BC Skin Journal
BC Blog
7 Products and tips to treat summer skin
by Jo Boyden
on Feb 02 2022
With the sizzling summer season comes steamy summer conditions – hot, humid weather and excessive exposure to the sun and its harmful UV rays! Eek! So it’s important to up the ante by adjusting your skincare routine to reflect this. Just like switching up your winter regime can help you maintain glowy, hydrated skin, there are essential skincare tips to follow that will ensure you keep clear, healthy skin as the temperature rises. Read on as we reveal these top tips to treat your summer skin and the products we highly recommend! Phytomer Hydracontinue Radiance Energizing CreamEven though skin might currently appear somewhat parched, it’s best to use lightweight moisturisers in the warmer months, this is because thicker creams can lead to clogged pores, inflammation and even acne, especially if you are susceptible to oily or blemish prone skin.I currently can’t get enough of Phytomer’s Hydracontinue Radiance Energizing Cream. Thanks to its beautifully lightweight texture, it helps keep that outer layer of skin perfectly nourished without feeling too heavy. Rich in vitamins, it revitalizes, activates your skin’s cellular activity to promote natural regrowth, hydrates, softens and smooths skin for a radiant youthful appearance. Medicalia SPF 50 with Blue Light ShieldSunscreen should be worn all year around but with the sizzling summer months comes lazy days at the beach for many which means longer hours of sun exposure! And, as we’ve preached on many occasion, the sun IS the no. 1 cause of ageing, throw in the perils of sunburn and you’ll want to make sure you slip slop slap religiously! For the best protection make sure skin is covered with a high factor SPF like Medicalia’s SPF 50 with Blue Light Shield. Formulated with natural, nurturing and chemical-free active ingredients including; Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Argan Oil and Withania Somnifera Root, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, this light-textured, non-greasy, tinted and 'ocean/reef safe' sunscreen delivers powerful sun and blue light protection whilst also combating skin-aging free radicals from UV and infrared radiation! Oh, and it soothes, calms and hydrates skin too! Pevonia After Sun Soothing GelToo much sun can result in itchy, irritated or sun burnt skin, Pevonia’s After Sun Soothing Gel is the perfect remedy. It is a beautifully refreshing gel which literally soothes, cools and comforts the skin immediately. Water Lily extract and proline combine to decrease skin’s temperate, gently alleviating sun sensitive skin. Pevonia Vitamin C ComplexIn the warmer months, when the sun is shining, UVB radiation is at its strongest, so it’s important to not only prioritise SPF but Vitamin C in our skincare too! Vitamin C when applied topically not only boosts our skin’s natural tolerance to the sun, but it is able to help control the formation of pigmentation, brighten your complexion, improve the appearance of fine lines and help with collagen production too! So make sure you are armed with a Vitamin C serum like Pevonia’s “C” Complexe with Oxyzomes. The citrus scent is divine and just two pumps equals radiant looking skin instantaneously. Oh, and it feels a-mazing too thanks to its combination of vitamin c and hydrating powerhouse hyaluronic which quite literally drenches skin with repairing antioxidants. Layer a few drops on your skin before moisturising. Heaven. Phytomer Oligoforce Soothing Enforcement Serum with OligomerIf you are a sufferer of facial flushing, the warmer weather certainly does not help!Like liquid ice on the skin Phytomer’s Oligoforce Soothing Enforcement Serum with Oligormer, sooths, cools, strengthens and replenishes heat irritated skin. Apply at night to do its thing while you sleep and wake with normalised calm skin. Phytomer Cyfolia Organic Radiance Exfoliating CreamWhile sunscreen is imperative and excess oil from sweating is a given, both can do a number on your pores! Cue exfoliation. It’ll help unclog unwanted debris from pores which in turn reduces the chances of blemishes. Just be sure not to overdo it though (use once or twice weekly at the most) and it’s best to steer clear if you are sunburned and allow skin to naturally heal.Try gentle exfoliants like Phytomer’s Cyfolia Organic Radiance Exfoliating Cream, featuring two organic gentle exfoliants – argan kernels and pomegranate seeds, combined with orange water, oligomer and Cyfolia algae, this beautifully gentle exfoliator immediately clears debris and dull, dead skin to reveal a softer, smoother and more radiant complexion. ELES Pore Perfecting Face PrimerHumidity and hot weather tend to stimulate the production of sebum, leading to more oil on the skin, more oil on the skin means makeup can slide right off your face so a makeup primer is a must! They have the power to literally make your makeup stay put all day long and ELES’s Pore Perfecting Face Primer is no exception. Not only does it keep makeup in place all day long, it also combats shine, absorbs excess oil and reduces the appearance of pores to keep your foundation looking flawless! Genius!
Melt-proof makeup - 6 products you’ll wish you were using right now
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 19 2022
Feeling a little over the never-ending humidity? Fed up with your foundation sliding off your face by mid-morning? Or sporting panda eyes by noon? The summer season is never fun for makeup, throw tropical weather front La Nina into the mix and it's far from flawless skin for all! Unless you are armed with the right products that is! That’s right, it doesn’t have to be all makeup doom and gloom, you can feel fresh as a daisy from morning to night donning that perfect “no makeup” makeup look, and we are here to tell you how! So, continue reading as we reveal 6 products, you’ll wish you were using right now. ELES Pore Perfecting Face PrimerFinding that perfect primer and using it religiously is key when it comes to preventing your makeup from literally sliding off your face. Makeup primers are the one product that have the power to literally make your makeup stay put all day long!Simply apply it after you’ve cleansed and moisturised your skin, prior to your foundation and you’ll be good to go!We LOVE 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 looking flawless! Genius!“This is a great primer – I’ve been using it for a few years now. It helps keep my foundation looking amazing all day. It’s mattifying but won’t dry your skin!” Sia Papageorgiou ELES Liquid Powder Mineral FoundationHumid, hot temps can really exacerbate oil flow in our skin! Which is one of the reasons for slippery makeup! So, if you skin tends to be on the oilier side, it’s best to opt for oil-free formulations.ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation has a long-lasting staying power which is second to none. It’s packed with goodness including an exclusive multi mineral complex as well as vitamins A, C & E and its formula, while it goes on as a silky liquid, sets to a soft powder finish which lasts all day.“This foundation is a revolution in a tube. It smooths over the skin, hides imperfections and evens out skin tone and feels effortlessly light all day long.” Naomi Fry ELES Mineral Powder foundationThe perfect product for any touch-ups, as well as eliminating shine, is a good powder compact and we love ELES’s Mineral Powder Foundation. Unlike other heavier powders which can clog pores and in turn, lead to excess oil production (no thanks!) the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation is a translucent formula which not only looks beautifully natural but allows the skin to breathe freely too. The particles in the powder tend to absorb moisture, preventing shine and what’s more, it’s formulated with skin loving ingredients including vitamins A & E, so it’ll provide antioxidant protection as well as condition skin!“Love this foundation, you can make it as light or heavy as you want. It sits really nice on the skin and doesn’t clog my pores I have combination skin and it lasts all day.” Chrissy V ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30If you aren’t a lover of matte foundations, and like the idea of wearing very little makeup in the steamy summer months but wouldn’t dare to go bare because #blemishes! BB creams are for you! And we can’t recommend the ELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30 enough! One of ELES’s best sellers and for good reason, it’s a multi-tasking wonder cream which primes, protects, tints, nourishes and evens out skin tone for flawless, completely natural looking coverage.“I have used a few BB creams before and this one by ELES is by far the best. A little bit goes a long way and the coverage is great. I wear it as a foundation, and it looks really natural. I love it!” Jennifer A ELES Lash Fortify Waterproof MascaraJust as your makeup can slide off your face, so can your mascara! And no one likes looking in the mirror at the end of the day and seeing panda eyes staring right back! So a good smudge proof/water resistant mascara with staying power is a must! Try ELES’s Lash Fortify Waterproof Mascara. The ergonomic brush and fortifying formula coats lashes to quickly lengthen, curl, volumize and lock them into place for all day wear. The result is instantly impressive eyes with lashes that are lusciously conditioned and protected all day long!“I have been using this mascara for years. You can be confident that it will stay on all day without smudging. It separates the eyelashes well and colours right to the ends. Easily removed with eye makeup remover. Highly recommend.” Cara F ELES Superwear Gel LinerAnd if you want your eyes to stand out that little bit more, couple ELES’s Lash Fortify Waterproof Mascara with a long lasting eye liner like ELES’s Superwear Gel Liner! It’s not only super smooth to apply thanks to its moisturising and hydrating ingredients, it’s also a long-wearing liner with intense colour pay-off!“Great easy to use eyeliner. Super long lasting and comfortable to wear all day.” Cassy McKenna
Skin in need of a detox? 7 ways to get it back into shape
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 13 2022
If you’re anything like me, the festive season might well have seen you over-indulging. And the more ‘treats’ you’ve enjoyed, the more likely both you, and your skin will be in need of detox!Detoxing your skin simply means removing as many of the impurities, toxins, pollutants and dead skin cells as possible to cleanse, treat, brighten, hydrate and soothe your skin back to its optimal condition. If you’ve yet to try a skin detox, it’s probably time, here’s how; Double Cleanse We all cleanse our skin of course, it’s a daily habit, but no matter what your usual skincare routine, a serious skin detox requires double cleansing! The first cleanse will eradicate daily dirt, excess oil and makeup, but if you double cleanse you’ll be sure to remove any remaining impurities guaranteeing your cleanest skin yet!The double cleanse method works on the principle that you firstly use a cleansing oil (we LOVE the ELES Transformation Cleansing Oil) or micellar water (if you are a lover of micellar water you simply must try Vie Collection’s Micellar water for face, eyes and lips), they will break down makeup, SPF and sebum on the surface of your skin. Then follow with a water-based cleanser, which will clean much deeper into the pores, removing any remaining sweat, bacteria and dead skin cells. The deeper cleanse will also allow your serum and moisturiser, as well as other night-time leave-on products, to penetrate into your skin working their magic much more efficiently, giving your skin cells the best chance at regenerating for a plumper more youthful complexion! Up the ante when it comes to exfoliating It’s time to step up your game. The goal is to slough away dull, dead skin cells and toxins frequently, so opt for a gentle formula you can use twice a week. 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. Apply a detoxifying mask Whenever skin is in need of a serious detox, applying a mask containing ingredients like charcoal is a must! It’ll help to absorb deep-dwelling dirt and toxins as well as removing excel oil and impurities from the skin. We love Pevonia’s Pure Skin Charcoal Mask. This silky-smooth and creamy mask easily pulls toxins out of the skin for a clean, purified and healthy complexion as it restores a normalized cellular function.Kaolin and Bentonite Clays can also help refine pores and balance the skin. Our go-to mask for deep cleansing is Phytomer Oligopur Flawless Skin Mask with Kaolin Clay. Add your skin boosters Now that your pores are open, clean and ready for action - in other words ready to absorb some serious active ingredients - it’s time to apply your skin boosters AKA hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and retinol among others. Vitamin C especially is a great detoxing agent since its rich in antioxidants and can combat free radicals! Try Pevonia’s C Complexe. Vitamin C and hydration hero hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing skin while correcting photo-damage. Not only does it have the most beautiful citrus aroma, it makes skin instantly brighter and dewier on application too. Hydrate your skin Complete your facial detox regimen by keeping your skin's moisture levels balanced. Opt for a moisturiser that contains Hyaluronic Acid such as Pevonia’s Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream. If you read our blog, you’ll already know it’s my personal absolute can’t live without product and Pevonia’s Global Best-Seller too! It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream – formulated with the best hydrating ingredients; Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Collagen, Glycerin, and more, that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin super soft, supple and like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day!At night use a facial oil designed to help lock in optimum hydration levels. We highly recommend Pevonia’s Vitaminic Concentrate. It’s a soothing, silky antioxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma and is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration, and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple, and seriously glowy skin by morning. Don’t forget your body Now we have your skin sorted it’s time to move onto your body! Dry brushing your body with a firm-bristled brush before showering is amazing for detoxifying! It can help remove dead skin cells, stimulate lymphatic fluid and improve circulation to rid skin of impurities.Also using a good seaweed soap in the shower can have major benefits. Combining Seaweed, one of the greatest marine elements with Shea Butter, Pevonia’s Seaweed Exfoliating Soap detoxifies, stimulates circulation, removes surface build-up, and renders your skin silky-smooth! Winning. Clean from within Finally eating lots of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, as well as drinking green tea and at least eight glasses of water a day, will help your skin flush toxins from the inside out.
The top 5 makeup questions answered by the BC experts
by Jo Boyden
on Dec 22 2021
From makeup must-haves to choosing your foundation, with the plethora of makeup advice out there, it can often get confusing when knowing what is right from wrong, so we compiled the top 5 makeup questions everyone asks and put it to the BC experts for their professional answers. Read on for five solutions to the most common beauty queries of 2021. How do I stop my makeup from looking patchy? If you are prone to dry skin you’re more likely to experience the problem of patchy looking makeup because dry skin has more texture so makeup can more easily settle into the fine creases. The solution? Make sure you exfoliate regularly to remove any dead cells and debris and smooth skin texture. Depending on your skin type, once or twice a week will suffice.It’s essential to hydrate skin with a nourishing moisturiser prior to applying your base too. Another consideration is to review the type of foundation you are wearing too. Which takes me to the next question…. How do I choose the right foundation for my skin? Your skin tone and texture changes throughout the year, so no one foundation is likely to work all year round.Foundation creates the illusion of a flawless complexion. First, you need to determine your skin type, then what type of coverage you want to achieve: sheer, medium, or full. And finally, decide on the finish: matte, natural, or dewy.For more help with choosing the right foundation formula for your skin type click here. Should I apply my concealer before or after by foundation? This one is a little controversial as different makeup professionals will offer a different answer, but at BC we like to apply our foundation first to create an even base, and then add concealer to areas that still need it after. By starting with the foundation coverage, you may be pleasantly surprised at how little concealer you actually need to get the finish you are looking for. And remember less is more when it comes to makeup. Should you apply concealer first and then foundation you are likely to use more product than you actually need, and more product can result in cakey looking skin! Eek. Why won’t my makeup last? In short excess oil is the no. 1 reason for your makeup simply sliding off your face by mid-morning. Unfortunately, when the oils of your skin interact with your makeup, they begin breaking your makeup down. That doesn’t mean you should ever consider skipping on your moisturiser though! Your skin can actually produce more oil when it’s not properly hydrated! Eek. Instead try using a lightweight cream, followed by a mattifying primer (as they can help create a barrier between your skin’s oils and makeup) and opt for a foundation with a long-lasting formulation.For 6 simple steps as well as the best products to help encourage long lasting makeup click here. How do I keep my lipstick from coming off? Lipstick is one of those essential makeup products that can really change your look and add colour to your face, but it can also be a challenge if not applied properly, when I say challenge I mean lipstick on your teeth, down your chin or simply non-existent after only a short amount of time! For some essential tricks to keep your lip hue in place all day—no smearing, blurring, fading, feathering, or cracking, click here.
Travel essentials you’ll need this holiday season
by Jo Boyden
on Dec 17 2021
Heading off on that much deserved holiday but not sure what products to pack in your beauty bag because isn’t everything essential?We all know when it comes to packing, less is always more so instead of bringing everything and the kitchen sink, it’s best to pack lightly by choosing multitasking makeup products, convenient packaging and travel sized skincare essentials, and at BC we have you covered!Read on for our go-to list of beauty must-haves to keep your skin healthy and glowing and your suitcase light this holiday season! ELES Age Defying BB Cream SPF 30Holidays are a great time to refine your makeup regimen to the bare essentials. A full face of foundation isn’t something any of us would want when we are spending days on the beach, relaxing by the pool or simply hanging out at home on staycation for that matter! But if you’re like me you won’t want to totally forgo makeup either! Instead, opt for a multi-tasking BB Cream! We LOVE ELES’s best-selling Age Defying BB Cream 30. Not only does it contain high factor SPF, but this tinted cream melts into the skin to cover blemishes for a unified dewy, and visibly radiant complexion too! What’s more, it has the added skincare benefits of hyaluronic, vitamin e, squalane and a multi-mineral complex too! Plus, it feels like you aren’t wearing makeup either! Amazing stuff. ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused LightWe are all on the quest for those multi-tasking miracle products, and this product is just that! Your bronzer, highlighter, and foundation powder combined into one clever compact that you can simply swipe all over for your healthiest, natural looking glow! Yess!It’s 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. I LOVE it and so do so many! ELES Cosmetics Custom PaletteJust as the name suggests this palette is fully customised which means you get to call the shots by selecting whichever product shades you want to insert, from a great selection outlined online. You need to pick a powder foundation, a blush and two eye shadows, all the products I live in (aside from my faithful mascara of course), and they come presented in a very sleek compact, perfect for on the go! What’s more the soft, powder formulas deliver rich, velvety, blendable colour that lasts all day! Pevonia Ultra Hydration Gift PackIf your skin is feeling a tad parched (it is the silly season after all) and could do with a serious boost of hydration, then this is the pack you’ll want to well pack! Featuring not one, but three Pevonia best-sellers (and my favourites too!) the products in this pack provide skin with the ultimate in hydration and skin-smoothing results. Including a free Ageless Skin Mask, Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream, and a Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum, you will be blown away by the results after just a few applications. Use the mask once a week, and the serum and cream daily morning and night and reap the benefits.For more convenient gift packs with travel friendly sizes click here. We have a pack for every skin type and concern! And for our discounted Christmas gifts sets full of our best sellers, click here. Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserWhile your sunscreen is an essential on holiday (wear it religiously!) don’t let it accumulate on your skin or clog your pores. You still need to gently exfoliate for fresh and healthy skin. For the perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types, we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, it gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, revealing a softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single use!To learn all about the beautifying benefits of exfoliation and which other exfoliators might be best for your skin this season click here.
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!
The best way to treat dark spots on your face
by Jo Boyden
on Nov 24 2021
If you find yourself suddenly susceptible to dark spots on your skin do not distress! Dark spots, or otherwise known as age spots, sun spots, brown spots or hyperpigmentation, is a common condition but one that can be helped by following a few simple steps! So, if your dark spots are bothering you and you want to know how to treat them read on.Firstly though, what exactly are dark spots and why have you started to get them you might ask?Dark spots are patches of skin that become darker in colour to your normal surrounding skin. This occurs when your skin produces excess melanin or the melanin clusters in certain areas of your body. Melanin, if you don’t already know, is a type of pigment that gives colour to your skin, hair and eyes. Dark spots are usually caused by a number of different factors such as acne scarring, genetics, hormones, age and most commonly sun damage. They become especially prolific in the warmer months due to increase in sun exposure. In other words, increased melanin production is stimulated by the sun!Anyone can develop dark spots on their skin, but certain factors can increase your risks including, being over 40 years of age, having light hair and fair skin, frequent exposure to the sun and history of sunburn! If like me you have ticked all of the above, you may well already be susceptible or could have a few dark spots to look forward to eeek! And remember even tiny dark spots will keep growing! So, let's get ahead now and start to treat them or try our hardest to prevent them from ever forming!So what’s the best way to treat dark spots? Don’t become slack with your sunscreen! Sunscreen! Here we are again preaching about the importance of sunscreen! And here is another reason to wear this superhero product. Sun exposure doesn’t only increase melanin production, UV exposure makes discoloration darker too — so slather on that sunscreen on every. single. day to make sure your dark spots don’t become darker, as well as prevent getting new ones from forming!For the best lightweight daily SPF, my personal go-to is ELES Cosmetics’ Luminous Defence Brightening Day protection SPF 50. It’s lovely and light (none of this thick white greasy emulsion!) plus not only does it protect skin against the sun’s harmful rays, it also helps prevent discolouration while diminishing existing dark spots, all whilst calming and brightening your complexion too! Just what the doctor ordered!Another favourite of some of the girls at BC includes Vie Collection’s Mela White Protective Sunscreen SPF 30. This amazing daily cream is formulated with two high-tech ingredients that act against dark spots, free radicals and UV rays. After daily use, dark spots become less visible and skin more unified.And if you want to protect skin from UV rays as well as blue light damage, try Medicalia’s Sunscreen SPF 40 with Blue Light Shield. This everyday sunscreen contains an exclusive mineral formula to shield skin from harmful sun rays, blue light and pollution. It delivers all-natural protection with the addition of zinc oxide which acts to form a protective seal over the skin to reflect blue light away.It rubs into skin seamlessly without leaving a white cast or greasy residue behind. And even better, the formula is reef-safe and works for all skin types and tones! Exfoliate Ah, the many benefits of exfoliation! A good weekly exfoliation will break up dead surface skin cells, lighten dark spots and reveal a fresh glowy complexion instead! For the perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types, we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, it gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, revealing a softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single use!To learn all about the beautifying benefits of exfoliation and which other exfoliators might be best for your skin this spring click here. Wear skincare rich in Vitamin C In the warmer months, when the sun is shining, UVB radiation is at its strongest, so it’s important to not only prioritise SPF but Vitamin C in our skincare too! Vitamin C when applied topically not only boosts our skin’s natural tolerance to the sun, but it is able to help control the formation of pigmentation as well as significantly lightening its appearance too! So it’s a must-have treatment for dark spots!!Make sure therefore, you are armed with a great vitamin C serum or cream. I can’t speak more highly of Pevonia’s “C” Complex with Oxyzomes. The citrus scent is divine and just two pumps equals radiant looking skin instantaneously. Oh, and it feels a-mazing too thanks to its combination of vitamin c and hydrating powerhouse hyaluronic which quite literally drenches skin with repairing antioxidants. Heaven. Add Glycolic Acid to your skincare routine AHA Glycolic Acid is a chemical exfoliator that fights both skin breakouts and wrinkles by declogging, resurfacing and brightening the skin. In addition, this skincare saint is known for reducing dark spots and evening out skin tone so it’s one of the best treatments for dark spots on the face!I love Pevonia’s Renewing Glycocides Cream. It combines Glycolic acid with hero ingredient Hyaluronic Acid to dramatically improve skin’s texture. Try using Retinol at night Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is another go-to ingredient to help in the quest against dark spots and the sooner you start using it in your skincare routine the better. In addition to encouraging cell turnover and exfoliating away minor discolorations, this amazing ingredient also helps to prevent future dark spots through a photoprotective antioxidant. Just be sure to apply it at night, since it may induce heightened sun sensitivity, and ease it in slowly.Try Medicalia’s L Retinol Smoothing Cream. It’s a must in the fight against dark spots! Formulated with retinol and Glycolic and Lactic Acid (yes!) it’s an excellent resurfacing and lightening cream for photodamaged skin. Just be sure to introduce it slowly and apply before bed. To learn more about retinol click here. And at the end of the day remember prevention with sunscreen is key!
6 reasons why you should start using face oils
by Jo Boyden
on Nov 11 2021
While they're predominantly known for their hydrating properties, face oils, contrary to popular belief, are not a skincare product designed only for those prone to dry skin! Oh no, they can in fact work wonders on most skin types thanks to their myriad of benefits, and can transform skin from dull to dazzling in next to no time! But don’t just take my word for it, read on as we reveal 6 benefits of face oils and why you need one in your daily routine stat! We’ll also tell you all about our top 6 face oils on BC. Firstly though, you need to understand what exactly a face oil actually is!So what are face oils?Face oils are typically formulated with botanical and essential oils as well as plant extracts and antioxidants. They are designed to soften, nourish and balance your complexion, locking in hydration and providing skin with the additional moisture it needs for a truly glowing complexion. Non-comedogenic, they won’t clog pores and cause breakouts either!Why you would benefit from using a face oil; They are skin protecting Face oils have numerous benefits, but their no. 1 purpose is to serve as an extra level of protection for your skin. Because oils are lipophilic, they have the ability to trap water and other moisturizing goodness in, while keeping toxins and other bad stuff out! Face oils are also considered a type of emollient, which means that unlike creams and serums which sink deep into the dermis (the deeper layers of skin) for intensive long-lasting hydration, oils tend to hang out near the skins surface creating essential skin barrier protection. This is especially important for those of us city slickers who need extra protection against pollutants and smog, one of the main causes of premature ageing after the sun’s harmful rays! Eek. They provide essential nourishment for all skin types While anyone, even those with oily skin, can benefit from facial oils, they can be the ideal remedy for those with dehydrated and dry skin. Not only do they provide nourishment of their own, they also have the ability to help boost your moisturizer’s hydrating efforts by sealing in the hydrating ingredients, making your skin more likely to hold onto that added hydration. In fact, face oils are integral to healthy skin as without them, moisture just continuously leeches out from the skin until the next time you apply your cream! They promote a healthy-looking glow If your skin is looking dull and devitalised a face oil will be your new best friend. As we age our skin produces less natural oil, so adding a facial oil into your daily skincare routine had helped restore essential moisture loss and encourage a youthful, glowy complexion. They can effectively help reduce wrinkles In your late 30s, wrinkles can start to look more obvious because the skin's natural oils decrease, the moisture barrier breaks down, and the skin dries out. Because oils are lipophilic, or fat loving, they pass through the lipid layer of the skin faster, preventing water loss and plumping skin with moisture more effectively. Some facial oils are also packed with antioxidants which have powerful anti-ageing benefits since they help protect the skin's surface from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors like UV and pollution! So if you are concerned with skin ageing, are prone to dry skin or suffer from sun damage, opt for oils rich in vitamins A and E. They provide antibacterial and skin healing properties Many oils have anti-inflammatory properties and in turn have the ability to decrease inflammation as well as help soothe irritated skin. They can shrink pore size Oils such as jojoba, can actually draw-out grime and fats from pores, making them appear smaller and less noticeable.Our top picksTo learn all about our favourite five face oils click here.Now we’ve established why you should use a face oil in your beauty regime, click here to understand the benefits of serums too!
6 face oils to add to your daily routine
by Jo Boyden
on Nov 10 2021
I may have been late to the party when it comes to introducing face oils as a staple in my beauty routine, but today I’m testament to how good they really are how much they have single handily benefited my skin. You see my skin has always been notoriously dry. No matter how much water I drink, how much love I seem to show it, I have a dehydrated complexion. But since discovering my favourite skincare products including my much-loved face oils, my skin has gone from dehydrated to glowy in next to no time and I’m here to tell you how.Firstly though, it’s important to understand that face oils are not just for those of us suffering from dull, dry, or dehydrated skin. They are in fact the perfect product for everyone, no matter what your skin type or concern. So if you’ve been wanting to try a face oil in what feels like forever but have been holding back from fear of breakouts because let’s face it applying oil to oily skin isn’t logical right? You’d be wrong! The age-old beauty myth is just that, a myth, because not only do face oils actually balance oil flow (yes really!) they help to repair your skin’s natural barrier too! Genius!From cleansing oils to radiance boosters, the following face oils will transform your skincare routine and your skin! What’s more they come highly recommended by the BC professionals and you, our loyal customers too! Pevonia Vitaminic ConcentrateThis soothing, silky anti-oxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma, is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration, and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple, and seriously glowy skin every morning.“This product has saved my dry skin, especially during the colder months. You put it on after cleanser and it is absorbed right away. It is a dry oil and is just wonderful.” Amelia G Phytomer Rosee Soin Radiance Replenishing OilThis is one of those silky, soothing oils with a heavenly rose petal scent that quite literally makes you go ahhhhh” as it melts into your skin. It’s a lightweight dry oil so it absorbs immediately creating a velvety finish without the greasy residue of many an oil. Nourishing marine extracts and botanical oils work together to eliminate impurities while brightening, hydrating, and restoring your skin's natural luster! So while you sleep, your skin repairs and you wake up with a baby soft, radiant complexion that strengthens and firms with every application.“I love this product it makes my skin feel soft and subtle and gives it a beautiful glow. I suffer from redness and this helps to soothe my skin. Amazing product.” Jenni Pevonia De-stress Escape Aromatic OilIf your skin is dry, you’ll really benefit from using facial oils as your barrier. Our current go-to is Pevonia’s new Destress Escape Aromatic Oil. This barrier warrior features a blend of premium and delicate natural oils including safflower, squalane, lavender, chamomile, grapefruit and rose to instantaneously deliver intense hydration while soothing, calming, relaxing, brightening and protecting the skin barrier for ongoing optimal skin health.“I love this face oil! I’ve been using it for a month now as a night time treatment for my dull, dry skin and the results next morning are fantastic! Smoother, plumper, brighter skin! The scent is also heavenly and definitely transports me into a relaxed state of mind. Such amazing stuff!” Amy K Phytomer Tresor Des Mes Beautifying OilThis “treasure of the sea” is THE double duty beauty oil you want in your bathroom! For face, body, and hair! It infuses all the benefits of marine and vegetal oils to moisturise, nourish, repair, and protect you from head to toe. Apply in the evening after a shower or bath and breath in the sensual summer scent. Subtly golden, this beauty elixir will illuminate your skin with light.“This oil keeps my skin smooth and soft. It’s not greasy and absorbs well leaving an attractive glow to skin and hair. I'm so delighted to have been introduced to this product!” Emily Phytomer Oligoforce Advanced Wrinkle and Dark Spot CorrectionThis micro-emulsion contains two active breakthrough ingredients; OLIGOMER concentrated seawater and Marine Ethernal blue micro-algae to specifically target dark spots and wrinkles. Its dewy texture, combining all the comfort of an oil and the effectiveness of a serum, envelops the skin in light and delivers intense hydration. Day after day your skin will become more radiant and dark spots will diminish and fine lines smoothed away! Sound good?“This is a beautiful product. I have only been using it all for about 1 week but already I see a big improvement. I will definitely buy this again and highly recommend it.” Leanore A ELES Cosmetics Transformation Cleansing OilOils aren’t just products that you add at the end of your night-time routine, they also come in the form of cleansers too! Yes! It might sound crazy to remove oil and grime with ‘oil’ so to speak but once you try a cleansing oil you won’t look back. Nothing feels more nurturing and luxurious than a good cleansing oil and the ELES Transformation cleansing oil won’t disappoint! Firstly it literally melts into skin dissolving everything, even waterproof mascara! It does this by binding impurities to the molecules like a vacuum cleaner! Secondly, it dissolves in water. That’s right, you will not be left with a greasy film at all, this oil literally transforms into water-soluble milk which is easily rinsed off leaving your skin feeling not only beautifully clean but remarkably soft and supple too!“Oil cleansers can sound scary especially if you have oily skin but they’re really life-changing and this cleansing oil is no exception! I love how soothing it feels and actually enjoy the process of removing my makeup. There is no oily residue – just clean, soft, smooth, nourished skin. Bliss.” Sarah H
How to get airbrushed-looking skin naturally
by Jo Boyden
on Nov 05 2021
Let’s face it… we all want it! Perfect skin, All. Of. The. Time, and with little evidence of makeup too! And sure, what with the likes of #facetuning every one of us can achieve a beautifully airbrushed complexion in our photos, but what about looking airbrushed the natural way, without the likes of apps?Armed with a few miracle makeup items you indeed can! Here’s how; STEP ONE: THE SKIN PREPPevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserThe key to nailing your makeup actually lies in the prep you do beforehand. For flawless airbrushed-looking skin you must start with a smooth, clean, flake-free canvas. Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser that will thoroughly cleanse skin as well as remove any build-up of excess oil and dead skin cells. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, revealing a softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single use!STEP TWO: THE MULTI-TASKERELES Age Defying BB Cream 30Loaded with Goji Berries, Minerals, Vitamins and Sun Protection this wonder base and ELES Cosmetics best-seller, is your skin care, primer, base and sunscreen in one! Skin caring and skin perfecting in one simple step!! Simply apply to cleansed skin for the silkiest and most undetectable coverage ever! STEP THREE: THE PERFECTORELES Dual Action ConcealerNothing takes the years off your face more than a great under-eye concealer and this is no exception! It not only covers dark circles, it smooths, brightens, depuffs and treats them too! Plus, its medium coverage formula provides continuous hydration and a natural longwearing finish. Select a shade lighter than your foundation and apply it beneath the eyes or wherever you see darkness. Pat into your skin with your finger to look as though you’ve just had 10 hours of blissful slumber.Make sure you always apply your concealer after foundation because then you really get a much-desired brightening effect.STEP FOUR: THE AIRBRUSHERELES Baked Finishing Powder - Diffused LightA compact full of miracles! Sweep over the skin for a soft airbrushed finish to any base. The glow-giving powder contains light-reflecting pigments to make skin look impossibly fresh and flawless while the gorgeous warm tones act like a photo filter on your skin. Sublime skin every time! STEP FIVE: THE YOUTH ENHANCERELES Baked BlushFor a pop of colour that makes skin look fresh, dewy and youthful try this! Six gorgeous shades multi-task as blush, eye shadow and when applied with a damp brush can even work as a matte lip colour!N.B if you tend to have a fair complexion, go for a lighter, more muted version of the blush shade you’d like to use! If you have darker skin, try a stronger, deeper version.
Beauty tips to make your makeup last all day even if you have oily skin!
by Jo Boyden
on Nov 03 2021
Just because you might be prone to oily skin, especially in the warmer months thanks to humidity, it doesn’t mean your makeup can’t last the distance! In fact, no matter what your skin type it is possible to make your makeup remain almost perfectly intact all day long, you just need to know what steps to take and ensure you are armed with the right products! Fed up with your makeup sliding off your face by mid-morning or simply looking for makeup tips for your oily skin? Read on for our recommended 5 steps and the products we can’t get enough of. Prep your skin with mattifying products As with any skin type, perfecting your skincare routine is paramount. First things first, prep your skin with a good cleanser formulated with glycolic and salicylic acids as this will help reduce excessive oil and prevent the plugging of pores that can lead to acne breakouts! Then make sure you properly moisturise your skin. Oily skin needs nourishment just as much as any other skin type or concern. Be sure to steer clear of those rich anti-ageing creams though (save those for night-time!) and instead opt for a light face cream that will hydrate skin without being greasy. Consider using a serum too. I’m obsessed with serums and for good reason. To learn more about the best anti-ageing serums for every skin type and why you should include one in your daily routine, click here.Then once or twice a week, use a treatment mask. Masks formulated with clay and charcoal are best for oily skin types as they naturally absorb excess oil and impurities while calming any irritation.For a great skincare ritual for oily skin, we can’t recommend more highly the following products;Vie Collection Cleansing Gel with Glycolic, Lactic & Salicylic Acids – suited to those with oily skin, this gel deeply cleanses the skin removing excess and unnecessary oil while unclogging pores and ridding skin of impurities and surface toxins. The result? Skin is purified, skin texture is more even, and pores are tightened.Pevonia Mattifying Oily Skin Cream -- this beautifully light-textured and non-greasy cream hydrates, refines and mattifies skin, visibly controlling excess oiliness.Pevonia Pure Skin Charcoal Mask – an amazing mask for many skin types including combination to oily skin, this mask is formulated with charcoal, kaolin clay, grapefruit, shea butter and squalane, so it effectively nourishes skin while absorbing unwanted, excess oil. Thanks to the charcoal it’ easily pulls toxins out of the skin for a clean, purified, and healthy complexion as it restores a normalized cellular function!Apply a small amount of the mask with your fingers. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off with cool or lukewarm water for an immediate matte finish. Don’t forget your sunscreen When you have oily skin, it can be tempting to skip on the sunscreen in fear of making your skin even oilier. However, not only can UV rays lead to serious skin damage and premature ageing, but sunburn can dry out surface oils which can in turn make your sebaceous glands even more active! Eek!The key is to select an oil-free sunscreen that will protect your skin without making it oilier!After you’ve applied it, place a tissue flat on your face and press gently to remove any excess before starting your makeup regime. Always, I mean ALWAYS prime your skin Finding that perfect makeup primer and using it religiously is key when it comes to preventing your makeup from literally sliding off your face. Makeup primers are the one product that have the power to literally make your makeup stay put all day long!Simply apply it after you’ve cleansed and moisturised your skin, prior to your foundation and you’ll be good to go!We LOVE 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 looking flawless! Genius! Opt for matte, semi-matte or oil-free “long-wear” makeup If you are prone to oily skin, it’s best to steer clear of liquid foundation with a dewy finish. After all, since your skin naturally produces more than enough oil, you don’t want to choose makeup products that’ll only exacerbate your condition. Instead invest in makeup products that are matte, semi-matte powder or oil-free and noncomedogenic. Plus you want to prevent any slippage to make sure you choose ‘long-wear’ formulations!Mineral makeup will be best as it provides outstanding coverage while allowing skin to breath freely (no pore clogging in sight and let’s face it clogged pores means even more oil flow! No thanks!). The ELES best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation should be your go-to. It’s long-lasting staying power is second to none, it’s packed with goodness including an exclusive multi mineral complex as well as vitamins A, C & E and its formula while it goes on as a silky liquid, sets to a soft powder finish, perfect for those with combination and oily skin. Use powder, but don’t overdo it! Yes, a good powder compact is great for soaking up oil and eliminating shine but going overboard can have the adverse effect and actually clog pores in turn causing skin to produce even more oil.It’s best to apply your power to the shiny areas like an oily t-zone. And use a mineral translucent formula which will look natural as well as allow skin to breath freely. We LOVE ELES’s Mineral Powder Foundation. Mineral makeup works wonders on oily skin because the particles tend to absorb moisture, preventing shine and the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation enables you to adjust your coverage from a translucent powder to a buildable coverage foundation with a richer, more opaque finish. What’s more, it’s formulated with skin loving ingredients including vitamins A & E, so it’ll provide antioxidant protection as well as condition skin!N.B Be sure to avoid illuminating powder with shimmer as this will only draw attention to skin texture and exacerbate pore size.
5 skincare essentials for glowing spring skin
by Jo Boyden
on Oct 29 2021
Halfway through spring but your skin isn’t looking it’s best? Want to achieve that healthy spring glow but not sure where to start? We’ve got you! Unfortunately, with spring comes a change in our skin thanks to an increase in temperature, sun exposure and humidity levels so it’s important to up the ante when it comes to your skincare! Below are five of our favourite beauty buys to achieve your healthiest skin this spring! We promise you’ll love them too! Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserMany people avoid exfoliation during the winter months because they feel it can dry out their skin, but as the weather warms up and the humidity increases, it’s a good time to exfoliate at least once a week if not more, to brighten a dull lacklustre complexion. A good weekly exfoliation will break up dead surface skin cells and reveal a fresh glowy complexion instead! For the perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, it gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, revealing a softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single use!To learn all about the beautifying benefits of exfoliation and which other exfoliators might be best for your skin this spring click here. Phytomer Hydra Continue Radiance Energizing CreamAs the weather continues to warm up, it’s time to be rid of our richer creams and reach for a lightweight moisturiser instead! Something that will absorb quickly and keep pores clear. And remember even oily skin needs daily moisturising! Why? Because without daily hydration it can produce even more oil to compensate!I highly suggest you give Phytomer’s Hydra Continue Radiance Energizing Cream a go! Perfect for all skin types, it’s a beautifully light yet deeply nourishing cream that provides skin with that ‘invigorating boost’ for fresh, moisturized skin all day long. Rich in hyaluronic and vitamins, it really will transform skin from lacklustre to soft, supple, and visibly radiant. ELES Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection SPF 50We get it, no one likes slathering on sunscreen, but it is THE most important step in your daily routine, and we don’t need to remind you why! Sunscreen IS essential all year round, but with more time out and about in spring, it really is time to find that SPF favourite and use it religiously.My personal go-to in spring is ELES Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection SPF 50. It’s lovely and light (none of this thick white greasy emulsion!) plus not only does it protect skin against the sun’s harmful rays, it also helps prevent discolouration while diminishing existing dark spots, all whilst calming and brightening your complexion too! Pevonia “C” ComplexeIn the warmer months, when the sun is shining, UVB radiation is at its strongest, so it’s important to not only prioritise SPF but Vitamin C in our skincare too! Vitamin C when applied topically not only boosts our skin’s natural tolerance to the sun, but it is able to help control the formation of pigmentation as well as significantly lightening its appearance too! So make sure you are armed with a great vitamin C serum or cream. I can’t speak more highly of Pevonia’s “C” Complexe with Oxyzomes. The citrus scent is divine and just two pumps equals radiant looking skin instantaneously. Oh and it feels a-mazing too thanks to it’s combination of vitamin c and hydrating powerhouse hyaluronic which quite literally drenches skin with repairing antioxidants. Heaven. Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing CreamDon’t forget a good night-time ritual that includes a nurturing night-time cream! Looking after your skin before bed will have a profound effect by morning. My go-to for spring is Phytomer’s beautiful silky, lightweight Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream. It literally cocoons my skin in nourishing hydration and really does restore youthful vitality by morning. One of my personal all time favourites!
5 makeup products that’ll seriously benefit your skin
by Jo Boyden
on Oct 27 2021
When it comes to maintaining healthy skin there are those non-negotiable steps that shouldn’t be skimped on….You know the drill, follow a daily skincare routine, drink all the water, do an ample amount of exercise and get plenty of shut eye to name a few, yet when it comes to covering up any facial flaws from blemishes to redness, or simply not being game to go makeup-free, we are quick to slap on that thick layer of concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer and more…in turn clogging pores and reversing the good we’ve done! This is because our makeup choices can sometimes have a less desirable effect on our skin, often causing blemishes and skin irritations! And doesn’t it seem crazy to spend so much time and money perfecting our morning skincare ritual, using the best of the best for our specific skincare needs, only to undo all the good by applying makeup that’s full of toxic ingredients on top!Luckily, here at BC, we are spoilt with an abundance of skin nurturing makeup essentials! Products that not only create the illusion of flawless skin, but actually do good for our skin too! From foundations that provide both breathable coverage and anti-ageing benefits, to illuminators that will also work to hydrate the skin. Read on for our top 5 recommendations, also known as ‘skincare makeup’, and why our customers keep buying them over and over too! ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15Foundation, in the past, has always been categorised as makeup, a short term ‘fix’ or superficial layer to conceal flaws and help create the illusion of perfect skin. But who says your foundation can’t have long-term skin benefits like your skincare products? After all shouldn’t your foundation enhance your complexion not mask it? Well ELES’s best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation does just this! Not only is it formulated with anti-inflammatory zinc as well as Vitamins A, C and E, it allows skin to “breathe freely” whilst shielding against age aggressors. It’s free of heavy fillers and pore-clogging ingredients (phew!) and the skin-safe formula contains no chemical ‘nasties’ or potential irritants, such as fragrance, talc, oil and dyes.If you are a lover of liquid foundation but after something silky and light, then you should invest in this beauty! Not only does it provide a flawless, soft, subtle powder finish, it also provides broad spectrum sun protection! Honestly what more could you ask for!“This is the best foundation I have ever used! Firstly, it's mineral makeup so it doesn't clog your skin. Secondly. the coverage is amazing, and it makes your skin look and feel like velvet - honestly the best I have ever used. I have been using this for years and just love it. I get compliments on my makeup all the time.” Sia P ELES Luminous CC Cream 20Colour correcting and broad-spectrum protection in one, the ELES Luminous CC Cream 20 is amazing for everyone but especially those with facial redness or hyperpigmentation as it adapts to your skin tone so it will darken and lighten as needed to blend and conceal!Its multi-Mineral Complex helps to condition skin and provide antioxidant protection while skin nourishing and brightening ingredients help balance your complexion and fight free radicals for a more even, youthful glow!“I just recently purchased the luminous cc cream and I’m very satisfied. The coverage is perfect for my mature skin, and having oily skin I find this cc cream controls it.” Adele K ELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30Not to be mistaken for its sister – the CC Cream, BB Creams or otherwise known as beauty balms, are infused with antioxidants, brightening agents, acids, broad-spectrum SPF to treat the skin while giving it a fresh, even glow, and let me tell you the ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30 is no exception! Multi-faceted it really packs a punch as it quite literally primes, tints, nourishes, protects, evens out skin tone, and helps to strengthen skin on contact. So if you are a busy mum on the go like me, this is for you! It’s your sunscreen, primer, and foundation in one! It's skin caring and skin perfecting in one simple step!! What’s more, 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! Yessss!“Absolutely love this product. I used it years ago, tried others but nothing compares. Such a beautiful feel on your skin and the perfect amount of glowy/dewy coverage. I love the spf included, I don’t need to use any other product but this on my Face of a morning. Perfect for aging skin when you want a lighter coverage that makes your skin look younger.” Krystle W ELES Dual Action ConcealerPacked with collagen, vitamins C & E, hyaluronic, Tetrapeptide 5 and Matrixyl® Synthe 6™, this anti-aging concealer not only conceals fine lines and dark circles, it smooths, brightens, depuffs and treats them too, all whilst helping gradually improve skin's texture and elasticity around the eyes! Eyes look beautifully refreshed and radiant. Its medium coverage formula provides continuous hydration and a natural longwearing finish. Apply beneath the eyes and pat into the skin to look as though you’ve just slept 10 hours.“I love this product, been using it for 2 years. You only need the littlest amount to hide dark under eyes reduce the look of wrinkles around your nose and mouth. I always have to have it.” Josephine P ELES Mineral Eyeshadows Let’s face it our delicate eye area is just as important as our skin, in fact it’s the first area to show signs of ageing so surely, we want to treat it to good products as we do our complexion! I love a good eye shadow to take my eyes from awake to stand out and the ELES Mineral Shadows have become a firm favourite (and no not just because I biased!) Ingeniously blended with real minerals and vitamins, each individual eye shadow is free of oils, fragrances and other ingredients that can irritate skin. Also free of talc so colour is fresh, clear and incredibly vibrant! The shadows sweep over eyelids without creasing or fading, while reflecting light away from bruises and dark circles, as well as fine lines.They can be applied dry for soft, low-key shadings, or wet for more vibrant effects and come available in a range of matte and pearlized shades in single inserts or a trio compact so you can mix and match colours.“These eye shadows just blend so easily and remain in place for hours without creasing or flaking. They are light enough to use for a sheer wash of colour but are so easy to build for a strong look. The hard part is deciding which colours i want/need/have to have next.” Naomi F
Don’t feel like wearing foundation? 4 alternative skin-perfecting products
by Jo Boyden
on Oct 22 2021
We all have those days when we feel like paring back on the myriad of makeup we wear every day. You know swapping out our foundation for something less ‘full coverage’ so to speak, or even going makeup-free! But then for many of us we still need something to hide those unforgiving flaws or simply to enhance our complexion while making it look naturally flawless of course! Well here at BC we’ve got you covered. Read on for four skin-perfecting products that you can use instead of your foundation, they’ll boost your natural glow too! ELES Retexturizing Face PrimerOften overlooked, a good primer can be a godsend when it comes to achieving flawless skin. We are loving the 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! Want to look like a filtered goodness, try this! ELES Age Defying BB Cream SPF 30If you’re looking to simplify your products because you’re a busy mum on the go like me or for days when you want little coverage a BB Cream is a must. Formulated with skincare benefits that include hydration, anti-ageing properties, and SPF protection, BB Creams are a quick and easy way to effectively even out your skin tone without caking on the makeup!I am a huge advocate for the ELES Luminous 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, it really does feel like you aren’t even wearing makeup, no easy feat for a product with SPF for that matter! ELES Luminous CC Cream SPF 20While the idea of going foundation free in hindsight is great, having your imperfections out there for all to see isn’t so much. You know those obvious undereye dark circles, the hyperpigmentation you normally hide, or your rouge complexion thanks to facial flushing. Opting for a CC Cream though is the perfect solution! Plus, if you have rosacea or are suffering from acne the likelihood is your foundation could well have been exacerbating your condition!Unlike tinted moisturisers, foundations and even BB Creams, these miracle formulas are colour correcting. So instead of applying a thick layer of opaque makeup to cover your imperfections, the ELES Luminous CC Cream’s Photonic Crystal Technology “offsets” redness, and other skin flaws, subtly illuminating the skin. ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused LightWe are all on the quest for those lightweight multi-tasking miracle products, and ELES’s Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light is just that! Your bronzer, highlighter and foundation powder combined into one clever compact that you can lightly brush over your face for beautiful ‘lit from within’ skin in seconds!The glow-giving base contains light-reflecting pigments to make skin look impossibly fresh while the gorgeous warm tones act like a photo filter on your skin.
5 ways to look fresh faced everyday
by Jo Boyden
on Oct 15 2021
Wouldn’t we all love to wake to a fresh face every day? You know that perky looking, glowy skin we once donned many a year ago. Unfortunately, due to daily stresses, lack of sleep, environmental factors and more, our skin can look far from fresh and youthful! And instead, tired, dull and lacklustre. Urgh.The good news is however, that armed with a few key products and some insider tips, you can fake that fresh faced look daily! Firm and tighten your face with a supercharged serum It’ll leave your skin feeling super soft with a dewy, plumped appearance!Ok I have to admit I’m obsessed with my serums. And will not go a day without applying one before my moisturiser. They are the perfect skin booster, and in my eyes a complete necessity to your daily skincare routine, why? Because they help lock in moisture, working deep into your dermis thanks to their ability to penetrate the layers of the skin and work their magic. But also, because they tend to perform above and beyond many regular skincare products, due to their higher concentration of targeted active ingredients. To find out more about why you need a serum in your life click here.I have tried many a serum in my time, and while there are very few I don’t love, the two that stand out personally for me are Pevonia’s Age Correction Intensifier Collagen & MyOxy Caviar and Pevonia’s Vitamin C Complex.Pevonia’s Age Correction Intensifier Collagen & MyOxy Caviar is packed with anti-ageing and rehydrating goodness including collagen and hyaluronic acid that effectively nourish and oxygenate skin, repair cells, and diminish fine lines and wrinkles! Outstanding stuff.And when my skin needs a boost of radiance Pevonia’s C Complex becomes my other trusty go-to. Superhero glow-getter Vitamin C comes together with hydrating and anti-ageing powerhouse hyaluronic acid to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourish and correct photo-damage! The citrus scent is simply heavenly, and it feels amazingly refreshing on application! But more importantly, the results speak for themselves! Radiant looking skin instantly. It’s the perfect morning pick-me-up! Seriously. Choose a multi-tasking moisturiser When skin is looking far from fresh, you really need to up the ante with your moisturiser. Look for moisturisers formulated with ingredients that will both refresh and brighten your complexion. Some ingredients to look out for include;Hyaluronic Acid (plumpness and firmness)Vitamin C (skin tone and brightness)Alpha Hydroxy Acids (fine lines, wrinkles, smoothness)Retinol (fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture)Marine Collagen (hydration, strength, elasticity)Peptides (skin texture and fine lines)As many of you will already know I have personally been in love with Pevonia’s Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream for years now! As have millions of others (since it is Pevonia’s global best-seller and for good reason!) Formulated with anti-ageing wonder ingredients marine collagen and hyaluronic, it’s a deeply nourishing, yet fine cream that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin radiant, super soft and supple, like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture! I apply it every morning without fail!If I feel my skin is looking a little dull and needs that extra bit of pizzazz, I will up my night-time routine and turn to Pevonia’s Renewing Glycocides Cream before bed. It’s rich in AHA Glycolic, the super acid which dissolves the ‘glue’ that holds dead skins cells together. As the dead skin cells shed, the new smoother, brighter and younger looking skin underneath is revealed, so yes I do wake up to radiant, glowing skin as a result! Apply a de-puffing eye gel or serum An eye gel or serum will really help you refresh your tired eyes as well as improve with fine lines and wrinkles! 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! Lift and open your eyes by curling your eye lashes This can be really effective and makes sleepy eyes look all the more awake. Then apply two coats of mascara to lock in curls.For more tips on how to master bright, wide-awake eyes, click here. Buff highlighter into cheekbones for that lit from within glow If your skin is dull you need a little dose of liquid glow in the shape of an illuminator or highlighter! Apply to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones and Cupid’s bow for a natural glow that will leave you looking rejuvenated and refreshed. Try ELES’s Stick Illuminator. I personally can’t get enough of it!You can also freshen the look of your skin instantly with more makeup you just need to follow a few key tips.
7 steps to bright, wide-awake eyes
by Jo Boyden
on Oct 08 2021
If you've had a late night recently, or many like me! your eyes are likely to give it away. The constant late nights I’ve been pulling to play catch up on the work I’ve missed in the day because #homeschooling have my eyes looking forever tired in the mornings. I’m talking the whole shebang. Puffy and red with dark under eye circles. Eek. However, just because I’m not getting enough shut-eye of a night doesn’t mean I’m stuck with this look by day! Luckily with the right products and a few makeup tricks, it’s possible to transform tired peepers to bright, wide awake eyes no matter how exhausted you feel! All you need to do is follow a few simple steps; Use a good depuffing eye gel or creamNever underestimate the power of a good eye gel! It can feel like heaven on your tired, puffy peepers, but more importantly, it has the ability to transform eyes in a matter of minutes. Tired eyes tend to look smaller, especially if the area beneath them is puffy. You can look more awake by applying a good eye gel or cream designed to de-puff your undereye area.Look for products that contain vitamin c for brightening and caffeine which helps reduce swelling by constricting the blood vessels. Also use a tapping motion with your finger which you apply it. This can help get rid of any fluid that’s accumulated under the delicate eye area. Pevonia’s C Evolutive Eye Gel is a personal favourite of mine. It’s a wonderful, cooling gel, formulated with anti-ageing dynamo Vitamin C, skin saviours hyaluronic acid and Ginkgo biloba, as well as green coffee and it’ll have your peepers decongested and depuffed in one swift application! If you are also battling dark, undereye circles we LOVE Vie Collection’s Chrono Eyes Puffiness-Dark Circles Wrinkles Cream. Yes, a mouthful to say, but a product that does exactly what it says. It’s a beautifully fine cream enriched with moisturising ingredients to nourish the eye area while reversing puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles! Seriously! it gives immediate gratification thanks to a pearlescent finish that instantly brightens the eye area, and it has definitely calmed my puffiness, lightened my dark circles, and even smoothed my wrinkles! Invest in a gemstone rollerFrom rejuvenating jade to calm and soothing rose quartz, detoxifying Obsidian to purifying amethyst, we highly recommend introducing a gemstone roller into your morning ritual. As well as their many medicinal benefits, they can 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 about gemstone rollers and their multitude of benefits click here. Use a colour-correcting concealerWhen it comes to camouflaging dark circle under eye circles, a concealer is by far your best bet. A good undereye concealer can give you complete coverage as well as make you look bright-eyed in seconds! Choose a shade that’s lighter than your natural skin tone as this will help brighten the area so you look like you’ve had plenty of sleep.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 powder to set the concealer so it doesn’t crease.ELES’s Mineral Phototouch Concealer is 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 formulated with Hyaluronic, Squalane, Vitamins A, C & E as well as light-reflective minerals and line filing micro-spheres to camouflage flaws, dark circles, blemishes and fine lines!And for the month of October when you purchase the ELES Mineral Phototouch concealer you get a small concealer brush for free - the ultimate duo for camouflaging dark under eye circles. Highlight corner of eyesAdd a little bit of white eye shadow to the inner corner of your eye. This quick trick can make eyes look wide awake and bright with one little dot of the finger. Equally apply with a small makeup brush.Use a white eyeliner or waterliner pencilTo make your eyes appear instantly wider, invest in a nude waterliner pencil, I promise you you’ll never look back. Simply apply your normal eyeliner (although don’t make the mistake I used to by applying black liner all around your eyes - top and bottom as well as your waterline - as this will only make your eyes appear so much smaller than they are!) then apply your waterliner to the inner rim of your lower lash line. (I use ELES’s Waterline liner). By doing so it’ll immediately open up your eyes as well as make the whites of your eyes look whiter. It works a treat! Curl Those LashesWhile applying lashings of mascara to lashes will enhance your eyes, remember to curl your lashes first. This will open up your eyes for a wide, doe-eyed look. While it might be a small step, it’s a subtle one that can make a big difference so don’t skip on it.Just be sure to apply two coats of mascara after curling. This will help lock the curl in place as well as add volume to your lashes. Pay attention to your browsAdding definition and shape to your eyebrows can completely transform your face and give the appearance of an instant eye lift….really! 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.
8 of the most loved products on BC and why you’d love them too
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 29 2021
Beauty trends come and go but there are some products that really do stand the test of time. Those products many of us can’t live without. Why? Because they have the ability to transform our skin for the better and in turn have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing, something that is so important especially in today’s climate!Whether it’s your skin smoothing moisturiser, your favourite foundation, or your false lash effect mascara, we all have those favourites we’ve fallen in love with. These are some of our most loved products on BC, adored by our team and our customers alike. ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15I never stop raving about this gem of a product and neither do our customers! If you are a lover of liquid foundation but after something silky and light, then you should invest in this beauty! Not only does it provide a flawless, soft, subtle powder finish, it’s also mineral-enriched (so great for your skin) and provides broad spectrum sun protection! Honestly what more could you ask for! “I've been using this foundation for years and I can't live without it. The texture and the way it makes my skin feel is amazing. It gives such even, natural and flawless coverage. It's seriously the best foundation I've ever used”. Sia P ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused LightWe are all on the quest for those multi-tasking miracle products, and this product is just that! Your bronzer, highlighter and foundation powder combined into one clever compact that you can simply swipe all over for your healthiest, natural looking glow! Yess!It’s 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. I LOVE it and so do so many! “I recently purchased this beautiful product and use it over my SPF with no foundation. It gives my skin a beautiful healthy luminosity without the look of shimmer. It looks like my skin only better.” Christina ELES Luminous BB Cream 30I am a huge advocate for this multifaceted wonder cream! It has the perfect light, dewy coverage and literally primes, tints, nourishes, protects (thanks to its SPF of 30) and evens out skin tone all in one! for a truly natural and flawless finish, plus it feels like you aren’t wearing anything, no easy feat for makeup with SPF that’s for sure! Honestly, if you are a busy mum on the go like me, this product is one you should seriously consider too! It’s your sunscreen, primer, and foundation in one!What’s more, 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! “I absolutely love this product. I used it years ago, tried others but nothing compares. Such a beautiful feel on your skin and the perfect amount of glowy/dewy coverage. I love the spf included, I don’t need to use any other product but this on my face of a morning. Perfect for aging skin when you want a lighter coverage that makes your skin look younger.” Krystle W Pevonia Age Correction Marine Collagen CreamMy personal absolute can’t live without product and the no. 1 global favourite too, the Marine Collagen Cream isn’t Pevonia’s global bestseller for nothing! Formulated with anti-ageing wonder ingredients marine collagen and hyaluronic, It’s a deeply nourishing, yet fine cream that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin radiant, super soft and supple, like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day! I swear I have less visible lines and wrinkles thanks to this superstar cream! “I love this daily face cream....I use it morning and night! My skin looks and feels amazing. I'm 52 and am told constantly that I look so young....I give Pevonia products the credit. Thank you for making such great skin care products!” LindaPevonia C ComplexeIf your skin needs a boost of radiance this should be your go-to. Instantly brighter, dewier skin and who doesn’t want that right? Superhero glow-getter Vitamin C comes together with hydrating and anti-ageing powerhouse hyaluronic acid to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourish and correct photo-damage! The citrus scent is simply heavenly, and it feels amazingly refreshing on application! But more importantly, the results speak for themselves! Radiant looking skin instantly. It’s the perfect morning pick-me-up! Seriously. “This is a beautiful serum. You only require two pumps, and the coverage is excellent. Radiant looking skin instantaneously. Definitely worth the investment”. Deborah W Phytomer Rosee Visage Toning Cleansing LotionThis all-in-one cleanser, makeup remover and toner is quick, effective and wonderful to use. Alcohol-free and infinitely gentle, it thoroughly cleanses the complexion, removes makeup and tones skin without leaving an oily film just a silky soft and supple complexion instead! “Holy Grail Toner! I have tried so many toners at basically every price point and this toner is my all-time favourite. There’s just something in this toner that truly leaves my skin better for use. Even after it dries off my skin does not feel tight or dry. If you’re in the market for a new toner I highly recommend giving this one a try.” Barbara Enzymo Spherides Peeling CreamThis little beauty (a mini facial in a jar as I call it!) will do wonders for your skin, I promise! And no don’t let the word ‘peel’ put you off! It combines natural fruit pineapple and papaya enzymes to gently and effectively eliminate impurities, blackheads, dead cells and toxins and it’s so easy to use! Simply apply a thin layer to cleansed skin, wet your fingertips with warm water (this will help to ‘wake up’ the enzymes) and work the peeling cream with gentle massage movements into skin, leave on for 5 minutes and then thoroughly rinse away. Nothing makes skin feel cleaner, softer, smoother and brighter than this jar of goodness!! Trust me. “Absolutely the best product on the market. Perfect for all skin types and ages. Truly amazing. It's gentle and effective, skin is left bright and soft”. Lisa W Pevonia Dry Oil Body MoisturiserHands down my favourite body moisturiser (and another of Pevonia’s global bestsellers), this beauty feels like silk on application, is not greasy at all (despite it being an ‘oil’) and absorbs immediately, quite literally nourishing every inch of your body. Formulated with Lavender and Chamomile the scent is heaven, and it renders skin beautifully soft and supple with a radiant healthy glow. It will not disappoint, and the many customer reviews speak for themselves! “This is amazing, I feel like I have been to a day spa when I put it on, luxury & pampering at home! It smells divine. Feels like silk, not too greasy, goes on easy, love this product ;-)” Lisa C
Makeup tips for acne prone skin
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 24 2021
Has your skin been feeling the effects of the last however many weeks thanks to the likes of lockdown, home-schooling and working from home!? Or are you simply prone to pesky pimples and adult acne?Whatever your situation we are here to tell you that when armed with the right makeup products and tips on how to best apply, you can effectively conceal those blemishes and feel confident in your skin! Simply read on as we reveal the top 7 makeup tips for acne prone skin according to the pros at BC. Use a primerFirst things first, before you can start to conceal your blemish prone skin you need to prep your face with a primer. A primer is an amazing must-have when it comes to prolonging the wear of your foundation, and let’s face it acne-prone skin tends to be on the oily side and the last thing you’ll want is for your foundation to slide right off your face by lunchtime! No sireee. Primers also add a ‘blurring effect’ to your skin to give the illusion of a smoother complexion. Phew!Just be sure to look for primers that will hydrate, soothe or replenish your skin and if your complexion tends to be oily as well as acne prone, be sure to pick a mattifying primer as it’ll help to combat the excess oil and shine and reduce the appearance of pore size. Try ELES’s Pore Perfecting Face Primer. It’s a light-textured oil free face primer which combats shine, absorbs excess oil, reduces the appearance of large open pores, promotes antiseptic properties which is great for blemish and breakout prone skin, and it really does keep your foundation looking flawless all day long! This is a great primer – I've been using it for a few years now. It helps keep my foundation looking amazing all day. It's mattifying but won't dry your skin. Sia PapageorgiouDo not cake on your makeup! Remember less is more so keep makeup simpleWearing multiple products from concealer to foundation to blush to illuminator can cause over stimulation so it’s best to keep things simple! Use a skin-friendly breathable foundation and opt for a concealer with some yellow tones to help colour correct any redness.Be sure to always use your foundation first, then apply concealer to affected areas only. This will ensure a smoother even base and a more natural finish but be sure to keep every layer light though – the secret to successful makeup for blemish prone skin! Less product to block the skin causing heat!Mineral makeup will be your best friend, and I know we are biased, but ELES Cosmetics is simply the best and the reviews speak volumes! Choose your foundation wiselySlathering thick foundation all over your face to hide pesky pimples and blemishes can be tempting we know, but it will only end up drawing attention to the bumps on your face as well as exacerbating your condition, so you need to choose your foundation wisely!You really need to navigate the ingredients in a foundation plus it’s best to steer clear of oil-based makeup, as excess oil production is a key cause of blemishes so oil-free formulas will be your best friend! Also avoid skin irritants like alcohol and fragrance which can be found in many a foundation. We recommend opting for a mineral formula every time. These contain no chemical nasties and will allow your skin to breathe freely. Try best-selling ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. “I love love love this product. It has a velvety feel as it glides on your skin and finishes with a plumping matte finish. It always covers my blemishes and gives great coverage without over doing it. Would not use any other foundation!!” Kassey Newell If your acne seems particularly sensitive to makeup, you might want to consider swapping out your love of liquid formulas for powder. Powder will control oil and help your makeup last longer. Just be sure you choose the right sort of powder though as cakey makeup will just highlight your blemishes even more. Foundations with nylon and kaolin give skin a blurred, airbrushed effect. Try ELES Mineral Powder Foundation. “I’m a bit of a powder lover when it comes to foundations as I find liquid formulations a little too much. I have however become more sceptical as I get older as a few power compacts I have tried have enhanced my fine lines. However not this one! It’s amazing! The coverage is just perfect! It looks so natural, in fact like I’m not wearing foundation at all, yet it completely hides my imperfections. I’m in my late 40’s but would recommend this product to anyone, any age whether you are simply looking for a translucent powder, a foundation to conceal your blemishes, or a wonderful base for ageing skin. It has become my daily go-to!” Melissa B Protect your skin with natural SPFWe all know wearing sun protection is a daily necessity, but we understand that if you suffer from blemishes the last thing you feel like doing is smothering your skin in oily sunscreen! Cue mineral makeup rich in zinc oxide! Zinc oxide, which is an anti-inflammatory was once used to treat acne and when mixed with other subtle ingredients, can give you everything from sun protection to coverage. Mineral-based makeup with zinc alone or combined with titanium dioxide provides a good, balanced UV protection and ‘natural’ coverage for those who have acne.ELES Cosmetics range of foundations have an SPF of 15 and above and feel like you aren’t wearing sunscreen at all! Genius. Use the right makeup toolsThe way you apply your makeup is almost as important as the products you use.We’ve all heard it before, touch your face with your hands and you’ll likely cause a breakout so it comes as no surprise that you might well have heard that it’s best not to use your fingers to apply your makeup since even the oil and bacteria on your fingers can irritate skin, also hand heat can add more warmth to an already warm, aggravated complexion. Instead, use a damp Beautyblender. It is the least irritating way to apply your product and honestly provides the most effective results! Not only is the sponge strangely soothing on your skin, but it also provides a more natural-looking coverage. Makeup brushes are another option but just beware that the brush bristles can irritate your sensitive skin, therefore opt for brush bristles made from taklon, a “green” and allergy free synthetic fibre. Its smooth synthetic fibres do not absorb or trap pigment making it easy to keep clean! And make sure you wash those tools!It’s easy to forget about our washing our brushes and makeup sponges but by keeping them clean you’ll ensure you won’t be using grubby, bacteria-filled tools all the time! Eek. Besides bacteria, both makeup brushes and sponges also accumulate dead skin cells and oil which can clog your pores leading to further 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 and healthier skin! Always remove makeup before bedSleeping with a face full of makeup can and will result in skin irritability and breakouts. Makeup not only traps dead skin cells it also blocks our pores and when pores are blocked the skin can’t breathe and therefore regenerate so make sure you commit to removing every inch of makeup before hitting the hay. For more on sleeping in makeup and what it really does to our skin click here. To learn more about acne, what type your suffer from and how to best treat it click here.
5 makeup mistakes that make your skin look dull and lacklustre
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 17 2021
You’re religiously using your skin brightening, vitamin c packed serum, you’ve upped your weekly exercise regime, are practicing self-care rituals like there is no tomorrow, your drinking water like it’s going out of fashion, AND you’ve got super foods coming out of your ears, yet your skin is still looking dull and lifeless! Why? Chances are you could be doing a few things wrong when it comes to your makeup and we are here to tell you what! Read on as we divulge five common makeup mistakes that can actually make skin look dull and lacklustre! If you’re guilty of making them, stop now and transform dreary skin to deliciously radiant in no time! #1 You are not prepping your skin correctlyMakeup needs as smooth a canvas as possible to apply flawlessly, so if your face is covered with dead skin cells it’s not going to make for easy application! This is why weekly exfoliation followed by daily moisturising (before applying your makeup) is a must! A good exfoliator will remove any unwanted pesky dead cells, as well as dry flaky skin. Just be sure, after applying your moisturiser that you leave it to soak in for a few minutes before putting on your makeup, as the last thing you want is for that foundation of yours to slide right back off your face! #2 You are wearing too much foundationMakeup is meant to enhance, not mask your skin so we need to be mindful about the amount we apply! We get it, you’re having a bad skin day and those pesky pimples have reared their ugly head, or your skin is looking a little on the flushed side, but if you pile on the foundation in an attempt to hide those flaws, you can end up with a complexion that looks flat, heavy and lacklustre. So no matter what your skin type or condition don’t overdo it! Be sure to conceal only problem areas rather than slathering foundation all over. Opt for a translucent powder to eliminate shine or prep with a primer and follow with a skin care-infused foundation like ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. If your skin tends to be on the more dry side steer clear of powder as dry, powdered skin tends to look older, duller and drained! Instead, opt for a multi-faceted base like the ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30. This benefit-packed, innovative treatment cream primes, tints, nourishes, evens out skin tone and helps to strengthen and protect skin on contact. What’s more, it has SPF 30 to shelter skin against UV rays.For more information on which foundation type might be best for your skin click here. #3 You’re using the wrong colour for your complexionFoundations have a tendency to turn grey if the shade applied is lighter than your natural skin colour. At times, some foundations can even react with the natural oils in your skin giving your complexion a somewhat ashy look! This is where a primer can be beneficial as it serves as a barrier between your skin and makeup and soaks up any excess unwanted oil!Finding the perfection foundation shade according to your skin type can be tricky so it’s best to either seek assistance! Click here to understand what steps you need to take to find the foundation shade that’ll work best for you! #4 You don’t use a blushLack of colour on your face can result on slight lifeless looking skin. Blush is supposed to fake flushed cheeks and give your complexion a natural-looking rosy glow so be sure not to skip this vital step! Make sure you apply blush correctly though! Natural flushing occurs on the apples of your cheeks and a little below. It shouldn’t veer towards your nose or up to your temples! I am personally crazy about my blush and wear is all year around! My go-to is the ELES Baked Blush in Bouquet it adds a supple, rosy shimmer glow to my face and makes my cheek bones stand out! #5 You skip highlighterA girl can’t have enough glow, and if we are suffering from dullness, we could use all the help we can get! Even if skin is dry and lacklustre you can fake the appearance of a dewy complexion by applying a good highlighter or illuminator to your face, just be sure not to overdo it though! Simply apply to your brow bone, down the bridge of your nose and above your cheekbone and see it transform skin from dull to radiant. I love the ELES Stick illuminator, it honestly highlights my complexion like never before!
Skincare Makeup - What’s in your foundation? The top 5 ingredients to look out for
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 16 2021
Almost every day there’s a new skincare superstar set to transform your complexion, the latest and greatest skincare ingredients that promise to deliver outstanding results, and while some become just passing fads, others remain true ingredient classics that we all look for when selecting products for our specific skincare needs. But have you ever really considered what ingredients you should be looking for in your foundation?Foundation, in the past, has always been categorised as makeup, a short term ‘fix’ or superficial layer to conceal flaws and help create the illusion of perfect skin. But who says your foundation can’t have long-term skin benefits like your skincare products? After all shouldn’t your foundation enhance your complexion not mask it? It seems crazy to spend so much time and money on perfecting your morning skincare ritual, using the best of the best for your specific skincare needs, only to undo all the good by applying makeup that’s full of toxic ingredients on top.From clogging pores, causing blemishes to more serious skin irritations what you are putting on your face can have a less than desirable effect! So what ingredients should you be looking out for in your foundation for your best skin yet?If you ask any expert, there are five key ingredients which we’ve highlighted below, and fortunately the clever people at ELES Cosmetics have ensured they feature in their entire range of foundations! Vitamin EThis nurturing, powerful antioxidant offers a heap of skin benefits. It works to nourish and protect skin from the effects of pollution and free radical damage, as well as help block blue light rays (all of which are known to speed up the ageing process eek). It is also helps maintain healthy skin by assisting in the repairing of damaged cells.Zinc OxideThis outstanding mineral is hypoallergenic which means it’s ideal for all skin types even those with the most sensitive of complexions. When applied topically in makeup, it offers several important benefits for the skin; it protects the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays preventing skin damage, it helps to reduce skin inflammation and repair skin cells, and finally it keeps excess oil at bay.Titanium DioxideOne of the cosmetics industry’s best kept secrets, this mineral, like Zinc Oxide is ideal for those suffering from sensitive prone skin. It helps soak up oils in the skin, reducing any unwanted shine while absorbing and scattering both UVA and UVB rays thus preventing sun damage and premature ageing. Finally it is prized for its long-lasting and waterproof properties.Sodium HyaluronateOtherwise known as Hyaluronic Acid it works as a magnet for moisture, helping your cells retain as much of it as possible so that your skin feels and appears hydrated, plump and healthy.A single gram of hyaluronic acid has the impressive ability to hold up to six litres of water. Add to that, a super smart ability to regulate that moisture within the cells, so as not to drown them and you've got one genius ingredient.Vitamin AVitamin A is essential when it comes to the health of your skin. It’s involved in the production of fresh, new cells, which keeps your skin both functioning and looking its best. It can also minimize fine lines and wrinkles by boosting the production of collagen, fight signs of UV damage and slough away dead skin cells helping to prevent clogged pores.
The truth about rosacea: Debunking the myths
by Jo Boyden
on Aug 20 2021
With the amount of stress many of us are under right now thanks to #lockdown it’s likely those of us who suffer from rosacea have been susceptible to a few facial flair ups. The thing is so many of us (including those who are currently living with rosacea!) Are either blissfully unaware of the skin condition or totally misinformed! Well, we are here to change that and separate fact from fiction by debunking 11 myths about this skin condition. So read on to understand what’s true and false and start establishing whether it might be rosacea you are currently suffering from yourself. “Rosacea is just blushing skin”FALSEIf only this was the case! You would never need to bother applying blush again, would you? Sadly, rosacea is a lot more sinister than facial flushing! Other symptoms include pimple like breakouts, enlarged pores, visible broken blood vessels, and at worse your skin can burn, itch, swell and throb! “It can be triggered by stress”TRUEStress and anxiety can indeed cause rosacea symptoms to worsen, nooooo! So some stress management techniques will be imperative (we could actually all do with some of that right now!) Make sure to get plenty of rest and practice mindfulness as this can really help combat the stress-inducing effects of negative thinking which let’s face it, we all are likely to be having a little of that right now!There are several methods for increasing mindfulness a few of which include, mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and yoga. I have to say I am a huge advocate for yoga, which is so easy to do from the comfort of your own home! If you don’t know any yoga moves but would love to give it a try, fear not! There are some great yoga apps and YouTube videos you can follow. And while my kids are being home-schooled, they are loving starting their day with Cosmic Kids Yoga too! Win win for all!And don’t forget to practice deep breathing when you feel anxiety creeping up. “Rosacea can be caused by poor skincare choices”FALSERosacea is in fact a vascular and inflammatory condition and while your choice of skincare isn’t the cause, over cleansing and exfoliating with physical exfoliators can actually worsen symptoms. “It can be triggered by extreme temperatures and sun exposure”TRUEUnfortunately, sun exposure is the most common trigger for rosacea. While we all love long days at the beach, if you suffer from rosacea your skin sadly will pay a price. Not only can sunburn make flare-ups even worse, the heat from the sun can also increase your body temperature which in turn dilates blood vessels and triggers inflammation. So limited sun exposure as well as wearing SPF is the way to go. “Rosacea is contagious”FALSEWhile experts are still trying to determine the exact cause of rosacea, we do know that there is no evidence to say that it's an infectious skin condition. So, fear not, if you, a friend or a family member have rosacea, you can't pass it on by touch, sharing cosmetics, or spending time around each other. Phew. “Your cup of coffee can cause rosacea flare-ups”TRUE & FALSE!It’s ok, calm your farm, you don’t’ have to forgo your morning hit of caffeine just yet as no it isn’t actually your cuppa which is triggering the flare- ups but rather the thermal heat they omit. Cold cup of coffee anyone? “Rosacea is a skin condition for only the over 50’s”FALSEWhile the peak ages for rosacea sufferers are between 30 and 60 years, you can get rosacea at any age! In fact, teenagers as young as 18 have been diagnosed. “Rosacea is caused by alcohol and hot foods”FALSEWhile drinking alcohol and eating a spicy vindaloo can indeed trigger facial flushing, they are certainly not the cause of the condition. In fact, someone who’s never even had a drink in their life can just as easily develop rosacea as someone who enjoys spicy food and wine or two each night!All that said, hot and spicy foods are however rosacea triggers for some, so it’s best to steer clear from things like horseradish dip and hot sauce when you're drinking alcohol as heat dilates the blood vessels in the skin, and since hot foods generate heat, peppers are a big no-no!And while alcohol might feel like a necessity for some (I hear you), sadly that glass of wine or three can potentially worsen your facial redness! While I’m not necessarily saying cut it out completely, you should cut down on the amount consumed while you are experiencing a flare-up. I promise you will notice a difference in your skin. “Rosacea is the same as acne”FALSEOne of the most common signs of rosacea - bumps and pimples, is also one of the most common causes of confusion about the skin condition! Why? Because it’s often mistaken and then misdiagnosed for acne! Unfortunately, while the two share similar symptoms, including pustules and papules and even redness (although in acne it’s isolated to the pimple or lump) acne, has a different underlying cause and needs to be treated very differently. Many ingredients used in acne specific products such as salicylic acid, vitamin A and exfoliators can cause irritation in rosacea-prone skin resulting in dryness, sensitivity and intensifying redness! “Makeup makes rosacea worse”FALSENo one with rosacea wants to be told they can’t wear makeup because it’ll only exaggerate the skin condition. And not when the stress of having to face people without wearing a mask of makeup to conceal symptoms can actually trigger a flare-up! You do however need to be mindful about what you are putting on your face! Ensure you steer clear of chemical formulations and instead sick to a range of ‘breathable’ products formulated with skin nurturing ingredients that are going to enhance your complexion, not clog up your pores and irritate skin even more! Mineral Makeup should be your go-to! And we LOVE ELES Cosmetics Luminous CC Cream 20, rather than covering up your redness with a thick layer of concealer and foundation, this lightweight, oil-free colour correcting cream helps visually correct redness and even out skin tone. What’s more it’s SPF 20 so will also help shield sensitive skin from sun exposure which can aggravate rosacea. To learn about the top 10 makeup tips and products to conceal rosacea click here. “You can totally rid yourself of rosacea”FALSEWhile you can control rosacea so you speak, you, unfortunately, can’t eliminate the skin issue altogether because there is no cure. Skincare can however reduce redness and other associated symptoms keeping the skin condition at bay, you just need to choose your skincare wisely. Opt for products specifically designed to counteract the condition. We highly recommend Pevonia’s best-selling RS2 line - created by world renowned dermatologist, biochemist and a pioneer in advanced organic skincare, Dr. Sylvie Hennessy, the line was designed to specifically treat rosacea. Formulated with the purest, most natural, nurturing ingredients including Green Tea, Chamomile, Liquorice, Allantoin, Vitamin E and Rose Essential Oil all the products in the range help strengthen capillaries, desensitize, decongest, soothe, and hydrate the skin while rendering it evenly toned and visibly calmed! If you are suffering from facial redness and want to understand more about the skin condition and how to combat it, you can read more here.
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