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10 of the best skincare products the BC pros always recommend

April 14, 2022/in How To /by Jo Boyden

We all have those products we love, the ones we keep coming back to time and time again or the ones we never stop using because they are working their magic and we are loving the results. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t always looking for new skincare innovations recommended by the experts or multi-tasking miracle products that promise prolonged youth! Well here at BC we can’t get enough of our products, after all we’ve handpicked our brands to provide our customers with the best of the best when it comes to professional skincare and makeup. But when asked which products we at BC personally love, the ones we always recommend, there are indeed a few stand-outs.

From cleansers to lotions, moisturisers to masks, read on as we reveal our top 10 products, one favourite per skincare category.

The cleanser

Pevonia CleanRefresh Foaming Oil Cleanser

Best for all skin types

This new generation hybrid cleanser offers the combination of a gel, oil and foam – It’s a truly innovative, triple duty oil cleanser with a gel like consistency which features an advanced lipid-rich, alcohol-free, soap-free exclusive formula which transforms into a luscious, foaming cleanser on application (when mixed with water). Amazing right? Plus, it acts like a super magnet entrapping pollutants, impurities and bacteria to leave skin radiantly refreshed, soft and supple after every application. What’s more it’s suitable for all skin types, but especially great for those suffering from dry skin because of its perfect blend of foaming surfactants, skin-friendly oils and soothing, nourishing ingredients.

The exfoliator

Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

Best for all skin types

This is THE perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types. A creamy, granular, exfoliating cream formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and Chamomile that very gently polishes away dry, dead skin cells, impurities and toxins to reveal instant radiance and softer, smoother skin too! It reduces pore size with regular use, it’s perfect to use in the shower in the mornings and is so gentle you can use it every day if you please! (Although exfoliating is generally recommended 1-2 times weekly!) You’ll love the immediate gratification you’ll get from this formidable favourite of ours.

The moisturiser

Pevonia Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream

Best for dry, dehydrated, ageing skin

My personal absolute can’t live without product and the no. 1 favourite of many of the BC pros, the Marine Collagen Cream isn’t Pevonia’s global bestseller for nothing! It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin super soft, supple and like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day! I swear my 42-year-old self has less visible lines and wrinkles thanks to this superstar cream!

The serum

Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum

Best for dehydrated, ageing skin

If your skin is in need a hydration boost, you’ll love this serum as much as we do! Just a few drops not only helps to rejuvenate skin cells but will bind any moisturiser you apply on top like a magnet too!

Featuring one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market (12%), combined with the powerful anti-ageing duo of marine collagen and Hibiscus Esculentus extract, this ultimate serum for seriously thirsty skin, delivers immediate skin soothing results and deep hydration. It eliminates dryness almost instantly as it quite literally blasts even the most dehydrated of complexions with a surge of moisture, maintaining surface hydration throughout the day. My skin is all the better for it – softer, plumper, and firmer!

The face mask

Pevonia Ageless Skin Collagen Mask

Best for dry, dull, dehydrated or irritated skin

This creamy mask combats dehydration in just 10 minutes – no jokes! The rich texture is a soothing balm as your skin literally drinks in the moisture leaving it both dewy, plumped and rehydrated! It really is a game-changer!

The face oil

Pevonia Vitaminic Concentrate

Best for premature ageing, dehydration and excessive dryness

This soothing, silky antioxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma, is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration, and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple, and seriously glowy skin every morning.

The night cream

Phytomer Hydrasea Night Plumping Rich Cream

Best for all skin types, especially those with dull, lack-lustre skin

If you are feeling your skin is looking a little lack-lustre, sallow or like you’ve aged a few years (so me at the moment!) try this outstanding night cream (you can thank me later!) it literally envelopes your skin with ultra-comfy marine goodness and provides optimum skin hydration throughout the night. Even when you wake in the morning it appears to still be working its magic as skin look beautifully hydrated, revitalized and definitely plumper! And no it is not an optical illusion! It’s the real thing!

The spot cream

Pevonia Spot Treatment

Best for breakout prone skin

Rich in the best blemish busting ingredients – Glycolic Acid, Aloe Vera and Benzoyl Peroxide – this fast-acting and healing treatment combats blemish-causing bacteria, and clears pores, effectively reducing breakouts overnight without being harsh on the skin like some spot treatments! Plus, it prevents further breakouts from forming! Genius.

The eye cream

Pevonia’s C Evolutive Eye Gel

Best for tired, puffy eyes

This eye gel has been a personal favourite of mine for many a year. When it comes to tired, puffy eyes it’s my go-to everytime! Formulated with anti-ageing dynamo Vitamin C and skin saviours hyaluronic acid and Ginko biloba, it’ll have your peepers decongested and depuffed in one swift application! I promise.

The treatment cream

Pevonia “C” Complexe

Best for dull, devitalized and hyperpigmented skin

Vitamin C and hydration hero hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing skin while effectively correcting photo-damage. Not only does it have the most beautiful citrus aroma, when applied skin looks instantly brighter and dewier too! It’s really great stuff and I’m personally testament to that!

Bonus: The makeup multi-tasker

ELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30

Best for all skin types

Your moisturiser, primer, sunscreen and foundation in one, the ELES Age-Defying BB Cream SPF 30 is a multi-tasking makeup miracle, suitable for all skin types! A big call I know, but it’s not one of BC’s best-sellers for nothing!

It primes, tints, nourishes, protects, blurs and evens out your skin tone for a truly, natural, flawless finish. And thanks to its skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Goji berry, Squalane, a multi-mineral complex, and age defying peptides, over time it will help to promote cell health, strengthen elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and restore that natural glow you once donned! What’s more, you’ll feel as though you aren’t even wearing makeup, no easy feat for a foundation or any product with SPF for that matter!

The best makeup tips and products to calm and conceal rosacea

April 8, 2022/in How To /by Jo Boyden

Suffering from rosacea? Need advice on how to counteract and conceal it? No worries, we are here to help!

While we’ve already talked about the best skincare solutions for rosacea flareups it’s time to talk makeup. Choosing the right products, like your skincare, is paramount as certain cosmetics can exacerbate an already chronic condition, just want you don’t need! But the idea of going makeup free isn’t an option – we know. Good news is, it’s possible to perfectly conceal the facial redness caused by rosacea and we are here to tell you how.

Mineral makeup is hands down the best choice for those suffering with rosacea.

Why? Because the products don’t contain potentially irritating ingredients. They also contain innovative formulas specifically created to colour-correct redness.

Formulated with skin loving ingredients and no chemical nasties, ELES Cosmetics has a range of mineral makeup must-have’s perfect for covering up skincare woes including rosacea. The products also allow skin to breath freely so no clogging pores and aggravating irritated skin!

Before applying foundation, always use a primer first!

Primers are amazing tools that not only create a smooth canvas for your foundation, but they also have the ability to literally prevent your makeup sliding right off your face, especially if your skin tends to be on the oily side. What’s more, they also create a barrier between your skin and your makeup preventing any further irritation. We highly recommend ELES Retexture Crème Face Primer. It’s a deeply soothing liquid-cream made with Aloe Vera leaf extract, Roman Chamomile, Witch Hazel, Calendula, Mallow Flower and Centaurea Cyanus Flower extract, that smooths, soothes, hydrates, retexturizes and refines, so foundation applies effortlessly and endures impeccably for hours!

Set your foundation in place with a powder.

This will help your makeup wear beautifully throughout the day, so redness stays covered–phew! It’s also a good idea to apply with a brush rather than a sponge which tends to harbour bacteria more. We love ELES Mineral Powder Foundation. Highly compatible with common skin sensitivities, this lightweight powder easily adjusts from sheer to richer, more opaque coverage while effectively camouflaging imperfections.

Remember less is more when it comes to those with skin sensitivities and facial flareups.

You don’t want to overdo it when it comes to layering those products. Skin needs to breath and too many products can lead to further inflammation.

Opt for multi-tasting products like colour correctors and breathable foundations.

Our go-to for concealing rosacea is a good colour corrector which will help visually correct redness and even out skin tone too! Using one with UV protection will also help shield your sensitive skin from exposure that can aggravate rosacea. Try ELES Luminous CC Cream 20 to instantly conceal redness! This lightweight, oil-free colour correcting cream with broad spectrum protection, multi-tasks like no other! It not only brightens, hydrates and keeps oiliness at bay for over 12 hours, it has a cutting-edge colour correcting system that visibly calms the most inflamed skin too. Photo-luminescent diamond and an optically transparent polymer work together to “bounce” light from the skin, instantly concealing redness and visibly smoothing the skin’s surface.

10 skincare solutions for rosacea flareups that really do work!

April 7, 2022/in How To /by Jo Boyden

Skin somewhat irritated at the moment? Suffering from facial redness or pimple like breakouts? Chances are you have rosacea, a very common skin condition that can actually affect just about anyone, so you are definitely not alone!

As well as being a common skin condition, rosacea can also be quite unpredictable – cue sudden facial flareups – and like acne, can be triggered (and exacerbated!) by a number of factors, including stress, sunlight, wind, exercise, caffeine, alcohol, heat and spicy foods!

While there is, unfortunately, no cure for rosacea, you can definitely avoid flareups by incorporating the right skincare products into your daily routine. From gentle face washes to soothing serums, read on as we reveal our top 10 skincare saviours. 10 products the BC experts swear by too…

The best cleansers for rosacea

Cleansing your skin is imperative for everyone but for those suffering from rosacea it’s essential to use mild, non-abrasive cleansers and rinse with lukewarm water (not hot that can further trigger the flush).

Pevonia RS2 Cleanser

Pevonia’s RS2 Gentle Cleanser has been especially designed to counteract the signs of rosacea. Ideal for hypersensitivity, it’s a calming, creamy cleanser which gently removes impurities with soothing, cooling and decongesting allantoin, French rose and chamomile.

Phytomer Accept Soothing Cleansing Milk

This 2-in-1 treatment cleanser has the cleansing action of milk combined with the toning action of a toner. It gently yet effectively removes make-up, cleanses, tones and soothes even the most sensitive of complexions without irritation. Excellent for rosacea prone skin.

The best serums rosacea

Serums are like a shot of goodness for the skin. Firstly, they tend to perform above and beyond many regular skincare products, this is because they are developed with a higher concentration of targeted active ingredients. Secondly, the purpose of a serum is to target a specific concern, i.e Rosacea!

Pevonia RS2 serum

If you’re suffering from rosacea a soothing serum is a must! Choose one rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients such as Green Tea, Licorice, and Olibanum, that work deeply to strengthen capillaries, control blotchiness and restore calmness like Pevonia’s RS2 serum.

Pevonia Soothing Propolis Concentrate

With anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, this outstanding serum is the perfect elixir for inflamed, sensitive or acne prone skin. Rich in soothing ingredients including propolis, lavender and vetiver oil, it desensitizes, decongests, heals and strengthen fragile skin!

Vie Collection Rosa Control Relief Concentrate for redness

A soothing, non-comedogenic, non-greasy, fragrance-free fluid enriched with hydrating, nourishing and soothing ingredients and can be used alone or in combination with usual facial cream. With a protective and repairing vitamin and peptide cocktail, ROSA CONTROL reduces flushing, erythrosis, couperose and rosacea while hydrating and soothing the skin. Skin’s barrier function is strengthened, free radicals neutralized and skin redness reduced.

The best moisturisers rosacea

Whether rosacea makes your skin dry, oily, bumpy or irritated it’s imperative you still moisturise daily. Moisturising not only helps hydrate your skin by trapping in water, but also creates a barrier that locks out irritants and can help keep symptoms at bay. Choosing the wrong moisturiser however can exacerbate the condition so make sure you select wisely!

Pevonia RS2 Cream

Rich in licorice root extract (also known as nature’s cortisone) this beautifully nurturing cream is soothing like ice on sensitive skin. Formulated with Green Tea, Licorice, and Chamomile, it provides your skin vaso-constricting, repairing, and hydrating benefits!

What’s more for the month of April, if you purchase this best-selling cream, you’ll receive the matching cleanser and lotion 50ml for FREE!

Phytomer Douceur Marine

This best-selling moisturiser from Phytomer is outstanding for those suffering from sensitive, acne or rosacea prone skin. It’s intensely comforting formula feels like velvet on the skin and effectively nourishes, cools, calms, soothes and reduces skin redness and discomfort!

The best masks for rosacea

Applying a face mask can be a game-changer for your complexion no matter what your skin type or concern! In fact, face masks offer immediate gratification for a multitude of skin conditions from dryness to inflammation, redness to acne and more.

Phytomer Accept Comfort Mask

Specially formulated for seriously sensitive skins, this anti-inflammatory, desensitizing cream mask boosts skins defence system to reduce inflammation and redness. Hypoallergenic, it smooths on to calm, heal, soften and hydrate the complexion. Skin is left feeling moisturized, balanced and comfortable and redness is gone!

The best makeup for rosacea

For those of us rosacea sufferers, leaving our rouge faces uncovered isn’t an option, the problem is makeup can exacerbate this already chronic condition. So rather than covering up your redness with a thick layer of concealer followed by foundation, it’s best to opt for a colour corrector which will help visually correct redness and even out skin tone. Or if you want to keep things simple and subtle try using a buildable mineral powder foundation instead. Using one with UV protection will also help shield your sensitive skin from exposure that can also aggravate rosacea.

ELES Luminous CC Cream 20

This lightweight, oil-free, colour correcting cream with broad spectrum protection multi-tasks like no other! And while it’s technically not a foundation, the full coverage pigments cover redness—be it from rosacea, pimples, irritation, you name it—so well that you very well may be able to get away without wearing any other makeup. What’s more it’s Hypoallergenic, oil-free and paraben-free making it the perfect choice for those with skin sensitivities like rosacea.

ELES Mineral Powder Foundation

As a sufferer of want for a better word ‘flushed skin’ I personally LOVE the best-selling ELES Mineral Powder Foundation! It’s one of the most natural-looking foundations I have ever tried and is easily buildable depending on the coverage you want to achieve. It contains zero chemical nasties, instead, it’s packed with skin loving ingredients including vitamins A & E, and it’s highly compatible with common skin sensitivities, working wonders at camouflaging facial redness while protecting skin against ultraviolet damage too!

Who wore it best at the Oscars? 4 red carpet looks you’ll want to try

April 1, 2022/in How To /by Jo Boyden

Earlier this week we saw the return of the infamous Oscars! And boy did it go off with a bang! After two years away from the red carpet, the A-listers were eager to be back flaunting their stuff, while waiting in anticipation to find out who would be recognised as the 94^th Academy Award winners! But Hollywood’s biggest night of the year isn’t just about film or show-stopping frocks, it’s about the hair and makeup we all want to master too!

From elegant updo’s and lit-from-within skin, beautiful bold lips and shimmer eyeshadow, this year the stars did not disappoint! Read on as we breakdown our favourite four makeup looks, the looks we’re sure you’ll want to try, and with the right tools they are pretty simple to achieve too!

Kirsten Dunst

Pretty in pink, the A-lister opted for plenty of blush, coupled with subtle rouge lips and smouldering eyes.

Get the look

To create her gorgeous complexion, apply a lightweight foundation for fresh undetectable coverage, like ELES Cosmetics HD Luminous Foundation, followed by lots of blush applied to the apples of the cheeks. Nothing says romance like a flushed cheek that’s for sure!

For the eyes take an eyeshadow trio like ELES’s Build your own shadow palette. Firstly, take your base (a soft brown shade is best) and apply a wash all over your eye lid. Next take a shimmer copper shade and blend softly above the crease of your eye lid, as well as beneath the lower lash line for a subtle smoky eye. Finally add your third shade, like ELES’s Diamond shadow, to your brow bone to add highlight. Once complete layer on coats of ELES Lash Fortify Mascara in Black to both the upper and lower lashes applying from the base to the tip in a slow sweeping motion.

To complete the look, reach for a soft rouge lippie. We adore the ELES Velvet Satin lipstick in Middlesex Street.

Zendaya

The 25-year-old turns every look into a masterpiece, but one that we can actually achieve! On the red carpet this year she went subtle with a soft updo, shimmery eyeshadow, glossy nude lips, bronzed cheeks and brushed eyebrows. Heavenly!

Get the look

To create her flawless skin, apply a soft matte foundation, (we love ELES Cosmetic’s best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation), followed by a powder bronzer to contour beneath your cheeks and jawline to “slim” the face. The ELES Mineral Sheer Bronzer in Rio De Janeiro is perfect for recreating this bronzed glow. Apply a little extra to your forehead to add that “sun-kissed” warmth and if you want to be a real showstopper, dab on a little stick illuminator above the apples of your cheeks and down the centre of your nose.

For Zendaya’s shimmery standout eyes you need three stand-out eyeshades. Firstly apply ELES Contour Brown to eyelids and blend softly above the crease of your eye lid. Next apply a silvery white shimmer shade like ELES Mineral Shadow in Diamond and finish with ELES Mineral Shadow in Light Sunray beneath the lower lash line. Complete the eyes with lashings of mascara.

For that subtle flush of colour on the lips, use a lip liner to gently fill in (we recommend the ELES Gel Lipliner in Rose Brown) and then add a touch of gloss like our ELES Pucker-Up Lipgloss in Love Bite for that hint of shine.

Jessica Chastain

The best actress winner stunned us with her glowy, peach-toned look that perfectly complimented her golden Gucci gown.

Get the look

While Chastain’s complexion is naturally radiant, her red-carpet look begins with a flawless foundation like ELES Cosmetic’s best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. Work a small amount into your fingertips to warm the product and press into the skin all over the face, keep patting and pressing until the product is evenly dispersed then lightly blend into the face with your fingers until you have an even coverage. Set with a light dusting of ELES Mineral Powder Foundation.

Next apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and then take a highlighter to lighten up the face and add dimension without creating any harsh lines.

For the eyes use a peachy, pastel palette. Firstly, take your base, like ELES’s mineral shadow in Sienna and apply a wash all over your eye lid, also apply to the bottom lash line for a subtle smoky eye effect. Next take a shimmer peachy shade like Warm glow and blend softly above the crease of your eye lid and finally add a shimmer white shade like Diamond to the inner corners of your eyes to really make them pop. Follow with several coats of mascara to the top lashes. Work from the base of the lashes wiggling the wand slowly up the lashes for extra volume. Try ELES Lash Fortify Mascara in Black.

A pinky/nude lip is the perfect way to finish off the entire look, allowing the colour from the blush to pop while offsetting the sparkly eyes. Try ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Nutmeg.

Lily James

The Cinderella actress was the belle of the ball rocking 90s glam makeup and beautifully beachy waved hair.

Get the look

Apply ELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30 to the face and spread and pat the product until

completely blended. Using the ELES Small Concealer Brush tap the ELES Dual Action Concealer beneath the eye area and on the eyelids, pat into the skin until seamlessly blended.

Apply a light dusting of Baked Blush in Petunia to the upper cheeks.

Line the upper and lower lashes with Superwear Gel Liner in Noir, then using a Short Shader Brush, smudge the liner out to soften the edges. Apply a plum eyeshadow shade like ELES’s Mineral Matte Blush in Roselle to eyelids and blend upwards and out to create Lily’s alluring eyes. Finish eyes by applying several coats of Lash Fortify Mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

Complete look with ELES Velvet Satin Lipstick in Garden’s Lane on the lips.

Posts

The cleanser

The exfoliator

The moisturiser

The serum

The face mask

The face oil

The night cream

The spot cream

The eye cream

The treatment cream

Bonus: The makeup multi-tasker

Mineral makeup is hands down the best choice for those suffering with rosacea.

Before applying foundation, always use a primer first!

Set your foundation in place with a powder.

Remember less is more when it comes to those with skin sensitivities and facial flareups.

Opt for multi-tasting products like colour correctors and breathable foundations.

The best cleansers for rosacea

The best serums rosacea

The best moisturisers rosacea

What’s more for the month of April, if you purchase this best-selling cream, you’ll receive the matching cleanser and lotion 50ml for FREE!

The best masks for rosacea

The best makeup for rosacea

Kirsten Dunst

Zendaya

Jessica Chastain

Lily James