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Beauty Collective - Exfoliation and Sensitive Skin

Exfoliation and sensitive skin, here’s what to do

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If you suffer from sensitive skin the idea of exfoliating might scare you. After all you don’t want to exacerbate your already irritated skin, right? The thing is exfoliation should be a crucial part of your regular skincare routine no matter what your skin type or concern. Why? Because it offers a multitude of benefits, from removing dulling dead skin cells, to preventing clogged pores, encouraging cell turnover (so those healthy, new cells can come through) and more! In fact, it’s the one step in your skincare routine which will really help reveal glowy, silky-soft skin! However, before exfoliating your face, you do need to know how often to exfoliate and what exfoliating products will be best suited to your sensitive skin. As experts in skincare, we are here to guide you. Keep reading as we discuss exfoliation and sensitive skin and what it is you should do.

 

Which type of exfoliators are best for sensitive skin?

There are three different types of exfoliants – physical (scrubs which contain beads or small grains to manually remove surface debris), chemical (acid exfoliants which chemically dissolve debris) and enzyme (plant or fruit derived exfoliants that generally breaks down the ‘glue’ that hold dead skin cells together shedding old cells).

For sensitive skin its essential to avoid scrubbing, this will only irritate already reactive skin and can lead to facial redness. Instead use a mild chemical exfoliator, containing AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) such as citric, glycolic and lactic acid, or enzyme exfoliators. These earth-sourced ingredients essentially dissolve dead skin cells as opposed to physically scrubbing them off.

Be a little more cautious with exfoliators formulated with BHA’s (beta hydroxy acids) such as salicylic acid. While salicylic is great for acne prone skin it can be too harsh for those this skin sensitivities.

 

How often should you exfoliate if you have sensitive skin?

Once a week is fine, if your skin can tolerate it, increasing to two times can be beneficial but don’t rush it! It’s important to be consistent and go slowly to avoid any additional irritation. After all over-exfoliating can compromise your skin’s natural protective barrier – the surface of your skin which has a protective layer of oils and lipids which helps lock in essential moisture and keeps irritants out!

 

What are the best exfoliating products to use on sensitive skin?

Phytomer Vegetal Exfoliant with natural enzymes

We highly recommend this very gentle enzyme exfoliant. Perfect for for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin types, it uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating skin.

“I have the most sensitive skin, so I can’t use exfoliants that contain microbeads or scrubs…this is a great alternative. It sloughs off all of the dead skin cells without ever irritating my skin! I use it once a week at the minimum, and it keeps my face glowing and smooth. It’s the most wonderful exfoliant ever!” Sarah R

Phytomer's Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes

Pevonia Enzymo Spherides Peeling Cream

This mini facial in a jar (literally) will do wonders for all skin types even the most sensitive of skin types. And no don’t let the word ‘peel’ put you off! It combines natural fruit pineapple and papaya enzymes with citric and  to gently and effectively eliminate impurities, blackheads, dead cells and toxins and it’s so easy to use! Simply apply a thin layer to cleansed skin, wet your fingertips with warm water (this will help to ‘wake up’ the enzymes) and work the peeling cream with gentle massage movements into skin, leave on for 5 minutes and then thoroughly rinse away. Nothing makes skin feel cleaner, softer, smoother and brighter than this jar of goodness!! Trust me.

“Absolutely the best product on the market. Perfect for all skin types and ages. Truly amazing. It’s gentle and effective, skin is left bright and soft.” Lisa W

Pevonia - Enzymo Spherides Peeling Cream

Beauty Collective - youngest beauty products

These are the newest BC products we’re obsessed with

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Whether you are a self-confessed makeup addict, a serious skincare lover, or are simply looking for that new must-have beauty buy, BC has it all! But with our huge range of skincare and makeup products it can be hard to know where to start!
Well today we are talking all things new! Keep reading for our round up of BC’s latest launches, 5 products we are obsessing over and genuine game-changers that you should consider buying too!

NEW ELES Sheet Masks

Sheet masks are an easy and effective way to provide your skin with an immediate, big boost of vitamins and moisture. They’re also a fun way to relax and pamper yourself at home! And these are just two of the many sheet mask benefits!

The new ELES Sheet Masks comprise of three super effective masks for a number of skin specific needs – “calming and soothing”, “hydrating and brightening” and “youth recovery” (anti-ageing).

The face-shaped, serum-soaked sheets – which come one to a pouch, are professional strength so they deliver so much more than a dose of moisture. Made with 100% pure cotton they are literally drenched with the highest percentage of natural, active ingredients on the market and deliver a cocktail of goodness to the skin. Just one application provides intense results like a complete facial treatment! So whether your skin is looking dehydrated and lacklustre, your sensitive skin could do with some serious loving or your worried about wrinkles, there is a sheet mask just for you!

ELES - Calming and Soothing Sheet Mask

NEW Phytomer Oligo 6

With 6 powerful vitamin, mineral and prebiotic booster ingredients, this product was always going to pack a punch and boy does it do just that! It is the ultimate go-to concentrate when it comes to reviving tried, dull skin. Thanks to its unique composition of vitamin c, provitamin B5, Vitamins B3 and E, Phytomer’s marine prebiotic complex and OLIGOMER® (seawater concentrate rich in minerals and trace elements), this gel like serum is able to revitalize and awaken the skin with more cellular energy than any other serum we’ve tried! What’s more it’s deeply moisturising so no more dry, devitalized skin! Oh, and did I mention the sea inspired scent? Heaven. Literally apply it to your face every morning and evening and let it work its magic.

Phytomer - Oligo 6

NEW ELES HD Translucent Powder

All hail translucent powders and this one is our favourite yet! Worn alone or as a final step for any makeup routine, a quick sweep of this powder can make all the difference to your skin and longer-lasting look!

It’s a loose setting powder that doubles as a photo filter, blurring the appearance of pores, uneven texture and imperfections for an air-brushed, soft-focus effect on the skin. It provides sheer, natural coverage without any “caking” every time you apply, plus it reduces the appearance of shine too thanks to its formulation of 100% mineral silica powder, perfect for absorbing that unwanted excess oil! And that’s not all! Using silica topically will also improve skin’s elasticity, texture and hydration, reducing visible signs of ageing over time. Oh, and it’s vegan, gluten free, paraben free, sulphate free and talc free! Win, win, win in our books!

Beauty Collective ELES - HD Translucent Powder

NEW Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra-Mist

Much like its predecessor – Pevonia’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum, this breakthrough beauty is a true hydration hero thanks to its high concentration of hyaluronic acid which literally binds moisture to skin cells instantly delivering suppled, dewy skin a matter of seconds and indeed does this product do just that! Often it takes time to see results when it comes to skincare, but with this product the results are almost instant – brighter, plumper, healthier skin fast! From the moment you spritz it, you can feel it going to work on your skin!

As well as Hyaluronic Acid, it’s formulated with a blend of ultra-calming Chamomile, Aloe, Green Tea and aromatic essential oils too! Making this powerhouse product ideal for all skin types, especially dehydrated, irritated, and ageing skin!
A true multi-tasker, it can be used;

  • in the morning to revitalise your senses and replenish the moisture your skin has lost overnight
  • applied after your makeup to set it in place for the day
  • spritzed throughout the day to help your skin stay supple and fresh
  • as the perfect pick-me-up when you’re feeling a little sluggish
  • or as a toner to enhance your evening cleanse.

What’s more it will actually improve the absorption of your serum and moisturiser optimising the benefits and overall results too!

So, if you are after a product that does it all, with undeniably radiant skin as the end result, look no further than Pevonia’s New Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Mist, you won’t be disappointed I promise!

Beauty Collective - Pevonia - Hyaluronic Acid HydraMist™

NEW Phytomer Seatonic Stretchmark & Firming Oil

While stretch marks are synonymous with pregnant woman, they can actually happen to anyone at any time! In fact, stretch marks are completely normal, but if you’re looking to treat them or simply help prevent them from forming in the first place, this product is for you!

This 2-in-1 treatment has been formulated with the lifting and regenerating benefits of marine and vegetal oils to both firm skin and fight stretch marks! It’s ultra-light dry oily texture leaves skin smoother and softer with a satiny finish while the heavenly scent of orange flower creates a multisensory experience! Day after day, your skin will look firmer and tighter (really!) while stretch marks will become less noticeable.

Beauty Collective - blush

A complete guide on where and how to apply blush correctly

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Ah blush! The one product in your beauty arsenal that can enhance the features on your face while providing skin with a natural warm, rosy glow.

I’m personally a huge lover of blush and wear mine daily all year round. It’s the perfect go-to when you’re after a minimal makeup look that’s quick and easy to apply. It also works in perfect unison with bronzer when you want to contour your face or simply create a healthy sun kissed glow. The problem is with the many conflicting tutorials out there, where, and how do you actually apply it? Well, we turned to the experts at Beauty Collective for the low-down. Keep reading for our complete guide on all things blush!

Why you should wear blush

When used correctly, blush can totally transform pale, dull or washed-out skin. It infuses warmth into any complexion by adding a touch of natural, flushed-cheek colour, so your face looks instantly brighter, healthier (and perkier!)

Blush is also a great multitasker! This complexion booster not only adds colour to your cheeks but can also double as an eyeshadow (a great way to tie your makeup look together) and if you opt for a brown-toned blusher you can use it to contour your face. That way you get a blush and contour effect in one – a great time-saver!

What type of blush should you use?

Today’s blushes come in many textures — cream, powder, liquid. As a general rule of thumb, cream is great for dry skin, while powder is the best option for oily skin types, but it’s also a personal preference. Natural makeup works well with creams, but with powder you can be more direct on where you place it, and it tends to last longer too.

However, for the best of both worlds we highly recommend baked blush – a pigment packed powder blush! Powders are usually made from lots of pressed powders, but baked powders are actually creams that have been baked slowly in a specialist oven until they are dry. This is what gives baked makeup some of its unique attributes; it has an ultra-soft, velvety texture and provides a sheer wash of soft colour for a naturally flushed complexion.

How do you choose the right blush shade?

Choosing the right shade can be a little tricky. Firstly, you need to understand your skin’s undertone (whether it’s warm, cool or neutral) then once you know this, choose a shade within your undertone, you can go as light, natural, bright or deep as you want.

In general, if you have fair skin opt for light, dusty pinks and sheer peaches. If you want to make a bold statement, you can even give bright pink a go!

For medium skin bright pink looks great on a cool undertone while coral and orange bring out warm tones.

And if your skin is more on the olive side, anything with a golden undertone will bring out the rich warm tones in your skin. If you’re more of a cool olive, try light plums and cool pinks.

How to apply blush

How you apply your blush is just as important as the type and shade you choose. Firstly, you have to select the right tool for application! Opt for a sponge when using creams, a sponge or fingers work fine with liquids and use a brush for powders.

If powder blush is for you, you need to choose your brush wisely too! A big soft brush can be very ineffective. Choosing a specific powder blush brush is your best bet as it tends to be on the firmer side so that when you apply the blush to your skin you can control the powder and ensure in spreads correctly and in the right place.

Where to apply blush

The ever-popular question of where to apply your blush can have a different answer depending on what you read, or what the trends are, however here at BC we use the general rule of thumb as below;

For a natural look

Follow the natural structure of your cheekbones. It’s best to smile and then apply blush to the apples of your cheek and blend towards your temples/ears. This will lift your cheekbones and add a little extra colour to your face without looking over the top.

For an instant facelift (and to make your face appear more oval-shaped)

Apply blush to the back of your cheekbones into your temples

For a sun kissed glow

Apply blush underneath your eyes, across the bridge of the nose, and back toward the ear.

To shorten your face and create balance

Apply blush to the centre of the apples and out, just toward your eyes, avoiding blending too far out toward the temples.

Just remember blending is key when it comes to blush application!

How can you make your blush last all day?

Applying a primer to your skin before makeup application will help keep makeup in place.

Also, once you’ve completed your makeup routine, use a facial mist or setting spray such as Pevonia’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Mist.

Now go yonder and blush away! And experience how incredibly energizing it can be for your complexion!

brighten dull skin - woman with beautiful skin

6 ways to brighten your dull skin

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Fed up with looking at your tired, dull skin in the mirror every morning? Miss that radiant complexion you once had and wonder if it’s possible you’ll ever get it back? Well, you can wonder no more as the answer is yes, and we are here to tell you how! Keep reading as we give you the lowdown on why your complexion is looking so lacklustre and 5 ways you can brighten skin naturally!

Firstly though, what exactly is dull skin?

Dull skin is skin that lacks radiance. It can appear lacklustre, dry, patchy and even a little rough to touch at times. Dullness can also be accompanied by an uneven skin texture because its less able to reflect light uniformly.

Why is your skin looking dull and 6 simple solutions to brighten it

  1. Dead skin cells

Dull skin is often the result of dead skin cell build up on the skin’s surface. It can happen at any age but is more common as we get older and our body’s ability to naturally shed dead skin cells and replace with new ones decreases!

SOLUTION: Exfoliate skin weekly. Twice if your skin tends to be on the oily/combination side.

Exfoliation is an essential step to any skincare routine because it’s the most effective way of removing dull, dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, making way for the new cells to come through and pores to remain unclogged. To learn more about exfoliation and the best exfoliators for your skin type click here.

 

  1. Fatigue

If you’re feeling fatigued your skin will visibly reflect it by looking pale, dull and devitalized, often accompanied with dark, puffy peepers and exacerbated fine lines too! This is because when we are tired the blood in our body is not flowing efficiently which normally results in a lack of oxygen in the blood.

SOLUTION: Use an oxygenating serum

Phytomer’s Souffle Marin Energizing Oxygenating Serum is a beautifully lightweight serum that literally coats the skin in pure oxygen, providing the cells with the vivid rejuvenation they need. Formulated with marine extracts, the invigorating, moisturising blend, ensures fresher, more youthful skin with an overall increase in visible radiance.

Beauty Collective - Phytomer - Souffle Marin Energizing Oxygenating Serum

  1. Free radical damage

Free radicals (from pollution) can really take its toll on our skin. It damages collagen and stimulates pigment production causing our complexion to look tired and drab.

SOLUTION: Introduce Vitamin C into your skincare routine

It can totally transform your skin! Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and THE go-to ingredient to dramatically brighten skin.

For more information on Vitamin C and its multitude of benefits click here.

  1. Lack of sleep

While you sleep, your skin is active. It’s the time your skin renews and repairs itself. Lack of sufficient sleep means your skin is not able to do this which in turn can dramatically affect its appearance from dull skin to dehydration, blemishes and premature ageing!

SOLUTION: Use relaxation enhancing products before bed and try to get more sleep!

If you find it hard to relax and fall asleep use products that will not only benefit your skin but calm your mind and senses too!

Try Pevonia’s Vitaminic Concentrate. The radical treatment oil for skin lacking lustre, combats dullness and dehydration with a burst of vitamins A and E and Mandarin Essential Oil, so your complexion will look beautifully brighter and rejuvenated by morning. What’s more it has the most amazing aroma which alone helps calm the senses, and even though it’s an oil, it’s fast absorbing so you know it’s doing great stuff to your skin!

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Vitaminic Concentrate

  1. Lack of water

When you don’t drink enough water a day, the amount of water in your skin’s surface dramatically declines leaving you with skin that looks deflated and dull instead of visibly plumped.

SOLUTION: Replenish dull, dehydrated skin cells with hydration hero Hyaluronic Acid

Thanks to its sponge like effect, this super skincare ingredient has the ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in moisture, in other words, one gram of hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to six litres of water! Crazy right? And now, thanks to its molecular structure Hyaluronic acid has the ability to deeply penetrate to instantly deliver supple, dewy skin in a matter of seconds! In fact, it literally binds moisture to skin cells to keep skin smooth, firm, plump, and undeniably radiant!

We are literally in LOVE with Pevonia’s New Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Mist! It feels a-mazing when spritzed all over the face and literally binds moisture to skin cells, instantly delivering supple, dewy skin in a matter of seconds!

And if you need a nourishing cream, you can’t go wrong with Pevonia’s Power Repair Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream. This global best-seller is in fact abundant in Hyaluronic acid and Collagen, and acts like a moisture magnet, plumping and firming the skin immediately.

  1. Not removing your makeup before bed

I’m sure we’ve ALL been guilty of this once or many a time! Especially when we are exhausted after the daily juggle, or perhaps have had one too many and ooh how that bed looks so inviting but removing the days makeup and grime off your face is a must! In fact not cleansing before bed means your skin is unable to regenerate effectively while you sleep, pores clog, and fatigue (ageing!) signs start to appear.

SOLUTION: Use a cleanser you’ll LOVE

For a fantastic makeup remover which effectively melts away makeup and grime with minimum effort try Phytomer’s Doux Contour Eye and Lip Waterproof Makeup Remover. Combining the effectiveness of an oil (a trio of oils in fact) and the gentleness of a lotion, this ultra-hydrating makeup remover, eradicates even the most stubborn of lips and eye makeup fast! And my absolute favourite cleanser at the moment is Pevonia’s new CleanRefresh Foaming Oil Cleanser. Its oil formulation transforms into a luscious foamy cleanser on application when mixed with water and it leaves skin feeling fantastically refreshed and beautifully clean without the drying effects that other cleansers can leave. Plus, its subtle scent is just heavenly.

Phytomer - DOUX CONTOUR Eye And Lip Waterproof Makeup Remover