Back with Balms

My top Marilyn-worthy slugging balms to heal our winter faces and get back into the groove

Ok, since we last spoke on here Ive tried a pair of jeans that are not black, and I wore a white tank top (not using that other name I dont care how much Im bullied to say it) . I wore it without a bra, and you know what? It wasnt half bad, I only thought about indecency every 4 minutes. A boy in his 20s flirted with me, was cute and affirmed we are way hotter as we age, ladies.

Today we’re talking about balms, most specifically the thick pastes I like to use as “slugging cream” before bed. Typically I will wash my face before bed with a makeup remover cream, then do some kind of serum (we’ll do a list of those another day, going to stay focused) followed by a balm.

When I was in high school I remember my maternal grandmother telling me about Marilyn Monroes’s bedtime routine and how she’d slather with Vaseline before sleeping on her back all night to avoid wrinkles and greasy sheets.

Im not sure how accurate this was, but in the early 90s with no internet or accessible fact checking, I believed her and got a tub of it to use on both my face, hands, and feet each night. I went so hard with the belief that it would save my skin that I started walking around with a small cannister of off-brand petroleum jelly (couldnt afford name brand) and Id reapply after each hand wash. Shaking my hand in those days was pretty slippery.

*it turns out Marilyn used to wear it under her makeup so her skin would shine for the cameras, and that feels a bit less unhinged.

Every New York winter feels worse than the last, it seems. Each time we’re faced with weeks of frozen moat and a one-shoe style life for months at a time, I swear to Alex we are going to find a way to live somewhere warm where this doesnt happen. Walking our daughter to school each morning in the biting wind, then heading to my studio by the river where the wind feels like its screaming a literal “fuck you” to my cheeks is something we’ve been convinced is some sort of rite of passage for East Coasters.

When the snow melts and we’re getting a glimmer of whats to come of Spring, I like to give my skin a little healing week to soften the rough patches and pretend Im what (teen me was convinced was) Marilyn did at bedtime.

THE BALMS

I have a shelf of these, and Im going to list them in order of how frequently I reach for them, which is guided by scent (very important), strength, if it lasts till the morning, and if I think it’s actually healing my skin.

1. Jouer “Skin Barrier Balm” $50

   

   This balm from Jouer is an herbal blend, it feels like a Weleda product which I love. Dont be freaked out by the price, you only need a bit- warm it in your palms then pat on your face before bed. It stays till the am and wont mess your sheets. My favorite one.

2. Sonya Dakar “Blue Butterfly Balm” $88 (code Maayan15 for 15% off, sometimes you just gotta ask and they will give it!)

   

   This one is a bit pricey but it has a lot of natural ingredients and feels really good on the skin. I dont know if its “better” than the Jouer but it might be a matter of whether or not youd buy a product for its organic ingredients.

3. Aunu “Manuka Cream” $88 (sorry no discount, this new female-run brand needs to be supported!)

If I wasnt so precious with this product Id have it at the top of this list, but I still treat it like gold so…. yeah this is the best cream I have right now, it uses medical grade manuka honey to heal all chapped skin and it literally changed the texture of my skin in a few days. I use it at night but also during day as a dabber, combined with the essence which I slather on my neck after the shower....Def keep your eye on this brand, it also smells like HEAVEN.

4. Talova “Citrus Paradise Balm” $39 (great value)

   

   This new brand has gorgeous rich products for aging skin like mine. I love the citrus scent and it lasts on my skin till the morning. Great balm!

   5. Monastery “Attar Floral Concentrate” $168 (the splurge)

   

   This is the jar of all the finest floral essence you imagine a Queen would slather on before bed. I have never ever tried anything this luxurious… its like having 50 bouquets of fresh lilies on your face at once, like a giant warm hug that holds you tight till dawn. Made by Monastery, a cult favorite brand amongst celebs and spas, I only recommend this if you dont mind creating a very expensive habit for yourself… but you’re worth it.

   And… my dermatologist recommends this one and I need to try it:

   6. La Roche-Posay “Cicaplast Balm B5+ Soothing Therapeutic Multi-Purpose Cream” $32 (great price!)

   • I should say I have not yet tried this one, but I trust my dermatologist Dr Anna Karp (who is opening her new practice in a few weeks) and if she says this is the one, she’s most likely correct.

   HOW TO DO IT!

Ok now that Ive listed my favorites you’re probably wondering how best to apply these thick jars of (what seems like) Vaseline. Firstly, theyre not petroleum jelly so we wont have you waking up from weeks of Beauty Sleep with a face covered in peach fuzz, nor will we find ourselves scratching at our cheeks (what happens to me with cheap stuff). Here’s what to do at the end of your day (could be 6pm, not judging).

1. remove makeup (I use a cleansing wet wipe from Neutrogena)

2. cleanse skin (you dont always need to, but if you like to, then do so)

3. apply a few drops of your favorite serum (there are all kinds for different effects, so you choose)

4. BALM TIME: I use my very long nail (oops), but I suggest a small spoon or skincare spatula- take a swipe of balm the size of a peanut and warm in the palm of your hands. Super important to melt it this way and get it warm. Dont rub it into your palms, just press firmly together and the pat your face with it. Avoid eyes and under eye. Use an eye cream if you like.

5. If you want, use a guasha tool on your cheeks and neck once youve applied the balm, massaging with a freshly “slugged” face will feel incredible.

6. Keep this on all night, wash off in the am then do your morning routine.

END NOTE:

I haven’t seen you all in awhile and Ive missed connecting with you. Ive been trying to figure out what it means to have a substack, now that everyone has one and we seemingly have less and less time to read each others journal entries. I am honored that you want to read mine, and I will try to show up as much as I can. I fell off for a few months… was going through some health stuff and some parenting that took a lot of my energy. As a mom it can sometimes be hard to emote online while also giving your full heart to your child who needs it at 7 yrs old. Like where’s the boundary, and who gets what’s left of you?

But while we’re talking face and skin, I should share with you my greatest beauty-related development in the time since we last saw each other here.

I use a lot of great skincare, I stay out of the sun (nowadays), I drink a lot of water, and I’ve done a few laser treatments (Lutronic x 2) with my dermatologist. But never have I ever walked into a dinner party and had all my middle aged girlfriends ask “what is going on with your face, what did you do!!” all at once.

I thought maybe it was the lighting, but it was a new gadget Ive been using on my face 3 times a week- I got it last Fall and didnt even open the box for weeks, I was intimidated by the idea of an electronic tool Id have to use myself, and I didnt know if Id have the diligence to use it religiously.

When I realized it was more or less like giving yourself a little massage, I got into it as part of my evening ritual. It gave me pretty instant results: a more elevated cheekbone area, and a major decrease in puffiness. Thats the biggest change, Id say the water in my face is nearly gone. This thing is called a Ziip… Its expensive, so I have been hesitant to rec it to people because of its $399 price tag, but you know what- botox is more $$ and this you can use for years. Use code MAAYAN for your special descount (I had to ask them, so I did and it worked).

If you have questions about it let me know… i did some videos but cant seem to upload them here. Ill do it in Notes this week so keep your eye on that.

Have a great week, Passover, and Easter (if you do any of it.)

x

Maayan