Yonka-Paris goes PARABEN-FREE, The New Face of Yonka—along with other news

GREETINGS ALL!

There are changes coming—starting this month!

• Yonka unveils new product packaging
• Yonka goes PARABEN-FREE
• New products from Yonka
  
• The end of a few Yonka products

Read on to find out the whole scoop!

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The New Face of Yonka

I have used Yonka products personally and professionally since the mid-80s. In all that time, this is only the 2nd outer package change the line has gone through. I loved how the product was originally presented back then and I am very excited about this new packaging they are unveiling. It harkens back to the original production: it’s sleek and more sophisticated than the past look, which I believe better represents the elegance, efficacy, and quality of this product line. Kudos, Yonka!

Here is just one example of the change. On the left is the “old” packaging for the Advanced Optimizer Duo; on the right is the new, sleeker look.

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Yonka goes 100% paraben-free

Although some of you may not know this, many Yonka products have always been free of parabens. This is due to the concentrations of essential oils in many of the products, mainly the concentrates and liquids in this line. Regardless, soon (by the end of 2014) all the products will be paraben-free. These ingredient changes will not change the wonderful aromatics and feel of this luxurious, natural skin care line. Yonka truly is the best! As a side note, did you know that 70% of the line has 90% or higher ingredients of natural origin?

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NEW Yonka Products
The following descriptions are from Yonka headquarters:

HYDRALIA replaces all Dermols (1, 2 and 3)

Hydralia is what Yonka calls “customized hydration.” This intensive formula renews the skin’s healthy, youthful glow. By adding a few drops of Hydralia to your daily moisturizer, it will restore suppleness and hydration to your skin’s surface. This will also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin feels smooth and refreshed just like it did by using the Dermols.

SERUM VITAL replaces Mesonium 1 & 2

From Yonka headquarters:

• Boosts the vitality & brightness of skin
• Advanced formulation infused with 24 amino acids
• Establishes wellness from within for a healthy natural glow
• Softens the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
• Vital nutrient care for aging skin, pre- & post-op care, post-acne care
• Paraben-free
• Women experienced 88% visibly revitalized & 83% smoother skin

CREME TEINTEE replaces Creme 410 Teintee (2018—discontinued)

Yonka says: This sheer formula nourishes, moisturizes, and protects the skin from daily UV exposure. For added anti-aging protection, super antioxidant vitamins control free-radical damage. The natural pigments impart an immediate golden hue so the complexion looks healthy and radiant all year long. *Can be used to replace day creams and foundations.



UPDATE:
I have posted articles for each one of these products. For more information, see:

• HYDRALIA: For Extra Hydration—without adding oil
• SERUM VITAL—regenerating, restorative complex

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A few discontinued items

Please see Several discontinued items from Yonka-Paris to get the scoop on all of the products Yonka is taking out of their lineup along with some items that will act as replacements.

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THANK YOU for your continued support of my business and for letting me help you have healthy skin—for a lifetime.

The Truth About SPF

There are so many myths and misconceptions about SPF, sunscreen, and how to protect your skin when having fun outside. This will be one of many posts on the subject of the sun and your skin. The bottom line with all of this information is you need to protect your skin when in the sun—period! When talking with my clients I find the most common misunderstanding is what SPF is and what you can expect from (any) sunscreen. Read on, and check back in for more information on all things sun.

What is SPF? 

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor or as I call it, Sunburn Protection Factor. The SPF number on any given sun product is telling you how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning, compared to not wearing sunscreen at all. For example, if your skin burns after two minutes in the sun without sunscreen, an SPF 15 will allow you to avoid sunburn for 30 minutes (2 minutes x SPF 15). I picked a small number (two minutes) because once you start using larger amounts of time, say 30 minutes to burn without sunscreen, you can see how ridiculous the protection factor gets. For instance, 30 minutes x SPF 15 = 450 minutes or seven 1/2 hours in the sun without burning. I don’t think so! This is by far not a foolproof system and SPF is more of a guideline than anything else. I don’t advise anyone to stay in the sun for very long without reapplying sunscreen. 

Regarding sunscreens and SPFs, I have many clients who come in and say with surprise, “I wore a sunscreen yesterday and still got a tan.” Unless you are wearing what would amount to a suit of armor, if your skin is exposed to the sun, you will get sun. Anytime you’re in direct light, you will probably get some color. I wish I could tell you sunscreen is enough, but it’s not. However, while it may not be total protection, sunscreen is protection nonetheless.

In Australia, they are very sun-conscious. Because the ozone layer in that part of the world has holes in it, the sun’s rays (especially UVB, the burning ray) are a huge concern. I have read that manufacturers of sunscreen products are not allowed to advertise SPFs higher than 30. The reasoning is higher SPFs suggest greater protection, and the government doesn’t want to confuse the consumer into thinking that SPFs higher than 30 are really arming them against extended exposure. This philosophy is not followed in other parts of the world. There is a tendency to think SPF 30+ makes the skin impervious to the harmful effects of the sun.

When the SPF gets higher and higher, so do the concentrations of sunscreen chemicals. The higher the percentage of chemicals in a given product, the greater the chances for allergic reactions and intolerance to the product. Not only can really high SPFs potentially cause skin reactions, they can also make you feel invincible in the sun. The truth is sunscreen needs to be reapplied regardless of the SPF rating. Sunscreen is not a panacea for skin protection. It’s just not as simple as that.

Super high protection (SPF 30 or above) really becomes a matter of diminishing returns. An SPF 30 might give you twice as much protection as an SPF 15, however an SPF 60 does not give you twice as much protection as an SPF 30. In fact, the difference is surprisingly minimal. There are currently some sunscreens that offer SPF 60 and even 100! The FDA is reviewing a proposed regulation that would limit the maximum SPF value on sunscreen labeling to SPF 50+ for those high SPF products.
*UPDATE: SPFs higher than 50 are no longer allowed to be sold in the US.

Remember, how your skin ages is genetic, the care you take of your skin, and lifetime sun exposure. Be smart and wear sunscreen! Your skin will thank you for the added protection.

For more information, see:

• The Best Self-Tanner 
• Sunless Tanning with a Cream
• Top 10 reasons for not wearing sunscreen: What’s your excuse?

Do sunless tanning creams really work?

The first time I put on shorts a few days ago, I couldn’t believe how white and washed out my skin had gotten. I think we forget about tanned legs when we are faced with snow and below zero temperatures. Throughout the country, record highs are being experienced even though it is just mid-March, but there are still cold days ahead as we move into spring.

During these warm to hot days, I prefer to have a bit of color on my legs vs. facing the world with these 2 white sticks! This is where self-tanners come into play. Of course I use Yonka’s sunless tanning products, and my absolute favorite is Lait Auto-Bronzant.

No matter which self-tanning product you use, here are some guidelines to follow that will hopefully help you get a good-looking fake tan without incurring the added sun damage of a real tan.

• I like to apply the tanning product right after a shower. I always use a body lotion after baths and showers (to help keep my body skin soft), so I just substitute the self-tanner for my normal lotion.
• When using a self-tanner, you do need to be careful where you apply it as well as making sure you get it on evenly to avoid blotchiness. Watch out for bony areas like ankles, elbows, and wrists. These places can appear darker if you apply too much product.
• After applying, it is best to not put on clothing for a little while. I like to give the product at least 10-15 minutes to soak in. Otherwise you run the risk of it coming off on your clothes and getting uneven color on your skin.

I do this process 2 days in a row. Why? I have found one day is not enough and 3 days in a row is too much—the color starts to look self-tannery (aka fake). Then I’ll wait 3-4 days before reapplying. This schedule seems to work best for me and my coloring. You may need different timing depending on your skin tone.

I personally never apply self-tanners to my face, but you absolutely can. For me, since I don’t wear any makeup, it feels—well, like I have put makeup on. So I just go with the natural coloring of my face. There really isn’t anywhere you can’t apply this type of product.

I’m including a funny story to show how well these sunless tanning products work. The following happened while I was living in Chicago several years ago.

Being the eternal experimenter, I wanted to see how well the Auto-Bronzant worked, so I put it on one leg only over 2 days (two applications). It warmed up in Chicago and my now ex-boyfriend and I went to play golf. Of course I was wearing shorts.

While we were walking to the clubhouse, I got ahead of him. The next thing I heard was, “What is going on with your legs?! They are different colors!” Oppsie.

I had to laugh. I had completely forgotten about my self-tanner experiment! The good news is my “tan” leg looked great—very naturally tanned. The other leg got a tan right after my golf game—but beforehand it really did look lily white from a long Chicagoland winter!

For more information, see:

• Sunless Tanning with a Cream (for more detailed instructions on applying self tanners)
• Yonka’s Prolongateur de Bronzage—tan prolonger
• The BEST Self-Tanner! Lait Auto-Bronzant 

Moving Through Loss

We have all experienced loss at one time or another in our lives. Whether it be the loss of a job, a home, our youth, or the loss of a living (now resting in peace) being. Loss and the accompanying grief along with ever-changing emotions can be difficult to maneuver through.

Many of you know I put my beloved cat, Archer, to sleep just a week ago today. A sweet boy who was with me for over 16 1/2 years. This has been a huge loss for me as well as for my almost 18 year old cat and dog of 3 years. Yesterday I picked up Archer’s ashes from my vet and upon arriving home, sank down in the middle of my entry way and sobbed uncontrollably. Although having his ashes gave me a sense of relief and connection, having the ashes in a box in my hands also brought back a whole new level of loss and grief that literally brought me to my knees.

Many say that grief is like a wave. The intense feelings come and go like waves in the expanse of an ocean. This ocean, however, is ebbing and flowing e-motion and the waves can truly come crashing down at unexpected times and places and for an unspecified period of time. My father died 3 years ago and I still find tears coming to my eyes when I see a photo of him or a distinct memory comes back to me.

Archer was an indoor cat and always in my home for all those years, therefore when I’m at home, it’s a constant reminder of his absence. And so the feelings come; then they dissipate and go; and then again, another wave to ride. My commitment to myself is to sit with the feelings vs. trying to move away from them. Without fully grieving this huge loss there will be feelings left unexpressed, which can and probably will come out in less healthy and imbalanced ways down the road.

My point here and my wanting to share my experience is to say to you as well as to myself—feel the feelings. They will come and go, but they are important to process. Gather good friends around and animals if you have them, then laugh and cry and grieve until there isn’t anything left to express. Move through the grieving, feel the loss, ride the waves as they come and go. Eventually they will lessen and so will the pain. This is an individual process, which cannot be compared with anyone else’s grieving journey. The important thing: Grieve. It is the healthiest thing to do after a loss.

To ALL of you who have reached out to me during this time, I am so very grateful. From your cards and flowers to emails and phone calls, whether listening to my tears and remembrances or simply offering hugs—I am forever grateful. Thank you.

Also see:

• Coping through tough times
• Life in Transition: Take this moment for You
• Accepting what is—or else
• My 4-Legged Family (currently unavailable)

Grace, 1 year old; Archer 6 weeks old—1995

UPDATE: 7/2015 

UPDATE: 10/2014

UPDATE: 10/2014

I found this book, Going Home by Jon Katz, at a thrift store several months ago. I liked the author and thought the subject matter (loss of a pet) might come in handy some day. And it did. Soon after my thrift store find, a neighbor friend had to put his dog down. I lent him the book, having not read a single word. After another few months had passed, this neighbor was moving out of town and although at the time I didn’t understand why I was so insistent about getting this book back, now it is clear to me.

This morning, less than a week after putting my sweet pup to sleep, I was lying in bed, having lazily slept in (no dog to take out to do his morning business) and all of the sudden I got the urge to get up, go to my library, and retrieve this book. I couldn’t put it down.

To read Jon Katz’s words about his beloved dogs and the grieving he went through somehow eased my pain to some degree. I suppose it’s like a club you don’t want to join—but all of us pet owners will and do join. Yet there is something about the company of others who know what I am going through that is soothing to my soul. The book isn’t sad though, it’s uplifting. Sweet and consoling. It has lots of good stories and sound advice.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is about to go through the loss of a pet, is in the process of grieving a loss, or who is curious about the life, death, and grieving of our so-loved animals. I have now purchased several copies for people I care about knowing it will help them now—or later.

If you’re interested in reading a tribute I wrote for my dog, see QUINCY BLU—A Beautiful Life. And now (May 2016), another tribute to my 22 year old kitty: Amazing Grace—Such a long, long run.

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comments:

1. 
   Linda O'Neill November 16, 2011 at 11:43 AM

   So very sorry to hear about Archer, Carolyn.
   
   Your blog post was beautifully written, heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. I think I will pass it along to a good friend who has to put her 21 year old cat, Misty down today.
   
   You take care...big hugs to you, Quincy Blu and Grace. xox

   
   
2. 
   Carolyn Ash November 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM

   Thank you, Linda. Blessings to your friend and her Misty. My heart goes out to them. xo

   
   
3. 
   Brooke Andrews November 16, 2011 at 3:49 PM

   Thank you sister Kitty. I miss Archer too and when I am with my cat Butler I think how hard that day will be for me so I just love on him even more. I guess having a pet is the one place in our lives we can practice attachment. Love you. Brooke.
   p.s. I love the kitty photo of the two.

Eyebrows: Should you wax or tweeze?

A client recently wrote me with this question:

  

I need your advice on brow trims. Does it matter if you wax or tweeze?

Have you ever had an eyebrow wax? If not, I am more in favor of you not waxing because it can set up a process you may have to do forever. I prefer tweezing over waxing because you get only the hairs you want to remove vs. all the hair in the area being waxed. However, if you are the type to “pick” instead of tweeze your brows, perhaps waxing is a better option for you. You can really do damage to your skin if you try too hard to get “that darn hair” out; you can cause a little injury to that sensitive skin above your eyes.

Also, if you are not an artist, going to a professional may be the best choice—even if they tweeze your brows and never wax. In a salon, the expert knows how to shape your brows to fit your face, something you may not know how to do.

Know yourself, and if you decide you are not the best person to be messing around in that area, get a referral from a friend for a great waxing salon. 

For more information, see:

• Thoughts about Hair Removal Options
• Just Say NO to a Lip Wax!
• Puffy eyes? Turn a negative into a positive!