The Superwoman Times - Issue 02

THE STORY OF YENSA

Meet our founder, Jennifer Yen, and learn about how YENSA came to be.

From TV actress to serial entrepreneur, Jennifer Yen’s journey has been marked by transformative experiences that ultimately led her to found different companies aimed at empowering others through beauty and wellness. Throughout her life, Jennifer faced a myriad of challenges, including the toll heavy makeup took on her skin during her acting career, the hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy, and the impact of skin, hair, and overall wellbeing changes

over time. These experiences fueled her commitment to finding holistic solutions for herself and others.

The inspiration for YENSA came from Jennifer’s mother, who followed a 2000-yearold Chinese Medicine practice known as “Zuo Yue Zi,” or “Sitting the Month.” This tradition, passed down through generations of women in the Yen family, calls for new mothers to take a month of rest after childbirth by integrating Superfoods into their diet and beauty routine for healing and rejuvenation. After Jennifer incorporated this tradition into her own routine, her complexion and confidence was restored. Her skin glowed from the inside out, and she felt compelled to share this practice with women everywhere.

SUPERWOMAN SPOTLIGHT

We interviewed 8 Superwomen in our community that inspire us!

As an Asian Americanfounded brand, YENSA combines Superfoods with Asian Rituals to produce luxurious complexion products with skincare benefits. To further honor our Asian heritage, YENSA is dedicated to uplifting AAPI voices and celebrating their rich cultural background. This AAPI Heritage Month, The Superwoman Times aims to shine a light upon 8 inspiring women who belong to the AAPI community- Yuliya Lee, Jamie Quezada, Maryam Maquillage, Sarah Anne

Novio, Katie Hanick, Michelle Soo In Lee, Gina Su, and Jazzi Manalo Sullivan -exploring the intersection of beauty and culture.

QUESTION 1: How has being AAPI shaped your personal journey and influenced your views on beauty?

Michelle: As a Korean American who came to America at a young age, my journey toward embracing my heritage has profoundly shaped my views on beauty.

Initially feeling out of place, it took years to enter this journey of self-acceptance, learning to celebrate my Asian features and reject narrow beauty standards. Engaging with my AAPI community provided a sense of belonging and solidarity, exposing me to diverse perspectives on beauty and empowering me to challenge mainstream media representations. Through this journey, I’ve come to appreciate beauty as a multifaceted concept that encompasses cultural identity, self-acceptance, and the celebration of diversity.

Maryam: Growing up, I hardly ever saw women who looked like me on TV or in magazines. Following makeup instructions meant for the general audience never worked for me and

OUR MISSION YENSA collaborates with top chemists from Korea, France, Los Angeles, and beyond to create clean, luxurious products that are steeped in Superfood Science and Asian Rituals, for a modern, diverse world.

that led me to realize that I have to become my own representative for all things beauty and makeup. I taught myself how to accentuate my features with makeup and also what not to do!

Sarah: Being AAPI has shaped my journey because I found it difficult to navigate the beauty space in the beginning of my career. A few years ago, I felt there weren’t too many influencers who looked like me. Once I found creators like me and began to find my own comfort zone around being an AAPI creator, I began to use my platform to help others like me do the same.

Katie: Being a part of the AAPI community has influenced me in many ways. Growing up, there weren’t many men and women who looked like me. Paving my own way as a Korean-American adoptee has helped me to love myself more everyday. Sharing how I do makeup based on my features and having fun with beauty products has been exhilarating!! Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities.

Jazzi: As a racially ambiguous mixed woman, I understand that I’m not someone who fits in one box. I’ve been drenched in microaggressive statements about my racial identity all my life. “You’re not Filipino enough, you’re only half” and “You don’t count as an Asian person.” This saddens me, but also makes me want

to uplift other women in the same position as me. I’ve come to appreciate and love all sides of my cultures. Being mixed is beautiful, and we don’t have to look a specific way to “be” our own race.

Yuliya: Being AAPI has deeply influenced my personal journey and views on beauty. Growing up within the AAPI community, I’ve been immersed in rich cultural heritage, which has shaped my understanding of beauty beyond conventional standards. This has led me to appreciate the uniqueness and diversity of beauty across different cultures, embracing a more inclusive and holistic approach to beauty that celebrates individuality and cultural diversity.

Gina: Over time, I’ve developed more and more pride in my Asian American identity. As a kid, I remember being jealous of curly blonde hair, but now I love my eye shape and my slick black hair. So many people are so beautiful because of the physical traits from their different backgrounds and cultures!

Jamie: As an AAPI influencer, my cultural heritage has profoundly shaped my personal journey and influenced my views on beauty. Embracing my Asian identity has taught me to celebrate diversity and appreciate the rich tapestry of traditions that contribute to

our collective understanding of beauty. Through my platform, I strive to showcase the beauty of all cultures and promote inclusivity in the beauty industry.

QUESTION 2: Are there any traditional beauty rituals or products from your cultural background that you incorporate into your skincare or makeup routine?

Gina: A lot of the products I use contain seaweed. As for rituals, I definitely take a more Eastern holistic approach of having good habits when it comes to diet, lifestyle, sleep, and also drinking tons of water!

Sarah: My great-grandmother used Vaseline before washing off her makeup, and since then I have always used cleansing balms before removing my makeup too-just not Vaseline! (No shade!)

Jazzi: Coconut oil is huge in the Philippines and it’s multipurpose! I personally like to use it to moisturize the ends of my hair, or mix it with sugar to make a lip scrub!

Yuliya: Years ago, I recall the trend of Korean skincare products featuring ingredients like snail extract and rice. I experimented with them and found them to be quite effective. Presently, my skincare routine consists of multiple steps, with

approximately 90% of my skincare products being sourced from Korean brands.

QUESTION 3: Are there specific YENSA products that have boosted your confidence or helped you feel more empowered?

Maryam: The Super Serum Silk Cream Blush in Pink Bliss is the most flattering shade of pink on my yellow-golden skin tone. It pops so beautifully and definitely boosts my confidence.

Yuliya: I’m in love with the Super Serum Silk Concealer and the Pumpkin Turmeric 2-in-1 Radiance Polishing Mask!

Jamie: Yes, there are specific YENSA products that have definitely boosted my confidence and made me feel more empowered. The Skin On Skin BC Foundation SPF 40 and Skin On Skin BC Concealer have been game-changers for me. They provide flawless coverage, blend seamlessly into my skin, and give me a natural-looking finish that lasts all day. Knowing that I have a reliable base makeup that enhances my natural beauty gives me the confidence to tackle whatever the day brings. Overall, these YENSA products have not only improved my appearance but have also boosted my self-assurance, helping me

THE SUPERWOMAN TIMES

POWERED BY 8 SUPERFOODS

PINK LOTUS PEPTIDE RENEWAL FACE CREAM

SUPER GLOW 2-IN-1 RADIANCE POLISHING MASK

THE SUPERWOMAN TIMES

PINK LOTUS PEPTIDE RENEWAL FACE CREAM SUPER SERUM SILK CONCEALER MAKEUP SPONGE

feel more empowered in my everyday life.

Gina: The Vibrant Silk Lipstick! So smooth and buttery, it doesn’t only look good but feels good!

Katie: Being more true to my real skin versus applying more makeup with the Super Serum Silk Foundation! Less is more too! The lippie products are perfect for everyday and glam too!

Jazzi: Oh my gosh, the Luxe Lip Oils are amazing! I love that they’re so pigmented, nourishing, and I have so many color choices. Adding a pop of bright color to my face is one of my favorite ways to uplift my spirits and feel empowered.

Michelle: It’s truly been a journey embracing YENSA products over the years! The Skin On Skin Bc Foundation SPF 40 has held a special place in my routine for more than three years now. What draws me to it, beyond its efficacy, is the thoughtful inclusion of various color shades, ensuring that individuals across diverse skin tones can find their perfect match. Moreover, the incorporation of superfood wellness elements speaks volumes to me, echoing the holistic approach to beauty deeply ingrained in Asian culture.

QUESTION 4: In your opinion, how can the beauty industry better celebrate and represent diverse cultural beauty standards?

Jazzi: Inclusivity and education is extremely important. Brands really need to take the time to develop and create products that everyone can use. It’s great to finally see brands coming through with products that have different undertones. For the first time ever we’re seeing olive foundations being released. I’m cool toned myself, and growing up I always had the problem of makeup showing up too orange on me. If it weren’t for the color theory education I have, I would have no idea what would work for me!

Maryam: By continuing to expand their shade ranges and include more undertones for all. I also think there should be more beauty events surrounding AAPI, POC, Black History, etc., in celebration and appreciation of our unique beauty, differences, and standards.

Katie: Showcasing various backgrounds is important and makes people feel seen. Inclusivity means so much to so many and feeling like I see myself in many brands across the board is so powerful. That goes for various age groups too!

Gina: By incorporating more colors and tones to match different skin types, by having more diverse models in their marketing, and by supporting makeup influencers who share techniques from around the world and do examples beyond just Western face shapes.

Yuliya: By embracing and showcasing a wide range of cultural beauty standards in marketing, product development, and hiring practices.

Jamie: In my opinion, the beauty industry can better celebrate and represent diverse cultural beauty standards by embracing inclusivity in all aspects of its operations. This includes product development, marketing campaigns, and brand imagery. It’s crucial for beauty brands to actively seek out and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds to ensure that their products and messaging resonate with people of all ethnicities, skin tones, and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, offering a wide range of shades and formulations that cater to diverse skin tones and hair textures is essential for ensuring that everyone feels represented and included. Furthermore, promoting diversity and cultural appreciation through educational initiatives, such as highlighting traditional beauty rituals and ingredients from different cultures, can help foster a more inclusive beauty community. Ultimately, by prioritizing diversity and representation, the beauty industry can create a more welcoming and empowering space for people of all backgrounds to celebrate their unique beauty.

Sarah: More diversity in beauty campaigns and more equitable pay for creators of color; also more inclusivity in shade ranges, including depth and undertone.

Michelle: In my opinion, the beauty industry can better celebrate and represent diverse cultural beauty standards by expanding shade ranges to accommodate a wider spectrum of skin tones, acknowledging and incorporating traditional beauty rituals and ingredients from various cultures, and ensuring diverse representation in marketing campaigns and product development. Additionally, fostering inclusivity and cultural sensitivity through education and collaboration with diverse communities can further enrich and celebrate the richness of cultural beauty standards.

3 STEPS TO SUPERGLOWY SKIN

The ultimate skincare routine to achieve that #SuperfoodGlow!

1

Smooth a thin layer of our Super Glow 2-in1 Radiance Polishing Mask, containing Pumpkin, Turmeric, and Vitamin C, onto damp skin for 5-10 minutes. Massage and rinse. This lightweight exfoliating face mask polishes and resurfaces the skin for a more

In upward sweeping motions, apply our nourishing Renewal Face Cream neck, and décolleté to brighten, depuff, and visibly firm the skin.

Pink Lotus Peptide onto the undereye area. Formulated with 8 PowerPink Essence and peptides, this renewal eye cream helps restore the look of firmness, improving fine lines and wrinkles.