Yvonne- Founder of the Skin Line Focusing on Areas Ignored by Other Brands.

I love discovering new accounts on IG.  Recently I landed on Yvonne Jay's feed.  After quickly checking out her pics, I realized that she wasn't your average fashionista.  Yvonne seemed just as obsessed with glowing skin as we are!  Her passion for healthy skin is what caused me to reach out and learn more about her detailed regimen and style inspiration.  

Keep reading to learn more about Yvonne's journey to self-discovery that lead to the creation of her very own skincare brand.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

​A: So I just turned 25 as of last week, woo! And I'm a Social Media Manager by day and by night a cosmetic science student and skincare formulator from London.

Q: One of the reasons why I wanted to interview you is because of your love of healthy skincare.  Tell us a little about your skin.

​A: Skincare has been a secret love of mine since I was in college (which is about 16/17) but I never saw it as something I could do because I never really saw anyone like me doing it. Also, I was so fixated in working in the fashion industry (which I did for a little while) but eventually pivoted into the beauty industry. So it was just something I played around with in my private time and never really spoke about it outside my core family and friends. I actually have very dry skin and used to have eczema as a kid. I started making my own products to help calm the irritation and found I actually had a skill.

Q: What's your current daytime and nighttime regimen?

​A: My current day time and night time routine is pretty similar.  At night I double cleanse to remove mascara and sunscreen from the day. I use Drunk Elephant Slaai cleanser and Cerave hydrating cleanser. Then I double tone - get really dry in the colder seasons so I like to layer up on my hydration. I use the Garnier Thyme Perfecting Toner followed by the Boots Traditional Glycerin and Rosewater toner. It's very hydrating and my skin at this point almost feels moisturized already. I then use Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliator followed by The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA or Drunk Elephant's A Passioni Retinol for help with my hyperpigmentation - PIH. (At types I get these 'dry spots' which are flaky and leave dark marks) 

Then I layer with another hyaluronic acid to be extra. Next is my moisturizer from Jaycobeauty and then seal it all in with any oil of my choice. I judge it by how I'm feeling or if I want to try something new. But my go to's are my Jaycobeauty night time oil filled with chamomile to help relax and unwind, Dr. Jackson's Everyday oil or Odacite Rose Geranium Hydration Serum. 

My day time routine is just a stripped back version of this. I cleanse with Cerave, then tone with Garnier, followed by Paula's Choice then use a Vit C moisturizer or my Jayco one the I use an SPF by La Roche Posay.

@msyvonnejay

Q: Do you have any go-to product to treat problem skin (acne/hyperpigmentation)?

A:  Go to products would now be Paula's Choice, Alpha Arbutin, and granddaddy Dr. Dennis Gross. I love those pads or Kate Somerville Exfolakate.

Q: I see that you're in the process of launching your own skincare brand Jay & Co Beauty. Tell us a little about it and what was your inspiration? 

A:  Sure. So Jay & Co Beauty - JCB is a skincare (and maybe makeup) brand that is focused on delivering products built with WOC in mind. What inspired me was after working in the fashion industry for so long I want to give young women that same feeling they get when they wear luxury clothes that are also affordable. But I want them to feel this way about their skincare. I want women to use products that will not only help promote healthy skin and focus on the areas that are ignored by other brands - like PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and scaring. But also do it in a very sexy way. As a Gen Z and black woman I find that were often ignored or used as a marketing prop and I wanted to create from my perspective for other women like me. And who better to than me :)

Q: Any go-to beauty routines/beauty secrets that you adore?

A:  Keeping it simple and wear sunscreen. When you over-complicate your routine, your skin starts to react and go crazy. Also, don't makeup to early - it secretly ages you. But if that's your thing by all means. I want to look like a ripe grape forever.

Q: Do you do anything internally to contribute to your great skin?

A:  Yes, I aim to drink 2 liters daily, I work out 3-4 times a week and I avoid dairy and fast food. But occasionally (very rarely) I have a cheeky pizza or Haagen Dazs salted caramel ice-cream. But I usually pay for it later. Working out allows me to sweat out all the toxins and helps me to release some stress and it usually does wonders for my skin too. And of lately I've incorporated going to the spa.

@msyvonnejay

Q: Love your sense of style, how would you describe it?

A: Sexy, comfortable with a slice of hood.

Q: Do you have any favorite places to shop or do you have a source for style inspiration?

A: Honestly, Zara and my friend's brands (LoudBrandStudios and GDS) are all I pretty much wear. Sometimes Topshop here and there but rarely. My style inspos are Amina Muaddi, Karla Deras Chambers, Kahlana Barfield, Kim K and Kourtney, Karrueche and Sami Miro. I take inspiration from petite women cause I'm petite as well.

Q: Your makeup is always on point, can you share a little about what you use for your everyday makeup?

A: I actually don't wear makeup everyday. I'm pretty much barefaced except Benefit's 'Their Real' Mascara.

Q: Do you have any big goals you want to accomplish in 2020 (and beyond)?

A: Yes, have to stay tuned and find out at the end of the year if I achieve it!

I can't wait to see what's in store for Yvonne in the years ahead.  Be sure to follow her journey on IG & Youtube (she's got some great skin related videos on her channel).

Side note:  I'm realizing the both Yvonne and Evie both swear by Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA liquid.  It's time to officially put it on the list of must haves! .