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Beauty Collective - lockdown skincare

8 beauty products to truly treat yourself and your skin this lockdown

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Feeling the lockdown blues? No time to treat yourself because #WFH while also #homeschooling? Or simply feeling in a bit of a funk?

Time poor many of us might currently be, but surely, we can all make a little time, morning or night, to treat ourselves? During unsettling times it’s so important to look after our mental wellbeing, and one way to do so is by practicing a little self-care. Putting aside as little as even 5-10 minutes to treat yourself with a little pampering can have a profound effect on your mindset and skin of course! So read on as I reveal 8 beauty treats I am personally loving this looong lockdown. I promise that they will make you, like me, feel all the more better.

 

  1. Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream

Something I love to do every few weeks is treat myself to an at-home peel, and I highly recommend you should too because it’ll do wonders for your skin!  Do not let the word ‘peel’ put you off though. I naturally have fairly sensitive skin but Pevonia’s Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream works wonders for my complexion and is great for all skin types too.  It combines natural fruit pineapple and papaya enzymes to eliminate impurities, blackheads, dead cells and toxins and in turn reveals smooth, soft and glowing skin every. Single. Time. For those of us who are extremely time poor, this product is like a mini facial in a jar! Don’t just take my word for it though, read all the fabulous reviews too!

Pevonia - Enzymo Spherides Peeling Cream

 

  1. De-stress Escape Aromatic Oil

If both you and your skin are feeling a little stressed you are going to love this product! With all the benefits of 4 mood enhancing essential oils – lavender, grapefruit, chamomile and rose, combined with squalane and vitamin e, this newly released organic must-have not only reduces dryness and dehydration while soothing, calming and brightening skin, it also promotes an immediate feeling of increased wellbeing and relaxation as soon as you apply it!

Beauty Collective - Pevonia De-Stress Escape Aromatic Oil

  1. Vitaminic Concentrate

Probably one of my favourite products of all time (yes big call I know), Pevonia’s Vitaminic Concentrate works wonders for my skin. Often dry and devitalised all I need is a dose of this before bed and I wake up to beautifully brighter, rejuvenated skin by morning. I LOVE applying it because both its silky texture and mandarin essential oil aroma are heaven, plus it immediately calms me! What’s more, 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. Phytomer Oligomer Well Being Sensation Essential Minerals Relaxing Bath

Little instantly reduces stress quite like taking a relaxing remineralizing bath, so I do make sure I find the time at least once a week (after bathing and putting the kids to bed!) to indulge in one myself. I love to create a spa-like atmosphere to really set the mood, by lighting my favourite candles, burning some essential oils, and putting on soothing spa sounds on spotify or youtube! Next, I fill the bath with a de-stressing bath foam or detoxifying salts. After having the luxury of trying many a bath products, I have to say Phytomer’s Oligomer Well Being Sensation Essential Minerals Relaxing Bath is one of my absolute favourites. It’s lightly foaming and enriched with Oligomer – a partially sodium-reduced seawater concentrate that contains all of the remineralizing properties of seawater (yess!) –to strengthen and restore the skin and release all pent-up tension. And that it does. Sound good? It really, really is!

Beauty Collective - Phytomer - Oligomer® Well Being Sensation Essential Minerals Relaxing Bath

 

  1. Phytomer Oligomer Wellbeing Sensation Moisturising Body Cream

It’s easy to neglect our bodies during winter, throw in a lockdown and it’s all out forgotten!

Give your body a little loving by introducing Phytomer’s Oligomer Wellbeing Sensation Moisturising Body Cream. Phytomer have worked wonders again in creating this amazing cream and the name speaks for itself! It literally melts into skin for an intensive moisturising experience, bathing skin a therapeutic seaside scent (lush) and its rich, soothing texture treats skin to all the benefits found in OLIGOMER® – a pure seawater concentrate that’s rich in minerals and trace elements.

We all know that seawater is good for not only our skin but our soul too, thanks to the multitude of miraculous benefits and a treasure trove of skin-loving ingredients it holds! But let’s face it, we aren’t likely to be taking a dip in the ocean any time soon thanks to the cold weather the majority of us are experiencing right now!! Brrrrr so this product really is the next best thing!

Beauty Collective - Phytomer Oligomer Well Being Sensation Moisturizing Body Cream with Trace Elements

 

  1. Pevonia Micro-Emulsion Massage Oil Anti-Stress

Never underestimate the power of massage! And yes I know for many of us a trip to our local spa or salon seems a long way off now, but it is possible to give yourself a little shoulder massage or if you live at home with others try and rope them into doing it for you! My little kids have become pros these last few lockdowns and they absolutely love playing therapist! While it’s not as relaxing or comfortable as I might like! It’s fun for all the family. For a therapeutic back and shoulder massage to alleviate aches and pains at the hands of stress, I highly recommend Pevonia’s Micro Emulsion Massage Oil Anti-Stress. It has a gorgeous aroma, is formulated with nourishing ingredients including Safflower, Geranium, and Orange Oils and it immediately releases pent up tension and fatigue. Bliss.

https://beautycollective.com.au/Pevonia-Micro-Emulsion-Massage-Oil-Anti-Stress

 

  1. Pevonia Tension Relief Gel

If your legs and feet are feeling heavy and fatigued, Pevonia’s Tension Relief Gel is a must.  It’s anti-inflammatory, cooling, and uplifting all in one and is amazing for relieving tension and tired, aching muscles and sore feet.

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Tension Relief Gel

 

  1. Pevonia Limited Edition At Home Facial Kit

While many of us might not be able to visit our beloved salon for a facial right now, we can try and put aside half an hour a week for an at-home facial ritual. Pevonia’s limited edition at-home facial kit has all the necessities to deep cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate and pamper your skin, you just need to follow these 5 simple steps on how to perform the facial.

Pevonia - Limited Edition At Home Facial Kit

Beauty Collective - Rosace debunking myths

The truth about rosacea: Debunking the myths

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With the amount of stress many of us are under right now thanks to #lockdown it’s likely those of us who suffer from rosacea have been susceptible to a few facial flair ups. The thing is so many of us (including those who are currently living with rosacea!) Are either blissfully unaware of the skin condition or totally misinformed!  Well, we are here to change that and separate fact from fiction by debunking 11 myths about this skin condition. So read on to understand what’s true and false and start establishing whether it might be rosacea you are currently suffering from yourself.

 

“Rosacea is just blushing skin”

FALSE

If only this was the case! You would never need to bother applying blush again, would you? Sadly, rosacea is a lot more sinister than facial flushing! Other symptoms include pimple like breakouts, enlarged pores, visible broken blood vessels, and at worse your skin can burn, itch, swell and throb!

 

“It can be triggered by stress”

TRUE

Stress and anxiety can indeed cause rosacea symptoms to worsen, nooooo! So some stress management techniques will be imperative (we could actually all do with some of that right now!) Make sure to get plenty of rest and practice mindfulness as this can really help combat the stress-inducing effects of negative thinking which let’s face it, we all are likely to be having a little of that right now!

There are several methods for increasing mindfulness a few of which include, mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and yoga. I have to say I am a huge advocate for yoga, which is so easy to do from the comfort of your own home! If you don’t know any yoga moves but would love to give it a try, fear not! There are some great yoga apps and YouTube videos you can follow. And while my kids are being home-schooled, they are loving starting their day with Cosmic Kids Yoga too! Win win for all!

And don’t forget to practice deep breathing when you feel anxiety creeping up.

 

“Rosacea can be caused by poor skincare choices”

FALSE

Rosacea is in fact a vascular and inflammatory condition and while your choice of skincare isn’t the cause, over cleansing and exfoliating with physical exfoliators can actually worsen symptoms.

 

“It can be triggered by extreme temperatures and sun exposure”

TRUE

Unfortunately, sun exposure is the most common trigger for rosacea. While we all love long days at the beach, if you suffer from rosacea your skin sadly will pay a price. Not only can sunburn make flare-ups even worse, the heat from the sun can also increase your body temperature which in turn dilates blood vessels and triggers inflammation. So limited sun exposure as well as wearing SPF is the way to go.

Beauty Collective - Phytomer - Sunactive Protective Sunscreen Dark Spots - Signs of Aging SPF30

“Rosacea is contagious”

FALSE

While experts are still trying to determine the exact cause of rosacea, we do know that there is no evidence to say that it’s an infectious skin condition. So, fear not, if you, a friend or a family member have rosacea, you can’t pass it on by touch, sharing cosmetics, or spending time around each other. Phew.

 

“Your cup of coffee can cause rosacea flare-ups”

TRUE & FALSE!

It’s ok, calm your farm, you don’t’ have to forgo your morning hit of caffeine just yet as no it isn’t actually your cuppa which is triggering the flare- ups but rather the thermal heat they omit. Cold cup of coffee anyone?

 

“Rosacea is a skin condition for only the over 50’s”

FALSE

While the peak ages for rosacea sufferers are between 30 and 60 years, you can get rosacea at any age! In fact, teenagers as young as 18 have been diagnosed.

 

“Rosacea is caused by alcohol and hot foods”

FALSE

While drinking alcohol and eating a spicy vindaloo can indeed trigger facial flushing, they are certainly not the cause of the condition. In fact, someone who’s never even had a drink in their life can just as easily develop rosacea as someone who enjoys spicy food and wine or two each night!

All that said, hot and spicy foods are however rosacea triggers for some, so it’s best to steer clear from things like horseradish dip and hot sauce when you’re drinking alcohol as heat dilates the blood vessels in the skin, and since hot foods generate heat, peppers are a big no-no!

And while alcohol might feel like a necessity for some (I hear you), sadly that glass of wine or three can potentially worsen your facial redness! While I’m not necessarily saying cut it out completely, you should cut down on the amount consumed while you are experiencing a flare-up. I promise you will notice a difference in your skin.

 

“Rosacea is the same as acne”

FALSE

One of the most common signs of rosacea – bumps and pimples, is also one of the most common causes of confusion about the skin condition! Why? Because it’s often mistaken and then misdiagnosed for acne! Unfortunately, while the two share similar symptoms, including pustules and papules and even redness (although in acne it’s isolated to the pimple or lump) acne, has a different underlying cause and needs to be treated very differently. Many ingredients used in acne specific products such as salicylic acid, vitamin A and exfoliators can cause irritation in rosacea-prone skin resulting in dryness, sensitivity and intensifying redness!

 

“Makeup makes rosacea worse”

FALSE

No one with rosacea wants to be told they can’t wear makeup because it’ll only exaggerate the skin condition. And not when the stress of having to face people without wearing a mask of makeup to conceal symptoms can actually trigger a flare-up! You do however need to be mindful about what you are putting on your face! Ensure you steer clear of chemical formulations and instead sick to a range of ‘breathable’ products formulated with skin nurturing ingredients that are going to enhance your complexion, not clog up your pores and irritate skin even more! Mineral Makeup should be your go-to! And we LOVE ELES Cosmetics Luminous CC Cream 20, rather than covering up your redness with a thick layer of concealer and foundation, this lightweight, oil-free colour correcting cream helps visually correct redness and even out skin tone.  What’s more it’s SPF 20 so will also help shield sensitive skin from sun exposure which can aggravate rosacea. To learn about the top 10 makeup tips and products to conceal rosacea click here.

ELES - CC Cream 20

 

“You can totally rid yourself of rosacea”

FALSE

While you can control rosacea so you speak, you, unfortunately, can’t eliminate the skin issue altogether because there is no cure. Skincare can however reduce redness and other associated symptoms keeping the skin condition at bay, you just need to choose your skincare wisely. Opt for products specifically designed to counteract the condition. We highly recommend Pevonia’s best-selling RS2 line – created by world renowned dermatologist, biochemist and a pioneer in advanced organic skincare, Dr. Sylvie Hennessy, the line was designed to specifically treat rosacea. Formulated with the purest, most natural, nurturing ingredients including Green Tea, Chamomile, Liquorice, Allantoin, Vitamin E and Rose Essential Oil all the products in the range help strengthen capillaries, desensitize, decongest, soothe, and hydrate the skin while rendering it evenly toned and visibly calmed!

Beauty Collective - RS2 line

 

If you are suffering from facial redness and want to understand more about the skin condition and how to combat it, you can read more here.

Beauty Collective - multi-masking - woman applying mask on her face

6 reasons you should start using a face mask now

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If you find yourself somewhat time poor at present (I hear you!) but your skin needs that little extra attention and love, applying a face mask can be the perfect quick fix, and I am here to tell you why. So read on to reveal 6 reasons you should add a weekly mask to your skincare routine, we promise you you’ll love the multitude of benefits and the outstanding results they bring to your skin.

 

  1. They give immediate gratification

While with most face masks you’ll need to leave it on for a minimum of 15 minutes, the results are instant and go way beyond the impact of your daily skincare routine! The right face mask can help hydrate skin, remove excess oils, improve the appearance of pores and more and after every application your skin will immerge tightened, toned, softer, smoother, and let’s not forget positively glowing!

 

  1. They are quick and easy to use and can be applied at any time

Unlike your daily skincare routine which likely takes place first thing in the morning and then again in the evening, the luxury of a face mask is you can apply it at any time, the application is ever so easy and will only take all of a minute! And while you wait for it to work its magic (which can be anywhere from 15 minutes to overnight) it’s a great excuse for a little “me time” and indulge in a bubble bath, watch your favourite show on Netflix or even continue working if need be!

 

  1. They are pampering and therapeutic

While many of us aren’t able to visit our local spa these days thanks to #lockdown, and home-schooling doesn’t allow us much ‘me’ time, a little pamper in the shape of a mask is a great way to not only address our skins needs but also make us feel amazing in little to no time! This is because a face mask can lift your spirit by stimulating your senses and allow you a moment (or few moments should I say!) of indulgent comfort. Ahhhhh.

 

  1. They are deep cleansing

Applying face masks offer many physical and therapeutic benefits, but first and foremost masks provide cleansing on a deep deep level, benefiting the skin in multiple ways. Don’t get me wrong daily cleansing is an imperative part of your skincare routine, but applying a mask once or twice a week will take that process to a whole other level by removing any remaining makeup, excess oil, dead skin cells and other impurities on the skin’s surface as well as beneath the upper layers of the epidermis.

 

  1. They help all your other skincare products to better penetrate the skin for optimum results

Many of us will be religious when it comes to our daily skincare ritual but if you really want all your products to absorb into your skin both quickly and deeply than a face mask is a necessity. By using a mask regularly, it will assist in enabling all the amazing ingredients from your skincare to penetrate deep into your skin essentially making your products work harder and more effectively than ever before.

 

  1. They are the perfect product for everyone to use no matter how sensitive or reactive your skin might be.

This is because there is a mask for every skin type and concern. From dryness to inflammation, redness to acne, whatever your skin type there is the ideal mask to give your skin that instant boost it needs.

 

If your skin is on the sensitive side

If your skin tends to be somewhat sensitive, a soothing cream mask enriched with nurturing ingredients is a must. Phytomer’s Accept Comfort Mask not only calms red, irritated skin, it also strengthens it! Healing is faster and it leaves your skin feeling beautifully hydrated, calm and comfortable for days!

If your skin is looking a tad lacklustre

Vie Collections Phyto-C Mask should be your go-to. Power packed with Vitamin C, exfoliating Papain, marine minerals and more, it’s the mask that makes people ask if you’ve been on holiday recently, wouldn’t we all love that right now!

Photo C

 

If your skin is currently donning a few too many blemishes

Phytomer’s Oligopur Flawless Skin Mask could be your one true savour! This blemish, mattifying cream-foam mask reduces inflammation from breakouts and refines the pores for a mattified even, clear complexion.

For dry, dehydrated skin, you need a deeply hydrating mask, like Phytomer’s Hydrasea Thirst-Relief Rehydrating Mask. It feeds the skin with ultimate nourishment so you can literally feel your complexion tighten and plump in nearly an instant. The end result is youthfully restored skin.

Phytomer - Hydrasea Thirst-Relief Rehydrating Mask

 

If you’re concerned about skin fatigue and visible signs of aging

Try Pevonia’s Ageless Skin Collagen Mask – my personal favourite! it instils skin with collagen polypeptides, Vitamin A, Green Tea and Mandarin Orange Extract to repair fine lines and wrinkles, encourage healthy cell turn over and effectively increase your skin’s overall radiance.

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Ageless Skin Collagen Mask

 

If your skin is in need of a detox

Pevonia’s Pure Skin Charcoal Mask is the perfect antidote for congested, dull skin. It rids skin of toxins, draws out impurities and debris, neutralises pollutants, and leaves skin gloriously glowy.

Beauty Collective - Pevonia - Pure Skin Charcoal Mask

And if you want to address more than one skin issue you can use multiple masks, applying them to the different zones of your face for outstanding results every time.

Beauty Collective - makeup tips for dull skin

10 of the best makeup tips for tired, devitalised skin

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Six weeks of lockdown hasn’t been kind to my skin. Most likely due to the never-ending late nights trying to play catch up on the work I’ve missed during the day because #homeschooling. And while I do love to preach about the importance of sleep, I’m sadly now a testament to how lack of sleep can affect your skin! Eek!

You see I’m religious about my daily skincare ritual, nothing is getting in the way of that! But there is only so much my beloved products can do for this dull, devitalised complexion I’m currently donning. And while there is no painting the town red at present, I am doing daily video calls with my team and hitting the local parks with my kids and their pup so putting my best face forward is still a must! Cue the miracle of makeup and the 10 game-changing tips I follow daily to wage the war on this dull, dreary skin of mine! So if like me, you’ve not managed to catch enough shut eye but still need to look fresh faced on camera, keep reading! If you can’t make it, then fake it right?

 

1. Don’t forget to properly prep!

As I said I’m a stickler for my morning skincare ritual and you should be too! Trying to conceal tired, lack-lustre skin won’t come easy unless you have properly prepped.

Firstly, dry, dull skin lacks youthful luminosity, so exfoliating is a necessity! We’re not talking daily though, just once or twice a week depending on your skin type will suffice, as too much exfoliation can be counterproductive.

If your skin is a little on the sensitive side, exfoliation is still important just be sure to opt for a super gentle formula – I LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, it gently polishes your skin with its unique creamy, granular texture. But if granules scare you, I also highly recommend Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin.

Phytomer's Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes

 

Washing your face in the morning is a must but make sure the water isn’t too warm! I love cleansing and then splashing my face with cold water! Not only does it wake me up but the cold-water boosts circulation and helps constrict blood vessels to temporarily tighten pores and reduce redness and puffiness too! Remember washing your face with warm to hot water will only dry out your skin as it strips away its natural oils. Boo.

Finally make sure you moisturise. I love to slather my skin with my favourite serum first (my latest love is Pevonia’s Age Correction Intensifier Collagen & MyOxy Caviar, this is because it’s packed with anti-ageing and rehydrating goodness including collagen and hyaluronic acid), then next apply my moisturiser. Dehydrated skin plays a big part in making your face look dull, plus any dry patches will make foundation uneven.

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Power Repair Collagen Myoxy Caviar Intensifier

 

2. Choose a foundation that will enhance your skin not just mask it

If your skin is dull and lacking life you want to choose a foundation with hydrating and skin brightening benefits. After all your foundation should enhance your complexion, not mask it. Change up your foundation for one formulated with hyaluronic and Vitamin A, these key ingredients will help skin appear more hydrated, plumped and healthy.

ELES Cosmetics range of foundations are all formulated with these skin boosting ingredients. And for dreary, devitalized skin a sheer or satin-finish foundation will be your best bet, especially as skin tends to be drier in the cooler, winter months too.

I am a huge lover of the ELES Age Defying BB Cream 20. It is a multi-tasking miracle! It literally primes, tints, nourishes, protects, blurs and evens out your skin tone for a truly, natural, flawless finish. And thanks to its skin-loving ingredients over time it helps 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!

BB Cream

3. Use a good under-eye concealer for an instant eye lift

To hide those dark circles and puffy tired eyes, ensure you are armed with a fabulous concealer! I’m obsessed with Pevonia’s Eye Renew Conceal & De-Age Treatment at present. It honestly gives me an instant eye lift every morning! It’s an eye cream and clever concealer in one! It’s packed with amazing anti-ageing and eye nurturing ingredients, and on application dark circles and puffiness literally diminish within seconds.

Beauty Collective - Pevonia - EyeRenew™ Conceal & De-Age Treatment

If you don’t need another eye cream and you are just looking for a simple concealer, try ELES’s Liquid Concealer. You won’t be disappointed!

4. Brighten eyes with a waterline eyeliner

Investing in a waterline eyeliner will be a game changer for tired eyes. All you need to do is line your bottom waterline for an instantly wide-eyed effect. We promise you it’s worth the money as one swipe will truly create brighter, more awake eyes. And remember to always finish by applying lashings of mascara to your top lashes.

ELES Waterliner

5. Apply a little bronzer

We are all on a quest for that healthy youthful glow, especially in the winter months when it’s almost non-existent, but dusting copious amounts of bronzer all over our nose, chin, cheeks and forehead can play up fine lines and large pores as the powder sinks into them. The best way (and the most flattering!) is to apply your bronzer with a bronzer brush to the perimeter of your face in the shape of a number three. Start on your forehead near your temples and loop down to the tops of your cheekbones, then curve out and around again along your jaw.

Beauty Collective - ELES Baked Bronzer in Sunbeam

6. Illuminate your face with a highlighter

If your skin is dull you need a little dose of liquid glow in the shape of an illuminator or highlighter! Apply to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones and Cupid’s bow for a natural glow that will leave you looking rejuvenated and refreshed. Try ELES Stick Illuminator. I personally can’t get enough of it!

ELES Stick Illuminator

7. Make sure you use a blush

Just a few swipes of blush will not only add colour and depth to your cheeks but can make your entire complexion look healthier, and your skin more youthful. It adds an extra glow that bronzer and highlighter just can’t mimic. Just be sure to apply it correctly – use a blush brush and lift colour upwards towards your temple from the apple of your cheek. I’ve been using the ELES Baked Blush for years now and just love its pigmented colour, easy application and the healthy-looking finish it gives me.

ELES Baked finishing powder

8. Distract from tired eyes by accentuating your pout

If no amount of concealer seems to be hiding those dark circles then it’s time to distract from tired eyes! To take attention away use a pop of colour on your pout! Every day I use the ELES Gel Lipliner to line and add definition to my lips and follow with a swipe of my favourite shade of ELES Colour Balm. It combines the payoff of a sheer lipstick with the superior shine of a gloss and I love how hydrating it is for my lips.

ELES Colour Balm

9. Fake full brows

Creating the perfect brows can completely transform your face and make you look 10 years younger, you just need to know how. You want to create instantly fake fullness and to do this you need to fill brows in with the perfect brow pencil! Just be sure you don’t overfill the front part of your brow though! This area should have soft hair that graduates into more density. If you overfill this area you can make your eye brows look way too harsh. Read more on how to create perfect brows.

ELES Brow Pencil

10. Finally get a little more shut-eye IF you can

While this is an impossibility for me at the moment, I’m hoping it won’t be for the majority of you! As I’ve said many a time before not enough shut-eye can have serious ramifications on our skin! We need to think of sleep as an essential step in our daily skincare routine. Not only will plenty of shut-eye let skin cells regenerate overnight, it will also help prevent dark under-eye circles which make us ALL look tired and older than our years. And we know, no one is choosing to be sleep deprived, the stresses of everyday life can seriously prevent us from getting the amount of sleep we crave, but if it’s possible to try and get our heads down at a reasonable time and try to stick to it nightly, it’ll improve quality of sleep and in turn have a positive impact on our complexion too!