Beauty Bento Box Interviews Neva Kares of Leyende, Part 2

The second and last installment of the 2-part interview I did with Neva Kares, owner and founder of Leyende. This time around, we’re delving into Leyende products that work best beauty regimens and Asian beauty secrets, the simplicity of which will trigger a “Eureka!” moment or perhaps a sound kicking (of oneself) for not seeing the sense of it all on your own. LOL.

If you missed out on the first part, I recommend a read: Beauty Bento Box Interviews Neva Kares of Leyende, Part 1

I’m sure all your products are your babies but can you list 5 of your favourites and why? Which one is the best seller and why?

Selfish as this sounds, I use all of them because I really started making them with me in mind! But my hands-down favorites are Clean Slate multitasking face cleanser, Face Canvas moisture glider, Shake it Off body exfoliant in froyo, Clean and Present shampoo and Kiss Kiss Balm Balm pure beeswax lip balm and gloss.

Two products are selling like hotcakes right now: Face Canvas Moisture Glider and No Rumple Silk Skin Butter. Face Canvas got its reputation from the make-up artists who are using them as make-up base. Even before I sold it in the market, my friends who are pro make-up artists have been stocking up on them. Now it’s making the rounds in local celebrity circles. No Rumple Silk Skin Butter is just super yummy, and has the most immediate impact when sampled. I slather this on my elbows and upper arms to keep my skin asthma at bay.

As a maker of natural and organic bath & body beauty products, and owner of Leyende, can you let the readers of Beauty Bento Box in on a beauty regimen that you can personally vouch for?

One advice really holds a world of wisdom for me: sleep with a clean face. No matter how lazy or sleepy or wasted you are, remove make-up before bed. It really pays off. Some of my skin problems now were a result of my own stubbornness. Second most important advice, err on the gentle side. Nuking acne riddled skin with all the chemicals known to man is probably going to make things worse. Third, go to a dermatologist first, not a facialist or cosmetologist or spa. A good derma is knowledgable about organic products, and would even encourage you to use it (except for special cases where antibiotics are needed). And, yes, use sun protection for the whole body. It sounds tedious, but anything becomes a habit when done consistently for 21 consecutive days, so it will become second nature after a while.

Why do you think skin care and hair care are important?

Well, the skin is the largest organ in the body, and it definitely affects our internal organs. A healthy skin is also an indicator of a overall health. If you have dry, flaky skin, that means your body’s hydration isn’t enough. Or if your hair is falling out, it’s an indication of illness or too much stress. Caring for the skin and hair is part of taking care of your general health. The body functions as a whole so you can’t say that you’re just going to exercise or eat right and neglect your skin. Skin care is part of our general fitness; it’s not vanity at all.

In terms of beauty, hair care & skin care, what is the hardest challenge you’ve faced in your experience in the beauty industry?

I wouldn’t really consider myself as “in” the beauty industry, since I’m not a cosmetologist or aesthetician. But personally, finding a solution to my adult-onset eczema and skin asthma was a big challenge. I had great skin in my teens, which I took for granted. Suddenly, the merest touch can break me out into rashes. And I can’t experiment with make-up as much as I did before. It was frustrating and humbling. But it turned me into a more health-conscious, better-informed person. Business-wise, I’ve had to discipline myself to delegate work, since the demand is really higher these days (I’m not complaining) and I had to learn to manage my time better. Amazing how much I can accomplish simply by waking up early in the morning. It really makes a difference.

What are your views on Asian beauty? Is there an Asian beauty secret and/or regimen you know of and wish to share with us?

Asian beauty means diversity to me. We’re just a colorful combination of simplicity and understated sensuality. Asian beauty also ages well and holds up better against free radical damage.

One “beauty belief” I have – which is scientifically proven, anyway – is sleep. Sleep is the ultimate beauty tool. Getting the right amount maintains a good level of collagen production in the body (firmer skin), regulates hormones (less acne-prone) and basically reboots and recharges the whole body. Also, from personal experience, skin care for Asian skin needs to be simple and gentle. I don’t use toner; I find it an unnecessary step. Plus the alcohol content doesn’t help. Occasional major exfoliation through glycolic acid (from fruit acids) is something I swear by, but make sure to get this treatment from a licensed dermatologist.

I reckon it’s always wise to consult with a doctor for more serious skin concerns but taking on advices from beauty experts when it comes to maintenance or simple info supplement on certain products or regimens you wish to try is alright so long as we’ve made an effort to practice being responsible for our own well-being by keeping ourselves informed and educated. As an example, do use or try something just because I (or anyone) said so, you have to read up on it and get to know your own body, too.

Anyway, I hope you, my dear beauties, found the interview useful and informative because I most certainly did! Thanks, Neva!