BC Skin Journal
BC Blog
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.
The top trending beauty hacks that really do work
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 09 2021
From flawless skin to big beautiful lips and everything in between, we are all in pursuit of quick beauty fixes that promise to deliver, but do they really work?Read on to reveal our favourite beauty hacks of all time. You might well have heard of a few before now, but we are here as testament to their success having personally tried, tested and lived by each and every one of them. LIPS – THE PERFECT POUTIf filler isn’t your thing, and the many lip plumping products out there are either short lived or seem to somewhat irritate your skin, you can perfect your pout by simply creating the illusion of plumper lips with a few key steps; Exfoliate Firstly creating a smooth canvas is a necessity to perfecting your pout. The way to achieve this is to start sloughing away any dead skin cells on the surface of your lips by using a gentle lip scrub. Don’t have a lip scrub?No worries, a face scrub such as Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser will suffice! It’ll leave lips silky smooth and lipstick ready! Line those lips Lip liner is used to define the look of your lips but it can also make lips look bigger instantly. Apply before lipstick and use either a neutral shade or match the shade of your lipstick. Begin by applying a fine line just outside your natural lip line starting from the centre of the lips and working out to the corners, keep it light and fine, then blend it inwards. Try ELES Gel Lipliner for ultimate staying power. Apply long lasting lippie Next apply your lipstick, then simply place a tissue over your lips and dust translucent powder onto your lips through the tissue with a brush. Doing so will help set the pigment without dulling the colour and make it instantly longer lasting. Another option is to give a lip stain a go! The ELES Lip Stain imparts lips with long lasting vibrant colour that protects the lips and stays in place for hours even after eating, drinking and kissing! Plump up the volume After applying and setting your chosen lipstick, brush either a little shimmer eyeshadow in an ivory shade or some concealer in light, to the middle of your lips. This creates a 3D effect that makes lips look fuller and no irritation or special products are required! The same goes for your lipgloss – for a little extra lip plumping apply in nude to the centre of your lips.FACE – A FLAWLESS FACEWe are all on the quest of a flawless face and you really can fake it till you make it! A perfect base Skin still feel and look a little dry and patchy even after you’ve completed your morning skincare ritual? You can prevent your foundation from collecting in any flaky spots by simply adding a few drops of face oil directly to your foundation. The oil primes your face enabling the foundation to glide on easily for a seamless finish. Fake your cheekbones Sadly 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 (my go-to is the ELES Baked Blush in Posey) or contour powder in the sunken area under your cheekbones. Next, apply a peachy blush (try ELES Baked Blush in Bouquet) 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. EYES – AN INSTANT EYE LIFT Big bright eyes Who doesn’t want to achieve brighter instantly awake eyes? Yup I’m talking for all the tired mums out there and some! I promise if you invest in a nude waterliner you’ll never look back. Firstly don’t make the mistake I used to by applying black liner all around your eyes (top and bottom as well as your waterline! This will only make your eyes appear so much smaller than they are. Instead just line the top lashes with black liner and the bottom with brown, applied very lightly just to add eye definition, then apply the waterliner (I use daily ELES’s Waterline Liner) to really open up your eyes. It works a treat. You can thank me later. Thicker lashes Using an eye shadow brush or cotton tip, dust a little powder over your eyelashes between the first and second coats of mascara to plump up your lashes. Translucent powder has grip so it will stick to your lashes in between each coat of mascara making your lashes appear more voluminous.Oh and if your mascara has dried up a little, just add some saline to the tube, this will give it that little moisture it needs for flawless application. Brow perfection Adding definition and shape to your eyebrows can completely transform your face! For an instant eye lift firstly shape your brows. 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 while liner on hand.
The 5 best-selling makeup must-haves on BC and why you need them
by Jo Boyden
on Apr 28 2021
Who doesn’t love makeup? It’s fun, fabulous and can bring out that inner artist you didn’t know you had! It can boost your mood, mindset and confidence and has the ability to totally transform your complexion! (some makeup can even improve your skin thanks to its skin nurturing ingredients too.)Having worked at BC, (and in the cosmetics industry for that matter), for many a year, I have to admit I’m very blessed to have been able to try copious amounts of makeup in my time! But, out of the many, I have a few go-to products I simply can’t live without, the ones I go back to time and time again. You know that miracle mascara which turns your non-existent lashes into full, flirtatious lashes? My favourite foundation which really does leave my skin looking fresh and flawless every day and my super convenient compact which lives in my handbag for those urgent touch-ups. We all have our makeup must-haves and our BC customers are no different. Below we’ve put together Beauty Collective’s top 5 performing makeup products, our best-sellers, and there is a very good reason why our customers keep buying these ELES essentials, so read on and see what they are. A few of my absolute favourites are on the list too! ELES Mineral Liquid Powder Mineral FoundationIf you haven’t tried this foundation, you should now! It really will become your go-to solution for achieving that perfect complexion we all seek.Not only is it formulated with skin-loving ingredients including vitamins a, c and e, as well as anti-inflammatory zinc, it allows skin to ‘breath freely, so none of that clogging up pores exacerbating or creating unwanted skin issues which many foundations do! It contains zilch chemical ‘nasties’ such as fragrance, talc, oil or dyes, yet shields skin against age aggressors! And when applied transforms into a beautiful soft powder finish that is oh so natural!“An amazing product that I have used for years. Gives a natural flawless finish. I am the ‘Queen of Cosmetics’ and without a doubt this is the best product I’ve ever used!” Catherine ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30BB 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 this BB Cream 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! Genius!“I have used a few BB Creams before and this one by ELES is this is by far the best. A little goes a long way and the coverage is great. I wear it as a foundation and it looks really natural. I love it!” Jennifer Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused LightIf you are after a little radiance in your life, try this for size! The soft baked powder provides skin with that hint of a natural sun-kissed glow without having to use a heavy bronzer and thanks to its jet-milled pigments it creates a beautifully luminous airbrushed effect every time!“When you need to look like you always have a great night sleep and eat all the right things….this will make you look like you do. Fresh, bright and perky but no one will realise because it is so natural! I call this the working mum’s secret weapon.” Lisa Precision Brow PencilCreating the perfect brows can completely transform your face and make you look 10 years younger too,! but you need to know how.Just as the hair on our heads can thin with age, so do our eyebrows, so to look younger, we want to create instantly fake fullness and to do this we need to fill them in and shape them with the perfect brow pencil. Cue ELES Precision Brow Pencil. This double ended brow tool (one end pencil, one end grooming brush) offers controlled brow filling and lining to quickly and effortlessly impart long-lasting fuller, natural looking brows!“Can’t live without it. The most natural looking brow pencil on the market and it stays put all day! So easy to apply too.” Sophie ELES Lip StainIf you’re constantly on the quest for that long-lasting lippie that’ll not only go the distance (even after food, drink and kisses) but look and feel fabulous too, give this a try! You won’t be disappointed! This next generation lip colour (in between a gloss and a lipstick!) moisturisers and provides a vibrant, full-coverage lip stain without feeling heavy, sticky or tacky!“This stuff really works! If you are after natural looking plump lips that last the distance, this should be your go-to. Don’t get me wrong I love my lipstick but it disappears after the first sight of food, not this Lip stain! It says put all day and I love the way it feels on my lips too!” Jojo
Red carpet ready – A step by Step on how to achieve our 4 favourite Golden Globe looks
by Jo Boyden
on Mar 10 2021
From bold coloured lips to glowy goddess-like skin, flawless winged eyes, to minimal makeup, this year’s nominees bought an abundance of glitz and glamour to the Golden Globes whether they were donning their looks from the luxury of their home, hotel suite or were actually ‘red carpet’ ready.Read on to find out our favourite four makeovers from the night and a simple step by step on how you can recreate each look at home with only a few key products. Julia GarnerWith deep cherry glossed lips and porcelain doll-like skin, Julia Garner seriously bought her A-game to this year’s Golden Globes.To achieve her flawless base simply opt for a long-lasting matte foundation. If you are usually a lover of liquid, yet plan on donning this look, I highly recommend the ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. It literally glides onto skin effortlessly yet sets to a soft matte powder finish that lasts all day. If powder is your go-to, then one of my favourites, and perfect for this look is the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation Compact. It creates buildable coverage from natural sheer to polished opaque.Complete your base with a very soft and subtle pink blush like the ELES Baked Blush in Posey.Next, it’s time to play up the eyes with focus on both eyebrows and lashes. Firstly, we recommend using the ELES Precision Brow Pencil, it creates ‘hairlike’ strokes for a more natural brow and the brush end of the pencil will come in handy if you’ve used too much product and need to soften the look. To create the illusion of Julia’s thicker brows (if yours tend to be on the thinner side like mine!), I also recommend using an eyebrow powder or shadow. While the pencil will help conceal any sparse areas, the powder will fill in, shape and thicken brows. Try ELES Brow Sculpt, it has one side powder, the other side colour coordinated tinted wax that will tame and set brows so they last day and night!Julia’s eyes are all in the lashes. Firstly though apply a wash of mineral matte eyeshadow in vanilla to your entire eyelid all the way to the inner corner using a base shadow brush for ease. The light shaded shadow will really help to open up your eyes. Next layer on coats of ELES Lush Mascara in Black to both the upper and lower lashes applying from the base to the tip in a slow sweeping motion. To create the illusion of Julia’s long alluring lashes allow mascara to semi-dry in between coats.To complete the look, firstly line your lips with a blood red lipliner which perfectly matches the lipstick to follow. The lip liner will give your lips structure and act as a primer to help bind the lipstick to the lips. Carefully line your lips just outside your natural lip line. Fill the rest of your lips in with the liner then reach for your beautiful bold blood-red lippie. We love the ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Cool Red. Follow with ELES Colour Balm in Classique for Julia’s subtle gloss coated finish. Andra DayWith plum ombre lips and a perfectly paired gold highlighter, Andra Day’s look is breathtakingly beautiful, yet easy to achieve! We promise.To create her glowier than glowy complexion, firstly, apply a dewy foundation. We love the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint. Seal it with the ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light. It’s like a warm filter that evens out dark shadows and discolouration, leaving skin looking poreless and perfect!Next take a bronzer (try the ELES Baked Bronzer in Sunbeam, a beautiful fine powder bronzer with a subtle pearlized finish) and a tapered detail brush, and define your jawline by applying it at a downward angle on either side of your chin. Then to sculpt the cheeks apply bronzer using sweeping brush strokes under the entire length of the cheekbones and blend, blend, blend!Now add instant radiance and colour to your face using the ELES Baked Blush in Rose Gold. Then enhance your features like never before with the ELES stick Illuminator. Apply it to the centre strip of your nose starting from the top to the tip of your nose, right above the perimeter of the jawline (this is the trick to making your face look slimmer), under the arches of your brows, and to the highest point of your cheeks for that healthy glow.For Andra’s shimmery standout eyes, use the ELES The Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trio in Delicates, a versatile collection of 3 beautiful earth tone eye shades within one convenient palette.Firstly apply the lightest shade to your entire eye lid, all the way to the inner corner using a base shadow brush for ease. Next using a tapered blending brush apply the medium shade into your crease (the curve above your eyelid) blending from the outer corner’s inwards. Finally use the same brush to apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of your eyelid, then extend it outwards and upwards and blend it inwards slightly. Finish with lashings of ELES Lash Fortify Mascara in Black.To complete the look, line your lips with ELES Gel Lip Liner in Plum and carefully blend filling in lips, then apply your lipstick - we love ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Aubergine, followed by swipe of ELES Lip Stain in Pin Up Girl. Amanda SeyfriedWith bold brows, bronzed cheeks and soft, smoky eyes, this year’s Golden Globes saw A-lister Amanda Seyfried glow like a goddess.To create her look firstly apply a natural lightweight foundation. We love the ELES HD Foundation. Its lightweight formulation melts onto skin and provides undetectable coverage with a subtle radiant finish. Follow with a powder bronzer to contour beneath your cheeks and jawline to slim the face and create the illusion of perfectly sculpted cheekbones. Try ELES Anti-Oxidant Bronzer to achieve Amanda’s perfectly matte bronzed complexion that will last all day.Next focus on the eyes. To achieve this soft, smoky eye look, you’ll need three eyeshadow shades – a light, medium and darker. Start by applying the lightest shade (a nude) over your entire lid, all the way to the inner corner using a base shadow brush. You really need this light shadow to perfect the look and open up the eyes to make colour ‘pop’. Next use a tapered blending brush to apply your medium shade into your crease (the curve above your eyelid) blending from the outer corner’s inwards. Now use the same brush to apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of your eyelid. Extend it outwards and upwards to create a smoky effect, then blend it inwards slightly. To nail Amanda’s eyes, we recommend using ELES’s The Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trio in Cool Nakeds.To complete the look, instead of using eyeliner, use the darkest shade of your shadow. Simply use a flat definer brush and press the dark shadow lightly along the edges of your upper eyelid where your eyelashes begin and along the lower lash line. Then finish with lashings of mascara.For that subtle flush of colour on the lips, use a lip liner to gently fill in (we recommend the ELES Gel Lipliner in Naked) and then add a touch of gloss like the ELES Pucker-Up lipgloss in Love Bite for that subtle hint of shine. If you prefer lipsticks, try the ELES NEW Velvet Satin Lipstick in Lauderdale Place. Elle FanningFlawless winged liner, rosy rouge cheeks and nude lips came together to create a stunning ethereal look for Elle.To recreate ELLE’s makeup, firstly apply a matte powder as your base. Try ELES Mineral Powder Foundation and gently blend with a Beauty Blender for flawless coverage. Next, add a swipe of blush to the apples of the cheeks before focusing on the eyes.Many steer clear of the winged eye look because they fear it is too tricky, but we promise you it’s far from it and once you’ve mastered it you’ll never look back. First things first, the make the initial line. Using ELES Felt Tip liner in Black draw a short, thin line from the outer corner of your eye extending the natural curve of your lower lash line to your desired length. If you have trouble getting a smooth line freehand, try making a series of small dots and then join them together or simply use a piece of tape or stencil as a guide. Draw a line across the upper eyelid, following the natural curve of your upper lash line from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner of your eye and continuing to parallel the first line you made. Focus on creating a smooth line. Now that you have your outline fill in the gaps with more eyeliner. Apply a little lush mascara to both upper and lower lash lines.Finally pencil in brows with ELES Precision Brow Pencil and colour lips with ELES Matte Lipstick in Bare.
10 beauty hacks from the BC Pros that you’ll absolutely love
by Jo Boyden
on Feb 18 2021
Who doesn’t love a beauty hack? A quick tip or trick to help you look your best in next to no time (especially great for all us mums on the go or those who always find themselves a little time poor.) Well the team at BC have compiled their forever favourites, the hacks they use daily and we thought we’d share them with you! Happy reading…Keep lip colour in place all dayWe all love a long wearing lippie but using them doesn’t mean it won’t smudge and seep out of the lines of your lips a little. If you aren’t armed with a lip primer to keep it in place all day, simply apply your lipstick then try putting some blotting paper (a tissue will do) over your lips and dabbing on some translucent powder. This should keep it in place through coffee, cake, and kisses!This might be an oldie and one you’ve heard many a time before but are you doing it daily?Perfectly lined lips every timeIsn’t it annoying when you’ve worn down a new lipliner and no matter how much your sharpen it you can never quite get that perfect sharp tip as you had the first time you used it. Well, all is not lost! Instead of using it right out of your makeup bag simply pop it in the fridge overnight or even for a matter of minutes can help. When it comes time to apply, your lip liner should be hard enough to create perfectly lined lips.Conceal correctly for an instant face liftThe most natural and most effective way to conceal under-eye bags and dark circles is to draw a triangle in concealer under the eyes with the baseline of the triangle directly under your eye and the point toward your cheek. This shape not only conceals dark circles but also gives you an instant facelift! Go on give it a try!Plump up your lashes with translucent powderNot keen on the fake eyelash look but want your lashes to appear fuller, and flirtier? Sure! Simply take a translucent foundation powder and using a makeup brush dust it over your eyelashes between the first and second coats of mascara. The powder has grip so will stick to your coated lashes helping plump them up for that thicker, fuller, voluminous look.N.B. When applying your mascara be sure to press bristles against your upper and lower lash lines and then wiggle the wand as you go from root to tip. This will make sure you’ve fully coated each and every lash as well as adding length!Forgo the black eye lineDespite its popularity lining eyes with black liner can make eyes appear so much smaller than they are! Don’t apply black liner to your lower lash line and waterline, instead line the top part of your eye with black eye liner, the bottom with brown and be sure to line your waterline with a white or nude waterline liner to really open up your eyes. Make your eyeshadow really popFor really stand-out eyes, instead of just applying a white or nude liner to your waterline, try applying a layer to your eyelids too. Haven’t got a white liner? That’s on try a dab of concealer instead. This will hold eye shadow in place as well as creating a neutral base for shadow making your eyeshadow shades look beautifully bright.Nail a simply smokey eyeWho doesn’t love a smokey eye look for a special occasion? But the time required, the several different shades of eyeshadow and a whole lot of blending equals big effort, and not everyone has time for that! But all is not lost, there is a fast and easy alternative and it can be just as effective – promise. Simply use an eye pencil to draw a slanted hashtag above the outer corners of your eyes and blend with the smudger end of your pencil.Say goodbye to smudged eyesNo one likes to look in the mirror and see a line of black smeared under their eyes. Thank you mascara (eye roll) to clean up both eyeshadow fall out and smudged mascara use a sponge (I recommend the good old beautyblender) and makeup primer as opposed to makeup remover, this picks up the shadow and leaves the concealer so no need to reapply!Get an instant eye liftLine below and above your eyebrows with highlighter or white eye liner and smudge It to really define brows. You’ll look like you’ve had an instant eye lift!Quick drying nailsIn a rush but applied nail polish and now need nails to dry faster? No problem! Simply immerse your fingers in a bowl of iced or cold water for one to three minutes to cut their drying time in half!
Mastering eyeshadow application. Why and how you should wear it
by Jo Boyden
on Dec 21 2020
Ever been seduced into buying a new eyeshadow palette of tantalising shades only to discover the majority of them are unwearable? Or you simply have no idea where to start when it comes to applying them?Let’s face it, applying eyeshadow correctly, I’m talking multiply layers of varying shades to create stand out eyes, is an art form! So it’s no surprise that many of us either get it wrong or simply shy away from shadow! But wearing eyeshadow correctly can have a big impact on the way we look...and for the better! It has the power to enhance, define and complement your eyes in all but a few simple sweeps, you just need to know how!So read on to discover our top tips and become the master of your own eyeshadow destiny in next to no time. You won’t be disappointed with the results, trust me! Go neutral If you’re starting out on your eyeshadow journey its best to keep things simple. By using just a few neutral shades you can contour your eyes and add depth and dimension in a soft and subtle way. We are in love with the new ELES Naturals Collection Eyeshadow Trios. A choice of not one, but four palettes in a combination of three beautiful earth tones to suit everyone! The soft and subtle powder shadows apply smoothly and effortlessly and since they are pigment packed, every shade delivers rich, opaque colour for hours of crease-resistant wear! Use the right brushes! Know those little foam wands or brushes that come in some eyeshadow compacts? Ditch them! They are awful for applying product with precision!Flawless eyeshadow application is ALL in the brushes! So investing in a good eyeshadow brush (or three!) is paramount as it’ll help laydown powder shadows, setting them in place for the day. Opt for a dense base shadow brush to impart colour on the lid first, a blending brush for blending and highlighting and a flat definer brush to line and define your eyes! Don’t worry we are about to tell you how to use them! Apply shadows in the correct order (follow our diagram) Have your palette at the ready but unsure which shade should go where? This handy diagram should become your go to; Lightest ‘highlighting’ colour Medium shadow colour Darkest ‘smokey’ colour Start by applying the lightest shade (a white or nude) from your palette over your entire lid, all the way to the inner corner, using a base shadow brush. You really need this light shadow to perfect your look as it’ll help open up your eyes and make your colour ‘pop’. Just be sure to use your brush in a dabbing not dragging motion though as this is the key to applying ‘streak-less’ shadow!Next use a tapered blending brush to apply a medium shade into your crease (the curve above your eyelid) blending from the outer corners inwards.Use the same brush to apply the dark shade to the outer corner of your eyelid. Extend it outwards and upwards to create a smoky effect so to speak, then blend it inwards slightly. Applying this darker shadow slightly beyond your crease is the key to adding real dimension to your eyes.Additional tip: If you want to take your look from day to night up the anti! Don’t let the neutral shades fool you. By dampening your brush you can add intensity, just be sure to apply your foundation after your eyes are finished so any eyeshadow fallout can be easily dusted off. Complete your look Eyeliner, when applied correctly can make your lashes look thicker and your eyes wider. So to complete your look, instead of using an eyeliner, you can use the darkest shade of your shadows to create an impactful, well defined eye. Simple use a flat definer brush and press the dark shadow along the edges of your upper eyelid where your eyelashes begin and along the lower lash line. The finish with lashings of mascara. Yes it’s that simple! And with practice comes perfection.
7 ways makeup can actually improve your mental wellbeing
by Jo Boyden
on Apr 29 2020
While it might have been tempting to forego makeup altogether since #isolife and hey it’s the perfect time to give your skin a break, right? There is no denying the impact makeup can actually have on your wellbeing. When it comes to wearing cosmetics, the benefits go way beyond looks and we are here to explain how;1 It can transform your mood and mindsetIf you’re one of the many currently working from home whilst home-schooling your kids, I’m feeling you. The daily juggle is real and the idea of any time to yourself is almost laughable, but practising self-care at home is imperative, as is maintaining routines where possible!A simple beauty regimen can be so beneficial for those who have a hard time implementing or prioritizing self-care. Setting aside some time and energy for daily makeup application – and we aren’t talking hours, it can be as little as 5-10 minutes – can have a profound effect on your mindset. Taking time out to pop on a little mascara, foundation, concealer and blush even, can help your skin look it’s very best but also greatly elevate your spirits. I personally find getting up in the morning and following the same routine I would if I was still going into the office, is a great motivator! By making myself look presentable I feel better, brighter and so much more productive!2 It can be therapeuticI don’t know about you but those 10 minutes to myself when I can forget about the daily grind or the outside world, and instead just focus on creating my mini makeover, is actually bliss, therapeutic almost. I unfortunately no longer have time for swimming and at-home yoga sessions are few and far between, so my morning makeup routine has become my little self-soothing ritual, especially when the kids have been driving me a wee bit crazy since 7am!3 It can bring out your inner artistYour makeup routine can provide a creative outlet. Whether you’re feeling the minimal makeup vibe or channelling your inner Lady Gaga, with makeup you can be as artistic as you like, no limitations. It can also be a great way to explore different makeup trends and find out which looks work best for you! Nothing like taking this time in isolation to perfect your look for that dinner date or girls night out once lives return to normality.4 It can be fun!Makeup isn’t all about looking presentable, it can be so much fun too! You can play with colours to create looks you never thought possible and for me the only people to judge at the moment are my little minions! Who happen to think any look I don is fab! Phew!Plus if like me your kids find makeup fascinating and are old enough, why not make it into something fun you can share with them too? With kids home 24/7 it’s the perfect time to engage them in makeup play. It provides them with an alternative option to drawing, painting, and doing craft and the looks they create themselves will, in turn, create fun memories forever, I have the photos to prove it!5 It can boost your confidenceIt is fact that wearing makeup can help you cultivate a more polished or even ‘perfected’ version of yourself…so to speak. Concealing any imperfections can increase confidence as well as make you feel more in control of yourself and your skin. And this boost of confidence, in turn, is known to increase productivity. Win Win I say!6 It can improve your skinSay what? Wearing makeup can actually improve your skin? I hear you say. I know this might sound a little ridiculous after all doesn’t the majority of makeup clog your skin? Prevent it from breathing properly? Not if you are using the right makeup products, no!Spending so much time at home in quarantine can have a negative effect on your skin, deplete it of certain essential nutrients and minerals. And while skincare care vastly improve your skin’s appearance, so can your makeup if you opt for formulations with skin nurturing ingredients. By choosing mineral foundations and powers rich in vitamins A, C and E, as well as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, aloe and chamomile, will not only provide your skin with antioxidant protection but also soothe, protect and correct your complexion too! I personally LOVE the ELES Cosmetics best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation for these exact reasons! The coverage is perfect – silky smooth with a matte finish, creating a totally natural flawless complexion, while also protecting and correcting my skin!Also makeup – anything from your lipstick to your highlighter – can be one of the most efficient anti-ageing measures as they offer additional protection for your skin against the sun’s rays and pollution! It’s easy to forget about applying sunscreen to our lips or around our delicate eye area, I know I’m guilty of this! So pigmented eyeshadows and long-lasting lipsticks can actually help with this. The ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick has an instantly nourishing formula, offers both rich colour and long-lasting wear and it deeply conditions lips with vitamins E, A, C, shea butter, avocado and jojoba oils! I can’t get enough of the Nutmeg shade, I have very pale lips so this adds the perfect sheen of much needed colour!7 It can increase longevityPractising self-care such as makeup application comes with both short and long-term health benefits. Makeup routines we now know can raise your mood helping you both behave and think differently. And due to numerous studies it is proven that people with a more positive attitude quite simply live longer!
FORCED STAYCATION - IT'S TIME TO “KONMARI” YOUR MAKEUP
by Jo Boyden
on Apr 17 2020
When was the last time you sorted through your makeup? I mean organised, dusted and decluttered it? Whether it be the selection of products currently sitting on your bathroom vanity or the hoards you’ve accumulated over the years that no longer sees the light of day, by ‘tidying’ your makeup you will also ‘tidy your mindset’, according to globally renowned ‘organising consultant’ (aka ‘tidying expert’) and bestselling author, Marie Kondo.Back in her late teens Marie Kondo created the ‘KonMari’ method, a philosophy which suggests we should all “keep things that speak to the heart and discard items that no longer spark joy.” And now this method has been adopted by people all around the world, transforming their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration! Sold? Read on…Having worked in the cosmetics industry for many years, I have been blessed to not only trial but be gifted with countless products and if I hadn’t have adopted Marie Kondo’s KonMari method myself, I’d have been signed up for the TV show “Hoarders” by now!So if you are one for acquiring a mountain of makeup products, many of which you no longer use but can’t bring yourself to throw them away, now is the perfect time for change! Here are some decluttering Marie Kondo mantras to live your new life by; Commit to sorting ALL your makeup This isn’t a onetime thing but a process that will allow you to enjoy your makeup routine in a whole new way so you need to be committed to tackling the entire task at hand in one go, no matter how tedious a job it is! Unless you apply yourself from start to finish in one fell swoop, you’ll just end up shifting your makeup from one spot to another, accomplishing nothing. I promise once you’ve decluttered all your makeup hoards and completed the organising process you will be motivated to keep it that way! Create a mountain Now you are committed you still need to ensure you don’t just tidy one drawer or bag of makeup at a time if you do it that way you’ll lose both momentum and motivation! Instead, grab every single item of makeup whether on display or hidden in the deep depths of your cupboard and put into one large pile. This way you can really see what you have been clutching onto for all those months, years even! Sort by category It’s time to dive right into the mountain of makeup and organise by category (I found this part rather therapeutic!) The KonMari ‘tidy your home’ method has people starting with the clothing category and then sorting into subcategories such as shirts, skirts etc…this exact same method can be applied to organising your makeup. So put your many lippies into one pile, your mascaras into another and so on… Out with the old, in with the new Once you have categorised your masses of makeup it’s time to discard the products that are old, expired or even those that are unused, or “that no longer give you joy” as Marie Kondo states.So many of us (I really was a sucker for this) tend to cling onto so many material things ‘just in case’ we might need them again. It’s important to be realistic and ask yourself the question “when did I last use this?” if you can’t remember it’s time to toss it!Products such as foundation and concealer will typically last a few years (although once opened beware of bacteria build-up) but products like mascara have a much lesser shelf life so if you haven’t used it for a few months it’s likely time to replace it!By cutting down your collection you will create room for inevitable growth, after all who doesn’t want to get their hands on that new product launch! Just remember though some makeup, while it looks fabulous in the palette, might not look so great on your complexion. Have a little fun, do a little experimenting and choose to keep only the products while make you feel and look your best. Decipher which products bring you joy Now that you’ve eliminated the old and unusable, take those remaining red lipsticks, that shadow palette, your powder blush, in your hand and ask yourself if it sparks joy! If the answer is not really then simply say a Marie Kondo “thank you for your service” mantra and add it to the ‘see you later’ pile. This exercise not only cleans out your beauty bag, drawer or cupboard, it also instills decision-making skills that’ll transfer into other areas of your life. But remember by ‘sparking joy’ we mean how it makes you feel when you wear it, not that when you last wore your sparkly lip gloss at the 2018 Christmas party you had a fun night! Don’t forget your tools! Aside from your makeup products, it’s important to sort through your tools too!Your makeup tools are meant to be washed. Besides bacteria, both brushes and sponges also accumulate dead skin cells and oil which can clog your pores leading to skin irritation and pesky pimples! Also if you apply your makeup with a dirty bush the end result can be a streaky and patchy complexion! Clean brushes definitely make for a smoother makeup application! Once you have completed your KonMari ritual, the end result will be a clean, well-organised, easily accessible collection and a new improved you!
Makeup looks from the Oscars that you’ll want to recreate this Valentine’s Day!
by Jo Boyden
on Feb 13 2020
Hollywood's biggest event of the year – The Oscars – calls for bold and beautiful makeup year after year and boy did this year not disappoint! From smouldering eyes to statement red lips, the Oscars is a time to pull out all the stops….and so is Valentine’s Day we say!Armed with the right products, you too can recreate this year’s looks straight from the red carpet, looks that everyone will fall in love with regardless of your plans for this coming Friday night! So read on and get experimenting! We have kept it simple and just gone with our favourite two makeovers, as adorned by the stunning Scarlett Johansson and Lucy Boynton. Bronzed glowThis year’s Oscars saw Scarlett Johansson master the “I just got back from a tropical holiday” glow.Her shimmer shadow, bronzer and lipstick combination is simply the perfect Valentine’s Day look whether you are headed out for a fancy dinner or for drinks with friends.To create her glowier-than-glowy complexion, apply a dewy foundation, (we love the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint), followed by a powder bronzer to contour beneath your cheeks and jawline to “slim” the face. The ELES Baked Bronzer in Sunbeam is perfect for recreating this bronzed glow. Apply a little extra to your forehead to add that “sun-kissed” warmth and if you want to be a real show stopper, dab on a little stick illuminator above the apples of your cheeks and down the centre of your nose.For Scarlett’s shimmery standout eyes apply ELES Mineral Shadow in Bronzite and then blend softly above the crease of your eye lid, as well as beneath the lower lash line for a bronzed smoky eye. To make eyes pop don’t be afraid to use the ELES Waterliner pencil in both the inner corners of your eyes as well as on your waterline. Complete the eyes with lashings of ELES Lush Mascara.For that subtle flush of colour on the lips, use a lip liner to gently fill in (we recommend the ELES Long Wear Lipliner in Nude) and then add a touch of gloss like our ELES Pucker-Up Lipgloss in Love Bite for that hint of shine. If you have a preference for lipsticks instead, try the ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick in Parfait. Play up your lashesLucy Boynton always likes to make a statement at the Oscars and this year she did so by dramatizing her eyes with Twiggy-inspired ultra-long lashes! #goals. Coupled with standout red lips, her look was equal parts fun and flirty!To achieve her flawless base go for a long-lasting matte foundation which is great for recreating a natural look while still providing ample coverage. If you are a lover of liquid we recommend our best-selling ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation – it glides effortlessly yet sets to a soft powder finish. But if powder is your go-to, we highly recommend the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation compact. Complete your base with a soft pink blush like the ELES Baked Blush in Posey - after all, nothing says romance like a flushed cheek.Next it’s time to dramatize the eyes but emphasizing both the eyebrows and lower lashes. Firstly we recommend you use the ELES Brow Blender in Dark Taupe. With the spool end brush the brows upwards, then using short soft strokes apply the pencil.For the eyes, first apply a peachy matte eyeshadow, then layer on coats of ELES Lash Fortify Mascara in Black to both the upper and lower lashes applying from the base to the tip in a slow sweeping motion. To create the appearance of Lucy’s ultra-long and thick lashes allow mascara to semi-dry in between coats.To complete the look reach for a bold, matte, blood-red lippie. We are in love with the ELES Matte Lipstick in Spicy.Valentine’s Day we’re ready for you!
Celebrity Makeup Artists reveal their best beauty hacks
by Jo Boyden
on Jul 18 2019
[caption id="attachment_2945" align="alignnone" width="830"] Celebrity makeup artist Kate Lee[/caption]Here at Beauty Collective, we are always bursting with great skincare tips and makeup tricks, but just like you, we love learning (and trailing) the beauty hacks from some of the world’s most renowned makeup artists. Curious to find out what our top 9 favourites are? Read on and use as you will! For flawless foundation coverage Oh, hail the BeautyBlender! “If you look in any makeup artist’s kit, it’s almost guaranteed you will find a BeautyBlender. This revolutionary makeup sponge’s shape allows you to reach every contour of your face. It is meant to be used damp, allowing for a flawless application and ensuring that makeup never looks heavy.” Liane Scior, Creator ELES Cosmetics Mastering the under-eye concealer application Warm your concealer on your hand before applying. "I swipe concealer onto the back of my hand first, then tap it on under the eyes," Sir John says. "This thins out the consistency a little so it looks more lived-in, more like a second skin." Sir John, Celebrity Makeup Artist to Beyoncé To perfect the natural looking glow “Dip your make-up brush into a little bit of water before you apply highlighter to your face. The smooth, creamy formula glides across the skin like a liquid highlight but sets like a powder and captures the light beautifully. A gorgeous highlight can instantly lift dull looking skin for a natural looking glow!" Charlotte Tilbury, Celebrity Makeup ArtistWhat's more, a damp brush ensures you won't pick up too much product, it’ll simply create an effortless touch of shimmer, we know as we’ve given this a go! For natural looking brows “Instead of brushing your brows up and away before you start filling them in, brush them down. When you fill in your brows this way, you’re able to clearly see the maximum shape of your eyebrow and the highest point of your arch. Try it this way and you’ll avoid the overdrawn, pencilled-in look”. Kate Lee, Celebrity Makeup Artist Achieving longer lasting mascara “If your mascara is dried out, but not yet expired, add a few eye or saline drops into the tube and it’s ready to go again”. Rae Morris, World Renowned Makeup Artist and Author No more under-eye mascara smudging To clean up shadow fall out and mascara smudge under the eyes, “Use a plain sponge and makeup primer instead of makeup remover. This picks up the shadow and leaves the concealer.” Monika Blunder, Celebrity Makeup Artist For the perfect lip application every time “Apply a lip balm on while doing the rest of your make up, and when it comes time to do your lips, wipe it off and apply your lipstick as normal. It’s also not good to apply a layer of foundation on your lips before applying lipstick, or you’ll end up with a big ugly white crust around your mouth.” Rae Morris, World Renowned Makeup Artist and Author For stand out lips “Any time I'm putting a bright lip on anyone, I always buff a little concealer around the mouth with a loose shadow brush, by doing this, the area around the mouth acts like a frame for your lipstick—really showcasing that colour and not letting it feather.” Kirin Bhatty, Celebrity Makeup Artist To settle and set your makeup “To keep your skin looking like skin and not like makeup, finish with a mist. I always use a mist because it helps settle the makeup, making your skin look less makeupy." Afton Williams, Film Makeup Artist
Makeup tips that’ll erase years off your face in minutes
by Jo Boyden
on Apr 30 2019
Let’s face it, we are all on the quest for eternal youth and thankfully there are many things we can adopt to slow down the aging process; wearing sunscreen, eating a diet rich in fruits and veggies, drinking boatloads of water, exercising, using quality skin care, opting for facelifts, botox and fillers even, but did you know you can also cleverly erase years off your face in literally minutes with….makeup!Yes, something as simple as the way you apply your makeup can have a significant effect on how old you look (oh my!) so read on and discover makeup tips that can turn back the clock and make you look younger naturally. PRIME YOUR SKIN Creating a flawless, almost airbrushed complexion really is dependent upon small, refined pores. Reduce pore size with a pore minimizing product. We swear by ELES Pore Perfecting Face Primer. GO EASY ON FACE POWDER No matter your skin type, too much face powder to hide those blemishes or control oil flow can actually highlight fine lines and wrinkles instead of concealing. It’s best to use it sparingly (and dust off excess powder from brush before application), opt for a light weight pressed powder (we LOVE ELES Mineral Foundation Powder) or simply use a liquid based foundation for a fresher more dewy complexion. We can sing the praises of the ELES HD Luminous Foundation all day long. FAKE YOUR GLOW Lost your glow? Then fake it! A few drops of Liquid Illuminator in your foundation will leave your skin positively luminous. Try ELES Liquid Illuminator. USE A BLUSH And do this daily. A blush applied correctly (with an angled blush brush to lift colour upwards towards your temple) helps elongate your face, gives you high cheekbones (which is synonymous with youth!) and will make it appear slimmer. We recommend ELES Baked Blush for pigmented colour, easy application and a healthy looking finish. INSTANT EYE LIFT Tired eyes? Dark circles? Ensure you are armed with a fabulous concealer! We are obsessed with ELES Liquid Concealer - dark circles literally disappear beneath with one swipe. BRIGTHEN EYES Invest in a nude waterline liner and line your bottom waterline for an instantly wide-eyed effect. We promise you it’s worth the money as one swipe will truly create wider, brighter, and more awake eyes. (The perfect tool when you have a toddler who just lurves waking me up multiple times a night!!) Finish by applying lashings of mascara to your top lashes. SHAPE YOUR BROWS Eyebrows can totally change how your face looks. Crazy right? But true. Fuller, well-shaped brows can and will make you look younger and more awake! This is because it adds structure and lifts above the eye that you lose with age. You can master the ‘perfect brow’ with the right tools – we highly recommend the ELES Precision Brow Pencil, with built-in grooming brush it offers controlled brow filling and lining to quickly and effortlessly impart fuller, natural looking brows.Or if pencils aren’t your thing try ELES Brow Sculpt to fill in, shape, correct and emphasize the natural arch of the brow. Just sweep the light shade through the brows and mimic hair with the dark side for youthful, natural looking brows. DON'T FORGET YOUR LIP GLOSS Lips naturally lose plumpness and volume with age. Steer clear of deep matte lippie shades that’ll make lips appear thinner while weighing down your complexion. Instead be armed with a sheer volumising gloss with built-in lip moisturiser that’ll give volume and plumpness and of course that much desired youthful pout, naturally! We can’t get enough of the ELES Pucker-up Lip Gloss, balmy and ultra-hydrating it’ll re-volumize lips in one swipe.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Sleeping in makeup – what it really does to our skin
by Jo Boyden
on Mar 26 2018
What girl doesn’t love makeup! It can literally transform the way we look and feel! But sadly with every good, comes bad, and makeup is no exception to the rule!There is a downside to wearing makeup - the affect it can have on our skin if it’s not property removed at the end of the day. I’m pretty sure the majority of us could admit to sleeping with makeup on at some stage of our lives. I know I’m guilty of it, perhaps one time to many! But after learning these simple facts, like me, you might think twice about doing it again!What makeup does to your skin while you are sleeping... Eye irritation and sensitivity Neglecting to remove eye makeup whether it be the entire shebang or just a little layer of mascara, can cause dryness, irritation, redness and even infection! This is because the particles from mascara can harbour harmful pathogens and if it gets into the delicate eye area can cause havoc.No thank you. Dry, dull complexion Our skin is covered in pores which allow us to sweat and secrete sebum, a natural lubricant that moisturises skin and removes dead skin cells. Makeup can trap these dead skin cells, preventing them from shedding and leaving us with a dry, dull complexion. Just remember sleep is the body's time to repair itself from the stress of the day. While you sleep, new healthy skin cells are created. Spots Even if you're not normally prone to spots, you'll soon see that sleeping with a face full of makeup can and will result in breakouts. Eek! Makeup, unfortunately, clogs pores, and when your pores are blocked, your skin can't breathe, and therefore it can't regenerate. The oil in your pores builds-up and transform itself into spots. Fact. Premature aging Sleeping in your makeup can trap dirt and pollutants inside the skin, therefore increasing your exposure to free radicals. This is turn can lead to collagen breakdown. If collagen can’t be produced properly, your skin will age faster.Scary right? Fear not, if you have only been subject to sleeping with makeup on a few times there is no long term effect but it’s definitely not something you want to make a habit of. Yes sometimes it’s hard not to just want to climb into your comfy bed after a long day or a big night out even, but if that’s the case and your usual cleansing routine seems like way to much of an effort, opt for a quick, easy and effective cleanser that you can even use from the luxury of our bed!Try;ELES Transformation Cleansing Oil. Packed full of anti-aging and nourishing ingredients, it literally melts away makeup and impurities without stripping skin’s natural moisture, all while helping it maintain a balanced and hydrated complexion.Also ensure you use sensitivity tested or breathable makeup free of potential irritants such a fragrance, talc, oil, dyes and parabens.Try;ELES Liquid Powder Foundation. Its ‘non-occlusive’ long-lasting formula allows the foundation to enhance the complexion without covering up the skin, allowing it to “breathe” freely.ELES Sensitive Eyes Mascara. Hypoallergenic and sensitivity-tested, this fragrance-free water based mascara is perfect for the most sensitive of eyes. It lengthens, separates and darkens lashes without clumping. It dries quickly and resists smudging under eyes.
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!
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?
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.
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?
10 essential makeup tips to conceal rosacea
by Jo Boyden
on Apr 01 2017
Suffering from facial redness? Flushing? Visible blood vessels? Pustules? Chances are you have rosacea and so do over 45 million other people around the world!Believe it or not rosacea is actually one of the most common skin conditions and with the right treatment can be kept at bay. However we all know, no matter what our skin type that some days our skin just doesn’t look its best and needs a little bit of makeup loving to conceal those flaws and make way for what appears to be the perfect complexion!Follow these nine makeup tips and have your flushed skin looking nothing short of flawless in a matter of minutes. First steps Make sure you cleanse and moisturise your face with soothing and calming skincare. This will hopefully reduce any inflammation and prepare your skin for makeup application. Keep things simple Less is more when it comes to concealing rosacea. Think less products, less likely to aggravate your skin. Opting for multi-tasking products is also a great solution! Mineral makeup is best Make sure you select a range of breathable products that are only going to enhance your complexion not clog up your pores and irritate skin even more. Opt for mineral makeup products. Prime your skin Using a primer will create a smooth foundation for your makeup while ensuring it stays in place all day. It’ll also create a barrier between your skin and your makeup preventing any further irritation. Try ELES Retexture Crème Face Primer. This deeply soothing liquid-cream made with Aloe Vera leaf extract, Roman Chamomile, Witch Hazel, Calendula, Mallow Flower and Centaurea Cyanus Flower extract, leaves skin with the smoothest sensation. It soothes, hydrates, retexturizes and refines, so foundation applies effortlessly and endures impeccably for hours longer. Colour correction Rather than covering up your redness with a thick layer of concealer and foundation, opt for a colour corrector which will help visually correct redness and even out skin tone. Using one with UV protection will also help shield your sensitive skin from exposure that can aggravate rosacea. Try ELES Luminous CC Cream 20. This lightweight, oil-free colour correcting cream with broad spectrum protection, multi-tasks like no other! Set your makeup with an oil-free foundation powder A mineral powder is the best choice as its ingredients are usually non-irritating. Apply with a brush rather than a sponge, which can harbour bacteria. Try ELES Mineral Foundation Powder. Highly compatible with common skin sensitivities, this lightweight powder easily adjusts from sheer to richer, more opaque coverage while effectively camouflaging imperfections. Don’t forget to blush You might think blush would be the last thing you should apply after concealing any facial redness but by using the right shade it’ll actually distract the eye from problem areas and enhance your complexion for the better. Select peach tones rather than pink or reds though and try a mineral makeup blush – ELES Mineral Matte Blush in Adobe. Choose extra-gentle eye makeup Eyes can be sensitive so it’s important to treat them as you would your face – gently. Again think mineral makeup shadows – ELES Mineral Matte Shadow (neutral shades can be less irritating since they have less pigment) and hypoallergenic, sensitivity-tested, fragrance-free mascaras. Use ELES Sensitive Mascara. Choose for a neutral lip colour Choosing red shades may exacerbate the look of any redness in your skin. Try ELES Moisture Crème Lipstick. This innovative, instantly nourishing lipstick formula provides long-lasting wear and a burst of hydration in one smooth application.For long term treatment of rosacea, use these makeup tips in conjunction with an effective skincare program specially designed to control rosacea. Check out our blog on a great skincare treatment option for those looking for outstanding results. Say goodbye to rosacea once and for all!*****Check out PEVONIA AUSTRALIA ORGANIC SKINCARE on Facebook and Instagram to see the mechanics of our competition this APRIL and get a chance to win 1 of 5 BLEMISH-B-GONE PACKS!
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