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(The High/Low)

The $15 Red Lipstick Maayan Zilberman Always Gets Compliments On

She keeps extras on hand to gift.

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: June 2, 2023

Courtesy of Maayan Zilberman

Maayan Zilberman beauty routine

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When someone’s selfie makes you scroll back, you want to know the beauty products responsible for the double take. Inquiring minds get answers with TZR’s The High/Low series, where we ask our favorite tastemakers to reveal both the splurge-worthy and wildly affordable staples in their routines.

Lindsay Lohan’s Miu Miu Summer 2007 campaign, the strong makeup and precise hairstyles of Helmut Newton’s photo subjects, Greek singers Maria Callas and Nana Mouskouri, model and artist Conie Vallese, and model Precious Lee: these are among the eclectic inspirations on Maayan Zilberman’s beauty mood board. The New York City-based sculptor, confectioner, and founder of Sweet Saba, a candy company for grown-ups, keeps her hair, makeup, and skin care routines clean and classic, but like her artwork and sweets, she isn’t afraid of color. A swipe of royal blue eyeshadow adds a mod twist to a sharp cat eye, while a true blue-red matte lip is sophisticated, classic, and arguably a nod to Newton’s photographs.

“Have a good time with it,” Zilberman says of her approach to beauty. “If it feels labored or tedious, it’s not worth it, and no matter how much you do and how many products you try, it won’t look like ‘you.’ She goes on to say that sometimes, the most pared-down and simple routines with a couple of products can give the best results if they take the edge off. “You need to look relaxed to look good,” she adds.

Her curated product lineup includes a mix of luxe and affordable finds, all designed to enhance her features rather than cover them up. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really doubled down on my beauty style, which is free of any cover ups, contouring, or illusion-work,” Zilberman tells TZR. “I like to highlight my freckles and uneven skin tone (which is just natural, not a flaw), and I like to brighten up [my eyes] with a bit of shimmer on my lids, [paired with] defined eyebrows and lashes, and a bold lip.”

mayaan zilberman

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Courtesy of Maayan Zilberman

mayaan zilberman's favorite beauty products

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Courtesy of Maayan Zilberman

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Since going natural with her hair color, she likes to wear her silver strands sleek and smooth, so she “irons it out and uses lots of oils.” Now that she loves her color, her next move is embracing her natural voluminous curls again. “I think it’s time to embrace the curl again and figure out what I need to do to find that happy place with newly coarse and (mind of its own) silver,” she says. “It might just take a minute to figure it out. It’s exciting to think I’m going to find a new look at 45.”

Ahead, Zilberman shares the holy grail beauty products in her routine. Keep scrolling to discover her favorite splurges and affordable finds.

Maayan’s Favorites Over $25

Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion

Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion

“This is my ultimate primer for all other skin care,” Zilberman says of La Prairie’s cult-favorite hydrating, pre-serum essence. “I could lose 80% of all my other products and this would do the work of most of them.” She says it helps the other products in her routine better penetrate the skin, and it lasts forever – if you use your bare hands rather than a cotton pad to tap it into the skin.

The Rich Cream

Augustinus Bader

“I love to use this cream after my La Prairie toner/primer. It melts into the skin and makes you feel like you just took the most luxurious nap,” Zilberman says of Augustinus Bader’s cult-favorite moisturizer. “Calling all moms: this is worth every cent. I often go several months using less expensive items, but when I go back to this one…oh lordy.”

Photo Blanc Le Concentre Pure Bright Activating Serum

Photo Blanc Le Concentre Pure Bright Activating Serum

“After I was pregnant a few times (and miscarried each time), my body went through emotional and hormonal roller coasters I could not imagine,” Zilberman shars. “One of the side effects was discoloration around my mouth and eyes, something that comes with this physiological experience.” With more important things on her mind, she didn’t notice the side effect until carrying a baby to term and giving birth to her daughter. Once she started treating the melasma and other skin issues she ignored over the years, Zilberman says this product from Sisley “lightened the dark areas that appeared as shadows on my face, in just two weeks.” While she doesn’t use it daily as it is a splurge, she says she’s suggested it to many women in the same boat as her due to the impressive results.

Limitless Lash Mascara

Limitless Lash Mascara

Ilia’s best-selling curling, lengthening, and nourishing mascara counts Zilberman among its legions of fans. “ [It’s the] best long-lash, clump free, no-smudge mascara and it doesn’t sting my eyes (a lot of them do),” she says.

Silverati Shampoo

Silverati Shampoo

‘I’ve been tried all of the purple shampoos out there now that my hair is silver, and they all dull my shine and or make it too deep of a gray color,” Zilberman shares. “I’m already a cult Oribe follower because their shampoos give my hair the most lasting moisture, so this is my new go-to cause it maintains my no-brass silver.”

Maayan’s Favorites Under $25

Be Luminous Exfoliator

Be Luminous Exfoliator

“Firstly, this brand makes me feel all around calm, delicious, and supported,” Zilberman says of Alicia Keys’ skin care line, which is rooted in self-care. “All the products come with affirmations (from Alicia herself) and they’re in these gorgeous glass bottles.” She uses this exfoliator in her nighttime routine after removing her makeup because it’s gentle and scent-free. “I kind of wish they’d make this in travel packets, like in a mini vial,” she says.

Night Calming Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

Night Calming Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

“Not all makeup wipes are created equal. These are my favorite ones, and now they even make them in single packets for travel,” Zilberman shares. “They have the perfect amount of oil in them to glide across your face, remove all makeup, and provide a nice base for night creams, serums, etc.”

Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow SPF 30 in First Light

Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow SPF 30 in First Light

“Ok, this is my favorite sunscreen line. We all know they make the best sheer sunscreens, but this is the sleeper hit,” she says of Supergoop!’s shimmery SPF-infused cream eyeshadows. “How badly do I always want to put sunscreen on my eyelids (which always feel like they might be burning!?). Well, this neutral shimmer eyeshadow (which I just use everyday like a concealer) [solves this issue]. Please do not discontinue!”

Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in Always Red

Sephora Collection

Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in Always Red

“There’s a reason this red is pretty much always sold out at Sephora stores, and why theres a crazy secondary market for it on eEbay (oops did i buy them all?!),” Zilberman says. “It’s the perfect red thats not too cool, not too warm, and not too orange or too pink – it’s classically elegant.” She even keeps fresh tubes in her bag to give out to women who stop her on the street about the lip color she’s wearing. “True love is a perfect red, and [that’s] worth sharing,” she adds.

Brilliant Gloss & Repair Serum

Brilliant Gloss & Repair Serum

“Sometimes you just love how something smells and that is reason enough to use it on yourself, your child, your husband, and your pets,” Zilberman shares. “This is the product: it makes my hair silky smooth, shiny without being oily, and it smells like heaven. I hope like Oribe did, Dove takes this scent and makes a perfume and air freshener.”

This article was originally published on June 2, 2023