Pure Beauty - The Lichfield Beauty Salon

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Our Top Five Sheet Masks

Our Top Five Sheet MasksPhoto by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Sheet masks are an easy and effective way to provide your skin with an immediate and big boost of vitamins and moisture. They’re also a fun way to relax and pamper yourself at home. One reason sheet masks are so amazing is that they create a seal on your skin. This prevents the moisture and vitamins from escaping. Your skin cells get to absorb virtually all of the nourishing ingredients, which also means that you really get your money’s worth! Here are five of our favourite sheet masks for different skin concerns:

Skin Abode Glow Young Face Masks

This powerful gel sheet mask contains a combination of gold, collagen and seaweed that will hydrate, brighten and tighten your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains the perfect formula of natural ingredients to slow down any signs of ageing, including glycerin, as it replenishes the skin’s natural moisturising factor, which becomes depleted with age, enabling your skin to hold on to more moisture, and therefore reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Skin Republic Retinol Infusion Sheet Mask

This sheet mask from Skin Republic contains a potent dose of retinol which targets signs of ageing by smoothing wrinkles and fading the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation. It visibly improves skin tone, texture and firmness and skin appears more radiant, renewed and nourished. It should be left on for 15-20 minutes for maximum results and used once a week for four weeks, then as needed.

CACI – Hydro Mask

This mask from CACI is designed for use on sensitised skin and has a soothing and calming action on the skin that immediately reduces the appearance of skin redness and irritation. It is enriched with intensive moisturising properties that replenish sun damaged and dehydrated skin as well as powerful antioxidant ingredients and helps to smooth and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin Republic Vitamin C Brightening Sheet Mask

As well as offering deep hydration, this sheet mask from Skin Republic contains a high percentage of vitamin C to brighten your complexion. It contains natural antioxidants which hydrate and revitalise the skin to reveal a radiant and luminous complexion while seven plant extracts help reduce the appearance of age spots and imperfections for a bright and even skin tone.

Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Bio-Cellulose Mask

This mask from Medik8 is enriched with detoxifying minerals and deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid to help cool, restore and comfort even the most sensitive of skin types. It contains no alcohol or artificial fragrances, which often irritate dry and sensitive skin and uses bio-cellulose to create an impenetrable veil to lock in moisture tight; deeply infusing the lightweight serum into the skin.

Top Tips for Teen Skin

Top Tips for Teen SkinPhoto by Ernest Brillo on Unsplash

Whether you are a parent or carer of a teenager, or a teenager yourself, navigating the complicated world of teen-specific skincare can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are so many different sources of advice out there, some of which are incredibly helpful, while others are simply focused on selling a product whether it works or not. Here at Pure Beauty, we genuinely care about the complexions of our clients which is why we stock such a wide range of different brands, each of which is suitable for a different skin type or purpose. Today we are looking at teen skin and giving you five of our top tips for looking after it:

Keep It Clean

One of the most important things that you can do to look after teen skin is to keep it very clean. This means making sure that you use a teen-skin specific face wash like Dermalogica Clear Start Foaming wash twice a day, as well as ensuring that you never sleep in your make-up, no matter how tired you’re feeling at bedtime! Ridding your skin of cosmetics and other daily dirt will prevent your pores from becoming blocked and help to wash away bacteria and sebum which can cause spots.

Control Oil

Teen skin can often be guilty of overproducing oil, which means that simply cleansing twice a day may not be enough to keep your oil production under control. However, what many people don’t know is that oily skin can actually be caused by underlying dryness, which means you need an oil free moisturiser like Murad Clarifying Oil Free Water Gel to balance your complexion. It also contains innovative technology that interrupts communication so bacteria can’t form a group and cause outbreaks, making it ideal for teenage skin.

Take Action On Spots

Sometimes, the unfortunate truth is that no matter how much you cleanse and moisturise your skin, breakouts will still happen. Fortunately, using a product like Decleor Rosemary Targeted Solution can help to reduce the appearance of blemishes and soothe red blotches. It is enriched with rosemary essential oils which will not only treat breakouts but also help to prevent them and can be used throughout the day to help reduce the appearance of imperfections.

Avoid Sunbeds and Wear Sunscreen

One of the more outdated pieces of advice which used to be handed to sufferers of acne is that using a sunbed would be good for your skin. These days, we are a lot more savvy when it comes to sunbeds and the damage that they can do. It’s widely agreed that the risk definitely outweighs the benefit, which means we would never suggest sunbed use for any type of skin issue. It’s also worth bearing in mind that wearing a teen-specific sunscreen on a daily basis is important for a couple of different reasons. Using a product like Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30 will not only provide your skin with broad spectrum protection from the sun, it also contains ingredients which help prevent shine, regulate oil production and soothe inflammation. Exposing irritated skin to high levels of UVA and UVB rays can increase inflammation and also lead to hyperpigmentation of scarring, which is why it is so important to protect acne and spots prone skin from the sun.

DON’T PICK!

We are well aware of how difficult it is to avoid squeezing spots, especially when they have unsightly white heads; after all Dr Pimple Popper didn’t get so popular out of nowhere! Having said that, one of the best things that you can do for spot-prone teenage skin is avoid squeezing and picking at your blemishes. Aside from the potential for scarring your face, it’s also possible to introduce more bacteria to your pores by picking at spots, which will worsen them in the long run. If you or your teen are in a position where you’ve already done the picking, we would recommend Dermalogica Post-Breakout Fix as it helps to fade the hyperpigmentation that popping leaves behind. It can be used on marks and inflammation which are new and old and will help to even out your skin tone while restoring and nourishing compromised skin.

Five of the Most Googled Skincare Questions

Five of the Most Googled Skincare QuestionsPhoto by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Regardless of advances in skincare technology or trends which might dictate which products people use, there are certain questions which seem to get asked time and time again. Our clients often ask us questions regarding which are the best products for their skin and there are countless groups on social media where people can go for skincare advice, so with this in mind we thought we’d look at some of the most Googled skincare questions and give you our expert opinion:

What products should everyone have in their skin care routine?

This is an age-old question and one that we’ve attempted to answer in previous posts. For most people, the products themselves will depend on their skin type (someone with acne–prone skin won’t have the same concerns as someone with ageing skin, for instance). However, the main products that we would advocate for in a bare-minimum routine would be a cleanser, a moisturiser and something which contains an SPF, all of which should be targeted for your specific skin type.

How often should you exfoliate?

There aren’t any specific rules on how often you should exfoliate, and again, it will depend greatly on your skin type AND the type of exfoliator you’re using. Once or twice a week is usually more than enough for any type of skin, however something like Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is specifically formulated for daily use on all skin types and won’t cause any redness of irritation with regular usage.

Do you need different products for morning and evening?

While a lot of “experts” will tell you that day creams are just as useful at night, there is a difference between day and night products. Day time formulas will usually be more easily absorbed and designed to be compatible with other cosmetics, while night formulas will be thicker and richer as they generally have a minimum of eight hours to soak into your skin. If you’re looking for a potent night cream which has visible effects on your skin, we highly recommend Elemis BIOTEC Skin Energising Night Cream.

What’s the best age to start using anti-aging products?

Many people will wait until the signs of ageing start to show before reaching for targeted products, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s never too early to use anti-ageing products. The clue is in the name – ANTI-ageing! As we’ve said before, prevention is better than cure so investing in a good anti-ageing regime, such as Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing will allow you to get ahead of the signs of ageing before they begin.

Can you use retinol if you have sensitive skin?

This is a tricky one to answer. Generally speaking, people with sensitive skin can use retinol (highly concentrated vitamin A, to those who don’t know), but they’re better off sticking to a lower concentration or starting low and working their way up. There is, however, a natural alternative to retinol, called bakuchiol. Medik8 have created their CSA Bakuchiol Edition Kit for people looking for a gentle, natural alternative to retinol which still offers powerful results.

Fabulously Fermented – The Latest Skincare Trend

Fabulously Fermented - The Latest Skincare TrendPhoto by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

For many of us, we hear the word “fermented” and the first thing that springs to mind is beer! However, it’s been common knowledge for some time now that fermented foods are incredibly good for you and it’s recommended that you add more fermented foods to your diet for a healthy gut. Skincare brands are also starting to recognise the power of fermented ingredients, so we thought we’d put together a list of some of the best lotions and potions which harness the power of fermentation:

Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Booster

Everything in the Elemis Superfood range contains ingredients derived from superfoods, and in this case it packs a double punch by using fermented extracts of pumpkin and acerola cherry, both of which are rich in brightening AHAs to help smooth away dull skin. As if that weren’t enough, it also contains fermented rice water and green tea seed oil, which are combined with a balancing prebiotic for a nourishing and hydrating boost.

Aromatherapy Associates Eye Zone Concentrate

This concentrated eye treatment from Aromatherapy Associates contains a powerful blend of ingredients to immediately tighten the skin around the eye. A combination of bio-fermented actives, advanced amino acids and an effective pure essential oil blend restore the elasticity of the skin, while edelweiss stem cells help minimise the appearance of fine lines. The product contains a perfect balance between science and nature to give a potent effect.

Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Body Oil

This body oil from Dermalogica is inspired by Korean beauty and contains fermented red ginseng, which calms and nourishes to deliver glowing skin. Bergamot, neroli, orange, patchouli and sandalwood combine to create a delicate yet heady fragrance which leaves skin soft and clean and can be used wet or dry, depending on your preference.

Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter

Another product from the Elemis Superfood range, this cleansing butter contains fermented pumpkin and acerola cherry to cleanse the skin while helping it to glow. The ingredients are packed with AHAs and natural enzymes capable of enhancing the skin’s natural cellular renewal process to gently smooth away dull skin for a fresh glowing complexion.

Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift

This hydrating, cooling eye gel contains a plethora of natural ingredients which work together to improve the skin from the inside out. As well as containing fermented yeast, which is effective at protecting skin lipids, there’s a healthy dose of sea water, indigo seed extract, arctic algae and hyaluronic acid, which all combine to prevent water loss from the skin, enhance the skin’s elasticity and also protect the natural microbiome.

Five Ways to Avoid Cakey Make Up

Five Ways to Avoid Cakey Make UpPhoto by Tamara Bellis on Unsplash

Makeup trends in the past few years have definitely seen more of a preference for a full face with a heavy coverage base, rather than a more minimalist look. This means that creating a flawless finish with your foundation and concealer is important, otherwise your makeup can start to look cakey as the day goes on. There are a number of reasons for this, so we’re exploring some of the things that you can do to avoid this happening:

Exfoliate Your Face

One of the things that can really interfere with the finish of your makeup is dry skin. You don’t even necessarily need to be a dry skin sufferer; if you don’t exfoliate your face then there’s a good chance that your face will have patches which are drier than others and need to be sloughed away. Elemis Superfood Blackcurrant Jelly Exfoliator is suitable for all skin types and will exfoliate your face without drying it out.

Moisturise

Making sure your skin is hydrated is another key step in ensuring that your foundation and other base products give you a smooth, flawless look. Skin which is lacking hydration will not play well with a full coverage foundation and you may find that it sinks into your natural creases or clumps in certain areas. Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser will not only moisturise all skin types, but it also primes the skin to receive foundation and adds a radiance and glow to the complexion.

Blot Away Oil

While dryness can contribute to a cakey base, excess oil can also be a problem. If you’re prone to oily skin, you may well find that your make up has melted away by lunchtime, or it never sits properly on your skin in the first place. Decleor Rosemary White Clay Daily Care is a moisturiser, formulated for oily skin, and helps to keep sebum production under control, making it perfect for use under other cosmetics.

Use a Sponge

Everyone has their own preferred method for applying their moisturiser, but if you want to achieve a flawless base without any cakeiness, we’d highly recommend using an HD Brows Foundation Sponge.  Rubbing the bristles of a makeup brush on your skin can make your skin flaky and the foundation can cling on to these patches and look textured, whereas tapping your skin with a sponge will have a minimal effect on your skin’s own texture.

Set Your Makeup

Whether you have dry skin or not, many of the ingredients in foundations and powders for the face can be quite drying themselves, giving you an uneven finish. Using a setting spray once your makeup is applied, which contains prebiotics and moisturisers, like Murad Prebiotic 3-In-1 MultiMist, is one of the best ways to combat this. It primes and sets makeup while a yeast peptide helps lock in hydration.

Everything You Need to Know About Ceramides

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

As you know if you’re a regular reader, as well as looking at our individual products, we also sometimes like to turn the spotlight on the most important ingredients within those products. Today, it’s the turn of ceramides, and we’re here to teach you everything you need to know.

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are a type of fatty acid called lipids. They’re naturally found in skin cells and make up about half of the outer layer of skin. While ceramides are noted for their role in brain and nervous system development, they’ve gained a lot of interest in the world of skincare for their potential skin health benefits.

What do ceramides do?

Ceramides are essentially the glue that holds our skin cells together to keep our skin barrier intact and healthy. Ceramides are the major component of the skin’s surface. A healthy skin barrier helps seal in moisture and seal out harmful elements. They protect against moisture loss to keep skin youthful, supple and nourish the skin from within.

Why do we need ceramides in our skin care if it’s already in our skin?

Unfortunately, ceramide levels decline as we get older which means that the upper layers of our skin become noticeably thinner and we start to develop fine lines and wrinkles. Decreased ceramide levels are also associated with dry skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. By replacing lost ceramides, your skin is able to replenish itself and retain better levels of moisture for a firmer, smoother appearance.

What products contain ceramides?

REN Clean Skincare Hydro-Boost Instant Plumping Emulsion

This is a water-charging hydration booster designed to work in harmony with the skin, to prevent the ageing effects of dehydration.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is a cream that refills cellular lipids, nourishes dry skin and improves the skin smoothness and overall radiance.

Medik8 Advanced Night Restore

Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore is an advanced antioxidant night cream that works while you sleep to restore and deeply hydrate skin.

Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus Mask

This product is a powerful corrective mask with highly concentrated Retinol to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate

Dermalogica UltraCalming™ Serum Concentrate is a star product in the system, this silky, super concentrated serum helps treat, correct and defend skin against inflammation and redness.

Cooling Your Complexion with Pure Beauty

Cooling Your Complexion with Pure BeautyPhoto by Ben Eaton on Unsplash

If you struggle with dry or combination skin, you probably have issues with sensitivity which can make your skin feel hot and tight. This can make you feel incredibly uncomfortable and can also limit your ability to wear other cosmetics. Fortunately, there are plenty of products out there which offer a cooling boost of moisture to deal with just such issues, and we’ve curated a list of five of the best:

Elemis Superfood Matcha Eye Dew

The skin around the eye area is much thinner and doesn’t always produce as much natural moisture as the skin on the rest of the face, making it susceptible to dryness and feeling tight. This eye dew from the Elemis Superfood range contains matcha, along with extracts of kiwi and honeydew melon, to quench the skin and improve the appearance of redness and fine lines. It protects the skin’s natural biome and reduces the signs of fatigue.

Dermalogica Aqua Jelly

Although it may seem counterintuitive to moisturise oily skin, dehydrated skin can actually become oily because it overcompensates by creating too much sebum. This jelly moisturiser from Dermalogica is a water-based formula which is designed for oily skin and has a cooling effect to help to calm and soothe the skin. It contains natural fruit and flower extracts which have antioxidant powers to rebalance the complexion.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque

Masks are a fantastic product for soothing hyper-reactive skin as they are allowed the time to sink in and really do their work. This corrective masque from SkinCeuticals is a calming botanical mask that rehydrates and soothes temporarily reactive skin. It’s specifically designed for irritated, sensitive skin prone to temporary redness and can even be used after certain intensive laser procedures to reduce inflammation.

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Redness Relief Serum

This serum from REN harnesses the power of white mushrooms to soothe sensitised skin. It should be patted into the skin, rather than rubbed, to reduce friction, and is proven to reduce redness and irritation in just 30 minutes. If you want an even better cooling boost, you can keep it in the fridge between uses. After just seven days of use, the root cause of your redness will be resolved and you won’t suffer with any further dryness, itching, discomfort, flakiness, tightness or burning sensations.

CACI – Hydro Mask

The key to most redness and irritation is replenishing the moisture that your skin has either lost or refuses to make, which is why CACI created this mask. This pack of five sheet masks has a soothing and calming action on the skin that immediately reduces the appearance of skin redness and irritation. They’re ideal for skin which has been damaged by the sun and they also contain powerful antioxidant ingredients to smooth and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Shake Up Your Shampoo Selection with Pure Beauty

Shake Up Your Shampoo SelectionPhoto by averie woodard on Unsplash

When it comes to skincare, you probably wouldn’t buy a cheap supermarket’s own brand and expect it to do wonders for your skin. However, that’s exactly what a lot of people do with shampoo. Most of us just chuck a bottle in the trolley when we’re doing our weekly shop and then wonder why our hair looks dull and lacklustre. You’ll be happy to know that we’ve got a wide variety of shampoos here at Pure Beauty and there’s one for every hair type. Here are some of our favourites:

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Anyone who knows anything about hair knows that Olaplex is one of the leading names in haircare, which is why we stock their Bond Maintenance Shampoo. The formula restores and revitalises hair, leaving it shiny and more manageable after just one use. It’s proven to reduce hair breakage and protect from everyday stress while also helping to prevent hair colour fading. There’s a reason that Olaplex has such a stellar reputation and that’s because it works!

Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood Shine Shampoo

This handcrafted, organic shampoo contains natural ingredients, derived from the baobab tree. The Baobab proteins boost shine by 42% and softness by 27% while also giving intense protection from UV stress and heat. It deeply nourishes the hair for smoother, softer locks and also contains added pomegranate extract, which is high in ellagic acid and helps to     regulate cell turnover and strengthen the cell membrane.

L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Liss Unlimited Shampoo

The L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert collection contains many different shampoos and other hair care products which all do something specific for different types of hair. The Liss Unlimited shampoo is designed to bring discipline and manageability to frizzy, unruly hair. It contains strengthening pro-keratin and the nutri-protective oils of kukui and evening primrose which purify the hair, increasing softness and manageability for up to four days at a time.

Aromatherapy Associates Shampoo

This gentle shampoo from Aromatherapy Associates is the perfect product for you if you hair has lost its “oomph”. Created from a blend of Madagascan ylang yang, strengthening geranium and scalp soothing patchouli essential oils, it leaves hair and scalp healthy and strong. It’s suitable for all hair types but can be particularly useful if you suffer with an oily scalp.

Color Wow Color Security Shampoo

This shampoo from Color Wow performs a number of different tasks which aren;t often included in the same product. It’s a clarifying shampoo which removes dirt and build up without stripping your colour or making your hair look dull. It’s perfect for all hair types and is even safe to use on hair extensions and hair which has been treated with keratin! Best of all; it does all of this while remaining free from silicones and conditioning agents and also being cruelty-free and gluten-free.

Getting to Know the Elemis Superfood Range

Getting to Know the Elemis Superfood Range
Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash

We’ve written before about products from the Elemis Superfood range, but since then, Elemis have added a whole bunch of new products to the Superfood family. While the concept of “superfoods” might just sound like a silly buzzword used to make marketing materials, superfoods are simply foods with high levels of nutrients, and the same can be said for these products. Each harnesses a different power from a superfood to give your skin a treat – here are five of our favourites:

Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter

This cleansing butter from the Elemis Superfood range is designed to not only cleanse your skin but to also drench it in much-needed moisture. It can be used morning and night as an everyday cleanser, but can also be left on for up to ten minutes to be used as a deep cleansing mask. It contains brightening AHAs from pumpkin and acerola cherry to help reveal a fresh-faced glow, as well as mango butter for rich nourishment.

Elemis Superfood CICA Calm Hydration Juice

This Hydration Juice from the Elemis Superfood range is a gel moisturiser, designed for all skin types, and will balance and soothe the skin. The lightweight gel sits beautifully under make-up and is jam-packed with antioxidants for a healthy, glowing complexion. Organic aloe vera juice calms redness and irritation while natural green mandarin and kiwi fruit waters leave the skin looking bright.

Elemis Superfood Fruit Vinegar Liquid Glow

While you may not be keen on the idea of using ‘vinegar’ on your face, this toning product is actually formulated using natural acids from apples, apricots, peaches, blackberries and raspberries. It’s perfect for use after cleansing to ensure your skin has been wiped clear of any daily dirt and grime and will also help to give your complexion a healthy glow.

Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser

As with the Hydration Juice, this priming moisturiser is perfect for use under make-up as it not only primes the skin but gives a long lasting infusion of hydration. It’s a lightweight formula which contains an energising blend of kombucha and fermented ginger to help promote a brighter appearance. It also contains light-reflecting microminerals which  impart a fresh, dewy glow.

Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial

If you have dry, thirsty skin then this night cream from Elemis is going to be a saviour for you. It contains prebiotics which work with your skin’s own biome to rebalance and refresh your complexion and contains camu-camu, a well-known source of vitamin C, and cocoa butter which contains omega 6 and 9 fatty acids. It can be used nightly, or a minimum of twice a week for optimum results, and can be massaged into the face, neck and chest before sleep.

Five of the Best Serums from Murad

Murad serums

Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Many serums which target dark spots will clear the hyperpigmentation, but this Dark Spot Correcting Serum from Murad actually goes even deeper, to target the cause of dark spots. It can be used daily and contains antioxidant resorcinol that helps prevent the look of dark spots for more even skin tone. It also contains tranexamic and glycolic acids, which brighten and revive dull skin while also improving texture.

Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil

This serum from Murad concentrates on giving your skin a deep infusion of vitamins. It contains 6 vitamins, from A to F, to target signs of ageing, boost hydration, brighten skin, and defend from free radicals for a more youthful-looking complexion. It can be used on the face, neck and chest so you needn’t worry about buying three different products to use on those areas, and the fast-absorbing formula will give you an instant radiance boost.

Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment

Anyone who suffers from blemishes, whether they be the odd spot or true acne, knows that even if you’re highly disciplined and never pick or squeeze, sometimes spots will still leave a scar. That’s why Murad developed their InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment, which helps to minimise the look of post-blemish scar size, depth and discolouration in 8 weeks, It uses BHAs to exfoliate the skin and concentrated vitamin C to encourage natural radiance and a healthier-looking complexion.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

When your skin is extremely dry, it can accentuate the signs of ageing as dry skin lacks the plumpness to fill wrinkles. This serum, or Quenching Essence, from Murad is a deeply moisturising product which is formulated with Mexican blue agave leaf extract, to infuse skin with intense hydration, leaving it soft, plump and supple. It also contains glycolic acids to  open hydration pathways in the skin, while a botanical blend of watermelon, apple, and lentil provides the building blocks of skin’s own natural moisturising factor to help reduce dryness.

Murad Intensive Age-Diffusing Serum

The demand for anti-ageing skincare is huge and Murad’s answer to that call was their Intensive Age-Diffusing Serum. It contains plant proteins and phytoestrogens which visibly tighten the skin as soon as you apply it, giving you a more youthful appearance on first usage. It also works on preventing the signs of ageing with palmitoyl tripeptide-37, a youth-building peptide which reverses the visible signs of ageing and decreases the appearance of wrinkles.