It’s been a very busy year for Elena Satine. Not only did she give birth to a baby boy, but she also starred in the hit Netflix series Cowboy Bebop, which is currently in the top 10 on Netflix. The Georgian-American actress convinced her parents to immigrate to the U.S. at the age of 11 to pursue her dream. Now, she’s living her dream.Satine shared with us her favorite Russian skincare tips, helpful advice for new moms, and her best makeup looks.
Do you have any unique beauty tips to share?
“I’ve learned some skincare tips from my mother over the years that have been passed down from older Russian women. Two of them I really like. One is to make ice cubes from dried chamomile. Chill the chamomile in the freezer and then gently massage it on your face. If your face is puffy when you wake up in the morning, this method not only reduces swelling, but also whitens your skin with amazing results. This is a tip I recommend. I know there are a lot of expensive skincare tools on the market that you can freeze and roll on your face, but honestly, this simple method is better than anything I’ve ever tried, and it’s still free.
Another secret is a yogurt and honey mask. Simply mix together yogurt and a small amount of honey. I like to use Manuka honey because of its good health benefits. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes until it’s a bit crusty. My husband doesn’t like it when I do this because the honey can get on my hairline so I’ll smell like yogurt all day until I wash my hair, but this mask works great on the skin. It leaves the skin feeling like velvet. I find it really equalizes my skin tone and makes it look even, bright, glowing and beautiful.”
Please share with us your daily skincare routine.
“When I wake up in the morning, I drink some warm water with apple cider vinegar added. This is something my mother taught me. She said it’s good for the skin and the body. So, if I remember, I’ll try to start my morning with it, even though a lot of times it’s hard because you’ll immediately want to drink coffee. But when I can, especially when I’m getting ready for work or working, I like to start my day that way. Then I’ll wash my face. In the morning I don’t use a cleanser, I just wash my face with water and apply a light day cream. I’m really into the Emma Lewisham brand from New Zealand at the moment, I discovered her products when I was filming there last year and she has a brilliant range of skincare products that I really enjoy using. So, if I’m going out, I’ll apply her day cream, which has a light texture and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling on my skin.
At night, I’ll cleanse my face with a gentle cleanser and then use a toner to balance my skin. Next, I’ll use a serum that contains antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients. One of my recent favorites is the Vinoperfect Serum from French brand Caudalie. It contains grape seed extract and vitamin C to even out skin tone and brighten skin. I’ll then apply a night cream to provide extra moisturization and repair.
Once or twice a week, I’ll use one of the masks to deep cleanse and nourish my skin. I will choose different masks depending on my skin’s needs, such as a hydrating mask, deep cleansing mask or brightening mask. I also like to make some DIY masks like the yogurt and honey masks mentioned before.
In addition to my skincare routine, I am also very conscious of a healthy lifestyle. I try to get enough sleep, eat healthy and exercise moderately. I believe that holistic care, both internally and externally, is very important to maintain healthy, youthful skin.”
As a new mom, do you have any helpful tips to share with other new moms?
“As a new mom, I know that balancing taking care of myself and taking care of my baby can be a challenge. However, I think it is equally important to take care of yourself. Here’s my advice for other new moms:
- find support: don’t be afraid to ask family, friends or professionals for help and support. Caring for a newborn is a huge task, and having someone to share your experiences with and offer support will make you feel more at ease.
- Self-care: Try to find time to look after your own physical and mental health. This may mean scheduling some time for yourself to do things you enjoy, such as reading, exercising, meditating or meeting up with friends. Remember, taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your baby.
- Teamwork: Share responsibilities with your partner or family. Create a supportive team to share the responsibility of caring for your baby. This will lighten your burden while giving others a chance to bond with your baby.
- Healthy eating: Maintaining a balanced diet is important for your recovery and energy levels. Try to eat nutritious foods and avoid too much caffeine and processed foods.
- Accept help: If someone is willing to help, don’t hesitate to accept. You don’t need to cope with everything alone all the time. Accepting help will give you more time to rest and recover.
