Beauty Collective - Cloudless Skin

Cloudless skin: Why you want it and how to achieve it

By now we’ve all heard of the k-beauty craze ‘glass skin’ but there is a new kid on the block, the latest k-beauty trend you have to try and it’s known as ‘Cloudless skin’.

What is cloudless skin?

The name speaks for itself – think of the purity and flawlessness of a bright blue cloudless sky and that is what this trend aims to achieve! To emulate the skin of a young child, you know the nearly transparent, radiant, blemish and pore-free skin, free of environmental damage. Yes please!

But while creating the appearance of truly perfect, pore-free skin may seem next to impossible, there are steps you can take to give you the best possible chance.

How do you achieve it?

So now you know what it is, how exactly do you achieve cloudless skin I hear you say! Well sadly it won’t happen overnight, in short it’s all down to a strict diet and skincare routine to which you are devout – no faltering. A healthy, nutritious diet and skincare routine which will protect against four major skin concerns – dullness, clogged pores, irritation and environmental damage.

  1. Diet

Gorge (literally) on dark, leafy greens, consume plenty of whole grains daily (I am personally loving whole oats rich in antioxidants, buckwheat which is packed with magnesium, iron, B vitamins and fibre! And quinoa which has more vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats and fibre than more other whole grains!) And try to avoid sugar where possible (so definitely no more muffins, cakes, bread, chai lattes etc…)

  1. Dullness

Opt for gentle exfoliation 2-3 times a week instead of using harsher, gritty scrubs once a week. Choose exfoliators which will provide the skin with a dose of hydration as well as sloughing away those unwanted dead skin cells. Do be sure not to overdo it though as exfoliation can cause irritation and dryness which will not aid in achieving the cloudless skin trend! We highly recommend Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes, it’s a soft gentle exfoliant for even the most sensitive of skin, which uses enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing the skin. It truly does erase the dullness that may hamper your glow, revealing a luminous, smooth complexion.

  1. Clogged pores

It’s all about double cleansing baby! This will ensure that all those pore-clogging impurities, as well as excess oil and dirt, are fully removed from your skin. The technique is exactly how it sounds – start by using an oil-based cleanser – we LOVE the ELES Transformation Cleansing Oil – then follow with a water-based cleanser – we highly recommend Phytomer’s Doux Visage Velvet Cleansing Cream and Micellar Water from Vie Collection.

Also applying a mask once a week will really help to de-clog skin and benefit the overall health of your skin. Our favourite is Phytomer’s Oligopur Flawless Skin Mask it’s totally no drying, has a cream-foam texture and after only a few weeks of use, pores will be visibly tightened.

  1. Irritation

Keep inflammation to a minimum by using deeply nourishing, soothing products. We are loving Phytomer’s Douceur Intemporelle Restorative Shield Cream. It’s essential to maintain a healthy pH balance so be sure to use non-stripping toners too!

  1. Environmental damage

Use skin specific products rich in anti-oxidants. These fight free radical damage. We are obsessed with Phytomer’s Citadine Citylife Face and Eye Contour Sorbet Cream. It not only sweeps away toxic microparticles and repairs damage caused by pollution, but it also provides an ultra-moisturising facial experience!

Finally, religiously wear high factor SPF – not just when you’re heading to the beach but daily! Give ELES’s Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection SPF 50 a try, you won’t regret it!

ELES yoga skin

One Makeup Trend You Need to Try – Yoga Skin

“Yoga Skin” is the new way to create a cocktail face base to give you that “I just exercised and feel amazing” glow.

Makeup trends come and go, from perfect brows to ombre lips, from K Beauty to J Beauty.  You’d be forgiven if you haven’t embraced them all!  But if you are going to take the plunge and try just one, then make it “Yoga Skin”.

Created by well-known Insta-Queen and makeup artist Sara Hill, we are just a bit in love with this easy technique and how luminous it leaves your skin.

You might be asking what makes Yoga Skin different from other make trends like glass skin, Sara explains:

“Yoga skin is a look that feels real. ‘Glass skin’ and similar trends are about creating a perfected, flawless complexion, but yoga skin is about creating luscious, fresh and juicy skin that looks natural, but glowing with health.”

“I called it ‘yoga skin’ because it emulates that really gorgeous radiance you have when you step out of the yoga studio; juicy, dewy and super-hydrated. It’s not about hiding imperfections but creating a hyper-real version of your natural skin, pinchable and just irresistible!”

“To get the look, start by applying your regular skincare as normal, and leave it for at least five minutes to settle into your skin”, says Sarah.

“Apply a layer of primer, and then it’s time to get to mixing! What I love about this look is that it’s completely customisable to your needs, preferences and skin type.”

YOGA SKIN using ELES

To create the perfect ELES Yoga Skin Cocktail we combined 80% ELES HD Luminous Foundation, 10% ELES Overnight Repair Facial Oil and 10% ELES Liquid Illuminator in Bronze and mixed it together.

We then applied it on the face massaging right into the skin as Sara recommends to get the circulation pumping and give the skin a healthy flush.  We finished by pressing it in further with a damp Pro-Blender Sponge.  No setting powder required.

The end result?  Healthy, juicy, delicious skin!  It really works!

80s makeup Revival

Our Take on the 80s Makeup Revival

So it’s out with the “no-makeup makeup” and in with some girly glamour!

If you are cringing right now, then chances are you experienced your puberty blues in the 80s, had a perm at some stage and thought big shoulders and leg warmers were the height of fashion.

But despite those of us that lived it and swore we’d never go back, the 80s era seems to be enjoying a revival.  If you are in doubt then check out the latest looks worn on the red carpet and the bright new makeup looks that were a breath of fresh air at London Fashion Week in February.

Don’t despair though, the ELES makeup team have given the decade a modern (somewhat conservative) twist…

The signature eyeshadow colour of the 80s was definitely blue, but instead of the bright cobalt and frosted blues that covered our lids from lashes to brows, we are opting for a modern take by combining Mineral Shadow Turquoise on the inner eyelid with Mineral Matte Shadow in Dusk on the outer eye. This combination looks great on all you pale beauties, especially when teamed with a light peachy lip.

80s makeup Revival 2

If you want to go even brighter then ditch the shadow and focus on the liner.  The intensity of the ELES Felt Tip Liner in Sapphire Sky looks stunning when team it with warm peachy cheeks and lips.

80s makeup Revival 1

And we can’t forget those neon lips, the modern twist?  A matte finish and pared back eye makeup.

Our pick is ELES Matte Lipstick in Orchid.

80s makeup Revival 5

Blusher was another favourite in the 80s and “draping” (when applied all the way up the temples) was also a must. While this looked great on David Bowie we prefer the newer trend to sweep it across the cheeks and nose for a fresh outdoorsy look.  Our favourite shade of the season is Orchid in Baked Blush which is an adaptable peachy pink.

80s makeup Revival 4

So fear not if you were thinking of glittery blues and lollypop pink accompanied by sweatbands and high cut leotards, because while it may be inspired by the 80s, we’ve learnt a trick or two!

Beauty Collective - 5 Beauty Trends

TREND ALERT: 5 Beauty Trends That’ll Be All The Rage This Year

With inspiration from the runway and makeup professionals alike, 2019 is taking us back to basics. From statement lips to featured, brushed brows here’s everything you need to know about the top beauty trends for 2019;

  1. BRONZER IS BACK. HEAVY CONTOURING IS OUT

Forget heavy contouring as bronzer makes its comeback. Keep skin natural and luminous with a high-definition foundation like ELES HD Luminous Foundation, then simply apply a versatile buildable bronzer along the temple, cheekbones and jawline to frame the face. Try ELES Bronzer in Rio De Janeiro.

  1. BOLD SHADES

Say goodbye to neutrals and pack a punch with a pop of colour. Think standout eyes lined with vivid shades, such as ELES Felt Tip Liner in Sapphire Sky, and couple with neon mascara!

  1. EMBRACE THE “GLOW”

Always on trend is fresh-faced skin and 2019 is no different with its glowy complexion trend! However to truly achieve this you need to think skin first, makeup second. Opt for skincare like Vie Collection Mesoforce Hydra Revitalizing Cream rich in vitamin C and Hyaluronic to oxygenate and deeply nourish the skin from inside out…Also forget full-coverage foundation and reach for a tinted moisturiser. The ELES Mineral Sheer Tint SPF 20 is a favourite or ours!

  1. BRING BACK BROWS

Bye bye over plucked “insta-brows” welcome back natural brows! 2019 is all about the soft, feathered, brushed brow. Leave brows to naturally flourish and fill sparse areas with a touch of powder like the ELES Brow Sculpt and finish with the tinted wax to tame and set any rogue hairs.

  1. STATEMENT LIPS

It’s lip gloss’s time to shine once again!

Think glossy, shiny, metallic lips! If it shines it’s on trend! Try ELES Pucker Up Gloss Pair with glossy eyes and you’ll be a showstopper. Definitely one of the hot beauty trends this year!