BC Skin Journal

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The secret to a flawless finish: Must-have beauty products

by Jo Boyden on Aug 16 2024

I’m sure I’m right in saying we’d all love to achieve that coveted flawless finish - a smooth, even complexion that looks naturally radiant and free of imperfections! While achieving perfection might seem like the impossible for some, I’m here to tell you that with the right products and techniques, you can definitely get pretty darn close! Keep reading as we reveal the beauty products you need to help you achieve a truly flawless finish. Start with a good skincare routine Before you even think about makeup, lets talk skincare! To achieve a flawless finish you need to get your skincare routine down pat as no makeup, no matter how good it is, will apply smoothy without going onto healthy, hydrated skin! Cleanser First things first, you need to make sure your skin is perfectly cleansed. A cleanser preps skin by removing dirt, oil, and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts or uneven texture. Clean skin allows your makeup to adhere better and last longer, creating a smoother canvas for application. A good cleanser also balances the skin’s pH, preventing dryness or excessive oiliness that can affect your makeup applying smoothly. By starting with a clean, refreshed face, you will set the foundation for a radiant, flawless complexion. Exfoliator Your exfoliator will not only help remove dead skin cells (which if left on the surface of your skin can lead to clogged pores, dullness and rough skin texture!) but by exfoliating your skin you will enable your skincare products like your moisturiser and serum to penetrate more deeply and effectively, in turn boosting their efficacy and therefore deeply nourishing your skin, and as I said before makeup will never look and feel flawless without going onto a healthy, hydrated complexion. You don’t need to exfoliate every day though as this can lead to over-exfoliation, once or twice weekly is ideal. Moisturiser This is non-negotiable. Just be sure to choose a moisturiser suited to your skin type. For combination to oily skin you’ll want to opt for a lightweight, oil free formula. For ageing, dry and dehydrated skin a richer cream formulated with hyaluronic acid should be your go to. N.B. Applying a serum under your moisturiser for an added extra boost of nourishment can be a real game-changer when it comes to achieving that truly flawless finish. Primer When it comes to your makeup, the foundation of a flawless look starts with a good primer. A primer fills in pores, smooths fine lines and skin texture, brightens and primes skin, and preps it for makeup oh and it helps your makeup last longer too! N.B Look for one that matches your skin type—a hydrating primer for dry skin or mattifying primer for oily skin. Now it’s time for your makeup. Foundation Now, let's talk foundation. Your foundation will help even out skin tone, cover blemishes, minimise the appearance of pores and increase skins luminosity! The key though is to find a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly and a formula that suits your skin type. Matte for oily skin, dewy for dry skin. To learn more about the perfect foundation for your skin type click here. Concealer If you suffer from dark circles, are prone to redness or are currently dealing with blemishes or imperfections a concealer should be your go to for touching up your skin! Opt for one that provides full coverage without caking, blending seamlessly into your skin for a natural finish. Blush & Bronzer A blush or bronzer will really enhance your features adding to that flawless finish. They add warmth and dimension to your face. Blush gives your cheeks a healthy glow, while bronzer contours your features for a sun-kissed look. Illuminator or highlighter An illuminator be it stick, powder or cream, will create a natural highlight, and gives skin a fresh, delicate glow, perfect for a brighter appearance! Apply to cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid's bow. Setting your makeup is essential To ensure your makeup stays put all day, setting products are essential! You can opt for a translucent powder which can help control shine while setting your foundation, or simply use a setting spray to lock your makeup in place, preventing smudging and fading. The finishing touches If it’s a complete look you’re going for, you’ll want to finish off with a few other makeup essentials. Eyebrows Well-groomed eyebrows frame your face so youll want to invest in a good eyebrow product, be it a precision pencil or a brow balm. Eyeshadow Eyeshadow enhances your eyes by adding depth, dimension, and colour. It can highlight your eye shape and complement your overall look too! Choose a neutral eyeshadow palette for an everyday look. Mascara Mascara accentuates your eyes by defining, lengthening, and volumizing your lashes, making them appear fuller and more defined. Lipstick or Lip Gloss Completing your makeup with a lipstick or lip gloss will add colour and dimension as well as a polished finish to your face. These products help define your lips, making them stand out and balancing the overall makeup. Whether you opt for a bold lipstick or a subtle gloss, both will enhance your features and tie the entire look together. Plus, they can complement your outfit, mood, or the occasion! And remember don't underestimate the power of good tools. Invest in quality makeup brushes and sponges for a smooth, streak-free application. Proper tools can make all the difference in achieving a professional finish.

Your go-to guide for basic makeup essentials

by Jo Boyden on Aug 10 2024

Building a makeup kit can be somewhat overwhelming especially with so many makeup products on the market! From foundation to primer, contour to blush, and then there is all the many eye, lip and brow products, so where do you even start? Whether you’re a makeup novice or a seasoned pro, there are a few essential items that every woman should have in her makeup arsenal. These basics will help you create everything from a natural everyday look to going all out glam! Keep reading as we rundown the must-have makeup products that form the foundation of any versatile and reliable beauty routine. Skincare Essentials Before you even think about applying makeup to your face you need to prep your skin. A hydrated base is crucial for flawless makeup application so always make sure you have applied your moisturiser. For longer lasting results use a primer too. It will not only ensure you foundation remains firmly on your face all day, but will help create a smooth canvas for your makeup too! Makeup basics Foundation Foundation is the base of any makeup look. It evens out your skin tone, creating a flawless canvas for the rest of your makeup. Depending on your skin type and preference, you can choose between liquid, powder, or cream foundations, but the key is to find one that matches your skin tone perfectly and works well with your skin type. Not sure where to start? Click here to learn how to choose the right foundation type for your skin. Concealer For those pesky blemishes or dark circles, concealer is your best friend. It provides extra coverage where you need it most, helping you achieve a smooth, even complexion. A good concealer is really essential for brightening under the eyes and hiding any imperfections. It can transform your face especially when you are tired too! Powder To set your foundation and concealer, a powder is a must. A good translucent powder helps to keep your makeup in place and controls shine throughout the day. Blush Adding a pop of colour to your cheeks with blush can really make a huge difference! Blush gives your face a healthy, natural glow, making you look fresh and awake. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone—peachy tones for a natural flush or rosy hues for a more pronounced look. Eyeliner Eyeliner can instantly define your eyes and elevate your look. Whether you opt for a classic black pencil, a sharp liquid liner, or a smudgy gel, eyeliner helps enhance the shape of your eyes and adds intensity to your makeup. Mascara No makeup look is complete without mascara. It lengthens, volumizes, and defines your lashes, making your eyes appear bigger and more awake. A good mascara can transform your entire look with just a few swipes. Mascara is my definite no. 1 when it comes to makeup basics, wouldn’t leave the house without it! Eyebrow Pencil Sometimes overlooked, brows are in fact a very important part of our makeup routine. By using an eyebrow pencil you can add definition and shape and create the illusion of fuller looking brows! As you age your eyebrows get naturally thinner. By adding definition and shape to them you can completely transform your face and give the appearance of an instant eye lift! Start by brushing your eyebrows so the hairs are sitting naturally, then use a soft, waxy brow pencil to shape and fill in your brows using short, hair-like strokes. For more tips on how to create perfect brows click here. Lipstick or Lip Gloss As we age, unfortunately our lips do too! They become thinner with loss of collagen and moisture and their vibrant colour starts to fade due to the loss of pigment too! The amazing thing about lipstick is it adds that much needed colour, volume and depth to lips making them stand out! It’s no secret that wearing lipstick can dramatically enhance your mood too, it can make you feel confident and sexy! Just be sure to choose shades that complement your skin tone and can easily transition from day to night. Want to know which shades might be best for you? Click here. Lipliner This once understated product is now a staple for makeup artists, influencers and makeup enthusiasts alike and for very good reason! Lipliner doesn’t only help to create fuller looking lips but it also helps to ensure your lipstick doesn’t bleed and has a longer-wear finish. Want fuller looking lips? Here’s how to achieve them with lipliner Makeup Brushes and Tools The right tools can make all the difference in your makeup application. Invest in a set of high-quality brushes for foundation, powder, eyeshadow, and blush, as well as a beauty sponge for seamless blending. And don’t forget a good eyeshadow palette, while not essential, a versatile eyeshadow palette is a must-have for creating various eye looks. From neutral shades for a subtle daytime look to bolder colours for an evening out, a good palette offers endless possibilities you just need to know how to best apply it. For the best eyeshadow tips for ageing eyes click here. These makeup basics are the foundation of any beauty routine. With these essentials, you can create a variety of looks and feel confident in your makeup application, whether you're heading to work, out with friends, or to a special event! Remember, less is often more when starting out. Experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you and enjoy the process of building your perfect makeup collection!

How to contour like a PRO: Your step by step guide

by Jo Boyden on Jan 04 2024

Facial contouring – we’ve likely all heard about it, after all it’s a technique that makeup artists have been using for years now! This is because contouring has the ability to totally transform your face! Adding depth and dimension to your features and bone structure like nothing else. We are talking chiselled cheekbones and sculpted jawlines! But surely this makeup technique is reserved only for professionals, right? Especially since it can look somewhat intimidating! The thing is we can all sculpt those cheekbones of ours like any seasoned artist, we just need to learn how!Keep reading for our simple step by step guide on how to contour like a pro and achieve perfectly chiselled features in under 5 minutes without the need for surgery!Step 1: Gather your toolsFirst things first, make sure you have the right tools at your disposal. You'll need a bronzer (the bronzer you use to contour should be only slightly darker than your skin tone. You can use any kind of formulation you like, though we do recommend a powder for beginners like the ELES Mineral Sheer Bronzer in Rio De Janeiro), a highlighter (the colour you choose for highlighting, should generally have a light shimmer finish, we love the ELES Stick Illuminator), tapered powder and blending brushes, a beauty blender sponge and a translucent powder.Step 2: Start with a fresh canvas Begin with a clean, moisturised face. Apply your foundation as you normally would to create an even base. Allow it to settle into your skin for a few minutes. Step 3: Identify your face shapeUnderstanding your face shape is crucial for targeted contouring. Whether you have a round, oval, square, heart, or diamond-shaped face, each requires specific contouring techniques. Identify yours to tailor your approach accordingly.The model we've chosen for this demonstration has a lovely round face, we've exaggerated the effect so you can see more clearly the placement of the product, however a lighter effect is recommended. Step 4: Define with contour shades Take your contour shade (bronzer) and using a tapered powder brush apply directly beneath the cheekbones, from the earlobes fading to the corners of the mouth. Step 5: Contour your nose (optional) If you want to refine your nose shape, use a smaller brush, like a small tapered blending brush to contour the sides.Apply a light application of your chosen bronzer directly down the outer contours of the nose and up towards the brow. Keep it subtle and build up the intensity gradually. Less is often more when it comes to nose contouring.Follow with a blended line sweeping across the eye contour crease to the outer eye and up towards the temples. Step 6: Highlight strategic areas Now it's time for your highlighter! Apply to areas you want to bring forward. This typically includes the centre of the forehead, bridge of the nose, under the eyes in an inverted triangle shape, tops of the cheekbones, and the chin.Start by taking a small amount of the ELES Stick Illuminator and apply in patting movements to the centre of the forehead above the nose and sweeping down the centre of the nose.N.B Remember the secret to a professional-looking contour is seamless blending. Use a damp blending sponge and blend in upward and outward motions to avoid harsh lines.Apply more highlighter under the eyes, to the inner cheeks beside the nose and down under the nose on the upper lip. Step 7: Add a pop of colour (optional)For an extra touch, apply a light dusting of blush to the apples of your cheeks. This adds a healthy flush and will complement your contoured features.Step 8: Set with translucent powder To lock in your hard work and prevent any smudging, set your contour with a light dusting of translucent powder. This step is especially important if you're using cream or liquid products.Voila! You’ve just contoured like a professional! Just remember practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't flawless. The key is to experiment and find what works for your unique features.CONTOURING GUIDE FOR DIFFERENT FACE SHAPES

Party ready makeup – get the look

by Jo Boyden on Nov 30 2023

It's that time of the year again – the silly season as we like to call it! The season of fun and festivities, and, of course, Christmas get togethers and parties!To look your best, and stand out from the crowd of course! You’ll need to nail that party ready makeup look, we are talking skin that glows and eyes that shimmer and pop. Want to achieve our go-to look? Keep reading for the ultimate step by step guide. Step 1. Pre party prepBefore we jump into creating the perfect party ready makeup look, let's talk skin prep. You’ll need to thoroughly cleanse your skin first with your choice of cleanser, next apply your much-loved moisturiser, (make sure you let it soak in) then it’s time to prime. Think of it as the canvas for your masterpiece. A smooth base will ensure your makeup lasts all day or all night long!Step 2. Apply your foundationNow it’s time for your makeup! Starting with foundation. Not sure which foundation to use. Click here for the best foundation for your skin type.For skin that glows we love the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint. 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.If you are more of a matte lover though (but still want to achieve a radiant base), we highly recommend the ELES Foundation Stick or Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation.Step 3: Touch up skin where necessary with a concealerYou’ll want to use concealer to cover any blemishes or dark circles you may have. Apply a small amount to areas where needed or under eyes with fingertips or a small concealer brush gently blending. Try ELES Dual Action Concealer my personal secret weapon for concealing dark under eyes.Step 4: Set with PowderOnce you’ve finished applying your base it’s a good idea to set the products with a translucent setting powder like ELES Mineral Powder Foundation to prevent shine. Step 5: Bronzer and Blush Now it’s time for you to add some colour!We are loving the ELES Party Ready Makeup Palette! It really is perfect for creating a party ready look. It features a bronzer, blush and two shimmer eyeshadow shades.Firstly take your bronzer to add contour to your face. Using a large fluffy powder brush apply to the cheekbones, under the jawline and along the perimeter of the forehead, blend well for a natural sun kissed look. Follow with the Blush, applying it to the apples of your cheeks for that beautifully flushed finish. Step 6: Highlight For a truly lit from within look, this is a step you won't want to miss! Highlighter can also be used to accentuate and "lift" bone structure. It's amazing!Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, such as cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the cupid's bow. We recommend the ELES Stick Illuminator.Step 7: All about the eyesNow it’s time to accentuate those eyes. You’ll want to take the ELES Party Ready Palette again using the two shimmer shadows.Firstly apply the pinky/peach shade all over the eyelid. Next, apply the gold shade on the base of your eyelid carefully blending up towards the eye crease and below the lower lash line to create a natural smoky eye. Finish by applying a little of this shade to the inner corners of your eyes with your fingertip.Step 8: Add eyeliner for definitionEyeliner shapes and defines eyes and makes eyelashes look thicker. Take a bronze shade eye liner and apply it to the upper lash line as well as a little to your bottom waterline. This will help eyes to pop. We love ELES Superwear Gel Liner in Baroque. It is super smooth and longwearing so stays put all day long without smudging! Just what you need from an eyeliner! Step 9: Finish with lashings of mascaraAnd finally to finish off the eyes, apply several coats of Lush Mascara in Black to the top and bottom lashes. Work from the base of the lashes wiggling the wand slowly up the lashes for extra volume. Step 10: Define your browsFor some, your eyebrows can be an afterthought, but by defining and shaping them you can completely transform your face and give the appearance of an instant eye lift too! Start by brushing your eyebrows so the hairs are sitting naturally, then use a soft, waxy brow pencil like the ELES Precision Brow Pencil to shape and fill in your brows using short, hair-like strokes. Next, define and ‘lift’ brows by using a white eyeliner as a brow highlighter. Line below and above your eyebrows and smudge it out with a sponge or fingertip. You can also opt to use a highlighter if you don’t have a white liner on hand. Read more on how to create the perfect brows. Step 11: Complete the look by focusing on your lipsTo complete the look, it's time to focus on your lips. Apply lipstick to the lips with a lip brush to create definition in the outer edges, blot the lips with tissue, then reapply from the tube directly to the lips. Blot again for a soft matte finish. Use a lipstick colour of your choice, one that complements your overall look. Bold or neutral shades can work depending on your preference. You can add a little gloss too as desired. And voila! You're ready to shine!

Beauty Collective - makeup for beginners

Makeup for beginners: The essential products you need

by Jo Boyden on Mar 30 2023

With the multitude of makeup products, colours, trends and tutorials out there, it’s no wonder, especially if you are new to the world of makeup, it can seem a little overwhelming. And then there are the many foundation formulations, lipstick and eyeshadow shades, tools of the trade and more, so how exactly are you supposed to know what foundation formula is the right one for you? How to apply eyeshadow correctly? Or what colour lipstick you should wear? The thing is while makeup is magical (it can completely transform your appearance, make you look younger and feel more confident) choosing the right makeup can be a challenge. That is why it’s best to start with the basics! Know which products we really need and why. Keep reading for the BC guide to the ultimate makeup essentials for beginners. Primer The first step to your makeup routine, primer is often overlooked. But this outstanding product not only blurs your pores and smooths your skin, primers can also help decrease oil production and enhance the longevity and pigmentation of your makeup.We recommend: ELES Retexturizing Face Primer not only does this soothing, lightweight serum feel like actual silk on your skin, it basically helps protect, condition, smooth and blur out skin imperfections too! Oh and it will keep makeup in place all day long. Want to look like a filtered goodness, and have makeup last the distance, try this!For more information on primer and it’s many benefits click here. Foundation Available in a variety of different formulations from liquid to matte, sheet to powder, foundation will improve your skin tone and provide an even complexion creating the perfect smooth base for the rest of your makeup.Choosing which formulation is right for you can be tricky though so if you want to know which one is likely best for your skin click here.We recommend: ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. This silky formulation literally guides onto skin and sets to a beautifully soft and subtle matte finish providing flawless coverage every time. It’s also mineral-enriched (so great for your skin) and provides broad spectrum sun protection! Honestly what more could you ask for! You don’t need to just take our word for it though, the many reviews on BC speak for themselves!Don’t feel like wearing foundation? We’ve got 4 alternative skin perfecting products you should try! Concealer A concealer is especially important for anyone with blemishes or other imperfections they wish to cover. They can be used to conceal everything from spots to dark circles, imperfections, and redness. If you’re lucky enough to have a clear complexion, you may be able to skip this stage of your makeup routine though.We recommend: ELES Dual Action Concealer. My secret weapon for concealing my dark under eye circles and helping me look like I’ve had 8 hours of blissful slumber as opposed to only 5! It’s also wonderful at concealing those unwanted pesky blemishes and is formulated with a myriad of anti-ageing wonder ingredients including Hyaluronic acid, Caffeine, Vitamins C & E, Collagen and more! Oh and it actually helps to gradually improve skin’s texture while concealing! Powder Powder isn’t for everyone but it’s a wonderful product to set your foundation. It’s also an amazing option for those that tend to have combination to oily skin.We recommend: ELES Mineral Powder Foundation. It provides the perfect buildable coverage - from natural sheer to polished opaque. It’s also packed with vitamins A & E to condition skin, provide antioxidant protection and add a subtle luminosity. Blush and/or bronzer Whether you want to add a healthy glow to your skin or add some definition to your look these products are a must. Simply apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and sweep bronzer under your cheekbones and down the middle of your nose for a naturally Sunkissed look.We recommend: ELES Baked Blush and Baked Bronzer, These super fine powders apply effortlessly and are baked to a lightweight, subtle pearl finish to impart a beautifully healthy long-lasting glow. Jet milled pigments also create an airbrushed effect for a flawless finish. Eyeshadow Eyeshadow is the no. 1 product for adding depth and dimension to your eyes. It will not only enhance your eyes but complement your eye colour, make eyes appear larger, or simply draw attention to them!A neutral eyeshadow palette will be your go to for beginners. The combination of shades ensures you can create simple makeup looks that are versatile and fail-safe. Just be sure to apply a wash of the lightest shade to your eyelid first. Then follow with a slightly darker shade blending outwards.To learn more about how to master eyeshadow application and why and how your should wear it click here.We recommend: ELES Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trio. This sleek and convenient palette includes a versatile collection of 3 mineral eye shades and offers the perfect combination of beautiful earth tones to suit everyone. The feather-light formula is enriched with natural skin-caring ingredients including vitamins A, C & E to help provide antioxidant defence while conditioning and protecting the delicate eye area. Richly pigmented and silky smooth to apply, every shade delivers rich, opaque colour for hours of crease-resistant wear. Mascara Mascara is a must makeup item for beginners. This miracle product completes any eye makeup look by lengthening, volumizing and enhancing your lashes creating the illusion of bigger, wider and more youthful looking eyes.We recommend: ELES Lush Mascara as it builds strength, volume and length with no smudging and smearing. Eyeliner Eyeliner shapes and defines eyes and makes eyelashes look thicker. It can be drawn above upper lashes or below lower lashes or both.We recommend: ELES Superwear Gel Eyeliner, it comes in five great shades, is super smooth and longwearing so stays put all day long without smudging! Just what you need from an eyeliner! Eyebrow pencil Sometimes overlooked, brows are in fact a very important part of our makeup routine. By using an eyebrow pencil you can add definition and shape and create the illusion of fuller looking brows!As you age your eyebrows get naturally thinner. By adding definition and shape to them you can completely transform your face and give the appearance of an instant eye lift! Start by brushing your eyebrows so the hairs are sitting naturally, then use a soft, waxy brow pencil to shape and fill in your brows using short, hair-like strokes.We recommend: ELES Precision Brow pencil. This double ended brow tool (one end pencil, one end grooming brush) offers controlled brow filling and lining to quickly and effortlessly impart long-lasting, fuller, natural looking brows! Lipliner This once understated product is now a staple for makeup artists, influencers and makeup enthusiasts alike and for very good reason! Lipliner doesn’t only help to create fuller looking lips but it also helps to ensure your lipstick doesn't bleed and has a longer-wear finish.We recommend: ELES Gel Lipliner. It’s a super smooth, long-wearing (and moisturising) liner with intense colour pay-off, and it provides the perfect blendable application.11. Lipstick/Lip glossAs we age, unfortunately our lips do too! They become thinner with loss of collagen and moisture and their vibrant colour starts to fade due to the loss of pigment too! The amazing thing about lipstick is it adds that much needed colour, volume and depth to lips making them stand out! It's no secret that wearing lipstick can dramatically enhance your mood too, it can make you feel confident and sexy!Lipstick is the final step to the perfect makeup routine, the finishing touch to complete your daily look.We recommend: ELES Velvet Satin Lipstick. With a fantastic selection of colours, this lipstick has a beautifully rich, satin finish and is a dream to apply thanks to it’s smooth, nourishing and pearl-saturated formula. Infused with lasting pigments and enriched with a lip-loving blend of emollient oils and butters, the ultra-comfortable texture helps keep lips soft, smooth, supple and super-hydrated throughout the day.Want to know which colour lipstick you should wear? Click here.If you are simply not a huge fan of wearing lipstick daily you can opt for using a lip liner with coloured lip gloss instead!Want fuller looking lips? Here’s how to achieve them with lipliner

Makeup brushes THE GUIDE: How to choose the right ones

by Jo Boyden on Mar 09 2023

We all love to invest in our favourite makeup products, from the best BB Creams and bronzers to our formidable foundations and mascaras, but what about the tools of the trade? Makeup brushes are an essential for any makeup routine. After all how are you supposed to apply your mineral powder foundation, or that much loved bronzer? Let alone your eyeshadow and blush. That’s right, from foundation to concealer, eyeshadow, cheeks and lips, there is a makeup brush for literally every makeup category, but how are you supposed to know which makeup brushes to use to nail that flawless makeup finish?Keep reading as we reveal 5 tips to help you choose the right makeup brushes for you: Consider the type of makeup you use vs the brushes shape and size Different makeup products be it for example foundation or blusher require different makeup brushes. And the shape of the brush will determine the area of the face it is best suited for.For example a large flat brush is best for applying liquid foundation, a large fluffy brush is perfect for powder foundation while a tapered (a brush that reduces in size and thickness towards the end) brush is best for precise application on smaller areas like under your eyes. Look for high-quality brush bristles Investing in high-quality makeup brushes will make all the difference in the application and longevity of your makeup. The bristles should be soft and durable, should not irritate the skin in any way, nor should they shed or lose their shape over time. Synthetic bristles are usually the best option because they are durable, easy to clean and hygienic. Synthetic brush bristles are usually made of nylon or polyester, however ELES Cosmetics’ range of professional makeup brushes are made from taklon, a “green” and allergy free synthetic fibre. Their smooth synthetic fibres do not absorb or trap pigment making it easy to keep clean. Makeup brushes with natural bristles are another option, however they are made with animal hair to provide a very soft finish. Check the makeup brush handle A comfortable handle is important to ensure steady and precise makeup application. Look for brushes with sturdy and easy to grip handles. Consider your budget There are a wide range of makeup brushes available in the market with varying price ranges. Decide on your budget and invest in good quality brushes as these will last you a long time. Keep those brushes clean Your makeup tools are meant to be washed. Besides bacteria, brushes also accumulate dead skin cells and oil which can clog your pores leading to skin irritation and pesky pimples! Also if you apply your makeup with a dirty bush the end result can be a streaky and patchy complexion! Clean brushes definitely make for a smoother makeup application!You should clean your makeup brushes once a month by swishing them in a cup of warm water with a little shampoo. Rinse the brushes and lie them flat on a towel on the counter until they dry.Still confused? Here are some of the most commonly used makeup brushes for the different makeup categories; Foundation: A flat, densely packed brush or a beauty sponge is ideal for applying foundation. Try ELES Foundation Brush or Large Concealer Brush Concealer: A small, pointed brush is best for applying concealer. A concealer brush has a small head and is ideal for targeting specific areas. Try ELES Small Concealer Brush or Tapered Detail Brush Powder: A large fluffy brush is perfect for applying powder. Look for a brush with long, fluffy bristles that can pick up just the right amount of product. Try ELES Powder Brush Blush: A medium-sized angled brush or a fan brush is great for applying blush. An angled brush allows you to apply blush precisely to your cheekbones, while a fan brush can be used to dust a light layer of blush over cheeks and other areas of your face. Try ELES Powder Blush Brush Contour: A small, angled brush or a small fan brush is best for contouring. An angled brush allows you to apply the product in a precise line, while a fan brush can be used to dust a light layer of contour powder over the face. Try ELES Tapered Powder Brush Eyeshadow: There are several brushes that are ideal for applying eyeshadow! Eek you might say, however this all depends on the look you are going for. A flat, dense brush is great for packing on colour, while a fluffy blending brush is perfect for blending out harsh lines. A small tapered brush can be used to apply eyeshadow to the crease or to smudge eyeliner. Try ELES Base Shadow Brush, Blending Brush and Small Tapered Blending Brush. Eyeliner: A small, flat makeup brush or a pointed brush is perfect for applying eyeliner. An flat brush allows you to create precise lines, while a pointed brush is ideal for created a winged liner look. Try ELES Flat Definer Brush and ELES Small Eyeliner Brush By following all these tips, you can choose the right makeup brushes that will help you achieve flawless makeup every time.

A complete guide on where and how to apply blush correctly

by Jo Boyden on Oct 28 2022

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 blushWhen 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 blushHow 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 blushThe 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 lookFollow 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 templesFor a sun kissed glowApply blush underneath your eyes, across the bridge of the nose, and back toward the ear.To shorten your face and create balanceApply 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!

Look 10 years younger with these top 10 makeup tips

by Jo Boyden on Jul 07 2022

Ah makeup! My saving grace! Not only can it create the illusion of flawless skin, totally transform our appearance, cover up imperfections and boost our confidence, it can also take years off our face! You just need to arm yourself with the right makeup products and follow these top tips and we’ll have you looking 10 years younger in next to no time! Always moisturise your skin before applying your base I mean it’s a given, no matter what your skin type you should always moisturise your face every morning anyway, but applying a moisturiser before your makeup will not only hydrate your skin but also smooth your skin’s surface for a more even foundation application, and no one wants their makeup to look cakey! Oh! and if you have combination to dry skin, it’ll be next to impossible to create that perfect canvas for your foundation without moisturising first! Choose the right foundation You really can disguise the ageing process and look years younger with makeup, but you have to choose your products carefully. For example face powder, when used correctly and frugally can be a fantastic makeup staple (I have been I’m in love with the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation for years!) however, no matter your skin type, too much face powder can actually age you! That’s right, it can highlight fine lines and wrinkles instead of helping to conceal them, so it’s best to use powder sparingly – on your t-zone or as the perfect tool for quick touch ups.Foundations that have sheer to light coverage and a luminous finish will be your best choice especially for older skin or those concerned about fine lines and wrinkles. Dewy liquid foundations tend to be better than matte, also make sure the foundation is formulated with hydrating ingredients.I am a huge advocate for both the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint and ELES Cosmetics best-selling Age Defying BB Cream 30. 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; its 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! Use a good under-eye concealer for an instant eye lift Concealer is another amazing staple in your beauty arsenal that can dramatically change your appearance. Used correctly, concealer can brighten a tired complexion, cover up any blemishes, conceal dark under-eye circles and have you looking bright-eyed in seconds! Therefore, to hide those dark circles and puffy tired eyes which can make us look and feel every bit of our age, ensure you are armed with a goood concealer! I’m currently obsessed with the ELES Dual Action Concealer. It honestly gives me an instant eye lift every morning! It’s packed with amazing anti-ageing and eye nurturing ingredients, and on application dark circles and puffiness literally diminish within seconds, oh and any blemishes I might have too! Just be sure to keep concealer from drawing attention to your wrinkles by applying it correctly and selecting the correct shade!Choose a shade that’s lighter than your natural skin tone as this will help brighten your under eye area. And for the most brightening effect, apply your concealer in a “V” or upside-down triangle shape beneath your eye. Swipe it directly under the eye, but bring it down to a point on your cheek beside your nostril and fill in the entire area. Blend well with a small makeup brush and then finish with a very light dusting of powder to set the concealer so it doesn’t crease. 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 (and the most flattering!) way 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. Illuminate your face with a highlighter Along with freshening up your complexion and giving it a gorgeous glow, highlighter can be used strategically to lift and contour your face, making it appear more youthful. Apply highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones and Cupid’s bow. Try ELES Stick Illuminator. I personally can’t get enough of it! Always 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. Keep eye makeup simple As we get older our collagen and elastin decreases and the skin around our delecate eye area tends to thin out and start to droop. Heavy or droopy lids can make eyes look tired so you want to keep eye makeup light but also create the illusion of depth in the lids. To do this brush a wash of light brown shadow into the creases of your eye lids and add a tough of light shimmer shadow to the inner corners of your eyes. 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, younger looking eyes. Always use mascara It’s no secret that beautiful eyelashes make you look 10 times prettier, and younger! Curl your eyelashes (With a proper curl, lashes will look longer, thicker and fuller) and always apply lashings of mascara, by doing so eyes will appear larger and more awake, something that is synonymous with youth! Fake full brows Just as the hair on our heads can thin with age, so do our eyebrows! The thing is your brows can completely change how your face looks, and fuller, well shaped brows will add immediate dimension and help to sculpt the face making you look younger and more awake!Actually, filling in your eyebrows from the top of the brow and elongating it gives eyes a more youthful look. 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.For longevity it’s best to build up your brows with a combo of brow pencil then set with a powder shadow one shade lighter than brows. Try ELES Precision Brow Pencil and ELES Brow Sculpt. Read more on how to create perfect brows.And for a bonus tip always add a pop of colour to your pout! As we age our lips get drier and thinner. By using a lipliner you can add definition to lips, then follow with a sweep of hydrating lip balm like the ELES Colour Balm as this can make your lips appear plumper and give them a youthful fullness we all desire!

6 makeup essentials you need this winter

by Jo Boyden on Jun 16 2022

Even though we’ve been blessed with days of blue skies and sunshine these last few weeks, it doesn’t take away from the cold of winter and the havoc this season can play on our skin! Many of us will have noticed a change in our complexions of late! Why? Because with winter comes dull, devitalised skin thanks to both internal and external factors! And yes, while it’s time to make some serious changes with our skincare routine you’ll want to up the ante when it comes to your makeup choices too!Read on a we reveal our top 6 makeup must-haves this winter - nourishing and brightening products suitable for all! THE FOUNDATION - ELES Age Defying BB Cream 20If 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. This winter 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 but for dreary devitalised skin a sheer or satin-finish foundation will be your best bet, especially as skin tends to be drier in the cooler, winter months! The ELES Age Defying BB Cream 20 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 oh and it provides skin with the necessary sun protection which is just as imperative in the cooler winter months!THE COVER-UP - ELES Liquid ConcealerTo hide those dark circles, puffy tired eyes and pesky blemishes, ensure you are armed with a fabulous concealer! We are particularly loving the ELES Liquid Concealer this season. Not only is it rich in Vitamins C & E to condition, brighten and protect the skin, it instantly conceals the appearance of darkness and imperfections with one swipe! Oh, and the advanced formula provides a supple, comfortable finish for a more unified skin tone that wears for up to 8 hours.THE BRONZER – ELES Bronzer in Rio De JaneiroWe are all on a quest for that healthy youthful glow, especially in the winter months when it’s almost non-existent, so a bronzer is paramount!While at Beauty Collective we have a few fabulous bronzers we highly recommend you use the ELES Bronzer Rio De Janeiro. It’s formulated with micro-fine minerals which honestly deliver a sheer, healthy, bronzed finish every time! Plus, while you’re wearing it, you know it’s doing you skin good since the vitamins A, C & E are antioxidant vitamins that help to protect cells from free radical damage.Just remember though, 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. THE BLUSH - ELES Baked BlushJust 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. For winter (and all year round really!) we highly recommend the ELES Baked Blush in a shade of your preference – my current favourite is Posey. It adds instant radiance to your cheeks thanks to its highly pigmented formula. Plus, it’s silky smooth and super nourishing, great for dull, dehydrated skin types!Just be sure to apply it correctly – use a Blush Brush and lift colour upwards towards your temple from the apple of your cheek.THE HIGHLIGHTER – ELES Stick IlluminatorIf your skin is dull, you’ll need a little dose of liquid glow in the shape of an illuminator or highlighter! The ELES Stick Illuminator is our go-to. Simply 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. Also, it’s formulated with aloe to help soothe and condition skin and antioxidant Vitamins C & E that help to protect cells from free radical damage. Perfect! THE FINISHING POWDER – Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused LightIf you’re looking for a miracle makeup item that can transform skin from dull to deliciously radiant in a matter of seconds, look no further! The ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light acts like a photo filter on your skin, subtle enough for daily wear, yet gives you that truly “lit from within glow” in seconds! The microfine powder’s jet milled pigments bring a soft-focus finish for a blurring effect over imperfections and fine lines. Incredibly light, it never gets chalky, weighs down the skin or even looks like your wearing powder, yet keeps any shine at bay. And all you have to do is apply your morning skincare, then simply dust a light layer all over your face with a makeup brush and watch your skin truly transform.We are all on a quest for that healthy youthful glow, especially in the winter months when it’s almost non-existent, well boy does this product deliver!

How to contour like a pro

by Jo Boyden on Jun 03 2022

“Contouring” it’s been a buzz word in the beauty industry for some time now and while so many celebrities seem to master the look, for the everyday folk like you and I the word can seem some what daunting because simple it most certainly does not look. Well we’ve got you and we are here to show you how easy it can be! Whether it’s chiselled cheekbones you are after, or you want to enhance those features of yours, there are 5 simple steps you need to stick to when it comes to contouring, oh and you need to be armed with a few key products too! Here’s what you need to do; Step 1:Gather your tools. You’ll need;FoundationFinishing PowderBlending brush or spongeBronzerBlushIlluminator Step 2: Prep your skin. Makeup adheres more to skin and lasts longer if your skin is healthy and well hydrated. Firstly cleanse your face as you would do every morning and then moisturise by using your go-to moisturiser or simply add a layer of Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection 50. It hydrates and protects against sun damage and premature ageing. Let dry it soak in.Step 3: Follow with a light application of your chosen base — BB, CC or ELES foundation. ELES foundations provide buildable coverage, so layer on as much foundation as you need for even skin tone and a flawless finish. The lightweight formula will not look or feel heavy on the face.Step 4: Seal it with the ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light. “It’s like a warm filter that evens out dark shadows and discolouration, leaving your skin peachy and looking poreless, Step 5:This is the part that scares everyone, the bronzer application. Don’t be intimidated because contouring your face actually takes only about a minute. You only have to remember 3 things – slim nose, define jawline, and sculpt cheeks.Using the ELES Anti-Oxidant Bronzer and a tapered detail brush:Slim your nose by applying bronzer along both sides of the nose starting at the top near the inner brows and working downward towards the nostrils.Next define your jawline by applying bronzer at a downward angle on either side of the chin.And finally sculpt your cheeks by applying the ELES Anti-Oxidant Bronzer using sweeping brush strokes under the entire length of the cheekbones. Blend, blend, blend so that the contour appears natural.Step 6: Add instant radiance and colour to your face using the ELES Baked Blush. Apply to the apples of your cheeks. Then then enhance your features like never before with the ELES Stick Illuminator. Firstly, apply a little to the centre strip of your nose starting from the top to the tip of your nose. Next apply it right above the perimeter of the jawline (this is the trick to making your face look smaller and slimmer) and finish by applying it to the highest point of cheeks for that healthy glow.Spend the remaining time blending and making sure the bronzer blends well with the illuminator and the blush. Steps 4 and 5 seem to be a lot of work but really, it takes a few seconds to transform your look. Voila!! Now you should have gorgeously defined and chiselled features.

Beauty Collective - party-ready makeup look

Create the perfect party-ready makeup look in 3 simple steps

by Jo Boyden on Dec 03 2021

It’s here! The festive party season has started so it’s time to get glammed up! We all know being party ready isn’t just about what you wear though, or your styled hair – it’s about mastering your makeup too. Whether you are time poor so looking for quick and easy makeup tips this party season, or simply after some help when it comes to party ready makeup, BC have your back! Read on for our 3-step guide on how to get the perfect party ready make up, while adding a little sparkle and glam to your look and life too! STEP 1: THE PREPFirstly, make sure you have thoroughly cleansed skin, apply your moisturiser as you normally would, let it soak in and then apply (drum roll) a makeup primer. Why? Because it is key when it comes to preventing your makeup from literally sliding off your face! Makeup primers are THE one product that has the power to literally make your makeup stay put all day long and night! And if you have oily skin, it’ll control the excess oil too!I’m a huge lover of ELES’s Retexturizing Face Primer. Not only does this soothing, lightweight serum feel like actual silk on your skin, it basically helps protect, condition, smooth and blur out skin imperfections too! Want to look like a filtered goodness, and have makeup last the distance, try this! If however, your skin tends to be on the oilier side I recommend opting for the ELES Pore Perfecting Face Primer. Not only does it keep makeup in place it also combats shine, absorbs excess oil and also reduces the appearance of pores to keep your foundation will look flawless! Genius!STEP 2: YOUR FOUNDATIONYou’ve applied your primer it’s now time for your base! With so many foundations to choose from, from liquid to powder, stick to tinted moisturiser knowing what will work best this silly season can get complicated, so if you need a little intel on what the right foundation is for you click here.If you're partying by day (love a long luncheon!) ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30 is one of my go-to’s. Loaded with Goji Berries, Minerals, Vitamins and Sun Protection this wonder base and ELES Cosmetics best-seller, is your skin care, base and sunscreen in one! Skin caring and skin perfecting in one simple step!! Simply apply to cleansed and primed skin for the silkiest and most undetectable coverage ever! STEP 3: THE PERFECT PALETTE WHICH HAS IT ALL!Now it’s time to master your makeup! But we want to keep it quick and simple and that we shall with ELES’s Limited Edition Party Palette in Golden Lights!Created to add some festive glam and sparkle to any complexion or skin tone, we are loving this sleek and convenient compact featuring a bronzer, blush and two seasonally appropriate gold and brown eye shades, which will take your party look to new heights. Oh, and it’s super handy to have in your handbag for those little touch-ups when you are out on the town too! What’s more, the products are all enriched with natural skin-caring goodness, they are richly pigmented delivering silky smooth, vivid, colour for hours of crease-resistant wear! And it comes with two free makeup brushes! YESSS. Now first for the bronzer! The objective is to make the skin look vibrant and healthy with shading in all the right places. Using your free kabuki brush press the bronzer beneath the cheekbones from the middle of the ear towards the centre of the face, do not apply any further in than level with the outer corner of the eye. Use the remaining bronzer on the brush to lightly dust the temples and beneath the jawline. Next blend the bronzer until it looks like a soft shadow with no harsh edges. Follow with the blush on the apples of the cheeks.Next, it’s onto the shadows! Create stand out eyes with these two shimmering shades in the palette, firstly take the gold and apply on the eyelids and lower lash line, then blend the edges. Then take the deep brown shade and apply to the outer corners of your eye lid carefully blending the edges.Finish by applying lashings of your favourite mascara to your lashes and a swipe of your favourite lippie to your lips too!Now you’ve mastered your party ready makeup, it’s time to head out and shine!

How to look younger than your years – the top 12 tips of all time

by Jo Boyden on Sep 08 2021

Although ageing is inevitable there are both simple and less invasive ways to look younger than relying on the likes of Botox or turning to cosmetic surgery. From miracle makeup products to the best anti-ageing skincare routines, a diet high in super foods to daily yoga, if you are searching for a way to look younger than your years try incorporating a few of these beauty habits into your daily life, and we promise they won’t just have you looking fresh faced, they’ll boost your overall energy too! Sound good? Read on…Choose skincare wiselySkincare, while not as fast as the effects of Botox, really can slow down ageing if you select the right products. Choosing serums and creams formulated with one or more of the top 5 skincare ingredients will have your skin looking smoother, firmer and plumper in next to no time.And if you’re missing your Botox appointment because #lockdown, here at BC we have a number of natural alternatives that actually work!Get serious about sunscreenI’m talking about religiously applying it daily. Just as you use a cleanser to wash your face, apply a sunscreen to protect your face! Sun damage is hands down THE most aggressive form of ageing. In fact, it’s estimated that 90% of skin ageing is due to the effects of the sun! It causes proteins in our skin to deteriorate, leading to the loss of our youthful appearance over time. On the bright side this type of ageing can be prevented with proper sun protection, but it needs to be worn even on cool, cloudy days too!Fortunately, there is a myriad of products out there with SPF, from sunscreen to daily moisturisers, foundations and more, and many are now formulated to work with specific skin types, so if you are a sensitive skin sufferer and the idea of slathering on sunscreen scares you, worry no more! Here at BC we have a few firm favourites;Foundation – ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15Daily moisturiser – ELES Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection SPF 50Sunscreen face & body –Medicalia Sunscreen SPF 40 with Blue Light ShieldChoose the right makeup baseYou really can disguise the ageing process with makeup but you have to choose carefully. For example face powder, when used correctly and frugally can be a fantastic makeup staple (I have been I’m in love with the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation for years!) however, no matter your skin type, too much face powder can actually age you! That’s right, it can highlight fine lines and wrinkles instead of helping to conceal them, so it’s best to use powder sparingly – on your t-zone or as the perfect tool for touch ups.A hydrating or satin-finish liquid foundation will be your best choice, especially as skin gets drier with age. Choose a formula that has hydrating ingredients. Foundations that have sheer coverage and dewy luminous foundations will be your best youth enhancing options especially for those concerned about lines and wrinkles.I am a huge advocate for both the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint and ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30 but if you do love a slightly more matte finish the best-selling ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 will be your go-to.Illuminate your face with a highlighterBy doing so your skin will look dewy and more youthful. Apply highlighter 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!Apply bronzer correctlyWe 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 blush 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.Look after your lipsOften overlooked, lips can really show your age so it’s important to show them as much love as you would your skin. This means applying a lip cream daily. We are huge advocates for Pevonia’s LipRenew Plump & De-Age treatment which deeply moisturises and volumises the lips, blurs imperfections, and, unlike other lip plumpers, also smooths the surrounding skin folds, lines and wrinkles!We also recommend using a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture and get lips lipstick ready, after all applying lipstick to dry, chapped lips is a definite no no, as your lipstick won’t apply evenly, it’ll seep into any lip lines making your lips appear even more dry than they already are.Fill in your browsCreating the perfect brows can completely transform your face and make you look 10 years younger, seriously! but you need to know how.Just as the hair on our heads can thin with age, so do our eyebrows, so to look younger, we want to create instantly fake fullness and to do this we need to fill them 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. Cleanse correctly In the quest for a clear complexion cleansing is a must. But cleansing with conventional, harsh products can simply dry out skin which will age you! Worse, it can make skin over-produce oil so you could be hit with rather a few pesky pimples too!! Teenage acne? No thanks.So be sure to use a cleanser specific to your skin type. Beauty Collective has a myriad of cleansers for every skin type and concern so get searching!Make sure you exfoliateDry, 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.A good weekly exfoliation will break up dead surface skin cells and reveal a fresh glowy complexion. If your skin is a little on the sensitive side, exfoliation is still important just be sure to opt for a super gentle formula – we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, it gently polishes your skin with its unique creamy, granular texture. But if granules scare you, we 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.Remove remnants of makeup before bedYou know you’re supposed to do it, you’ve been told time and time again but sometimes you just…don’t. But we can’t stress enough that failing to remove makeup at the end of every day is a major missed opportunity for skin to be able to regenerate while you sleep, you see not removing your makeup means the skin ceases to breathe freely, pores clog and fatigue signs start to appear.You also need to remove the days makeup and grime to make way for applying your nightly skincare ritual, and the products aren’t going to work their magic if they can’t effectively seep into the deeper layers of your skin thanks to a wall of makeup in the way!Want to know the full extent on what sleeping in makeup can really do to our skin? Click here. Eat your antioxidantsAntioxidants are SO important when it comes to protecting our DNA from damage – they are the last line of defence against premature ageing. Thankfully our bodies produce antioxidants on their own, but we can definitely strengthen our protection against ageing by eating an antioxidant-rich diet. Multiple studies show that a diet rich in antioxidants can help keep your skin healthy, your immune system strong, your digestive system working smoothly and can also help you look and feel younger longer. Yassssss! So what foods are rich in antioxidants? The favourites in our house include, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, spinach and kale! Get enough shut-eyeI’ve said it before and I’ll say it a hundred times, and we all know it’s the truth, 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 can really make us look so much older than we are! 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 (I’m talking to myself here too!) and stick to it nightly, it’ll improve quality of sleep and in turn have a positive impact on our complexion too!For more information on what really happens to your skin while your sleep, click here.

Beauty Collective - makeup tips for dull skin

10 of the best makeup tips for tired, devitalised skin

by Jo Boyden on Aug 04 2021

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. 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. 2. Choose a foundation that will enhance your skin not just mask itIf 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!3. Use a good under-eye concealer for an instant eye liftTo 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.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 eyelinerInvesting 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.5. Apply a little bronzerWe 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.6. Illuminate your face with a highlighterIf 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!7. Make sure you use a blushJust 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.8. Distract from tired eyes by accentuating your poutIf 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.9. Fake full browsCreating 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.10. Finally get a little more shut-eye IF you canWhile 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!

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The makeup product that will transform your skin in seconds

by Jo Boyden on Jun 10 2021

We are all on the quest for those multi-tasking miracle products, you know the ones that take minimal effort on your part but can transform your skin in next to no time? After all, in the fast-paced world we live in, who really has time daily to follow those 8-step skin radiance routines the gen Y You Tubers swear by, in the hope of achieving the perfect complexion? And how long does it REALLY take them to master by the way?Well imagine your bronzer, highlighter and foundation powder combined into one clever compact that you can simply swipe all over for your healthiest, natural looking glow!The ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light is just that! A palette of gorgeous glowing warm tones that acts like a photo filter on your skin, subtle enough for daily wear, yet gives you that truly “lit from within glow” in seconds.The microfine powder’s jet milled pigments bring a soft-focus finish for a blurring effect over imperfections and fine lines. Incredibly light, it never gets chalky, weighs down the skin or even looks like your wearing powder, yet keeps any shine at bay. And all you have to do is apply your morning skincare, then simply brush a light layer all over your face with a makeup brush and watch your skin truly transform. What’s more, for the month of June, when you purchase this outstanding powder, you’ll receive the ELES Duo Fibre Brush for FREE. After all how you apply a product can sometimes be just as important at the product itself!

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Red carpet ready – A step by Step on how to achieve our 4 favourite Golden Globe looks

by Jo Boyden on Mar 10 2021

From bold coloured lips to glowy goddess-like skin, flawless winged eyes, to minimal makeup, this year’s nominees bought an abundance of glitz and glamour to the Golden Globes whether they were donning their looks from the luxury of their home, hotel suite or were actually ‘red carpet’ ready.Read on to find out our favourite four makeovers from the night and a simple step by step on how you can recreate each look at home with only a few key products. Julia GarnerWith deep cherry glossed lips and porcelain doll-like skin, Julia Garner seriously bought her A-game to this year’s Golden Globes.To achieve her flawless base simply opt for a long-lasting matte foundation. If you are usually a lover of liquid, yet plan on donning this look, I highly recommend the ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. It literally glides onto skin effortlessly yet sets to a soft matte powder finish that lasts all day. If powder is your go-to, then one of my favourites, and perfect for this look is the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation Compact. It creates buildable coverage from natural sheer to polished opaque.Complete your base with a very soft and subtle pink blush like the ELES Baked Blush in Posey.Next, it’s time to play up the eyes with focus on both eyebrows and lashes. Firstly, we recommend using the ELES Precision Brow Pencil, it creates ‘hairlike’ strokes for a more natural brow and the brush end of the pencil will come in handy if you’ve used too much product and need to soften the look. To create the illusion of Julia’s thicker brows (if yours tend to be on the thinner side like mine!), I also recommend using an eyebrow powder or shadow. While the pencil will help conceal any sparse areas, the powder will fill in, shape and thicken brows. Try ELES Brow Sculpt, it has one side powder, the other side colour coordinated tinted wax that will tame and set brows so they last day and night!Julia’s eyes are all in the lashes. Firstly though apply a wash of mineral matte eyeshadow in vanilla to your entire eyelid all the way to the inner corner using a base shadow brush for ease. The light shaded shadow will really help to open up your eyes. Next layer on coats of ELES Lush Mascara in Black to both the upper and lower lashes applying from the base to the tip in a slow sweeping motion. To create the illusion of Julia’s long alluring lashes allow mascara to semi-dry in between coats.To complete the look, firstly line your lips with a blood red lipliner which perfectly matches the lipstick to follow. The lip liner will give your lips structure and act as a primer to help bind the lipstick to the lips. Carefully line your lips just outside your natural lip line. Fill the rest of your lips in with the liner then reach for your beautiful bold blood-red lippie. We love the ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Cool Red. Follow with ELES Colour Balm in Classique for Julia’s subtle gloss coated finish. Andra DayWith plum ombre lips and a perfectly paired gold highlighter, Andra Day’s look is breathtakingly beautiful, yet easy to achieve! We promise.To create her glowier than glowy complexion, firstly, apply a dewy foundation. We love the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint. Seal it with the ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light. It’s like a warm filter that evens out dark shadows and discolouration, leaving skin looking poreless and perfect!Next take a bronzer (try the ELES Baked Bronzer in Sunbeam, a beautiful fine powder bronzer with a subtle pearlized finish) and a tapered detail brush, and define your jawline by applying it at a downward angle on either side of your chin. Then to sculpt the cheeks apply bronzer using sweeping brush strokes under the entire length of the cheekbones and blend, blend, blend!Now add instant radiance and colour to your face using the ELES Baked Blush in Rose Gold. Then enhance your features like never before with the ELES stick Illuminator. Apply it to the centre strip of your nose starting from the top to the tip of your nose, right above the perimeter of the jawline (this is the trick to making your face look slimmer), under the arches of your brows, and to the highest point of your cheeks for that healthy glow.For Andra’s shimmery standout eyes, use the ELES The Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trio in Delicates, a versatile collection of 3 beautiful earth tone eye shades within one convenient palette.Firstly apply the lightest shade to your entire eye lid, all the way to the inner corner using a base shadow brush for ease. Next using a tapered blending brush apply the medium shade into your crease (the curve above your eyelid) blending from the outer corner’s inwards. Finally use the same brush to apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of your eyelid, then extend it outwards and upwards and blend it inwards slightly. Finish with lashings of ELES Lash Fortify Mascara in Black.To complete the look, line your lips with ELES Gel Lip Liner in Plum and carefully blend filling in lips, then apply your lipstick - we love ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Aubergine, followed by swipe of ELES Lip Stain in Pin Up Girl. Amanda SeyfriedWith bold brows, bronzed cheeks and soft, smoky eyes, this year’s Golden Globes saw A-lister Amanda Seyfried glow like a goddess.To create her look firstly apply a natural lightweight foundation. We love the ELES HD Foundation. Its lightweight formulation melts onto skin and provides undetectable coverage with a subtle radiant finish. Follow with a powder bronzer to contour beneath your cheeks and jawline to slim the face and create the illusion of perfectly sculpted cheekbones. Try ELES Anti-Oxidant Bronzer to achieve Amanda’s perfectly matte bronzed complexion that will last all day.Next focus on the eyes. To achieve this soft, smoky eye look, you’ll need three eyeshadow shades – a light, medium and darker. Start by applying the lightest shade (a nude) over your entire lid, all the way to the inner corner using a base shadow brush. You really need this light shadow to perfect the look and open up the eyes to make colour ‘pop’. Next use a tapered blending brush to apply your medium shade into your crease (the curve above your eyelid) blending from the outer corner’s inwards. Now use the same brush to apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of your eyelid. Extend it outwards and upwards to create a smoky effect, then blend it inwards slightly. To nail Amanda’s eyes, we recommend using ELES’s The Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trio in Cool Nakeds.To complete the look, instead of using eyeliner, use the darkest shade of your shadow. Simply use a flat definer brush and press the dark shadow lightly along the edges of your upper eyelid where your eyelashes begin and along the lower lash line. Then finish 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 Naked) and then add a touch of gloss like the ELES Pucker-Up lipgloss in Love Bite for that subtle hint of shine. If you prefer lipsticks, try the ELES NEW Velvet Satin Lipstick in Lauderdale Place. Elle FanningFlawless winged liner, rosy rouge cheeks and nude lips came together to create a stunning ethereal look for Elle.To recreate ELLE’s makeup, firstly apply a matte powder as your base. Try ELES Mineral Powder Foundation and gently blend with a Beauty Blender for flawless coverage. Next, add a swipe of blush to the apples of the cheeks before focusing on the eyes.Many steer clear of the winged eye look because they fear it is too tricky, but we promise you it’s far from it and once you’ve mastered it you’ll never look back. First things first, the make the initial line. Using ELES Felt Tip liner in Black draw a short, thin line from the outer corner of your eye extending the natural curve of your lower lash line to your desired length. If you have trouble getting a smooth line freehand, try making a series of small dots and then join them together or simply use a piece of tape or stencil as a guide. Draw a line across the upper eyelid, following the natural curve of your upper lash line from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner of your eye and continuing to parallel the first line you made. Focus on creating a smooth line. Now that you have your outline fill in the gaps with more eyeliner. Apply a little lush mascara to both upper and lower lash lines.Finally pencil in brows with ELES Precision Brow Pencil and colour lips with ELES Matte Lipstick in Bare.

Looking tired? 8 beauty tricks to fake a good night’s sleep

by Jo Boyden on Feb 10 2021

Holidays are over, schools are back and the daily juggle of work, kids, well life, in general has you once again looking like you haven’t slept for days. Fear not, while 9 hours of blissful slumber might be something of yesteryear you can fake a seriously good night's sleep if you are armed with a few key products! So read on to learn about our top beauty tips that’ll have you looking fabulously fresh in next to no time and with minimal effort….we promise! Breath life back into tired eyes First things first, after cleansing your skin, applying a soothing and cooling eye gel immediately to your undereye area is a must. Just look for products with key ingredients such as Green coffee, Vitamin C and Ginko Biloba, as they will help shrink capillaries and stimulate lymphatic drainage.Pevonia’s C Evolutive Eye Gel is a personal favourite of mine when it comes to tired, puffy eyes. 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! Invest in a gemstone roller From rejuvenating jade to calm and soothing rose quartz, detoxifying Obsidian to purifying amethyst, we highly recommend introducing one of these rollers into your morning ritual. As well as their many medicinal benefits, they have the ability to dramatically reduce puffiness by removing excess fluid around the eyes towards your lymph nodes where it filters out toxins! So clever! To find out more click here. Use a collagen-boosting serum Lack of sleep has the ability to cause your body to produce the stress hormone cortisol which in turn breaks down collagen and leads to premature ageing (great!) so make sure you start your morning skincare routine armed with a collagen-boosting serum AND moisturiser to nourish and restore stressed and dehydrated skin.Pevonia’s best-selling Age Correction Intensifier Collagen and MyOxy Caviar and Marine Collagen Cream are both a must. Not only are they loved by so many around the world, but they have also been a staple of mine for years and I’d highly recommend the duo to everyone. Used in unison they effectively nourish and oxygenate skin, repair cells, and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. You can thank me later. Be armed with a good concealer With exhaustion comes black undereye circles and red bloodshot eyes so you need to reduce the darkness and brighten the area at the same time. The best way to do this is arm yourself with a really good concealer specifically for the delicate eye area. Simply dot the concealer using your pinky finger (the warmth of your fingers will help the concealer to melt into your skin creating a smooth, natural application). My go-to concealer is the ELES Dual Action Concealer. Its an anti-ageing wonder rich in Vitamins E & C, caffeine, collagen, hyaluronic acid and Tetrapeptide 5 which works to depuff, smooth, brighten and conceal the eyes, neutralizing dark circles. Its moisturising formula also provides continuous hydration as well as a natural longwearing finish meaning it lasts for hours without seeping into fine lines and wrinkles! Bonus! Line the eyes with nude You do not want to exacerbate the look of blood shot eyes, so steer clear of lining eyes with dark eyeliners especially on the bottom lash line. Instead transform tired eyes by applying a white or nude liner to the bottom lash line AKA your waterline. Here at BC, we love the ELES Waterline liner. Using a white or nude eyeliner extends the whites of your eyes making them look bigger and in turn more awake. Don’t forget your eyeshadow You’ve lined your eyes with a good waterliner pencil but another true hero to creating wide-awake eyes is eyeshadow! A nude shadow palette with just a few shades will be your new best friend. Check out the new ELES Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trios, with a choice of four palettes in gorgeous neutral shades there is an option to suit everyone.Start by applying the lightest shade (the white or nude) from your chosen palette over your entire lid all the way to the inner corner using a base shadow brush. You really need this light shadow as it’ll help open up your eyes and really make them ‘pop’. Next, use a tapered blending brush to apply the medium shade into your crease (the curve above your eyelid) blending from the outer corners inwards. Using the same brush, now apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of your eyelid. Applying this darker shadow slightly beyond your crease is the key to adding real dimension to your eyes. Bronze and blush for a healthy glow. We all know lack of sleep can have us looking a little on the pasty side even if we are donning a bit of a tan! To instantly enhance said pasty skin apply a good bronzer for that much-needed healthy look, as well as a little rouge blush on the apples of your cheeks. We love the ELES Baked Bronzer and Blushes. These super-fine powders are baked to a lightweight, silky and subtle pearl finish that imparts a brilliantly radiant glow. Add a little colour to your lips We might not all be a fan of the red lip all year round, but a little rouge lip colour to perk up pale lips will go a long way in transforming a tired, sallow complexion. If lipstick isn’t your thing, opt for a little gloss instead. I apply my ELES Colour Balm in Siren every single day. It combines the payoff of a sheer lipstick with the superior shine of a gloss. You won’t be disappointed! So go forth and try these top tips and enjoy never being told you look tired again!

Mastering eyeshadow application. Why and how you should wear it

by Jo Boyden on Dec 21 2020

Ever been seduced into buying a new eyeshadow palette of tantalising shades only to discover the majority of them are unwearable? Or you simply have no idea where to start when it comes to applying them?Let’s face it, applying eyeshadow correctly, I’m talking multiply layers of varying shades to create stand out eyes, is an art form! So it’s no surprise that many of us either get it wrong or simply shy away from shadow! But wearing eyeshadow correctly can have a big impact on the way we look...and for the better! It has the power to enhance, define and complement your eyes in all but a few simple sweeps, you just need to know how!So read on to discover our top tips and become the master of your own eyeshadow destiny in next to no time. You won’t be disappointed with the results, trust me! Go neutral If you’re starting out on your eyeshadow journey its best to keep things simple. By using just a few neutral shades you can contour your eyes and add depth and dimension in a soft and subtle way. We are in love with the new ELES Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trios. A choice of not one, but four palettes in a combination of three beautiful earth tones to suit everyone! The soft and subtle powder shadows apply smoothly and effortlessly and since they are pigment packed, every shade delivers rich, opaque colour for hours of crease-resistant wear! Use the right brushes! Know those little foam wands or brushes that come in some eyeshadow compacts? Ditch them! They are awful for applying product with precision!Flawless eyeshadow application is ALL in the brushes! So investing in a good eyeshadow brush (or three!) is paramount as it’ll help laydown powder shadows, setting them in place for the day. Opt for a dense base shadow brush to impart colour on the lid first, a blending brush for blending and highlighting and a flat definer brush to line and define your eyes! Don’t worry we are about to tell you how to use them! Apply shadows in the correct order (follow our diagram) Have your palette at the ready but unsure which shade should go where? This handy diagram should become your go to; Lightest ‘highlighting’ colour Medium shadow colour Darkest ‘smokey’ colour Start by applying the lightest shade (a white or nude) from your palette over your entire lid, all the way to the inner corner, using a base shadow brush. You really need this light shadow to perfect your look as it’ll help open up your eyes and make your colour ‘pop’. Just be sure to use your brush in a dabbing not dragging motion though as this is the key to applying ‘streak-less’ shadow!Next use a tapered blending brush to apply a medium shade into your crease (the curve above your eyelid) blending from the outer corners inwards.Use the same brush to apply the dark shade to the outer corner of your eyelid. Extend it outwards and upwards to create a smoky effect so to speak, then blend it inwards slightly. Applying this darker shadow slightly beyond your crease is the key to adding real dimension to your eyes.Additional tip: If you want to take your look from day to night up the anti! Don’t let the neutral shades fool you. By dampening your brush you can add intensity, just be sure to apply your foundation after your eyes are finished so any eyeshadow fallout can be easily dusted off. Complete your look Eyeliner, when applied correctly can make your lashes look thicker and your eyes wider. So to complete your look, instead of using an eyeliner, you can use the darkest shade of your shadows to create an impactful, well defined eye. Simple use a flat definer brush and press the dark shadow along the edges of your upper eyelid where your eyelashes begin and along the lower lash line. The finish with lashings of mascara. Yes it’s that simple! And with practice comes perfection.

6 beauty tips celebrity makeup artists swear by

by Jo Boyden on Nov 02 2020

Highly skilled makeup professionals can make anyone look pore-less, glamourous, and red carpet ready, so read on to learn about their top tips and how to incorporate them into your daily makeup routine. Spend more time prepping your skin Every makeup routine should start with well-prepped skin, after all, you don’t just want to look like you’re wearing makeup but look great in the makeup you are wearing. And spending an extra 10 minutes means a fresher face in the end!If skin is dull, dry, or fatigued incorporate a super-hydrating serum rich in hyaluronic acid underneath your moisturiser – to give mature complexions a healthy sheen. Just remember quenching the skin before applying makeup really will help boost brightness.Try: Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum Go for a gradual layered approach when it comes to your base application The ‘overdone’ look never did anyone any favours so instead of slathering on that matte foundation you’ve been faithful to for years opt for a gradual layered approach which will build both colour and coverage which looks natural. Using more products but less of it will achieve the best result. Start with a primer or tinted cream like your BB’s or CC – for a sheer base that’ll correct skin undertones while brightening your complexion.Switching to a radiance-boosting liquid foundation or even applying illuminator over your base will immediately restore a little radiance to your skin. You can apply it over your primer, BB or CC if/where you feel you need extra coverage.Just remember, you want your makeup to look like an extension of yourself, a somewhat better version, rather than a separate mask and illuminating or light reflecting products will help achieve that more youthful glow every time. If you simply love your matte foundation and aren’t ready for change, just mix it with moisturizer to lighten your coverage and achieve a more dewy effect.Try: ELES Luminous CC Cream 20 and ELES Stick Illuminator Apply your bronzer and blush to the right areas of your face A natural, healthy look can be achieved by applying both bronzer and blush to your face, but where you apply it can have a huge impact! For that subtle lift, apply blush high up on your cheeks, along the upper cheekbones rather than on the apples. Then subtly sculpt your face with bronzer by applying it in a big 3 shape on either side of the face, curving from your forehead to the tops of your cheekbones and under the jawline. Then blend.Try: ELES Baked Blush followed by ELES Baked Bronzer in Sunbeam for a healthy glow with a touch of sheer radiance. Love your liner A good eyeliner is imperative to making eyes pop. A black gel pencil in the waterline top and bottom will give eyes shape and expression without looking overdone. Follow with a waterline pencil on the lower lash line to really open eyes up. It’ll also act as an instant freshener when eyes are red and/or tired.Try: ELES Superwear Gel Liner for super smooth easy lining, followed by ELES Waterline Liner for stand out eyes. Fill and extend eyebrows for bigger eyes Your brows can completely change how your face looks, and fuller, well shaped brows will add immediate dimension and help to sculpt the face making you look younger and more awake!Actually filling in your eyebrows from the top of the brow and elongating it gives eyes a more youthful look. For longevity it’s best to build up your brows with a combo of brow pencil then set with a powder shadow one shade lighter than brows.Try ELES Precision Brow pencil and ELES Brow Sculpt Match your lipliner to your lip colour Even if your lips tend to be on the paler side you should match your lip liner to the colour of your lips, not your darker (or lighter!) lipstick shade. A natural-toned liner will make it easier to correct shape (especially if your top lip is uneven or has lost definition so fades into skin) as well as add fullness.Try: ELES Long Wear Lipliner Want more makeup tips? Check out Celebrity Makeup Artists Best Beauty Hacks

Makeup looks from the Oscars that you’ll want to recreate this Valentine’s Day!

by Jo Boyden on Feb 13 2020

Hollywood's biggest event of the year – The Oscars – calls for bold and beautiful makeup year after year and boy did this year not disappoint! From smouldering eyes to statement red lips, the Oscars is a time to pull out all the stops….and so is Valentine’s Day we say!Armed with the right products, you too can recreate this year’s looks straight from the red carpet, looks that everyone will fall in love with regardless of your plans for this coming Friday night! So read on and get experimenting! We have kept it simple and just gone with our favourite two makeovers, as adorned by the stunning Scarlett Johansson and Lucy Boynton. Bronzed glowThis year’s Oscars saw Scarlett Johansson master the “I just got back from a tropical holiday” glow.Her shimmer shadow, bronzer and lipstick combination is simply the perfect Valentine’s Day look whether you are headed out for a fancy dinner or for drinks with friends.To create her glowier-than-glowy complexion, apply a dewy foundation, (we love the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint), followed by a powder bronzer to contour beneath your cheeks and jawline to “slim” the face. The ELES Baked Bronzer in Sunbeam 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 show stopper, dab on a little stick illuminator above the apples of your cheeks and down the centre of your nose.For Scarlett’s shimmery standout eyes apply ELES Mineral Shadow in Bronzite and then blend softly above the crease of your eye lid, as well as beneath the lower lash line for a bronzed smoky eye. To make eyes pop don’t be afraid to use the ELES Waterliner pencil in both the inner corners of your eyes as well as on your waterline. Complete the eyes with lashings of ELES Lush Mascara.For that subtle flush of colour on the lips, use a lip liner to gently fill in (we recommend the ELES Long Wear Lipliner in Nude) and then add a touch of gloss like our ELES Pucker-Up Lipgloss in Love Bite for that hint of shine. If you have a preference for lipsticks instead, try the ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Parfait. Play up your lashesLucy Boynton always likes to make a statement at the Oscars and this year she did so by dramatizing her eyes with Twiggy-inspired ultra-long lashes! #goals. Coupled with standout red lips, her look was equal parts fun and flirty!To achieve her flawless base go for a long-lasting matte foundation which is great for recreating a natural look while still providing ample coverage. If you are a lover of liquid we recommend our best-selling ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation – it glides effortlessly yet sets to a soft powder finish. But if powder is your go-to, we highly recommend the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation compact. Complete your base with a soft pink blush like the ELES Baked Blush in Posey - after all, nothing says romance like a flushed cheek.Next it’s time to dramatize the eyes but emphasizing both the eyebrows and lower lashes. Firstly we recommend you use the ELES Brow Blender in Dark Taupe. With the spool end brush the brows upwards, then using short soft strokes apply the pencil.For the eyes, first apply a peachy matte eyeshadow, then 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 create the appearance of Lucy’s ultra-long and thick lashes allow mascara to semi-dry in between coats.To complete the look reach for a bold, matte, blood-red lippie. We are in love with the ELES Matte Lipstick in Spicy.Valentine’s Day we’re ready for you!

Beauty Collective - spring makeup trends

RUNWAY TO REALITY: The most sought after spring makeup trends decoded

by Jo Boyden on Sep 19 2019

Good bye winter, hello spring! And what better way to bring in the new season than with a makeup overhaul! From ‘lit-from-within’ skin to all out bronzed beauty, groomed brows to bright lips, we share our favourite four makeup trends straight off the runway and explain how you too can achieve these sought after looks this spring. “Lit-from-within” Glow If your preference is minimal makeup on the daily then this will be the perfect trend for you to adopt! While luminous glowing skin is always on trend, the ‘lit-from-within’ glow is what’s creating all the hype this season. Simple to achieve, this look is all about skin first, makeup second - from skincare that’ll make up your complexion gleam, to makeup that’ll let your natural self shine through (we are talking freckles, beauty marks, the lot!)Boost skin with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic to oxygenate and deeply nourish the skin from inside out. We recommend both the Vie Collection - Mesoforce Hydra Revitalizing Cream and Medicalia - "C" Serum with Oxyzomes. Add a drop of face oil to your foundation to amp up your skin's natural glow. We are in love with the Phytomer - Rosee Soin Radiance Replenishing Oil. And softly highlight your forehead and cheekbones with a touch of liquid cream illuminator favoured by makeup artists over the classic powder highlighters. Try ELES Stick Illuminator for the perfect natural sheen. Brushed Brows From the overdone insta-brow to the unkempt bushy brow, this season takes us on a different path – softly perfected brows. A fluffier, feathered texture achieved by brushing the hairs upward. We recommend using the ELES Precision Brow Pencil. Use the bush end to brush up your brows, then the pencil end to create hair light strokes to subtly fill in any sparse areas. Keep the rest of your makeup pretty low key so that your brows are the star! Bronzed Beauty This season bronzer is back baby! After putting in on the back burner it returns with conviction! We are talking all out bronzed goddess. Reach for champagne gold and metallic hues and couple with bronzed illuminator and peachy eyes synonymous with tropical summer evenings. To achieve this look try the ELES Baked Bronzer in Sunbeam, the ELES Liquid Illuminator in Bronze and the ELES Mineral Matte Eyeshadow in Terra Peach. Loud Lips We are talking bright highly pigmented lips. From corals to neon pinks to fiery reds, the bolder the better. Whatever ‘bright’ tickles your fancy it’ll be on trend so go on give it a go and breathe some life into your makeup bag and look! This season we are lusting after the new ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Sorbet.

10 makeup mistakes you could well be making

by Jo Boyden on Jul 18 2019

We are forever on the quest to achieving that perfect makeup look and hey experimenting on the way can be fun, but with the many tips and techniques being sold to us on the daily it’s hard to know if you’re acing your makeup or simply making mistakes. Well, we are here to help! Below are 10 of the most common makeup mistakes being made every day and how to well simply get it right! Pulling the area around your eye to make the perfect wing Yes yes, even I used to do this and then I learnt how BAD it was for my eyes, think skin ageing and fine lines due to the breakdown of elasticity! And let’s not forget you can easily end up with a horribly uneven line. And so now this; I use a post-it note! Yes, you heard that right, however you could, in theory, use any piece of folded paper, card or similar to achieve the same effect. Now no more cotton buds and re-application, I nail the perfect winged eye every single day (love me a winged eye!) Applying your lippie to dry lips This is a definite no no, as your lipstick won’t apply evenly, it’ll seep into your lip lines making your lips appear VERY dry and in some cases, they’ll even look a little on the crusty side, attractive right?! Instead, be sure to ‘prep’ your lips. Some people love to apply a little foundation to the lips as they believe it helps hold the lipstick in place for longer (much like the effect of a lip primer) but I personally think this dries out your lips even more! Instead, use a chapstick or lip balm and let it soak in. After a few minutes blot any excess and apply your favourite lipstick colour. See how it glides on effortlessly and evenly, will last longer and there won’t be a crusty lip in sight! Testing foundation shades on the back of your hand Yes, many do this but are they walking away with the correct shade for their complexion? The back of your hands tends to be darker than the skin on your face so it’s best to trial a few shades on both your jawline and neck. Just remember though your face tends to get much more sun exposure than your neck so you really want to find a foundation shade that matches both areas when blended into the skin. Applying your makeup with the wrong tools The key to natural-looking makeup lies in mastering the art of blending. Makeup that isn’t blended well can look heavy and imperfect. Get yourself armed with a few good brushes and a BeautyBlender, these tools will stand you in good stead and the beauty blender will enable you to reach every contour of your face. It is meant to be used damp, allowing for a flawless application and ensuring that makeup never looks heavy! Applying the wrong shade of eyeliner to your lower lash line Let’s face it black is the most popular eyeliner shade on the market but is it a one size fits all? No! If like me, you have a light complexion and blonde hair it’s actually advisable to use a brown liner, at least on the bottom lash line. Black can end up looking quite harsh and instead of opening up your eyes (after all who doesn’t want large doll-like eyes!) it can make them look smaller. It’s also a great idea to follow with a nude pencil or what’s known as a Waterline Liner. This will help open up your eyes and make them look wider! Incorrect lip liner application We all want to achieve bigger, luscious lips, but the worst thing you can do is draw a sharp line around your lips with lip liner to outline them. A lip liner is meant to define your lips, not just create a border around them! Instead, simply draw a soft outline and then use the lip liner to blend and fill in your lips, this will also act as an adhesive to help your lipstick stay in place for longer! Overloading on foundation powder Face powder, when used correctly and frugally can be a fantastic makeup staple (I have been I’m in love with the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation for years!) however, no matter your skin type, too much face powder can actually age you! That’s right, it can highlight fine lines and wrinkles instead of helping to conceal them! It’s best to use it sparingly – on your t-zone, or for quick touch-up’s, just make sure you opt for a lightweight powder! Sporting statement lips and dramatic eyeshadow together Who doesn’t love a beautiful bold lip? But if you are sporting dramatic eyes keep your lips nude or neutral to balance things out. And if you’re feeling the statement lips vibe, keep your eye makeup natural. Experimenting with makeup colours can be so much fun but remember the “less is more” rule to avoid looking overdone! Applying your blush incorrectly A blush applied correctly will help elongate your face, give you high cheekbones and make your face appear slimmer. However, apply it incorrectly and you could either wind up looking like a clown or someone suffering from rosacea. To nail it, using an angled blush brush, lightly apply a complementary shade of blush to the apples of your cheeks then sweep upwards towards your temples and ears. Forgetting a vital step – prepping your skin If you haven’t prepped your skin with your faithful moisturiser before applying your foundation, chances are your skin will look and feel dry. Plus makeup tends to stick to dry areas on the skin making it appear patchy. It’ll even seep into fine lines and wrinkles accentuating them! For best results apply your moisturiser, wait five minutes for it so properly absorb and then move onto your foundation.

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