DORÉ

Happy Friday! Bringing you an in depth Beauty Minute with Melanie Bender, who is the Founding President of VERSED, a clean, drugstore skincare brand. Read on to see how Melanie gets her glow on.

What is your morning beauty routine?

Time is precious, so everything in my beauty regimen works hard for its spot. I cleanse first with Cosmedix Purity Exfoliating Cleanser – the only product that gets rid of my blackheads – and follow with Versed Keep The Peace Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser, which prevents my hormonal breakouts without me drying out. Then I’m on to Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Solution, which has made a noticeable difference in my post-acne marks and sun spots, without relying on potentially harmful ingredients like hydroquinone. I use mine with our reusable cotton pads to nix the single-use waste. I follow with YTTP Adaptogen Soothe + Hydrate Activated Mist to add back some of the hydration I strip while calming redness and irritation, and YTTP Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream to satisfy my ultra combination skin. SPF always, and I’m devoted to our Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen, which provides protection from sun and blue light damage, and is packaged in 79% Post-Consumer Recycled plastic. For days when I have video calls, my Zoom face consists of Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer, Glossier Boy Brow and Sunnies Face Fluffmatte in Baby Spice. I love Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder for refreshing hair in the morning, and if I’m blow drying I turn to Oribe Soft Lacquer Heat Styling Spray and my Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer (it’s novice-proof).

What products do you keep on you to use throughout the day?

Now that indoor air has turned dryer, I need a slow drip of moisture to keep my skin feeling its best. I’ve been spritzing YTTP Adaptogen Soothe + Hydrate Activated Mist and swiping on Versed Silk Slip Tinted Lip Oil in Ruby throughout the day, and also just upgraded my home humidifier to Canopy.

What is your evening beauty routine?

My PM routine is where I make time for self-care. After double cleansing again, I may do a microcurrent treatment with PureLift Face – the toning device used by FaceGym – or exfoliate away dead skin and peach fuzz with Versed Instant Gratification. For overnight treatments, I alternate Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum and Biba Los Angeles Cream Barrier. Whatever I’m using on my face goes on my neck, chest and hands, too. I’m big into the sensorial experience of bodycare, and love Malin+Goetz Bergamot Wash followed by Versed Keep It Supple Body Oil. Because I always feel better with a bit of glow, I’ve also been mixing in Tan-Luxe Self-Tan Drops for The Face & The Body.

How do you define beauty?

On your own terms. I modeled when I was younger and felt a lot of pressure to look a certain way and be a certain size. After having my daughter, I was forced to disconnect from those ideas – my body was literally not my own for 18 months – which freed me up to redefine them for myself. Now, to me beauty is defined by confidence and self-care, and not much else. Wearing makeup or going bare, heat styling or air drying, concealing pimples or not – do what feels good to you.

When do you feel most beautiful?

Right after I work out – I feel confident, strong and know I’ve done something good for my body and mind. That feeling of empowerment is beautiful.