A French Touch Salon

The finest in Parisian skin care on the central coast.

patkaspian

Summer Beauty Escape Recap

By

Bonjour mes amis!

We hope you had as much fun as we did at Summer Beauty Escape. We would like to thank all of the lovely ladies that joined us in celebrating Jan Marini Skin Research’s 20th Anniversary this past Wednesday! The event was a great success, thanks to all of you.

We’d also like to thank Mary Ann and Christianne for contributing their Jan Marini expertise. It is always wonderful to see you ladies, and it was great to see you in your element, enlightening us about all the great results from using Jan Marini products.

10513449_696150360438034_67845792786608508_n

We hope everyone enjoyed  the personal skin care consultations as well as the champagne and delightful lavender cupcakes from Bello Mundo!

16603_696760897043647_6869002599180015274_n

We did notice that you all enjoyed the two main promotional packages—they flew right off the shelves! One lucky lady even won a JAN MARINI STARTER SYSTEM in our raffle (which is great to travel with).

10400033_696111607108576_3463241288235523526_n

If you were unable to celebrate with us, you still have an opportunity to join us for Hot August Beauty Night on August 20th from 4:00 TO 8:00 pm. You can register by email (patricia@afrenchtouchsalon.com) or by calling the salon at (805) 785-0340. If you can’t make it (we’ll miss you!) be sure to call the salon to reserve one of our amazing packages described in our July Newsletter. Supplies are limited, so be sure to call soon!

I hope to see you all soon. Til then, Bonnes Vacances!

Bisous!

Adrienne

Summer Beauty Escape and THE Jan Marini

By

Bonjour mes amis!

We at A French Touch Salon are very excited for two reasons:

1) Summer Beauty Escape is TOMORROW and we cannot wait to see all of your lovely faces, (not to mention enjoying cupcakes and champagne!)

2) We got an interview with THE Jan Marini, and we get to share it with you! (We have to admit, we were a bit star struck).

We got so much information from Jan yesterday that we decided to keep some to ourselves for now (I wouldn’t tantalize you without good cause), but, given that tomorrow we’ll be discussing products with our lovely Jan Marini representatives, we thought we’d share some of Jan’s favorites with you today! Who better to speak about her products than (the beautiful, illustrious, influential) Jan herself?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that Jan LOVES her products. She says that she designs products for herself as much as anyone else, which means that she is quite literally taking care of your skin the way she takes care of her own. What better quality guarantee is there than that? That being said, there are products that she favors (and we should all probably take heed, because this woman is just the picture of healthy skin)

Jan

First amongst the products we discussed with Jan was, of course, her SKIN CARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. It seems that, even for Jan, the Skin Care Management System is the foundation to healthy, glowing, and blemish free skin. She benefits from its myriad of benefits, including the improvement of fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and acne (which, unbelievably, Jan used to suffer from! But more on that in a later post). There’s a reason that this product was voted the Beauty Choice Product Winner of New Beauty Magazine–its transformative results are clinically proven, and Jan herself is a poster child for its effectiveness.

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of our Magnifique and Summer Jetsetter specials, which offer this very product at a discount!
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of our Magnifique and Summer Jetsetter specials, which offer either the full or starter kit at a discount!

Additionally, Jan utilizes her Age Intervention Regeneration Booster and Age Intervention Prime. Both products target signs of aging (loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles), while the Age Intervention Prime does double duty—serving as a primer for a finished, polished appearance. Jan admits to preferring Age Intervention Prime to makeup, except for occasional television appearances. The Regneration Booster is incredibly effective at minimizing pores, softening fine lines and wrinkles and evening out skin tone. In a clinical study,  94% of participants saw overall improvement in the texture and appearance of their skin. Age Intervention Prime is fantastic because it contains peptides and CoEnzyme Q10 to target redness and fine lines, producing an airbrushed, long lasting look that actually improves skin through continued use. It combines advanced anti-aging and antioxidant properties with the added benefit of a primer.

Regeneration Booster Age Int Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan is also a BIG fan of Retinol Plus  in a way that we highly recommend—in addition to utilizing Retinol Plus’ extreme anti-aging benefits on her face, she uses it on her neck , which we all know can be a trouble zone if we’re not consistent with our attention to this delicate tissue. For this reason, Retinol Plus should be used on the neck area on alternating nights. This product is so effective that it has been described as an “anti-aging cocktail” by New Beauty Magazine. It contains a highly concentrated dose of Retinol, plus Peptides and Antioxidants, which clearly can benefit the skin of your neck in addition to your face. (Feel free to get as creative as Jan with its usage).

For her nightly routine, Jan swears by both Cleanzyme Cleanser and Skinzyme Mask, for a gentle, but deep-acting exfoliating treatment before applying night-care. These products make use of green-papaya enzyme which breaks down cellular debris build up, allowing products to penetrate much more efficiently.

-professionals-Marketing-Product Images_LoRes-Age_Intervention_Retinol_Plus_Pump_and_Box_LoRes-professionals-Marketing-Product Images_LoRes-Clean_Zyme_and_Skin_Zyme_LoRes

Another product she uses in a unique way is Enlighten +, which she rubs on the backs of her hands and up her arms (likely to prevent and reduce any age marks, which is brilliant of her-excuse the pun). Enlighten Plus is famous for lessening the appearance of hyper-pigmentation from years of photo-damage. In addition to actively addressing any spotting that is already present, it  prevents any future formation of damage by inhibiting excess melanin production in the skin.

Enlighten Plus
Finally, she tops it all off with her Tinted Sunscreen, protecting her skin with a unique broad spectrum SPF33 complex, while harnessing the benefit of its antioxidant power that scavenges free radicals that cause skin aging.If you have yet to use the Antioxidant Sunscreen, I (and obviously Jan) highly recommend it. It smells delicious, it absorbs quickly because of a patented micro-sponge technology (no oily face!) and works actively to both prevent sun damage while promoting healthier skin. Jan’s Tinted Antioxidant Sunscreen has the added benefit of adding a light touch of color, perfect if you don’t want full foundation.

And remember to include the newer Marini SPF45 Physical Protectant for a  paraben-free, chemical-free option.

spf 45So there you have it! Some of Jan’s favorite products, because even she can’t choose just a few. Luckily, you don’t have to choose just a few either, because we will be offering great specials and raffles tomorrow (plus if you bring a friend you both get 20% off a Jan Marini product of choice).

We can’t wait to see you all tomorrow, and we hope you’re as excited about these products as we (and Jan!) are.

Bisous!

Adrienne

Summer Travel, Jan Marini, and Sothys

By

Bonjour Mes Amis! I can’t believe how fast summer is going by, and I’m sure that we all have the same thing on our minds: summer vacation plans! Whether it’s just a weekend trip or an extravagant get-away, I hope you all have something you’re excited for this summer. I know that I can’t wait to get down to Dana Point for some camping this August. Doheny-017 In the past, I have to admit my skin-care regimen has suffered a bit when traveling. It’s just kind of a hassle to pack your full sized cleanser, let alone everything else. It’s especially difficult to pack an entire regimen when you’re camping, but traveling by air is legendary for its inconveniences. Thankfully, this year I’ll be traveling light AND toting my skincare regimen with a travel-sized Jan Marini Starter/Travel System. For those of you who are flying, it’s TSA approved, and perfectly sized to pack. All in all this set is perfect for travel. Now is the time to take advantage of a great promotion by reserving your “Jetsetter Special”. Available when you attend one of our Summer Celebration events on July 23 or August 20 (discussed here), or by reserving your package ahead of time, the “Jetsetter Special” includes 20% off a Jan Marini Starter/Travel System, $5 off an Express Enzyme Facial and a Complimentary C-Esta Vitamin C or Bioglycolic Cleanser. It represents a $73 savings, and is really a steal for any of you that want to maintain great skin care while on the go. Because this special is associated with our summer events, either be sure to RSVP to attend or call and reserve your special (805) 785-0340. starter system Another aspect of skincare that’s important when traveling (especially if, like me, you’re traveling somewhere sunny) is to be fully stocked on your sun protection. I’m sure you’re already toting your SPF Colorescience, but have you heard how fabulous the Sothys suncare line is? It includes four main products: Sunscreen Lotion for Face and Body, After Sun Anti-Aging Treatment, Face and Body Self-Tanning Gel, and After Sun Body Lotion. If you buy all four, you’ll also walk away with an elegant Sothys sarong or their new Lily and Bamboo elixir (which I have to say, smells like heaven. You can trust me, I work in a place that constantly smells of lavendar). sothys-sun-care Sothys describes their products thus: Sunscreen Lotion Face & Body SPF30 This easy to spread sun lotion protects the skin against sunburn and premature skin aging. A broad spectrum UVA-UVB absorber system offers ideal skin protection. The non-sticky formula with Vitamin E and Tamarind extract hydrates and leaves the skin soft & supple.        Face & Body Self-Tanning Gel                                                                         This iridescent gel is slightly tinted to facilitate its application  and provide even coverage without leaving marks. Non-greasy     and non-sticky, it is quickly absorbed and gradually enhances  all skin tones with an incredibly natural tan. After Sun Anti-Aging Treatment                                                                     A skincare formula with a light and gliding texture to soften and bring immediate comfort to the skin after sun exposure. Enriched with anti-aging Celligent™ complex and lychee extract, this product can be used as a treatment mask or night cream.      After Sun Body Lotion This ultra-creamy, melt-on-the-skin lotion with a delicate  vanilla fragrance  instantly comforts, nourishes and softens the skin after sun exposure.       But perhaps more extraordinary than the description of the products is a recent testimony our Jan Marini representative had to the quality of the product. She says “ just had a consumer track me down via the phone to try and locate Sothys NEW SPF 30 Face & Body.She has heard wonderful things about our New SPF30 as well as  ” For someone to go out of their way to get their hands on this Sothys product is, as I’m sure you can guess, is testament to the true quality of the Sothys’ new suncare line. Fortunately for all of you, you don’t have to go out of your way. Plus, if you know anyone else that wants this fabulous product, let them know that we have free shipping for online purchases as far as Hawaii! We like to take care of you that way. Enjoy your travels this summer mes amis! We hope to see you at the events, or get a call from you to reserve your specials, and please protect your skin from the sun! I recommend, in addition to your sunscreen, a large hat. As you can see, I practice what I preach. 10459052_690760060977064_4839951160310295014_o   Bisous! Adrienne

Fabulous Summer Events!

By

Bonjour mes amis!

I hope you all had a fabulous Fourth of July weekend! Luckily, this summer has much more fun to come–I’m sure that by now you’ve heard about our upcoming Jan Marini Events from our newsletter (and Facebook). But, if not, let me be the first to tell you!

We’ll be having two events to celebrate 20 years of Jan Marini Skin Research. These events will feature sizzling summer specials, raffles, individualized skin-care consultations from our Jan Marini representatives, plus cupcakes and champagne. I know I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and I recommend you do your utmost to make it as well (especially considering the amazing packages).

JM 20th

There will be two main promotional packages associated with the events: the “Magnifique” and the “Summer Jetsetter”. The “Magnifique” boasts a $151 savings, and comes with 20% off a Skin-care Management System, $25 off Summer Antioxidant Facial and Enzyme Peel, and a complimentary Age Intervention Eye Cream ($66 value).

The “Summer Jetsetter” has a savings of $73, offering a 20% off a Starter/Travel Skin Care Management System, $5 off an Enzyme Express Facial and a complimentary C-Esta Vitamin C or Bioglycolic Cleanser ($30 value). These are some of our favorite products and services that we know you love, so what better way to celebrate Jan Marini Skin Research’s 20th year as one of the leaders in the skin care industry? Whether you’re already a fan of the line, or have always wanted to “get on the System”,  this is your once- a -year chance to make the most of our promotion and enjoy great value- while enjoying the hospitality and camaraderie we always love to share at the Salon.

Needless to say, we are incredibly excited about these events. The first will be a Summer Beauty Escape, Wednesday July 23rd. This event is tailored for those of you who have more free time during the day, and will be from 11:00 am to 4:00pm. Our second event will be a Hot August Beauty Night August 20th, for those of you who have more evening hours available. This event will be from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.  Both will offer the incredible packages I’ve just told you about, and if you bring a friend to either you’ll both receive 10% off the Jan Marini product of your choice (now is a time to be extra grateful for all your friends).

We at the Salon love putting these events on, because we know how much the Jan Marini skin-care experts can help to personalize the perfect skin-care regimen for you, we love offering you yearly specials of this magnitude, and, if we’re being perfectly honest, who doesn’t love hanging out with friends, cupcakes and champagne?

So we hope to see you all there! (If you email patricia@afrenchtouchsalon.com by July 14th (Bastille Day) you’ll be entered in a raffle for a Skin Management Starter Kit and Express Enzyme Facial. Don’t say I didn’t tell you!) You can register by email, through Facebook, or by calling the salon at (805) 785-0340. If, by some unfortunate event, you cannot make either event, be sure to call the salon to at least reserve one of these amazing packages. Supplies are limited so you won’t want to miss out!

I hope to see you all there, mes amis. Particularly those of you whom I haven’t met yet! This, by the way, is me, conveniently positioned in front of some of our favorite JM products, which you’ll be hearing about in the next few weeks.

10532374_685693798150357_5342852967619415410_n

 

Until next time, mes amis!

Adrienne

 

SPF and a Spritz!

By

Bonjour mes amis!

Makeup and Mimosas was phenomenal, I hope those of you who came enjoyed it just as much as I did. As you probably know by now, we at the salon are just in love with all of Colorescience (and of course Christie). It was a pleasure to watch the makeup being applied so expertly, and to see some of you having so much fun. As always, the cheese and snacks were amazing- and tres francais . You can thank Patricia’s great taste for that. (But seriously, the sharp cranberry cheese was to die for. Thank you Fromagerie Sophie!)

core-four-banner

That being said, I noticed that there were some products that didn’t seem to get the love they deserve. So this week I thought I’d highlight some of these products for you, specifically the Primer, Setting Mist, and Anti-Aging Serum. Trust me, you’ll learn to love them as much as we do here.

The primer line is the first of the neglected products, which is just silly when you realize the number of things that primer does for makeup. Primer is the foundation of the makeup, and, like a house, you don’t really want to build makeup without a foundation.  The primer smooths and evens skin tone, as well as helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines, giving you a better canvas on which to apply makeup. As a bonus, like most of the Colorescience line, the Primer is sun-protective. It contains Micronized Zinc Oxide, so it protects your face with a barrier of minerals, meaning that you don’t have to wait 20-30 minutes for your sunscreen to be effective. It’s effective as soon as you apply it. What this means is that it helps keep you from freckling and developing other forms of hyper-pigmentation (which is a major concern for me).

Image

There are 6 different primers, because Colorescience loves to tailor products to you. These are the Skin Brightening, Skin Bronzing, Skin Balancing, Skin Calming, Skin Mattifying, and Sunforgettable. You probably know just from reading the list which would be best for your skin, because the names are blessedly self-explanatory, but if you have questions or want to get a closer look at some of the primers, you can always schedule a makeup consultation or simply come into the salon to let us show you which one would be best suited to your skin and concerns.

Another  group of products that just doesn’t get the credit it deserves is the Setting Mist line. For those of you who are dancers out there, I’m sure you’ve heard that the man serves as the frame for the woman when dancing. In this instance, Setting Mist is makeup’s man. It holds the makeup steady on your face, and most of its job is to make your makeup look as good as possible.  You can wear our beautiful mineral shades alone, but , Setting Mist keeps the makeup in place and prevents it from transferring to your clothes. It not only holds the makeup in place, but brightens it with the action of hyaluronic acid , aloe and Vitamin E. It’s great to use throughout the day as a refreshing little aromatherapy “boost”  with sandalwood and vanilla. For example, between work and a dinner with girlfriends, a quick spritz should serve to freshen your look. It’s great if you like your makeup low-maintenance, like I do.

Like the Primers, there are different Setting Mists, so you can choose the one that is best suited to you. There is the Hydrating Setting Mist, if you have dry to normal skin, the Clarifying Setting Mist, for oily or blemish prone skin, and the Sunforgettable Setting Mist for those who are as sun (and freckle) conscious as I am.

Image

Finally, the Anti-Aging Serum. This one is a doozy, because it serves as a 3-in-1 product. It contains Decaplex-10, a blend of ten peptides that work together to both repair aged skin and prevent further aging. Hyaluronic Acid improves hydration and firmness of the skin, both long-term and immediately after application. In clinical trials, 100% of patients experienced improvement in crow’s feet, radiance, and firmness. 100%! In addition, 97% of patients experienced improvement in fine lines, skin texture and clarity. You simply apply the serum twice daily (a pump or two, max) to experience these amazing results.

Image

So there you have it. Those are some of our favorite products that just don’t get the love they deserve. Each of them is incredibly effective, and directly improves the appearance of many of the Colorescience products that you know and love. Plus, surprise! We’re having a special on all of them, because you know how Patricia takes care of you. With the purchase of anti-aging serum, you’ll receive a free colorescience mascara (which is fabulous, and recommended by dermatologists to those that would/are using Latisse, because it naturally lengthens your eye-lashes). With the purchase of a Primer and Setting Mist, you’ll receive a complimentary eye-pencil. For those of you who are keeping up, that means if you get all three you get both an eye-pencil and mascara. Not that you needed more incentive to love these products, of course. If you’re still not convinced, come into the salon and check them out for yourself, or schedule a makeup consultation.

 

Bisous!

Adrienne

 

 

Antioxidants, Facials, and a Citrus-y Summer

By

Bonjour Mes Amis!

I don’t know about you, but summer has always seemed synonymous with citrus to me. After all, what’s better than a cold lemonade to stave off the heat? The grocery stores and even home décor stores around SLO seem to concur—lately I see citrus everywhere.

 

Sothys Orange Grapefruit Facial
(Look, now you’re seeing citrus everywhere too!)

In any case, I’m more than happy to satisfy my citrus craving—through both enjoying a cold lemonade and utilizing some of the many fabulous skincare products that incorporate citrus for its antioxidant benefits.

Why antioxidants? First of all, it’s helpful to understand what an antioxidant does. An antioxidant is a molecule that prevents the loss of oxygen when molecules combine. Loss of oxygen is known as oxidation, hence, antioxidant (for whatever reason, my mind was blown when I learned this little scientific nugget).  I like to think of antioxidants as the little super heroes that fight the villainous oxidation process. Antioxidants help to protect against and repair existent free radical damage, as well as other external forms of oxidative stress such as sun exposure, nicotine and alcohol, and stress.

What does this mean in terms of your skin? The damage caused by these oxidative stressors causes our skin to visibly age. Antioxidants both prevent this from happening and repair our skin if it already has. The concrete effects include minimizing  fine lines, brightening and retexturing the skin,  lightening of discoloration and over-pigmentation and overall improvement of the skin’s ability to repair itself. We have a tendency to be hard on our skin, sometimes without even knowing it, but antioxidants help us combat the effects of everyday life.

Obviously, skin care lines want to harness these incredible benefits for us, so allow me to fill you in on my favorites! Among the products we carry at A French Touch that utilize the power of antioxidants are the Sothys Energizing line (covered in depth here), Intensive Serum line, and Daily Protection Cream. Jan Marini also offers a fabulous Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant in addition to their C-Esta line, which includes cleansers, serums, lip treatments and masks that all incorporate antioxidants and vitamin C.

C-Esta products include Ascorbyl Palmitate, which is a fat soluble form of Vitamin C. It’s a fast absorbing, long-acting vitamin for your skin. As Jan Marini says “Because Ascorbyl Palmitate is fat soluble, it penetrates the skin very rapidly and intersperses in the cell membrane. This affinity with the cell membrane results in tremendous antioxidant benefits and helps to prevent cellular aging”. Ascorbyl Palmitate has been proven more effective than Ascorbic Acid, while being less irritating to the skin. This is in part because Ascorbic acid (used in most over-the-counter versions of “Vitamin C”) has a very low Ph, whereas Ascorbyl Palmitate does not. This is great for those of you with sensitive skin–all of the gain, none of the  pain (or redness). Even those of you who don’t have sensitive skin will benefit from the powerful antioxidant properties present in the C-Esta products.

c-Esta Dmae

In addition to these products, Lindsay and Patricia are now offering a fabulous antioxidant facial here at the salon. The ladies incorporate the powers of antioxidants with their usual expertise in a special Summer Antioxidant Facial. Plus, just because the ladies love to spoil you, a Summer Antioxidant Facial comes with a complimentary Vitamin Serum. Trust me, everything that goes into this facial (which was hand-crafted by Lindsay and Patricia), will make your skin look and smell beautiful. As always, you will leave feeling refreshed and pampered. With the new ingredients, your skin will be dewy, glowing, and fresh.

If you have any questions about any of the products that incorporate the power of antioxidants, the Summer Antioxidant Facial, or simply want a personalized recommendation, you can always book a 15 minute Skin Care Consultation or call us. The ladies of A French Touch are always happy to hear from you. Of course, you can always simply book the facial here and allow the ladies to take care care of you. I for one would go with option number two, but that’s just me.

Enjoy the beginning of your summer, mes amis!

À bientôt!

Adrienne