The Skincare and Makeup Services of Ana Muntean
by Melissa LaScaleia
Last month, Ana Muntean opened the doors to her boutique skincare spa business #FILTERED BY ANA, which offers skincare and makeup services to the befreckled and sun-weary beachgoers of the Grand Strand.
Ana was born in Romania, and moved to the U.S. as a child.
“I’ve lived in Myrtle Beach since I was ten years old,” she says. “I consider it my home more than any other place.”
Ana was always passionate about makeup in high school and college. For the past several years, she has been teaching a makeup course at MUA Pro Makeup Artistry Academy in Virginia Beach. She moved back home last year to build her own makeup business— a dream she had since childhood.
“But to practice makeup artistry in SC, you need an esthetician’s license,” Ana says. “So I went back to school, and that’s when I fell in love with skincare. After I received my license, I decided I wanted to have a location where I could practice both. I saw that the holistic approach to applying makeup had foundations in taking good care of your skin. So I wanted to combine the two and offer both to my clients.”
Ana partnered with another esthetician to run #FILTERED BY ANA out of Glow Beauty Bar, in Myrtle Beach.
“The name came from a vision board that I created for myself,” she says. “I wanted to make my slogan, ‘Come get filtered by Ana. I’ll make you look like a filter so you don’t need one.’ And it just evolved from there.”
Ana offers facials; facial waxing; spray tans; eyebrow shaping; and makeup services for weddings and special events. She will travel anywhere in North or South Carolina for bridal makeup requests.
“My overall style is more of a European makeup style,” she says, “which emphasizes highlighting natural beauty rather than obscuring or hiding a person’s natural features.
“In the salon, I focus on results-driven facials, while providing a total relaxation experience. That way, my clients get the best of both worlds. I have a hydro-infusion machine for facials that combines microdermabrasion and serum infusion, which allows the nutrients in the serum to penetrate more deeply in the skin, giving you unparalleled results. You’ll see the results after just one treatment, and walk away with glowing, dewy skin.”
Ana has personally researched and vetted all of the products that she carries. Her lines include: Viktoria Deann, Biogenesis, and Clear Choice.
“I selected them because of the type and percentage of active ingredients they have; the way they’re combined; and their overall pH balance,” she says. “All of those factors really make a difference. Viktoria Deann makes peptide-driven cosmeceuticals which increase your overall cell turnover rate, which in turn, increases elastin and collagen production and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. They not only give you results, they train your skin to give you a particular response, and to continue to act that way over time.”
For the busy professional or stay-at-home-mom who wants a refresh on her look, Ana offers hour-long private makeup classes to teach you how to achieve your desired look.
“I’ve invested a lot of time into my business,” Ana says. “I’m certified in everything that I offer, and continue to invest a lot in my education. I’m always keeping up with the latest trends in the industry.”
