Do you have broken capillaries or suffer from skin inflammation? Does your skin react to what seems like anything and everything or are you simply easily flushed whether it be from the likes over over-exertion or embarrassment?If you’ve answered yes to any or all of the above, we feel you, and so do millions of others!Unfortunately, any number of things can contribute to skin sensitivity some of which are out of our control – genetics, the environment, the weather, our hormones, the water – but by following these 10 simple lifestyle tips we promise they can make a huge difference to not only your complexion but your confidence too! Choose wisely Be diligent about the skincare you use. Opt for products specifically targeted to sensitive and rosacea prone skin and stick with them (changing up your products continually in the quest for the perfect product can aggravate your skin and mess with its natural pH balance too!)We also recommend using products formulated with pharmaceutical quality, pure ingredients farmed from the ocean and are in love with Phytomer’s Accept Desensitizing Mask. Be gentle with your skin When applying skin products, be gentle. Say no to exfoliators especially ones formulated with granules. This will make facial redness worse and make sure you use a gentle moisturiser every single day, morning and night! Moisturising helps to lock in water and prevents sensitive skin from drying out. Say no to hot water Avoid extreme temperatures! Especially when taking a bath or shower. Hot water will not only cause your skin to feel flushed (and potentially aggravated!) but will also strip your skin of its healthy oils and increase blood circulation (which can be the source of facial redness!) Instead wash your face with lukewarm water every time. Exercise can actually help decrease facial redness Sure sure I hear you say! But trust us. Whilst exercise might seem counter-intuitive if you are trying to combat facial redness, it is essential for stress (another key trigger) management and your well-being. Just alter your exercise regime. Try short blasts of high-intensity workouts and exercise in cool, air-conditioned environments while keeping hydrated. Don’t overexpose yourself to the sun This can damage your already sensitive skin by making it more prone to flare-ups. Also keep reactions at bay by opting for a fragrance-free, natural sunscreen. Best to wear a hat too! Red wine can be the enemy (eek) If you’re like me you’ll love a glass of wine in the evenings, but try to steer clear of red. Why red you say? Red wine promotes the opening of blood vessels in the skin and is a histamine releaser which causes redness and flushing, it also deprives the skin of vital vitamins. Hydration is key Drink plenty of water (we know Julian…!) But on a serious note water not only rehydrates you but also flushes away toxins and replenishes skin tissue. Drinking enough water can fight off skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and all common skin sensitivities. We are what we eat Steer clear of dairy products and spicy foods and ensure you eat lots of green leafy vegetables and foods rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. Foods rich with Vitamin C and E are beneficial for the skin as they not only serve as excellent antioxidants they also promote a healthy immune system. Think broccoli, kale, spinach, avocados, fish, nuts, seeds, blueberries, strawberries…the list goes on. Always remove makeup before going to bed Sleeping with a face full of makeup can and will result in skin irritability and breakouts. Makeup not only traps dead skin cells it also blocks our pores and when pores are blocked the skin can’t breathe and therefore regenerate! Sleep more, stress less Of course, this is easier said than done! Especially if you have children, work long hours or generally have a lot going on in your life. But…if it’s possible to put your head down even half an hour earlier at night it’ll make all the difference and allow your skin to repair and regenerate and your brain to recharge!

Whether you are mourning the end of bright, balmy days or doing side-kicks now that cooler weather is on the way, we all need to give our skin love much-needed love after a season of summer indulgences. Think salty or chlorinated water, a little too much “Yes way, Rose” or even a beautiful bronze glow that’s starting to look more like a pigment patchwork quilt. Time for repair!So what are we dealing with now that autumn has arrived? More often than not, clogged pores, dehydration, hyper-pigmented patches, and of course chapped lips. Luckily, all it takes to reboot skin is a few tweaks to our current skincare routine.ExfoliateThose dry dead skin cells that sit on the surface of your skin are not only dulling it, they are blocking the hydrating ingredients from getting in. We shed approx. 30,000 skin cells a day naturally but this slows down dramatically with age. It can also slow down in summer as oil, sweat, and makeup join together and act like mortar for the skin cells, binding them tightly together and creating an impenetrable wall.There are so many ways to exfoliate but the gentlest method is with fruit acids and enzymes, instead of forcing the cells off and causing possible damage to the skin these ingredients gently loosen and digest cells to leave skin softer, smoother and more refined. Try Phytomer - Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes.Deep Pore CleansingNo matter how well you cleansed your skin in the last couple of months, deep down, where none of us can see, makeup, impurities, old sweat, and toxins are having a party in your pores. The result? Skin texture that looks coarse and spongy and never feels clean. To help clean them out detox your skin with a clay-based mask, or several if you are not afraid to be a multi-masker! Our go-to for deep cleansing is Phytomer Oligopur Flawless Skin Mask with Kaolin Clay.RehydrateSeriously pack it on! Summer leaves your skin depleted of moisture and not only is this uncomfortable it’s also ageing. So up your moisturiser game by adding some concentrates beneath and get out the hydrating masks. Don’t forget your body too! After your shower, smother your damp skin from neck to toes with rich balms and body oils. Did you know the skin’s outer layer swells open when it’s damp allowing products to penetrate better?We love Phytomer - Hydra Original Thirst-Relief Melting Cream and Hydrasea Thirst-Relief Rehydrating Mask for the face and the heavenly texture and aroma of Phytomer - Trésor Des Mers Beautifying Oil for the body.Check the damage!Unfortunately, you can’t undo the damage that UV rays cause, which is why a Broad Spectrum sunscreen is your most important skin care product. And, it’s important to keep your eyes open for any changes to your skin. A visit to a dermatologist for a skin cancer check should be a priority for every Australian and while it may seem a nuisance could be lifesaving.You can however help minimize the visible appearance of sun damage on the skin’s surface with little effort. To help fade the look of dark spots and even skin tone, use a hyperpigmentation formula such as Vie Collection - Laser Light Concentrate.Keep up protectionEven though it’s not summer anymore it doesn’t mean you should stop using your SPF. Reach for it every day and ensure your skin care is always loading with anti-oxidants. The combination of both will decrease skin ageing by a whopping 90%. Our go-to is Vie Collection - Vita C Concentrated Solution. You can put a few drops in your regular moisturiser or apply it beneath for a brighter complexion. It also has the added benefit of fading hyperpigmentation and stopping ageing free radicals in their tracks.Eyes and LipsOur lips lack melanin so they are especially susceptible to sun damage and after several months of hot weather are also prone to deep dryness. Squinting, sweating and the sun can also cause damage to the fragile eye area. So give these areas some TLC. Reach for nourishing lip colour instead of drying mattes, apply SPF over your lips and at night offer some much needed repair. Phytomer - Youth Contour Reviving Wrinkle Correction Cream - Eye and Lip is our favourite because it is formulated to calm, soothe and replenish delicate skin.

Imagine a moisturiser that feels light as a feather, is full of the sea’s most potent anti-ageing extracts and blended with the heavenly aroma of Rose and Jasmine…sighWe’ve all seriously fallen in love with this heavenly creation and the results of this magical cream that takes marine biotechnology to a new level!XMF (Extra Marine Filler) is a 100% sustainable marine extract derived from plankton. This unique ingredient replenishes lipids to make skin plumper and younger-looking within one hour, according to company testing. It works by depositing an invisible film on the skin’s surface, which fills and smooths wrinkles. Beneath the surface, the EPS (ExoPolySaccharides) increase production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid for long-lasting results.Key Ingredients:XMF EPS – Phytomer Advance Research’s exclusive discovery; smooths and firms skin.Morio Orchid – a rare, protected plant sustainably grown by Phytomer; protects against free radicals and complexion-ageing sugars.It’s loaded with amazing ingredients and feels unlike any other cream. Even though it’s very lightweight it packs in an abundance of hydration. From first use skin looks fresher and fuller without feeling greasy, after several weeks you’ll see the real results; a noticeable firming and softening on wrinkles.If you like a richer texture there is a new addition to the range; PIONNIÈRE XMF PERFECTION YOUTH RICH CREAM. This one has the added benefits of Schizochytrium Oil – 100% natural oil derived from micro-algae; rich in acids (including Omega-3 fatty acids) that protect, strengthen and lock in moisture, and a great solution for very dry skin!PHYTOMER means “plants of the sea,” and every one of their products contains seawater, seaweed or seaside plants. All natural ingredients. No animal testing. Yes it’s a little pricey for these two creams but with results like these, we think it’s worth the splurge! Also….this March, if you buy either one of these cult favourites, you’ll receive a full size XMF Rich Cleansing Cream for FREE. Now that’s what we are talking about!

It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed in the constant changing world of skincare, with new ranges hitting the market every day, telling us what is good and not good for our skin.Skin science has moved in leaps and bounds as new delivery systems and ways to modify ingredients can make it seem more like a Star Wars battle than the exciting world it really is. It’s like most things; sometimes a lot of choice is just too much!So we are here to bust just a few of the common myths of this mystifying topic!MYTH #1 – TREAT YOUR SKIN ACCORDING TO SKIN TYPE For years we’ve been conditioned to believe that skin is oily, dry or combination and most of us have used skin care products accordingly. However, your skin type is just a grain of sand on a beach when it comes to getting the most out of your skin care.It’s very important to address the health of the skin and not just the external factors such as “not enough moisture”. Sure we can the moisture however it’s going to be a short-term fix if we are not addressing the cause; i.e. dehydration of the body and compromised skin function. Maintaining a good diet, getting plenty of sleep, staying hydrated and looking after your health is an obvious fix, and when it comes to skin care, look for products that stimulate the bodies own healing processes i.e. stimulate collagen formation, sedate oil glands, repair cell mitochondria etc. Ingredients such as AHA’s, Retinol, Anti-Oxidants, Hyaluronic and Sunscreens should be on the top of your list.We recommend: Vie Collection - Retinopur Wrinkles Imperfections Fluid, it stimulates collagen and elastin and helps rejuvenate skin cells.MYTH #2 – I’LL USE ANTI-AGEING SKIN CARE WHEN I’M OLDERUnfortunately there is no wonder ingredient that completely repairs the passage of time; prevention is No.1 when it comes to youthful skin.Every day we are exposed to factors that damage our skin and cause skin ageing; the sun’s rays, pollution, stress, unhealthy lifestyles all work together like a super-villain team and attack our skin at a deep and cellular level. It may not show immediately but it’s happening.Keeping the skin deeply hydrated is important in our early years and ingredients such as Hyaluronic help our fibroblast cells (the ones that make collagen and elastin) to work more effectively and more collagen and elastin means less wrinkles and sagging.Also make sunscreen application part of your daily routine, everyday! Not only to reduce your chances of skin cancer but to reduce about 90% of visible skin ageing.We recommend: ELES - Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection 50, its super light and gives the skin a lovely pearlescent glow!MYTH #3 – THE ONLY WAY TO LOOK YOUTHFUL IS WITH BOTOX Not true! There are so many effective products and treatments that will help to plump and firm the skin without a needle. As we age the lower layers of our skin lose volume. By reducing cell build-up on the outer skin (this acts like a wall to great ingredients getting in where they are needed) and increasing the volume of the deeper layers of the skin on a daily basis with ingredients such as retinol, peptides and essential fatty acids you can enjoy bouncy, firm and radiant skin. You’ll also find many skin care products contain neuropeptides (Botox substitutes) that do a wonderful job relaxing and softening wrinkles.We recommend: Phytomer - Pionniere XMF Perfection Youth Cream, a firm favourite this exceptional cream adds density to the skin giving it volume and bounce.MYTH #4 – WE ALL NEED TO PEEL AND EXFOLIATE DAILYThis will look amazing for the first week or even month, however you’ll soon discover the damaging effects of over-exfoliating as you remove your protective acid mantle. This barrier protects the skin from moisture loss, from bacterial invasion and when it’s gone you’ll be left with dry, sensitive skin with breakouts.Exfoliation is an important part of any good skin care routine, however moderation and gentle when it comes to peels and scrubs is always best.We recommend: Phytomer - Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes a gentle but effective exfoliant that leaves skin fresh and refined.MYTH #5 – DRY SKIN NEEDS RICHER MOISTURISERSQuite often a super-rich moisturiser can exacerbate the problem. The oils in rich creams can act like a glue to dead skin cells that prevent hydrating ingredients from penetrating the skin, so while it might feel soft and supple on the surface, deep down it’s drying out!Layering is your best defence against dry skin. Apply a hydrating serum that will sink into the lower layers and then seal it with a protective cream, something that contains shea butter or light oils is ideal.We recommend: Phytomer - Hydrasea Ultra-Moisturizing Polarized Water Serum, it drenches the skin with pure moisture leaving it dewy and supple.

Phytomer is a well-kept professional secret in Australia. It’s a huge range with well over 300 products and is found in the most beautiful spas in the world, and our main concern when we became the official distributor here was would anyone really understand its ethos, function and the marine Bio-technology that makes it so unique and special?The brand has been on the ground for more than 40 years, and is known and recognized by the professional beauty industry as the world's leading marine skin care.But we don’t want to get all sciencey on your first introduction so we’ll tell you why we fell in love with Phytomer and why we think you will too! We are romantics and love a good story and this is the story of 3 generations of a passionate family motivated by the same dream: to transform the riches of sea into treatments for the skin. PHYTOMER comes from Saint Malo in Brittany, France, a marine area known for its exceptional biodiversity (and one of the most beautiful places in the world to go for work visits!). They have their own lab and in there create some of the greatest innovations for the cosmetic industry, other brands go to them for ingredients! They were the first company in the world to develop Marine Biotechnology – taking marine skin care to new heights and enabling iodine sensitive clients to use a marine skin care range. Because they are environmentally conscious they grow their own ingredients rather than keep taking them from the sea. They built “filtering gardens” which purify waste from industry in the area and are completely carbon neutral. They love animals and don’t test on them. Nearly all of the range is vegan. They win awards all the time for their innovative products. And finally, they make skin care that not only feels and smells beautiful but actually works! With over 300 products there is something for everyone and our office team all has its favourites, however one product stands out as the leader and is definitely worth a mention!PIONNIERE XMF PERFECTION YOUTH CREAMIt’s an award winning Anti-Aging Cream featuring XMF, a 100% natural advanced ingredient that is like “filler in a tub”. In other words it plumps out fine lines like nothing else!We hope you love the line as much as we do.

The experts here at ELES have been busy beavering away reading all those burning beauty questions you have and in turn have put together a weekly Q&A. Here’s hoping we can help everyone just a little achieve their perfect skincare and makeup daily!One of the most popular topics of 2018 and 2019 alike is LIPS, and how to make them look fuller naturally, so it’s no surprise that we were asked this very question numerous times too!Natural, pouty lips after all is something I’m sure we would all love to have but sadly some of us haven’t been genetically blessed, and if you are anything like me the idea of filler in the lips is a NO GO zone. I’m not sold, on the basis that I rarely find it looks natural? But all is not lost! With the right choice of products and crafty application you CAN achieve pouty, pillowy lips naturally and here is how; PREP First step is to prep lips. As you would exfoliate the rest of your face, the lips are no different, lips need to be free of dry, flaky skin. Be sure to use a gentle exfoliator and gentle rub off any excess with a face cloth. HYDRATION Yes we want to keep our lips moisturised, nourished, but we can’t emphasis the importance of hydrating the area around the lips too. Apply a really good lip cream like Phytomer Youth Contour Reviving Wrinkle Correction Cream – Eye and Lips, after all more often than not it is the lines around the lips which can actually be what’s making your lips look thin and aged.Top with a good lip conditioner. CONCEAL Take a cream or liquid concealer in a shade lighter than your natural lip colour and smooth all over the lips spreading it a little over your natural lip line. You want to blur the edges so that it’s harder to tell where your lip line is. Try ELES Dual Action Concealer. Next lightly blot your lips to remove excess product. LIP COLOUR Select a lip colour that will compliment your complexion but best to avoid dark shades which tend to make lips appear smaller. Better to go with a subtle shade that can be mistaken as our natural lip colour, only a shade or so darker. This will create the illusion of fuller lips. LIP LINER Once you have chosen your perfect lip colour, match with a Longwear Lipliner in the same or very close to shade. 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 the lips in with the liner, then apply your chosen lip colour. Try ELES Matte Lipstick. Apply with a good lip brush like ELES Lipliner brush for precision application. GO FOR GLOSS Next apply a lip gloss to your lips to accentuate them. A clear or natural colour lip gloss such as ELES Pucker up Lipgloss is the best makeup product for making lips look fuller. Applying the gloss just to the middle of the lips will make lips appear plumper. HIGHLIGHT Finally apply a highlighter on your cupids bow. Try ELES Liquid Illuminator. Follow all of these steps and achieve fuller lips instantly!