A French Touch Salon

The finest in Parisian skin care on the central coast.

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Merci Pour Vos Mots Gentils!

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Bonjour, Mes Amis!

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And our “amis” are the people we want to celebrate today!  The expression above means “Thank you for your kind words”, and is a sentiment that we are so happy to be extending to our loyal clients.  We wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your positive reviews, kind comments, and encouraging feedback on our social media pages.  Reviews on Yelp (where we have a wonderful 5 star rating, thanks to you!), comments on Facebook, comments on this blog, responses to the survey on our website, and other social media outlets are so encouraging for all of us at A French Touch, because we love to hear about what we do that makes you happy; our goal has and always will be to keep you looking and feeling your best, and hearing such glowing reviews makes everything we do that much more worthwhile.

In such a challenging economy and such a small community, it’s a great comfort and pride of ours to have such a close-knit, honest, and loyal group of clients.  Your kind words mean so much to us—encouragement, feedback, support, advice, and invaluable input—that we wanted to take this time to let you know how very much we appreciate your love and support, mes amis!  We look forward to many more happy years of helping you look and feel your best.

Bon weekend, mes amis, et encore merci!

Bisous,

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Textures, Tints, and Techniques: Is Your Make-Up Aging You?

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Bonjour, Mes Amis!

Today I came across an interesting article from Oprah’s website that got me to do a little digging.  After all the effort and care we put into our daily skin care routines to keep us looking and feeling young, fresh, and healthy, it’s alarmingly easy to pile the years back on with misguided make-up techniques!  So, with some tips and pointers from Oprah, MORE Magazine, and  Lisa Eldridge (international make-up artist extraordinaire!) , here are a few simple tips to help you put your best face forward!

1. Skin: Less is Morefoundation

First off, your foundation.  Powder has gained a bad reputation for emphasizing wrinkles in dry or aging skin.  However, reaching for that thick, creamy foundation is going to have the same effect, with the added consequence of a ‘cakey’ finish.  The trick with foundation is to focus on finding a sheer, lightweight formula that will brighten and even your skin tone, rather than worrying about cream or powder to cover-up wrinkles with.  A high-quality powder foundation, like Colorescience, can be applied lightly and evenly (easiest to do with a brush or sponge!) to provide a smooth color and smooth texture.  If you’re fond of a creamier texture, try their tinted primers or sheer mineral creme foundations instead!  

concealerAlso, while we’re discussing the texture of face products, it’s important to know that your concealer can highlight wrinkles just like foundation.  So, rather than an all-over application, remember to only lighten what appears to be dark!  For example, rather than applying a concealer under the entire length of your eye and into the wrinkles on the outer corner, only lighten the inner-half of your under-eyes for that brightening effect.  And to be sure you’re not using too much concealer even on the areas that need it, make sure to apply last, not first – think of overall coverage as a first defense and concealer as a last resort.

The keys to using foundation and concealer correctly are to apply them lightly, and only where you need it!

2.  Eyes:  Define, don’t Drowneyeliner

The key to eyeliner, first and foremost, is application technique!  How many of you, like me, have been tugging at the outside corners of our eyes to pull the skin tight to try to get a straight line?  It doesn’t really work out very often, does it?  The best way to apply eyeliner is to angle your chin up, then look down into the mirror, so that your lids are partly closed (but you can still see!), and then apply to the upper lid.  A liquid liner will give you a sharp, defined line, while a pencil will give you a softer, more blendable one.

eyeshadowNow, eyeshadow.  I know sticking to the ‘tried and true’ colors you may be used to (brown and bone shades) is tempting, but both are made with pigments (yellow, red, white) that actually emphasize discoloration and make your eyes look tired.  Instead, try taupes, sage, and jewel colors; these will brighten your eyes and add dimension to your look.  Also, a cream powder, like a cream foundation, can actually cake into fine lines and make your eyes look older; stick with a powder, but remember to apply lightly!

Mascara is the easy part.  First, make sure that you apply it evenly, but not in excess; too much mascara can weigh your lashes down and downplay their curves.  Mascara is the best way to give your eyes that alert and captivating finishing touch!

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3.  Eyebrows:  Au Naturel

Here is one of the only times where More is More, and Less can be scary!  The days of super-thinned out and dramatically arched eyebrows have come to a close, and the natural look is back.  Thin eyebrows actually make you look older, as our eyebrows naturally thin as we age, so a fuller brow can take off a few years!  Not sure what shape or size is right for you?  Come see Patricia for a Brow Design appointment, and figure out the perfect shape to frame your eyes!

4.  Cheeks:  Beautiful Blushblush

That bit of blush on the cheeks can be an easy step to skip in the morning, but a rosy flush on the apples of your cheeks actually gives you a youthful glow!  The easiest mistakes to make here are color selection and application.  You want to make sure that the color is sheer enough so that it looks like the blush is the natural flush of your skin tone, not a hot pink splash!  When applying your blush, do NOT just use a line/streak motion!  Start on your cheekbone (just above the fullest part of your cheek), then lightly swirl your way up to your temples, making sure it’s blended in for that “I-look-this-fabulous-just-after-waking-up” look! 

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5.  Lips:  In With the New

The best way to freshen up your look?  Try a new shade of lipstick!  Pulling off a color, as long as it works with your skin tone, is not the tricky part of lipstick; once again, the key here is texture!  A heavy, thick lipstick will look great at first, but eventually bleed and look a bit excessive.  The key here is to go for a more sheer look, which will look more natural anyway!  First, make sure your color is partially sheer, which will give the effect of a naturally colored lip.  Second, try applying your lipstick with a brush or your finger, rather than straight from the tube; this ensures that you use less product, so that it stays in place for a longer, more even wear.

I hope these tips have inspired you to re-investigate and play with your make-up drawer!  Who knows?  Maybe this week or weekend will be the perfect opportunity to show off a look that is all new and all you!

Bisous,

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Protect Yourself 365 Days a Year!

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Bonjour, Mes Amis!

Summer is over, and we’re finally getting a taste of fall’s fog and chill today!  I love cooler weather, and am embracing the chance to wear boots and sweaters today!

photoHowever, we at A French Touch and our friends at Colorescience want to remind you that sun protection is not just a thing of summer days past!  Our skin is always vulnerable to sun damage, even during cold weather and fog!

The Skin Cancer Foundation says, “You are probably in the habit of packing sunscreen for a day at the beach or pool. But the sun is up there 365 days a year, and you need protection much of that time to reduce your lifetime sun-exposure total. Everyday exposure counts; you do not have to be actively sunbathing to get a damaging dose of the sun.”

They give these guidelines to help provide your skin with the year-round protection it needs to be healthy and to fight off the visible aging that sun damage causes:

  • Use a sun screen of 15 spf or higher every single day.  Colorescience has you covered here, with their 30 and 50 spf Sunforgettable natural mineral protection brushes, which provide sheer, cs non-irritating physical protection from the sun.  All Colorescience brushes and primers have an SPF rating of 20 or higher, making them perfect for that extra bit of protection added to your make up routine!  If you’d rather use a cream than a powder, Jan Marini’s Antioxidant SPF 33 Protectant is the perfect alternative, and is on sale while supplies last for 50% off with the purchase of any other Jan Marini product!  Stop by whenever you have a chance!
  • Make sure to protect all areas of exposed skin, and easily overlooked places like lips, ears, around eyes, scalp, anything that isn’t covered by clothing!
  • Reapply every 2 hours at least, regardless of the SPF!
  • Cover up!  Wear non-sheer fabrics, hats, and sunglasses to ensure further protection from the sun, especially on sunny days.hat
  • Seek the shade, but never a tan!  Remember, mes amis, the only safe tan comes in a bottle (and even then, only from high-quality brands like Sothys!)
  • UV rays can penetrate clouds and fog!  “Just because you can’t see your shadow doesn’t mean you’re safe from the sun’s damaging rays. Believe it or not, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through clouds and fog.”

Your skin’s youthfulness can only go as far as you are willing to go to preserve it!  Protecting your skin from sun damage is the easiest and most effective step you can take to preventing the visible signs of aging.  So remember, apply and reapply, every day!

Bisous,

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Succulent Soothers: Why We Love Sothys!

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Bonjour, Mes Amis!

succulentsAmerican Spa recently featured an article titled “Succulent Soothers”, which discussed the uses of succulent plant extracts in skin care.  At first, I couldn’t get the image of a few potted plants that my mom has upstairs on a table in our living room: succulents?  Like cactus?  No way.

Way!  As it turns out, succulents have worked miracles for humans for ages, dating back to the Native Americans living in desert areas.  They unlocked the secrets of the greenery that was able to thrive under such harsh environmental conditions, and used extracts from these prickly plants to treat illness, and dermal afflictions, as well.  Succulent extracts, especially from the Prickly Pear Cactus and the leaves of Chaparral , can treat blemishes, warts, eczema, cold sores, and contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction in the form of a rash, resulting from contact with our skin).  Much more than this, though, skin care brands like our much-loved Sothys have included these extracts because of the miracles they work in hydration, and even anti-aging.

prickly pearPrickly Pear, which was featured in the article, is said to have tons of “super-antioxidants that protect the skin from the arid climate and help minimize fine lines and wrinkles.”  Sothy’s Marketing Manager, Soraya Thonier, says that prickly pear cactus extract also boosts cell turnover and exfoliates to reveal smooth skin, while its antioxidants “neutralize free radicals and protect against future cellular damage and premature aging.”  Prickly Pear is used in Sothys’ Firming Body Cream, as well as the luxurious anti-aging Secrets line: our Secrets de Sothys Global Cream, Eye Contour Serum, Secrets Intense Lip Crème, and Global De-Stressing Serum.

chaparralChaparral Extract is used in their Hydra Protective Cream and Hydra Protective Softening Emulsion, and possesses many of the strengths that the article boasts about, including the power of maintaining the skin’s by increasing its “capacity to hold moisture, protecting the skin from dryness.”  These products both work to moisturize and nourish the skin, then protect it from the abuse and elements it faces every day (climate extremes, pollution, you name it!).

So now when you hear succulents, rather than picturing a spiney, homely-looking cactus, think of a natural skin treatment that hydrates the skin (and seals that hydration in!), fights free radicals, nourishes, and provides anti-aging, all in one bottle.  Combine that with the soft, luxurious feel of Sothys creams and serums, and I think we’ve made our point!

Alors, stay thirsty, mes amis!

Bisous,

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Un Jour Pour Moi

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Bonjour Mes Amis!

As October is getting closer and closer, many of our fall routines have begun to really pick up.  For me, especially now that Cal Poly has resumed for Fall Quarter, I’m struggling with the adjustment from a leisurely summer pace to hitting the ground running; personally, I feel like I hit the ground, tripped over my own shoelaces, then fell!  stressThe stress of my weekend shrinking from 7 days to three, on top of four classes worth of homework, two jobs, trying to figure out my senior project, and trying to graduate a year early have already worn me back into ‘student zombie’ mode.

My sudden change in sleeping patterns and stress level have already started to take a toll on my skin, as it would to anyone’s; though age and skin type play a role in determining how it affects us, stress and lack of sleep (or both, if you’re really lucky) can make your skin dry, patchy, oily, and cause break outs, among other reactions.  

This morning, when my mom got up around 6:30 (after I’d already been awake for an hour and a half…morning classes, ugh!), she looked at me, glued to my cup of coffee at the kitchen table, and said “My goodness, I think you need a day off already!”  I replied with “I wish I had time for one.” Then she said, “So make some time.  Don’t get overwhelmed, just take a breather and then start fresh.”

And of course she’s right (as she often is, I’m learning).to-do-list

I am the type of person who, despite feeling stressed out and overwhelmed, will work from sun-up to sun-down (and often longer) to get to everything on her to-do list, even though past experience has shown me that I do not do my best work in this ‘zombie’ state.  As I’ve stated before, I know every single one of us can relate to being stressed out and bogged down, but few have mastered the ability to break out of it.

reading-book_1374406cSo, in an effort to rid myself of the blemishes, under-eye bags, and foul mood that I’ve been battling, I am challenging myself to set aside at least 2 hours every week for “Un Jour pour Moi“, a day for me.  I am going to write down a list of things that I would like to do, or enjoy but never have time for, or that simply make me happy, and assign one or two to myself every week to do during my jour pour moi.  Reading a book I’ve been meaning to pick up for months, or revisiting an old favorite.  Treating myself to ice cream or a milkshake.  Picking up my guitar and learning a new song.  Shopping (who doesn’t smile at the thought of new shoes?) in downtown SLO.  Calling an old friend I’ve been meaning to catch up with.  Taking a hot bubble bath.  Going for a long walk on the beach. Walking on the sand Watching a chick flick on my couch.  Going for a hike in Montaña de Oro.  Going to bed early instead of watching TV.  Re-adopting that morning routine I talked about in July (remember this post?).

A good mood can make all the difference in the world, so I am challenging myself to make sure that, every week, I put a smile on my face before turning to my ever-growing to-do list.  And I want to challenge you to do the same!  

Taking a few hours out of your week to eliminate that stress does wonders for your health and your mental well-being, so try this with me!  Let’s hold one another accountable on this one, because we all deserve happiness, especially from within.  What do you do to relax when you’ve got a million things to do?  What puts a smile on your face no matter what your mood?  Let’s share our ideas and progress, and together we just might make it to the Holidays in one piece!

Bisous,

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Emily Katz

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Bonjour Mes Amis,

loisbeforeI hope you’ve all had a lovely start to your week so far; I know my Monday was definitely more lively than usual!  I was here at A French Touch enjoying the company of a few of you lovely ladies, Patricia, and Hollywood’s own Emily Katz (along with her ADORABLE shoes)!

During her two presentations yesterday, Emily shared her make-up tips, tricks, secrets, and stories from over 20 years of hard work and experience 

loisafter while demonstrating proper make-up application and technique on our two lovely models.

So, in case you weren’t lucky enough to join us yesterday, I took all sorts of notes and pictures, and am here to share it all with you!

Emily’s Tips:

  • “Get peels, and use sun screen.”  Seriously ladies, not only does it take that dull, aged look off your face, but a peel series can help your other skin care products penetrate more deeply to get better results.  Sun damage causes somewhere around 90% of visible aging, so sun protection will also prevent the addition of years of visible aging on your face, neck and decollete.  
  • brushkit“You need a good Brush Kit.”  Brushes  make the application of make-up and even skin care products easy; they allow for a more even application of product, keep it from getting stuck in your pores, and allow for more specific (and sanitary!) product placement than fingers.
  • “A good sponge is like an eraser, it should be your new best friend.”  This also helps with the even application of product, blending, and smoothing for a perfect finish to your look.
  • loisemilymarypatconcealer“You need a good concealer.”  Concealer proved to be quite the star of the show yesterday, by covering and blending everything from wrinkles to dark/red spots to blemishes, and even reducing the appearance of puffy skin.  “Use it correctively over red patches or dark spots, and you’ll melt the years off.”  A fun tip; yellow-based concealers will cover red patches better, while peach/pink-based concealers will cover blue dark spots (like dark under-eye circles) better. 

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  • Every concealer, foundation, BB cream, etc. will look different on you, both compared to the original color, and also to how it might look on others, because our skin has a unique pH that can alter the hue of our make-up.  If you’re lucky or choose from a high quality brand, it shouldn’t change drastically.  Emily joked that this is how a lot of her make-up ends up in the “guilt drawer”; we all have one, full of make-up that we bought, tried, and didn’t like as much as we thought we would!
  • patandemily“Change your mascara every 3 months.”  When it starts getting clumpy, flakey, or smelly, it’s time to go!  Also, don’t pump your mascara to get more out; it encourages bacteria growth and actually forces product away from the brush.  Instead, hold it upside down and roll it between your hands so the warmth will melt in onto the brush.
  • “Less is more.  I’m a real minimalist when it comes to make-up.  The older we get, the less make-up we should use, because too much looks like a cakey mask, not attractive!”
  • “Stand in your beauty.  Reflect who you are, and learn to be sheer with yourself; you should love your features and learn to enhance them, not hide them.”

patandclientstalkWe had a lovely time yesterday, and I hope you all can attend next time; make-up tips, cute shoes, french hors d’oeuvres, champagne, a gift certificate towards a facial, and a good time are certainly my favorite way to brighten up a Monday!  Don’t worry though, I’ll be sure to tell you when Emily’s coming back!

Bisous,

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