what you put on your face
Good skin care is more like a journey than a destination because all skin is good skin. Everyone loves one-time tips, but at Byrdie, we’re more interested in how your skin evolves over time. The products we’ve used for 10 years, the ingredient cocktails that made us shine, the steps we never skip, and all the advice in between. This is what makes the real difference. What I Put on My Face brings you rituals, recommendations, and failed experiments (we’ve all been there) straight from celebrities, founders, and influencers who’ve experienced it themselves.
Ilona Maher took home an Olympic medal, virtually broke the internet on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and quickly became a fan favorite on Dancing with the Stars. We can never get enough of athletes. And so does Paula’s Choice, which just announced her as its first brand ambassador.
That Sports Illustrated cover helped Maher get used to being in the spotlight. “I loved[the cover],” she says. “I’ve wanted to be in Sports Illustrated for years and always wanted to look at my body and feel confident. It was such a great shoot. Even though it was 12 hours long, , I felt that every shot was so beautiful. And that girls could look at it and see someone like me on the cover, someone who is muscular and big and feels very beautiful. I’m really proud.”
Despite spending all her time outside the lens, you’ll never catch Maher with a 12-step skincare routine. “I guess I’m a beginner,” she says of her skin care regimen. “And I think I’ll probably remain a beginner for the rest of my life.”
Here’s Ilona’s skincare routine and everything else she puts on her face.
@ilonamaher/Instagram
about her skin
“The sport I play requires me to play all day long, in the sun, wearing sunscreen, sweating and getting dirt on my skin. You can never just reset. It’s consistent.” So for me, after I’m done playing, it’s important to wipe or clean myself, and I think my skin has become somewhat tougher from what I’ve been through. I do what I need to do that day. That means showering, washing as well as you can, and moisturizing because it’s been quite a struggle. ”
her passion for skin
“My biggest problem is dryness. When you lead a busy life, you sometimes forget to take care of your skin. I dance every day, seven days a week, four hours a day. It’s a 12-hour show. That’s a big deal for me because I’m always wearing makeup during the day.
I think my skin is pretty good and I try to keep it (healthy) as much as possible. Sometimes I get breakouts and it’s mentally exhausting. Since my life has been in front of the camera, whether it’s for selfies or on national television, I can sometimes feel a little insecure. (That being said) literally everyone goes through it and I don’t want to get consumed by it either. ”
About our partnership with Paula’s Choice
“It’s the simplicity (of the brand that I love). The products are great for everyday use. They are meant to be simple to use and they work well for me. I also play sports We’re passionate about feeling good when we step off the field, and we want every part of our bodies (including our faces) to feel good. This is for everyone. It’s a brand, and that’s what makes it so appealing.”
Paula’s selection
her morning and night routine
“I really hope it’s more than what it is. I wake up. I think I washed my face the night before, but depending on how I feel, I might wash it in the morning. Tata Harper is where I’m from. Made in Vermont, I like to use their Hydrating Floral Essence, which is moisturizing and wakes me up all day long.
The rest of my morning routine is just moisturizing. I use the new Paula’s Choice Pro Collagen Peptide Moisturizer. Apply sunscreen when you arrive at the field. Coppertone is great for me. I play a sport where I spend hours in the sun, so I have to apply sunscreen about three times a day, which is very difficult. It’s a constant battle of sacrificing yourself.
At night, I usually cleanse in the shower, use Paula’s Choice Perfect Balance Foaming Cleanser, and then apply Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster. Another favorite is Paula’s Choice BHA 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which my sister also uses religiously. ”
Skin care mistakes you don’t want to make again
“I think my biggest skincare mistake was trying to do too much with my skin. I was trying to do a 12-step skincare routine every night, which I thought was almost harmful in a way. My skin has been through so much that it’s hardened, so simplicity worked for me. I respect what it’s been through and give it what it needs, like moisturizer and cleanser. But other than that, I left it alone.”
Skincare steps she never misses
“I try to remove my makeup at the end of show days and such. That’s important because I’m always putting new things (products) on my face every day. I go to bed feeling fresh and ready for the next day. I am trying to do so.”
@ilonamaher / Instagram
her skin care philosophy
“To be honest, my skincare philosophy is very minimalistic. I’ve never felt like I have to practice what these girls are doing. It sounds cool, but I’m proud of the way my skin stands up. I want to keep (the routine) as minimal as possible. For me, that means using a cleanser and moisturizer. It’s at its best when you can expose it to just a few different products.”
About your favorite beauty rituals
“I’ve been really into getting my nails done lately. I think it’s something I can do for myself every few weeks. Even though it’s getting cooler, I feel better when I get my nails done.
One of the things I just did was recover in the hot sauna and ice bath. I go to this spa, where it’s just me and some old people. Take a hot sauna for 15 minutes, then take an ice bath for 2 minutes, then return to the sauna. It’s a time when I can relax, let my body recover and get rid of all toxins. ”
How her routine has changed over time
“I have an amazing makeup artist[on Dancing with the Stars]who seems to know what my skin needs. For me, applying moisturizer and lip oil before I start applying makeup It’s very important. My makeup artist is very good so I get hydrated the moment I sit in the chair and I sit in the chair as clean and fresh as possible so they can do whatever they want. I like it.”
