Tag Archives: Amanda Elias

Top Tips For a Skin-Friendly Summer

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amandaeliasAmanda Elias, beauty expert and founder of Bravura London has her top tips for a skin-friendly Summer.

1 – The first thing you want to think about is sun protection; the sun is the main cause of premature ageing which can leave your skin dull, dry, wrinkled and with hyperpigmentation (brown spots). Protect all exposed skin with a broad spectrum SPF (protects against both UVA & UVB) of at least 30, preferably a mineral SPF which acts as a sunblock to instantly block the sun’s rays. Look for a product that’s waterproof and don’t forget your lips, ears and the back of your neck. Re-apply frequently.

2 – You may know about cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising your face but do you spend as much TLC on your body? Ensure you exfoliate at least twice a week and if possible, slather yourself daily (after your shower) in your favourite body lotion.

3 – Do you find your skin flushes when you get hot? Keep a refreshing water spray or toner spray at hand to spritz your face and neck when you feel yourself overheating

4 – Avoid wearing perfumes on your skin; when the sun hits the areas of skin that contain perfumes it can cause irritation. Fragrance your hair by spraying your hairbrush then brush through your locks, every time you swish your hair you’ll be surrounded by a beautiful fragrance.

5 – Sun and lip gloss aren’t a good combination, remember the days of people baking in the sun covered in baby oil? Same thing. Get yourself a good lip balm that contains an SPF, you can get plenty that have colour or line your lips with a lip pencil then top with a clear SPF balm.

6 – Parched skin after too much alcohol and sun? Intensely nourish your skin with an oil such as jojoba oil, this non-comedogenic (won’t block your pores) oil is more of a wax and is close to your skin’s natural oil. For sun burnt skin, help the healing process with pure aloe vera gel and apply 3-4 times a day.

7 – Don’t forget to hydrate yourself, to keep your body functioning properly and to aid in the removal of toxins from our body it needs to be well hydrated so be sure to drink 2-3 litres of liquid (sadly this doesn’t include dehydrating substances such as cocktails and coffee) per day.

Seven Steps to Spring Clean His Skin: Beauty Tips For Men

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With Spring having sprung, ladies up and down the land are scrambling to shave their winter legs and pedicure those forgotten-about feet. But what about the Gents? Skincare Expert and Facial Therapist Amanda Elias has the solution, with Seven Steps to Spring Clean his Skin:

  1. Soften that winter skin with a gentle moisturiser that contains alcohol or perfume, particualrly after shaving. It’s essential to moisturise so that you rehydrate the skin; shaving will strip the skin of its natural moisture.
  2. Don’t have a cleansing routine in place? Spring’s the time! Use a face gel/wash for oily, combination skin when cleansing – and a cream cleanser for dry skin. Cleanse daily; once in the morning and twice in the evening.
  3. Shave off that winter face fuzz but never dry shave; this can seriously irritate and dry out the skin. Always use a shaving gel or oil. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any products that contain menthol.
  4. Consider new products. When it comes to your spring skincare, you don’t have to use just the brands targeted for men. If you have similar skin complaints to your girlfriend/mother/sister ask to try their products to see how they work for you.
  5. Get rid of those dry lips by applying a lip balm regularly throughout the day. A stick lip balm is easier and quicker to apply then the balms in little pots. Why not leave one on your desk at work as a reminder to apply?
  6. Dispel of dry hands with an exfoliator to remove the dry, dead skin and then moisturise. Start by mixing a little sugar and olive oil together and scrub your hands for roughly a minute, rinse off and then apply some of the olive oil in to your dry hands. For best results, gently warm the olive oil (warm not hot), apply to your hands and then cover your hands with a pair of cotton socks. Leave for a few hours or for even better results, leave on overnight. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, why not treat yourself to a Man-icure?
  7. Don’t leave sweaty skin after your new year workouts. If you notice breakouts on your body after exercising, use a medicated wash to cleanse the skin as soon as possible after each session. If you don’t have time to shower, quickly wipe over your skin with a clean, cotton flannel and change out of your sweaty workout clothes. Always use a clean flannel and towel.

Spring Clean Your Beauty Bag

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There’s nothing like a good spring clean, but it’s not just your house that may need a good clear out; how long have you had that blue eye shadow in your make-up bag? What about that body lotion lurking in your bathroom? A lot of people keep skincare and makeup way past their use by date but old products are a breeding ground for bacteria which you are then transferring to your skin.

springcleanyour beautybag

Follow Skincare Expert & Facial Therapist Amanda Elias’ DO’s and DON’Ts to ensure a clean beauty cabinet this Spring.

  • DO use a marker pen to note the date you’ve open the product. Most skincare products only have the months in which they should be discarded after use rather than an actual date. By noting the date you’ll know when to discard it if left unused.
  • DON’T keep make-up or skincare “for best” because there’s a good chance they’ll pass their expiry date before you use them. If you’ve splurged, reap the benefits by using your products regularly and while they’re at their optimum.
  • DO wash your hands or use the end of a spoon as a spatula before scooping product out of a jar to prevent the spread of bacteria.
  • DON’T use product which has separated, changed colour, changed in smell or has started to irritate your skin; take this as an indication to replace it.
  • DO follow the life expectancy of cosmetics;
  • Mascara – 3 months
  • Liquid foundation and concealer – 12-18 months.
  • Lipstick and Gloss – 2 years for lipstick and 1 year for gloss. A good sign that a lip product has gone off is that it can leave the lips irritated or tingly.
  • Nail Varnish – 2 years. If the product separates and doesn’t combine when you shake it, it’s time to replace it.
  • Eye and lip pencils – as these are sharpened you are constantly removing any bacteria so they should last for at least 2 years.
  • Powders such as Eyeshadow, Blusher and face powder generally last 2 years, if you notice the product is dryer than it used to be, replace.
  • DON’T ignore your make-up brushes; these should be cleaned once a week. I like to clean my foundation brush daily as bacteria can grow quickly. My tip is to clean my foundation brush and an extra brush every time I put my make-up on, which guarantees all the brushes I use are always clean and free from bacteria.

If you’ve bought make-up and skincare within the last 6 months that you don’t like or use, why not have a swapping party with your friends? There’s a good chance they’ve also got recently purchased, unused products in their make-up bag or beauty cabinet.

For any skincare or make-up products or accessories that are in great condition but aren’t being used, why not donate them to this worthy cause? http://www.giveandmakeup.com.

Highly experienced within the industry, Amanda Elias is the brains behind effective yet affordable skincare brand, Bravura London – a business founded following Amanda’s own skin problems and subsequent discovery of using AHA, BHA and Hydraulic Acid for troubled skins.

 

Achieve Oscar-Winning Skin

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While red carpet glitz and glamour is achieved by fabulous stylists and make-up artists, fresh, glowing skin is definitely the best accessory- and you don’t need a celebrity budget to look good.

Follow Facial Therapist and Skincare Expert Amanda Elias’ inexpensive solutions to Oscar-Winning Skin:

EXFOLIATING

WHY? Exfoliating removes the dead skin layer which sits on the surface of our healthy, new skin. When there is an accumulation of dead skin, it leaves the complexion looking lifeless and grey because light isn’t reflected evenly. By removing this dead skin the light will reflect evenly and directly off your healthy skin.

oscarwinningskin

HOW? You can achieve beautiful skin with scrubs but my personal recommendation would always be chemical exfoliation. Using a product daily that contains AHA’s (like Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid) or a BHA (like Salicylic Acid) will gently exfoliate by loosening the bond that holds the dead skin to the surface, rather than scrubbing it which can cause irritation and inflammation in sensitive or problem skin. Don’t let the word acid scare you; daily use products typically contain a concentration of 10% AHA and lower so although powerful, they won’t burn the skin.

SUFFERING WITH ACNE OR BLACKHEADS? Exfoliation is the key treatment. These conditions occur when dead skin and oil gets trapped within the pores and bacteria breeds. By removing the dead skin you’re helping to prevent these blockages which in turn will reduce the breakouts. Using chemical exfoliants rather than a manual scrub will also help to fade any discolouration left over from spots.

FIGHTING THE SIGNS OF AGEING? Glycolic and lactic acid helps by increasing cell turnover, this in turn stimulates the production of collagen which is the support matrix of the skin. Collagen starts to break down as we get older which is why we want to stimulate the body to produce more; lots of collagen means plumper skin and less wrinkles.

UNEVEN SKIN ON THE BODY? If you have rough skin with red dots on your arms, thighs or bottom this could be a condition called Keratosis Pilaris. This is caused by too much keratin, found in the top layer of the skin, blocks the pores. There is no cure but exfoliating, especially with AHA’s and BHA’s, can make a dramatic difference to the appearance and texture of the skin.

So you’re well exfoliated, now there’s cleansing and moisturising.

CLEANSING is essential to keep the skin healthy and you looking your best. The majority don’t cleanse enough; twice in the evening (note evening not night) and once in the morning. If you find cleansing often strips your skin, change your cleanser. Use a cleanser designed for your skin type and steer clear of soap. With its high PH, soap can cause dryness as well as help bacteria to breed in problem skin.

MOISTURISING is vital, particularly with product that contains an SPF. In the winter UVA is still present in the atmosphere; while UVA doesn’t burn us (it’s the UVB rays from the sun that cause burning) it can still cause premature ageing and is the number one cause of ageing to our skin. No matter what anti-ageing products you use, if you don’t use an SPF daily- even when it’s grey and miserable- you’re not fighting ageing.

When choosing a moisturiser make sure you choose one for your skin type to keep your skin moisturised and therefore youthful.

If you have oily skin but you use an anti-wrinkle cream designed for mature skin, it’s likely to cause breakouts and can leave the skin looking puffy. If you don’t like moisturising because it leave a sheen on the skin, look for a moisturiser that has a matte finish.

GLOW Leonardo Dicaprio dazzled on the red carpet showing off an enviable tan recently. To get a healthy, natural looking glow I would recommend a spray tan for both men and women. If you’d rather give it a go yourself, try a tan like Cocoa Brown which gives a gentle tan in only an hour. If you have facial hair, be careful to gently rub as close to the hair as possible or you’ll have a tan line around the hair.

Highly experienced within the industry, Amanda Elias is the brains behind effective yet affordable skincare brand, Bravura London  a business founded following Amanda’s own skin problems and subsequent discovery of using AHA, BHA and Hydraulic Acid for troubled skins.

 

3 Beauty Myths Shattered

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amandaeliasWe are all guilty of believing old wives tales or taking myths to the extreme when it comes to beauty. Thanks to the facial therapist, skincare expert and Bravura London founder -Amanda Elias – you can now put these 3 beauty mistakes to bed.

 Blemishes are caused by oily skin 

FALSE. Dry skin can suffer from bacterial breakouts too. Particularly when the skin is dry and flaky as this excess skin will block the pores and cause bacteria to multiply, therefore creating a spot.

Collagen creams will help put collagen back in your skin 

FALSE. The natural collagen in your skin is too deep for any cream to penetrate. A collagen based cream will help nourish your skin but it won’t stimulate the collagen production. Products such as glycolic acid and lactic acid increase skin turnover which in turn can also stimulate collagen.

 Facial oils are only suitable for dry skin 

FALSE. Even oily skin can become dehydrated; but the oil you use is very important. Opt for oils such as Jojoba which has similar properties to your skin’s natural oil, or Castor Oil which can help to clear blocked pores.

 

Amanda Elias is the founder of Bravura London, which prides itself on providing the best quality, effective pharmaceutical skincare products at affordable prices.

The 5 Secrets To Avoiding Acne

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amandaeliasFrom Facial Therapist, Skincare Expert & Bravura London founder, Amanda Elias

With hormones going haywire, teenagers can really suffer from a multitude of problems, one of which is dreaded acne. From mild to severe, acne can be extremely traumatic at such a sensitive age but it really is best to address the problem as early as possible and to get your teenager in to a good skincare regime as soon as possible; prevention is much better than cure.

Cleansing

Cleansing is extremely important but choosing the right product is essential.

Avoid cleansing wipes which don’t cleanse the skin thoroughly enough. Older teenagers tend to prefer a cleansing wash that’s applied and rinsed but younger teens don’t always rinse properly, in which case a light cream cleanser removed with a clean face flannel works best.

Application is important, when teaching a younger teen ensure they massage all over the face and neck, close to the hairline and behind the ears and neck. Cleanse twice in the evening and once in the morning.

Use a gentle treatment daily for acne prone skin; if dryness occurs use the product every other day. If your skin burns or feels itchy, gets very red or you break out in a rash, discontinue use.

Hair

A thick fringe (bangs) may be fashionable but it can cause outbreaks in young, oily skin.

Wash the fringe every morning and clip it off the face in the evening and to sleep; trapped dirt and oil will introduce bacteria in to the skin which is why it’s essential to keep any hair that touches the face as clean as possible.

Spot-Control

When spots have a head it is so tempting to squeeze but squeezing will not only introduce bacteria in to the open wound but popping the skin could leave a scar, think of what happens when you pop bubble wrap, imagine your skin with that tear in the surface! Neat tea tree oil applied directly on to the spot can help reduce bacteria and dissolve the blockage on the surface. Perform a patch test on the jaw line before applying tea tree all over as it can cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Avoid strong acne products which can irritate sensitive, young skin. A product such as the Dermaflannel (£11.99, www.bravuralondon.com) is perfect because it gently exfoliates and helps to remove excess oil and dirt from the pores without the need for any harsh chemicals.

Lifestyle

Although skincare can help control and heal breakouts, a healthy and active lifestyle can play a big part.

Vitamins and herbal supplements can also play an important role when combating any skincare complaint; a visit to an herbalist or a specialist in vitamins and supplements could be beneficial in balancing the hormones which in turn will control acne.

Make sure anything that comes in to contact with the face is clean; face flannels, towels, hands! And remember to change your pillow regularly.

Medication

In teenage skin where acne is very severe, the best option is a visit to the Doctor who will usually recommend a course of antibiotics.

Office To Party in 5 Minutes | Beauty

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Jourdan DunnFrom Office to Party in 5 minutes; Amanda Elias of Bravura London shares her DO’s and DON’Ts for an effortless transition from Day to Night this party season.

  • DO use a toner if you don’t have time to remove your make-up. Spritz over the face and blot away or gently wipe over with a cotton pad, this will remove any excess oil and the bulk of your make-up. Then apply your foundation and powder.
  • DO exfoliate your skin in the morning or use a product containing AHA; this will remove the dead skin instantly leaving your skin looking fresher and your make-up will go on smoother and last longer.
  • DON’T worry about having to tie back hair for work. Invisibobbles are plastic rings which allow you to tie your hair back without leaving kinks.
  • DON’T apply heavy makeup first thing. Keep your makeup light in the morning, that way it will be easier to touch up in the evening. Use tinted moisturiser or a BB cream and keep the eyes light or neutral.
  • DO apply a good primer in the morning as this will help your foundation last longer.
  • DON’T be afraid of hairpieces, for a quick and elegant updo they can really transform your look in minutes- just be sure to match your hair colour as closely as possible. If you’re not a fan of faking it, a bun ring can create an elegant look with minimal effort.
  • DON’T have time to fix your eyeshadow? Keep it neutral and apply a bold lip colour. If you have dramatic, bold eyes, keep your lips neutral.
  • DO give yourself a basic manicure the night before; polished and evenly shaped nails can really complete a look without much effort.
  • DO get those false lashes out, they don’t have to be overly long or dramatic. Popping on a pair of lashes can instantly transform your tired eyes to look brighter and sexier. If you’ve never applied lashes then practise, practise, practise- 5 minutes before you’re due to leave is not the time to try false eyelashes for the first time.
  • DO drink plenty of water thought the day and cut back on the caffeine, hydrated skin looks more youthful.
  • DON’T suffer in silence. If you’re nervous about how to apply make-up properly or fancy a new look, Youtube will become your new best friend! Pixiwoo gives the most amazing, easy to follow make-up tutorials.

Esteemed within the skincare industry, Mum-of-three Amanda is an expert when it comes to all things parenting, skincare and beauty

Skincare Tips for Men

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Ben_Affleck to play batmanDon’t use a moisturiser that contains alcohol or perfume after shaving, use a gentle moisturiser. It’s essential to moisturise so that you rehydrate the skin, shaving will strip the skin of its natural moisture.

Do use a face gel/wash for oily, combination skin when cleansing – and a cream cleanser for dry skin.

Don’t dry shave, this can seriously irritate and dry out the skin. Always use a shaving gel or oil. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any products that contain menthol.

Do use any brand. When it comes to skincare, you don’t have to use just the brands targeted for men. If you have similar skin complaints to your girlfriend/mother/sister ask to try their products to see how they work for you.

Don’t rub or pick dry lips; apply a lip balm regularly throughout the day, a stick lip balm is easier and quicker to apply then the balms in little pots.

Do exfoliate dry hands (remove the dry, dead skin) and then moisturise. Start by mixing a little sugar and olive oil together and scrub your hands for roughly a minute, rinse off and then apply some of the olive oil in to your dry hands. For best results, gently warm the olive oil (warm not hot), apply to your hands and then cover your hands with a pair of cotton socks. Leave for a few hours or for even better results, leave on overnight.

Don’t leave sweaty skin after a workout. If you notice breakouts on your body after exercising, use a medicated wash to cleanse the skin as soon as possible after each session. If you don’t have time to shower, quickly wipe over your skin with a clean, cotton flannel and change out of your sweaty workout clothes. Always use a clean flannel and towel.

Do’s and Don’ts from highly-experienced facial therapist, Bravura London founder and Mum of Three, Amanda Elias.