The Confection Queen and Artist Behind Sweet Saba's Candy Evolution
Maayan Zilberman, the creative candy queen and artist behind Sweet Saba, is as passionate about her skincare values as she is about her dedication to innovative candy making. With a strong belief in transforming material objects into decadent candy creations, she emphasizes the importance of sincerity, creativity and fun. Maayan believes in prioritizing love and togetherness among friends, family and art while understanding the importance of self care, wellness and the importance of individual beauty instincts and connections.
Name: Maayan Zilberman
Profession: Artist, Candymaker (Founder of Candy brand Sweet Saba)
Describe yourself in 3 words: Polished, Funny, Focused
How did you get your start?
I’ve started a bunch of times, so we’d have to narrow it down to one starting point. My first start was in 7th grade, when my art teacher spent time with me after class, nurturing my love of the subject. She introduced me to people who made art for a living, who had followed their dreams. I didn’t know till then that it was a lifestyle one could pursue, and that if you make something compelling, there will be an audience for it, and that it could open up your life to incredible things. She took a chance on me and gave me bigger projects to try outside of class. It gave me the confidence to be a self-starter when it comes to my artistic endeavors. I always knew in my heart it would be worthwhile.
What do you love most about your job?
I love getting to know new clients and collaborators, and finding ways to push a medium together through our combined creative process. Since I started working with candy as an art form, it has become a lot more enjoyable to dive right into a new professional relationship and throw out wacko ideas. More often than not, they land, and we move forward with my dream scenario- which makes this job pretty fun.
What is your philosophy on beauty?
Have a good time with it. 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 work. Sometimes the most pared-down and simple routines with natural products can give the best results if they take some of the pressure off. I get overwhelmed a lot of the time with all the products on the market, and I edit down to just a few things, and that’s when I really feel and look my best.
What is your best beauty advice?
Drink water & pay attention to what you eat, because it all shows on your face. Smile a lot, even when you’re sad- it relaxes your face and feels good. I don’t worry about smile-related wrinkles, they’re evidence of a good life. Don’t zone out in the mirror- it’s not real. And take good care of your teeth… they hold up your face.
What is your daily skin-care routine?
In the morning I wash my face with cold water & Bynacht face wash, followed by a toner or an AHA serum, eye cream and Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream. Since it’s winter, I pile on the rich items, but as it gets warmer and more humid, I lighten up with a different routine that’s more water-based.
Midday, I’ll refresh my face cream with a Bynacht's Hypercharged Skin Glass Serum and Supernal's Cosmic Glow Oil or Pai's Viper's Gloss depending on what scent I’m feeling (it’s an aromatherapy moment for sure).
For my makeup, I apply a simple cat-eye with Eyeco's Skinny Liquid Eyeliner and Westman Atelier's Eye Love You Mascara, but really no other makeup. I find that for freckled skin like mine, it’s hard to wear cover-up that looks natural. Before bed I wipe it all off with a makeup removing wipe before applying a layer of moisturizer, warmed up in my palms then patted gently all over. I used to do lots of skincare rituals before bed, but lately I’d rather just get into bed sooner- right? I reapply my lipstick for sleeping, it’s a habit I’ve indulged for many years. It makes me feel great when I wake up in the morning, and I’ve trained myself to sleep in a safe position so I don’t wreck my linens.
Westman Atelier: Eye Love You Mascara
Red lipstick has always been my signature, I love wearing it to enhance my lipline cause otherwise my freckles obscure it. I find when I wear red it makes me more vocal and brave. Im usually in my strong stains these days, but when Im home for the evening Ill experiment with my Oribe and La Bouche Rouge lipsticks that have more of a cream texture.
What beauty products can you not live without?
Weleda Skin Food, About Face lip stain in Fireside, Augustinus Bader Rich Cream
Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream
We are big believers in self-care...how do you indulge in self-care?
As I get older, self-care is more about who and what I surround myself with rather than a pampering process. A 30-minute call with a friend where I laugh my face off is the best kind of reboot, or making clothes for my daughter- that’s my meditation. Taking time for feel-good sessions like these are just as (if not more so) rewarding and beautifying as my previous ideas and routines of self-care. Omg- I used to light a scented candle and hope for the best!
Do you incorporate facials and massages into your self-care routine?
Facials and massages aren't in my current routine, but if I had more time I would be putting massages in there! The bespoke facial with a face massage I got with Monica at SHEN recently was a game changer, I'd get it a few times a month if I could. She was rough but I swear it took a layer of fluid off my face. Pretty cool.
What’s the biggest beauty mistake you’ve ever made?
Listening to anyone who thought I needed a makeover, contouring, or highlighter.
What do you think is the biggest beauty mistake people make?
Trying to change the shape of your face or features. I should start by saying: If you truly believe that augmenting your features will make you feel good, then do it- why should anyone tell you what to do or not do with your face, it’s yours. However, my belief is that our faces have inherent mathematics, and if we mess with the balance and the numbers of our faces, the math goes wrong. You do one thing, you have to do another thing to balance it out, and so on. The biggest mistake people are making is the food they’re putting in their bodies, the water theyre not drinking enough of, and the laughs they’re missing out on.
If you find colors that make you feel like you, wear clothes that you feel good in, and be around people who celebrate who you are, your face will look great. I swear!
What was the best beauty advice given to you?
My health coach, Galadriel Masterson, got me to break up with sugar. I still have an off and on abusive relationship with it (can you blame the candy maker?!), but I know it was the best thing I ever did for my face.
Who is your hero?
All the teachers. Especially my daughter’s science teacher.