Beauty Guru Justine Marjan Reveals Top Pregnancy Beauty Secrets

Justine Margan [Image courtesy of Justine Marjan]

Beauty guru Justine Marjan is known for her celebrity and editorial styling. Her work has been seen in countless magazines from Vogue to Allure, and she’s a stylist to stars including Ashley Graham, Dove Cameron, Olivia Culpo and the Kardashians. Justine who is also North American Brand Ambassador for GHD, shares her top beauty advice for pregnancy, including what she’s learned during her current pregnancy.

Who has been one influential person for you during this pregnancy? 

I’ve loved seeing some of my favorite influencers have babies and share their stories on social media. My friend Christine Bullock had a baby right before I got pregnant, and she’s been incredibly resourceful, helping me with workout and nutrition tips. I also am looking forward to doing her post-pregnancy workouts after the baby.  

What is one thing you have learned in each trimester during the pregnancy?

The biggest takeaway during the first trimester was to change my perceptions of what it means to be pregnant. Through the media, pregnancy has been sensationalized and I was so trained to think pregnancy would be hard and painful.

Although I know that experience can be true for many women, I quickly found out that it didn’t have to be. I actually felt really great the first trimester. I read a lot of books that also helped change my perceptions like Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. I spent the first trimester spending a lot of time reading, focusing on my health by going for long walks and doing yoga, and cooking healthy meals at home. I was especially hungry the first trimester and since I am vegetarian, I was working hard to work healthy protein into my diet through lentils, eggs, cheese, and protein powders. 

The second trimester was the sweet spot. I was sleeping better and had more energy. My work life picked up so I also felt like I had more energy to pick up the pace and focus on my career. The third trimester has really been the only part of my pregnancy so far that I’ve felt pregnant. As my belly has grown bigger, I’ve had less energy and had to really work to slow down and not push myself so hard. I had to modify my workouts, switch to solely prenatal yoga, and rest more during the day since I am now up in the middle of the night more.  

Justine Marjan [Image courtesy of Justine Marjan]

Did you work through your pregnancy? How did you feel?

 Yes! I worked full time throughout my pregnancy and mostly felt fine. The first two trimesters were no problem at all, and I was still working long days and odd call times in addition to working at home creating content.

The last trimester has been a little harder as I have less energy, am not sleeping as well, and still have a rigorous workload. It’s also been harder to manage my career and prepping my house, mind, and body for a baby. I’m hoping to slow down the few weeks I have before my due date and work to find more balance in my life after the baby.  

Which clients gave you the best new mom advice? 

Everyone was so helpful! Even some of my clients have been amazing resources for me, helping with my registry and giving advice for sleeping and infant care and even on home birth!  Several of my clients are incredible mothers and I’m so grateful they have been so generous with their knowledge. 

Everden Golden Belly Seruum [Image courtesy of Everden]

What is the first thing that you changed in your beauty routine once you found out you were pregnant?

 I definitely cleaned out most of my beauty products and switched to clean formulas. I paid more attention to body care. Sometimes I used to skip body care, but now I always moisturize my face and body twice a day. I’ve loved using Evereden Stretch Mark Cream and Golden Belly Oil and the Soothing Belly Mask once a week. I never thought I’d use a belly mask, but this one is especially hydrating, really calming any itchiness immediately. I’m a big fan.  

What is your current skincare regimen for pregnancy?

 For my face, I use Summer Fridays Gentle Cleanser followed by Sonya Dakar Rose Toner. After, I’ll use Versed Antioxidant Serum or Fortuna Eye and Skin Serum. In the day I’ll moisturize with Summer Fridays Dewy Skin Cream and at night I’ll use Caudalie Vinoperfect Cream or Sonya Dakar Stem Cell Transformer followed by a little bit of the Evereden Golden Belly Serum leftover from my belly on my face. I’ve also been loving Biossance Squaline and Algae eye cream. On my body, I use the Evereden Stretch Mark Cream twice a day, focusing especially on my hips, chest, and belly. In the evenings before bed and whenever my skin feels sensitive or itchy, I’ll apply the Evereden Golden Belly Serum directly to the area for instant soothing. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the Evereden Soothing Belly Mask. It feels super nourishing and leaves my skin feeling hydrated for hours after use.   

Have you experienced any skin issues during pregnancy? 

Before the pandemic and before pregnancy, I was addicted to my beauty treatments. I used to get facials weekly and regular laser and resurfacing treatments. Because most spas weren’t open the past year, I haven’t been to anyone for any treatments and have focused on using clean products at home for maintenance. I don’t know if I can blame it on the pregnancy hormones and increased blood flow, but my skin has felt pretty great! I haven’t suffered from any discoloration or breakouts which has been amazing.  

Do you feel like your relationship to beauty and self-care has changed since becoming pregnant? 

Absolutely. I was so dependent on facial treatments from the experts that unfortunately are not pregnancy safe. Instead, I’ve focused on more holistic and natural practices to maintain my skincare routine, like dry brushing, gua sha, facial massage, and my LED mask.  

What are your 5 beauty products you have used through these 9 months?

 My LED face mask, Evereden Stretch Mark Cream, Wander Beauty Baggage Claim eye masks, the Nurse Jamie beauty blade, and Tella Nails press on nails. 

Who threw your baby shower? What were 5 must have products? 

We skipped a shower due to the seriousness of the pandemic, but my best friend Dorit Kemsley threw us the most incredible gender reveal that may as well have been a shower. She surprised us with the most beautiful outside small gathering of our closest friends in her backyard. I thought we were going there to pop a balloon to reveal the gender, but we were all shocked to find a helicopter circling above us trailing blue smoke! It was such a special moment and sweet gift from a friend that I will remember forever.  

What products are staples in your medicine cabinet? 

CocoFloss, the Dermaflash, David’s Natural Toothpaste, Fatboy Natural Deodorant, Tatcha Lip Mask, a microfiber turban for my hair, and OLLY Prenatal Gummy Supplements. 

What are 5 essential things you will pack in your hospital bag? 

We are planning a home birth, but I plan to have on hand essential oils with a diffuser, a Mason Grey Kimono Robe, a giant Swell Water Bottle full of iced Raspberry Leaf Tea, a Theragun, and Arnica. 

What are you most excited for as a new mom? 

I am really looking forward to seeing my husband as a father. He is so kind and nurturing, I know he will be an incredible and compassionate role model for our son. I look forward to building family traditions and raising our son to be a kind and conscientious person. 

What is your top advice you’ve learned from your pregnancy experience? 

I eat a really healthy diet and I think that definitely has contributed to my overall health and well-being while pregnant. I start every day with a fresh green juice of celery, kale, apple, cucumber, ginger, lemon, and lime. It helps flush out toxins and fuels me with vitamins and minerals from the very start of the day. Combined with scaling back on caffeine and taking vitamins, I feel this has really kept my skin glowing, thwarted nausea, and energy levels up. 

Do you plan to implement a skin regimen with your newborn? 

I would like to! We plan to keep the vernix on the baby after birth as we heard it helps soothe their skin, then afterwards I hope to maintain their skin with safe, clean products. 

What anti-aging products do you use or recommend? 

I love my LED face mask from POOSH. It has 3 different light settings to target different skin issues. I mostly use it on the red setting to increase collagen production. I also love Sonya Dakar Stem Cell Transformer. It is pricey but worth the investment as it plumps the skin and helps fill in fine lines over continued use. 

What is the easiest style for mom to rock from day to night and still feel stunning?

  Braid your hair during the day! It will be out of your face and out of reach from the baby. In the evening, simply remove the braids and refresh with a dry shampoo or oil for beautiful waves. 

Do you have any hair tips that women should know about for post-childbirth?

 Postpartum hair loss is real. Make sure you are doing what you can to nourish your hair and scalp after baby, like continuing to take your vitamins, getting adequate nutrition, and massaging the scalp regularly to increase blood flow and circulation. I’ve also used an LED brush on the scalp that can help increase collagen production and stimulate hair follicles for healthy hair growth. 

 Be gentle with your hair as it may be more fragile, using only brushes or combs designed for wet hair when it is wet and always brushing from the ends first then working upwards to gently detangle. Gently squeeze out moisture with a microfiber towel instead of using a regular cotton towel and avoid pulling the hair too tight and using elastic hair ties. Instead opt for a claw clip or silk scrunchies to hold the hair in the most gentle way possible. It’s important to treat your hair like a delicate fabric.