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. 
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. 
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 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. 
Bisous! Adrienne
summer
Antioxidants, Facials, and a Citrus-y Summer
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.
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.
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
A Little Summer Lovin’
Bonjour, mes amis!
If the weather has not proved it to you already, my friends, summer is in full swing! So we at A French Touch want to remind you, amid the Fourth of July barbeques and fun in the sun, to make this a Summer of Love! But, before we all start demanding romantic dinner dates from our significant others, let me explain—we want you to show your skin some love. Especially during this time of year, when we are running around outside in the sun (with our sun protection on, I hope!), your skin needs a little extra guilt-free attention from you and all of our amazing treatments at A French Touch!
Jan Marini Skin Research—a name that might be living in many of our medicine cabinets and bathroom counters—is celebrating its 19th anniversary this month as an innovative leader and successful business within the skincare industry. The products that this company has created over the years have revolutionized the way women and men everywhere think about their skin and how to care for it. From sun protection to anti-aging to everyday rejuvenation, Jan Marini has done it all. And let’s face it, after all of that time out in the sun and the coats of sunscreen, your skin would sing your praises if it could for a little Jan Marini at the end of the day!
So, what makes Jan Marini so special to us? In short, we simply love her! Her healthy and time-tested skin care formulas, her pioneering influence on the world of skin care, her passion for healthy beauty; we want the best possible treatments for you, and I’m pretty sure we’ve found them! Unlike many other companies in the skin care and beauty industry (a sad truth), Jan Marini’s products and research are guided by the 30 or so medical journals she reads every month, her connections with some of the world’s leading physicians, and her desire to create and share clinically-validated and healthy products. She has lead the way to many industry “firsts”:
- The first topical TGF beta 1 (a tissue growth factor that can reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and make your skin look smoother and younger)
- including vitamin C in a serum so that it could be properly absorbed
- a solution that uses glycolic, salicylic, and azaleic acids to resurface skin (a product you know as Bioclear!)
- just to name a few!
But, above all, we love Jan Marini’s approach to her work. She has shown extreme dedication and hard work for
her clients for 19 years straight by constantly providing excellent alternatives to extreme procedures like Botox and plastic surgery. To quote Jan herself, “no makeup can replace beautiful skin.” This emphasis on confidence and natural, healthy beauty is awesome, which is why we want to share her wonderful work with you! (I’ll go a bit more into what is on sale with you in my post next Monday!)
So, come and visit with us on the 19th! We’d love to answer questions, show you all of Jan Marini’s fun stuff, and pass on our anniversary savings to our lovely and loyal friends. For now, have a fantastic Fourth of July and remember your sun screen this weekend!
Bisous, 
Meet Jan Marini!
Summer Vacation Skincare Solutions
With summer vacations and warm days ahead, it can be challenging to follow a normal skincare routine; however, to keep your skin looking consistently healthy, vibrant, and young throughout the summer, it’s essential to stay consistent with your skincare regimen while vacationing. For this reason, we wanted to share a few tips to ensure your skin will remain radiant and beautiful in the midst of your summer vacations.
1.) Drink extra water to reduce puffiness.
The majority of people tend to slack on their water intake . But, did you know puffy eyes, as well as puffiness or bloating of the body, can be a result of water retention? When the body senses that it is not getting enough water, it will begin storing it, which results in visible puffiness around the eyes and other parts of the body. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep your kidneys working properly, allowing your skin to detoxify itself naturally.
2.) Use a scrub to combat dryness and flakiness.
While away on your travels it is important to take a scrub with you to gently exfoliate buildup that can be caused from varying temperature (indoor air conditioning, outdoor heat, etc.), outdoor activities, and pollutants. Applying a scrub twice weekly in the evening will exfoliate your skin and restore moisture lost during the day.
If you need a scrub to suite your skin type, here are two that we often recommend:
- Skin Zyme from Jan Marini. Skin Zyme is great for flaky or peeling skin because it selectively breaks down dead and damaged skin cells, while resurfacing without irritating sensitive skin.
- Organic Apricot Scrub from SOTHYS. This organic scrub gently exfoliates while eliminating impurities and dead skin cells trapped in the follicles (pores) that can lead to comedogenic (pore-clogging) activity.
3.) Take your products in travel size so you don’t miss any steps.
When traveling, we’ve known women to leave behind some of their skincare products to make room in their suitcase. Ra
ther than sacrificing your skin’s health, opt for travel size containers that you can purchase at most pharmacies.
If you want a travel size skincare routine already packaged for you, we suggest SOTHYS skincare products in travel size (only $17.00) so you won’t miss any necessary steps required to keep your skin cleansed and soothed.
No vacation plans this summer? You can still pamper yourself with our Summer Staycation Special that includes a half day spa experience for only $149 (normally $200).
Enter to win “A Day at the Beach” with Beach Butlerz and an SPF Protection Kit!
In honor of Melanoma Awareness Month, we’re offering a Day at the Beach giveaway! We’ll help you protect your skin with a Beach Butlerz umbrella and Colorescience SPF products!
What you can win:
– A day’s rental of two Beach Butlerz beach loungers and one umbrella for sun protection
– A Colorescience Sunforgettable Protection Kit ($180 value), including:
- SPF 35 Lip shine
- SPF 30 Primer
- SPF 30 Eyescreen
- SPF 30 Powder
- A cooling Setting Mist
HOW TO WIN
1. Comment on our Facebook page about which A French Touch or Beach Butlerz product is on your wish list this summer and why!
3. Tag A French Touch & Beach Butlerz in the comment by putting the @ symbol before our name!
Entries will be accepted through May 31st, and the winner will be selected at random and announced on this blog, A French Touch facebook page, and Beach Butlerz facebook page! For any questions call the salon at 805.785.0340
Visible Beauty in Time for the Holidays. It’s Possible.
Now that fall is here, this is the ideal time to revitalize your skin from damage incurred during the harsh summer months. Sun damage causes 99.5% of aging due to UV rays and harmful chemicals that put your skin through wear and tear. Luckily, it doesn’t have to take long to reverse these damages and see visible results in areas you’d like to see it most – just in time for your holiday parties!
GLYCOLIC PEELS are the most effective treatment for sun-damaged skin because they deeply exfoliate to create resurfaced, radiant skin and strip photo damage caused by the sun. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane, which loosens the cellular debris layer and exfoliates your skin. It not only allows your products to absorb into your skin more efficiently, but also eliminates abnormal cells that can eventually lead to skin cancers. It’s a great way to bring your skin back to life from those dry, summer months!
Need A French Touch? We offer the Jan Marini Glycolic Acid Peel series. This series includes six peels over three weeks. Why is this treatment perfect for the holidays? This treatment creates softer, more refined skin without any downtime, redness, or flaking. No need to miss a good holiday party!
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COLLAGEN HYALURONIC FACIALS are the perfect way to add life to your skin during the winter season. You’ve all heard about hyaluronic acid, but what is it exactly? It is one of the natural fillers of the skin, whose essential role is to retain water in the dermis (the water reservoir of the skin). Because of its low molecular weight (derived from wheat), it can increase hydration and skin firmness through a natural approach. When incorporated in a facial, the effects are immediate.
I had one client call it the Class Reunion Facial. – Patricia
Need A French Touch? We offer the Sothys’ Collagéne Hyaluronique Facial. Why is this treatment perfect for the holidays? Sothys’ new Anti-Aging line contains hyaluronic acid, a powerful peptide blend, and natural antioxidants for revitalized, healthy, protected skin. You will see instantaneous, long-lasting results.
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AS A PART OF YOUR FACIAL ROUTINE, you can incorporate a glycolic acid product (to maintain exfoliation and radiance), a day and night moisturizer, and a weekly scrub. We know it’s easy to skimp on your facial routine, but it’s important to maintain day and night care to see long-lasting results.
Need some assistance? Come into the salon for a skin analysis and tips to see visible beauty in time for the holidays!
Next week: More on the benefits of glycolic acid!
