Winter Skin Prep

I spend a lot of time outside in the snow.  I love to take advantage of the endless Canadian landscape and the ski hill as much as possible.  It's important to think ahead and protect your exposed skin when going about in the great outdoors.  Enjoy your time with your family - without dermal discomfort from the wind and plummeting temperatures.

Windburn cheeks, chapped lips and raw, nipped skin from the cold can be painful and damaging to outer skin tissue causing dryness, itchiness, and sometimes even blistering.  It's important to use skin loving nourishing balms and a non-clogging cream to create a layer of occlusion.  This creates a protective layer from environmental exposure and provides nourishment to the active skin.  More serious cases of environmental exposure from the cold will result in effects only to the surface of the skin and not to the deep dermal layers. Tip: In the winter, wash your face with a soapless milk cleanser or a mild foaming cleanser, while your skin is still damp and before you skin is totally dry, apply a light nourishing moisturizer evenly across your face and neck (men too!). Smile while and after you do this as you will constantly train your muscles to stay uplifted (plus it just resonates good karma all 'round).  Then apply a protective balm layer over your T zone; the cheeks, across forehead, chin, lips and vulnerable spots to the wind.

In the weeks leading up to your winter frolicking, prepping your skin can save it's suppleness and maintain a youthful glow year after year.  Don't wait too long to have a post summer facial.  A fall facial will reveal a renewed cellular layer of skin and help hinder superficial lines.  Begin to use moisturizer on the regular, even to compliment your light and uplifting serum ritual.

Extended exposure to wind and a vast change in humidity will cause skin changes, sometimes holding on to the external layers of skin.  Wind can cause drying and slight thickening of the fine outer layer skin, so it's best to slough off these extra dead skin cells before the further winter dehydration occurs.  The outer layer of your skin feeds from the inner tissue layers, so if your outer cells are nourished and protected from the harsh climate that can deplete moisture, the less it will intrinsically leach nutrients from within; keeping up healthy skin colour, circulation and strength.  So, add these practices to your winter regimen and some skin care tools to your ski bags and balms in your family's ski jacket pockets.  They will love you for it, and so will their skin!

Shop for skin loving soyaskin products at Special Holiday prices for a limited time at The Spa and the King Edward Hotel Toronto and online at www.soyaboutique.com

Adrian Cann for Soyaskin

More and more, men are starting to pay attention to their skin and the maintaining it. It's all about simplicity; products that look cool, are easy to use, and provide results. Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle is essential for overall balance. Soyaskin is proud to introduce international soccer star Adrian Cann as the new face of our '13/'14 Men's campaign.

Soyaskin Previewed and soft launched the new campaign directed toward the men’s beauty consumer market at The Thompson Hotel Toronto on October 24th, 2013, introducing Canadian MLS Footballer Adrian Cann as its latest face for the brand.  Cann, a former Toronto FC soccer player and winner of the 2007 MLS Most Outstanding Defender while with the Vancouver Whitecaps, is proud of his new association with Soyaskin. “Soyaskin products are an essential part of my wellness routine,” says Cann. “While traveling and training, for instance like now in Milano, nothing is better than using natural skin care products to make me look refreshed and feel great. They remind me of the natural essence of Tuscany.  As a high performance athlete, I need to take excellent care of my body, and Soyaskin products help me do that.” 
 “Soyaskin strives to work with Canadians who represent the company’s ideals,” says Soyaskin founder Melani Chong. “I am a sports fiend, and Adrian is a positive role model who demonstrates that hard work and healthy goals lead to success. Soya embraces partnerships that show how its products are part of a healthy and active lifestyle.” The Soya Boutique is a Canadian skin care company with a philosophy that healthy longevity is at our fingertips and total health can be effortless, starting with the skin.  Soya skin care and home products are based on 4,000 year old traditions and beauty techniques that have been lauded for maintaining skin beauty and total health.

Soyaskin personal care products, including the Soyaskin Signature “Longevity” Facial, are currently featured at the Nouvelle Maria Spa at the Skyline King Edward Hotel in Toronto.  Other Soyaskin products include the New Cayman Sugar Scrub, released earlier this year at Men’s Night at the Spoke Club, as well as Mandarin and Green Tea Foaming Cleanser, Soap-free Emulsive Cleanser, Anti Aging & Brightening Facial Moisturizer, Repairing Serum, Vitamin-C Face lifting Serum, Detoxifying Facial Massage Cream, Nourishing Body Oil, Canadian Glacial Clay Mask, Antimicrobial Yoga Mat Disinfectant Spray and Healing Beauty Balms. All Soyaskin products are available at www.soyaboutique.com.

To make further inquiries about Soya Boutique Spa Treatments and Products, please contact info@soyaboutique.com

Here are some shots from the Fashion Week SS14 Event...

  

Soyaskin's Fashion Week SS14 - The 'ONLY' Party

SOYASKIN WANTS TO INVITE YOU... It’s that time of year we can strut our stuff and support our talented homespun fashion designers and businesses. Grab a complimentary cocktail, a gift bag (for the first 100 guests) in your hottest Fashion Week gear and come dance the night away with us at the sexy Thompson Hotel Lobby Bar on Thursday, October 24, 2013. 

We want to hype outstanding companies that share our sustainable values like Canadian manufactured Whitney Linen Couture, Eco-chic handbag designs by NellaBella, rising stars Hero|Heroine Salon & Barber and the Thompson Hotel Toronto. 

Whitney Linen is an on-line shopping boutique focusing on linen from fashion & clothing, to table linens and bedding. We design and manufacture all our products, using raw linen from the Baltic States, one of the largest exporters of linen in the world. Whitney Linen, has been involved in the world of fashion for almost two decades, starting out as an international model for Elite. She has worked in fashion representation, event planning, marketing and PR, and more recently as a partner in an on-line fashion and lifestyle magazine. As a result, she has had the opportunity to work with such fashion and entertainment icons as Gucci, Hermes, Valentino, Lenny Kravits, P Diddy and Maxwell, to name a few.
www.whitneylinen.com

Founded in 2007 by Tarek Al-Azbat and headquartered in Toronto’s fashion district, Nella Bella is fashion and functionality in one. Nella Bella is a Canadian brand of handbags that utilizes vegan fabrics to create beautiful, trend setting, high quality collections that accentuate an individual’s sense of style. Creative Director Tarek Al-Azbat designs a wide variety of handbags that effortlessly cater to both the sophisticated and the casual. His lines boast innovative designs, modern detail and vegan materials. Nella Bella handbags are uniquely crafted to reflect an urban-chic everyday lifestyle. Nella Bella is sold across the country and abroad. Retailers are listed at http://www.nella-bella.com/

Nella Bella is fashion and functionality united.

Fashion Week SS14 is the energetic event week where we get to revel in hot design and the sexy sophistication of Canadian designers as they pave the way for up and coming Canadian brands and infuse our national retail landscape.  Come and join us in celebrating at the ‘ONLY’ Party in town where all the designers are ‘ONLY Canadian'.  

Thank you greatly for your continued support and See you there!

Fall Skin Prep

As much as we would like to hang on to long summer days, fall is slowly approaching. With a new season about to set in shortly, it is important to slightly kick up your skin care regimen. Shorter days, gusting winds, and dropping temperatures all lead to drier skin and a sallow complexion. Make sure to do the following:

Exfoliate

Colder weather generally leads to drier skin, which unfortunately equals flakes and tightness. Help prevent that by making sure to exfoliate regularly. The new Soyaskin Cayman Sugar Scrub contains shea and coconut oils which will not dry out skin, but instead make it silky and perfectly prepped for other product application. It can be used both on face and body. 

Cleanse 

After removing all dead skin cells, cleanse the face using the Soy Tear-free Foaming Cleanser. It is ideal to use during the colder months as it eaves skin pH balanced, never dry or stripped of moisture.









Repair

Post cleansing, apply the Soy Repairing Serum. This unique Repairing complex provides immediate soothing, freshness and skin rejuvenation. Perfect to restore and calm wind chapped skin. Gently smooth over skin - don't rub it in. Fan to dry and remember to smile!

Moisturize

Lock in moisture and be ready to face the chilly weather with the Anti-Aging Facial Moisturizer. With advanced soy anti-aging ingredients, skin will be increasingly supple, smoother in texture, and hydrated to face the day ahead. 

Banana & Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe

I'm pretty into Pinterest. It's great whenever you have some time to kill, and I always end up finding neat DIYs or interesting recipes. Here's where I found the Quick Chiquita Banana Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe. It's a great breakfast smoothie that is filling, quick and easy to make. It calls for (for 2 servings):

• 2   whole Chiquita Bananas (best with brown flecks on peel)
• 2   cups Ice
• 1/3   cup Yogurt - preferably Greek yogurt flavored with honey
• 1/2   cup Cooked oatmeal
• 1/3   cup Almonds

However, I've made some personal adjustments to suit my own tastes. I omit the almonds and just put in a bit of almond milk. I find the consistency more fluid, and just like having milk in my smoothie as compared to just yogurt and ice. I've also added a bit of peanut butter to it sometimes, just to alternate the taste. It never really occurred to me before to try cooked oatmeal in my smoothies, but I'm glad I did!

Travel Skin Care

Being a jet setter is no easy task. While travelling around all the time is certainly fun, it can also be quite exhausting. Especially on your skin. Soyaskin products are designed with that in mind. Having an easy, multi-functioning routine is key when you are on the road. These are our top products for people on the go:

Soy Emulsive Cream Cleanser

Gentle and soapless formulation specifically engineered to effectively remove make-up and free the skin of impurities, with or without the use of water.  Fragrance free, hypo allergenic. Massage a dime sized amount into skin to loosen dirt and make up. Simply rinse with fresh water or if you're on the plane just tissue off. Will leave skin feeling moisturized, so if in a rush no need for moisturizer after. A one stop product.  Air tight pump. Eco-safe. Recyclable packaging. 

Soy Massage Cream

Facial Massage has been proven to be an effective method to anti aging. It can take years off the look of your skin by relieving tension, loosening toxins and giving the face a natural lift. Especially great after a long flight. Can also be used as an effective shaving cream for men & women with its long lasting slip and deep cleansing properties. It's all about the dual function! Use liberally for face and body massage. To use as a shaving cream, apply a thin layer to skin prior to shaving.

Vitamin C Soy Tightening Serum

Instant face lift in a bottle! Vitamin C is proven to improve skin's tone and texture as well as fight acne and clear blemishes. A perfect pick me up that will leave skin rejuvenated and glowing after a long day. Smooth over skin - Don't rub in! This soy serum is designed to preserve your youthful glow, so remember to 'smile' gently when you apply and fan to dry; this is when your skin captures your pleasant spirit.

Soy Repairing Serum

Botox inspired. This powerful formulation purifies, smoothes textures, and restores vitality. The unique Repairing complex provides immediate soothing, freshness and skin rejuvenation. Smooth over skin - Don't rub in! This soy serum is designed to preserve your youthful glow, so remember to 'smile' gently when you apply and fan to dry; this is when your skin captures your pleasant spirit.

Yoga Mat Disinfectant

It is important to take care of your body while traveling, and try to maintain your workout routine. This is a one step microbial disinfectant, enriched with organic ingredients and biodegradable plant extracts. Perfect to take with you on the go!

Father's Day Gift Specials

Father's Day is just around the corner! Still not sure what to get your Dad? Check out our Father's Day Gift Specials and treat your Dad to beautiful skin!

 Father's Day Ultimate Skin Kit - $200 (Regular price $300 - 30% off!)
- Mandarin & Green Tea Foaming Cleaner 50ml
- Vitamin C Facelifting Serum 30ml
- Reparing Serum 30ml
- NEW Cayman Sugar Scrub 300ml

Daily Smooth Shave Duo - $100 (Regular price $166 - 40% off!)

- Repairing Serum 30ml

- NEW Cayman Sugar Scrub

 Daily Facelift Duo - $100 (Regular price $166 - 40% off!)
- Vitamin C Facelifting Serum 30ml
- NEW Cayman Sugar Scrub

NEW Cayman Sugar Scrub - $61 (Regular price $76 -20% off!)

Healthy Hair Tips

Having healthy looking hair is important. Most of us, however, at one time or another, will go through a time when our locks don't exactly measure up. Whether it's from over processing and damage, hormonal changes, stress, or a nutritional deficiency, there are ways to bring your hair back to life and promote hair growth.

1. Biotin - Biotin is part of the vitamin B-complex. Biotin has been proven to promote healthy hair and nail growth when taken regularly as a supplement.

2. Hair Oils & Massage  - Massage your scalp to remove dead skin cells and promote new follicle growth. Plus, it feels great and is very relaxing! Use a natural oil, such as Soy Body Oil, before showering and work it into your scalp and hair. Leave on for at least 10 minutes, and then shampoo and condition as usual. Leaving the oil in for a longer period of time, or even overnight, will soften and make your hair extra shiny come morning.

3. Diet - Having a balanced diet is essential in promoting hair growth. Lots of protein, whole grains, Omega-3, leafy greens, and fruits will ensure a healthy scalp and growing locks.

Soyaskin Bloggers/Media Event

A few weeks ago, we had our pre-launch for Toronto bloggers and media at the Nouvelle Maria Spa in the King Edward Hotel. A wonderful night was had by all. Thank you so much to everyone for attending!

Feature Face Friday - Stephanie

Feature Face Friday - Sharon

Mother's Day Shopping Event Extravaganza!

Perfect Skin is the Perfect Gift!

From April 30th-May 2nd, come check out the pop-up SoyaSkin shopping event at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto, ON. With Mother's Day just around the corner (Sunday, May 12th ... don't forget!), it's the perfect opportunity to introduce your wonderful mom to SoyaSkin's line of pure and simple skin solutions.

As a special treat, we will be offering:
- Soy Emulsive Cream Cleanser (retail $36) for $15 each, or 3 for $36. The Emulsive Cream Cleanser is an original formulation specifically engineered to remove make-up and free the skin of impurities, with or without the use of water. Leaves your skin soft, moisturized, and toned. The cleanser is ideal for dry and/or hypersensitive skin, especially during the dry season of winter. Fragrance free and hypoallergenic.

- Soy Massage Cream (retail $24) for $12 each, or 3 for $30. The Massage Cream has been proven to be an effective method to anti-aging. It can take years of the look of your skin by relieving tension, loosening toxins and giving the face a natural lift. Leaves skin soft, detoxified and nourished naturally with soy, a highly effective nutrient-enhancing blend. Can also be used as an effective shaving cream for men and women with its long lasting slip and deep conditioning properties.

- SoyaSkin Rejuvenating Facelift Facial. Utilizes SoyaSkin products with acupressure face firming techniques. $90 for 1 hour basic facial. Special price of $125 (regular $150) for the 1 hour 15 minute firming face lift facial. Free gift with purchase.

Feature Face Friday - Prerna

Feature Face Friday - Elena

Feature Face Friday - Camille

Benefits of Soya

So what exactly is Soya? Well it's definitely not tofu!

Soybean oil is made from the seed of the soy plant. It's also known as edamame when eaten in its natural form; that tasty appetizer we eat at our local sushi joint. Soybeans were grown for centuries in Asia just for their seeds, whereas now soybean oil can be sound in many forms. One of them being in skincare!


Soy oil benefits:
- anti-inflammatory : great for people with sensitive skin
- anti-aging : makes skin brighter, clearer, more youthful over time
- soothing : restores uneven skin tone and improves texture
- moisturizing : helps to restore and maintain moisture levels
- natural Vitamin E : easily absorbs into skin
- natural Vitamin B: helps to prevent and diminish wrinkles
- anti-acne: removes skin blemishes and heals scarring
- baby safe : soothes diaper rash and non fragrant
- repels mosquitos : a natural alternative!
- protects from UV rays : also helps heal sun damage and stressed skin

All SoyaSkin products are made using all-natural soybean oil.

Meet the team

2013 has brought a great amount of growth for Soya including the growing team of contributing members.  Melani Chong has been growing Soya Boutique as a personal care manufacturer hitting the market with its moniker anti-aging skin care brand.  It is now a growing company that has several new additions.

Meet the Soya Girls!

Camille has a knack for organization and planning. As the PR Co-ordinator, she keeps everything rolling at a true Soya-sonic pace. As a graduate of the Fashion Business program at George Brown College in 2010, Camille proves that beauty and brains are hand-in-hand in this industry. She is an astute asset to the team and brings a level of quirky and intellectual professionalism to the team. Camille admits, "I love chicken wings and one of my favorite snacks is licorice candy. I have a serious side with aspirations for my future but something I would love to do is to live somewhere exciting and come back with a few crazy stories to tell" says Camille. GO for it Camille!

Elena's major pet peeve is spelling mistakes in printed copy. Phew! As the Soya Content Manager, her critical eye and innovative ideas are a contributing force to the direction of Soya. Elena is a Business Management étudiante at Ryerson University, she has a love of both the creative and management side of the fashion and beauty biz. "I enjoy all things beauty and fashion related, and I am an endlessly in love with style and lifestyle blogs. One day I will have a dog, I love random facts and adventures and I make a mean mushroom risotto" states Elena. Soya crushes on Elena's passionate eye, she is a ray of light on the Soya Team.

Prerna is a graduate from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Commerce and a major in Anthropology. Currently working on her designation as a CMA, which is why Prerna is Soya's Accounts and Finance go-to. "I enjoy fashion, chocolates, and lawn tennis. Also, I am a sucker for bling just like a Magpie. This is the perfect opportunity for me to have the best of everything, allowing me to work not just with numbers but also letting my creative edge shine" says Prerna. If you haven't seen her yet today - she always looks like she just walked off the runway. Great style + numbers smart = Soya Girl

Sharon has always had the knack for fashion and beauty since she was a mini. Growing up, she used to cut and design her mother’s panty hose and make clothes for her Barbies.  Since then, it was eminent that she would work in the Fashion industry. Being a former resident in Italy, Sharon travelled Europe and exotic areas for her creative inspiration.  Italy is Soya Owner, Melani Chong's old fashion stopping ground where she walked the runways for years.  "We have many common european influences." says Melani. Which is what stirs Sharon inspiration for the Soya brand and its creative development as Soya's Assistant Creative Director. "As a side hobby I like to oil paint fun high fashion art onto canvases" beams Sharon.