-is-too-good-to-keep-a-secret <![CDATA[The Official Mario Badescu Spot Treatment Cheat Sheet]]>
While MB’s assortment of spot treatments make for effective acne fighting, I understand that it can be a bit overwhelming when you are simply trying to pick a product that will get rid of your zit by Friday.  So here it is, a simple cheat sheet to help you choose which of our most popular spot treatments is right for you.

1.) Best Product for Whiteheads - Drying Lotion, $17  

2.) Best Product for Blackheads - Silver Powder, $12  

3.) Best Product for Deep, Cystic Pimples - Buffering Lotion, $17  

4.) Best Product for Small, Bumpy Pimples - Drying Cream, $14  

5.) Best Product for Healing, Scabby Pimples - Healing Cream, $17  

6.) Best Product for Preventing Breakouts - Anti-Acne Serum, $20  ]]> Fri, 8 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the-official-mario-badescu-spot-treatment-cheat-sheet http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the-official-mario-badescu-spot-treatment-cheat-sheet http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the-official-mario-badescu-spot-treatment-cheat-sheet <![CDATA[Spring Cleaning: At-Home Facial]]>

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start.  Have you been telling your self that you are going to start taking better care of your skin but keep putting it off?  Try this simple, gentle at home facial to get you going (and glowing) in the right direction!

Step 1: Cleanse - Using your daily cleanser apply to damp skin and massage in upward circular motions for about 30 seconds and rinse.

Step 2: Exfoliate - Apply Mario Badescu’s Kiwi Face Scrub, to damp skin and massage skin the same way as in step one for 30 seconds and rinse with warm water.



Step 3: Mask - For this spring time facial choose a mask that will leave the skin feeling clean and refreshed.  Apply a thin but opaque layer to the face and neck avoiding the eyes.  Leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.


For combo/oily/sensitive skin types use the Cucumber Tonic Mask.  This clay based mask with help detox the skin by absorbing excess dirt and oil without over drying.  The cucumber extract in this mask has soothing, refreshing and anti inflammatory properties.





For combo/dry/sensitive skin types use the Rose Hips Mask.  This restorative mask is formulated to revive tired dull skin.  It contains rose hips extract which is known for its healing properties and antioxidant vitamin C content.






Step 4: Tone - Squeeze your daily toner onto a cotton square or round and apply to skin in sweeping upward motions.  This will balance the skin and remove any traces of mask that may be remaining on your skin.

Step 5: Moisturize - Gently apply your daily eye cream and facial moisturizer and don’t forget your Lip Wax SPF 15.


]]> Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/spring-cleaning--at-home-facial http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/spring-cleaning--at-home-facial http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/spring-cleaning--at-home-facial <![CDATA[5 Skin Care Questions: Kristin Larson]]> Kristin Larson writes the beauty and fashion blog Simply Chic for MSN.com. The goal of the blog is to deliver "Fresh & Fun Style Advice." She also writes her own blog, BeRealLuxe.com, focused on luxury for less and luxury worth the splurge.

1. How would you describe your skin type?

Oily/combination.

2. What is the best skin care advice anyone ever gave you?

To wear sunscreen, avoid smoking and avoid the sun during peak hours (from 12 noon to 3 p.m.)

3. In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you can do for your skin?

Wear sunscreen daily.

4. What is your personal skin care routine like?

I wash my face twice daily, followed by toner and moisturizer—using Mario Badescu products formulated for oily/combo skin, I wear sunscreen and try and do a mask at least once a week.

5. What is your first skin care memory?

My mom steaming her face, applying a mask and putting sliced cucumbers over her eyes. It made me think you can create a spa experience at home. Later on, my sister was a makeup artist at Dior and got me using undereye cream at age 13!

We can't thank Kristin enough for the great interview!  Check out some of her blog posts about Mario Badescu below:
]]> Wed, 9 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--kristin-larson http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--kristin-larson http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--kristin-larson <![CDATA[Exercise: My Frienemy]]> How many times have you joined a gym and went gung-ho for a few months then found it was a major effort to get motivated to go, even when you have no real excuse not to? How many DVD’s or exercise gizmos and equipment do you own and hardly ever use?  Why do people that always brag about how much they “love the gym” seem to be the yo-yo dieters/exercisers who do exactly what I just stated above and never stick to it as a lifestyle, only as a temporary tool for losing weight and then gain it back and don’t see the inside of the gym for months on end?  If exercise is so good for your body and gives such positive results, why are we so often resistant to doing it and neglect it as part of our lifestyle?  We all know that once the workout is done, you feel happy and revitalized and so grateful you did it, right?  So if this feeling is so wonderful then why don’t we seek it out often or as often as we seek that good feeling that comes with eating a piece of cheesecake?  I wish I had the answer to these questions.

I can honestly say I have not gone more than 2 months without working out since the mid 90’s. That being said, I look pretty flabby and out of shape because I refuse to work out properly and eat properly.  Why? I wish I knew.  I’m starting to feel my age for the first time and I know things have to change in my lifestyle if I want to live a long, productive life.  Hey, I knew it would happen eventually if I didn’t take measures to stop it from happening! Ok I know. I’m lazy. I certainly know it’s important to strength train in combination with cardio to build and keep lean muscle and tone up flabby parts. Yeah, I do cardio and burn calories by jogging and doing tae bo, step aerobics (yes, I’m stuck in the 90’s but it’s still a hard workout!). Somehow any kind of weight training and consistency seem to be getting away from me.  Yeah it stinks working all day, some days standing for hours on end, and then to come home drained of energy knowing that skipping my workout could have negative effects on the fit of my Saturday night party outfit. If I can get in 45 minutes of cardio and burn off a small percentage of last night’s Chinese food binge, somehow that placates me for the time being and prevents me from growing out of my clothes before the season is over. I really should not be content with such minimal effort at my personal fitness and well being.

Another thing that always puzzled me: Why is a 4 hour event like a wedding or class reunion a good enough reason to temporarily get into shape and lose weight but your overall daily life isn’t important enough to stay healthy and fit for the long term?  You know the diet and fitness people are loving this because that just gives them the opportunity to sell you more DVD’s, equipment and pre-packaged meals because eventually you will stop, get out of shape again and come back to them for more. Clever, they are.

I am constantly seeking motivational sources that actually work. I have friends and co-workers who are in mid gung-ho mode on the gym, healthy eating thing and the results are amazing and they radiate happiness and positive energy.  I just hope they have changed their lifestyle and this is not just temporary because it would prove to be true everything I said in the first paragraph. I want to truly love staying fit and healthy so it becomes part of my lifestyle just like brushing my teeth and going to work. Overall I think I would be a happier, more productive person.  How can I make this happen?

Jack LaLanne. Google him if you are too young to know who he is. The first exercise guy on tv. He’s one of the juicer guys on tv too.  It’s such a kick to see an exercise show from the 1950’s. Check it out.  www.jacklalanne.com. He just turned 96. Unbelievable.

Stolen JackLaLanneisms for my blog:

- “Do not exceed the feed limit.”  Love that one. I should have a t-shirt made up for myself.

- “Your waistline is your lifeline.”  Wow, does that mean I have a very big lifeline?  Ha!

- “People don’t die of old age. They die of inactivity.” 

- “If one apple is good, you wouldn’t eat 100.” True. On the flip side, one Snickers is good so I probably could eat 100!  For sure.

Even though this is a bit off topic, I’d like to share something with you. Since my diet is so poor usually, I decided I need to get some vital nutrients and antioxidants in to my body somehow, easily and for very few calories and no fat. Maybe this will help me get some energy for exercise.  I started making green smoothies! Yes I said “green”.  I promise you, you will NOT taste the spinach. I even got my best friend into making them and experimenting with different fruit combos. Don’t ask me what I said when she told me she threw a clove of garlic in hers. Here’s the basic recipe I found on line somewhere. I tweaked it a bit.  It makes a full blender and enough for 2 large glasses.  Really it should be consumed immediately to prevent loss of nutrients. One a day is plenty for me so refrigerate the leftovers in a tighly closed container and enjoy within 24 hours. You may need to vigorously shake it an add some ice the next day.  Measurements do not have to be exact.

½ banana (I like to cut mine in half, wrap it tightly and refrigerate the halves so they stay cold)

1.5c of fresh frozen berries. Any combo of raspberries, blueberries (antioxidant superfood), strawberries, blackberries works just fine. It all tastes the same to me. Stock up on whatever is on sale and keep them frozen in a freezer bag for future use. Berries can be expensive.

2 big handfuls of fresh spinach (antioxidant superfood).  I haven’t tried baby spinach but you will need a lot more if you do. You can use Kale(antioxidant superfood) if you want but I hear the veggie taste doesn’t get covered up as much as the spinach.

Approx 1c cold water.

Ice cubes optional

Put the banana in the blender first followed by the berries, spinach and water (and ice). Your blender should be filled almost to the top.

Blend on high. You will have to open the lid and work the spinach down into the blade a few times with a wooden spoon. (Uh, yeah. turn off the blender first please. Berry juice stains and blender blades can cut you badly!)

Once everything looks smooth and blended, enjoy. I was very, very surprised at how much I like these things. I warn you. They don’t look so pretty though. And NO I have not added vodka to the recipe…yet!  (Just kidding!)]]> Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/exercise--my-frienemy http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/exercise--my-frienemy http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/exercise--my-frienemy <![CDATA[5 Skin Care Questions: Hope Schmid]]> Hope DeAngelis Schmid is co-founder of the popular women's travel and beauty blog, The Jet Set Girls.  She also writes for The DC Ladies, Brilliant Color and Beauty Today, and Daily Makeover among others.  Hope is always on the lookout for the best new beauty products and enjoys sharing her finds and flops with her readers.

1. How would you describe your skin type?

I have classic combination skin and even though I'm in my 30's, I'm prone to the occasional breakout. I have a couple of Mario Badescu products on my bathroom counter for just those occasions:  the anti-acne serum for an area like my chin that's inflammed, and the drying lotion to address particular spots.

2. What is the best skin care advice anyone ever gave you?

Diagnose the reason for your acne flare ups and treat accordingly. For instance, if you break out a couple of days after Halloween, realize it's diet related, throw out the rest of your candy stash, and continue with your regular skin care regimen. If it's hormonal, consider treating specific areas and drink more water. If your skin is broken out but dry, you may be over-treating your skin, drying out the top layers and causing your body to produce more oil to heal itself and in turn making matters worse. In this case you would want to pull back on harsh products and give your skin a "naked" night to rest.

3. In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you can do for your skin?

My aunt and uncle who are dermatologists have been telling me forever to wear sunscreen.  Somehow, that transferred to my face cream early on; but I can't resist having tan legs. By the end of the summer I have a big moon pie face and tan limbs. Thank God for bronzer.

4. What is your personal skin care routine like?

My best intentions are to wash each morning and night, use a quality eye cream, and either an anti-aging cream or a salicylic acid product depending on the condition of my skin. Finish with an SPF and tinted moisturizer.

5. What is your first skin care memory?

My first mask was a bargain from the drugstore; but I loved how it peeled off. I was hooked on beauty treatments after that!

We can't thank Hope enough for this great interview!  Don't forget to check her out on Twitter at @JSGHope - and of course, at The Jet Set Girls.]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--hope-schmid http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--hope-schmid http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--hope-schmid <![CDATA[5 Skin Care Questions: Vanessa Mentor]]> Im So Vane, and is active on YouTube and Twitter.

]]> Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--vanessa-mentor http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--vanessa-mentor http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--vanessa-mentor <![CDATA[5 Skin Care Questions: Sarah Conley]]> Sarah Conley’s uber popular site StyleITOnline.com may be where the fashion nerd meets the pop culture obsessed but if you want to know how this social media maven keeps her skin glowing check out her answers to our same 5 questions.

1. How would you describe your skin type?

I'm half Sicilian, so I'm convinced that it's not "skin" but an oil refinery. Everyone keeps telling me this will work to my benefit as I age, but right now it's a total pain. Blotting sheets are my friend!

2. What is the best skin care advice anyone ever gave you?

Stop picking! I am SUCH a picker, however my skin (and subsequent scars) don't really appreciate it. Fortunately, the Drying Lotion gives me enough confidence that the problem will be solved before I am overpowered by my desire to attack the problem.

3. In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you can do for your skin?

It's a toss up between washing your face before bed (super important) or regularly applying eye cream. Both are so crucial!

4. What is your personal skin care routine like?

In the mornings, I cleanse, tone, apply serum, eye cream, moisturizer and then prime before foundation.  In the evening/at the end of the day, I cleanse, tone, apply eye cream and a night cream.  Occasionally, I use a mask when I feel that my face needs it.

5. What is your first skin care memory?

The first thing I can ever remember relating to my skin was, of course, a pimple of gigantic proportions. They are so traumatizing!

We can't thank Sarah enough for taking the time to sit down with us for this post!  Don't forget to check out StyleITOnline.com, and some of her recent posts about Mario Badescu Skin Care:

]]> Tue, 2 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--sarah-conley http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--sarah-conley http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--sarah-conley <![CDATA[Seasons Change (Skin Does Too)]]> Never until this year did I realize such a change in my skin from season to season.  I had a hard time understanding customers who would say their skin gets so dry in the winter when I have never experienced anything close to a change like that in myself.  Maybe in August I get a bit shinier and in the winter it’s more normal but yep, it’s true. Now I can say it’s real because it’s happening to me!

Two days of the very small amount of heat being on in my apartment, I am waking up tight and dry when my skin is usually combination and even leans a little oily sometimes. The radiator isn’t even on in my bedroom. Is that the 40 showing on my skin? No I don’t mean the 40oz beer (well, could be that too), I mean the age.  How does this relate to your products, you ask?

Dry heat can dehydrate the skin making it feel tight and dry. Similar effects come from air conditioning in the summer.  Your regular, every day moisturizer or night cream may just not cut it once the weather changes and you’re all toasty in your house with the heat blasting. Try adding a serum over (or under depending on which product) your day or night moisturizer for a little boost if you can’t stand to part with your current moisturizer or night cream. You may need to knock your toner down a few notches milder too.  Make small changes to get the right balance for your skin so it looks great all year round.  Sometimes a simple change to your routine like using a moisture mask once a week or an exfoliating peel once a week can really help.

Many times for my clients I will recommend switching a liquid moisturizer over to a thicker protective cream. There is a very logical and simple explanation as to why we do this for customers who live in colder or seasonal climates. Creams usually contain occlusive emollients which simply means they work by preventing moisture from evaporating from the skin which happens in dry heat environments.  Just because an ingredient is occlusive (petroleum for example), does not necessarily mean it clogs the pores. Lighter liquid moisturizers which are made with up to 70 percent water use humectants as the active moisture ingredients. Humectants (for example Hyaluronic Acid or Collagen) pull moisture from the air and lock it on the skin.

How can I not mention this? Yes, still use your sunscreen daily, even in the winter. Did you know that the UVA rays that cause wrinkles and skin cancer are CONSTANT year-round? The same amount of UVA damage is acquired whether you are out on a rainy day in winter or in August on the beach or at the pool. Best advice, use SPF every day and SPF 30 is best. Get a make-up with SPF if your favorite moisturizer doesn’t have SPF.  I’d say it’s pretty counterproductive to spend all kinds of time, money and energy on good make-up and skin care if you’re not going to use one basic, simple skin care product that is going to give you the biggest overall, long-term benefit. I can’t say this enough.]]> Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/seasons-change--skin-does-too- http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/seasons-change--skin-does-too- http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/seasons-change--skin-does-too- <![CDATA[Martha Stewart, Oprah and Me!!!]]>
Chances are I won’t be launching my own network in this lifetime, but I must say I am always tickled when I notice similarities between myself and these ladies.  My love of literature and inclinations toward spirituality . . . totally Oprah.  My overwhelming desire to make cauliflower soup from scratch the minute the temperature drops below 70. . .  how much more Martha can you be?

As many of you probably know, this past Tuesday Martha and Oprah united when Martha was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show (Goosebumps!).  I could barely breathe when Martha presented Oprah with a gift basket containing (amongst other surely wonderful goodies) Mario Badescu products!  Not only were these Mario Badescu products, but included in the basket were the exact hand cream and facial spray that I cannot live without.  Just the notion that the three of us could possibly have something in common is almost too much for me to process. 

I now have to wonder what else we three have in common?  Is pizza their favorite food too?  Do they set their alarm clocks a half hour early so that they can press snooze at least twice before waking up also?  I may be a media mogul myself before I have the answers to these questions but at least for now I know we have the same skin care products. 

Want to know which products were in the gift basket that Martha gave to Oprah?  Here’s the list.

- Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

- Cellufirm Drops

- AHA Botanical Body Lotion

- Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E

Check out more of Martha Stewart's Mario Badescu Favorites!


]]> Fri, 8 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/martha-stewart-oprah-and-me http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/martha-stewart-oprah-and-me http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/martha-stewart-oprah-and-me <![CDATA[Fall is here! Hooray!]]> My favorite time of year is right around the corner. Late September through March.  I love the cool and cold weather. I love my fuzzy sweaters and boots. I love that my apartment is normal room temperature and not 90 degrees like all Spring and Summer. I love walking for miles and miles in the city, people watching and window shopping without breaking a sweat. I love having a cup of hot coffee without feeling like I’m having a hot flash after the first sip. By late September I am really missing my hot chocolate (with Bailey’s of course). Strange but I love when it gets dark early. Aside from severely limiting the time I can go running outside after work if at all, I am a big fan of dim and dark. Probably stemming from many years of being self-conscious of my skin. Not anymore --thank you Acne Facial Cleanser and Whitening Mask!  Most of all I love my Orange Protective Cream and Walnut Body Lotion which I can only use in the winter.

Fall makes me feel alive and revitalized after a long, hot summer of hiding inside except of course when I spent every day off at the beach or napping under the fan.  That first¬ day of school smell is in the air in September and it brings back great memories of rattling metal lunchboxes, white tights and patent leather Mary Janes. Memories of piling on the blue mascara and black eye liner the second we got to the bus stop (no, not in the same years I was wearing white tights and Mary Janes and carrying a lunchbox! Well, not too much after…).

Cooler weather makes me want to break out all the make-up that has been away for the summer like the rich colored lipsticks and eye shadows that seem too heavy and inappropriate for summer.  I love all my rich body oils and lotions that would feel so awful to use in the horrible heat and humidity of July and August.  I’m such a girly girl product junkie and summer just isn’t the time for product excess or any kind.  Bring it on Fall!

The smell of Fall in the air makes me want to make soup and muffins and I have already begun.  I know my friends and co-workers will be happy about that.  In a few months I’ll be stocking up my freezer with Thanksgiving leftovers that let me have yummy holiday dinners for weeks after.  Having said that, the cooler weather gives me one less excuse not to work out regularly. No complaining about the heat and humidity.

I just can’t think of anything I don’t like about the Fall season. The weather is perfect. The smells in the air make me think of happy memories and things I love to do, love to eat, love to wear. I’m just a happier person until July!  Gives us a shout on Facebook and Twitter and tell us what your favorite season is!]]> Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/fall-is-here--hooray http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/fall-is-here--hooray http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/fall-is-here--hooray <![CDATA[5 Skin Care Questions: Anne Fritz]]> Anne Fritz is one half of the duo that makes up The Jet Set Girls.  Since 2007, Anne and her co-blogger Hope have brightened up the web with their blog covering all things travel and beauty.  We had a chance to sit down with Anne to talk skin care and her Mario Badescu favorites.

1. How would you describe your skin type?

Ever changing. Just when I think I have it figured out, it throws me a curve ball. I tend towards dry, but that doesn't mean I won't get the occasional breakout, even though I'm 30 plus!

2. What is the best skin care advice anyone ever gave you?

In your 30s, you'll have the skin you deserve. When you're younger, you can maybe get away with eating junk food, not wearing sunscreen and not washing your face, but once you hit that 3-0 milestone, if you haven't been--or don't start--taking care of your face, it shows!

3. In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you can do for your skin?

Eat plenty or fruits and veggies, healthy fats like olive oil and walnuts and drink plenty of water. What you put in your body will show on your face.

4. What is your personal skin care routine like?

I wash with Mario Badescu Cream Soap, morning and night. In the morning, I use a Vitamin C lotion, followed by a moisturizer with SPF. At night, I use a Retinoid cream every third day. I love Mario Badescu flight cream on the days I need a moisturizing oomph.

5. What is your first skin care memory?

My mom encouraged me to start getting facials when I was in my early teens. I went to an old school European Aesthetician who gave me a classic facial with steam, extractions, scrubs and a masks--kinda like a Mario Badescu facial. I've been hooked ever since!

We can't thank Anne enough for taking the time to talk skin care with us!  Don't forget to check out her blog, The Jet Set Girls, and to follow her on Twitter @JSGAnne.  Can't get enough of the Jet Set Girls?  Check out their posts about Mario Badescu!

]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--anne-fritz http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--anne-fritz http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--anne-fritz <![CDATA[Are you beauty high maintenance?]]> Are you beauty high maintenance? 

I’ve never really given this much thought until recently.  In fact, if you would have asked me if I was high maintenance a week ago I would have immediately said no.  A budgeting debacle led me to take a look at my personal expenses and (gasp!) I never realized how many of them are beauty, grooming, and fitness related. 

Living in New York City it’s difficult to place yourself on the maintenance scale.  On one end of the spectrum, I know gorgeous girls who wash their faces, apply sunscreen, roll up their yoga mats and skip out of their apartments looking fresh faced and beautiful everyday.  On the other, there are equally stunning ladies who take 2 hours to get ready and have a regular schedule of waxing, facial, spa, dermatologist, nail, hair and personal training along with occasional nip, tuck and injection appointments worked into their monthly calendar.  Personally, I have great affinity for both the natural beauties and the perfectly primped, but where do I fit in?

Hmmm, perhaps there is such a thing as being medium maintenance?  These are the beauty related expenses that were on my list:



Weekly

- Manicure

Every other week

- Pedicure

- Eye brow grooming

Monthly

- Waxing

- 2 gym memberships (paid for monthly)

Every other month

- Facial (at Mario Badescu of course!)

- Hair Color

Every 6 months

- Hair cut bi-yearly

Other indulgences

- Massages very occasionally

- Other spa treatments occasionally

- Replenishment on skin care and makeup when needed

What do you think?  Are these just the basics or are they excessive?

What’s on your beauty/grooming/fitness list?  Let us know via Facebook, Twitter, or E-Mail!]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/are-you-beauty-high-maintenance http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/are-you-beauty-high-maintenance http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/are-you-beauty-high-maintenance <![CDATA[5 Skin Care Questions: Felicia Walker Benson]]> Felicia Walker Benson, Editor in Chief of ThisThatBeauty.com is one of our favorite multitasking beauty mavens.  Her passion for all things beauty and fashion related has parlayed itself into a career as a makeup artist, beauty, fashion and social networking expert. . . whew!  Since she does it all with a glowing complexion we thought we’d ask her to share her skin care pearls of wisdom. 

1. How would you describe your skin type?

My skin is ever-changing. At times it is acneic, oily, dry, and sensitive to trauma (like pimples).I have to constantly monitor my skin's current condition and care for it accordingly. While my skin care principles are constant (cleanse, tone, eye cream, treat, protect, peels/masks) my specific products rotate regularly.

2. What is the best skin care advice anyone ever gave you?

"Take care of your skin". I learned this from an early age because I was forced to deal with acne at around age 21. From that point I realized that I had to really invest the time into caring for my skin. So far so good!

3. In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you can do for your skin?

The single most important thing you can do to care for your skin is to begin a regiment early...like in your teens. Start the process of caring for your skin. Even if it's as simple as cleansing and applying sunscreen during the day and moisturizer at night. Good skin care habits should start early.

4. What is your personal skin care routine like?

The exact products rotate often but the routine is constant: cleanse (non foaming cleanser), tone (non alcohol based toner), treat acne, treat skin with a serum, eye cream, SPF. In the evening I do the same routine but alternate sunscreen with a night time moisturizer. I also use exfoliating peels and masks 2-3 days a week. I try to do seasonal professional silk peels with my dermatologist. And oh, I always use a makeup remover before cleansing my skin.

5. What is your favorite skin care memory?

I don't know that I have a favorite skin care memory but I love that people regularly tell me that I have "great skin" and ask me for skin care advice. I love talking skin!

We can't thank Felicia enough for this great interview!  Don't forget to check out her website This That Beauty, and follow her on Twitter @ThisThatBeauty.

]]> Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--felicia-walker-benson http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--felicia-walker-benson http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--felicia-walker-benson <![CDATA[Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Tanning]]> I grew up by the beach. 2 miles from Smith Point Beach in Shirley, Long Island, New York to be exact.  Dad was a cop in the Marine Bureau on Fire Island and then retired and became a law enforcement Ranger at the Fire Island National Seashore, the beach next door to the beach! The beach was a big part of our lives. Fishing on the beach, four wheeling on the beach, walking for exercise on the beach or the nature path at the beach.  Summers were spent baking in the sun covered in baby oil or Bain De Soliel Orange Gelle (remember that?) at the beach or laying on the deck at our pool.  What did we know? It was the 70’s and 80’s. Tanning was good and I could tan like a Brazilian girl despite my half Irish blood and pasty white skin. My sister-- not so lucky. Blistering herself every summer and being sick for days. Mom still until this day tans herself into leatherdom every Mexican vacation despite my warnings. Whatever. She’s almost 70. She’s not going to stop now even though Dad has had multiple basal cell carcinomas chopped off his face as a result of his years working outdoors at the beach. Some people never learn their lesson.

Once I moved out of my house at age 25 into an apartment with no yard and started working in the city (THE city, New York City), tanning was all but forgotten about.  Yes I was very jealous of all the people I would see at the train station getting ready for their weekends on Fire Island or the Hamptons when I had to be at work. Boooo. 

Working in skin care opened my eyes to a world of wrinkles, skin cancer, melasma, sagging skin, aging skin and people spending all kinds of money and time to repair the damage they have done by overexposure to the sun.  I became somewhat of a sunscreen warrior, being slightly obnoxious lecturing customers, co-workers family and friends who still enjoyed tanning too much just like I did as a kid. I probably went to the beach 5 times in a span of 10 years and that was only when I was on an official vacation. Somehow that was the only justified tanning to me, when on vacation. Seems reasonable, right?  The reason people tell me I look younger than I am is a direct result of staying out of the sun and wearing SPF every single day. See? It does work! Now how did I become 40 and wind up starting the cycle all over again?

The last 3 years I made it to the beach 3-4 times a year, got a little color and became bored with it and started being more productive on my day off rather than sitting at the beach doing nothing but staring at people for 3 hours and coming home slightly toasted. Something happened this year. I got the bug again. I was forced financially to have a staycation this year rather than go away so I spent my days at Jones Beach tanning my pasty white skin to a nice golden tan (along with a nice melasma shadow on my upper lip that looks like a mustache in pictures). SHAME ON ME.  I can’t get enough. I’m looking forward to spending 3 days off next week at my old favorite hometown beach continuing the cycle. How can I look at my customers in the face and tell them tanning is bad?  Ok, I will say I use SPF 30 on my face and SPF 15 on my body but SPF 15? Come on that’s not going to prevent a tan or a burn spending 3 hours at the beach during a heatwave.

Am I addicted? Some studies show that tanning is addictive and that summer sun exposure increases the serotonin levels (feel good chemicals) in the brain. Is this what is happening to me? I was just panicking turning 40 now I am just making matters worse by baking my already 40-year-old skin into premature aging. Ack!  Why does it feel so good after a day at the beach? Skin feels smooth, smells good, the tan looks nice and it’s an all around great feeling.  If it’s such a bad thing, then why does it feel so good?

Did you ever notice the confidence people seem to have when walking around on the beach? Even the ones who would probably have body issues including myself, seem to be more relaxed and at ease with it at the beach. I stare at people at the beach. I observe behavior. I don’t read, sleep or listen to music. I just watch. People can’t hide very much at the beach. It’s just out in the open that everyone has much of the same body issues that seem to cause us so much stress on a day to day basis yet at the beach, seeing these things on most people makes me feel very normal and okay with it. Ya know, the cellulite, veiny legs, stretch marks, body acne, and all that stuff that people in magazines don’t ever seem to have unless they are busted on the front page of the Enquirer. The beach is very therapeutic in this case.  Recently a big TV start was caught by the paparazzi on the beach with cellulite and a bigger than usual tush. The world is coming to an end. A true Hollywood beauty is actually NORMAL. Who would have thought?  How many women out there were happy to see this pic? I was although I felt bad that she was ridiculed for being normal but at least the rest of us got to feel better about ourselves for 5 seconds. Eh, probably the best PR she’s had in years anyway.

So what’s my point here? I’m still not sure.  Sun exposure is bad for the skin. That’s a well known fact. Being at the beach is an experience that overall feels good though. Is there a middle ground? Yes. I believe it’s called moderation, a concept that like myself, many people have trouble applying when it comes to sun, food, or anything bad for us. I really should try it for the rest of the summer. Ok, after next week. 

P.S. The body in the pic isn’t mine. I wish!]]> Mon, 2 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-tanning http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-tanning http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-tanning <![CDATA[5 Skin Care Questions: Amber Katz]]> Amber Katz has been entertaining and informing readers for 4 years with her blog Beauty Blogging Junkie.  We asked her 5 skin care related questions - let’s see what she has to say:

1. How would you describe your skin type?

Normal to oily and sensitive. I have to be really careful about what I use lest I break out. You can imagine that my beauty editor vocation can sometimes pose problems for my skin when I have to test out tons of products!

2. What is the best skin care advice anyone ever gave you?

My friend Tamar shared this tip she learned from an aesthetician: Always use a clean paper towel to dry your face after washing it. It drastically reduces the amount of bacteria in contact with your skin. Also, using the same towel you use to dry your body and hair can harbor oils, conditioner and other acnegenic substances that can lead to break-outs. Using a fresh paper towel daily isn't green, but it keeps me reasonably blemish-free.

3. In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you can do for your skin?

SUNSCREEN! Applying an SPF multiple times throughout the day. Even if you're not at the beach, you need to reapply. SPF 100 will do the same job as SPF 20 that's reapplied.

4. What is your personal skin care routine like?

I exfoliate with a scrub every morning (I love the Mario Badescu Kiwi Scrub!) and wash with an oil-free cleanser at night. I use a clarifying toner and hydrate with a light moisturizer before applying ample amounts of SPF to my face, neck and decollete. Lastly, I swipe on some eye cream and a lip balm. I refrain from using night cream in order to give my skin a chance to breathe.

5. What is your first skin care memory?

When I was about 7, I insisted on giving my brother weekly "face treatments," which were essentially facials. In exchange, I would tolerate hours of letting him monopolize the TV with "boy cartoons" like Thundercats and Transformers instead of letting me watch JEM and She-ra.

We can't thank Amber enough for this great interview!  Don't forget to check her out on Twitter at @Glambr and on Facebook - and of course, on her great blog, Beauty Blogging Junkie:



Got your own blog?  We'd love to hear your answers to these skin care questions!  E-mail us at blog@mariobadescu.com

]]> Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--amber-katz http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--amber-katz http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/5-skin-care-questions--amber-katz <![CDATA[The (Mostly Beauty-Related) Reasons I Hate Summer]]> I know I am in the minority because most of you just love the hot weather and to wear your teeny tiny little shorts and skirts and strappy sandals. Well I am very happy for you all. Really.  Enjoy the far too many months of warm weather. You are the winners. In my opinion, there’s hardly a really cold month around here. While I am trying to reverse out of my parking spot on an icy hill I am not cursing or getting mad. I am loving the fact that there is ice on the ground and my apartment isn’t going to be 90 degrees when I get home. If I’m not on a beach vacation, I want it to be under 50 degrees.   Here are my reasons:

1. I have completed a gorgeous make-up application and look fa-bu-lous (at least that’s my perception and we should all think we look fabulous, always.) and the second I step away from the fan and into the hallway to wait for the elevator, I feel sweaty and gross within seconds.  Not to mention the professional concealing work to cover any zits and scars is melting away by about 75 percent before I even get to the street. By the time I get where I am going and supposed to be looking fabulous, instead I will look like I need a shower again.  Why do I even bother?

2. The subway. There can not be a more miserable feeling than stepping down into the bowels of hell in mid August after it rains or at 4pm on the third day of a heat wave. All you peeps from outside the city (THE city- New York City, that is), take it from me. Unless of course you want the true middle-class New Yorker experience but I do not recommend it. Avoid the subway in the summer at all costs and take a taxi instead. Do your make-up when you get to your well air-conditioned destination. Or go without. Either way you ain’t looking good when you get there.  Stay indoors unless absolutely necessary until about 9pm. That’s how I roll in summer – and also why I try to avoid Florida at all costs.

3. It’s a bad hair day-month-season. Humidity stinks.  Blow outs turn into afros in an hour and curly hair looks like the top of a Q-tip.  2 words. Pony tail.

4. Having pedicures and waxing occupy far too much time in scheduling my days off and lunch breaks. It’s really nice to not have to have to worry about such major life issues such as well groomed toes and hairless body parts all winter. 

5. Second degree burns on my hands from touching the steering wheel or the CD’s in the car! Oh yeah and the exploding cases of soda in the trunk because I am too lazy to drag them around the block up into the apartment.

6.  Twisting up a tube of lipstick and it’s so melted it falls right out of the tube onto my clothes or on the floor. Just great.  That’s $22 down the drain. How come that never happens with a $1.99 Wet N Wild lipstick?

All I can say is enjoy the rest of the summer. I wish I could.  So until November I will be armed with my bottle of chilled Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater and douse myself repeatedly so I don’t get too cranky.]]> Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the--mostly-beauty-related--reasons-i-hate-summer http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the--mostly-beauty-related--reasons-i-hate-summer http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the--mostly-beauty-related--reasons-i-hate-summer <![CDATA[Happy Fourth of July]]> All of us here at Mario Badescu Skin Care wish you a happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July.

If you're out in the sun today, remember that unprotected sun exposure is one of the most common acne mistakes. The sun is also a leading contributor to aging skin. Luckily, photoaging can be prevented. Be sure to wear sunscreen and keep your skin protected.]]> Sun, 4 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/happy-fourth-of-july http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/happy-fourth-of-july http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/happy-fourth-of-july <![CDATA[Great Skin Care Product Combinations]]> You have your skin care regimen, you’re actually doing it this time and it works. Everything is coming along nicely and your skin is fab-u. But you can’t leave well enough alone can you? You had to go and do something to your skin that was going to make it even better than an airbrushed magazine picture. Or so you thought. A peel that promised the skin of a baby’s bottom with one application. The newest celeb skin care products you watched on TV at 4am.  Or you begged your derm to give you a topical Rx to make your skin flawless but instead you now have toast.  Or the best one that we all know and love- you have a cystic pimple that is lingering forever so you decide to go medieval on it and now you have a raw patch that make up wont stick to or you have a scab the size of a quarter and Murphy’s Law -- to top it off you have a date, event, or photo shoot in 3 days! Ah if I had a dollar for every time this happened to me I could retire.

What to do now?  Over the years the wonderful people I work with have become so familiar with our products that we’ve figured out that some of our products that sound like they may not be for your skin type actually do wonders in a skin emergency situation like ones I described above.  Of course we highly encourage you to call us when something terrible happens (or you do something terrible to yourself) so we can decide the course of action you need to take.  Here are some perfect examples of what we may recommend, even though they may sound ridiculous!

KERATOPLAST CREAM SOAP and KERATOPLAST CLEANSING LOTION:  Outside of their normal use for dry, sensitive skin or rosacea, this is also the perfect combination for product-toasted skin, regardless of being oily, dry, sensitive, or anything in between. Whether you overdid the acne products by using them too often and incorrectly OR after using Retin A and your skin is flaking and dry OR you went to town and squeezed and picked your face when you shouldn’t have and need relief. (We do not condone this behavior.)  These two items will clean and tone your skin thoroughly and make it look and feel a lot better so that you can smile instead of cry when you look in the mirror.  If you are the classic product over-doer and we know you exist, you need to have these things on hand for emergencies.  When things go back to normal you can switch back to your normal cleanser and toner after you’ve (hopefully) learned your lesson.

ROSE HIP NOURISHING OIL and CONTROL CREAM:  The word “oil” in Rose Hips Nourishing Oil is the reason you are scared of it. We understand this.  It is hardly oil. It is a thin, watery liquid that is a healing treat for your flaky, scabby skin.  It so soothing and hydrating and has Vitamin C in it- great for healing. You must have this product if you have flaky skin around your nose or brow. You must have this product if you are experiencing side effects from topical Rx that cause your skin to peel. If you are sensitive and dry, you must have this product! 

DRYING CREAM and SPECIAL HEALING POWDER:  Another combination of products not likely to be recommended to be used together except for this way.  You’ve made a mess by picking. You won’t leave it alone and you keep peeling off the scab.  It’s raw and oozy (gross) and you have no idea what to do now. The only thing you can do is before bed or while in your house, dab a bit of Drying Cream on the erupted skin and layer Special Healing Powder right over it so it sticks.  It will scab up very quickly and begin to dry out and heal. DO NOT PULL OFF THE SCAB.  If you do this a few times during the day, depending on the size of the affected area, it will heal up pretty fast. 

HEALING CREAM / DRYING MASK / HEALING CREAM:  For oily skin troubled by rosacea flair ups, this works like a charm.  Apply some Healing Cream to the irritated skin and cover it with a layer of the Drying Mask.  After 20 minutes rinse and reapply the cream. You will be calm and smooth and ready for make-up. What you won’t be is oily and greasy.

ALL PURPOSE MOIST CREAM SPF 15:  Thick and protective, we find that customers that suffer with eczema on the face find great relief from this cream above our others.  Provides a barrier to the skin without being gooey like an ointment.  The sunscreen is a plus too!

BUFFERING LOTION and SPECIAL HEALING POWDER:  This is one combination we would never recommend to you before asking you about a million questions and making sure you know exactly what to do with them. Here is one example of how they can be best friends when they are normally mortal enemies when side by side.  You feel a pimple being born. It’s that slight itch that seconds later turns into a little bump. You know this is leading to a massive zit unless you take action. That action should not be squeezing it either.  What do you do? Take a smidge of buffering lotion on your fingertip (it’s a thin liquid so don’t overdo it) and rub it right on the zit. Take a tiny bit of Special Healing Powder and dab over the Buffering Lotion. Just enough that you can see it but not enough that you see a giant yellow spot on your face.  Do this a few times throughout the day.  Magic happens within 1-2 days and the zit subsides rather than explodes! Try it. You can hold on to these products for emergencies. Do not use these products at the same time in the same place for any other reason unless directed by a Mario Badescu Skin Specialist.

ROLLING CREAM PEEL WITH AHA:  It’s not just for the face!  Makes a great “spa pedicure” for your feet. After the shower or bath apply a thin layer of cream to the feet and let it dry for a minute and rub it off. Rinse and apply your thickest cream. Your feet will be so soft.  Same goes for the hands or any skin on your arms or legs that needs good exfoliation.

We love helping you fix your skin so please give us a shout if something is amiss.  We’re waiting for the next skin care challenge!]]> Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/great-skin-care-product-combinations http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/great-skin-care-product-combinations http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/great-skin-care-product-combinations <![CDATA[Skin Care Tips for Men]]> mens skin care needs, and get problems like razor bumps and proper electric shaving techniques under control.

Check out these skin care tips picked out just for dad:


  • Want to avoid getting an irritated face when you shave?  Try using a pre-shave conditioner to prepare your skin for a close, comfortable shave.

  • You'll never guess the #1 cause of razor bumps and razor burn.  Dull razor?  Nope: shaving too closely.  Getting a close, clean shave is what every man wants, but there is such a thing as too close.

  • Still irritated after your shave?  Try using an after shave balm to help your skin heal.

  • The number one skin care tip for men is the same as the number one skin care tip for women: be sure to use adequate sun protection to keep your skin healthy and happy.

  • Be sure to supplement your healthy mens skin care regimen with products that focus on specific skin conditions, such as acne, aging, and discoloration.


Mario BadesMens<br />Grooming Kitcu Skin Care offers a number of products specifically designed for mens skin care needs, including the Mens Grooming Basics gift package.  The gift set includes a cleanser, a pre-shave treatment, a shaving cream, an after shave lotion, and a face scrub.  Each product is specifically crafted to tailor to the individual skin care needs of men.  The entire regimen retails for $63 in an attractive men's travel bag.]]> Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-tips-for-men http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-tips-for-men http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-tips-for-men <![CDATA[Around the web and back]]>
]]> Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/around-the-web-and-back http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/around-the-web-and-back http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/around-the-web-and-back <![CDATA[Do certain foods really improve your skin?]]>

Who doesn’t love to eat? Of course the real question is: Who doesn’t love to eat foods that are very bad for us? The answer is no one. No wait. Maybe that guy on the juicer commercials doesn’t love junk food, but for the rest of us, resisting temptation isn’t so easy.  It is common knowledge that healthy diet and lifestyle has been shown to prolong your life and the quality of your life. What about the positive effects these things have on the skin? 

When we take the last bite of that king size candy bar (really?), we think to ourselves: are we going to still fit into our jeans by the weekend? We’re not usually thinking about the long and short term effects it will have on our complexions. We know that eating junk food doesn’t cause pimples. That’s an old school myth. We do know now however that eating junk food and not enough of the good stuff does actually have an impact on the aging and appearance of the skin.

I began looking around the web for interesting facts about the correlation between certain foods and skin health. I found a lot of cool stuff.  The Center for Disease Control or the CDC, has something called The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.  There are tons of these surveys being done for different demographics and foods.  Once study conducted showed that intake of high Vitamin C foods (citrus fruits, red peppers, tomatoes) is associated with a lower risk of wrinkled and dryness in middle-aged women. This may be due to the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C and its role in keeping the skin firm due to its effect on collagen synthesis.  I swear that when I eat a lot of tomatoes my skin looks better. Maybe it’s not just a coincidence.

Blackberries, plums, strawberries and blueberries have the highest antioxidant content of any foods according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.   Now consider eating these things when not dropped into a pitcher of sangria or dipped in fondue.

Another recent study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that of 1100 Australian adults (and we know that big ol’ hole in the ozone is right over them) over 5 years, precancerous lesions on the skin were decreased by 30 percent in those who ate 5oz or more of omega-3 rich fish each week.  Actinic Keratoses are skin lesions that show up from chronic sun exposure and may develop into cancer if left untreated.   Scientists believe that the omega-3’s act as a shield against free radical damage in the cell walls and offer anti-inflammatory protection to the skin.  Now they are not saying that eating fish and omega-3 rich foods replace using sunscreen. Just interesting to know that good nutrition does effect the skin in a positive way.  By the way, if you want to scare yourself a little, look up some information on the Ozone hole in the Earth. Recent reports show it’s actually closing up and not going to be as devastating as originally thought. Whew.

Another thing I want to mention. Sugar.  The low carb craze is pretty much over because really, who can live without having a bagel. A side of bacon just doesn’t sound so appealing anymore unless accompanied by some pancakes. Sugar and high-glycemic carbohydrates which are junky carbs like anything with white flour and the processed garbage we seem to live on like crackers, cereal, rice, potatoes, and breads, can cause glycation. A fancy word for a process in which sugar attaches to proteins in the bloodstream forming harmful molecules called Advanced Glycation End Products that breakdown the collagen and elastin in the skin, speeding up the aging process. Ok, that was a very, very simple explanation of a highly sophisticated chemical process that happens in the body when you eat too many bad carbs. Cutting out bad carbs and processed food from your diet even for just a few days makes a huge difference in how you look and feel. You should try it.

Basically of all the information available about good skin foods it all boils down to this: Antioxidants (berries, tomatoes, broccoli) and omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, albacore tuna) and eating way less processed foods are the things that are going to make the difference.  Overall good nutrition for overall good health, skin included. No one said you can’t eat a little junk in moderation.]]> Fri, 4 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/do-certain-foods-really-improve-your-skin http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/do-certain-foods-really-improve-your-skin http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/do-certain-foods-really-improve-your-skin <![CDATA[Beauty Junkie Blog II]]> Are you a beauty junkie or borderline hoarder like I am?  Please allow me to have a self-therapy session/blog.

Crazy of me to even entertain this thought but I was thinking about scaling things down in my life including my immense collection of beauty products. I am renovating my bathroom very soon and I decided NOT to get a medicine cabinet but just a simple mirror and light fixture and to attempt to store my bathroom stuff only in the under sink cabinet. Now we all know I am a beauty junkie and I’m telling you I am a pack rat of sorts.  I can’t even assure you won’t be seen on an upcoming episode of Hoarders.  Eliminating a medicine cabinet would eliminate the need for holding on to endless creams, serums, cleansers, samples, tweezers and any beauty product I can get my hands on. Not only that. I have about 5 of everything I just mentioned and that doesn’t include make-up. If you even try to find anything medicine related in my medicine cabinet, good luck. You will probably be out of luck most times.  Is this nuts? Will I spend less money of stuff without the place to store it or will this only cause me future headache when I have no place to put stuff. Will it be too late and I’ll need an intervention and a bulldozer to walk into my apartment?

Could you do it? That’s like exchanging your refrigerator for one of those dorm refrigerators with the teeny freezer and teeny ice cube tray! Where would I put my 16 jars of mustard and hot sauce and 3 different types of mayo and 18 bottles of salad dressing. I think it’s not just a beauty product problem. I just like varieties of stuff and I like to buy stuff whether I need it or not.  I also like taking comfort in the fact that I have the stuff I want, when I need the stuff. It’s a security thing maybe? I’m also an over packer. Who takes 2 suitcases to Vegas for 4 days? Me. It’s all starting to come together now.

Try to find a place in my vegetable drawers for actual vegetables. It’s just another storage space for creams and lotions and lipsticks and make up until I get to it or give it away.  Being that it can be 115 degrees in my apartment in the summer and not because I refuse to use the a/c because I can’t pay the electric bill in the summer, but because it’s probably the safest place for my surplus of beauty stuff. But I wonder, do I really have a problem?  I work for the greatest beauty company on the planet yet I can not resist a free cosmetic bag (I have about 30) with sample sizes of the same creams these companies have been giving away for years along with the same ugly lipstick colors that I would never wear. But its free, its beauty stuff and I must have it and usually more than one. Is it to my advantage that some of my friends are also in the beauty business too and get me tons of stuff. Or is this to my disadvantage.  Is that the same thing as a recovering drug addict having a best friend who’s a drug dealer?

Am I alone out there?  Could you scale down your products? Do you want to? Do you need to?]]> Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/beauty-junkie-blog-ii http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/beauty-junkie-blog-ii http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/beauty-junkie-blog-ii <![CDATA[Mario Badescu at The Makeup Show 2010!]]> This past Sunday and Monday I represented Mario Badescu Skin Care as we exhibited for the 3rd year at The Makeup Show in New York City.  For those who aren’t familiar with The Makeup Show, it is a yearly trade show that professional makeup artists and beauty insiders attend to learn about the latest techniques, products and tools in makeup and skin care as well as catch up with colleagues and make new connections.

This year was more exciting than ever!  The show was buzzing with makeup artists, beauty gurus and a happy, gorgeous gaggle of beauty editors and bloggers.  In two days I shook more (perfectly manicured) hands, kissed more (poreless glowing) cheeks and hugged more (fabulous) people then I could possibly count while being sure to sprinkle in skin care tips and MB product recommendations along the way. 

The timing of the show was absolutely perfect since it coincided with the launch of our brand new Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30!  It was so much fun to introduce our newest skin care staple to all of the attendees. 

Want to know what New York City’s most talented makeup artists will be using on their celebrity clients? Here is a list of MB products that sold out at The Makeup Show:

Want to know what I scored at the show?  Here’s a list of things I couldn’t resist bringing home:

Check out some Makeup Show buzz from cyperspace!

Thanks to all the folks on Twitter, all of the bloggers that covered the event, and of course the great people at The Makeup Show:

Calling all beauty junkies, tickets for the makeup show are available to the public!  Visit www.themakeupshow.com for upcoming events and information.  See you next year!]]> Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-at-the-makeup-show-2010 http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-at-the-makeup-show-2010 http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-at-the-makeup-show-2010 <![CDATA[New Product Launch: Oil-Free Moisturizer (SPF-30)]]> Last week was an exciting week for Mario Badescu Skin Care - we launched a new product and the skin care community is buzzing about it.  It is our great pleasure to introduce the Oil-Free Moisturizer (SPF-30).

This new product combines light weight moisture, sun protection and reparative antioxidants in one simple step.  The moisturizer is formulated with antioxidant Green Tea to help repair environmental damage by destroying free radicals and St. John’s Wort and Aloe Vera to calm and soothe skin. It is the perfect year round skin care staple for anyone with combo, oily and/or acne prone skin in need of moisture and sun protection.

Check out our Oil-Free Moisturizer (SPF-30) for just $26.  You can also read an early review from the people at Be You, Only Better!]]> Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-product-launch--oil-free-moisturizer--spf-30- http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-product-launch--oil-free-moisturizer--spf-30- http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-product-launch--oil-free-moisturizer--spf-30- <![CDATA[Mario Badescu On The Web]]>
That's it for this week - but let us know if you see any MB buzz around the web that we might have missed.  And bloggers - we love hearing from you.  Hit us up on Facebook or Twitter.]]> Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-on-the-web http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-on-the-web http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-on-the-web <![CDATA[Employee Spotlight: Andeea]]> My name is Andeea and I am a Skin Care Specialist and Make-up Artist at Mario Badescu Skin Care.  My skin has always experienced a combination of problems.  Growing up in Minnesota the weather was hot and humid in the summer and really dry and cold in the winter months.  I had always thought my skin was oilier than it really was therefore I was always unintentionally using the wrong products on my skin.  It was not until I went to school for make-up artistry that I realized how important skin care really was, up until then I can’t even remember what I used, but I know it wasn’t right. 

Before you worry about how your make up looks you should be thinking about your skin care first.  The face is like a canvas and the makeup is like the paint.  If your canvas is bumpy or ripped you can’t paint on it and if you do, the end result won’t be so great.  So you get the point that the goal is to create a smooth complexion so your makeup wears nicely.  Now not everyone needs or even wears makeup, but I know everyone wants good skin which is why I have become just as interested in skincare as I am in all the makeup products I had come to love.  Working at a number of makeup counters and dabbling in just about every product line department stores carry, I began to get to know my skin better. Even more so from helping others.  Since I tend to get excited really easily with most products you can imagine what happened when I started to sample Mario Badescu products.

I had just started a new job at Nordstrom in 2007 and they carried a lot more product lines than the other places I had worked.  So needless to say after working in makeup for 4 years, I finally ran into Mario Badescu Skin Care.  To be honest I really wasn’t that intrigued by it at first because the packaging never really caught my eye. It was located at the end of my aisle toward the back of the cosmetics area. That is the only reason I knew it was there. Who knows how long it would have taken me to examine it more closely.  As the customers started asking me for help with Mario Badescu line I started to get curious as to why everyone wanted this stuff and had so many questions about it.  I started reading the brochure and soon enough with the help of a few co-workers and some samples I fell IN LOVE!  I was getting free products from the counter I managed but would rather pay for the Mario Badescu products.   I loved the line so much and it was really truly making a difference in how my skin looked.  I was finally starting to get that natural glow that we all crave. 

To make a long story short, my mother convinced me to move to New York City. The first place I applied was Mario Badescu Skin Care.  Knowing about what you are selling and loving it really makes you the best salesperson and happiest employee. I love hearing about the difference our products have made in the skin of all of the clients I assist. It really makes me feel good to know that I am sending someone home with what they need to get the results they want.  

Sometimes when we feel our skin is at its worst, we pile on the make-up and products hoping it’ll help.  That is not the best thing to do.  The secret is to find that perfect balance of products to use while keeping it minimal and most importantly, (and unfortunately) you can only address one skincare problem at a time.  I always suggest that you focus first on blemishes and clearing up the skin, evening out skin tone secondly, then preventing/repairing aging skin thirdly (and wearing sunscreen daily in your moisturizer which you can start doing right now no matter what your skin condition is like).  When you focus on one thing at a time you will get the best results.  Some products cover several bases but you have to speak to one of us to get the right regimen if you have multiple issues going on.

I always thought my skin was really oily just because I got a few pimples and then panicked thinking I had acne when I did not. I’m just always on the edge of my seat getting too excited over nothing, leaving me to jump to wrong conclusions.  I always ran to oil free everything and assumed it would take care of the problems.  I tried a lot of things but no matter what, pimples would always find their way to the surface.  Now I know that’s because they always will!  Skin reacts to a million different things from person to person.  Stress, food we eat, food we don’t eat, lack of sleep, hormones, among many other things, and we are not perfect. Unfortunately skin can’t be either but we can do our best to try and keep it in the best shape possible. I know this is from trial and error and now that my skin is clear I know I am using the correct products and have been for 2 and a half years now.  But what do you know?  I can still get a random blemish every now and then. Why? Because I am human and it’s okay.   I have MB to save me.  My skin was not as oily as I thought it was I am more a combination skin type (dry in the cheeks and oily in the t-zone area).  This is a tricky skin to maintain and the most common skin type.  After trying a few different combinations of products my regimen is as follows:

Morning:

  • Enzyme Cleansing Gel is one of the first things I ever sampled from MB, absolutely can not live without it.

  • Special Cucumber Lotion: As I said on the You Tube video I was not just saying I love this product…… I really love this product and I can’t live without it. It controls my oily t-zone without over drying my cheeks and its astringent ingredients keep breakouts away.

  • Cellufirm Drops:  I love these because they are light and easily absorbed. It doesn’t feel like I am layering a bunch of stuff on my face before I apply makeup and they can also be used under the eye cream.

  • Ceramide Eye Gel:  Keep in mind you should always use a light hand with your eye cream in the day if you are applying concealer. I keep this in the fridge because it works great on puffy eyes when you keep it cold.

  • Collagen Moisturizer SPF 15: This is lightweight. It’s not oil free but I need that extra hydration because I get dry in the cheeks.  This feels so light and absorbs right away.  I hate moisturizer that feels like its still on your face after 5 minutes. I like it to soak in and start working without sitting on top of my skin like some sunscreen moisturizers do.


Evening:

Some of my favorite products to have in my make-up kit are:

  • Aloe Vera Toner is great to gently remove any excess dirt on the skin’s surface before moisturizing. It is alcohol free so will not over dry. 

  • Control Moisturizer for Oily Skin is absolutely hands down my favorite moisturizer for a number of reasons.  It is quickly absorbed into the skin, it tones down any redness, oil free, won’t clog, and perfect for combo skin types. I know the name sometimes throws customers off.  This is also my Summer moisturizer for when I am oilier than normal.

  • Herbal Hydrating Serum is ideal for prepping the skin before a makeup application whether your skin dry or oily. This serum is oil free so it’s great  for anyone and the bases are covered.

  • Special Healing Powder is amazing because of the yellow tint it has. It tones down redness and it’s great to apply to a cystic bump in the day so you can let the blemish heal instead of piling on the concealer.  This powder really helps absorb excess oils as well so it’s great for bridal pictures and great for that groom who refuses makeup for pictures. 

  • Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rose Water hydrates and leaves skin with a dewy finish as it refreshes your makeup. I spray it in my hair as well.

  • Eye Makeup Remover Cream quickly erases any make-up mistakes and can double as a lip moisturizer in a pinch.


All of the above  products were used to prep Miss Madison’s, and Miss Kristen’s skin in the pics below. The prep of the skin for the 1950’s period make-up was very important because I used a thicker base and the skin needs the perfect balance of moisture to set this type makeup and have it wear as long as possible without getting cakey.



Mario Badescu 1950's Photoshoot

Miss Madison

 

Miss Kristen]]> Wed, 7 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--andeea http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--andeea http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--andeea <![CDATA[Almost 40 (Oh No!)]]> Not to say that being 40 is horrible but I am having a rough time with this upcoming birthday.  Maybe it’s because I’m single and live the lifestyle of someone in their early 30’s. My apartment is falling down around me and I see no light at the end of the tunnel some days.  Is this it?  I can’t quite put my finger on it exactly but I’m going through the emotional as well as the physical changes all at once and that’s tough and I usually do not get stressed over things so easily, or at all come to think of it.  Why is youth so important in this society? Why is being 40 scaring the H-E double hockey sticks out of me? Is it the fact that now I have (and had for quite some time)  real adult responsibilities and can’t just pick up and pursue whatever my heart desires like when I was still living with my parents in my early 20’s?  Or can I work hard and really still do whatever I want in this life as long as I am willing to sacrifice other things to do so?  So several people have told me yes, that is the case.  It IS possible.  Am I just lazy and blaming my age for where I am in life? That sounds like a cop out.  Just having a conversation in my head that is traveling to the keyboard. Writing is so therapeutic.

There are tons of super-celebs that still look fantastic despite being well past that 40 year old mark, but most of us (myself included) don't share the same fortune as these ladies.  Perhaps if I was paid millions to look good I’d have more of an incentive.  But then again it seems silly to put so much mental energy into something I have so little control over. Chronological aging is one of those things that just is.

First I would like to say I am very thankful that I am healthy and have been given the opportunity to be on this wonderful planet Earth (side note: If you haven’t seen any of it yet, watch the documentary series Planet Earth. It’s amazing and it’s on the Discovery Channel all the time) for 40 years and have experienced many great things in life and very thankfully not a lot of bad things like health problems, family deaths, trauma, etc. I am also very happy and thankful to look and feel younger than 40 most days, compared to people I know and observe on a regular basis.  I am not being a whiny, complaining pain in the butt. I just want to share and express my feelings and fears on the topic and I know many of you are going through the same thing. Maybe it’s the 30th or the 50th or the 60th birthday coming up for you and you can’t quite deal with it either.  Recently I was having a nice discussion with a customer who was starting to freak out because she was going to be 25. As much as I wanted to say “are you kidding” I empathized with her because I am going through the exact same thing.  It also made me very happy she was being pro-active in her skin care and wanted to start focusing on anti-aging now, before it’s too late. Smart young lady.

From my previous blogs we already know that despite the fact that I work at the best skin care salon and skin care brand in the whole wide world, I don’t have great skin. 99 percent because I do the damage to myself along with some unhealthy, though very common and normal lifestyle choices that I refuse to change at this point in time (come on, I have to live!) . On top of the usual skin annoyances I am getting a very regular, monthly, giant cyst-lump-pimple things that of course I will not leave alone. Now I am collecting the after effects in the form of hyperpigmentation marks and there is one for every month since July. Double Wear concealer to the rescue! Add that to the sagging skin and minor creasing, and I am starting to look old. Just great.   Note to self: Get more Cellufirm Drops.

Working in a salon requires all day standing. Even when I was working in the office over the years it was a lot of up and down and running back and forth and never really relaxing while doing my work.  I could work a whole shift and never feel tired or achy for one minute.  Nope. That’s just not the way it is anymore.  Aching back and fatigue sets in so much more quickly now. Maybe that’s the work shoes I bought at Target for $15.99 or maybe that’s my age showing its face. Not sure yet.   I start looking at women in their 20’s and getting so jealous, which isn’t really my nature. I have to start changing my perception of this whole 40 thing and start doing more positive things for my mind and body so I can continue being awesome regardless of what my chronological age is.  I should probably start taking my own advice and get more green leafy veggies in my diet and stop eating/drinking all those things that are aging me even faster! 

40 is now a reality. I want to embrace it not fear it. That would be the healthy thing to do. I have 4 months to figure that out.]]> Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/almost-40--oh-no- http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/almost-40--oh-no- http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/almost-40--oh-no- <![CDATA[Heard Around the Web]]>

  • Beauty Undercover loves Mario Badescu, and says that celebrities do too!  "Hollywood is falling in love with Mario Badescu Skin Care." - find out what products Beauty undercover - and your favorite celebs - love.

  • Check out this new article on hyperpigmentation from our friend Felicia over at ThisThatBeauty.com - she gives readers an amazingly detailed - and honest - account of her struggles with and successes over hyperpigmentation.  Felicia also mentions how she uses our Vitamin C Serum to diminish her dark sports - check it out!

  • MSN Lifestyle recently featured our advice on how to give yourself a DIY facial at home for those of you who can't visit the Mario Badescu salon in NYC.

  • The Moisture Magnet was picked for Allure Magazine's Editor's Favorites section to start off the month - find out what they had to say about one of our most unique products!

  • iVillage Beauty came out with a great article about the world's most outrageous beauty treatments.  They tear apart the idea that a 24-carat gold facial would be beneficial to the skin, and go on to suggest Mario Badescu's Silver Powder as a less-weird alternative!


That's it for this week - but let us know if you see any MB buzz around the web that we might have missed.  And bloggers - we love hearing from you.  Hit us up on Facebook or Twitter.]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/heard-around-the-web http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/heard-around-the-web http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/heard-around-the-web <![CDATA[It's Almost Spring!]]> March is a weird month for the Northeast. It could snow one day or be 50 degrees another.  I woke up this past Sunday morning smelling and hearing Spring from the open window. Somewhat the same way you can smell winter coming around the middle of September. Its just one of those things you can smell in the air and sense in your bones. I guess Mother Nature is a pretty smart lady.



Two great things happen in March this year. We turn the clocks forward one hour which I love so I can come home from work at 7pm and still have a good hour or more of healthy, productive time in the daylight rather than getting home and immediately putting on PJs. As much as I love the cold weather and the winter, I don’t like getting home from work and feeling like its time to go to bed. #2 is St. Patrick’s Day! My favorite holiday. 



Side note:  Excessive alcohol consumption interferes with body’s ability to absorb calcium resulting in brittle bones. Alcohol causes the small blood vessels in the skin to become dilated causing flushed skin and possible broken capillaries. Women take longer to process alcohol and after age 40 we store more fat and take even longer to process and eliminate alcohol. Alcohol reduces the level of Vitamin A within the body resulting in slower cell turnover, decreased ability to fight free radicals, and collagen and elastin breakdown which shows up in the form of sagging skin and wrinkles.



How does this relate to skin care? March is the time you should be thinking about making some changes in your skin care products.  Since the weather can be iffy depending on where you are, it’s probably a good idea to have both cold and warm weather products on hand if your skin reacts to climate changes.  A blustery, windy day calls for protective cream instead of moisturizer and a mild, Spring-like March day calls for moisturizer with sunscreen.  The heat in your house may not be on as often or as high and your skin may not seem as dry or dehydrated. Make necessary changes after observing your skin and what it’s doing at this time of year.



Spring cleaning anyone? Don’t forget to include your medicine cabinet and make-up bag.  Time to get rid of those crusty tubes and bottles sitting around. Who the heck knows how old those things are? Replenish your sunscreen products which lose efficacy after 3 years.  My question to you is why do you have a bottle of sunscreen that is 3 years old? The answer is: because you aren’t using it as often as you should or you aren’t using enough.  May I state again for the record, the sun is the number one factor that ages the skin. Period.  Use your sunscreen. A shot glass full (approximately 1.5oz) is enough to cover the body. Are you itching to get into the sun and get a tan? NO! Run to the nearest store or click here and order a self tanning lotion!  Are you resistant to the idea of using sunscreen moisturizer every day? Then change your make up to something that has a built in sunscreen like mineral make up or tinted moisturizer. Really, I can’t stress this enough.  I’m really going to lose it one day if another person asks me for anti-aging, wrinkle repair products or something to reduce discoloration then in the next breath tells me they don’t want sunscreen in their moisturizer.



Wash your make-up brushes. Something we know we should do but never actually do. Throw away the 15 bottles and jars of random hair products you thought you needed but thardly used. (See Blog: Are You A Beauty Junkie:?)Pick up all the q-tips and hair elastics that are stuck to the bottom of your bathroom cabinets. Replace your make-up sponges.  



It’s March. That means you have almost 2 full months until Memorial Day and the unofficial start of Summer. You may actually have to take off that giant sweater and start revealing a little more skin. Do you need a good scrub down? Are you dull and flaky and scaly?  I’m sure your feet are a mess from skipping pedicures all winter.  Assess the situation of your winter skin finally coming out of hibernation. It ain’t pretty, right?  Do something about it.  I know we all can’t be so lucky to work for a skin care company and salon. (Nah nah!)]]> Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/its-almost-spring http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/its-almost-spring http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/its-almost-spring <![CDATA[Not-Your-Average Valentine's Day Survival Guide]]> If you want to know the history of St. Valentine’s Day, google it.  I’m really not interested, are you? To me and most of the ladies I know, it’s just a day made up by the florists, card and candy companies to make lonely, single people feel horrible once a year, kinda like New Years Eve.  Even worse for the recently divorced or kicked to the curb people who have to go into the Valentine’s season nursing recent battle wounds.

Regardless, it’s the day when we’re expected to give and receive fattening, sappy, wasteful, corny gifts and if you’re one of the lucky ones, expensive, grand gestures of love like diamond rings and exquisite meals.

Below is a list of gift suggestions for whatever romantic or non-romantic situation you may find yourself in. Stimulate the economy and do some Valentine’s Day shopping.  You don’t have to spend a lot unless you really want to or you’re really trying hard to keep that special someone, special.

JUST DATING

You’re not quite sure if this person has any longevity with you but just in case, a Valentine’s treat is definitely in order. How much do you spend? Spend too much and you may send the wrong message. Don’t spend enough and you send the wrong message. You’re walking a fine line here. I’m going to say for a just dating, non-exclusive situation a mediocre bouquet of flowers and some good chocolate like Godiva or Lindt. You can at least get a few pieces of good candy out of it.

ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP, NOT MARRIED

Another rock-hard place scenario. Spend too much and you may get yelled at for spending too much. You’re supposed to be saving for a possible engagement ring, wedding, house, or paying off your credit cards.  You’re not really trying to impress anyone at this point anyway.  Spend too little and risk getting the silent treatment or a few days of tension for being a cheap-o.  Expensive bouquet of flowers and maybe a piece of medium-priced jewelry would be the way to go here.  Maybe a dinner that’s a few notches above Applebees or a restaurant that has linen napkins on the table instead of crayons.

MARRIED WITH KIDS

Are you really going to spend that much needed cash on flowers that will be thrown away in a week or on candy that’s going to make your butt spread even further?  The washing machine is on its last legs, little Suzie wants a puppy and Billy needs braces.  Just skip it. Stay home, order Chinese food, enjoy some cheap wine (may I suggest a 2009 Yellow Tail Cabernet-Shiraz) and enjoy Valentine’s Day with the person you love. It’s really not about material gifts.

DIVORCE IS IN THE FUTURE

Tough call, right? You’re still married and you still care about this person who’s just about on their last legs with you. Sad state of affairs and all but you have plenty of time to worry about that since many divorces go on for years and years. What do you do for Valentine’s Day?  I’m thinking maybe go with the same gift guidelines as “just dating.” Mediocre flowers and good chocolate. You’re not a monster. It’s safe and shows you made an effort. Now if you’re getting set to lose your shirt in the divorce, skip the chocolate or get the cheap stuff as a message that you are getting prepared to lose half of everything you earned. If you loathe this person and are counting the seconds until you never have to see their ugly face again, maybe grab a box of those horrible, chalk-like candies with the messages printed on them and call it a day. Throw in a Snuggie just to make sure the message is loud and clear.

OLD TIME COUPLE- THE SENIORS

You can have chocolate because you have diabetes. It gets caught in your dentures too. Flowers? Eh, waste of money right. You have your own beautiful flower garden right in the yard. You have enough jewelry to supply Mr. T for the rest if his life. In fact there are no more gift ideas in the worlds after 50 years of birthdays, Valentine’s Days, anniversaries, Hanukkahs and Christmases. That’s right. Early bird special at the Red Lobster! Ask for extra biscuits and maybe celebrate the afternoon with a virgin pina colada. Get home and watch a romantic chick flick and hit the hay early, Senior style. You’re tired and have done enough real living already, haven’t you?

Let’s try to make it through another Valentine’s Day without feeling sad, depressed or unloved. Be the giver of love. Remind yourself about all the people in your life that care about you and vice versa. Let them know. You’ll feel good about it. Oh, any candy you get, eat it all right away and enjoy so you don’t have to deal with the mental torture of knowing it’s around haunting you to eat it- kinda like the Girl Scout cookies torture. That’s the best advice I have. ]]> Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/not-your-average-valentines-day-survival-guide http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/not-your-average-valentines-day-survival-guide http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/not-your-average-valentines-day-survival-guide <![CDATA[True Blood's Mehcad Brooks Smiles for Skin Care]]>
Mehcad Brooks from True Blood checks out Mario Badescu Skin Care

True Blood's Mehcad Brooks Checking Out Mario Badescu Skin Care

In case you missed it, we have pictures of 30 Rock's Jane Krakowski checking out Mario Badescu as well - also from Beauty 360's suite at Access Hollywood’s “Stuff You Must...” event.]]> Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/true-bloods-mehcad-brooks-smiles-for-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/true-bloods-mehcad-brooks-smiles-for-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/true-bloods-mehcad-brooks-smiles-for-skin-care <![CDATA[30 Rock's Jane Krakowski Loves Mario Badescu Skin Care]]>
Jane Krakowski from 30 Rock loves Mario Badescu Skin Care



Hope you're enjoying the products, Jane!  (And by the way, we love your character Jenna on 30 Rock!)

See more images of the event on our Facebook album!]]> Wed, 3 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/30-rocks-jane-krakowski-loves-mario-badescu-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/30-rocks-jane-krakowski-loves-mario-badescu-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/30-rocks-jane-krakowski-loves-mario-badescu-skin-care <![CDATA[Spring Break Skin Care!]]> I’m a late bloomer. I went on my first official Spring Break to Cancun at age 31.  It was just on the verge of being the real Spring Break for some colleges so it was a few days of a normal, adult vacation followed by a few days of craziness with the college crowd. I did feel a little weird but no one had to know I was really 31 and so was my best friend who was with me and we both came back with some fun stories and minor sunburn.  I pulled it off and I’m thinking maybe I actually passed for mid 20’s or it’s really that beer goggles help make everyone look better, younger and prettier.  But still, thank you Mario Badescu Skin Care! Maybe it was a little bit of both.

In 2010 at age 39 I can not blog realistically about Spring Break. I wish I was 21 and going on Spring Break and I wish I was going on any vacation at all this year but sadly, I am not.   I can however tell you about the products you must pack to counteract the effects of excessive sun, food, alcohol along with lack of sleep that you may (will) experience on your Spring Break or fun adult vacation.

SUNCARE SPF 30 and BODY SUNBLOCK SPF 30

This is a given. Use this every day as your regular moisturizer when on vacation. Slather it all over your face and body respectively if you’re going to the beach for the day.  Reapply frequently too.  Sun is evil for the skin.  Even on vacation when your tanning is somewhat justified (in moderation) these products are still necessary to avoid burning.

AFTER SUN COOLING GEL

I know some of you just don’t get it and will be crispy by the end of the vacation or maybe even on day one. A serious sun burn can really cause future problems on your skin not to mention your looks. Take this seriously guys. If everyone was really diligent about their sunscreen use there would be no need to even have a product like this available.

CERAMIDE EYE GEL

Keep this on ice or and apply in the morning after a fun night. You will feel and look much better- well, as best you can look after 20 yards of beer and 2 hours of sleep and still wearing last night’s mascara.

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE HERBS AND ROSEWATER

Ahhhhh. Nice and cool for when you are baking at the pool. Hey, that rhymes.  Don’t use so much you spray away your sunscreen!

SUMMER SHINE BODY LOTION

Pretty, pretty, PRETTY on tan skin (disclaimer- this Mario Badescu employee is NOT condoning tanning but you’re going to anyway so…). Smells awesome too.

EYE & LIP SUNSCREEN SPF 15

Eye wrinkles are the first signs of aging that pop up and I wish I had a dollar for everyone I have encountered in their 20’s that looks over 30. I always preach to customers “Eye cream and sunscreen.”  Here’s the combo deal.

KERATOPLAST CREAM SOAP

I can not say enough about this cleanser over the years. If your skin is stressed in any way whether it from overdoing it on vacation, using too many drying products or just sensitive and looking blotchy and plain ol’ messed up for whatever reason, you must try this at least once. It does a good job taking off a decent amount of make-up too.

CHAMOMILE CLEANSING LOTION or ALOE VERA TONER

Another one of those “ahhhhh” products for your face.  Replace your regular toner or astringent with this on your beach/party/crazy vacation or Spring Break. It feels so good.

So enjoy your spring break all you young, lucky people with extra money to spend on crazy, fun vacations! Be safe. Call me if you come back with any good stories.]]> Tue, 2 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/spring-break-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/spring-break-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/spring-break-skin-care <![CDATA[New Years Skin Care Resolutions Part 2]]>

New Year's Skin Care ResolutionsSo January is almost over and I think now is a good time to discuss New Year’s Resolutions. I’ve had enough time for the concept of a new year and fresh start to sink in and think about these things long and hard. (Not).  I am one of those people who can’t understand that just because the calendar says January 1st, does not mean that it’s the beginning of something new. It’s just a day a date and if anything is worth doing, why does the calendar matter?  So anyway, I will be like everyone else and create a list. A realistic one, at that with lots of random thoughts to add.  First see the very sane blog post written by my co-worker, which sounds all nice and good and normal: New Year’s Skin Care Resolutions from December 29, 2009.


Now onto my slightly less normal New Year's blog post:




  1. Stay Hydrated:  Yes water is very important.  So I resolve to actually throw away (recycle) the plastic Poland Spring bottles that I have been refilling for weeks with Brita filtered tap water and buy a few new bottles. Yeah I’m gross but green!  Something you should try to be in the new year. Green.




  1. Exercise:  In 2009 I reached fitness goal I never expected to. I can actually jog over 5 miles, all in a row, without stopping or passing out.  Maybe it has something to do with the possibility of running behind a group of Army guys from Ft. Totten wearing tiny shorts or the fact that I sometimes consume enough calories in a day to feed several people.  I resolve to start this back up again.  I wonder how far behind I put myself behind by not doing this since November. “After the holidays I’ll start back….”



  1. Diet:  No, I don’t diet and I love to eat more than any other activity. Dieting makes us fatter in the long run. I can not live with that on and off dieting mentality.  The diet industry wants us to stay fat or no one in it would make any money.  Moderation for me is part starvation and part binge eating. I will however, resolve to try and eat a few servings of fruits and vegetables daily.  That sounds realistic enough to stick to. I noticed over the past years when I was eating lots of fresh tomatoes my skin was looking a lot better.  I should start that back up again too. I also resolve to never, ever buy a bottle of fat free salad dressing, if you can even call it salad dressing. Why do we do this to ourselves?



  1. Sleep: Next to eating sleeping is one of my favorite activities especially at mid day when I should be running errands, cleaning or being productive with my free time.  I resolve to try and get as many hours of sleep I can in my lifetime. This one will be easy.  Sleep is good for your body and good for your skin. I’m sure you’ve seen what happens to how you look when you don’t get enough. During the sleep cycle is when your body goes into repair mode, skin included.



  1. Wash your face before bed:  Being a skin care professional for many years I will say that this is one resolution we should all stick to.  5 out of 7 days of the week I manage to practice what I preach.  Having my future boyfriend or husband see me in the morning without my 10 pounds of make up on will be a huge mental hurdle for me to get over.  Not looking like I’ll have to worry about that anytime soon.



  1. Cleaning out your closet:   Just face it, you are NOT getting into those size 6 jeans (or fill in your ideal size) that you have been saving since 2000.  Embrace who you are now and love yourself now. Resolve to stay healthy and that doesn’t always mean skinny. Give your skinny clothes to charity, share with your skinny co-workers or sell them on ebay.  Probably not healthy for your self esteem to keep reminding yourself you will never be a size 6 again. Get a great pair of jeans that suit your body type and size and rock them!  Oh yes you will be a size 6 again?  I am wrong to crush your hopes and dreams of looking like Jillian Michaels?  See #2 and #3. Go for it and good luck. You’re better than me. I can live with it.




  1. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet and make-up bag:  Time to toss that 7-year old tube of Retin-A that wasn’t covered by insurance and cost $150. Over my dead body.  For sure you need to throw away those old, dirty make up sponges at the bottom of your make up bag. Wash your make up brushes and toss that bad decision make-up because you won’t use it again as much as you think you will. Being a pack rat myself I know it’s not easy to toss stuff you spent your hard earned money on.  Give it away. Someone you know has poor judgement and will use it as long as it’s not gross an old. Yeah, then toss it and forget about it. You will feel so cleansed.



  1. Make it out to the salon:  If you have problem skin a facial every now and again can make a big difference. Nothing like some waxing or a manicure and pedicure to make you feel pretty and polished.  Feeling good about yourself carries over to all other parts of your life. Work on it in the new year. Good self esteem is important and a salon trip is a fun and inexpensive treat to help you boost your self up once in a while. We can all use it from time to time.



  1. Don’t pick at your skin: You’re armed with Special Healing Powder, Drying Cream and Healing Cream and the best foundations and concealers money can buy but just because you have the tools to fight the enemy, don’t give them the advantage by picking!  Picking slows the healing process and may lead to spreading and hyperpigmentation on the skin. I know it’s hard but really, if there was one bad habit I need to work on in the new year, it’s this!



  1. Try!  Make an effort to get on a real skin care regimen customized for your specific skin concerns.  Lucky if you made it this far using random products from wherever and you’re relatively happy but I’m guessing if you’re here reading this, then maybe that’s not the case.   If you all of a sudden find yourself stressing every time you look in the mirror, maybe its time you make a little effort to help yourself out. All the tools you need are right here. Look around.



  1. Sunscreen daily: I can’t stress this enough. It should be right up there with wearing your seat belt.  Wearing sunscreen is the #1 anti-aging tip of the skin care world. Sun exposure causes the most preventable damage on your skin. Period.  No lecture to follow.


Best wishes to you in 2010.  Happy and healthy.  It’s never too late to start making positive changes in your life. Certainly don’t wait for what the calendar says.


]]> Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-years-skin-care-resolutions-part-2 http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-years-skin-care-resolutions-part-2 http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-years-skin-care-resolutions-part-2 <![CDATA[Skin Care for Survivors]]>

Mario Badescu is teaming up with the American Red Cross to raise money for the relief efforts in Haiti. For every item purchased online, Mario Badescu will donate $0.50 PER PRODUCT to help those in need. Together, we can make a difference.



]]> Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-for-survivors http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-for-survivors http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-for-survivors <![CDATA[The Weekly Rundown]]>

  • TalkingMakeup.com came out with their Top Beauty Products 2009 post, featuring several Mario Badescu products, including our Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Cucumber Cleansing Lotion, Enzyme Revitalizing Mask, Cellufirm Drops, Vitamin C Serum, Hyaluronic Moisturizer SPF-15, and Seaweed Night Cream.  Check out the big list @ Talking Makeup.

  • Jimmy from TruthInAging.com reveiwed our Kiwi Face Scrub, describing it as "a refreshing, fruity scrub that truly exfoliates."  Read the whole review @ Truth In Aging.

  • On a non-Mario related front, check out the new page out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Facing Facts About Acne - it talks about acne myths, types of acne, and treatments.  Learn about acne @ FDA.gov.


We're also loving what we're seeing from the Twitter community:


Thanks everybody - keep letting us know what you think!  We love hearing from you.  And if you're not following us already, get on it!  We keep in touch with our fans and customers, give out skin care advice, and let everybody know about all the latest sales and deals - don't miss out!  Follow us @MarioBadescu.]]> Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the-weekly-rundown http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the-weekly-rundown http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/the-weekly-rundown <![CDATA[Employee Spotlight: Carmen Martinez]]> Carmen has been working at Mario Badescu Skin Care for almost 9 years.  Carmen is one of our skin specialists working the front counter at our salon doing skin consultations and customer service. That is, when she’s not putting on lip gloss. 

I don’t really consider myself a product junkie.  I maintain a simple regimen that consists of a cleansing twice a day, toning twice a day, using a moisturizer each day and night, and a weekly mask.  For a mother of two children, I consider my skin to be good/decent considering the minimal effort I exert towards maintaining it.  On the other hand, however, I did experience noticeable changes after having my second child – changes for the worse.


I was lucky enough to not get what they call the “pregnancy mask” (melasma) after my pregnancy, but I did develop sensitive skin that was blotchy and red around my cheeks and chin.  Unusually dry patches on different areas of my body developed as well.  I decided to see a dermatologist to see what was going on and what I could fix to reverse these conditions.


Unfortunately, these patches turned out to be psoriasis plaques. The dermatologist told me that slight changes in the skin are of course common with pregnancy.  Moreover, the dermatologist said that there was nothing that could be done to cure the condition besides for treating the symptoms themselves.  I was prescribed medicated lotions that were very strong and further irritated my skin.  Some dermatologists prescribe steroids to completely get rid of the psoriasis, but the side effects of the steroids are very harsh themselves.  With no end in sight and no idea how to treat this condition, I began to feel more and more self-conscious about my skin.


Enter Mario Badescu Skin Care.  I started working for Mario Badescu as a skin specialist and (of course) began using a complete regimen of Mario Badescu products, and these products yielded instant results.  The Seaweed Cleansing Soap helps soothe my sensitive skin and smoothes away dry layers, and following it up with the Chamomile Cleansing Lotion helped to get rid of the red blotches on my cheeks.


The one and only Mario Badescu product I cannot live without, however, is the Control Cream, especially during the long, dry winter days.  I apply a few drops of Rose Hips Nourishing oil on the psoriasis plaque area and then I apply the Control Cream.  A lot of dermatologists suggest keeping the area moist at all times.  The Control Cream really keeps the itchiness and redness under control.  I also alternate with the Super Rich Olive Body Lotion especially in the winter when the dry patches become even worse.


Aside from what I use to treat my psoriasis, there are a few other Mario Badescu products that I simply couldn’t live without.  When I use the Ginseng Moist Cream and the Herbal Hydrating Serum together my skin feels like velvet.  My weekly masks are Enzyme Revitalizing Mask for moisture which I alternate with Calma Mask for the sensitivity. After I remove either one of these masks, my skin thanks me for it.  My favorite and cannot-live-without body wash is Azulene Body Soap. Why is it my favorite?  There is no fragrance and it just makes my skin feel so good.


To me, the best thing about Mario Badescu’s skin care line is that it is not made with perfumes, which often irritate my skin.  By using a specialized regimen built just for my skin and my condition, and by not overdoing it with any one product, I am able to keep my skin looking great.  These were my biggest mistakes with other lines, but I am happy to have finally found a line that works for me.

]]> Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--carmen-martinez http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--carmen-martinez http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--carmen-martinez <![CDATA[New Year's Skin Care Resolutions]]> Christmas is finally over, and although I’m still full from the traditional Italian seven fish dinner on Christmas Eve, it’s time to gear up for New Year’s Eve.  It’s easy to keep your mind occupied with plans and party favors and champagne, but New Year’s always means one thing to me: resolutions.Okay, so we all hate New Year’s resolutions, and we never really stick to them…but that shouldn’t stop us from trying!

I figure as long as it helps me to make strides in the right direction, it’s worth it.  Now I just need to figure out what this year’s goal will be…any suggestions?

In the spirit of New Year’s, I’ve come up with a list of New Year’s Resolutions that your skin will love.  Most people have at least one terrible skin care habit, and hopefully 2010 is the year in which that bad skin care habit gets kicked!

1.      Stay hydrated.  Water is a great thing, and your skin needs a lot of it.  Drink as much as you need throughout the course of the day.  Try keeping a bottle of water with you at all times.


2.      Exercise!  Okay, so this might coincide with a lot of people’s New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, but it is worth saying again.  Regular cardiovascular exercise is absolutely crucial to keep blood circulating to all of the skin on your body.  Hop on that treadmill!


3.      Diet!  Like exercise, I’m sure many, many people already have this planned, but I suppose the skin care benefits could just add that extra motivation you need to stick with it.  A poor diet can cause breakouts and sullen-looking skin, whereas a good diet can provide your body with all the nutrients you need for great skin.  It’s worth it to watch what you eat (but don’t forget to cheat once in a while – it keeps even the most dedicated dieter sane).


4.      Sleep!  Some people might scoff at the idea of making a New Year’s resolution to sleep for at least 8 hours a day, but it is a very valid resolution, especially for your skin.  Not only can sleep help you keep those dark circles under your eyes at bay, but it also reduces stress, which is one of the primary causes of acne!


5.      Wash your face before bed.  To some people this is a no-brainer, but I think others will understand where I’m coming from.  You’re up way too late.  You have to wake up at 7AM to start getting ready and it’s already 2.  Maybe you’ve had a bit to drink.  Regardless of the circumstances, resolve to make it to the sink every night and wash your face and moisturize before bedtime.  It will pay dividends.  For girls, makeup removal is especially important.  A well-hydrated, clean face before you go to bed will give your skin a chance to renew.


6.      Cleaning out your closet.  Set aside an hour or two and clean house.  Dump open that makeup bag.  Empty out that medicine cabinet.  How many old skin care products do you have?  You know they are there.  You know you’re never going to touch them again.  Just throw them out.  It’ll be okay, I promise.  If you’re going to turn over a new leaf when it comes to skin care, this is as good a place to start as any.


7.      Re-evaluate your skin care needs.  Have you updated your skin care regimen lately?  Perhaps your skin has changed.  Maybe you need to focus on a different problem area.  Maybe you just need to adapt it to the current season.  Either way, from time to time, take a look at the different parts of your regimen and ask yourself what each product is bringing to the table.


8.      Make it out to the salon.  Your skin will thank you for it.  Everybody is busy.  The economy is tough.  I get it.  But in order to keep your skin looking its absolute best, try to make it out to the salon for a facial every month.  Just think of it as regular necessary maintenance, like bringing your car in every 10,000 miles.


9.      Don’t pick at your skin!  This might be the most difficult of all the skin care resolutions there are.  Not only does picking at blemishes make them last longer, but it can also result in scarring and increased breakouts.  Leave your blemishes alone, treat them properly, and be patient.  It’s worth it!


10.  Try!  More important than trying to correct any of your bad habits is trying in the first place.  While many of you probably can’t imagine what it would be like to not have a very specific skin care regimen, I’m sure there are those out there who can’t even begin to imagine having a regimen, much less sticking to it.  The most important part to good skin care, however, is trying in the first place.  Every little bit helps.  Every step in the right direction is going to pay off in the long run.  It’s never too late to start treating your skin right!


BONUS:


11.  Wear a moisturizer with sunscreen daily.  Ask anybody in the industry for their #1 beauty or anti-aging tip, and you’ll always get the same answer.  Protect your skin from the sun and you’ll keep your skin looking young and feeling healthy!


Here’s to great skin care and good health in 2010.  Happy New Year’s everybody!  Have a safe and fun evening, and a wonderful year!

]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-years-skin-care-resolutions http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-years-skin-care-resolutions http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/new-years-skin-care-resolutions <![CDATA[Last Minute Holiday Gifts with Mario Badescu]]>




I’m going to get some pretty, cheap ribbons and some clear glassine bags (or some pretty gift bags and tissue paper if I’m really pressed for time) and make my own holiday gift kit with Mario Badescu products and maybe some candy or chocolates.  Winter is harsh, and everybody can appreciate the gift of good skin care, and it packages together to make a really cute – and cheap – present.




















Special Hand Cream With Vitamin E    $8



Lip Wax SPF 15    $7



Elbow & Heal Smoothing Cream    $12



$27. Easy, done.
AHA & Botanical Body Soap    $8



Papaya Body Lotion    $10



Fruit & Vitamin A & D Hand Cream SPF 10  $10



$28. Who wouldn’t like that?
Can't spend that?  Try this:



Elasto Seamollient Hand Cream $10



Lip Wax $5



$15  Great as a intensely moisturizing winter treat for anyone!



Even simpler?  Try the Raspberry Body Scrub $15



Delish! Anyone would love this.  Yikes, I used a Rachael Ray-ism. Strike that from the record.



Being creative and thoughtful doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.  If you need suggestions or ideas or just don’t have a clue, call me!]]> Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/last-minute-holiday-gifts-with-mario-badescu http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/last-minute-holiday-gifts-with-mario-badescu http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/last-minute-holiday-gifts-with-mario-badescu <![CDATA[Leg and Body Waxing Tips - How To Keep Your Legs and Body Looking Smooth and Sultry]]> "Wax on, wax off," said Mr. Miyagi to Daniel-san, circa 1984.  I couldn't resist the eighties throwback, but unfortunately this article isn't about that type of wax.

Its early Winter on the East Coast and we are all looking for ways to bundle up and stay out of the cold.  Probably the last thing on your minds is waxing. Maybe you’re even thinking of skipping it this month just because you can. No more shorts or bathing suits for a while.  Now is usually the time we can be free of the razor and the waxing and the upkeep of the pedicures and all of the beauty obligations we have in the summer.  Well not everyone lives in seasonal parts of the USA and many of us live in a place where summer weather is the norm.  I’m not going to say I wouldn’t love that (well for one I wouldn’t because I hate the warm weather, but that’s another story) but I don’t know how I would deal with having to upkeep summer beauty obligations all year round.

For all you people that stay smooth all year round, you probably know the tips and secrets to smooth skin and preventing irritation from numerous trips to the salon and maybe some trial and error doing the wrong things. What about you guys who are newbies to waxing?  Maybe you’re very anxious to try it but you’re scared it will be painful or leave irritation. Don’t be a slave to the razor!  I think you fear the unknown more than the actual pain. Think of a tattoo. You know it’s somewhat painful but the biggest fear was not knowing just how much pain. Once it got started you probably relaxed a bit because the biggest hurdle was over. Getting it started.  Oh, the 40-Year-Old Virgin is an extreme exaggeration of a chest waxing, by the way.

Yeah it’s mildly painful for some, just uncomfortable for others and it definitely depends on what parts of you are waxing- and the parts are pretty limitless.  If you have hair there, it can probably be removed thoroughly and safely (and I’m talking about professionally removed, not at home!). Waxed skin stays smoother for longer since hair comes out at the root rather than being shaved off at the surface. A warm wax is spread over the area of hairy skin and then either a strip of muslin (a type of fabric) is pressed into the wax and pulled off, along with the hair. Some salons use wax that hardens on the skin and is pulled off, right, along with the hair, no fabric needed.  Sounds barbaric but it’s actually a quick process that really makes nice difference on your skin from shaving.  Here are some tips and info to enhance your professional waxing experience and to lessen your stress about it.

TALK TO YOUR ESTHETICIAN first about any medications you may be using since some topical and oral prescriptions (Retin-A, accutane, are a few examples) can cause extreme sensitivity and thinning of the skin. In this case, you will be advised against waxing since the skin can be easily irritated, burned or even pulled off.  Usually this is a concern when waxing brows, upper lip or anywhere on the face.  Not pretty when it happens.  Don’t worry.  There are other safe hair removal options for you. Don’t find out the hard way.  Communicate any skin concerns with your estheticians before waxing. They should be the best judge if your skin is too sensitive to wax. And always err on the side of caution and don’t take chances if you’re unsure.  Other options, people. Other options. You are not stuck with a mustache, ladies.

EXFOLIATION- keeps pores clear and prevents ingrown hair, and that goes for most waxable places. New hair can grow inward if the pore is clogged and then you are left with an ugly, red, swollen bump that looks like a pimple. Reducing the dead skin cells that are on the skin’s surface will prevent this from happening.  Particularly important for bikini line or for you men, the back.  Exfoliating Glycolic Acid and Alpha Hydroxy Acid body soaps and gentle scrubs should be used regularly for best waxing results.

SOOTHING YOUR SKIN immediately after waxing reduces the discomfort you may experience from having your hair ripped out of your skin! Ok, that was for effect and to see if you are paying attention.  It sounds harsh but come on, it’s worth it and you do get used to the discomfort. You’ll see. It gets easier every time.  Just be prepared with the right tips and products.  Calming creams containing soothing botanical ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera and balsam peru calm redness and irritation immediately.  In the case of a bikini wax, keeping the area dry and clean is very important so dusting on a soothing, skin-healing powder is best.

WHITEHEADS may sometimes appear after waxing since the body actually sees the site where the hair was removed as an injury. Like a pimple, white blood cells flood the area causing a small whitehead or tiny, inflamed bump. Apply a bit of your pimple treatment on the area to speed the healing. Do not pick or squeeze the whiteheads, especially since the skin still may be in a delicate state from the waxing and you don’t want to spread any bacteria around causing new pimples.  Now this doesn’t happen to everyone, it’s usually not that big of a deal and most often happens on the brows and upper lip.

DON’T WAX if you have been in the sun 1-2 days prior and don’t go in the sun 2-3 days after waxing. The skin is more sensitive at this time. Let it calm down. Running on the beach and in the crashing waves is not encouraged with freshly waxed legs either. Plan wisely before and after waxing.

TRY IT first on your arms or legs to get the feel of it then you can cross over into more delicate territory like bikini line and underarms. You will like the results.  So much better than shaving or using smelly creams that burn the hair off your skin and the surface. We are always here to help you with your questions and concerns, Hope to hear from you! Smooth sailing.]]> Tue, 8 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/leg-and-body-waxing-tips---how-to-keep-your-legs-and-body-looking-smooth-and-sultry http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/leg-and-body-waxing-tips---how-to-keep-your-legs-and-body-looking-smooth-and-sultry http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/leg-and-body-waxing-tips---how-to-keep-your-legs-and-body-looking-smooth-and-sultry <![CDATA[Beauty is in the eye of the beholder]]>



We’ve all heard this phrase and most people I know including myself agree.  Its origin can not be confirmed (3rd Century Greek some say) though William Shakespeare expressed a similar sentiments in Love’s Labours Lost in 1588.

Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean,

Needs not the painted flourish of your praise:

Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye,

Not utter’d by base sale of the chapmen’s tongues

What one finds attractive or beautiful may be exactly the opposite or another and I’m talking about people here, not cars or paintings or sculptures.  When we hear the word beauty, initially we think physical beauty not overall beauty inner and outer.  Now it is built into us as humans to select a mate based on a potential mate’s health (for obvious reasons) and physical attractiveness. Why physical attractiveness you ask?  Well I don’t want to come off like I made this up or discovered this myself so here are some links to blogs written by some really smart people (then you can go on reading my blog): www.psychologytoday.com/print/550 and www.psychologytoday.com/print/589


Have you ever been very attracted to someone who isn’t traditionally beautiful by society’s standards? Or have you ever done what we’ve all done and blow someone off who may not be as attractive as you’d like and never even give them a chance to show you they may actually be a beautiful person? Have you ever kept someone in your life because they were physically attractive but not treating you well?  Do you know someone who is very attractive and you perceive them to have an advantage in areas of life like social and career?    Well that actually is factual. Physically attractive people are more successful but how did we let that happen as a society when we know that is wrong?


Working in a very lucrative business that makes physical attractiveness and outer beauty seem like it is very important, well then maybe I am being a hypocrite here.  Does having bad skin make you an ugly person? Is aging, wrinkled skin ugly?  Does the beauty business (and the diet industry) pray on men and women who have low self esteem and think a jar or bottle is going to transform them into a truly beautiful person? Have we completely lost focus on what characteristics of a person are important?  You see how I’m feeling right now? A bit conflicted. I know. That was a lot of questions.


Take this time to think of some positive, descriptive words to describe a person that have nothing to do with the way they look.  These are the ones I came up with. Some are even questionable because some of the following words describe characteristics that may not even be in someone’s control.



  • GENEROUS

  • CHARITABLE

  • HELPFUL

  • FUNNY

  • HONEST

  • FORGIVING

  • THOUGHTFUL

  • INTELLIGENT

  • INSIGHTFUL

  • TALENTED

  • DISCIPLINED

  • DRIVEN

  • BRAVE

  • RESPONSIBLE

  • RESPECTFUL


Any more you can think of?  What characteristics do you look for in a potential mate and are any of those listed there?  How many of those words describe you?  Shouldn’t we strive to achieve those characteristics for ourselves as a priority well above thin, wealthy and good looking? What does it say about ourselves when the reverse is true?  Just a little something to chew on.

]]> Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder <![CDATA[Ask A Skin Care Specialist Part II: Nose Strips, Acne Scars, and Aging]]>
QUESTION:  Can using nose strips (for blackheads) cause broken capillaries on your nose??

-- @soapsud (received via Twitter)

Thanks for your question. Use caution with pore strips especially if you have sensitive skin or using topical prescriptions as they can make the skin very sensitive to harsh products. The pore-cleaning strips stick forcefully and when removed, can peel the very top layer of skin away causing temporary irritation and redness.  You don’t want to trade one skin issue for another, do you?  As far as capillaries being broken, it really depends on how and where exactly you use the strips and what condition you skin is in to begin with.  If you are thin-skinned and sensitive, I’d avoid these strips altogether and go for an oil-absorbing, clay mask like our Cucumber Tonic Mask or a blackhead treatment powder like our Silver Powder. Both will give you good results with no worries of any side effects, regardless of your skin type.

QUESTION:  How do I get rid of acne scars quickly and how do I get rid of under skin acne?

-- @KaVaFiMo (received via Twitter)

ANSWER:

Acne scarring is a huge concern for many of our customers. Thank you for the question.  The key is prevention and treating pimples quickly before they get out of control. Most acne “scars” are not real scars but areas of hyperpigmentation that will eventually fade away albeit very slowly, over time. Don't pick or squeeze pimples and diligently protect from the sun, two factors which slow the healing process and cause discoloration.  Using a regimen incorporating brightening and exfoliating ingredients like Vitamin C, Kojic Acid , Glycolic and Alpha Hydroxy acids help the fading process and improve the overall skin tone while also preventing pore congestion.  Keep in mind that using products that improve the skin tone and lighten acne scars may not be appropriate while you are experiencing new acne breakouts.  Treat the acne first, then correct any hyperpigmentation once skin has cleared up.

Under skin acne can be minimized with the use of pore-clearing and overall oil-absorbing products in your daily regimen.  Acne Facial Cleanser contains salicylic acid, an ingredient that encourages exfoliation and keeps pores from clogging up with excess sebum.  Our sulfur mask for acne, Drying Mask contains ingredients to prevent excessive oil on the skin so you will break out a lot less. Buffering Lotion is a thin solution that can be rubbed in to larger areas of eruption or on deep, cystic pimples to control the spreading, speed the healing and reduce the inflammation.  Exfoliating scrubs can also be beneficial for under skin acne to relieve the build up dead, dry skin cells that are trapping everything underneath. Use caution in this case not to scrub on openly erupted skin so it will not spread and heal more quickly.  If you are in doubt, best to treat your skin gently and slowly work up to stronger products so as not to irritate the skin.

QUESTION:  What's best for skin that is between acne and wrinkles (keeping it oil-free but some w/ some prevention for aging)?

-- @ChiCityFashion (received via Twitter)

ANSWER:

Excellent question! Thank you.  For us oily or problem-skinned people, incorporating anti-aging products into our skin care regimen can be challenging since in many cases anti-aging equals products with high amounts of oils which are not recommended for oily skin.  The most important piece of information you need to know about anti-aging is this:  The skin ages primarily from UV exposure.  In fact it is the #1 recognized reason for premature aging, not dry skin, not chronological age, not from using too little moisturizer or anti-aging treatments. That being said, the most important product you must put on your skin is sunscreen and there are daily sunscreen products available for oily and problem skin.  Our lightweight, hydrating Oil Free Moisturizer (SPF 17) is the recommended daily moisturizer for oily or problem skin.  For those of you getting prolonged, daily sun exposure (if you work outdoors or spend a lot of commuting time in the car, for example) our low oil, easily absorbed, Suncare SPF 30 is instead the recommended product.

Anti-aging serums are a great way to put concentrated, antioxidant ingredients on areas that first to show signs of aging such as the appearance of wrinkles, creasing and loss of elasticity.  Our Cellufirm Drops is a lightweight, non-oily serum that can be used twice daily around mouth, neck, forhead and even on the eye area.   It’s never too early to start using preventative products to combat the aging process as long as they are appropriate for your skin type.]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/ask-a-skin-care-specialist-part-ii--nose-strips-acne-scars-and-aging http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/ask-a-skin-care-specialist-part-ii--nose-strips-acne-scars-and-aging http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/ask-a-skin-care-specialist-part-ii--nose-strips-acne-scars-and-aging <![CDATA[In The News: Elle, Stylecaster, TalkingMakeup, and Gilt!]]> We've been blowing up!  Check out who's been talking about Mario Badescu in the past week:

  • Elle Magazine honored our famous Drying Lotion with a 2009 Beauty Award, calling the product "the best acne treatment you've ever used."  Thanks, Elle!  Check out the snippet here.

  • TalkingMakeup.com featured a post on our Seaweed Cleansing Lotion!  Check it out here.

  • Jessica Conatser from Stylecaster.com gave Mario Badescu a shoutout recently.  Her dating advice column broached the subject of how to meet your significant other's parents during the holiday season, and she mentioned that Mario Badescu makes a great gift to the lovely hostess of the evening.

  • Lastly, our friends at Gilt Groupe interviewed the manager of our Manhattan salon, Elena Arboleda, about men's skin care and why Mario Badescu is the right choice for their skin care needs.


Check 'em out, and let us know what you think!  E-mails, Facebook posts, and Tweets are always appreciated!  Stay tuned for Ask a Skin Care Specialist Part II!]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/in-the-news--elle-stylecaster-talkingmakeup-and-gilt http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/in-the-news--elle-stylecaster-talkingmakeup-and-gilt http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/in-the-news--elle-stylecaster-talkingmakeup-and-gilt <![CDATA[Ask A Skin Care Specialist Part I: Pregnancy, Rosacea, and Beards]]> Hello readers! We would like to thank everybody for responding to our calls for questions on Facebook and Twitter. We got a huge response, and we picked out a bunch of our favorites to respond to in depth. Remember, you can ask us a question anytime by posting on our Facebook wall, sending us a Tweet, or e-mailing us.









QUESTION: I have trouble when I’m pregnant with my skin getting super oily and prone to breakouts. This is my routine right now. Can you offer any suggestions? My face is still so shiny and still breaks out!

MORNING: Botanical Facial Gel, Special Cleansing Lotion C, Control Moisturizer for Oily Skin

EVENING: Acne Facial Cleanser, Special Cleansing Lotion C, Buffering Lotion, Drying Lotion

--Autumn B (Submitted via Facebook)

ANSWER:

Autumn - Thanks for your facebook comment/ question. Happy to help. First of all, congrats on your pregnancy. Sounds to me like you are doing almost everything right for your oily skin although I do have some suggestions that would increase your results. You are missing one part of your clarifying regimen that will certainly make a difference: Our Drying Mask is suggested as an oil-absorbing, pore-tightening, zit drying treatment that you can apply 2-3 times a week for 20 minutes, after you cleanse and tone. Keep an eye out that you are not over drying the surface skin with your other acne products or over stimulating your skin. Your hormones are the boss now, increasing the activity in your sebaceous glands so you don’t need to help them along. Gentle care is best for oily, acne-erupted skin. Don’t over do it.

Second. I highly recommend that you use moisturizer that contains sun protection like our Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 17 or our Aloe Moisturizer SPF 15. If you are exposed to the sun for more than a few minutes a day, Suncare SPF 30 is the best choice for you. As you may already be unfortunately experiencing, healed pimples can leave brown or red marks that take many months to fade away. The fading process is not only slowed down by sun exposure but it can cause further darkening or bring out the reappearance of old marks that you thought were long gone. Also the surge of hormones during pregnancy can increase the likelihood of melasma (hyperpigmentation) which you need to protect against throughout the pregnancy and after. You can continue to use our soothing Control Moisturizer for Oily Skin in the evening or when you will be getting no sun exposure.

You don’t mention using an eye cream which I believe is one of the most important products for anti-aging. The eye area is very thin and delicate and more prone to wrinkles since there are very few oil glands in this part of the face. Check out our eye creams and get into the habit of using one twice a day, forever. If you are concerned about oil, our Ceramide Eye Gel is super lightweight and absorbent, best for your oily skin. It only takes a few more seconds to apply an eye cream and in the long run will make a huge difference.

QUESTION: What is the best product for rosacea?

--Desiree F (submitted via Facebook)

ANSWER: Thanks for your question, Desiree. We are happy to offer many products that are gentle and safe for rosacea. Rosacea skin can be tricky since the sensitivity and redness issues must be dealt with along with addressing your skin type and other skin issues in general. Overall, rosacea skin needs to be treated with products that are mild, alcohol free and contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. Healing Cream is an oil-free, soothing cream that can be applied before your moisturizer or in place of your moisturizer if your skin is oily. Control Cream is a similar product that would be recommended if you are normal or dry. Calma Mask is a great treatment that can be used as often as you need and when you have flare ups. It will immediately calm the redness out of the skin making it look more even. It is an oil-free mask so no worries if you have oily skin. Azulene Calming Mask is a similar mask that would be recommended if you have normal to dry skin. Non-foaming cleansers and make-up removers are thoroughly cleansing yet gentle for sensitive, easily reactive skin types. Our Cream Soap, Make-Up Remover Soap and Keratoplast Cream Soap are just to name a few that we offer.

QUESTION: For the bearded man in my life, what is the best way to prevent ingrown hairs and dry/flaky skin when a guy shaves his neck?

--Dana L (submitted via Facebook)

ANSWER: Sometimes the men in our lives don’t take the care or time to help themselves and just deal with whatever happens on their skin as if there are no solutions. Mario Badescu Skin Care is proud to offer a special selection of men’s products that address the needs of irritated, razor burned skin (and yes ladies, we can use some of them too!) Many of the products in the men’s line contain skin-soothing ingredients like chamomile and lavender that provide anti-inflammatory benefits for the men who suffer from the uncomfortable side effects of daily shaving like ingrown hairs. Pre-Shave Conditioner is a chamomile based gel that can be used under shaving cream to soften the beard area and to provide a closer, more comfortable shave. Our calming Control Cream can be applied to the beard area, including neck to reduce irritated or dry flaky skin, post shaving. Our Aftershave Moisturizer is a medium-weight, men’s moisturizer which can be used in the beard area after shaving or as an overnight moisturizer for soothing and nourishing benefits. For further anti-aging benefits, the Vitamin A & E Hydrating Balm is a vitamin and nutrient packed serum to combat wrinkles and dry skin. For treating bumps and ingrown hairs, a dab of our famous Drying Lotion helps speed up the healing and reduce the swelling and inflammation.]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/ask-a-skin-care-specialist-part-i--pregnancy-rosacea-and-beards http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/ask-a-skin-care-specialist-part-i--pregnancy-rosacea-and-beards http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/ask-a-skin-care-specialist-part-i--pregnancy-rosacea-and-beards <![CDATA[Employee Spotlight: Kelly Barrett]]> Kelly Barrett is the Assistant Manager of Mario Badescu Skin Care's Manhattan salon. She has been working for Mario Badescu since 1994 and studied Communications and Journalism in college.  Aside from her duties in the salon, Kelly is Mario Badescu's go-to blogger and is widely known to have vast knowledge of the skin care industry and all-things-Badescu.

Where do I begin? I’ve been a beauty junkie as long as I can remember. Instead of buying candy with my money like any normal kid, I was buying 99 cent Wet N Wild lipstick in bright pink, blue mascara, purple eye liner and glitter nail polish. I couldn’t wait to get to the bus stop to paint up my face before getting to school. I think I was 11.

I started selling Avon at age 16 so I was surrounded by tubes and bottles of skin care products and piles of make up. For sure I spent way more than I earned. I loved reading all the ingredients and trying out different creams and lotions every night. If I could actually earn a living doing this, it would be so cool! Eventually I did, at Mario Badescu.

From my teens to my early 20’s no one ever introduced me to department store cosmetics or skin care and I’m very thankful for that. Having a beauty product habit is bad enough but at least I was buying the cheap stuff. When I first went with my college roommate to the Clinique counter and the sales person said the lipstick was $15 I nearly had a heart attack. What do I know from $15 lipsticks? Are they serious? I’m from the boonies of Long Island and all of my stuff was from the drug store and that was fine with me. I still refuse to spend that much on a lipstick. Well, now they’re more like $25. No way.

At age 24 I discovered Mario Badescu Skin Care and it was my first real job and probably will be my last. Lord knows what my skin would look like if I wasn’t working in this business. I might actually look my age! I enjoy helping others find the perfect skin regimen to make them feel good about themselves. If anyone knows Mario Badescu products and lots of other brands too, it’s me. I will try anything once (or many times) even if it’s not for my skin type. I consider it research for work and it feeds my addiction.

My skin type is combination and leaning towards oily. Never once in my life did I have dry skin. I powder my face a few times a day to get rid of the forehead shine. I get deep, monthly pimples that I try to squeeze. Very bad. I’ve always been a picker but this cyst thing is really annoying because they are leaving brown marks that take forever to go away. It’s a new thing for me as I get closer to 40. Due to the gigantic size of my pores and the brown marks, I wear a ton of make-up most days including an extra coverage foundation and concealer, full coverage powder, bronzer, and blush. I won’t even get the mail without foundation on. I’m working on that issue. I have a tube of tinted moisturizer that I use on a good day but I still have to put a full coverage powder over it. Ok so now you have an idea of what my skin is like so I’ll tell you what I do daily, weekly and on special days.

My morning regimen starts with me looking in the mirror way to closely and looking for anything to squeeze. I need to be put in a straight jacket. I am 1-2 hours from having to be in public so I try very hard to not squeeze or pick anything unless absolutely necessary. Amazing how much better my face looks that day if I don’t touch it. I know this is bad and I am working on it. I start with either the Acne Facial Cleanser at the sink or the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser in the shower. When I’m not lazy or in a rush I then wipe down my face, neck and chest with Special Glycolic Cleansing Lotion if my skin feels and looks normal. Instead I use the Special Cucumber Lotion if I have some erupted pimples. I’m too lazy to take out my body astringent (Special Cleansing Lotion O) from under the sink and get a new cotton pad out. There I said it. I’m no different from any of you. I can be lazy.

Next I apply some Cellufirm Drops to the eye area, the vertical crease on my forehead (which thank god isn’t getting any worse over the years) and the lines around my mouth. Then I put on some Dermonectin Eye Cream until my eye area is all shiny and moist. I need some time to let that soak in before I do my make up. Now comes the hardest decision of the day. Which moisturizer? Is it sticky and humid? Then I go for the Herbal Hydrating Serum. Is my skin peeling from using Retin-A on my zits? Then I’m going for Honey Moistuizer and the rare occasion when I’ve completely overdone it with the Retin A, a tiny drop of Vitacel Moist Cream. If you are reading this and have oily skin do not use Vitacel Moist Cream! I’m a trained professional. Some days I may want to experiment with another brand moisturizer or cream. I have plenty of friends in the business who are more than happy to share their skin care freebies and samples with me. Hey, I have to be well informed about what else is out there. It’s my job. This morning routine takes maybe 5 minutes, if that.

At night it depends on what time I get home from work and if I’m going to be putting on make-up and going back out again. If I’m just going to bed I will cleanse with the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser if I’m in the shower or the Acne Facial Cleanser if I’m at the sink. Most nights I am good about using my Special Cleansing Lotion astringent. With the amount of make-up I wear and the new hormonal breakouts I’ve been getting, I really feel that this step is essential for me (and for you!).

If my skin is looking pretty busted I’ll do a mask. I’ll use either Calma Mask or Healing & Soothng Mask. If it’s broken out but I’m being very good and not squeezing I’ll do the Drying Mask. It’s amazing what this mask can do. I LOVE IT, as bad as it smells. I truly see a difference the next day. I use Whitening Mask some nights to help reduce the look of the brown marks. Some weeks they look worse than others. It all depends.

I will put some Cellufirm Drops around my eyes or use a drop of Dermonectin Eye Cream. I wake up very swollen in the face so using a lot of eye products is not something I want to do. At almost 40, I am lucky to report that I do not have crow’s feet. Some very minor wrinkling under the eye I can deal with. Not crow’s feet. I attribute that to the fact I have been working at Mario Badescu since I was 24 and using eye cream every single day and night. That and getting very little sun exposure over the last 15 years. I almost never use a night cream. I am never dry so it’s not a problem for me.

If I have a new zit I will hit it with a dab of Drying Lotion. If I have a scab or self-inflicted wound from picking I will dab on Drying Cream and then a bit of Special Healing Powder and by morning, it really is much better. If I am applying make-up and going out I will just do the morning routine.

I use a face scrub once or twice a week in the shower. Usually I use the Almond & Honey. This is particularly helpful if I’m using Retin-A and I’m peeling a bit. It smoothes things over so when I put make-up on, the flaky skin is almost gone.

If I have a hot date (Ha! As if) I love the Temporary Lifting Mask because it makes my pores so small and helps my make-up go on more smoothly so I don’t start getting all self-conscious about my skin. Honestly it is an issue for me when I meet new people but I am happy to have all the “tools” I need to make things a lot better. A good skin care routine has made a lot of difference in the way I look and feel. It does matter.]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--kelly-barrett http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--kelly-barrett http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--kelly-barrett <![CDATA[Sensitive Skin - what is it and how do you take care of it?]]> This post is going to bring us back to the question: “What is your skin type?”  (See post: How To Identify Your Skin Type)  When I ask this extremely important question, particularly over the phone where I can not see anything and have to rely on only my customer’s communication skills, and the response I get is “sensitive,” I start to get a little frustrated when it is not followed immediately with a more detailed explanation.

Sensitive skin.  What does this mean to me? What does this mean to you?  Well first of all for you it can mean you will be using all the wrong skin care products if you didn’t follow up with an explanation of the details of your so-called “sensitive skin”.  Let’s see if we can really determine if this is a true statement for you or not.

What does Dictionary.com say?  I like definition #2: readily or excessively affected by external agencies or influences.    Having read that, do you think that because you get a pimple during your monthly cycle, that you have sensitive skin? No, it just means you are a normal human being and during this wonderful time of the month your oil glands are affected by the hormonal changes in the body and you get a zit. Do you think that because your skin is all red, raw and dried up from using every product in out acne line all at once that you have sensitive skin? I think not. Did it ever occur to you,  using all of the top strength products in your skin care regimen that this may not be good for your skin nor helping to clear you up?  Skin is sometimes delicate and doesn’t respond nicely to isopropyl alcohol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, granular scrubs and clay masks all on the same day.  It does not always mean you have sensitive skin.  It may just mean you have normal skin and you are treating it badly.

When you tell a skin care salesperson “I have sensitive skin” with no follow up info, assume they are thinking (and I am thinking) you are highly allergic to many things, easily irritated and product reactive-see definition above.  If this is not the case, then you better have some more details immediately or you will get a bag full of mild, soothing, potentially too weak products for what may be going on with your skin and then you will not get the results you paid for.  Having acne doesn’t necessarily mean sensitive either. Just like getting a pimple every now and again doesn’t mean you have “acne.” Having a doctor tell you that you have rosacea usually does mean you are sensitive and should use caution with what you put on your face, although not in every single case.  See what I’m getting at? There is no one-size-fits-all skin care and the more information you can provide, the better.  Now where have I heard that statement before? I’m just trying to make sure you get your money’s worth when you walk away with your skin care regimen whether it comes from Mario Badescu or anywhere else.

Some sensitive skin guidelines. (GUIDELINES, not rules: everyone’s skin is different.)


  • If you have very fair, easily sunburned, thin skin that may appear ruddy and the capillaries show through, chances are you’re sensitive.  Think Nicole Kidman, Howdy Doody or Danny Partridge.


  • Red-haired, blue eyed people of Celtic, British or Scottish decent often have thinner skin. Blood vessels and nerve endings are closer to the skin’s surface in this case, causing easily irritated or sensitive skin.

  • If products containing heavy fragrance or artificial color cause you to feel irritated or get blotchy, chances are you’re sensitive.

  • If being out in the cold, blustery weather, even briefly, causes you to get very red and blotchy, chances are you’re sensitive (and need to get a protective cream instead of a moisturizer). Does the same happen indoors when the heat is kicking full force? Yep, same thing.

  • Does your skin get uncomfortable and irritated from using a drugstore brand exfoliating scrub?  This could mean you are sensitive or just massaging the scrub too long or using it too often. Never use your scrub daily unless the label says it is specifically a daily use product.

  • Does an alcohol-based astringent feel like it’s burning your skin slightly?  Maybe you have dry skin and it’s too strong and shouldn’t be using it anyway or maybe you are truly sensitive. If you have oily/acne skin and also sensitive, there are other effective options.

  • Sensitive skin generally has an impaired barrier function so products are more permeable.  In English:  The protective, moisturizing part of the skin is not as strong so potential irritants can get through to the nerve endings and blood vessels causing inflammation.  Water loss in the epidermis (top layer of skin) is common in sensitive skin so dehydration can also be an issue.  Be careful about using soapy, foamy cleansers to often or at all. They can make this condition worse.


Hopefully this has shed some light on whether or not you really have sensitive skin and helps you in the future choosing the correct skin care products.]]> Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/sensitive-skin---what-is-it-and-how-do-you-take-care-of-it http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/sensitive-skin---what-is-it-and-how-do-you-take-care-of-it http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/sensitive-skin---what-is-it-and-how-do-you-take-care-of-it <![CDATA[Employee Spotlight: Nicole Darmanin]]> Nicole Darmanin of Mario Badescu Skin CareNicole Darmanin is the Public Relations Manager of Mario Badescu Skin Care. She has extensive knowledge of cosmetic chemistry, make-up artistry and the fun job of making Mario Badescu Skin Care a household name.

It is not by chance that I have a career in the beauty industry. I have an unquenchable love of all things sparkly, fragrant, bubbly and creamy. When I was old enough to realize that I could make a living surrounded by beauty products, I dove right in. I am truly a product junkie.

When I first started working for Mario Badescu 3 years ago, all of my spare time was spent cleansing, toning, moisturizing and masking until I found the absolute best products for my well attended to but sometimes temperamental skin. I have sensitivity (meaning that I am allergic to some skin care ingredients), and am oily with occasional bouts of adult acne. If I use products that are too aggressive my skin gets dry. For me, skin care is a total balancing act. After years of experimenting with Mario Badescu Skin Care here are my staple, problem-solving and can’t-live-without products:

For daily cleansing I use the Seaweed Cleansing Soap. I love that it cleans well without stripping and leaves my sensitive calm and soft. Three times a week I switch and use the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser to deep clean.

I love toner! I probably alternate between 4 different ones but my favorite is the Special Cucumber Lotion. It leaves my skin feeling super clean and helps fight breakouts.

My biggest Mario must have is the Herbal Hydrating Serum. It is a water based gel that keeps my skin hydrated without clogging my pores. I use it day and night every day.

I absolutely love our masks and can never commit to using just one. My favorite thing to do is make mixture of half Drying Mask and half Whitening Mask to fight breakouts and brighten at the same time. When my skin is feeling sensitive the Calma Mask is a lifesaver.

The Almond and Honey Face Scrub is packed with good for your skin ingredients including seaweed, zinc, almond, clay and honey, I feel like I’m giving my skin a mini spa treatment every time I use it.

When I break out I turn to my tried and true arsenal of blemish fighters. The Drying Cream for small pimples, the Buffering Lotion for big under the skin cystic pimples and I always apply Healing Cream once I can tell that the breakout is fading away.

For body I adore the Seaweed Bubble Bath and Shower Gel, Vitamin E Body Lotion and Summer Shine Body Lotion. I mix the two body lotions together for super soft skin that slightly shimmers. I always keep the Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater handy to mist whenever I need a quick pick me up.

Lastly, the Lip Wax SPF 15 is absolutely essential for me. I think I have one in every coat pocket and bag that I own!]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--nicole-darmanin http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--nicole-darmanin http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/employee-spotlight--nicole-darmanin <![CDATA[Biotin for Hair and Nails - Does it work?]]> Yes. For me, 100%. For someone who washes their hands about 100 times a day and sanitizes just as often, I am stuck with peeling, cracking nails.  I decided to start taking Biotin supplements every day, or I should say, when I remember to.  My nails are now longer, harder and stronger than they have ever been and I actually can see the difference. OK, that and a great manicurist who takes good care of me every now and again. 

Not to also mention the fact that I have long hair and every time I wash or brush it, gobs of hair seem to be falling out everywhere and that started to concern me as well even though I’m sure it’s just because I haven’t had long hair in 20 years and forgot how much hair normally sheds. Still, I am constantly looking for a thin patch or asking my color guy if my hair looks thin to him. Even though I am mental about this hair shedding issue, I have to self-trim my bangs every week since taking the biotin because my hair seems to be growing so much faster now. Maybe because it’s winter? Maybe it’s because of the Biotin. Or is it just the Placebo Effect and it’s all in my head………  Wow, imagine if I put this much thought and energy into other areas of my life, I’d be so much more productive of a person.

Before I go any further about this, it is extremely important that you always get the okay from your physician before taking any supplements or vitamins or any kind. We want you to have beautiful hair and nails safely!

Biotin is one of the B complex vitamins, B7. It is also known as Vitamin H.  Vitamin H is used in cell growth, the metabolism of fats and proteins and for the health of hair, skin, sweat glands, and bone marrow.  The recommended daily dose is 30 micrograms (0.3mg) per day and in rare cases of Biotin deficiency or when recommended by a doctor, the dosage is as much as 1000 mcg. Again, see above, bold paragraph. Please.  Since Biotin is water soluble, meaning excess it is eliminated from your body, there is no known toxicity from taking too much.

Biotin increases the size of the hair’s cortex to prevent breakage, thickens the cuticle, increases the size of the hair shaft and promotes growth. Oh, products with Biotin aren’t all that effective since it can not easily be absorbed through the skin, nails and hair.

Funny but bodybuilders and people who eat very high protein diets usually get less Biotin since it binds to proteins making it unavailable for absorption into the body. The human body amazes me. All these things going on inside us all the time.  

Biotin is found naturally in tomatoes, carrots, peanuts, eggs, low fat yogurt, liver, and cauliflower.  See? Eating healthy foods is good for a lot of things although you would have to eat thousands of calories of Biotin-rich food to actually make a noticeable difference.  Now that winter is almost here and dry hands and hair are right around the corner, it can’t hurt to give your self a little extra edge with Biotin supplements.]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/biotin-for-hair-and-nails---does-it-work http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/biotin-for-hair-and-nails---does-it-work http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/biotin-for-hair-and-nails---does-it-work <![CDATA[Introducing Mario Badescu's New Contest!]]>
We want to hear your personal skin care stories.  Tell us what your problem is.  Tell us how you've struggled.  Tell us what you've tried that worked and what you've tried that hasn't.

5 lucky contestants will win a personalized one-on-one skin care consultation with one of our skin care professionals, as well as a complete customized skin care regimen targeted from their skin type and condition.

This contest is over November 1st, so act now!  Find out more details and enter to win!  Click the banner at the top of our Acne Resource Center, or just scroll down!]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/introducing-mario-badescus-new-contest http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/introducing-mario-badescus-new-contest http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/introducing-mario-badescus-new-contest <![CDATA[Mens Skin Care - Better Skin For Men Is Easy]]> This blog is directed at the boys, the men.  I want to know why so many of you are afraid to take good care of your skin. Is it a manly thing that you shouldn’t care about such things?  How ridiculous. You spend hours at the gym to get buff but you don’t care about how your skin looks? Why?  Well if you are reading this that’s great because you’re actually here and on your way to learning about good skin care. (No one has to know).

My experiences with men in my life and their skin care habits all sound alike. Men seem to be brand loyal and once they find something they like, they will just buy it over and over again just to avoid shopping and thinking about it, not because it’s actually a good product.  Degree deodorant, random bar soap, Barbasol shaving cream, giant bottle of Tres Semme shampoo and maybe the odd day for some sunscreen if I was there to demand it. The basics. Maybe some pre-shave shave oil if he got it as a gift (from me most likely).  If I brought some products home, yeah he’d use them intermittently without much force but in the end I wind up throwing away a year-old jar of eye cream, three-quarters full, in the garbage.  Obviously there is a lot of room for improvement – for both the man I am thinking about in my head as well as all men.  With a little effort, a little information, and a better skin care regimen, all men can have better skin – it’s not that hard.

Men’s skin is actually different. It is thicker with larger pores and more oil glands.  So men’s skin actually has more strength and defense than women’s skin.  This is no reason for neglect though.  Daily shaving and working outdoors in extreme weather conditions takes its toll on the toughest of skins.

Let’s start with what you are currently washing your face with. Bar of soap? The same bar of soap you wash your, no wait. You know where I’m going with that, right?  So far you’ve been doing that all your life and you’re still alive so I’m not saying it’s harmful, I’m just saying there’s a better way that’s just as effective yet less harsh and drying and barbaric.  A specific face cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type will do a better job. I just opened up a can of worms there, right? What’s your skin type?

Sunscreen and moisturizer. Why are you not using these daily?  Your skin needs protection from the sun’s rays all the time to prevent skin cancer and even more so if you work outdoors. Sun exposure is cumulative and is recognized as the number 1 cause of premature aging of the skin. Use it every day regardless of what the weather looks like. Get and all-in-one that is suitable for your skin type and don’t use your body sunscreen on your face, especially if you have problem or oily skin.

Eye cream is important for men too. Skin around the eyes can be 1/10 the thickness of the rest of your face and lacks oil glands. Those crow’s feet are going to show up some time if they haven’t already.  Prevent wrinkles by moisturizing that delicate skin every day with an eye cream, not your regular face lotion.  Eye creams are formulated specially for the eye area with ingredients to target puffiness and wrinkle prone skin.

Scrub. Yeah that sounds slightly manly, doesn’t it?  Exfoliating a few times a week with a granular face scrub eliminates pore clogging build up which ends up as blackheads.  No one likes looking at those.  Exfoliating regularly keeps the pores clean so ingrown hairs will be minimized. It also helps keep your face nice and smooth as an added bonus.

Shall I go on?  You will benefit from a mask and a toner too. Special shaving products will make your shaving pain go away. No need to suffer with razor burn and ingrown hairs.  These additional, simple steps will only result in more clear, clean skin. What’s unmanly about that? ]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mens-skin-care---better-skin-for-men-is-easy http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mens-skin-care---better-skin-for-men-is-easy http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mens-skin-care---better-skin-for-men-is-easy <![CDATA[Pamper Yourself With A Home Facial - DIY Facial]]> Nothing can take the place of a professional salon facial including pore extractions and the stimulating, revitalizing massage called “effleurage” on your face and neck.  What you can do easily at home is still a relaxing, beneficial treatment not only for your face, but for your mind and body as well.  If you find yourself dateless (or penniless) on a Friday night or want to have a girly night in with your BFF’s, this is the way to pass the time and achieve a great result on your skin. Maybe you can convince your boyfriend or significant other to join you in the fun.  This is also a great treat for your skin before a special night out that will make you feel and look great.

Since most of us don’t have professional face steamers in the house, we will offer some easy substitutions for the salon procedures that can not be duplicated such as the steaming.  It is highly recommended to avoid doing any home extractions for pimples or blackheads so we will skip this step altogether.  Leave that top the professionals who can clean the pores without damaging surrounding skin and know when to stop.

Let’s get started with a list of what you will need:


  • Blender full of delicious, healthy smoothies or virgin cocktails.

  • CD player stocked with your favorite chill music.

  • Scented candles

  • Hair band or hair covering

  • A comfy robe that can be opened to expose the neck and décolleté. Preferably washable in case of drips and spills.

  • Strong chamomile tea, brewed and chilled or cold cucumber slices (of course!)

  • Cotton pads

  • Large towel or sheet to cover your couch or bed.

  • Large bowl filled with hot water

  • Facial spray or aromatherapy oils

  • Several small towels or large washcloths

  • Eye make up remover

  • Cleanser

  • Toner

  • Astringent – if you have oily/problematic skin

  • Gentle face scrub

  • Mask

  • Moisturizer

  • Serum

  • Eye cream

  • Lip Balm

  • Pimple treatment product(s)


STEP ONE. PREP:

Make sure your hair is out of your face and you are comfy in your robe.  Cover your couch or bed with the large towel to protect it from spills and dribbles. Turn on your music and have your healthy beverage close by. Light your scented candles. Please use caution.

STEP TWO. CLEANSE:

Remove any eye make up by dampening a cotton pad with eye make up remover and gently press to the eye. Wipe away in a downward direction until all traces of make-up are removed.  Wet your face with tepid water and gently massage cleanser in circular motions. Don’t forget under the chin and neck. If you have very oily skin or acne, do not spend too much time massaging as this can stimulate the skin to produce more oils.  Rinse thoroughly with tepid water and pat dry.  Dampen a cotton pad with a gentle, non-alcohol toner and wipe your face in an outward direction until cotton is clean.

STEP THREE. “STEAM”:

Soak a small towel or washcloth in hot water and completely wring out. You can put a few drops of aromatherapy oil (lavender is nice) in the hot water or spray the towel with our Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater.  Make sure it’s not too hot to the touch. Lay down and apply the towel to your face leaving an opening for the nose. Relax for 10 minutes while the heat softens the skin and allows the pores to open up.

STEP FOUR. EXFOLIATE:

This step will loosen up any pore congestion and remove the build up of dead skin cells. Dampen your face with tepid water and massage on your face scrub in circular motions for about 1-2 minutes. Avoid getting too close to the eyes or any areas where you have breakouts.  Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

STEP FOUR. MASK:

Apply a small amount of eye cream to avoid the mask from pulling the delicate skin once it dries.  Apply a few drops of your favorite serum to “areas of concern” like the creases on your forehead and neck or around the mouth.  Apply a thin layer of your mask all over the face, neck and décolleté.  Lay back and apply tea-soaked cotton pads or cold cucumber slices to the eyes. Relax for 20 minutes while the mask takes effect.  Now would be the perfect time to have your hands massaged with a rich and thick hand cream. Take turns with your friends.  Sip your drink, listen to music and destress.  When 20 minutes is up, thoroughly remove the mask with wet washcloths of by rinsing at the sink. Pat dry.  Use toner or astringent if necessary to remove any mask residue.

STEP FIVE. MOISTURIZE:

First apply a few drops of serum.  Gently tap on your eye cream following the orbital bone to the corners of your eyes.  Massage on your moisturizer or cream. Don’t forget the neck and décolleté.  Apply your creams to neck and décolleté in upward strokes. Finally, give your face a light spritz of facial spray and blot with a tissue. Apply lip balm. Now keep your skin out of the pollution and make-up as long as possible for the best results. You should feel relaxed and fresh with glowing skin.  Enjoy!]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/pamper-yourself-with-a-home-facial---diy-facial http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/pamper-yourself-with-a-home-facial---diy-facial http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/pamper-yourself-with-a-home-facial---diy-facial <![CDATA[Recession-Free Skin Care]]> Do you think you have to spend a lot of money to have great skin and look good? That’s what the major cosmetic companies want you to believe, isn’t it.  With their $40 cleansers and $300 face creams and $50 foundations you would have to be pretty wealthy to keep up with a long-term routine on those brands.   If you look closely at the product labels, many of the expensive brands have the same ingredients as the lower priced brands.  The extra price you pay is to finance the company’s bazillion dollar advertising budget and the product’s excessive, and not very earth friendly packaging.   Nothing says “I can afford the best, most luxurious products” like a fancy glass jar to hold your designer-label night cream with a $300 price tag!  Do not forget to tell your friends how much you spent on it too.  Why else would you spend that if you don’t actually have to?

In this economic recession, less and less of us can actually afford the little comforts in life like good skin care products much less the designer-priced ones.  What can you do to get what you need and love for your skin without having to choose between paying your electric bill or your cell phone bill this month?

Money-Saving Skin Care Ideas


Invest in a good moisturizer and sunscreen all in one for daily use on your face.  Protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging defense you have and you should be doing it every day, sunny or not, winter or summer. Spend the money on a 2 in 1 product rather than layering 2 separate products at twice the cost.  Not only are you saving money, you are saving your skin from potentially very dangerous skin cancer. Keep in mind, sunscreens made for the body are not always suitable for the face, especially if you have problem skin.

Prevention and maintenance is better than repair, I always say. If you are neglecting your skin and skipping important steps of your skin care routine, you will end up spending more money in the long run on repair products and treatments.  For example; you are too lazy to take off your make up before bed or to do your mask or scrub regularly. The result? Your skin gets clogged up, starts breaking out and looks terrible. Eventually you will wind up in the facialist’s chair or worse the dermatologist’s office, spending even more money. A situation you could have easily prevented.  Maybe if you didn’t bake your face in the sun for so long, you could have put off those very expensive botox injections for a few more years. I’m all for it (in moderation, of course) but if I can somehow take steps to avoid it longer, I’d rather do that, wouldn’t you?  If you can’t seem to make good skin care habits a regular part of your day then you can invest in a package of facials, usually at a discounted price so you can have your skin professionally cleaned every 4-6 weeks.

Having and maintaining a tan does not have to be expensive or harmful to your skin.  Don’t even get me started on the dangers of using tanning beds or baking yourself to a crisp at the beach. You don’t need the lecture because you are well aware of the dangers of sun exposure, I’m sure. If not, I encourage you to find out.  Invest in a good body scrub and self tanner and fake it. There are many excellent body lotions on the market that contain subtle self tanners them which are ideal for adding gradual color or for maintaining your self-tan.  Self tanners look beautiful if your skin is prepped appropriately(exfoliate and moisturize first, always) and applied carefully and correctly.  Don’t spend on a fancy brand because they all work the same way, with similar ingredients.  You can get self tanners for as little as $12 and body lotions with buildable color for as little as $10. 

Basically the message I am trying to get across is this:  Maintenance and prevention cost less than fixing what could have been avoided in the first place. Think carefully about where your money really goes when you buy your favorite beauty products.  With just a little knowledge and research, there are often cheaper, equivalent alternatives to be easily found.  Try to be green and use products with less packaging. They usually cost less for that simple reason.  Compare labels and brands and make sure you are not spending more, unnecessarily for basically the same ingredients.]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/recession-free-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/recession-free-skin-care http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/recession-free-skin-care <![CDATA[Skin Care for Travel]]> I’m an overpacker. I have to bring everything I use on a daily basis and everything I may want to use, just in case.  Since I haven’t traveled by plane since these crazy one-bag-per-person luggage restrictions, I am in for some serious packing anxiety soon.  Probably half of my suitcase is needed for my skin care, bath and hair products.  I just don’t trust whatever the hotel may have as far as shampoo and body lotion. Sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes, nothing at all except a bar of soap. (Yes, sometimes I had to travel on a tight budget and wound up at a less than high end hotel.  My travel agent wasn’t too happy about an 11pm phone call with me sobbing hysterically for him to get me out of there even though every room in the city was booked. Somehow it happened. But anyway…….)

Packing Your Skin Care Essentials


What can you leave at home without sacrifice? Well, nothing really but space is at a premium in your suitcase so get creative.   I say carry on whatever you desperately must have but keep in mind the 3.4oz liquid rule for your carry on. As far as make-up, everything I need for an entire face is in my handbag every day no matter what. Ya never know.  Scour the cosmetic counter for sample bottles of foundation, mini mascaras, eye shadow sets and teeny blush sets.  Come on, you know what I mean. These are included in the gift sets that major cosmetic companies give away several times a year.  Buy something, anything, just so you can score make-up minis for your kit.  If your skin is anything like mine, after a long flight you’re going to need to re-do your face before you get off the plane. That recycled airplane air is smelly and gross and makes a disaster of your skin. Bring your make-up on board!

Mile High Skin Care


The humidity level on an airplane is about 10-20 percent, lower than the typical 35-60 percent we are used to indoors. This can dehydrate skin making it dull and dry looking.  Slather on a protective cream before boarding to coat your skin with an extra layer of protection from these conditions.  Pack a moisture mask that you can do at the hotel before bed to do some damage control from the long flight. 

On the other hand, strange as it may seem, some skin types gush oil when sitting in a dehydrating airplane. I don’t know if the long exposure to dry air stimulates the oil glands into overdrive but I can tell you, it happens. It happens to me and it’s not pretty.  If this sounds like you, carry along a small bottle of astringent and some cotton pads so you can do a quick mop up when things get out of control. Oil blotting papers are great for this too.  Just don’t sop up the gushing oil with your compact sponge and put it back in the compact. You are asking for skin problems by doing that, not to mention ruining the powder with moisture. Pack a clay mask to do before bed to tighten pores up and get things back to normal.

You're On Vacation, But Your Skin Care Regimen Isn't!


Get a hold of some 2oz travel bottles for your cleanser, toner, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. These can easily be found in a drugstore or cosmetic store especially with the recent baggage and carry on limits, they are now more widely available. As for your sunscreen, bring a full size since research shows we never apply enough to get the protection we need. 1oz (the size of a shot glass) is the minimum that should be slathered on us at least 20 minutes before getting on the beach.  Wrap all your liquid products in plastic storage bags to prevent leaks. Nothing worse than opening your suitcase to find all your clothes reeking in perfume or lotion that leaked on everything. 

How come the sun is always stronger on vacation?  Sounds funny but laying out at your own pool in New Jersey in the summer is a heck of a lot different from laying out on a tropical beach near the equator where the sun’s rays are much stronger. Load up on the sunscreen and keep reapplying, often.   Don’t forget to protect your hair when you’re on a beach vacation. Bring a long a bottle of spray in conditioner that will keep locks moist when you’re out in the sun and it will help you comb through your hair after you take a dip in the ocean. 

Other Skin Care Considerations for Traveling


How is the change in climate going to affect your skin? Have you thought of that?  You will need to pack some special things for a ski vacation versus a beach vacation, obviously, but I don’t mean clothes.  Cold, blustery weather can chap your face so a thick protective cream with sunscreen is a necessity. Your regular moisturizer will not cut it for a day on the slopes.  A lip balm with sunscreen, super thick hand cream and body lotion would make sense here too.  Does warm, humid weather cause your skin to breakout and act erratic?  Add in too many margaritas, not enough sleep, and the inevitable diet-ruining feast, and your skin might not be in good shape. Bring along some acne spot treatments just in case.

Plan ahead so you can have great skin and enjoy your vacation without any stress. Happy packing!]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-for-travel http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-for-travel http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/skin-care-for-travel <![CDATA[Self-Tanning Like the Pros]]> Summer is starting to come to a close and the beautiful weather we have enjoyed will soon be a mere memory – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we can’t have sexy, gorgeous tanned skin all year ‘round!  Read on for some terrific self-tanning tips that can help you get that nice summer tan, even in the dead of winter!

Unless you are living on another planet, I’m sure you’re aware of the dangers and results of sun exposure. Skin cancer, premature aging, discoloration, to name a few.   It’s not good for you, as good as you may look rocking a deep tan.  I am going to teach you the proper way to apply a self tanning lotion so that you look good, feel good, and preserve your skin as long as you possibly can.

STEP ONE

Exfoliate all the areas you plan to tan.  If you plan on waxing or shaving do it a day or 2 before.  Use a moisturizing body scrub or a loofah and shower gel.  The idea here is to smooth out any rough patches so the self tanner doesn’t stain in the areas where you are dry. Pay special attention to the ankles, knees and elbows and anywhere near the feet.

STEP TWO

Pat your skin dry and moisturize all over, again paying more attention to the dryer parts like knees, elbows, ankles and feet.

STEP THREE

Apply the self tanner by massaging it on to your skin like you would a body lotion, being careful to apply and even application of product so the color comes up natural looking.  Go easy on the lower ankles because self tanner tends to develop darker there.  Wash your hands thoroughly (with lots of soap) including between your fingers and cuticles. The product should dry in about 3 minutes so if you need to get dressed more quickly, get out a hair dryer or fan and help this process along.  Should I mention that it’s not recommended to put on white or very light colored clothing anytime soon after self tanning?  If you sweat, get caught in the rain or if it’s not completely dry your clothes will stain.  I like to self tan before bed so I know there will be no problems with my clothing, especially since I wear a white uniform to work most days.

STEP FOUR

Maintain the color every few days by doing another application (minus the exfoliation step).  Once the color starts to look uneven and dull or orange, its time to start over with a fresh application and exfoliate again.  Be careful not to become a self tan-o-rexic because it can build up unevenly and look dirty and unnatural.

HELPFUL HINTS:

If your skin is very oily or you have large, congested pores, I do not recommend using self tanner on the face as it will draw more attention to the pores when the color starts to darken. You’re better off with a powder bronzer.

If your application is messy and you’re color develops unevenly, fresh lemon juice and a gentle body scrub will speed up the fading process.

Never use a new self tanner for the first time before a special event. Experiment at an earlier time to see how the color comes up on you.

Wait at least 10-12 hours before showering to avoid washing away some of the color.

Apply a little petroleum jelly or hand cream to your nails and cuticles to provide protection against staining.

Happy tanning!

Did you know that Mario Badescu carries a line of Sun Products including Self-Tanning Lotion (SPF-15) as well as Oil-Free Self-Tanning Lotion?  Check them out!]]> Thu, 3 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/self-tanning-like-the-pros http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/self-tanning-like-the-pros http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/self-tanning-like-the-pros <![CDATA[10 Signs You Might Be a Beauty Junkie]]> Okay, okay, okay!  Guilty as charged.  Throw the book at me.  Take me away.  I just can't help myself

I'm a beauty junkie.

How many of you out there are also guilty?  If you can relate to more than 3 of these, I think it's time to seek some help.

1. Your medicine cabinet.  Your friend walks into your bathroom “looking for a tylenol” and when she opens the medicine cabinet she is knocked unconscious by the avalanche of cleansers, hair serums, eye creams and zit creams that come tumbling out. You know she was snooping anyways, so she deserved it anyway. I hope you have insurance.

2. Make-up over money?  You haven’t paid your electric bill, cell phone bill or paid your sister back the $500 you owe her but you just bought the most amazing 2000 watt hair dryer that can dry your hair straight in under 5 minutes.

3. Shopping issues.  Count the bottles of self tanner in your bathroom cabinet. If it’s more than 3 and they are all about half used, you’re a beauty junkie. How many bottles of self tanner do you need at once? The answer is one. There is no rehab for this.

4. Variety problems.  75% of your lipstick, lipgloss and nail polish are almost all the same color. Hey, you know what you like…you just keep buying more stuff! Problem. Serious problem.

5. Celebrity lust.  You just saw the celeb-du-jour wearing the trendiest nail polish. You buy the exact same one even though it looks awful on you and it cost $25. You wear it anyway and think everyone who sees you will start wearing it too, making you the trendsetter. I’m thinking Rihanna yellow. Yikes. Not cool.

6. Shower power.  It takes you 10 minutes of water wasting in the shower to decide which shower gel, body scrub, shave gel, shampoo and conditioner to use. (Be green, people! Decide before turning the water on. Take a quick shower – it’s better for your skin and the environment.)

7. Merry...Christmas...?  Holiday time comes and you get home from the mall with new lipstick, foundation, mascara, perfume, wrinkle serum, body cream and you’re out of money and bought no one a present. Well, no one except yourself. Oh well, you deserve it.

8. Situational dedication.  Your gym bag, work locker, and boyfriend’s apartment all have a complete set of your skin care, hair care, and make-up products. You should never be caught off guard or unprepared. You never know, you may run into Matthew McConaughey in Starbucks. You need to look fierce, always!

9. Throw something out?  The vegetable bin in your refrigerator has your overload of beauty products that no longer fit in your bathroom and on your dresser. Hey, at least there they are cool and dry and won’t be rancid when you get to them in 2013.

10. So necessary.  You steal Equal and napkins from Dunkin Donuts, you reuse ziplock bags and tin foil but your Louis Vuitton make-up case cost $200 and is only big enough to hold one lipstick and a blush.

Let me know - how many of these do you relate to? I want to hear your stories! We'll publish the best ones.]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/10-signs-you-might-be-a-beauty-junkie http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/10-signs-you-might-be-a-beauty-junkie http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/10-signs-you-might-be-a-beauty-junkie <![CDATA[Introducing our Acne Resource Center!]]> Acne Resource Center.  We were looking around to see what other people have said and written about acne on the web, and we couldn’t find one spot with all of the right information.  We decided to take matters into our own hands. 

Our team of estheticians and professional beauty consultants all linked up to share their years of experience and insider secrets about treating acne and clearing up skin.  The end result?  The absolute end of the road for acne treatment advice and tips.  Moreover, we’ve formulated specialized acne treatment regimens for people with different skin types, and explained exactly how these regimens work (we even have some printable checklists for you to keep in your bathroom!).

Check out acne tips, myths, and more:  Mario Badescu Acne Resource Center.

Readers: What do you think about the ARC?  E-mail us your feedback!  And don’t forget to submit your MB Acne Treatment Success Stories – we featured Lisa from Yonkers, NY this week – you could be next!]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/introducing-our-acne-resource-center http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/introducing-our-acne-resource-center http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/introducing-our-acne-resource-center <![CDATA[Summer Skin Care Myths]]> Summer Skin Care MythsWith the sun beating down, summer in full swing, and vacations abound, a lot of skin care advice is flying around – and it might not all be correct.  Read on for our top 5 summer skin care myths.

Myth #1:  My skin will be better protected if I get a base tan.

Wrong!  While having a tan does mean that your skin has increased melanin, and melanin helps protect against sun burn, the added protection is only equivalent to an SPF of about 3-4.  A base tan does not provide nearly enough protection for your skin, even on the cloudiest of days.  Truth: Any tan is the body’s response to the skin being damaged.

Myth #2:  Tanning booths are safe.

Think again.  Many people think that just because tanning booths help you get tan with less chance of a burn, they protect your skin or are in some way better than the effects of the sun.  The truth is, tanning booths are way worse.  While normal sun burn is caused by UVB (burning) rays, tanning beds use UVA (aging) rays, which can penetrate deeper into the skin and cause more damage.

Myth #3:  All I need to look for in a suntan lotion is a high SPF.

Actually, looking for a suitable SPF is only part of the winning formula for safe skin care during the summer.  Two other ingredients are crucial for safe skin care: Titanium Dioxide and Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate.  Titanium Dioxide helps to scatter UV light and block both UVA and UVB rays, while Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate is the leading FDA approved sun blocker, and is adept at absorbing UV rays.  Look for sun care products that contain these ingredients, and you’ll be able to keep your skin healthy, even in the sun.

Other things matter besides for the chemical composition.  It is advisable to use a sunscreen on your face that is specially designed for faces, because body sun screens are usually made with heavier oils that may not be suitable for faces.  Try a face moisturizer with sun screen that is compatible with your skin type.

Myth #4:  I just need sun screen on my face and body.

It’s easy to get to the beach, slather some sun block all over your body and on your face, and forget about two crucial areas: your eyes and lips.  Lips are easily burnt, and must be protected by either special lip sunscreen, or with a lip wax containing SPF.  Likewise, the eyes need protection too.  Proper sun screen use on the eye area can also help to prevent wrinkles and other aging effects caused by the sun.  Keep in mind that the eye area is the thinnest and oftentimes first to show signs of aging, so protecting this area is vital!

Myth #5:  You don’t need sun screen on a cloudy day.

This is perhaps the biggest summer skin care myth of all.  The fact is, the proper use of sun screen is not just for the summer.  Protecting your skin is a year-round job.  UV radiation and UVA/UVB rays penetrate through clouds and reach the Earth’s surface no matter what, meaning that daily sun screen use is the ultimate skin care weapon to keep your skin looking healthy, young, and beautiful.

]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/summer-skin-care-myths http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/summer-skin-care-myths http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/summer-skin-care-myths <![CDATA[Mario Badescu now in ULTA!]]>   ULTA (www.ulta.com) is planning on carrying quite a number of our products, including selections from the following lines:

This is exciting news for all of our customers here at Mario Badescu, because our products are now carried at 282 ULTA stores nationwide, meaning it will be easier than ever to get your Mario Badescu fix!

- cleansers

- moisturizers

- scrubs

- night creams

- body washes

- toners

- masks

- eye creams

- serums

- acne treatment products

To find an Ulta store near you, check out our Store Locator.  We want to hear your thoughts - send them over to blog@mariobadescu.com and we'll publish the most interesting comments!]]> Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-now-in-ulta http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-now-in-ulta http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/mario-badescu-now-in-ulta <![CDATA[How To Identify Your Skin Type]]> Have you ever walked up to a cosmetic counter looking for some skin care products and the salesperson asked you the simple question, “What is your skin type?”  You look at her with a blank stare and realize you have no idea. 

Now for a skin care and beauty junkie, I find this very odd but I know you exist and I want to help.  After a few simple questions, some sharp observations and some communication with you, the salesperson should be able to make that call - but you can’t always guarantee the person selling you products knows any more than you do. Don’t rely solely on them.  You could get lucky and encounter a professional, career skin care beauty advisor with years of experience with many brands, perhaps even with an esthetician’s license.  On the other hand, however, you may wind up dealing with someone who is just learning the biz herself.  Everyone has to start somewhere, right?  You just never really know.

Why is skin type important?


When you are purchasing any skin care product, it is so important to understand what is going on with your skin and how it reacts day to day, and season to season, and to be able to verbalize this clearly.  In some cases you may be left to your own devices to make your selections so you definitely need this knowledge. 

Why is this so important? If you randomly select skin care products without paying attention to the skin types they are made for, you could be throwing your hard-earned money in the toilet. You may not get the results you are after or you could be causing your skin to look worse by using the wrong products for your skin type. The salesperson is there to not only sell to you but to guide you in making the proper selections. The more information you can give about the condition of your skin and your lifestyle, the better chances you will get great products that will give you maximum results.

Knowing your skin type has one other distinct advantage, and it can help save you money.  The less you know about your skin, the more opportunity the salesperson has to take advantage of that lack of knowledge and sell you the moon and make you actually believe you need it.  If you know your skin in and out, you’ll be able to work with the salesperson to make an informed decision that is best for your skin.

Determining Skin Type


There are several simple and effective ways in determining your skin type. One is purely by observation. The other uses a “tool” to help you.  When I say “tool” I mean a simple piece of tissue paper.

The condition of your skin when you first wake up as well as in the late afternoon tells us a lot.  Look in the mirror when you get out of bed and also when you get home from work or school. A magnifying mirror is ideal for this. What do you see?

Is it shiny all over? Shiny only in the t-zone?  Visibly enlarged pores? Do you wake up greasy?  Does your make-up seem to melt off by late morning or are you blotting and touching up all day? Do you have enlarged pores that get congested easily? Does a humid summer day cause your skin to gush oil that seems out of control? Then you probably have oily skin.

Does your skin feel normal? Minimal shine and dry patches? No sign of any large pores or maybe just a few? Rare breakouts and minimal blackheads? A random pimple every now and again but nothing that really concerns you? Depending on the weather it can lean dry or a little oily but really, not to any one extreme. Then you probably have normal skin or combination skin (has a little of both). Lucky for you if your skin looks good and stays normal.  The only concern you will have is finding the right balance of products. Nothing too strong or you may become dry and conversely, nothing too mild that won’t be effective. You may also have to change products seasonally if your skin changes.

Do you wake up with uncomfortably tight skin that looks dull and drab? Do you moisturize before bed only to wake up dry as a bone? Tight pores, flaky patches? Does this get worse in cold, dry weather? Yep, you have dry skin.

Have you found where you fit in one of the 3 categories of skin types above?  Additionally, do you experience redness and get easily irritated by certain products or ingredients? Does your skin look blotchy and uneven? If so, then you also have sensitive skin.

The Paper Test for Telling Skin Type


The second way to determine your skin type is to use a piece of tissue paper, plain facial tissue or eyeglass lens cleansing tissue.  Cleanse with a gentle, soap free cleanser and pat dry.  Wait 3 hours for the skin to normalize.  Press a piece of tissue paper each to the cheeks, chin and forehead.

Did the tissue paper stick?  Do you see patches of oil on the paper when you hold it up to the light? Oily skin.   Does the paper stick on your skin but when you remove it you don’t see any oil or maybe just a bit from were you pressed on the t-zone?  Normal skin.  Does the paper not stick at all? No oily spots on the paper at all? Dry.

Once you have figured out your skin type, it is essential to realize that it may change depending on your health, the season, the temperature and many other environmental factors.  You don’t have to lock yourself into a skin type forever but be aware of its condition and type now and select appropriate products.  Most importantly, now that you know your skin type, make sure that you select an appropriate skin care regimen - there is no one-size-fits-all skin care system.]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/how-to-identify-your-skin-type http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/how-to-identify-your-skin-type http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/how-to-identify-your-skin-type <![CDATA[Welcome to the New Mario Badescu Blog]]> Facebook fan page and our Twitter account, but finally we have this blog as our voice to the world.

We have big, big plans for the coming weeks, including skin care tips from our professional beauty consultants, exclusive deals and sales, new product announcements, and news from your favorite skin care provider. With that in mind, bookmark this page and stay tuned!]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/welcome-to-the-new-mario-badescu-blog http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/welcome-to-the-new-mario-badescu-blog http://www.mariobadescu.com/blog/welcome-to-the-new-mario-badescu-blog