A French Touch Salon

The finest in Parisian skin care on the central coast.

A French Touch Parisian Skincare Salon

Ultimate Peel Package: Radiance at Home

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Bonjour, Mes Amis!

October has come to a close, and we’re slipping a little deeper into fall each day (who else is loving the change in weather?  All of my boots and sweaters are finally getting their share of fresh air!), and I’m here to help you welcome in November with a few new specials at A French Touch!

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If you’re regretting the fact that you’ve missed out on last month’s awesome Peel specials, or if your last peel series ended far too
quickly, do not despair; a pre-holiday gift from your friends at A French Touch and Jan Marini has come, bearing gifts for refreshing, youthful skin!

Alors, je voudrais vous présenter—I am pleased to present to you—a new twist on the Ultimate Peel Package that incorporates more home care!  This month, we’d like to continue the emphasis on the fabulous benefits that peels provide for your skin—clearing away the dull-looking top layer of debris, revitalizing your skin’s natural glow and beauty, and treating acne, acne scars, hyper-pigmentation, photo-damage, lines, wrinkles, and more (all the details here)—while throwing in the crème de la crème of post-peel home care to maximize the benefits of your peels!

The Ultimate Peel Package includes (while supplies last!):

  • The New Beauty award-winning Jan Marini Skin Care Management System, the perfect foundation for a fabulous at-home skin_professionals_Marketing_Product Images_LoRes_Skin_Care_Management_System_Normal-Combo_LoRes care routine.  If you are running low on your Skin Care Managment System supplies, this special is the perfect time to refresh your at-home routine.  If you’ve never tried it, keep reading!  The basic kit, made for Dry, Normal/Combination, and Oily skin, includes a Bioglycolic Cleanser to deeply exfoliate, a C-ESTA Serum to rejuvenate, a Bioglycolic Bioclear Lotion or cream to resurface, a Transformation Face Cream or Age Intervention Face Cream to hydrate, and an Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant (spf 33 and available in tints, too!) to protect your skin.  The Enlighten Plus Skin Care Management System also includes an Age Intervention Gentle cleanser and Age Intervention Enlighten Plus with retinol, to lighten hyperpigmentation and give you a revitalized natural glow while stimulating collagen.
  • -professionals-Marketing-Product Images_LoRes-Age_Intervention_Retinol_Plus_Pump_and_Box_LoResJan Marini’s Age Intervention Retinol Plus Face Cream, one of the best in anti-aging, is also included.  This gentle cream is not drying or irritating, like many perscription retinol products, and works to visibly smooth the skin, reduce fine lines, even out discoloration, unclog pores, and leave your skin dazzling.  The hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and anti-inflammatory Green Tea Extract included make this product easy to include in the Skin Care Management System with no acclimation period.  -professionals-Marketing-Product Images_LoRes-Clean_Zyme_and_Skin_Zyme_LoRes
  • Jan Marini Skin Zyme Cleanser and Mask: Supplemental home care exfoliation products incorporate the enzyme “Papain” from green papaya to digest dead skin cells without harming sensitive or irritated tissues. Benefits of other resurfacing agents are dramatically accelerated and desired results are more rapidly obtained with regard to skin rejuvenation, acne, hyperpigmentation and scar reduction.
  • Two Complimentary Refine Peels in your series of Three!  You can read all about how wonderful peels are for you in my blog and in Patricia’s educational video (see it all here!), but the best thing to remember is that it not only clears out all of the dead cells, debris and dirt our pores accumulate over time, but that clearing and refreshing your skin enables your products—namely, the fabulous one’s I’ve just listed!—to penetrate deeper and have more immediate, visible results.  

With the Ultimate Peel Special, you can save $175 (with single peel) or $225 (with peel series) and take advantage of the most intense anti-aging regimen—savings equivalent to several new additions to your fall and winter wardrobes!  Helping you to look and feel your best and providing you with all the tools you need to put your best face forward—whether you get a chance to come visit us, or just work your skin care magic at home—is our priority!  So, give yourself a pre-holiday treat and call, stop by, or make an appointment online to reserve your Ultimate Peel Package before the end of this month while supplies last! 

Bisous,

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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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Pieces of Paris

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Bonjour Mes Amis,

parisian girlLet’s imagine for a moment, mes amis, that we are in Paris, la ville d’amour.  You’re sitting at  a small outside table at a quiet café, overlooking a park with a hot cappuccino, listening to the melodic cadences of the French language being tossed around old cobblestone streets, observing the beautiful architecture found on every city block.  Perhaps later you wander through an outdoor market with fresh flowers and produce, then take in a beautiful view of the city from the very top of la Tour Eiffel, and top off your day with a warm crepe and a walk around le Basillique du Sacre Coeur at dusk.

When I think of Paris (especially when I’m lounging here in our sitting room at A French Touch!), I think of the effortless, clean, stylish elegance that French culture exudes.  The French have always commanded a great deal of respect and influence when it comes to fashion and make-up, but only gradually are cultures like ours starting to pick up on the wisdom and sophistication of their skincare philosophies, as well.  

Lucky you, though, because A French Touch seeks to embrace all of these beauty secrets, out of a desire to help you maintain and reflect your natural beauty and to help your skin age gracefully.  

So let’s begin first with the concept of a skincare salon.  Skincare salons are as common in France as hair and nail salons are in the US.  The idea of a skincare salon might sound suspiciously like a spa, but the ‘salon’ part is supposed to emphasize a regular treatment of the skin to maintain a healthy appearance, rather than a once-in-a-great-while treat for oneself.  In France, the skincare salons are known as “Les Instituts de Beauté”, institutes of beauty, where skin is therapeutically nourished and refreshed.

The French do not believe in heavy make-up application, and therefore emphasize maintaining the natural beauty and balance of your skin so that excessive make-up is not needed.  The trick to make-up is to make it look as though you aren’t wearing any, rather than  looking like a five-year-old who went rummaging through her mother’s vanity drawers!  Foundation, blush, eye make-up and lip products are only to be used to create an I-am-this-beautiful-after-just-waking-up look.

From fashion to make-up to everyday life, the chic French femininity we love conveys a sense of effortlessness, of simplicity, of pink masknatural beauty.  However, when it comes to the skincare ritual behind the effortless beauty, the opposite couldn’t be more true; French women dedicate a great deal of time to applying quality products that ensure the health of their skin.  They generously employ moisturizers, serums that stimulate collagen production, and liberally apply their sun protection on a very frequent and regular basis.  All of this stems out of a longing for natural beauty, not a false, cakey, make-up induced appearance, and out of a love for their skin.  

I know you might be a bit tired of my “Show your skin some love” theme from this summer, but I mean it in earnest when I say that it is the absolute best way to give yourself that extra bit of ‘me time’, that ten minutes of pampering and unwinding to begin and end your day with.  I know since I stepped up my skincare routine after starting at A French Touch, I have come to look forward to cleansing and soothing my face at the end of a long day, almost like I’m exfoliating and moisturizing and nourishing all the stress away; that time is just for me, and I love it because I deserve a few moments to feel beautiful, even after the make-up comes off!

Alors, mes amis, I hope these thoughts find you happy and leave you happier.  Stay beautiful, because you are, and because you deserve to feel like it, too.

Bisous,

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