Tag Archives: Bravura

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.