Vibe's View
Loving Yasou! For one thing...just look at that packaging...Perfection! As soon as Yasou arrived, I got excited. I had been looking forward to trying these fabulous-looking products by Terry Ntovas!
I will start with the Body Cream because I just love to get Yummy! Who doesn't?! After my shower, I always slather my entire body with a moisturizer that is going to quench my skin through-out the day.
Sometimes I use an oil, a lotion or a butter depending on my mood, and of course I have my usual go-to's...But I was in the mood for something different, so Yasou arrived right on time! Transporting me to a far-a-way land with rich essences of mandarin, cypress and my all-time favorite--- delectable lavender! I am a fiend for anything with organic aloe vera and calendula because of the healing and soothing benefits!
I love to indulge my senses in every way possible and when I felt the rich texture, and how supple it made my skin feel, I fell instantly for the product and the experience it gave me. There is nothing like having a spa day at home, especially when all you have to do is moisturize head-to-toe and you already feel pampered and rejuvenated!
I've been using the YASOU Body Cream for the past few months, and I definitely see the results of the Vitamin E and the Rosemary Extract, tightening and firming my skin, especially on my upper thighs. I included the ingredient's benefits below for you to check out. For only $54 you get 8 FL OZ---that is a steal for such quality ingredients!
This 99.5% natural body cream contains certified organics and YASOU's exclusive Calityl-O Complex, which benefits all skin types.
AROMA: ESSENTIAL OILS
Cypress Essential Oil is known to firm loose skin and muscles, and induces a calming, soothing, stress-reducing effect.
Lavender Essential Oil is known to have calming and sedative properties, promoting relaxation and sleep.
Mandarin Essential Oil is known to promote deep restful sleep and supports feelings of contentment and well-being.
SKIN FIRMING: VITAMIN E & CAFFEINE
Vitamin E is known to promote cell regeneration, creating an anti-aging effect and making your skin look and feel younger.
Caffeine is known to deliver antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, firming the skin and decreasing the appearance of cellulite.
Rosemary Extract is known to tone and firm sagging skin.
Mandarin Essential Oil is known to enhance smooth clear skin and is employed to help diminish stretch marks.
MOISTURIZER: HYDRATING
Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Jojoba Oil soothe and moisturize. Olive oil’s antioxidants form a protective barrier, trapping moisture on your skin. Jojobo oil’s vitamins, mineral and fatty acids promote elasticity and radiance.
Certified Organic Aloe Vera moistures and hydrates the skin.
Shea Butter is vitamin-rich and one of the best anti-aging moisturizers.
Beeswax acts as an emollient and a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin and sealing it in.
Calendula Extract is known to be ideal for sensitive and dry skin because it easily melts on the skin and penetrates quickly.
Honey Extract is known to promote skin hydration.
We use Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil in all of our products. The oleic acid in Certified Organic extra virgin olive oil is 1% higher than regular Olive Oil and is in it’s purest state. It does not go through a synthetic process like regular olive oil. By having a higher oleic acid when combining it with other ingredients we achieve higher level of benefits. High quality olive oil such as Certified Organic Extra Virgin is full of linoleic acids, oleic acids, palmitic acids and polyphenois. These acids actually work by trapping water into your skin, ensuring that your skin is hydrated..
Polyphenols are very beneficial to our skin for a variety of reasons. One reason is that they are antioxidants which means that when absorbed into our skin, they will combat the free radicals, preventing them from doing damage. Two other benefits of polyphenol is that it offers protection against ultraviolet rays and will also encourage new cell growth, so that new cells are made to replace any damaged skin cells.
The Natural Cellular Face Cream set is nothing less than amazing, I saw that gold lid and couldn't wait to pop open the day cream, what a treat in a jar! After I cleanse and exfoliate, I always immediately apply a moisturizer to lock in moisture. This cream kept my skin feeling smooth and I had my usual, natural glow...no make-up necessary.
The Natural Cellular Day Cream exfoliates, brightens and tones on a cellular level. How you say? ...So glad that you asked!
YASOU accomplished this with natural ingredients and a MFA complex combined with their proprietary Calityl-O Complex. This creative combo stimulates the skin--- promoting firmness and elasticity, as well as brightening and boosting collagen. I am all about boosting collagen production while brightening complexion, keeping the face smooth and glowing! Anything that can reinstate the health and beauty of my skin, naturally, will always have my vote!
In the evening I had the chance to try the Natural Cell Renewal Night Cream, and my face was smooth as a baby's you-know-what! I mean it! I am definitely a texture person, if it doesn't have the right consistency, then I don't want anything to do with it.
Terry hit the nail on the head with this product. It also contains powerful anti-oxidants that fade age spots--- gotta love that! This night cream is designed to work in tandem with our skin’s own natural repair cycle while we sleep. It is also designed to stimulate your skin and promote collagen. A Dynamic Duo for sure!
All I can say now is...what's next for Yasou?!
Q&A w/ Terry Ntovas:
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
Chicago, Illinois and in my youth Athens, Greece. Also in a small mountain village now called Archia Feneos in the Peloponnese region near Corinth.
What did you do before skincare?
I was an Art Director. it's been a tremendous help for me in creating my brand to have this experience and I save so much money because I do all the graphic, art and creative work for YASOU. In addition, it's easier for me to communicate with photographers, printers, and other creatives. It also has been exciting for me to start from nothing and create something I think my training in visual communications is about solving problems and than communicating the solution or answer visually and I saw a need for a luxe wellness product and than personally I wanted to reconnect with my heritage and it made sense to me to combine these two needs.
The hardest transition has been going from a super deadline oriented profession to a very slow, time consuming profession- I am really learning the art of patience in business!
How did you come up with the idea for your product line?
I naturally collect and store observations in my head for some reason. I saw a need for a high-end, luxe, wellness product! Most high-end products in the department stores have a great application experience, but not the best ingredients. And most organics are filled with goodness, but the application experience isn't that great. So, I thought we needed a luxe product that not only was good for you (had top quality, plant derived ingredients) but also made you feel good. I also wanted to reconnect with my heritage, so I combined the two.
Tell us about YASOU:
YASOU is a natural skin care line that contains certified organics. It is a luxe-wellness product. YASOU is Greek-Inspired, plant derived, Leaping Bunny Certified, Vegan and made in the USA. "YASOU" (pronounced ya-su) gets it's name from a common Greek greeting that means "to your health."
I don't use par-fumes, instead I utilize essential oils for aroma and most of them are smells that remind me of my childhood, when I lived with my grandparents in Archia Feneos, Greece. I also combine plant-derived ingredients that are Greek-Inspired (like certified organic extra virgin olive oil, lemon extract, etc.) with plant-derived ingredients that work on cellular levels.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
This is a tough question because there are several things that pop in my head but I would say that no one would ever be hungry in the world.
Name the top three things that you think most people do wrong when it comes to their skin:
1) They don't allow their skin to breath. I think women in particular are constantly applying product on their skin and not letting their natural oils do their job. Give your skin a day off of any product!
2) They don't get enough sleep or exercise which really effects the skin.
3) They are overdosing themselves with products that may contain overlapping ingredients (in BB & CC creams and makeup) because they are not taking the time to read their labels.
What is your favorite product from your line, and why?
I really like all of my products but my face cream set (and I use both the day and night cream) is my must have! I recently got a skin analysis and didn't have one wrinkle in my inner skin layer (dermis). I have seen my skin become healthier, more vibrant, softer, and my pores have shrunk- I am always getting compliments. I think "Health = Happiness = Beauty" ---that really sums up why I like my cellular face cream set because it's really a moisturizing treatment to healthy skin, at least it has been for me.
What are some of your favorite stores that sell green beauty products?
I am still learning about new brands and what stores sell them, but I primarily shop on-line and recently I've been really digging vegan lipsticks by Aromi on Etsy, and Biba Lips.
Love Beekman's all natural C.O.P.A soaps that are handmade in small batches! Shen Beauty in Brooklyn NY and Haven Spa in NYC have fantastic lines, and of course, Odalisque Beauty Apothecary in Geneva, Il. Oh, and Merz Apothecary in Chicago.
What are some of the products that you use, aside from your skincare, that you use on a daily basis?
Annemarie Borlind Regeneration eye cream, cleanse my face with cold water and Johnson & Johnson Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar, and then wash my body with Beekman's C.O.P.A soaps.
Tell us about your skincare regimen:
OMG... here goes! I cleanse my face three times a day with cold water and use my gentle cleansing bar in the morning and evening, I gently pat dry my face before applying my day cream and in the evenings my night cream. I don't use toners or anything else in my daily regime because my YASOU products provide me with the ingredients I need (honestly).
After applying my day cream I lightly put some foundation with SPF on and that's it. I don't like SPF in my moisturizer--- it just ruins the cream and I truly believe it should be the last layer on the face so I use foundation that contains SPF. Twice a week I don't apply anything on my face so it can breath. Occasionally I have bouts of cystitis and when that happens I use dermatological products and nothing else until it clears up.
Who do you consider to be your inspirations?
Personally- My Mother! She really worked very hard in her life and raised two children basically on her own. She always took great pride in doing everything to the best of her ability. She was very brave to come to America as a young lady who didn't know how to speak english because she believed in the American Dream and in higher education.
Beauty- Dr. Andrew Weil founder of Origins skin care. When Origins came out- it was the first mass produced skin care line that seemed healthier to me which had an impact on me.
What is your favorite quote of all time?
"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
