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mbg Beauty Director

By Alexandra Engler

mbg Beauty Director

Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. Previously, she’s held beauty roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Allure.com.

November 1, 2022

Beauty routines are never truly stagnant—practices evolve and change like we do. In As of Late, we chat with influential folks about their current products and rituals. Here, we get a snapshot of what they’re doing right now: the sacrosanct formulas they use until the last drop, the fresh launches they’ve got their eyes on, and of course, the why behind it all. 

I’ve been emailing with Maayan Zilberman — artist, confectioner, founder of Sweet Saba, and quite possibly one of the chicest women in New York — on and off for several months now about an assortment of work-related inquiries. Even over email, I could glean she was kind, whip-smart, generous with her time and self, and had exquisite taste in all things wellness, beauty, and fashion. 

On that latter point, she was actually one of the very first people I had in mind of featuring when we crafted this series. I simply had to know what beauty products she’s been into lately — and if I knew that intel, then it’s only right I’d share it with all of you, too.

And let me tell you my dear mbg beauty fam: She did not disappoint. Over an hour-long video chat, she shared enough product recommendations and tips to last me a lifetime. (OK, at the very least to get me through winter.) There were tales of wearing lipstick to bed, neroli-infused oils from a small-batch luxury brand I’d never even heard of, and so much more.

Here, exactly what Zilberman has been up to lately. 

“I’ve always had dry skin. Especially before I realized I could fix it by just drinking more water. It’s amazing when you realize a solution is easy and free—in New York all you have to do is turn your tap water on.

“From my experience, if you don’t drink water, nothing works. All of your supplements, vitamins, face creams—everything that you want to work isn’t going to work if you’re not hydrated. I believe that you have to put in the work too. Don’t complain and get on Amazon to write a review like ‘Oh this face cream doesn’t work or this isn’t hydrating’ if you’re not drinking your water. Because no matter what you do, the equation isn’t going to work. 

“I don’t track my water, I just drink instinctively. And it doesn’t always just have to be water: I love herbal tea, too. Basically any liquid that isn’t going to dehydrate you, like caffeine or liquor.” 

“I used to resent this advice when I was young because I thought it was vain, but then I grew to love it. My grandmother used to tell me to ‘Put on makeup before you go to bed because you never know what’s going to happen at night.’ She meant it as a way to say always be and look ready. 

“Later I was able to interpret it in a way that worked for me: Just the idea of going to bed feeling good about yourself really stuck with me. So for example, I do my whole nighttime routine—I brush my teeth, put on my night creams, do it all. And then I brush up my eyebrows to look shaped, apply a little lip stain, then spritz on a bit of perfume. And I don’t take it super seriously, but it’s just one of these little things that really does add joy to my life and makes me smile. 

“I think this could be perceived as superficial or controversial, but I really do think the power comes from the way that you approach it. If doing this little ritual makes you feel good, then do it. If not, then it’s not for you. Certainly I’m not telling people to go to bed with a full face of foundation. It’s really just about doing something at night that makes you feel beautiful.”

“I’ve never been into toners. I’ve never wanted to add an extra step into my routine. And toners just felt like putting water on your face, so I never really understood it. 

“But then I did a collaboration with La Prairie, and they sent me some products to try. I started using the essence-in-lotion and just loved it. It’s not really a toner, but more like a liquid moisturizer that goes under your face cream. I noticed the difference when I started using it because my skin care products stayed on better throughout the day. And on days when I don’t use it—because I’m traveling or something—my moisturizer just kind of evaporates. 

“I will say it’s expensive. But I find that it lasts a long time because you’re only doing a thin layer. Another tip to make it last longer: I always apply it with my hands, never a pad, because I think those little cotton rounds absorb too much. 

“It’s in this gorgeous blue glass bottle. They actually started using this shade of blue because the company had a studio next to the studio of the artist Niki de Saint Phalle in the ‘80s, who was using this shade of cobalt at the time. They were inspired by her work and started using it for their products. I think of her every time I use the bottle, because it’s this amazing connection with an artist who I love.”

“I used to travel a lot—less so now, but I do love traveling sized bottles for day-to-day since I’m carrying a lot of stuff for my kids. Plus, you neer know when you need to go to an event or something. 

“So I love these refillable bottles. They’re so simple, user-friendly, and always the right size to pack. It’s perfect, because I can just use the same products that I would normally without having to get separate travel-sized versions of them—or have to change my routine.  

“I always take supplements when I travel, especially a probiotic, because my diet ends up going bonkers when I travel.”

“Red lips—always red lips. People always associate me with having red lips, a smile and my freckles. Once my daughter saw me when I wasn’t wearing lipstick, and she asked me what happened to my mouth. She was worried I had lost my mouth overnight! I just need to apply my lip color. 

“I stock up on my favorite lip color, which is this liquid lipstick from About Face and the shade is Fireside. I literally have like 50 of them, just in case if something happens or they discontinue them. I need it with me until the end of time. They don’t pay me to, but I talk about this product all the time. Someone once commented on my Instagram that I needed to disclose that it was an ad, but it really wasn’t: I just love this product that much.  

“Red lips are powerful. It’s that feeling of being able to speak your mind: I put it on, and suddenly I have a voice. And there’s a lot of meaning behind red lips: it’s a sign of rebellion, and defiance. For me, I love the glamor. I can have nothing else on—I could be in pajamas and no makeup—but with a red lip, I feel great.”