A French Touch Salon

The finest in Parisian skin care on the central coast.

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New Product! Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45

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A French Touch Parisian Skincare Salon is proud to present the latest product from Jan Marini Skin Research!

Marini Physical Protectant is a sunblock, but it is also so much more. It carries the same antioxidants as your favorite Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant, but at SPF 45 – a little extra protection never hurts!

With the holiday season coming up, sun protection may not be high on everyone’s priorities. But the sun still reaches your skin in cold weather, so that’s no excuse to allow damaging rays to prematurely age your skin. This particular sunblock works overtime to prevent aging through its use of purely physical filters to prevent sun damage without resorting to harsh chemicals. These filter both UVA and UVB rays to prevent skin damage and premature aging. In addition to this damage-fighting technology,  Marini Physical Protectant contains antioxidants which enhance your skin to keep it looking youthful.

Marini Physical Protectant is unique in that it carries a universal tint which works on any skin tone. The weightless formula carries microscopic sponges to absorb oil and give your skin a sheer, matte finish. In addition to all that, the sunblock is enhanced by the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin conditioning benefits of green tea extract, alpha-bisabolol and CoEnzyme Q10 to soothe and calm the skin from stress caused by UV and heat.

The best part: this month, when you buy Marini Physical Protectant, you can get 50% off your next mini facial! Don’t miss this opportunity to try a cutting-edge new product and keep your skin healthy!

4 Sunscreen Excuses You Should Never Use

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There are a hundred reasons why we should wear sunscreen, yet the few negatives often prevent us from embracing the positive and getting our SPF on the right way! The majority of us think that the little SPF we apply in the morning (within our lotion or makeup) is enough to keep us protected, but it’s important to know that’s not the case! Beyond the serious risk of melanoma, dermatologists remind us that 95% of aging is directly due to sun damage. For that reason, we’re bringing to light the 4 sunscreen excuses that tend to keep us from wearing SPF the right way, and how Colorescience’s Sunforgettable products eliminate those excuses.

Bad Excuse #1: Most are Sticky and Stinky
Sunscreen has a bad reputation for being sticky and stinky. Find a sunscreen with a lightweight formula and test it on your skin before purchasing. This will give you a good idea of the smell and feel of the sunscreen on your skin.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Odorless, lightweight, and “barely-there” feel

Bad Excuse #2: Reapplying Messes Up Makeup
We know that all sun blocks require reapplication, which can be determined by their SPF number. SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor. The number represents the length of time you can stay out in the sun without burning, multiplied by the SPF number. However, this number can be deceiving. The general rule of thumb is to reapply ever 3-4 hours regardless of SPF level due to water, rubbing of clothes, and sweat. Doctor’s also recommend an SPF 30, anything under is too little.

Because creamy sunblocks are “organic,” not in the sense that they’re natural, but the fact that they interact with your own skin chemistry, they lose their effectiveness 3 to 4 hours after application.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Pure mineral powder sunscreens offer longer-lasting, water-resistant protection that won’t sweat off. You therefore get a literal “screen” effect on top of the skin while offering consistent SPF30 or SPF50 protection.

Bad Excuse #3: Sunscreens Contain Chemicals
Pure minerals are essentially the only sun protection recommended for young children, whose delicate skins will absorb chemicals from cream-based sunblocks that can be systemic (entering the bloodstream). Also, some adults are allergic to commonly used chemical blocks in over-the-counter sunscreen cream.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Pure mineral powders don’t release any irritating ingredients, because they’re the most natural block available in nature (zinc, and titanium dioxide).

Bad Excuse #4: Allergies and Acne
Most sunscreens are greasy and clog pores, especially from sweating in the sun! And it is widely recognized that acne-prone skins can’t handle the double-dose of chemicals and pore-clogging creams.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Since this SPF is a mineral powder it is extremely lightweight, yet powerful for a barely-there feel that provides the safest, non-irritating, instant UVA and UVB sun protection. This also means that you can “forget” about grease! Sunforgettable won’t cause breakouts or irritations.

Tips For Beautiful Eyes

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Your eyes “are the windows to your soul” and one of the first things people will notice when talking with you. Unfortunately, they also are one of the first things that will show that you’re tired or stressed! Here’s how to avoid tired and stressed eyes:

Reduce Puffiness and Dark Circles
Start the day off by placing two ice cubes in a Kleenex and smooth them around the eye contour area of both eyes for one minute. Then, take a pea size amount of Sothys Active Contour Age Defying Eye Cream or Secrets de Sothys Eye Contour Serum and pat the cream under and around both eyes and on the brow bone area. Smooth with the ring finger from the inner corners towards the temple area. You’ll notice the eye contour area will be decongested, appearing more smooth and fresh – a perfect canvas for make-up application.

Keep it Cool
Active Contour De-stressing Mask is the perfect ‘pick me up’ and instant refresher for tired, strained puffy eyes. Keep it in the refrigerator to enhance the cooling, invigorating sensation and decongesting actions. Apply it as a mask in the morning or at night to soothe and refresh the eyes and help diminish or prevent puffiness. You can also carry the De-stressing Mask with you in your purse and apply as needed! Take a small amount and pat onto the eye contour area and eyelids to immediately ‘wake-up’ the eye, refreshing and alleviating the appearance of tiredness and heavy lids.

This Week’s Specials:

Come into the salon to receive your complimentary trial size of the Active Countour De-stressing Mask and your choice of eye serum.

When you schedule a brow wax, receive 50% off an Active Eye Contour treatment (normally $25)!

Call to schedule your appointment 805.785.0340

Valentine’s Day GIVEAWAY & $10 Gift Certificate

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With Valentine’s day around the corner and February being American Heart Month, there’s no doubt that love is in the air – and we want to spread a little love ourselves with a Valentine’s Day Giveaway.

Valentine’s Day Giveaway

Every individual who enters our giveaway will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to our salon and one individual will be selected at random to win our prize package.

How to enter:
1. Like us on Facebook

2. Comment on this blog post telling us why you want to win this Brush Kit and Lip Glaze Package.

3. For 2 extra entries in the raffle, spread a little love yourself and forward this offer to a friend! For each friend that enters, you will receive two extra drawings! Just email patricia@afrenchtouchsalon.com and tell us your friend’s name – we’ll keep a look out for their entry and be sure to give you the credit you deserve.

What You’ll Win:
1. Remember, by entering this giveaway you will automatically receive a $10 gift certificate to A French Touch Parisian Skincare Salon! We will send you your gift certificate via email.

2. One person will be selected at random on Valentine’s Day to win the gift package! We will announce the winner on Facebook and notify you that day! Good luck!

And there’s more love to go around!

10% of Sales to American Heart Month: this month we will donate 10% of sales to the American Heart Association when you purchase the Pulse Pink Blush Duo ($75). This Duo comes with a complimentary Kate Spade-style makeup bag and your choice of Lip Shine or Shock Me Pink Lip Serum! Give yourself a gift for Valentine’s Day and you’ll also give a donation to those heart’s who need it.

Vanilla Caramel Sweetheart Facial: Book your special facial on Saturday the 12th! The Vanilla Caramel Sweetheart Facial comes with champagne, a complimentary caramel antioxidant serum, and a dessert to take home to your sweetie! There are still a few spots left, so be sure to book your facial soon – or ask your lover to book one for you! $90 $85

So enter below now! Tell us, why do you want to win this gift set?

Glam NYE Looks by Colorescience Pro

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New Year’s Eve is almost here! The dress, the shoes, the hair, and the makeup are all factors in creating the perfect party outfit to carry you into the New Year.

A French Touch Parisian Skincare’s New Year’s Gift to You: appointments are still available between 2:30pm – 5:30pm on Friday for complimentary NYE makeup application!

Try one of these Colorescience Pro makeup looks for either a Dramatic and Bold or Soft and Glowing appearance:

Dramatic and Bold – Look #1
These smoky looks are perfect for evening parties.

Blush: Sweep Mineral Blush Powder in Just Barely over the apples of your cheeks.
Lips: Mix the Genie Eyeshadow Pearl Shimmer in Ash with the Sunforgettable Lip Shine and apply to your lips for a shiny, nude color.
Eyes: Sweep Genie Sparkle in Cup O’ Joe from your lashes to just below your brows, and then wrap the color under eyes. Next, take the Genie Eyeshadow Pearl Shimmer in Ash and sweep it from your brows to your inner eye corner (as shown). To finish, line your upper and low lids in black liner. Curl your eyelashes, then apply two coats of Volume Mascara in Black. And voilà – a beautiful, dramatic look for your NYE evening.



Dramatic and Bold – Look #2

Blush: Sweep Mineral Blush Powder in Just Barely over the apples of your cheeks.
Lips: Apply either of the Lip Serums, then add some Just Barely powder, and finish with Lip Candy Glaze in Cotton Candy.
Eyes: Sweep Genie Eyeshadow Pearl Shimmer in Ash from lash to brows. Contour the crease of your eye with Genie Sparkle in Cup O’ Joe and blend upwards. Line your upper lid with black liner. Finish with two coats of Waterproof Mascara in Black.
Another bold look to celebrate your way into the New Year!





Soft and Glowing – Look #1
Blush: Sweep Mineral Bronzer Powder in Kissed by the Sun over the apples of your cheeks.
Lips: Sweep Kissed by the Sun over your lips and finish with Sunforgettable Lip Shine.
Eyes: Sweep Mineral Foundation in Perfekt from lash to brow. Contour your eyelids with Kissed by the Sun and under low lashes. Line upper and lower lids with Cup O’ Joe, but only at the outer half of the lids. Finished with two coats of Waterproof Mascara in Black.





Soft and Glowing – Look #2
Blush: Sweep the apple of your cheeks with Mineral Blush Powder in Just Barely and contour them with Mineral Bronzer Powder in Kissed by the Sun. Then highlight the top of your cheeks with Genie Eyeshadow Pearl Shimmer in Ash (as shown).
Lips: Mix Just Barely and Kissed by the Sun and sweep across lips. Highlight with Ash and finish with any Lip Serum.
Eyes: Sweep Mineral Foundation in Perfekt from lash to brow. Under brow arch, sweep Ash to highlight. Then use Kissed by the Sun across your inner lids and Just Barely for the outer corner of your lids. Line upper and lower lids with Cup O’ Joe and curl lashes. Finish with one coat of Volume Mascara in Brown and one coat of Waterproof Mascara in Brown.

Voilá! Two more looks to keep you glowing all night.


The Science Behind Sothys

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Cosmeceutical? Peptide? Not all of us speak “skincare” but it’s important to understand what’s in your products, and why it matters. Sothys USA’s National Training Leader, Jean Stewart, explains skincare terminology and why it matters in her article “The Science Behind Sothys’ Cosmeceuticals,” which we’ve summarized in this blog post for you.

“Cosmeceuticals represent a relationship between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Cosmeceuticals contain ingredients that improve the look of the skin by delivering nutrients to our skin to create a healthier appearance. They are not considered a drug, but they have a drug-like effect on the skin.”

Skincare ingredients classified as cosmeceuticals come from a variety of sources, such as botanical, herbs, and Hydroxy-acids, to name a few. But the most talked about and utilized cosmeceutical ingredients today are Peptides.

Jean’s Crash Course on Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, linked by a peptide bond(s). They build up proteins that are essential to our health and they can send messages to our cells to communicate what our body needs. These new peptides are very different from earlier, nonspecific peptides since we can now selectively define the scope of each individual peptide to virtually “program” the desired type of repair or assistance the skin is in need of to look and BE healthier. SOTHYS excels in peptide technology, having developed the original patent for Matrixyl, a peptide that reduces wrinkles and fine lines, increases collagen production and hyaluronic acid.

Find it in Sothys’ SECRETS Cream, Intense Lip Care and Eye Contour Serum.

Neuro-Peptides: The neuroactive peptide (glutamylamidoethyl indole– that’s a mouthful), which is a synthetic dipeptide, is used as a protector of the nervous system, ensuring relaxation, minimizing skin sensitivity, protecting the nerve growth factor and increasing pleasure molecules to give a soothing sensorial experience, and creating a skin comfort zone.

Find it in Sothys Secrets Global Anti-Aging Destressing Serum.

Descrip-Line: This dipeptide complex has a “Botox-like” effect. This peptide combination relaxes expression lines by reducing  excess  lactic acid in the skin tissues, and increasing the “battery like” molecule in our cells called ATP, a fuel for our cells.

Find it in Sothys Lift Defense series.

Hydroptimale THI3 Institute Treatment: This program brings hydration to the skin in three dimensions.

The first: to auto-regulate water using Optimizer SC Complex, a blend of sugars, algae, and omega-3 and omega -6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are extremely important to the diet of the skin.
The second: to balance the skin’s water flow with Vegetable Osmolytes (water- regulating molecules).
The third: is a Molecular Patch which offers continual time-released hydration.

The Hydroptimale THI3 program of hydration is recommended for all skin types to replenish moisture and prevent water loss. It is a highly recommended treatment to perform as a post care service after an intensive peel or as the perfect program to prepare the skin for winter weather. Results show an increase in the skin’s moisture potential by 76% after a series of 4 weekly Institute Treatments.

About the Author:
Jean Stewart is currently a National Team Leader for Sothys USA, Inc. She has been with the company for over 20 years and much of that time has been dedicated to studying cosmetic ingredients and their effects on the skin.

***Don’t forget to stop by the salon today for your personalized consultation with Jean Stewart, gifts, holiday treats, and to meet our new esthetician, Jamie, who will be giving complimentary glycolic hand treatments and brow wax from 2pm-6pm. See you there!