BC Skin Journal
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10 of the best skincare products the BC pros always recommend
by Jo Boyden
on Apr 14 2022
We all have those products we love, the ones we keep coming back to time and time again or the ones we never stop using because they are working their magic and we are loving the results. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t always looking for new skincare innovations recommended by the experts or multi-tasking miracle products that promise prolonged youth! Well here at BC we can’t get enough of our products, after all we’ve handpicked our brands to provide our customers with the best of the best when it comes to professional skincare and makeup. But when asked which products we at BC personally love, the ones we always recommend, there are indeed a few stand-outs.From cleansers to lotions, moisturisers to masks, read on as we reveal our top 10 products, one favourite per skincare category. The cleanserPevonia CleanRefresh Foaming Oil CleanserBest for all skin typesThis new generation hybrid cleanser offers the combination of a gel, oil and foam – It’s a truly innovative, triple duty oil cleanser with a gel like consistency which features an advanced lipid-rich, alcohol-free, soap-free exclusive formula which transforms into a luscious, foaming cleanser on application (when mixed with water). Amazing right? Plus, it acts like a super magnet entrapping pollutants, impurities and bacteria to leave skin radiantly refreshed, soft and supple after every application. What’s more it’s suitable for all skin types, but especially great for those suffering from dry skin because of its perfect blend of foaming surfactants, skin-friendly oils and soothing, nourishing ingredients. The exfoliatorPevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserBest for all skin typesThis is THE perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types. A creamy, granular, exfoliating cream formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and Chamomile that very gently polishes away dry, dead skin cells, impurities and toxins to reveal instant radiance and softer, smoother skin too! It reduces pore size with regular use, it’s perfect to use in the shower in the mornings and is so gentle you can use it every day if you please! (Although exfoliating is generally recommended 1-2 times weekly!) You’ll love the immediate gratification you’ll get from this formidable favourite of ours. The moisturiserPevonia Age Correction Marine Collagen CreamBest for dry, dehydrated, ageing skinMy personal absolute can’t live without product and the no. 1 favourite of many of the BC pros, the Marine Collagen Cream isn’t Pevonia’s global bestseller for nothing! It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin super soft, supple and like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day! I swear my 42-year-old self has less visible lines and wrinkles thanks to this superstar cream! The serumPevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra SerumBest for dehydrated, ageing skin If your skin is in need a hydration boost, you’ll love this serum as much as we do! Just a few drops not only helps to rejuvenate skin cells but will bind any moisturiser you apply on top like a magnet too!Featuring one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market (12%), combined with the powerful anti-ageing duo of marine collagen and Hibiscus Esculentus extract, this ultimate serum for seriously thirsty skin, delivers immediate skin soothing results and deep hydration. It eliminates dryness almost instantly as it quite literally blasts even the most dehydrated of complexions with a surge of moisture, maintaining surface hydration throughout the day. My skin is all the better for it – softer, plumper, and firmer! The face maskPevonia Ageless Skin Collagen MaskBest for dry, dull, dehydrated or irritated skinThis creamy mask combats dehydration in just 10 minutes – no jokes! The rich texture is a soothing balm as your skin literally drinks in the moisture leaving it both dewy, plumped and rehydrated! It really is a game-changer! The face oilPevonia Vitaminic ConcentrateBest for premature ageing, dehydration and excessive drynessThis soothing, silky antioxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma, is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration, and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple, and seriously glowy skin every morning. The night creamPhytomer Hydrasea Night Plumping Rich CreamBest for all skin types, especially those with dull, lack-lustre skinIf you are feeling your skin is looking a little lack-lustre, sallow or like you’ve aged a few years (so me at the moment!) try this outstanding night cream (you can thank me later!) it literally envelopes your skin with ultra-comfy marine goodness and provides optimum skin hydration throughout the night. Even when you wake in the morning it appears to still be working its magic as skin look beautifully hydrated, revitalized and definitely plumper! And no it is not an optical illusion! It’s the real thing! The spot creamPevonia Spot TreatmentBest for breakout prone skinRich in the best blemish busting ingredients - Glycolic Acid, Aloe Vera and Benzoyl Peroxide – this fast-acting and healing treatment combats blemish-causing bacteria, and clears pores, effectively reducing breakouts overnight without being harsh on the skin like some spot treatments! Plus, it prevents further breakouts from forming! Genius. The eye creamPevonia’s C Evolutive Eye GelBest for tired, puffy eyesThis eye gel has been a personal favourite of mine for many a year. When it comes to tired, puffy eyes it’s my go-to everytime! Formulated with anti-ageing dynamo Vitamin C and skin saviours hyaluronic acid and Ginko biloba, it’ll have your peepers decongested and depuffed in one swift application! I promise. The treatment creamPevonia “C” ComplexeBest for dull, devitalized and hyperpigmented skinVitamin C and hydration hero hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing skin while effectively correcting photo-damage. Not only does it have the most beautiful citrus aroma, when applied skin looks instantly brighter and dewier too! It’s really great stuff and I’m personally testament to that! Bonus: The makeup multi-taskerELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30Best for all skin typesYour moisturiser, primer, sunscreen and foundation in one, the ELES Age-Defying BB Cream SPF 30 is a multi-tasking makeup miracle, suitable for all skin types! A big call I know, but it’s not one of BC’s best-sellers for nothing!It primes, tints, nourishes, protects, blurs and evens out your skin tone for a truly, natural, flawless finish. And thanks to its skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Goji berry, Squalane, a multi-mineral complex, and age defying peptides, over time it will help to promote cell health, strengthen elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and restore that natural glow you once donned! What’s more, you’ll feel as though you aren’t even wearing makeup, no easy feat for a foundation or any product with SPF for that matter!
The best makeup tips and products to calm and conceal rosacea
by Jo Boyden
on Apr 08 2022
Suffering from rosacea? Need advice on how to counteract and conceal it? No worries, we are here to help!While we’ve already talked about the best skincare solutions for rosacea flareups it’s time to talk makeup. Choosing the right products, like your skincare, is paramount as certain cosmetics can exacerbate an already chronic condition, just want you don’t need! But the idea of going makeup free isn’t an option – we know. Good news is, it’s possible to perfectly conceal the facial redness caused by rosacea and we are here to tell you how. Mineral makeup is hands down the best choice for those suffering with rosacea. Why? Because the products don’t contain potentially irritating ingredients. They also contain innovative formulas specifically created to colour-correct redness.Formulated with skin loving ingredients and no chemical nasties, ELES Cosmetics has a range of mineral makeup must-have’s perfect for covering up skincare woes including rosacea. The products also allow skin to breath freely so no clogging pores and aggravating irritated skin! Before applying foundation, always use a primer first! Primers are amazing tools that not only create a smooth canvas for your foundation, but they also have the ability to literally prevent your makeup sliding right off your face, especially if your skin tends to be on the oily side. What’s more, they also create a barrier between your skin and your makeup preventing any further irritation. We highly recommend ELES Retexture Crème Face Primer. It’s a deeply soothing liquid-cream made with Aloe Vera leaf extract, Roman Chamomile, Witch Hazel, Calendula, Mallow Flower and Centaurea Cyanus Flower extract, that smooths, soothes, hydrates, retexturizes and refines, so foundation applies effortlessly and endures impeccably for hours! Set your foundation in place with a powder. This will help your makeup wear beautifully throughout the day, so redness stays covered–phew! It’s also a good idea to apply with a brush rather than a sponge which tends to harbour bacteria more. We love ELES Mineral Powder Foundation. Highly compatible with common skin sensitivities, this lightweight powder easily adjusts from sheer to richer, more opaque coverage while effectively camouflaging imperfections. Remember less is more when it comes to those with skin sensitivities and facial flareups. You don’t want to overdo it when it comes to layering those products. Skin needs to breath and too many products can lead to further inflammation. Opt for multi-tasting products like colour correctors and breathable foundations. Our go-to for concealing rosacea is a good colour corrector which will help visually correct redness and even out skin tone too! Using one with UV protection will also help shield your sensitive skin from exposure that can aggravate rosacea. Try ELES Luminous CC Cream 20 to instantly conceal redness! This lightweight, oil-free colour correcting cream with broad spectrum protection, multi-tasks like no other! It not only brightens, hydrates and keeps oiliness at bay for over 12 hours, it has a cutting-edge colour correcting system that visibly calms the most inflamed skin too. Photo-luminescent diamond and an optically transparent polymer work together to “bounce” light from the skin, instantly concealing redness and visibly smoothing the skin’s surface.
Calm and conceal ultra-sensitive skin with these top-rated beauty buys
by Jo Boyden
on Feb 25 2022
If you’re prone to sensitive skin or simply suffering from sudden skin irritabilities, you wouldn’t be alone. When it comes to sensitive skin there can, unfortunately, be many internal and external factors that are triggers, so it’s a good idea to look at your lifestyle as well as rethink your skincare routine. By opting for natural products formulated with soothing, calming and nurturing ingredients such as chamomile, calendula, aloe, lavender, propolis and more, you can overcome common skin sensitivities, and we are here to share 5 products that’ll help you do so. Products the BC experts swear by but also the ones loved by BC customers too. Pevonia Soothing Propolis ConcentrateSerums are essential in any skincare routine because they deliver vital active ingredients to the dermis quickly. Think of a serum as the secret weapon for treating skin issues like discoloration, dullness, fine lines, acne and skin sensitivities!For a truly nurturing, soothing serum Pevonia’s antibacterial Soothing Propolis Concentrate should be your go-to. It literally bathes skin in calming lavender and healing propolis from the Jura Mountains of France, decongesting, enriching, alleviating and strengthening fragile skin.“I have problems with adult acne as well as having sensitive skin. This product helped calm my skin down as well as reduce my acne and made my skin feel really soft again.” Laura L Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural EnzymesSensitive skin still needs exfoliation, but you should approach with caution! You want to avoid scrubbing or using mechanical methods of exfoliation as these will only irritate your skin further and can lead to additional redness. Instead use natural enzyme exfoliators. Enzymes are a great choice for those with sensitive skin, as they provide a gentle way to both exfoliate and brighten.Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes is the ideal gentle exfoliant for even the most sensitive skin. It is a seriously soft, silky and subtly scented and it eliminates impurities by gently removing dead skin cells with natural enzymes (so no scrubbing or irritating the skin whatsoever!), encouraging cell turnover and revealing a refined skin texture and luminous youthful complexion! The velvety vegetable-based formula also contains vitamin E to neutralize damaging free radicals.“I have the most sensitive skin, so I can't use those exfoliants that contain microbeads or scrubs...this is a great alternative. It sloughs off all of the dead skin cells without ever irritating my skin! I use it once a week at the minimum, and it keeps my face glowing and smooth. It's the most wonderful exfoliant ever!” Sarah R Pevonia Sensitive Skin starter packWhen your skin is sensitive and reacts to anything and everything, you really need a skincare solution that will gently soothe, calm and property desensitize! Pevonia’s Sensitive Skin starter pack contains not one, but three skincare essentials: Pevonia’s bestselling Soothing Sensitive Skin Cream, Sensitive Skin Cleanser and Sensitive Skin Lotion! The trio calm and control hypersensitivity. Skin nurturing ingredients including propolis, calendula and aloe alleviate and harmoniously correct skin’s blotchiness and irritability.“I have super sensitive skin and these products have a beautiful calming, hydrating effect on my skin.” Tania T ELES Mineral Powder FoundationEven if you are suffering from skin sensitivities, you’ll still likely want to wear makeup especially if you want to conceal any blemishes! The thing is many makeup products can exacerbate an already irritated complexion so you’re best to keep things simple (less is more) and opt for mineral makeup! Mineral makeup is free of irritants like talc and chemical dyes (making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin that's prone to irritation, itching, dryness, and redness). It allows your skin to breath freely and won’t clog it up with chemicals and artificial colours, perfumes, or preservatives! Phew.As a sufferer of want for a better word ‘flushed skin’ I personally LOVE the best-selling ELES Mineral Powder Foundation! It’s one of my all-time favourites. It’s one of the most natural-looking, if not THE most natural-looking foundations I have in fact ever tried and being in the industry for 20 years I’ve tried many! It contains zero chemical nasties, instead, it’s packed with skin loving ingredients including vitamins A & E, can be used as a buildable foundation from natural sheer to polished opaque (dependant on what you need) and it’s highly compatible with common skin sensitivities, working wonders at camouflaging facial redness while protecting skin against ultraviolet damage too!“This is the first powder I have tried which has not had a drying effect on my skin. It is so gentle and comforting on my sensitive skin, leaving a soft silky veil over my face. It is also the most natural looking foundation I have ever tried. Coverage can be built with ease and creates the illusion of naturally flawless skin. I don't think I could ever use another powder again, definitely a convert.” Katherine B ELES Luminous CC Cream 20If it’s facial redness which you are prone to, using a colour corrector can be a game-changer! Rather than covering up the redness with a thick layer of concealer followed by your foundation, a colour corrector will help visually correct redness and even out skin tone too! Using a colour corrector with UV protection will also help shield your sensitive skin from exposure that can aggravate it!The ELES Luminous CC Cream SPF 20 is outstanding. It’s a lightweight, oil-free, colour correcting cream with broad spectrum protection that really does multi-task like no other! And while it’s technically not a foundation, the full coverage pigments cover redness—be it from rosacea, pimples, irritation, you name it—so well that you very well may be able to get away without wearing any other makeup. What’s more it’s multi-mineral complex helps to condition skin and provide antioxidant protection, while Hydra-Extend provides instant, long term moisture retention and 72 hour hydration, reducing TEWL and strengthening skins barrier function!“I’m loving my new CC Cream! I was recommended it by a friend as I suffer from facial redness and sensitive skin and this product does an amazing job at colour correcting so the redness is beautifully concealed but my skin feels calm with a nice natural glow at the same time. Would highly recommend it.” Sarah M
9 beauty products that will totally transform your skin
by Jo Boyden
on Feb 25 2022
We are all on the quest for beauty products that’ll not only work wonders for our skin but have visible results in next to no time! These are the holy-grail picks that we, and you swear by, why? Because they have the ability totally transform our skin. If a product has made it onto this list, you can bet it's an A* beauty buy... The multi-tasking ‘essential’ moisturiserPevonia Micro-Retinol Essential MoisturiserWhen it comes to reducing the visible signs of ageing, retinol is the “super-ingredient” every beauty professional hails as the holy grail of the skincare world. Why? Because it offers a multitude of benefits; From reducing the appearance of fine lines and preventing wrinkles, to correcting hyperpigmentation, reducing large pores and clearing acne. Retinol also has the ability to speed cell turnover making cells function like that of a child! So it’s no surprise that Pevonia’s Micro-Retinol Essential Moisturiser is recommended by many beauty experts as the anti-ageing go-to. Formulated with Retinol, Hyaluronic, Squalane, and Marine Collagen, it deeply hydrates, smooths, brightens and firms! And for even better results you can couple with the Micro-Retinol Essential Serum!“This is the most beautiful cream I have ever used; light texture, non greasy, non shiny. Changes in my skin are an increased smoothing of lines and crepe-skin areas, softening, hydrating and contouring, and reduced pigmentation. Some results were instantly visible and now after three weeks my skin just keeps improving. I am 60 and tried this after other brands became ineffective. Now my skin appears luminous and more refined. So, I am going to purchase the whole range. Its a surprise to see a brighter smoother complexion at my age.” – Annie To learn more about the benefits of retinol, how and when to use it, click here. The skin smoothing serumPevonia Power Repair Hyaluronic Acid Hydra SerumUnfortunately, as we age, our production of collagen (which keeps skin firm), elastin (which keeps skin supple) and hyaluronic acid (which keeps skin hydrated) decreases! This unique de-ageing serum features one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market (12%), combined with the powerful anti-ageing duo of marine collagen and Escutox® (Hibiscus Esculentus extract which relaxes harsh wrinkles similar to that of Botox), to deliver immediate skin soothing results and deep hydration. Suitable for even the most sensitive of skin, apply it to a tired, lacklustre complexion for an instantly brighter, plumper and firmer face! You won’t be disappointed!“I have just started using this serum and the results are already noticeable. My skin is so much more youthful! Smoother, plumper and visibly radiant! I couldn’t recommend more highly!!” – Marie C The formidable face oilPevonia De-Stress Escape Aromatic OilIf your skin is dry, you’ll really benefit from using facial oils as your barrier. Pevonia’s De-Stress Escape Aromatic Oil is the ultimate barrier warrior featuring a blend of premium and delicate natural oils including safflower, squalane, lavender, chamomile, grapefruit and rose to instantaneously deliver intense hydration while soothing, calming, relaxing, brightening and protecting the skin barrier for ongoing optimal skin health!“I love this face oil! I’ve been using it for a month now as a night-time treatment for my dull, dry skin and the results next morning are fantastic! Smoother, plumper, brighter skin! The scent is also heavenly and definitely transports me into a relaxed state of mind. Such amazing stuff!” – Amy K The age-defying serumPhytomer Oligoforce Advanced Wrinkle and Dark Spot Correction Moisturizing SerumThis micro-emulsion contains two active flagship marine ingredients; Oligomer concentrated sea water and Marine Eternal Blue Micro-Algae which effectively targets dark spots and wrinkles. It’s dewy texture, combining all the comfort of an oil and the effectiveness of a serum, envelops the skin in light and delivers intense hydration. Day after day skin is radiant, dark spots are diminished and wrinkles are smoothed away.“This is a beautiful product. I have only been using it for about 1 week but already I see an big improvement. I will definitely buy this again and highly recommend.” - Leanore A The exfoliating treatment creamPevonia Enzymo Spherides peeling creamPineapple and Papaya enzymes eliminate impurities, blackheads, dead cells, sebum, and toxins as you work this exfoliating treatment cream into your skin. Apply to cleansed skin and leave for 5 minutes then massage with warm wet fingertips to release the skin brightening enzymes. Your skin will emerge fresher and brighter than ever before (and we mean that!)“You should see my skin after using this for only 1 week! The redness has completely toned down, I haven't had 1 new spot and the bumps are smaller and some almost gone! The Enzymo Spherides Peeling Cream is a miracle treatment, I will never, ever stray again. I am absolutely over the moon :)” - Shelley The wrinkle fighting face creamVie Collection Time Control Deep Wrinkles EGF CreamInspired by the professional benefits of EGF (Epidermal growth factor) injections to combat deep wrinkles, loss of elasticity and devitalization, this deeply nourishing cream – formulated with powerful cosmetic ingredients including EGF-like peptides and pro-collagen peptides – visibly reverses lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, lack of density and sagging of the face.“I have been using this firming cream for a month now and I can honestly say it has reduced the appearance of even my deepest wrinkles! I was even asked if I’d had botox the other day! Winning!” – Anne K The deeply nourishing night treatmentVitaminic ConcentrateThis phenomenal soothing, silky, antioxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma is worth it’s weight in gold! It’s fast absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you will wake up to smooth, supple and seriously glowy skin by morning."This is one of my all-time favourite products. I wear it as part of my night-time skincare ritual, it feels (and smells) amazing when I apply it and I wake up to soft, radiant skin every morning!” - Zoe B The foundation, primer and sunscreen in oneELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30Your moisturiser, primer, sunscreen and foundation in one, the ELES Age-Defying BB Cream SPF 30 is a multi-tasking wonder, suitable for all skin types! A big call I know, but it’s not BC’s best-seller for nothing!This BB Cream primes, tints, nourishes, protects, blurs and evens out your skin tone for a truly, natural, flawless finish. And thanks to its skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Goji berry, Squalane; its multi-mineral complex, and age defying peptides, over time it will help to promote cell health, strengthen elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and restore that natural glow you once donned! What’s more, you’ll feel as though you aren’t even wearing makeup, no easy feat for a foundation or any product with SPF for that matter!“This is hands down the best BB Cream I have ever used, and I have tried a fair few in my time! It really does make my blemished skin appear flawless and luminous in seconds!” - Jo B The skin IlluminatorELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused LightLooking for that miracle makeup item that takes minimal effort on your part but can transform your skin in seconds? This is it! Your bronzer, highlighter and foundation powder combined into one clever compact, the ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light acts like a photo filter on your skin, subtle enough for daily wear, yet gives you that truly “lit from within glow” in seconds! The microfine powder’s jet milled pigments bring a soft-focus finish for a blurring effect over imperfections and fine lines. Incredibly light, it never gets chalky, weighs down the skin or even looks like your wearing powder, yet keeps any shine at bay. And all you have to do is apply your morning skincare, then simply dust a light layer all over your face with a makeup brush and watch your skin truly transform.“I recently purchased this beautiful product and use it over my SPF with no foundation. it gives my skin a beautiful healthy luminosity without the look of shimmer. It looks like my skin only better. it is perfect for me as in the Summer months I avoid foundations as they just melt off my skin.” - Christina
From bold brows to skin ageing – the 12 best beauty tips for all ages
by Jo Boyden
on Feb 12 2022
Beauty is forever evolving and as a result has changed a lot in the 21 years I’ve been working in the industry. As I’ve witnessed, beauty trends can come and go, but many beauty tips are ageless, and having had the fortune to work with countless makeup artists, skincare experts, dermatologists, estheticians and more, over the years I have compiled a plethora of both skincare and makeup tips that the professionals swear by, and these are my top 12! The 12 pieces of beauty wisdom, which have impacted the way I personally care for my skin, and remain part of my everyday beauty routine! Prime your skin! Finding that perfect makeup primer and using it religiously is key when it comes to preventing your makeup from literally sliding off your face. Makeup primers are the one product that have the power to literally make your makeup stay put all day long!Simply apply it after you’ve cleansed and moisturised your skin, prior to your foundation and you’ll be good to go!We LOVE the ELES Pore Perfecting Face Primer. Not only does it keep makeup in place it also combats shine, absorbs excess oil and also reduces the appearance of pores to keep your foundation looking flawless! Genius! Go easy with powder foundation My skin tends to sit on the dryer side, but it doesn’t stop me from loving my powder compact. Contrary to popular belief, that those of us with dry skin should never use a powder base you can, BUT it definitely depends on what type of powder you are using!Yes, if you slather your face in powder it can visibly age you (no thanks) showing up fine lines and wrinkles as the product seeps into those unsightly areas. But if you use a translucent mineral powder and in moderation it can actually do wonders for your skin, creating a beautifully smooth and natural base without feeling like you have any makeup on! Also, a good powder compact is great for soaking up oil and eliminating shine (which those of us with dry skin can get too!) but again you don’t want to go overboard and actually clog pores in turn causing skin to produce even more oil!I LOVE ELES’s Mineral Powder Foundation. The particles tend to absorb moisture, preventing shine and the Powder Foundation enables you to adjust your coverage from a translucent powder to a buildable coverage foundation with a richer, more opaque finish. What’s more, it’s formulated with skin loving ingredients including vitamins A & E, so it’ll provide antioxidant protection as well as condition skin and the formula allows skin to breath freely (so not pore clogging in sight!) The way you apply your makeup is almost as important as the products you use. We’ve all heard it before, touch your face with your hands and you’ll likely cause a breakout so it comes as no surprise that you might well have heard that it’s best not to use your fingers to apply your makeup since even the oil and bacteria on your fingers can irritate skin. Instead, use a damp Beautyblender. It is the least irritating way to apply your product and honestly provides the most effective results! Not only is the sponge strangely soothing on your skin, but it also provides a more natural-looking coverage. Makeup brushes are another option but just beware that the brush bristles can irritate your sensitive skin, therefore opt for brush bristles made from taklon, a “green” and allergy free synthetic fibre. Its smooth synthetic fibres do not absorb or trap pigment making it easy to keep clean! Open up your eyes with a waterline eyeliner Investing in a waterline eyeliner will be a game changer for tired eyes. All you need to do is line your bottom waterline for an instantly wide-eyed effect. We promise you it’s worth the money as one swipe will truly create brighter, more awake eyes. And remember to always finish by applying lashings of mascara to your top lashes. Don’t forget your brows No matter our age, we all love a good foundation, will often use bronzer for that healthy glow, and mascara is a given if we want our eyes to stand out, but many of us are guilty of ignoring our brows. The thing is creating perfect brows can completely transform your face and make you look 10 years younger, seriously! but you need to know how.Just as the hair on our heads can thin with age, so do our eyebrows, so to look younger, we want to create instantly fake fullness and to do this we need to fill them in with the perfect brow pencil! Just be sure you don’t overfill the front part of your brow though! This area should have soft hair that graduates into more density. If you overfill this area you can make your eye brows look way too harsh. Read more on how to create perfect brows. Choose skincare wisely Before choosing your skincare products, you really need to understand your skin. From facial redness to all our rosacea, acne prone skin to dry, there are products out there to suit every skin type and concern formulated with specific ingredients to calm, sooth, smooth, hydrate and more!Also, anti-ageing skincare, while not as fast as the effects of Botox, really can slow down ageing if you select the right products. So choosing serums and creams formulated with one or more of the top 5 skincare ingredients will have your skin looking smoother, firmer and plumper in next to no time. Use eye cream daily…if you don’t already With more time spent in the sun over the warmer months, it’s important to understand that you’ll be at higher risk of developing fine lines and wrinkles around the delicate eye area. To minimise this, make sure you incorporate an eye cream or gel into your daily skincare routine. Eye treatments whether it be creams, gels or serums are specifically formulated to target and care for the delicate area around the eyes, the thinnest layer of skin on our entire bodies! In fact, the skin under our eyes is up to 1/10 thinner than other facial skin so it’s crucial to care delicately for this area to avoid any damage.Like a moisturiser, an eye cream’s main objective is to deliver brightening and anti-ageing ingredients, however in a milder, gentler, safer dose. Eye treatments also tend to be targeted to specific eye concerns – crow’s feet, under eye bags, dark circles and more.We highly recommend Pevonia’s “C” Evolutive Eye Gel to hydrate and protect our eyes. This soothing and cooling gel with high-tech time-release spherulites delivers protective and decongesting benefits to the delicate eye zone all day long. Always cleanse skin before bed! Sleeping with a face full of makeup and the days remnants of oil and grime 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. Also, at night is when our skin switches from “protect” to “repair” mode which means it’s time to recover, skin regeneration is accelerated, and the production of collagen increased. So, make sure you commit to removing every inch of makeup before hitting the hay. For more on sleeping in makeup and what it really does to our skin click here. Get serious about sunscreen, it’s THE best anti-ageing tool there is The sun is THE no. 1 cause of premature ageing (amongst other serious issues) so you need to get serious about sunscreen from an early age! I’m talking about religiously applying it daily even when it’s cloudy! Just as you use a cleanser to wash your face, apply a sunscreen to protect your face! The harmful UV rays from the sun causes proteins in our skin to deteriorate, leading to the loss of our youthful appearance over time but a good sunscreen can help to prevent this!Fortunately, there is a myriad of products out there with SPF, from sunscreen to daily moisturisers, foundations and more, and many are now formulated to work with specific skin types, so if you are a sensitive skin sufferer and the idea of slathering on sunscreen scares you, worry no more! Look after your lips Often overlooked, lips can really show your age so it’s important to show them as much love as you would your skin starting from a young age. This means applying a lip cream daily. We are huge advocates for Pevonia’s LipRenew Plump & De-Age treatment which deeply moisturises and volumizes the lips, blurs imperfections, and, unlike other lip plumpers, also smooths the surrounding skin folds, lines and wrinkles!We also recommend using a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture and get lips lipstick ready, after all applying lipstick to dry, chapped lips is a definite no no, as your lipstick won’t apply evenly, it’ll seep into any lip lines making your lips appear even more dry than they already are. Make sure you exfoliate you skin Regular exfoliation is one of the most effective ways to keep skin looking youthful and bright. As we age, our skin's natural exfoliation process slows down and causes a build up of dead, dull skin (which in turn can lead to skin irritation and acne!) Exfoliating helps to clear skin of debris and speed up cellular turnover, softening fine lines and wrinkles while diminishing hyperpigmentation too! So if you’re not already a lover exfoliation it’s time to get onto it! Once or twice weekly with an exfoliator dependant on your skin type is perfect. For more on the beautifying benefits of exfoliation click here. Adapt your skincare dependant on the season & your skins needs Unfortunately, skincare isn’t a one size fits all. And over time our skin can change dramatically depending on our circumstances, from our lifestyle to the environment, our daily diet, to the stress we might be under! Also, with a change in season comes a change in our skin too so what worked for your skin weeks ago might now need some tweaking! You just need to recognise what your skin now needs and adapt your skincare to these needs.
Want radiant skin? 8 glow-inducing skin saviours you’ll want to get your hands on
by Jo Boyden
on Feb 09 2022
I’m pretty sure when I say there isn’t a single woman out there who doesn’t want to achieve healthy, radiant skin on the daily. And while makeup can indeed work miracles from concealing pesky pimples to faking sun kissed skin, it won’t give you that constant fresh, healthy glow that the right skincare can! That’s right, to truly master radiant skin you need to make sure you incorporate glow inducing skin saviours into your daily routine and below are six the team at BC (and our customers!) can’t get enough of all year round! THE CLEANSERPhytomer Cyfolia Radiance Cleansing CreamThis rich, velvety cleansing cream formulated with organic orange water, oligomer, organic vegetal oils and cyfolia algae, literally melts on contact with your skin to gently cleanse and remove makeup, oil and impurities!Organic Orange water delivers vitamin C for skin radiance and optimal glow while Cyfolia Algae enhances the glow by providing a reflective effect! Like a burst of radiance to the complexion, skin is soft, supple and glowing after every cleanse!“I love this new cleanser from Phytomer. I’ve been using it for a few months now and can say my skin is definitely softer and more radiant after use and I love the scent too.” Sarah M THE EXFOLIATORPevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserThis is THE perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types. A creamy, granular, exfoliating cream that gently polishes away dry, dead skin cells to reveal instant radiance and softer, smoother skin too! It reduces pore size with regular use, it’s perfect to use in the shower in the mornings and is so gentle you can use it every day if you please! (Although exfoliating is generally recommended 1-2 times weekly!) You can thank us later!“I love this exfoliator, my skin always feels so smooth and hydrated after using it. It also makes my skin look a lot brighter.” Oreilly P THE SERUMPevonia “C” Complexe with OxyzomesVitamin C, hyaluronic and Oxygen work together in this amazing product to enliven dull skin leaving it visibly brighter and more youthful after every single application! It’s a truly powerful anti-oxidant that not only delivers immediate luminosity but protects the skin from premature skin ageing too! Yesss! Oh and if smells and feels amazing too!“This is a beautiful serum. You only require two pumps and the coverage is excellent. Radiant looking skin instantaneously. Definitely worth the investment.” Deborah THE MOISTURISERPhytomer Hydra continue radiance energising creamThanks to its beautifully lightweight texture, this radiance cream helps keep that outer layer of skin perfectly nourished without feeling too heavy. Rich in vitamins, it revitalizes, activates your skin’s cellular activity to promote natural regrowth, hydrates, softens and smooths skin for a radiant youthful appearance.“I am in love with this product, it’s become my go-to moisturiser this summer since it’s silky and light yet keeps my skin moisturised all day long! It has a lovely subtle scent, and the products name definitely reflects the results - it’s energising and radiance inducing that’s for sure!” JoJo B THE EYE CREAMLumafirm Lift & Glow Eye Contour This powerhouse product reveals instant results to the delicate eye zone. it contains a Pevonia exclusive collection of the latest high-tech cosmetic ingredients to visibly smooth lines and wrinkles, diminish dark circles, ease puffiness and brighten the eye area!“Excellent product really lifting the eye area and creating glow throughout the day.” Maria D THE FACE OILPhytomer Rosee Soin Radiance Replenishing OilYou can brighten, hydrate and restore your skin's natural lustre with this soothing and replenishing dry oil! Perfectly lightweight, it absorbs into your skin quickly to create a velvety finish without leaving a greasy residue. And it adds a protective barrier over the skin to retain moisture and prevent tight, dry-feeling skin too!“I love this product it makes my skin feel soft and subtle and gives it a beautiful glow. I suffer from redness, and this helps to soothe my skin. Amazing product.” Jenni THE MASK/TREATMENT CREAMPevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling CreamApply to cleansed skin and leave for 5 minutes then massage with warm wet fingertips to release the skin brightening enzymes. Your skin will emerge fresher and brighter than ever before (no jokes!) and what’s more it smells so good you’ll want to eat it too! (but don’t of course….)“Absolutely the best product on the market. Perfect for all skin types and ages. Truly amazing. It's gentle and effective, skin is left bright and soft.” Lisa W THE NIGHT CREAMPevonia Micro Retinol Essential MoisturizerThis light and gentle moisturiser increases cell turnover, stimulates collagen and elastin production (essential for youthful, plump skin), fades hyperpigmentation and helps skin stay hydrated and glowing without irritation. It’s a multi-tasking wonder!You should introduce it slowly though and at night. This is because Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product. To find out more about retinol and this Pevonia’s Micro Retinol range click here.“This is the most beautiful cream I have ever used; light texture, non greasy, non shiny. Changes in my skin are an increased smoothing of lines and crepe-skin areas, softening, hydrating and contouring, and reduced pigmentation. Some results were instantly visible and now after three weeks my skin just keeps improving. It appears luminous and more refined. So, I am going to purchase the whole range. It’s a surprise to see a brighter smoother complexion at my age. (60)” Annie
Caffeine in skincare? The benefits and the products you’ll want to try
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 28 2022
If you are a lover of a morning coffee or are from a tea drinking family like me, you’ll be very familiar with your caffeine and how it helps get you through the day! But are you also familiar with how this hero ingredient (we’re talking green tea, black tea, coffee, green coffee and more) is present in many skin and body products too and for very good reason!Yup that’s right caffeine-infused skin and body care is a thing and has been for a number of years now. But why has caffeine in products become increasingly popular? We are here to unveil the 5 benefits and also the products formulated with caffeine that we are digging right now. It reduces redness Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts small blood vessels and improves circulation which in turn helps reduce redness. Therefore, it’s an important ingredient in skincare for those suffering from rosacea or facial redness. It brightens the skin Just like its ability to ‘brighten your spirits!” Caffeine has the ability to brighten your skin too! Much like Vitamin C, it is packed with antioxidant properties, known to aid skin cells, neutralise free radicals and brighten your complexion. Decreases puffiness Caffeine is a great topical ingredient to improve puffiness and improve circulation in skin. Just as caffeine constricts blood vessels, reducing redness and facial flushing, it can also help decrease inflammation and puffiness. It can help reduce the appearance of cellulite Caffeine is the prime ingredient in many slimming and cellulite creams. This is because it has the ability to draw water out of fatty cells, and increase blood flow, stimulating the removal of fatty acid from the fatty layer of skin and in turn diminishing the appearance of cellulite. It has powerful anti-ageing benefits Caffeine is loaded with powerful antioxidants and when applied topically to your skin, the antioxidants attack free radicals generated from pollution and UV rays, providing temporary protection from premature aging. Free radicals are one of the main causes for fine lines and wrinkles as well as loss of elasticity in your skin. Our caffeine packed product favourites;One of BC’s biggest sellers year on year is the Pevonia RS2 Care Cream. Formulated with Green Tea, Licorice, and Chamomile, it’s a uniquely textured cream which provides your skin vaso-constricting, repairing, and hydrating benefits! Skin is visibly calmed, soothed, and completely decongested.Another firm favourite it Pevonia’s Lumafirm Repair Cream - lift and glow. This powerhouse cream works deeply and quickly, infusing your face, neck and décolleté with the best anti-free radicles, the latest generation of repairing peptides, and outstanding lightening actives for visible radiance.Believe it or not some makeup products are also formulated with caffeine! We love ELES Dual Action Concealer. Formulated with a multitude of skin loving ingredients including vitamin C, vitamin e and caffeine, this anti-aging concealer helps to gradually improve skin's texture while neutralizing dark circles and under eye puffiness. Eyes look beautifully refreshed and radiant. Its medium coverage formula provides continuous hydration and a natural longwearing finish.For the ultimate body product this summer, we are loving Pevonia’s Crepe-No-More Body Cream! It does it all! Softens, smooths, firms, tightens, slims and brightens skin! And not only is it rich in caffeine, it is also formulated with anti-ageing powerhouses hyaluronic acid and marine collagen, combined with longan-fruit extract, shea butter and squalane for intense moisturising to dry, ageing and crepey skin. It’s outstanding!As mentioned, caffeine is one of the prime ingredients in slimming and cellulite products and Pevonia’s Smooth & Tone Body Svelt Gel is no exception. Rich in Green Coffee and Seaweed this smoothing gel detoxifies and tones skin by boosting circulation while stimulating your body to perform a natural fat-splitting function: lipolysis. This proven-effective, microemulsified cream works to dramatically improve your skin’s overall texture.
This is the most important step in your skincare routine
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 25 2022
You might assume that moisturising is the most important part of your daily skincare ritual, but you’d be wrong! While keeping your skin nourished is paramount to a healthy complexion, cleansing, and I mean thoroughly cleansing, is in fact the first and most vital step. And sadly no, a quick swipe with a make-up wipe will not suffice! Instead, we all need to purify our skin every day, no matter what our skin type, especially in the evening and here’s why….Every day our skin is ageing and cleansing before bed is the only way to lessen the impact of external factors associated with the ageing process and to stimulate the internal processes that fight it!Research proves that physiological changes in the skin happen overnight. Like many of our organs, our skin can tell night from day. Evidence exists linking circadian clocks to cell cycle (cells dividing to replenish dead ones) and DNA repair, the natural process by which a cell regularly detoxifies itself.In addition, the skin needs oxygen to repair itself and sleeping with dirty skin or a face full of makeup deprives it of this vital nutrient. It also slows down the natural exfoliating process, which can leave your skin looking dull and lifeless. Not to mention the problem of clogged pores resulting in pesky pimples and acne too!Add to this the fact that nocturnal blood flow in the skin is higher when you sleep and when blood flow is increased so is absorption and penetration of ingredients. So again, if you aren’t washing, any skincare you might be applying (like your moisturiser or serums, will amount to nothing. They won’t be able to penetrate the skin and in turn help fight ageing!In a nutshell, if you don’t wash your face before bed it’s a missed opportunity to do something great for your skin and to wake up with smoother, softer, clearer complexion by morning.So now we understand why cleansing is important, let’s find the best cleanser for our skin type! To remove eye makeup…PHYTOMER MICELLAR WATER – EYE MAKEUP REMOVAL SOLUTIONThis mild cleanser for sensitive eyes is so very gentle yet highly effective, even on waterproof makeup! A single application removes all traces of eye makeup while soothing the area and conditioning the lids and lashes. For all skin types…PHYTOMER PERFECT VISAGE – GENTLE CLEANSING MILKThe creamy texture melts on your skin to gently remove makeup and impurities without disturbing the skin’s protective barrier. For combination and oily skin…PHYTOMER OLIGOPUR – PURIFYING CLEANSING GELA lightly foaming, velvety soft gel which eliminates impurities and excess sebum. Skin is cleansed and purified. For tired lacklustre skin…PHYTOMER CYFOLIA ORGANIC RADIANCE CLEANSING CREAMA rich, velvety cleansing cream formulated with organic orange water, oligomer, organic vegetal oils and cyfolia algae, which literally melts on contact with the skin to gently cleanse and remove makeup, oil and impurities!Like a burst of radiance to the complexion, skin is soft, supple and glowing after every cleanse! For dehydrated and devitalised skin…PEVONIA HYDRATING CLEANSERCombining hydration sensation Hyaluronic with anti-ageing duo Marine Collagen and Marine Elastin, this creamy textured nourishing cleanser, hydrates skin, preserving skin’s moisture while effectively removing skin impurities without residue. The result? Perfectly cleansed, beautifully refreshed, soft and smooth skin after every wash! For the ultra-sensitive…PHYTOMER ACCEPT – Soothing Cleansing Milk 250mlThe most gentle way to remove makeup and calm the epidermis. This makeup remover instantly cleanses, tones and soothes the most sensitive skin. A great multi-tasking cleanser…PEVONIA CLEANREFRESH FOAMING OIL CLEANSERThis truly innovative, triple duty cleanser is a hybrid which offers the combination of a gel, oil and foam! Featuring an advanced lipid-rich, alcohol-free, soap-free exclusive formula, it transforms from a gel like consistency to a luscious, foaming cleanser on application (which mixed with water). It acts like a super magnet entrapping pollutants, impurities and bacteria to leave skin radiantly refreshed and seriously soft.
Melt-proof makeup - 6 products you’ll wish you were using right now
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 19 2022
Feeling a little over the never-ending humidity? Fed up with your foundation sliding off your face by mid-morning? Or sporting panda eyes by noon? The summer season is never fun for makeup, throw tropical weather front La Nina into the mix and it's far from flawless skin for all! Unless you are armed with the right products that is! That’s right, it doesn’t have to be all makeup doom and gloom, you can feel fresh as a daisy from morning to night donning that perfect “no makeup” makeup look, and we are here to tell you how! So, continue reading as we reveal 6 products, you’ll wish you were using right now. ELES Pore Perfecting Face PrimerFinding that perfect primer and using it religiously is key when it comes to preventing your makeup from literally sliding off your face. Makeup primers are the one product that have the power to literally make your makeup stay put all day long!Simply apply it after you’ve cleansed and moisturised your skin, prior to your foundation and you’ll be good to go!We LOVE the ELES Pore Perfecting Face Primer. Not only does it keep makeup in place it also combats shine, absorbs excess oil and also reduces the appearance of pores to keep your foundation looking flawless! Genius!“This is a great primer – I’ve been using it for a few years now. It helps keep my foundation looking amazing all day. It’s mattifying but won’t dry your skin!” Sia Papageorgiou ELES Liquid Powder Mineral FoundationHumid, hot temps can really exacerbate oil flow in our skin! Which is one of the reasons for slippery makeup! So, if you skin tends to be on the oilier side, it’s best to opt for oil-free formulations.ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation has a long-lasting staying power which is second to none. It’s packed with goodness including an exclusive multi mineral complex as well as vitamins A, C & E and its formula, while it goes on as a silky liquid, sets to a soft powder finish which lasts all day.“This foundation is a revolution in a tube. It smooths over the skin, hides imperfections and evens out skin tone and feels effortlessly light all day long.” Naomi Fry ELES Mineral Powder foundationThe perfect product for any touch-ups, as well as eliminating shine, is a good powder compact and we love ELES’s Mineral Powder Foundation. Unlike other heavier powders which can clog pores and in turn, lead to excess oil production (no thanks!) the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation is a translucent formula which not only looks beautifully natural but allows the skin to breathe freely too. The particles in the powder tend to absorb moisture, preventing shine and what’s more, it’s formulated with skin loving ingredients including vitamins A & E, so it’ll provide antioxidant protection as well as condition skin!“Love this foundation, you can make it as light or heavy as you want. It sits really nice on the skin and doesn’t clog my pores I have combination skin and it lasts all day.” Chrissy V ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30If you aren’t a lover of matte foundations, and like the idea of wearing very little makeup in the steamy summer months but wouldn’t dare to go bare because #blemishes! BB creams are for you! And we can’t recommend the ELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30 enough! One of ELES’s best sellers and for good reason, it’s a multi-tasking wonder cream which primes, protects, tints, nourishes and evens out skin tone for flawless, completely natural looking coverage.“I have used a few BB creams before and this one by ELES is by far the best. A little bit goes a long way and the coverage is great. I wear it as a foundation, and it looks really natural. I love it!” Jennifer A ELES Lash Fortify Waterproof MascaraJust as your makeup can slide off your face, so can your mascara! And no one likes looking in the mirror at the end of the day and seeing panda eyes staring right back! So a good smudge proof/water resistant mascara with staying power is a must! Try ELES’s Lash Fortify Waterproof Mascara. The ergonomic brush and fortifying formula coats lashes to quickly lengthen, curl, volumize and lock them into place for all day wear. The result is instantly impressive eyes with lashes that are lusciously conditioned and protected all day long!“I have been using this mascara for years. You can be confident that it will stay on all day without smudging. It separates the eyelashes well and colours right to the ends. Easily removed with eye makeup remover. Highly recommend.” Cara F ELES Superwear Gel LinerAnd if you want your eyes to stand out that little bit more, couple ELES’s Lash Fortify Waterproof Mascara with a long lasting eye liner like ELES’s Superwear Gel Liner! It’s not only super smooth to apply thanks to its moisturising and hydrating ingredients, it’s also a long-wearing liner with intense colour pay-off!“Great easy to use eyeliner. Super long lasting and comfortable to wear all day.” Cassy McKenna
Loose skin? How to avoid turkey neck
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 18 2022
It’s never too early to start looking after the skin on your neck and if it’s still in great shape then wonderful, however I urge you to start right now! The good news is it’s never too late, some daily habits can help slow down further skin ageing and make your neck look a whole lot better in as little as a week.Some of these tips might seem obvious but do you follow them? Daily? Really?? Moisturising: don’t neglect your neck! Sadly your face moisturiser might not be enough for this delicate area, the skin is thin, tissue paper thin and has fewer oil glands than the skin on your face, and this means a compromised skin barrier. Moisture, and loads of it, is vital for keeping the tissue supple and elastic as well as preserving the skin’s natural collagen and elastin.We recommend Phytomer Parfait Neck and Decollete Renewing Care. It contains a miraculous ingredient called Glasswort Oil: a green seaside plant present in warm areas. Its Latin name, Salicornia, means “salt antler”, pointing to its toleration of salt. It is a halophilic species, meaning that it can survive in very high salinity when submerged during high tide – without becoming dehydrated. Scientists at PHYTOMER have discovered that Glasswort possesses carrying and regulating membrane channels, which allow it to control water evaporation in order to prevent dehydration.Following the principle of marine biomimicry, at PHYTOMER, these channels are used to stimulate the production of aquaporins, proteins that transport water and urea in the skin’s cells. Glasswort oil reinforces the role of our own natural moisturizing factors to reveal smooth, soft and supple skin. Exfoliate the neck once a week Exfoliate the neck and chest area at least once a week to keep the skin free of ingrained dirt and dead skin cells. This area is delicate, so avoid products that contain sharp particles, and use a gentle, non-abrasive exfoliant. This encourages cell turnover.We recommend Vegetal Exfoliant: a grain free, enzyme exfoliant that contains papain. Super gentle yet very effective this product eliminates dry dead skin cells and purifies the tissue. Not only does your neck skin look more vibrant and fresh it also aids the penetration of the actives in your neck cream. Lighten up! Fine lines and wrinkles can be ageing, but when coupled with hyper-pigmentation can make you look 20 years older!Not convinced? which looks better?So lighten your neck and chest area with nature’s latest skin brighteners.To remove any existing sun damage and prevent freckles and hyper-pigment of the chest area we recommend White Lumination Complexion Recovery. With Sea Lily extract, and Dictyopteris (algae) and Vitamin C, this marvel reduces pigmentation and brightens the skin. It also contains UVA and UVB sun filters. Use sunscreen A recent study revealed that older skin that hadn’t been exposed to the sun had about 3,800 genetic mutations whereas skin that had been exposed had around 10,000 mutations in the same genes (meaning the ageing process had happened more quickly). Sounds like a good argument for sun protection!We recommend Sun Solutions Sunscreen SPF30 High Protection, thanks to its UVA and UVB sun filters, this ultra-light, non-sticky cream offers effective protection. In addition to UVA and UVB filters it also contains Vegetal Coral Extract with a super powerful moisturizing capacity and OLIGOMER®, Phytomers own patented ingredient that delivers an optimum dose of trace elements and minerals, fortifies the epidermis and prevents cellular fatigue. Diet Keep your nutrition rich in anti-oxidants, especially Omega-3 acids, which are present in fish. These do wonders for skin rejuvenation by boosting collagen production. In addition stock up on anti-oxidants such as Pomegranates, acai berries, blueberries and green tea to protect your skin from ageing free radicals. Sleep on the right pillow This one is obvious right? The more scrunched up the skin the more those wrinkles will take hold. The perfect pillow supports the neck yet allows the head to remain in line with the body, so ditch the reading pillow when you put down the book! Do neck exercises Lastly, give your neck an exercise workout. Keeping your neck muscles toned will help to prevent sagging skin and wrinkles. Below are six neck exercises to get you started.Six exercises to prevent turkey neck: Jut out your chin and move your lower jaw forward. Repeat ten times. Look straight ahead. Now look up to the ceiling and hold for five seconds. Slowly return to your starting position. Repeat 20 times. Form an ‘O’ with your mouth. Pull down the sides of your mouth until you feel the muscles underneath your neck working. Repeat this three times in quick succession. Build up to 20 sets of threes. With your mouth open, pronounce the vowels A to U without closing your mouth at any time. Repeat ten times, three times in a row. Press the tip of your tongue against your palate for a few seconds and release. Do this throughout the day. Make circles with your tongue when your mouth is closed, first in one direction then the other. Repeat often. Place your lower lip over the top lip and hold for a few seconds. Repeat ten times. Finally, keep your chin up (no really!). If your chin is permanently tucked into your chest you are more likely to develop permanent creases in your neck, as well as putting your neck more at risk of injury.
BC’s top 5 Phytomer products for summer
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 18 2022
Keeping your skin looking good in summer can be such a challenge! Extreme temps contribute to a number of pesky conditions that lead so many of us wanting to pack our bags and set off for cooler climates.We asked the team at Phytomer Australia headquarters to recommend their top 5 summer skin challenges and solutions and this is what they came up with…Challenge One: Excessive Oiliness and Open PoresSolution: Marine Scrub Creamy ExfoliantThis nifty product is just like a scrub and mask in one, allowing you to use it several times a week in summer to keep skin fresh and refined; it polishes off the dry dead skin cells that adhere more easily to the skin when it’s oily and Chondrus crispus oil and OLIGOMER moisturize and strengthen the skin. Challenge Two: DehydrationSolution: Hydra Continue 12H Moisturising Flash GelApply this gorgeous cooling gel beneath your moisturiser for lasting hydration. It literally “plumps” the skin with dewy moisture that lasts all day. Challenge Three: Redness!Solution: Oligoforce Soothing Enforcement Serum with OligomerLike liquid ice on the skin this gentle serum, sooths, cools, strengthens and replenishes heat irritated skin. Apply at night to do its thing while you sleep and wake with normalised calm skin.Challenge Four: Dry Body SkinSolution: Oleocreme Ultra-Moisturizing Body MilkI know, on a hot day the last thing you feel like doing is applying sticky cream all over your body however this one isn’t sticky and sinks into the skin long before you have the lid back on! It leaves the skin feeling velvety soft and as a bonus it smells exquisite!Challenge: Puffy Eyes and Dry Lips (yes it’s two but who’s counting?)Solution: Youth Contour Smoothing Eye and Lip CreamThis is a favourite and no wonder, it’s the ultimate multi-tasking and lets face it, we all love to save time! This marvel increases the circulation flushing away puffiness and dark circles yet moisturises deeply to repair the skin, apply around the eyes and over lips for the softest peepers and kisses you’ve ever experienced!Want to know more about Phytomer products? Check out https://beautycollective.com.au/Brand-Phytomer
The Incredible Discovery of Marine Sugars by Phytomer
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 18 2022
You cannot see them with the naked eye yet microscopic organisms represent 90 per cent of underwater life. Only one per cent of them are known to date.Phytomer has been exploring marine life for over 40 years with a true passion and is now inaugurating brand new biotechnological ingredients: marine sugars. These sugars, naturally produced by marine microorganisms, have no earthly equivalent and cannot be copied. They represent a reservoir of unique and inimitable ingredients with unprecedented benefits for the skin!Each marine sugar has specific properties in terms of texture, cellular activation and, for certain ones, powerful and instantaneous surface effects. For example, the XMF (extra marine filler) marine sugar, discovered and produced by Phytomer, creates an invisible natural film on the skin surface that instantly smooths the appearance of wrinkles.To be able to use these marine sugars without tapping into natural resources, Phytomer has developed a biotechnological cultivation program. The program starts by selecting and isolating the microorganism capable of producing the identified marine sugar; then placing it in the bioreactor in optimum conditions that promote the synthesis of its marine sugar.The micro-organism thus becomes a ‘manufacturer’ of advanced molecules in the laboratory. Once synthesised, the marine sugar is then extracted and purified without adding a chemical solvent or alcohol. This very advanced natural production method provides Phytomer laboratories with a high level of purity and optimum quality of active ingredients. As a result Pionnière XMF Perfection Youth Cream, that incorporates XMF marine sugar, provides incredible anti-ageing results! find out more on https://beautycollective.com.au/Brand-Phytomer.
In need of some serious pampering? Transform your bathroom into a spa with Phytomer
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 18 2022
If you're tired, feeling a little blue or in serious need of a break, little compares to taking time out for some much needed pampering. If visiting your local salon or spa isn’t an option though, why not transform your bathroom into a sanctuary? An indulgent spa with BC brand – Phytomer
1 Nurturing bath
As soon as you start running the water, pour OLIGOMER® WELL-BEING SENSATION Essential Minerals Relaxing Bath into it. This balneotherapy treatment at home, fully revitalizes the skin, helps to relieve tension in the body and promotes optimum relaxation. Its Green Tea / Jasmine fragrance is diffused throughout the duration of your bath and leaves a trail of freshness and lightness on your skin.
2 3-in-1 Toning Scrub
Before sinking into your bath, exfoliate your body with TONING BODY SCRUB with Marine Salt Crystals, an excellent ally for exfoliating, moisturizing and revitalizing the skin. To take full advantage the benefits of the exfoliation, warm the scrub in your hands, then massage it onto dry skin using upward circular movements, paying particular attention to rough areas such as heels, knees and elbows.
3 Mask of plenty
Once exfoliated, and before diving into your bath, move on to the face mask stage. Now is the time to enjoy the benefits of steam which opens the pores of your face and enhances the action of the mask. The choice is yours for pampering your face:
HYDRASEA Thirst-Relief Rehydrating Mask: very light and airy “foam effect” cream, which offers double moisturizing to your skin
DOUCEUR MARINE Soothing Cocoon Mask: cocoon texture that soothes and decongests sensitive skin
OLIGOPUR Shine Control Purifying Mask: non-drying texture that purifies, mattifies and absorbs excess sebum
4 A burst of moisture
Just out of the bath, dry yourself thoroughly and moisturize generously with Oleocreme Ultra Moisturizing Body Milk. Moisturize yourself from head to toe with this miracle cream that provides your skin with all the essential ingredients and nutrients to strengthen it, soften it and make it more attractive. Its creamy and velvety texture is absorbed in a stroke, bringing your skin comfort and suppleness. Enveloped in a satiny veil, it is velvety-smooth to the touch.Want to find out more about Phytomer? Visit our website on www.phytomer.com.au
Skin in need of a detox? 7 ways to get it back into shape
by Jo Boyden
on Jan 13 2022
If you’re anything like me, the festive season might well have seen you over-indulging. And the more ‘treats’ you’ve enjoyed, the more likely both you, and your skin will be in need of detox!Detoxing your skin simply means removing as many of the impurities, toxins, pollutants and dead skin cells as possible to cleanse, treat, brighten, hydrate and soothe your skin back to its optimal condition. If you’ve yet to try a skin detox, it’s probably time, here’s how; Double Cleanse We all cleanse our skin of course, it’s a daily habit, but no matter what your usual skincare routine, a serious skin detox requires double cleansing! The first cleanse will eradicate daily dirt, excess oil and makeup, but if you double cleanse you’ll be sure to remove any remaining impurities guaranteeing your cleanest skin yet!The double cleanse method works on the principle that you firstly use a cleansing oil (we LOVE the ELES Transformation Cleansing Oil) or micellar water (if you are a lover of micellar water you simply must try Vie Collection’s Micellar water for face, eyes and lips), they will break down makeup, SPF and sebum on the surface of your skin. Then follow with a water-based cleanser, which will clean much deeper into the pores, removing any remaining sweat, bacteria and dead skin cells. The deeper cleanse will also allow your serum and moisturiser, as well as other night-time leave-on products, to penetrate into your skin working their magic much more efficiently, giving your skin cells the best chance at regenerating for a plumper more youthful complexion! Up the ante when it comes to exfoliating It’s time to step up your game. The goal is to slough away dull, dead skin cells and toxins frequently, so opt for a gentle formula you can use twice a week. we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, it gently polishes your skin with its unique creamy, granular texture. But if granules scare you, we also highly recommend Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin. Apply a detoxifying mask Whenever skin is in need of a serious detox, applying a mask containing ingredients like charcoal is a must! It’ll help to absorb deep-dwelling dirt and toxins as well as removing excel oil and impurities from the skin. We love Pevonia’s Pure Skin Charcoal Mask. This silky-smooth and creamy mask easily pulls toxins out of the skin for a clean, purified and healthy complexion as it restores a normalized cellular function.Kaolin and Bentonite Clays can also help refine pores and balance the skin. Our go-to mask for deep cleansing is Phytomer Oligopur Flawless Skin Mask with Kaolin Clay. Add your skin boosters Now that your pores are open, clean and ready for action - in other words ready to absorb some serious active ingredients - it’s time to apply your skin boosters AKA hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and retinol among others. Vitamin C especially is a great detoxing agent since its rich in antioxidants and can combat free radicals! Try Pevonia’s C Complexe. Vitamin C and hydration hero hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing skin while correcting photo-damage. Not only does it have the most beautiful citrus aroma, it makes skin instantly brighter and dewier on application too. Hydrate your skin Complete your facial detox regimen by keeping your skin's moisture levels balanced. Opt for a moisturiser that contains Hyaluronic Acid such as Pevonia’s Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream. If you read our blog, you’ll already know it’s my personal absolute can’t live without product and Pevonia’s Global Best-Seller too! It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream – formulated with the best hydrating ingredients; Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Collagen, Glycerin, and more, that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin super soft, supple and like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day!At night use a facial oil designed to help lock in optimum hydration levels. We highly recommend Pevonia’s Vitaminic Concentrate. It’s a soothing, silky antioxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma and is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration, and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple, and seriously glowy skin by morning. Don’t forget your body Now we have your skin sorted it’s time to move onto your body! Dry brushing your body with a firm-bristled brush before showering is amazing for detoxifying! It can help remove dead skin cells, stimulate lymphatic fluid and improve circulation to rid skin of impurities.Also using a good seaweed soap in the shower can have major benefits. Combining Seaweed, one of the greatest marine elements with Shea Butter, Pevonia’s Seaweed Exfoliating Soap detoxifies, stimulates circulation, removes surface build-up, and renders your skin silky-smooth! Winning. Clean from within Finally eating lots of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, as well as drinking green tea and at least eight glasses of water a day, will help your skin flush toxins from the inside out.
Worried about wrinkles? How to minimise their appearance
by Jo Boyden
on Dec 23 2021
Starting to see signs of ageing on your face? Worried about wrinkles but not loving the idea of Botox or fillers? We hear you! Injectables are definitely not for everyone, nor are they a necessity thanks to the number of natural ways you can ward off or even minimise your wrinkles. Read on as we reveal what they are and pave the way to smooth, plump and radiant skin for as long as humanly possible! Wear sunscreen Yes, the NO.1 when it comes to premature ageing IS the sun and its harmful rays, so to overcome this rather hefty issue, wearing sunscreen, and wearing it religiously, day in day out is key. Nothing will warn away those wrinkles like a good sunscreen. Stay hydrated You and your skin need proper hydration to help defend against facial lines. As well as topical treatments, you need to hydrate your skin from within. You know the drill, drink your 8 glasses of water a day, skin cells need water or they will dehydrate and essential anti-ageing nutrients cannot be delivered to your system.Also including omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and mackerel in your daily diet, will really aid in skin health and hydration too! Apply topical vitamin C If there’s one particular vitamin that needs little to no introduction, it’s vitamin C. Recommended by every beauty expert as a go-to ingredient in your beauty arsenal, the antioxidant powerhouse is known to help with your skin’s collagen production, tackle visible signs of ageing, brighten your complexion, lessen hyperpigmentation and shield skin from free radical damage! Amazing right?Try Pevonia’s Vitamin C Complexe. This product is a-mazing for that perfect pick-me-up. Vitamin C and hydration hero hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing skin while correcting photo-damage. Not only does it have the most beautiful citrus aroma, when applied skin looks instantly brighter and dewier too! Moisturise A good anti-ageing, wrinkle fighting moisturiser will not only make skin feel more hydrated, it will also nourish and plump the skin making wrinkles less visible.Choose a daily and nightly moisturiser with high doses of collagen, retinol, hyaluronic acid and peptides that work to reverse the ageing process.Retinol is by far the most proven and effective way of bettering signs of ageing such as uneven pigmentation, roughness, and wrinkling. And one of the best wrinkle skincare ranges is Pevonia’s Micro Retinol line.Just be sure to start introducing it slowly and at night-time and get yourself in the know with this miracle ingredient. Exfoliate Regular exfoliation is one of the most effective ways to keep older skin looking youthful and bright. As we age, our skin’s natural exfoliation process slows down and causes a build-up of dead, dull skin. Exfoliating helps speed up cellular turnover, softening fine lines and wrinkles and diminishing hyperpigmentation so you want to be getting in on it stat!One of the best exfoliators for all skin types is Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes! It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive of skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin. I promise you when I say it’ll make your skin appear fresher and younger! Give yourself a facial massage Massaging your face for just one minute per day can help combat those unsightly wrinkles. How? Because facial massage promotes oxygen and blood flow in our skin. Not only does this result in reducing puffiness, it will also increase collagen production, which prevents the formation of wrinkles too!For more information on the benefits of facial massage click here. Be aware of blue light damage from your electronic devices I’ve already preached about the damaging effects of the sun when it comes to premature ageing, but another cause of concern is our own electronic devices! Which let’s face it we all spend far too long going from mobile to laptop to tv every day! Did you even know though that this over excessive so called “screen time” can lead to skin damage? In fact, overexposure can actually prompt the formation of free radicals which break down collagen and cause inflammation, leading to redness, dark spots, and early onset wrinkles. What’s more, blue light has the ability to penetrate skin much more deeply that UV rays causing even more havoc and long-term damage! Scary right?So what should you do to protect your skin? Obviously reducing screen time is the best bet but if your job and lifestyle won’t really allow it, next best step is to apply a topical protective treatment like Medicalia’s Sunscreen SPF 40 with Blue Light Shield. It’s an everyday sunscreen with contains an exclusive mineral formula to shield skin from harmful sun rays, blue light and pollution. It delivers all-natural protection with the addition of zinc oxide which acts to form a protective seal over the skin to reflect blue light away. It rubs into skin seamlessly without leaving a white cast or greasy residue behind. And even better, the formula is reef-safe and works for all skin types and tones. Eat antioxidant rich food The diet you eat can visibly reflect on your skin, so instead of doubling down on the sugary treats that are in abundance this season, opt for antioxidant rich foods such as berries, leafy greens and whole grains. Add green tea to your daily diet too, which also provides natural antioxidants. Exercise daily We all know the numerous benefits of exercise but did you know how important it is for slowing down skin ageing too? Daily exercise increases the delivery of nutrients to skin's cells and provides optimum conditions for collagen production, in turn warding off early wrinkles and fine lines! Stop stressing Easier said than done for some of us I know but high levels of stress can prematurely age you! If life can sometimes seem like a little much, try and take 5 minutes out to simply listen to music, practice mindfulness, do some deep breathing exercises or meditate. Proven to induce a state of relaxation, all methods can decrease stress and anxiety and change mindset in minutes. Get your beauty sleep Haven’t we all heard this a million times! But sadly, it’s true. The quality and length of sleep you receive every night can have a profound impact on your skin’s overall health. When we sleep our bodies recharge. Not only do our bodies recharge, our skin does too. During sleep, we heal, restore and eliminate toxins from the skin and with enough sleep, our bodies are able to produce more collagen and hyaluronic acid – the molecules that give the skin its youthful glow and elasticity.. Only getting 5 hours a night can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping 7 would! Eek.Also, how you sleep can have a huge effect on your skin’s appearance! If you are a lover of sleeping on your front you might want to reconsider this position! When you sleep on your front, your skin is pushed up against the pillow for hours at a time which can reinforce lines, especially around the eyes, forehead and lips. The best way to prevent these wrinkles is by sleeping on your back. You can also reduce damage by using a silk pillowcase which allows for more movement, or a memory foam pillow which doesn’t compress the skin as much.
The top 5 makeup questions answered by the BC experts
by Jo Boyden
on Dec 22 2021
From makeup must-haves to choosing your foundation, with the plethora of makeup advice out there, it can often get confusing when knowing what is right from wrong, so we compiled the top 5 makeup questions everyone asks and put it to the BC experts for their professional answers. Read on for five solutions to the most common beauty queries of 2021. How do I stop my makeup from looking patchy? If you are prone to dry skin you’re more likely to experience the problem of patchy looking makeup because dry skin has more texture so makeup can more easily settle into the fine creases. The solution? Make sure you exfoliate regularly to remove any dead cells and debris and smooth skin texture. Depending on your skin type, once or twice a week will suffice.It’s essential to hydrate skin with a nourishing moisturiser prior to applying your base too. Another consideration is to review the type of foundation you are wearing too. Which takes me to the next question…. How do I choose the right foundation for my skin? Your skin tone and texture changes throughout the year, so no one foundation is likely to work all year round.Foundation creates the illusion of a flawless complexion. First, you need to determine your skin type, then what type of coverage you want to achieve: sheer, medium, or full. And finally, decide on the finish: matte, natural, or dewy.For more help with choosing the right foundation formula for your skin type click here. Should I apply my concealer before or after by foundation? This one is a little controversial as different makeup professionals will offer a different answer, but at BC we like to apply our foundation first to create an even base, and then add concealer to areas that still need it after. By starting with the foundation coverage, you may be pleasantly surprised at how little concealer you actually need to get the finish you are looking for. And remember less is more when it comes to makeup. Should you apply concealer first and then foundation you are likely to use more product than you actually need, and more product can result in cakey looking skin! Eek. Why won’t my makeup last? In short excess oil is the no. 1 reason for your makeup simply sliding off your face by mid-morning. Unfortunately, when the oils of your skin interact with your makeup, they begin breaking your makeup down. That doesn’t mean you should ever consider skipping on your moisturiser though! Your skin can actually produce more oil when it’s not properly hydrated! Eek. Instead try using a lightweight cream, followed by a mattifying primer (as they can help create a barrier between your skin’s oils and makeup) and opt for a foundation with a long-lasting formulation.For 6 simple steps as well as the best products to help encourage long lasting makeup click here. How do I keep my lipstick from coming off? Lipstick is one of those essential makeup products that can really change your look and add colour to your face, but it can also be a challenge if not applied properly, when I say challenge I mean lipstick on your teeth, down your chin or simply non-existent after only a short amount of time! For some essential tricks to keep your lip hue in place all day—no smearing, blurring, fading, feathering, or cracking, click here.
Travel essentials you’ll need this holiday season
by Jo Boyden
on Dec 17 2021
Heading off on that much deserved holiday but not sure what products to pack in your beauty bag because isn’t everything essential?We all know when it comes to packing, less is always more so instead of bringing everything and the kitchen sink, it’s best to pack lightly by choosing multitasking makeup products, convenient packaging and travel sized skincare essentials, and at BC we have you covered!Read on for our go-to list of beauty must-haves to keep your skin healthy and glowing and your suitcase light this holiday season! ELES Age Defying BB Cream SPF 30Holidays are a great time to refine your makeup regimen to the bare essentials. A full face of foundation isn’t something any of us would want when we are spending days on the beach, relaxing by the pool or simply hanging out at home on staycation for that matter! But if you’re like me you won’t want to totally forgo makeup either! Instead, opt for a multi-tasking BB Cream! We LOVE ELES’s best-selling Age Defying BB Cream 30. Not only does it contain high factor SPF, but this tinted cream melts into the skin to cover blemishes for a unified dewy, and visibly radiant complexion too! What’s more, it has the added skincare benefits of hyaluronic, vitamin e, squalane and a multi-mineral complex too! Plus, it feels like you aren’t wearing makeup either! Amazing stuff. ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused LightWe are all on the quest for those multi-tasking miracle products, and this product is just that! Your bronzer, highlighter, and foundation powder combined into one clever compact that you can simply swipe all over for your healthiest, natural looking glow! Yess!It’s a palette of gorgeous glowing warm tones that acts like a photo filter on your skin, subtle enough for daily wear, yet gives you that truly “lit from within glow” in seconds. I LOVE it and so do so many! ELES Cosmetics Custom PaletteJust as the name suggests this palette is fully customised which means you get to call the shots by selecting whichever product shades you want to insert, from a great selection outlined online. You need to pick a powder foundation, a blush and two eye shadows, all the products I live in (aside from my faithful mascara of course), and they come presented in a very sleek compact, perfect for on the go! What’s more the soft, powder formulas deliver rich, velvety, blendable colour that lasts all day! Pevonia Ultra Hydration Gift PackIf your skin is feeling a tad parched (it is the silly season after all) and could do with a serious boost of hydration, then this is the pack you’ll want to well pack! Featuring not one, but three Pevonia best-sellers (and my favourites too!) the products in this pack provide skin with the ultimate in hydration and skin-smoothing results. Including a free Ageless Skin Mask, Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream, and a Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum, you will be blown away by the results after just a few applications. Use the mask once a week, and the serum and cream daily morning and night and reap the benefits.For more convenient gift packs with travel friendly sizes click here. We have a pack for every skin type and concern! And for our discounted Christmas gifts sets full of our best sellers, click here. Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserWhile your sunscreen is an essential on holiday (wear it religiously!) don’t let it accumulate on your skin or clog your pores. You still need to gently exfoliate for fresh and healthy skin. For the perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types, we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, it gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, revealing a softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single use!To learn all about the beautifying benefits of exfoliation and which other exfoliators might be best for your skin this season click here.
The best beauty buys for dry skin according to the BC Pros
by Jo Boyden
on Dec 15 2021
Whether you are prone to dry skin (thank you genetics), you’re dealing with what the warm weather brings (heat, to air conditioning to heat again), you’ve been using products that may be a little too harsh, or your skin has become thinner with age and is now unable to retain moisture like it once did, it’s likely you’ve fallen victim to flaky, dry skin many a time!In fact, dry skin, like rosacea and acne, is one of the most common skin complaints, yet a condition which is easily treatable by improving your skincare routine, you just need to know what products and ingredients are best to use. Below we reveal the best skincare for your dry skin, as recommended by the BC pros! A deeply nourishing moisturiser is a must! When combatting dry skin, it’s best to use a nourishing moisturiser that contains no irritants, but is instead loaded with soothing, and nourishing, natural ingredients including Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Glycerin and Squalane.Try: Pevonia Age Defying Marine Collagen Cream My personal absolute can’t live without product and the no. 1 recommendation of the BC Pros too, the Marine Collagen Cream isn’t Pevonia’s global bestseller for nothing! It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream - formulated with the best hydrating ingredients; Squalane, Collagen, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid - that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin super soft, supple and like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day!We also love Phytomer’s Nutritionelle Dry Skin Rescue Cream, salvation for even the most dry as a desert skin! This soft, silky rich cream incorporates a cocktail of marine and plant oils including organic glasswort, organic buckwheat, apricot kernel, shea butter and hydrafusion, to bring comfort and hydration all day long. Say goodbye to tight, uncomfortable and parched skin and hello to a suppler, soft and visibly plumped complexion. Use a gentle, creamy cleanser (no to foam and oil cleansers!) It’s important to wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser to help wash away any grime that can dry out the skin.People with dry skin should look for a creamy, soothing and moisturizing cleanser, as well as cleansers that contain glycerin and hyaluronic acid because these ingredients draw water to the surface of the skin. Avoid foam cleansers, which tend to be drying!Try: Pevonia Dry Skin Cleanser This delightfully creamy, fluffy and water-soluble cleanser lifts off impurities from skin while counteracting dryness at the same time. Glycerin, repairing arnica and hydrating cucumber all work in harmony to provide a wonderful, nourishing yet effective cleansing experience. Don’t forget your serum Serums are like a shot for the skin. Packed with a high concentration of potent, active ingredients, they have the ability to hydrate more effectively than even the heaviest of creams because the molecules are able to truly penetrate the skin and hydrate on the deepest level, while your cream tends to sit on the skin's surface and nourish the top layers of your skin. Serums do not, however, replace your moisturiser, but instead, when applied prior to your moisturiser, boost its effects and help lock in moisture. Vital for those with dry skin!Try: Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum If your skin is feeling the drying effects of summer then you need a hydration boost! Just a few drops of Pevonia’s Hydra-Serum not only helps to rejuvenate skin cells but will bind any moisturiser you apply on top like a magnet too!Featuring one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market (12%), combined with the powerful anti-ageing duo of marine collagen and Hibiscus Esculentus extract, this ultimate serum for seriously thirsty skin, delivers immediate skin soothing results and deep hydration. It eliminates dryness almost instantly as it quite literally blasts even the most dehydrated of complexions with a surge of moisture, maintaining surface hydration throughout the day.What’s more you can get this amazing product, plus Pevonia’s global best-selling Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream and a Collagen Mask in a limited-edition Ultra Hydration gift set this festive season! Everything you need to boost hydration! Use the Hydra serum and marine collagen cream in unison daily to provide skin deep hydration with dewy, luminous results every day. Then apply the mask once or twice a week for that added boost your skin may need. Face oils are a game-changer Face oils can be the ideal remedy for those with dry skin. Not only do they provide nourishment of their own, they also have the ability to help boost your moisturiser’s hydrating efforts by sealing in all the nourishing ingredients, making your skin more likely to hold onto that added hydration. In fact, face oils are integral to healthy skin as without them, moisture just continuously leeches out from the skin until the next time you apply your cream!Try: Pevonia Vitaminic Concentrate This soothing, silky antioxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma, is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration, and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple, and seriously glowy skin every morning. Make sure you exfoliate once a week! Finally, make sure to exfoliate once a week or twice a week to help remove excess dry skin and encourage increased cell turnover.Try: Phytomer Cyfolia Radiance Exfoliating Cream If your complexion is dry and devitalized, we highly recommend investing in this exfoliating cream. It gently exfoliates skin to reveal a truly radiant complexion! It features two organic exfoliants – argan kernels and pomegranate seeds, as well as Algae, Oligomer and Orange water that work together to immediately clear away rough and dry skin for a visibly softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single application.
How to get airbrushed-looking skin naturally
by Jo Boyden
on Nov 05 2021
Let’s face it… we all want it! Perfect skin, All. Of. The. Time, and with little evidence of makeup too! And sure, what with the likes of #facetuning every one of us can achieve a beautifully airbrushed complexion in our photos, but what about looking airbrushed the natural way, without the likes of apps?Armed with a few miracle makeup items you indeed can! Here’s how; STEP ONE: THE SKIN PREPPevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserThe key to nailing your makeup actually lies in the prep you do beforehand. For flawless airbrushed-looking skin you must start with a smooth, clean, flake-free canvas. Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser that will thoroughly cleanse skin as well as remove any build-up of excess oil and dead skin cells. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, revealing a softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single use!STEP TWO: THE MULTI-TASKERELES Age Defying BB Cream 30Loaded with Goji Berries, Minerals, Vitamins and Sun Protection this wonder base and ELES Cosmetics best-seller, is your skin care, primer, base and sunscreen in one! Skin caring and skin perfecting in one simple step!! Simply apply to cleansed skin for the silkiest and most undetectable coverage ever! STEP THREE: THE PERFECTORELES Dual Action ConcealerNothing takes the years off your face more than a great under-eye concealer and this is no exception! It not only covers dark circles, it smooths, brightens, depuffs and treats them too! Plus, its medium coverage formula provides continuous hydration and a natural longwearing finish. Select a shade lighter than your foundation and apply it beneath the eyes or wherever you see darkness. Pat into your skin with your finger to look as though you’ve just had 10 hours of blissful slumber.Make sure you always apply your concealer after foundation because then you really get a much-desired brightening effect.STEP FOUR: THE AIRBRUSHERELES Baked Finishing Powder - Diffused LightA compact full of miracles! Sweep over the skin for a soft airbrushed finish to any base. The glow-giving powder contains light-reflecting pigments to make skin look impossibly fresh and flawless while the gorgeous warm tones act like a photo filter on your skin. Sublime skin every time! STEP FIVE: THE YOUTH ENHANCERELES Baked BlushFor a pop of colour that makes skin look fresh, dewy and youthful try this! Six gorgeous shades multi-task as blush, eye shadow and when applied with a damp brush can even work as a matte lip colour!N.B if you tend to have a fair complexion, go for a lighter, more muted version of the blush shade you’d like to use! If you have darker skin, try a stronger, deeper version.
5 skincare essentials for glowing spring skin
by Jo Boyden
on Oct 29 2021
Halfway through spring but your skin isn’t looking it’s best? Want to achieve that healthy spring glow but not sure where to start? We’ve got you! Unfortunately, with spring comes a change in our skin thanks to an increase in temperature, sun exposure and humidity levels so it’s important to up the ante when it comes to your skincare! Below are five of our favourite beauty buys to achieve your healthiest skin this spring! We promise you’ll love them too! Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserMany people avoid exfoliation during the winter months because they feel it can dry out their skin, but as the weather warms up and the humidity increases, it’s a good time to exfoliate at least once a week if not more, to brighten a dull lacklustre complexion. A good weekly exfoliation will break up dead surface skin cells and reveal a fresh glowy complexion instead! For the perfect all-rounder exfoliator for all skin types we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, it gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, revealing a softer, smoother and brighter complexion after every single use!To learn all about the beautifying benefits of exfoliation and which other exfoliators might be best for your skin this spring click here. Phytomer Hydra Continue Radiance Energizing CreamAs the weather continues to warm up, it’s time to be rid of our richer creams and reach for a lightweight moisturiser instead! Something that will absorb quickly and keep pores clear. And remember even oily skin needs daily moisturising! Why? Because without daily hydration it can produce even more oil to compensate!I highly suggest you give Phytomer’s Hydra Continue Radiance Energizing Cream a go! Perfect for all skin types, it’s a beautifully light yet deeply nourishing cream that provides skin with that ‘invigorating boost’ for fresh, moisturized skin all day long. Rich in hyaluronic and vitamins, it really will transform skin from lacklustre to soft, supple, and visibly radiant. ELES Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection SPF 50We get it, no one likes slathering on sunscreen, but it is THE most important step in your daily routine, and we don’t need to remind you why! Sunscreen IS essential all year round, but with more time out and about in spring, it really is time to find that SPF favourite and use it religiously.My personal go-to in spring is ELES Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection SPF 50. It’s lovely and light (none of this thick white greasy emulsion!) plus not only does it protect skin against the sun’s harmful rays, it also helps prevent discolouration while diminishing existing dark spots, all whilst calming and brightening your complexion too! Pevonia “C” ComplexeIn the warmer months, when the sun is shining, UVB radiation is at its strongest, so it’s important to not only prioritise SPF but Vitamin C in our skincare too! Vitamin C when applied topically not only boosts our skin’s natural tolerance to the sun, but it is able to help control the formation of pigmentation as well as significantly lightening its appearance too! So make sure you are armed with a great vitamin C serum or cream. I can’t speak more highly of Pevonia’s “C” Complexe with Oxyzomes. The citrus scent is divine and just two pumps equals radiant looking skin instantaneously. Oh and it feels a-mazing too thanks to it’s combination of vitamin c and hydrating powerhouse hyaluronic which quite literally drenches skin with repairing antioxidants. Heaven. Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing CreamDon’t forget a good night-time ritual that includes a nurturing night-time cream! Looking after your skin before bed will have a profound effect by morning. My go-to for spring is Phytomer’s beautiful silky, lightweight Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream. It literally cocoons my skin in nourishing hydration and really does restore youthful vitality by morning. One of my personal all time favourites!
5 makeup products that’ll seriously benefit your skin
by Jo Boyden
on Oct 27 2021
When it comes to maintaining healthy skin there are those non-negotiable steps that shouldn’t be skimped on….You know the drill, follow a daily skincare routine, drink all the water, do an ample amount of exercise and get plenty of shut eye to name a few, yet when it comes to covering up any facial flaws from blemishes to redness, or simply not being game to go makeup-free, we are quick to slap on that thick layer of concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer and more…in turn clogging pores and reversing the good we’ve done! This is because our makeup choices can sometimes have a less desirable effect on our skin, often causing blemishes and skin irritations! And doesn’t it seem crazy to spend so much time and money perfecting our morning skincare ritual, using the best of the best for our specific skincare needs, only to undo all the good by applying makeup that’s full of toxic ingredients on top!Luckily, here at BC, we are spoilt with an abundance of skin nurturing makeup essentials! Products that not only create the illusion of flawless skin, but actually do good for our skin too! From foundations that provide both breathable coverage and anti-ageing benefits, to illuminators that will also work to hydrate the skin. Read on for our top 5 recommendations, also known as ‘skincare makeup’, and why our customers keep buying them over and over too! ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15Foundation, in the past, has always been categorised as makeup, a short term ‘fix’ or superficial layer to conceal flaws and help create the illusion of perfect skin. But who says your foundation can’t have long-term skin benefits like your skincare products? After all shouldn’t your foundation enhance your complexion not mask it? Well ELES’s best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation does just this! Not only is it formulated with anti-inflammatory zinc as well as Vitamins A, C and E, it allows skin to “breathe freely” whilst shielding against age aggressors. It’s free of heavy fillers and pore-clogging ingredients (phew!) and the skin-safe formula contains no chemical ‘nasties’ or potential irritants, such as fragrance, talc, oil and dyes.If you are a lover of liquid foundation but after something silky and light, then you should invest in this beauty! Not only does it provide a flawless, soft, subtle powder finish, it also provides broad spectrum sun protection! Honestly what more could you ask for!“This is the best foundation I have ever used! Firstly, it's mineral makeup so it doesn't clog your skin. Secondly. the coverage is amazing, and it makes your skin look and feel like velvet - honestly the best I have ever used. I have been using this for years and just love it. I get compliments on my makeup all the time.” Sia P ELES Luminous CC Cream 20Colour correcting and broad-spectrum protection in one, the ELES Luminous CC Cream 20 is amazing for everyone but especially those with facial redness or hyperpigmentation as it adapts to your skin tone so it will darken and lighten as needed to blend and conceal!Its multi-Mineral Complex helps to condition skin and provide antioxidant protection while skin nourishing and brightening ingredients help balance your complexion and fight free radicals for a more even, youthful glow!“I just recently purchased the luminous cc cream and I’m very satisfied. The coverage is perfect for my mature skin, and having oily skin I find this cc cream controls it.” Adele K ELES Age-Defying BB Cream 30Not to be mistaken for its sister – the CC Cream, BB Creams or otherwise known as beauty balms, are infused with antioxidants, brightening agents, acids, broad-spectrum SPF to treat the skin while giving it a fresh, even glow, and let me tell you the ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30 is no exception! Multi-faceted it really packs a punch as it quite literally primes, tints, nourishes, protects, evens out skin tone, and helps to strengthen skin on contact. So if you are a busy mum on the go like me, this is for you! It’s your sunscreen, primer, and foundation in one! It's skin caring and skin perfecting in one simple step!! What’s more, thanks to its skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Goji berry, Squalane; its multi-mineral complex, and age defying peptides, over time it will help to promote cell health, strengthen elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and restore that natural glow you once donned! Yessss!“Absolutely love this product. I used it years ago, tried others but nothing compares. Such a beautiful feel on your skin and the perfect amount of glowy/dewy coverage. I love the spf included, I don’t need to use any other product but this on my Face of a morning. Perfect for aging skin when you want a lighter coverage that makes your skin look younger.” Krystle W ELES Dual Action ConcealerPacked with collagen, vitamins C & E, hyaluronic, Tetrapeptide 5 and Matrixyl® Synthe 6™, this anti-aging concealer not only conceals fine lines and dark circles, it smooths, brightens, depuffs and treats them too, all whilst helping gradually improve skin's texture and elasticity around the eyes! Eyes look beautifully refreshed and radiant. Its medium coverage formula provides continuous hydration and a natural longwearing finish. Apply beneath the eyes and pat into the skin to look as though you’ve just slept 10 hours.“I love this product, been using it for 2 years. You only need the littlest amount to hide dark under eyes reduce the look of wrinkles around your nose and mouth. I always have to have it.” Josephine P ELES Mineral Eyeshadows Let’s face it our delicate eye area is just as important as our skin, in fact it’s the first area to show signs of ageing so surely, we want to treat it to good products as we do our complexion! I love a good eye shadow to take my eyes from awake to stand out and the ELES Mineral Shadows have become a firm favourite (and no not just because I biased!) Ingeniously blended with real minerals and vitamins, each individual eye shadow is free of oils, fragrances and other ingredients that can irritate skin. Also free of talc so colour is fresh, clear and incredibly vibrant! The shadows sweep over eyelids without creasing or fading, while reflecting light away from bruises and dark circles, as well as fine lines.They can be applied dry for soft, low-key shadings, or wet for more vibrant effects and come available in a range of matte and pearlized shades in single inserts or a trio compact so you can mix and match colours.“These eye shadows just blend so easily and remain in place for hours without creasing or flaking. They are light enough to use for a sheer wash of colour but are so easy to build for a strong look. The hard part is deciding which colours i want/need/have to have next.” Naomi F
Australia's leading distributor of professional skincare and makeup.
3/14 Roseberry Street, Balgowlah, NSW 2093 Australia
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