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Beauty Collective - monotone makeup

Master 2019’s biggest beauty trend: Monotone makeup is back

by Jo Boyden on Apr 16 2019
It’s back!! As demonstrated on the world’s fashion runways, monotone makeup is once again taking centre stage and we are loving it! Why? Because it’s simple to master, can be customised to your style, and is perfect for those, like me, with limited time (I call it the ‘lazy look’!) because you don’t have to think about what eyeshadow or blusher colour you need to match with your lipstick!If you aren’t all too familiar with the term monotone or monochromatic makeup, we are referring to a look which features one colour worn in multiple ways – on your lips, eyes and cheeks – to create a full face makeover. What’s more you can take this look from bold berry hues to soft subtle pinks depending on your mood!Follow our simple guide, choose the hue for you and flaunt this year’s biggest makeup trend! Berry Beauty To nail this trend, you’ll need to play with the intensity of your chosen hue. If you’re using a punchy colour on your cheeks, keep the lips and eyes pared back. Also remember less is more when opting for bold shades so if you’re going with a deep berry on your lips use a wash of berry colour on the eyes and cheeks. Keep Mascara and eyeliner minimal and don’t overdo your brows! Radiant Red Red eyes may seem trés risky, but if you get it right can be a shop stopper! Just remember to stick to glossy textures or if your preference is powder shadow, make sure you keep your skin glossy! Matte on matte = no go. Do add mascara to this look, as a bit of depth is needed to balance out a bold lip. Pretty in Pink When it comes to pink, opt for a highly pigmented shadow and apply it over the whole eyelid. Glossy or cream textures work well as they catch the light. Since eyeshadow can be bold and bright, keep lips painted a pinkish nude tint. A soft pink blush will strike the perfect balance between eyes and lips. Complete with mascara but don’t overdo it!Naturally NudeNaturally, 'nude' can range from pinky, peachy to browny-nude, whatever your choice soft nude lips paired with natural eyes and a flush of blush, makes for a simple monotone look perfect for every-day wear. To recreate the monotone look we are obsessing over (see image) we recommend using Mineral Matte Eyeshadow in Terra Peach for eyes, Baked Blush in Rose Gold for cheeks and Matte Lipstick in Peach Echo coupled with Pucker Up Lip Gloss in Air Kiss for lips.
travel friendly makeup

Live the simple life with travel friendly makeup essentials

by Jo Boyden on Apr 10 2019
Easter holidays are nearly upon us which means it’s time to pack up and ship out for that much needed break!Whether you are headed off on a long weekend away or an overseas trip, if you are anything like me you’ll want to pack everything and the kitchen sink! Yet there is never enough room to accommodate all those necessities including the ever growing makeup kit!Well it’s time to keep life simple and treat yourself to multi-functional products and a clever makeup palette! A versatile palette is the best way to streamline your suitcase without compromising your ‘look’. From radiance inducing highlighters to pigment packed eyeshadows, with the perfect palette you can create an array of day-to-evening looks. Couple with other multi-tasking products and you’ll be fabulously flawless with little effort and in next to no time.Try Age-Defying BB Cream 30. Multi-faceted and benefit-packed, this innovative treatment cream does it all! It protects, primes, tints, nourishes, evens out skin tone, and helps to strengthen skin on contact. Caring and skin perfecting in one simple step!Try an ELES Palette carefully created by the professionals at ELES OR if your preference is to create your own clever compact of products and shades to suit your needs opt for the ELES Custom Palette. This clever compact has four empty face, blush and eyeshadow slots for you to customize, that means you can select whatever products and shades you wish! And with the great selection of shades on offer, your options are limitless.Try ELES Lash Fortify Waterproof Mascara. The ergonomic brush coats each section to quickly lengthen, curl, volumise and lock lashes into place for all day wear.Now go forth and travel lightly! You’ll never look back.
80s makeup Revival

Our Take on the 80s Makeup Revival

by Jo Boyden on Mar 26 2019
So it’s out with the “no-makeup makeup” and in with some girly glamour!If you are cringing right now, then chances are you experienced your puberty blues in the 80s, had a perm at some stage and thought big shoulders and leg warmers were the height of fashion.But despite those of us that lived it and swore we’d never go back, the 80s era seems to be enjoying a revival. If you are in doubt then check out the latest looks worn on the red carpet and the bright new makeup looks that were a breath of fresh air at London Fashion Week in February.Don’t despair though, the ELES makeup team have given the decade a modern (somewhat conservative) twist…The signature eyeshadow colour of the 80s was definitely blue, but instead of the bright cobalt and frosted blues that covered our lids from lashes to brows, we are opting for a modern take by combining Mineral Shadow Turquoise on the inner eyelid with Mineral Matte Shadow in Dusk on the outer eye. This combination looks great on all you pale beauties, especially when teamed with a light peachy lip.If you want to go even brighter then ditch the shadow and focus on the liner. The intensity of the ELES Felt Tip Liner in Sapphire Sky looks stunning when team it with warm peachy cheeks and lips.And we can’t forget those neon lips, the modern twist? A matte finish and pared back eye makeup.Our pick is ELES Matte Lipstick in Orchid.Blusher was another favourite in the 80s and “draping” (when applied all the way up the temples) was also a must. While this looked great on David Bowie we prefer the newer trend to sweep it across the cheeks and nose for a fresh outdoorsy look. Our favourite shade of the season is Orchid in Baked Blush which is an adaptable peachy pink.So fear not if you were thinking of glittery blues and lollypop pink accompanied by sweatbands and high cut leotards, because while it may be inspired by the 80s, we’ve learnt a trick or two!
Beauty Collective - Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle and her Classic Bridal Makeup

by Jo Boyden on May 17 2018
The royal wedding is in TWO days! A new princess is going to walk down the aisle and she is her own makeup artist. Wait, what? There are rumours that Meghan Markle is going to do her own makeup this Saturday and she hasn’t given anyone a clue as to what her bridal makeup will be. Well we know she is a fan of everyday, natural look and we’re sure she’ll do the usual (‘no makeup’ makeup) look on her wedding day, with just a little more drama. First, let’s talk about what CLASSIC LOOK is. We all have varying ideas of what a classic makeup looks like. Kate Middleton (Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge), who also did her own bridal makeup in 2011, chose thick brows, flushed cheeks, rose-pink lipstick, and dark, heavily lined eyes for her wedding day. We see lots of photos of Meghan with the same look and she is confident in it, and we think she’ll wear the same on her wedding day, only with more hazy eyes like the one in the pic above.[caption id="attachment_2233" align="alignnone" width="590"] photo credit: Daily Express[/caption]Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve the classic Meghan Markle look using ELES Cosmetics: For the base All eyes, all cameras are on you on your wedding day (or any big event for that matter). The stress, the weather, and the non-stop activities can cause you to perspire and you need a pretty tough primer and foundation to handle all the pressure. Use a primer to keep your makeup in place for extended period of time, and a lightweight foundation that minimises fine lines and wrinkles and hides pores.Retexturize and refine your skin, so that the foundation glides on smoothly and endures impeccably for hours longer. Try ELES Retexture Crème Face Primer Hide your pores without blocking them. Achieve a smooth and silky finish with the ELES HD Luminous Foundation Pimples tend to appear on the big day. We hope not but just in case you need to cover something, The ELES Photouch Concealer won’t disappoint you. Forget everything else, here’s the ultimate palette to the rescue You’re already thinking of so many things and you don’t need more pressure on the big day! Liane Scior, the creator of ELES Cosmetics, thinks it is smart to always have a palette that has everything you need to achieve the look you want. The latest palette that everyone is raving about is the ELES Hazy Daze Collection.https://www.instagram.com/p/BimE5zYhbAN/?taken-by=elescosmeticsPalette includes;Mineral Highlighter – to add that beautiful glowMineral Blush in Berry – a touch of blush makes us look fresh and prettyMineral Shadow in Frappé – defines the eyesMineral Shadow in Chocolate – adds drama to our lookUse Frappe and Chocolate mineral eyeshadows to achieve Meghan’s signature hazy smudge look. And now for the most important part: “You may now kiss the bride…” You need an ELES Lip Stain in your life! This long-lasting lip stain will keep your lips covered with vibrant colour from AM to PM without that heavy, sticky or tacky feeling. You can kiss all day because it’s KISS PROOF and TRANSFER PROOF. Take it from Instagram and YouTube superstar Jade Madden...https://youtu.be/DCBwJMsc0NUAll the shades look amazing but for this look we are trying to achieve, we highly recommend Retro Babe and Boho Chic.This look is so easy! It’s simple and is fit for a princess. Try it and send us a photo, we might just feature you on Instagram. And finally, we can’t wait to see Meghan Markle on her wedding day. She said she’ll “do as she sees fit.” Let’s all see how it goes. We’re sure she’s going to look amazing!
Beauty Collective - Palette

Add a little makeup loving to your mum’s cosmetics bag this Mother’s Day

by Jo Boyden on May 09 2018
It’s nearly upon us! That special day of the year, the day we outwardly thank our amazing mum’s for being well, simply amazing! Yes Mother’s day is fast approaching which means it’s time to think last minute gifts! Eek.Struggling to decide on what to buy? Keep it simple and special. While flowers are lovely and chocolates a cheeky little indulgence, this Mother’s Day why not add some makeup loving to your mum’s cosmetics bag too! For the mother that loves her beauty products it’s the perfect idea…that said what woman doesn’t love a little makeup in their life!What makeup would be best though I hear you say? Stress no more, for we have taken a few of our favourite products and placed into one sleek, pretty palette, providing colour and instant radiance all day long.This 4-in-1 face and eye palette combines beautiful and subdued shades of frappe and chocolate contrasted with cool feminine berry and soft pink highlights.Containing a soft and subtle highlighter, a warm blush and two shimmer eye shades, all products are free of chemical ‘nasties’ and rich in skin nurturing ingredients including vitamins A, E & C to protect and condition the skin.What more could you ask for mum or perhaps yourself even!Get the ELES HAZY DAZE Collection Palette (now at 20% off) and receive a Duo Fibre Face Brush (valued at RRP $19) for FREE!
Beauty Collective - Makeup tips

Makeup tips you’ll want to know now

by Jo Boyden on May 03 2018
Achieving the perfect makeup doesn’t need to be a time consuming necessity or a complicated ritual! It should be simple and easy. We asked Owner and Creator of ELES Cosmetics, Liane Scior her handy makeup tips and tricks that’ll turn makeup application from frustrating to fun!Whether you’re wondering how to cover up those pesky pimples without further inflaming them or preventing your concealer accentuating your lines, Liane has the answer. And what’s better if the questions that have been playing on your mind aren’t answered below you can email the experts at ELES Cosmetics and they will personally get back to you with an answer.MAKEUP TIPSFACEEliminate dark circlesThe best way to conceal dark circles is with an under eye corrector with a “peachy” tone to counteract the blueish tinge of the shadows. By using a good corrector and a lightweight concealer you’ll have the cover you need without a thick mask that falls into fine lines and looks cakey. Try Dual Action ConcealerConceal redness/broken capillariesGreen correctors used to be the best solution for concealing redness, however they can make the skin look flat and lifeless. CC Creams (colour correction) with photo-optic filters will help reflect back light on the skin greatly reducing skin redness and the dark red of broken capillaries. Try Luminous CC Cream 20Cover up pimples without irritationFor pimples, an antibacterial concealer followed by a mineral foundation powder is ideal. Oil free and non-comedogenic cover ups are best and many now have skin enhancing benefits to sooth inflammation. Avoid mineral oil, lanolin and talc based products which tend to block the pores and exacerbate the acne. Try Photo Touch Concealer & Mineral Powder FoundationConceal not accentuate fine linesThere is a very fine line (pardon the pun) between over-preparing the skin and causing the product to slip off and under-preparing the skin and causing it to absorb into the skin. The area should be well hydrated without being greasy so a good eye cream around the eyes and a hydrating concentrate will help prepare the skin for makeup. Allow time for the product to absorb and settle. The key is not to apply too much product, keep every layer fine and light and you’ll have a more natural and lasting result to your makeup.Create the perfect baseFoundation is what makes your skin appear flawless but it’s important to master not only the right shade, but the look you want (matte versus dewy) and the coverage. If you want lighter coverage then opt for a tinted moisturiser, but if it’s more coverage you’re after then liquid foundation is the answer. Try Mineral Sheer Tint or HD Luminous FoundationBonus tip: Use your fingers to apply your foundation if you want sheer coverage and a brush or sponge for medium to full coverage.Fake your cheekbonesSadly we aren’t all born with striking cheekbones but we can all fake it! All it takes is some simple sculpting. Start by puckering to find the hollows of your cheeks and apply a deep nude blush or contour powder in the sunken area under your cheekbones. Next, apply a peachy blush starting from the apples of your cheeks and moving outwards while lightly blending. Finish by applying illuminator along the top of your cheekbones and under your temples. Try Baked Blush & Liquid IlluminatorEYESBrighten eyesMake eyes brighter with white. A small dot of white shadow on the inside of the eye near the tear duct will make eyes look brighter. Try Mineral Shadow in OpalDefine eyesEyeliner can make or break a perfect makeup. Wearing eyeliner inside the eye rim can look striking and make the eyes stand out, but avoid this if you have small or very deep set eyes.The role of eyeliner is to make the lashes look thicker so the line can be thicker on the top lash line, create a small “peak” in the outer corners of the eye to give the illusion of an almond shaped eye. Try Powderliner PencilBonus tip: Plums and eggplant shades make the eye whites look whiterSelect the eye shadow shade for youChoose shadows that make the colour of your eyes stand out. Blue and Grey tones enhance brown eyes, plums are great for green eyes and browns make blue eyes sparkle. Don’t be afraid to try different colours but remember the eyeshades should enhance your eyes not take over completely. Try Mineral Matte ShadowsTransform eye lashesStill searching for the perfect volumizing mascara? Don’t stress. Simply apply a layer of your mascara to your lashes then dust them with powder (loose powder, translucent or even baby!) before applying a final coat of mascara. The result? Thick, gorgeous lashes.Bonus tip: Sweep the wand through the roots of your lashes and zigzag as you work your way up. This will create added length.Simple Smokey EyeWho doesn’t love a smokey eye? While a lot of smokey eye looks require several different shades of eyeshadow and a whole lot of blending, there is a fast and easy alternative. Simply use an eye pencil to draw a slanted hashtag above the outer corners of your eyes and blend with the smudger end of the pencil. The result: Instant smokey eye every time. Try Powderliner PencilLIPSSoften "smoker's lines" and prevent product seeping into the cracksApply a lip balm before applying the rest of your makeup, this will give the area time to absorb the moisture and plump out the fine lines around the lips, then, when it comes time to apply lipstick, blot the excess away. Follow with a lip primer all over the lips and beyond the lip border. Fill in the lips using a lip pencil in desired colour and apply lipstick to the centre of the lips only.Lipstick shades for youLipstick should complement your skin tones, cool skin tones should wear cooler colours such as plum, rose and burgundy and warm skin tones look better in terracotta, orange and vibrant reds. Remember, if your eye makeup is prominent, keep the lips soft and neutral, and if you want to wear strong lip colour, soften the eye makeup or opt for a simple liner/mascara look. Try Moisture Crème LipstickBonus tip: You are never too old for wet lips! A small amount gloss on the center of the lips makes them look plump and youthful. Keep your Lip gloss with you to freshen up your makeup through the day.Make lipstick last longerLet’s face it lipstick never seems to last the distance. After applying your lippy, place a tissue over your lips and dust on some translucent powder. Doing so will help set your colour and make it instantly longer-lasting.Bonus tip: For long-lasting vibrant colour from AM to PM try the NEW ELES Lip Stains. They will last through coffee, cakes and kisses. Seriously.Fuller lipsLipliner is used to define the look of your lips but it can also create the illusion of instantly bigger and plumper lips. Apply before lipstick or gloss and use either a neutral shade or match the shade of your lipstick. Therefore if the lipstick fades, you don't walk around with only the outline showing.Begin by applying a fine line just outside your natural lip line starting from the center of the lips and working out to the corners, keep it light and fine. Try Longwear LiplinerBonus tip: Powdering the line will make it last longer. EYE BROWSShape your browsAdding definition and shape to your eyebrows can completely transform your face. Shaping your brows needn’t be difficult. Start by brushing your eyebrows so the hairs are sitting naturally. Then, use a soft, waxy brow pencil to shape the outside of your brow. Fill in your brows using short, hair-like strokes. Finally, blend some highlighter just below your brow bone for lift. Try Brow blender PencilBonus tip: Use a brow stencil to create perfectly even and arched brows every time!
Beauty Collective - Dewy Radiance

Dewy Radiance in Just 4 Easy Steps

by Jo Boyden on Apr 05 2018
From hot summer days, we've transitioned to drier and cooler autumn. Spending less time outdoors and not getting as much sunshine and Vitamin D can make your skin look pallid. Guess what! You can achieve dewy radiance in 4 easy steps using these tried and tested radiance-boosting ELES makeup: STEP 1: BB Cream for a dewy (not oily) baseThere's a thin line between dewy and oily. We want to achieve a natural, healthy look, not an oily, sweaty face. We recommend the ELES BB Cream with SPF 30. It's the ultimate 5-in-1 beauty balm that primes, tints, nourishes, evens out skin tone, and helps to strengthen and protect skin on contact. It is skin caring and skin perfecting in one simple step!STEP 2: ELES Autumn Palette to add colour and depth to your lookWe love the ELES palettes because they're so convenient to have! It's all the colours you need in one small palette, and it works like magic! Containing a bronzer, blush and two mineral shimmer eye shades, The ELES Autumn Collection is free of chemical ‘nasties’ and rich in skin nurturing ingredients including vitamins A, E & C to protect and condition the skin. Perfect for creating a simple day look or a stunning evening makeup!STEP 3: ELES Sensitive Eyes Mascara for Eyes with a little dramaOn days when you want to look au naturale, skip the eyeliner and just apply a mascara! The ELES Sensitive Eyes Mascara is hypoallergenic and sensitivity-tested, fragrance-free water based (perfect for the most sensitive of eyes). It lengthens, separates and darkens lashes without clumping. It resists smudging too!STEP 4: ELES Lip Stain for lips that are shiny without the tacky!Oh my gosh, this is everyone's new favourite right now! The ELES Lip Stain is an innovative, long-lasting lip stain that keeps lips covered with vibrant colour from AM to PM. It comes n 6 gorgeous shades you'll love -- 03 Boho Chic, 04 Retro Babe, 05 Pin up Girl, 06 Disco Doll, 07 Damson Dame, 08 Burlesque Queen. People are raving about it and you should definitely have this in your life!https://www.instagram.com/p/BhIkc7ZATMN/?taken-by=elescosmeticsThere you have it -- MINIMALIST AT ITS FINEST! Achieve dewy radiance with these 4 must-haves, they deserve a spot in your everyday bag.
Beauty Collective - Oscars

Who wore it best at the Oscars? Makeup looks rocking it this year!

by Jo Boyden on Mar 06 2018
Soft pink lips, a touch of blush, fierce wings and vampy lip colours, this year’s Oscars bought an array of makeup looks from natural elegance to rock chic ready... …but our favourite look of the night was adorned by the lovely Emma Stone who opted for monochromatic makeup, one of the biggest makeup trends of 2018.For those not familiar with the term, monochromatic makeup simply refers to a look which uses one colour in multiple areas of the face, in this instance eyes and cheeks and lips.We cannot get enough of her peachy lid and cheek combo and the best part is it’s easy to pull off, and, we are going to show you how!OSCARS: Monochromatic Makeup Look Prep your skin Choose a base and shade that best complements your skin tone. In Emma’s case we’d use the Mineral Foundation Powder in Nude. Apply all over face using a powder brush. Choose your colour scheme Decide on the colour you want to use for the monochromatic look, then include multiple shades of that colour for all of your features. Colours that work great are reds, pinks, bronzes and oranges. Build your eyes Take your blush, Baked Blush in Tulip, and using a blending brush, blend all over eye lid up through the crease and to just under the brow bone. Then apply Mineral Shadow Tourmaline to the inner corners of the eyes and beneath the brow bone, blend out the edges. Using a flat definer brush also apply the Mineral Matte Shadow in Tourmaline along the lower lash lines. Next take Mineral Matte Shadow in Terra Peach and wet it to create more intense colour. Apply to outer corners of eyes.Using a flat definer brush apply Mineral Matte Shadow in Indigo to the upper lash line. Next take the Superwear Gel Liner in Baroque and apply along the lower lash lines and smudge out with a small tapered blending brush.Finish with two coast of Lush Mascara in Black to both the upper and lower lashes. Apply your blush Using a blush brush, apply Baked Blush in Tulip (same blush applied initially to eyes) to the apples of your cheeks and sweep upward into hairline. Layer your lips Complete the look with a lip shade that will compliment the blush colour chosen as well as complete the monochromatic look. Try Moisture Crème Lipstick in Peach. Finish with Pucker-Up Lipgloss in Air Kiss.Follow these five simple steps and you’ll be channelling Emma Stone in next to no time! Monochromatic looks are an easy way to look flawless and sophisticated without too much effort!
Beauty Collective - Shanina Shaik

Need some last minute help with your Valentine's evening makeup?!

by Jo Boyden on Feb 14 2018
[caption id="attachment_2123" align="alignleft" width="300"] Perfect for Valentine's Day (and night) -- Australia supermodel Shanina Shaik sporting the “no makeup” makeup look[/caption]Whether it be for a date-night with a loved-one or a fun night out with the girls, here are some makeup tips on how to be date-ready this Valentine's Day!FACEA fresh face that appears free of makeup is one of the most coveted looks. After all who doesn’t want to look like they have flawless skin without even trying?Firstly apply a long-lasting base they’ll keep makeup in place in this hot weather! Smooth all over face and neck and spread gently to even the complexion. Remember less is more!For natural sun-kissed radiance apply bronzer. Use it to contour beneath your cheeks and jawline to “slim” the face, add a swipe to the forehead for that little extra “natural tan”.A clever use of highlighter means that any complexion can have a healthy radiance. Apply sparingly where light would naturally hit your face – brow bones, cheeks and the tip of the nose.Try; ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30 - it primes, tints, nourishes, evens out skin tone and protects all in one. And upon application skin appears more uniform and luminous. I promise! ELES NEW Anti-oxidant Bronzer – this multi-faceted bronzer offers a subtle bronzed hue and is rich in vitamins C & E to condition the skin as well as help combat the damaging effects of free radical scavengers! ELES Illuminator – a sheer, lightweight liquid illuminator that imparts a natural radiance to the skin creating the ultimate shimmer or subtle bronze glow. You can also bend into foundation for an all over luminosity or apply to decollaté for sun-kissed radiance. EYESApply eye shadow according to your eye shape below.Then take your bronzer and apply just above the crease of the eyelid and beneath the lower lash line for a natural smokey eye.Next coat lashes with mascara by applying from the base to the tip in a slow sweeping motion, for thicker and longer lashes, allow to semi-dry and apply a second coat.Try; ELES Mineral Eyeshadow in Moonstone and Mineral Matte Shadow in Roselle. ELES Lash Fortify Mascara in black BROWSUse a light hand when doing your brows.Try: ELES Brow Blender in Dark Taupe. With the spool end brush the brows, then using the short soft strokes, apply pencil to achieve a natural effect, brush again to mute the edges. LIPSTo complete the look, finish with a nude lippie with a touch of pink.Try: ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Natural Glowing skin and makeup what more could you want?
Beauty Collective - Heidi Hamoud

How To: Natural, Easy Makeup by Heidi Hamoud

by Jo Boyden on Jan 30 2018
It’s always so exciting when a prominent YouTube influencer creates a look with ELES Cosmetics! We were thrilled when Heidi Hamoud shared not one but six of our favourite products with over 416,000 followers! Heidi Hamoud created a look we love, not only is it so easy to apply, it's drop, dead gorgeous and ideal for summer nights in Oz: Here's the full video:Here's the step by step guide:First Heidi used ELES Mineral Matte Shadow in Sand to help create a perfect base for a natural smokey eye…Heidi then pressed the ELES Mineral Matte Shadow Twig to the eye socket, blending out into the crease and used the same shadow under the lower lashes for a soft and pretty effect.This was followed with the ELES Lash Fortify Mascara which Heidi stated she loves for its great wand and the way it lifted her lashes.Heidi then used the ELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30 saying she wanted a natural and light alternative to foundation for humid days and nights. She applied this with a damp Pro-Blender Sponge for a light and sheer effect.Heidi then used the ELES Brow Blender in Dark Taupe to fill in and shape the brows and softened the effect with the brush end.Finally she swept a little Bronzer and Blush from the Summer Daze Collection Palette to complete the look saying she loved the bronzer which was so easy to blend out.The Finished Look – simply stunning!Thank you Heidi Hamoud for sharing a look we all love for balmy summer nights.
Beauty Collective - ageing

6 Makeup Habits That Might Be Ageing You

by Jo Boyden on Aug 17 2017
Remember the days of youth when you could cover your blemishes, slap on some mascara and gloss, a little makeup and look “done”? Why on earth did so many of us waste that opportunity to embrace natural beauty?The irony is that many of us 40+’s now find ourselves using a lot less makeup believing everything should to be soft and muted. Mature women are featured in makeup videos and made up like soft focus grandmas! Enough!Makeup for the mature (I prefer to call it Youth Enhancing Makeup) is not about hiding behind multi layers of pastels, it’s about two things; defying gravity and redefining the features.And while makeup does not guarantee a more youthful appearance; some of the most common makeup mistakes can actually age you!Mistake No 1: OVERLY PAINTED BROWSYes, we need brows to look youthful; they frame the eyes and lift the face. Many of us tweezed our brows to thin lines in the 80’s only to find they never grew back. However, harsh, red toned brows (for some reason many brow pencils are red toned?) make us look hard and older. The goal is to create natural looking thicker brows like the ones we used to have. Opt for taupe colour brow products instead of warm browns; these will frame your eyes beautifully without taking over your face. Apply the brow product in soft stokes to create the illusion of natural hair.We recommend ELES Brow Blenders, the soft pencil is easily used to fill in the gaps and then simply brush through the brows to soften the effect.Mistake No 2: COOL SKIN BASEMany foundations and BB Creams come in warm and cool tones. Opt for warmer tones that help counteract complexion pinkness that comes with thinning of the skin and exposure of fine capillaries. Warmer tones also conceal shadows better which means you need less concealer.We recommend ELES BB Cream, it’s packed with nature’s anti-ageing actives and leaves the skin glowing.Mistake No 3: WRONG CONCEALER AND WRONG COLOURAs we mature and the face loses its youthful “plumpness” shadows appear; under the eyes, around the nose, at the corners of the mouth etc. It’s tempting to reach for a heavy duty, ultra-light shade concealer to hide these dark areas. The problem is that they just make the dark shadows look grey as opposed to concealing them. Opt instead for peachy toned, lightweight concealers that won’t cake on the skin and counteract the blue in the shadows.We recommend ELES Dual Action Concealer, this is like 8 hours sleep in a tube!Mistake No 4: EYE MAKEUP THAT MAKES THE EYES DROOPAs the upper lid of the eye is crepe paper thin it tends to droop as we age and the upper crease of the eye becomes obscured, therefore the eyeshadow on the upper eyelid also becomes obscured. If you are extremely skilled at applying makeup you can fake the crease with exacting eye shadow application. However many of us don’t have the time or inclination on a daily basis to fuss with this, so apply a dark fine line through the upper lashes and a softer brighter eyeliner beneath the lashes instead. This “lifts” the eyes making them appear younger, then simply apply a warm shade of brown on the eyelids with the eyes open to ensure you can actually see the shadow. This method is quick and easy! Finally apply two coats of mascara to the upper lashes only to help conceal the eyelid that has dropped. Remember; Darker on top, light below. Shimmer shades under the lower lashes brighten the eyes and give a more youthful look.We recommend ELES Superwear Gel Eyeliner, its soft and easy to blend out and once set won’t transfer to the lids.Mistake No 5: COOL BLUSHSimple, use warm coral and peachy shades, which always look more vibrant on the skin rather than cold pink/mauve shades. This will also make the iris of your eyes more vibrant!We recommend ELES Baked Blush in Bouquet, it’s natural and warm and suits almost everyone.Mistake No 6: COLD FROSTED LIPSTICKAs we lose volume in our lips fine lines not only appear around the lips but on the lips themselves. Frosted lip colours enhance these lines. Instead, opt for cream lipstick that makes the lips look fuller and smoother, many of these contain moisturising molecules that plump the lips and keep them hydrated longer.We recommend ELES Colour Balm in Nude, its super hydrating, lasts for hours and looks like perfectly coloured natural lips.Follow these steps and you’ll create a youthful, flattering makeup that re-defines the features which is always more effective than trying to hide flaws!See this example of makeup mistakes on the left and correct application on the right and you be the judge, which one looks better?