July Issue
kiin x Joanna Czech
Our desire to connect to like-minded individuals is hardwired into our brains. We feel united and validated when we have similar interests and are curious about the same things.
This brings me to my recent kiin interview with Joanna Czech, an expert aesthetician with over thirty years of experience. Not only is she an expert in all things skin, she is also an industrious business person, a creative mind, and has an incredibly chic and unique way of dressing. She is also thoughtful and kind. I’ve been lucky enough to call Joanna a friend for the past twenty years, and, more recently, I had the honor of decorating her SoHo apartment. Another thing we share is our appreciation of serene, light-filled spaces. Working on Joanna’s apartment was truly a joy.
But back to skincare for a second. At every age skincare is essential. We all want to look our best, to be as vibrant on the outside as we feel on the inside. Having Joanna in my corner has been invaluable beyond measure. Her expertise, knowledge of the science behind everything she does, and her honesty is reassuring and effective. I trust Joanna implicitly and love her natural approach to aging beautifully. With her finger on all the treatment trends, her standards are never compromised. There’s a reason the list of celebrities who count on Joanna for skincare is endless. Joanna was recently asked to consult Kim Kardashian (who is also a client of hers) to develop her new skincare line SKKN. Joanna has also just launched her incredibly long-awaited product line called Joanna Czech Skincare.
Carolyn Siden: Can you tell us a little about your story and coming to the States?
Joanna Czech: I have been a practicing esthetician for thirty-five years. I came to the States on April 3, 1989, and landed in Chicago. I'll never forget that rainy day. An editor of a Polish magazine, Aprobos, who I had met in Poland, said I should visit her when she was in the US. Her mother was a client of mine… and also happened to be visiting when I arrived. I was so lucky to get a visa back then…
I was twenty-five years old at the time and really networked, getting people’s numbers and any leads for jobs… which is what led me to a job in NYC. I had two years of training as a facialist in Poland, which was quite different from the training in the US—different techniques and more advanced that my American colleagues. When I went to New York to interview for the job, I stayed at a friend’s apartment. I came to the US with only $1000… and her rent was $700 a month. She lived with three roommates in a “junior four” in Washington Heights… and I stayed in that neighborhood for twenty-three years. It was where I eventually opened my first spa/salon.
For more on Joanna, skincare, and her apartment in SoHo, please read on…
X Carolyn
kiin Picks
kiin interview: Joanna Czech + Carolyn Siden, kiin’s Founder
Can you tell us more about your professional training?
The prep and knowledge/education I had was actually gearing me towards preparing for medical school. I was always very curious and inquisitive about the science behind it all. I needed to understand why techniques worked on a deeper level. I look at a client’s lifestyle, not only their skin type. I always was with the latest technology. I became known for my massages… I played rock in the background with a mix of country at times. And I love dirty jokes! My work is an extension of me. Everyone is treated equally. I am grounded. My favorite thing is to see repeat clients.
What made you fall in love with New York?
I love the diversity and that the people are straightforward and authentic. It’s such an international city. I loved going to St. Patrick’s Cathedral every Saturday and heard every language being spoken while I was there. I love Broadway and had many clients who performed on Broadway. So many amazing galleries… and, of course, the fashion.
How did your unique style come to be?
I was always into fashion… since I was a little girl. My mom had a restaurant, which, in Poland at the time, was the biggest commodity. Having access to food was the most-wanted thing you can have, so many people came to her to exchange favors. Turtlenecks were in style at the time, and I wore those. I was also the only person in town who dared to wear white boots… with red stitches! I always had a unique flare for fashion and stepping outside of the box.
I never go with only with what is trending; it also needs to feel good on my body. It has to be flattering on you. You need to wear what works for you and your body type. And I always strive for elegance.
How do people hear about you?
The strongest PR is word of mouth…
Why do you think you have such a loyal following for years?
I am very honest. And a great listener. I want the best for my clients and hope they see the effects of what I do best. Consistency is the key to great skin… and there are no quick fixes.
The biggest mistake to make is to do what a girlfriend is doing just because that’s what is working for her. Everyone has unique needs. Sometimes women overdo it… too many peels, too many lasers, I often have clients coming to me to fix this.
What is a classic “Joanna” line?
“Your face starts with your nipples and ends with your hairline.”
And, I never thought I would say this, but a little nip and tuck is okay if you don’t want to age 100% naturally… but do it early when you still have elasticity. In our thirties, forties, and fifties we lose our elasticity. Menopause can cause a lot of dehydration. Pores get larger and fine lines appear from collagen fibers getting dehydrated.
What is the skincare routine you recommend the most?
Your evening routine is the MOST important. Our face and body hygiene is equally important. Take care of your face and your body.
I highly recommend taking shower before bed. "Don’t bring the streets to your sheets.”
Relaxation and rejuvenation time is when everything penetrates the most, and we relax and rejuvenate while we sleep at night. Products are sixty percent more efficient while we sleep and repair. Your morning routine is less important.
Tell me a little about your new skincare line…
It was launched on November 18th, 2021. I was motivated after working with so many different product lines all these years. Because we change temperatures and environments when we travel, I felt we need more control over our skin and protection as it goes through all these changes. Just going from the AC to outside heat and humidity is a huge change. At night we lose the most moisture. My products help control the PH of human skin. It’s a practical thing. It’s an easy step to make balancing our skin’s PH easier… and to maximize it’s efficacy to balance and repair itself.
A few highlights from my new skincare line are the facial wipes, C-Plus Serum, and a PH-controlling toner.
What do you recommend for dark circles and puffiness in the eye area?
We are a demographic of women who don’t get enough sleep!
I like the BioEffect ECG Eye Masks and Exquisite Brightening Anti-Puff Eye Masks… and try to get more sleep!
I also love 111Skin Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Masks.
Placing tea bags on your eyes is still a great remedy for puffiness… dandelion tea bags are the best.
Where can we buy your new skincare line?
My website, www.joannaczech.com, and at Bergdorf's and net-a-porter.
Overall, my ethos is:Respect, support, protect… I feel that way about skin, myself, and everybody surrounding me. ❤️