'I’m Melissa Medvedich [@mabicus] and I live in Brooklyn. I’m a Creative Director at Harris Publications, where I work on several magazines, including SLAM, XXL and Juicy, as well as special projects for advertisers such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and Foot Locker, which keeps me pretty busy. My day-to-day focuses on sports and popular culture and I love it, but if I could have two jobs and my SAT scores were higher, I would have been a dermatologist because I love all things related to skincare. To scratch my beauty itch, I'm able to art direct some of the cosmetic and jewelry shoots that my husband photographs.

I was a late bloomer when it came to beauty. My mother has incredible skin and pretty much only wore Pond's Cold Cream when I was growing up— the smell of it always conjures memories of my childhood. In college, I spent four years in Neutrogena moisturizer and overalls. But my first job was as an Art Assistant at Vogue, and that's when I really started paying attention. The beauty department was always overflowing with incredible products and that's when I caught the bug—I started getting monthly facials, and haven't stopped since. My early credit card debt was most likely attributed to Bliss Spa as opposed to H+M. I've been seeing Georgia Louise for my facials for over a year now, and she's become a great friend and skin guru. I'd consider myself a facial connoisseur at this point, and I think she's hands-down the best esthetician ever. My skin is the thing I receive the most compliments on and I'd be lying if I said I didn't L-O-V-E it every time.

My beauty philosophy is be nice to your skin because it's the only skin you have. You can't go to the store and exchange it. Tequila happens, but as far back as I can remember, I've always washed my face before bed and put moisturizer on at night and in the morning. As I've gotten older, I've added a few more steps to my regimen, like serums and eye cream, which is probably excessive, but I love the ritual of it and feeling like I'm taking care of myself. I’ll start with a Vitamin C serum—it’s magic! I don't' know the science behind it but I know it gives you that glow. I’ll mix Medik8 CE-Tetra with Medik8 Hydr8 B5, which is super hydrating. I was using SkinCeuticals for years but Georgia introduced me to Medik8 and now I'm hooked. The combination of those two makes a nice base coat before I moisturize with Biologique Recherche Créme Vip. Then there’s La Mer Eye Concentrate. I've tried a lot of eye creams but I always come back to this one. I like the texture and the applicator feels nice and cool.

I've never worn a ton of make up and always liked the look of clean, dewy skin—shiny but not greasy. I’ll use Clé de Peau Concealer in Beige or Ocher, depending on the season. I have terrible allergies and sometimes have under eye dark spots but this covers everything. A little bit goes a long way and I blend it in with a Shiseido Foundation Brush. For blemishes, the tiniest bit of End-Zit clears up any spot. Besides that, YSL Creme de Blush in Baby Doll is pretty much all the makeup I wear. I've never been great at applying blush with a brush, so this is user-friendly—and a beauty blender helps smooth out the spots my fingers can't.

Looking at the glass as half full and being grateful for what you have is super important for beautiful, glowing skin. There have been points in my life where work has been stressful or I was in the wrong relationship and all of that is very reflective in your skin. My mother and grandmother are my beauty inspirations because they're happy and healthy ladies who have always taken care of themselves and aged so gracefully. You could have serum made from the tears of baby unicorns, but nothing you buy in a bottle can ever replace good health, happiness and a positive mental attitude. There are so many beautiful celebrities, but I take that level of perfection with a grain of salt. With my line of work, I see unretouched photos on a daily basis and watch my husband retouch photos for hours on end. No one is perfect. Except maybe Beyoncé.”

—as told to ITG

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