Pure Beauty - The Lichfield Beauty Salon

Fantastic Treatments in a fabulous salon with only the best Products and the very Best Beauty Therapists!
 

Foot Care Isn’t Just for Spring and Summer

Footcare isn’t Just For Spring and Summer
Photo by Alicia Zinn from Pexels

Because so many of us spend the colder months of Autumn and Winter with our feet stuffed into thick socks and weatherproof footwear, we often don’t think to perform the standard maintenance that our feet need to be able to remain in great condition by the time sandals weather comes around. However, here at Pure Beauty, we believe that prevention is better than cure and rather than neglecting our feet all winter, we should be looking after our feet all year long. That’s why we’ve curated a list of our five favourite foot care products so that you can take care of your tootsies even when they aren’t on display. 

REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp And Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Bath Oil

One of our favourite ways to take care of our feet is by soaking in the bath with a little of this bath oil from REN. It takes very little effort to just lay there and relax while the oils do the work to soften the skin, and the combination of Atlantic kelp and plankton extracts leave your skin beautifully moisturised and supple. Obviously, it’s not just your feet that will benefit from a soak, either!

Skin Republic Foot Peel Mask

Unless you’ve lived in a cave with no electricity for the last couple of years, you’re sure to have seen the craze for these foot peel masks sweeping the world. The videos of people with huge sheets of skin peeling off of their feet are thanks to this foot peel mask from Skin Republic and although the results take some time, if you’ve got the time and patience to wait for 7 days, there’s very little out there which will give you better results.

This Works Perfect Heels Rescue Balm

If you’re suffering with thick skin on your heels or deep, painful cracks, then using this Rescue Balm from This Works, along with regular soaking and pumicing to remove dead skin, is a much safer method. It will take some time to truly restore your feet and heal any cracks in your skin, but the results will be long lasting and your comfort levels will be massively increased. Let’s face it, no one likes squeezing painful, cracked heels into stiff winter boots!

Bloom and Blossom Spritzy Toes Revitalising Leg and Foot Spray

Winter can be a bad time for heavy, tired feet and legs, with heavy boots and thick socks contributing, especially if you’re doing a lot of walking or standing. Bloom and Blossom Spritzy Toes Revitalising Leg and Foot Spray relieves and revitalises tired feet as well as helping to alleviate water retention and refresh tired legs, ankles and feet. The combination of aloe vera leaf juice, lime oil and pentylene glycol improve circulation and nourish the skin. 

Lycon Lyco’Pedi Kit

If you’re looking for a one-stop solution to all of your foot care issues then this kit from Lycon contains everything you need to pamper your feet. The convenient mini bag contains their Refreshing Soak, Massage Lotion, Sugar Scrub, Hydrating Mask and Smoothing Cream, all of which combine to create the ultimate mini pampering experience to rejuvenate and re-energise tired feet.

Meet FaceLite – Pure Beauty’s Most Technological Skincare Brand

Meet FaceLite - Pure Beauty’s Most Technological Skincare BrandFor many decades now, we’ve been trained to believe that “skin plus light equals bad”. This however is only true for certain types of light and, actually, LEDs provide certain wavelengths of red and near infrared light which can be extremely beneficial to the skin. Facelite is a brand we sell here at Pure Beauty and their products may look like something from the future but we are huge fans of the brand and the potency of their products.

What is FaceLite?

FaceLite masks use phototherapy to trigger a number of different processes within the skin. The masks are embedded with many small LED lights which create energy that is absorbed by the mitochondria of your cells and continues to work even once the mask has been removed.

How does it work?

As we mentioned above, the wavelengths of the LED lights penetrate the skin and are absorbed into the cells. This can enhance the production of adenosine triphosphate which enhances cellular metabolism. It can also increase collagen and elastin synthesis, as well as cell proliferation and enhancing cellular balance within the cell. In layman’s terms, FaceLite encourages your skin to do all of the things that it needs to do in order to remain healthy and youthful.

What results can I expect?

If you’ve been coming to the Pure Beauty site for some time, you’ll know we only partner with brands in whom we truly believe. While some people may look at these masks and feel sceptical about the results, the FaceLite technology has been clinically tested, peer reviewed and found to be effective.

After three treatments per week for four weeks, 98% of users agreed that their skin felt firmer, while 96% agreed their fine lines appeared less visible and 95% agreed that their skin was brighter and plumper. Those are some pretty definitive results, if you ask us!

Is there anything else I need to know?

Some forms of phototherapy are contraindicated if you have pigmentation issues, however face light products help to reduce age spots pigmentation and lighten the overall appearance of hyper pigmented skin.

Is it just for my face?

No! There are actually several different face light products for different areas of your body.

DecoLITE LED Decolletage and Neck Mask

This mask is designed to treat the neck and decolletage, which can be some of the first areas to show the signs of ageing. It’s completely hands-free and portable and can be used alongside other products preferably containing vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E or hyaluronic acid to increase the effects.

HandLITE LED Hand and Wrist Device

For those of you who are worried about the appearance of your hands, the hHandLITE LED Hand and Wrist Device is designed to care for hands which are often neglected and exposed to damaging products and environments. Just like the other FaceLite products the HandLite is completely portable and works on a battery so you won’t need to be tethered to a chunky power supply while using it.

How to Relax with a Home Spa Experience

How to Relax with a Home Spa Experience
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

While this may be referred to as “the most wonderful time of the year“, for many of us it is simply the most stressful time of the year. Between the stresses of work, family commitments, extra shopping and all of the other additional activities of the festive period, it can be increasingly difficult to find a moment for ourselves. Relaxation can be hard to come by, which is why we recommend carving out some dedicated time for yourself to allow your mind and body to decompress and rid yourself of the stresses of the season.

With this in mind we’ve put together a guide to five self-care practices that you can do at home to emulate a relaxing spa experience, while you await an appointment with a professional at Lichfield Beauty Salon. :

Massage

While taking ourselves off to a professional for a massage is one of the ultimates in pampering, there are lots of self-massage techniques that you can do at home. Your temples, neck and shoulders are all prime areas for self-massage and if you want to help to induce sleep and relaxation, using This Works Sleep Plus Massage Relief CBD massage roller will really aid the process.

Facial

Performing a facial to emulate a professional treatment is about more than applying products to your skin. A knowledgeable facial technician will have the skills to perform lymphatic drainage, which will de-puff your skin and increase blood flow. If you want to achieve this at home, the next best thing is using a Skin Abode Super Sculpt Gua Sha, which can help you to do all of the above at home.

Meditation

The very word ‘meditation’ is enough to put a lot of people off, but it can just mean sitting quietly and concentrating on your breathing. This type of meditation can be beneficial to the mind and body, and using Aromatherapy Associates Relax Body Oil before sitting down to meditate can help you drift into a state of relaxation more easily.

Bath

Taking a bath can be a really simple way to indulge in a bit of me-time and contemplative quiet, which can aid relaxation massively. If you add a few drops of REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil to your bath before you slip in, you’ll benefit from this relaxing, pampering bath oil with its soothing scent which calms the mind and leaves your skin nourished.

Sleep

While sleep might not be something you’d do during a day at a spa, when you’re at home, grabbing some extra sleep can be of huge benefit to your body and mind. We recommend using Bloom and Blossom All Night Long Calming Sleep Spray before going to bed as it has been crafted with naturally soothing ingredients to help you unwind and switch off. 99 percent of the ingredients are naturally derived and are formulated to help to reduce anxiety and stress levels.

Never Know What Treatment To Have?

I often have clients pop in for a quick consultation, or even just chat to me whilst their having another treatment done. They are sometimes unsure what treatment to have. It might be they just want to treat themselves, or it is for a special occasion, or they might even have a specific issue they are wanting to address and try and find a solution to.

At our salon is Lichfield, we offer many treatments from many brands. Therefore, I find there is always something to suit everyone. If you’re not local, then ensure that any salon or spa you go to for a treatment chats you through it first, if it is your first time having it, just so you know the in-s and out-s of that you’re about to have done.

If you are looking for some suggestions though, look no further!

So, if you’re looking for a nice relaxing body treatment but want to work out some knots and tension, then I love the Elemis Deeper than Deep Hot Stone Full Body Massage. During the treatment, we use Balinese stones bathed in the Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil, that are then worked deep into the muscles, getting into areas of tension. The result is sparkling vitality with the added bonus of intensely hydrated skin.

Homepage 2018 Massage 2

If you are looking for a lighter pressure, but still want to fully immerse yourself and slip into tranquillity, then any of the Aromatherapy Associates treatments would be ideal. Their renowned and award-winning products and treatments have transformed the aromatherapy experience into something highly effective yet luxurious and exceptional.

As for facials, if you are concerned with ageing and loss of muscle definition in your face, then I suggest you look into electrical machines. They are the top tier of facials, and the microcurrent will help to stimulate and re-train those facial and neck muscles. We offer CACI and BioTec here at our salon, but if you’re not local, then look into what is accessible around you.

If you like hands-on facials, then there are so many ones to choose from. For example, Decleor facials contain a lot of massage, draining techniques and rich products. Whereas the MediK8 facials are stimulating, deeply exfoliating and brightening. Therefore, it is always best to chat to someone, such as a Therapist or a Receptionist, before booking a treatment, as they will be able to offer more insight.

As for waxing, we offer both Strip and Hot Wax. Sometimes it is difficult to know the different between the two of them. However, it is rather simple. Strip Wax is applied directly to the skin, and removed with a strip. It is commonly used for eyebrow waxes, and large areas such as legs, arms, chest and backs. Hot Wax (we use a brand called Lycon) is applied once the areas has been cleansed, and a pre-waxing oil has been applied. Therefore, it does not stick to the skin, only the hair. We use this on areas such as the lip, chin and for intimate waxing, as it is much more gentle than Strip Wax.

So as you can see, there really is a treatment for everyone. Click on the link here to be taken to our Salon website if you wish to browse our treatments further.

Transition your Summer Skincare Routine into Winter

The longer days are now getting shorter, and the weather is beginning to bite a little in the mornings and at night. I know my jumpers are starting to make their way out of the back of my wardrobe, and my dresses and being pushed to the back. When it comes to my skincare, there are certain products that I use all year round, such as my SPF, but there are others that take a back-seat, depending on what time of year it is.

For example, I like to swap out my cleanser from a lighter wash, to a thicker, more cream and balmy consistency. The Medik8 Cream Cleanse is a velvety cleanser, infused with natural shea butter and plant saponins, to effortlessly sweep away make-up and impurities for a refreshed complexion. This would be great for anyone with dehydrated skin, but who may also suffer with oiliness and a few blackheads or breakouts. Whereas the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm would be amazing for a mature, dry skin type, as it dissolves make-up, daily grime and pollutants. Leaving the skin intensely cleansed, nourished and renewed for a glowing complexion. With the added benefit of the anti-ageing ingredient, Padina Pavonica.

As I said, it is important to wear SPF all year around, and I continue to do so even in the winter, as the UVA and UVB rays still come through any clouds that may be in the sky. However, in the summer I would suggest wearing an SPF 50, but going down to an SPF 30 in the winter would be perfectly fine. The Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30 is a light-activated moisturiser that provides broad spectrum defence while preventing future signs of skin damage.

If you are looking to swap out your serum to something much more nourishing, then consider the Decleor Aromessence’s. They come in many scents, each one providing different types of relief for your skin. For example, my personal favourite is the Rose Damascena. It is an elixir of 100% pure and natural essential oils specially formulated for the daily care of sensitive, reactive skin. Thanks to its natural affinity with the skin this serum is rapidly absorbed to soothe, even and stabilise your skin all day long.

As for something a little more nourishing to repair your skin overnight, look no further than the REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm. It is a rich night balm that feeds your skin with lipids from Olive, Almond, Borage and Linseed oils that have been activated to be easily absorbed into the skin to intensely nourish and moisturise. It can also be used on your lips, and others dry areas of the body such as knees and elbows.

So, as the days and nights become colder, and we blast the heating in the house, work and the car, your skin will naturally become more dehydrated, and can even become more sensitive as a result. Therefore, take the first step to nourish and protect it by thinking about popping away those lighter lotions and investing in someone with a little bit more hydration to it.

Our New Treatment…HD Brows, Brow Sculpt!

Here at Pure Beauty, we constantly hope to bring new and exciting treatments to our lovely clients. We listen to our clients and want they are hoping to see us offer next, and we like to look at what is thriving within the industry. As a result, we decided to introduce the new treatment “Brow Sculpt” from one of our pre-existing brands, HD Brows.

Brow lamination is a two-step eyebrow perming treatment that involves correcting the brow shape by setting the hairs in place using a chemical solution. In the first step, a cream is applied that breaks down bonds in the eyebrow hairs, so they can be manipulated into a new position. In the second step, another cream is applied to rebuild these bonds and set the brows in their new uniform position.

If you have unruly, flat or downward growing hairs, eyebrow lamination can change the direction of growth to create a more uniform look with a higher arch and a more desirable brow shape. Brow lamination lasts 4 to 6 weeks generally, with proper care allowing the brow treatment to last as long as 8 weeks.

A patch test will also be needed before this treatment takes place.

However, the brow lamination isn’t the entire treatment. Your brow stylist will tint your brows using a bespoke HD brows tint, mixing a custom formula to suit your hairs to the T.

Once the hairs are perfectly set in their new positions, your brows will be waxed, threaded and tweezed to create the overall perfect shape. Allowing your brows to stand out, without having them too bold.

Finally, similar to the normal HD Brow treatment, finishing touches are applied in the form of the HD Brow make-up. Even if it is just adding in a little stroke or two here and there, completing the entire new look.

If you’re worried that this treatment is just about having eyebrows the “stick up” then there’s no need to worry! This is also a fantastic corrective treatment that totally transforms the brows. Your brow stylist will suit the treatment to your needs, as we always do here at Pure Beauty. On the other hand, if you want the bold, brushed up look, then your stylist can do that too! As with all treatments, be sure to talk through what you want from the treatment beforehand in your consultation.

An interesting fact about this treatment, HD Brows worked with the creators of the LVL Treatment, Nouveau, (which we also offer here at our salon) to create the formulation that lifts the brow hairs. Therefore, the aftercare advice is very similar to the LVL treatment. Avoid getting your brows wet for 24 hours after the treatment and avoided heated and steam treatments, and always treat them with care. After that, simply keep them in line by brushing them with a little spoolie.

Afterwards, if you want to keep up your brow look in-between treatments, just use the HD Brows, Brow Creme to fill in any little gaps where the tint may begin to fade after a few weeks. It comes in many colours, and applies like a creme, but sets to a powder finish to give you that lovely, natural look.

So, if you want to make your brows pop, or just fancy a re-style and want to try something new, call the salon today on 01543 547707 to book in for your patch test and consultation.

Brows Brows Brows!

Eyelash Extensions
Photo by Atikh Bana on Unsplash

With the world as it is nowadays, almost everyone is wearing a mask daily. Whether is it in your workplace, going to the shops or just out in the streets. Not only this, but the regular work Zoom meetings may call for a little make-up and being dressed professionally from the waist up, but most people I know want to take a more relaxed approach at the moment.

Due to this, we as an industry, we have seen the need for the perfect brows boom.

And not just brows, but many treatments that focus from the cheeks upwards, such as eyelash perming and eyelash extensions too. As well as facial treatments that focus on de-puffing the eye area, such as the CACI Eye Revive treatment.

But brows have been a firm staple in many people’s beauty and make-up routine since the 1940’s.

From the thin, droopy brows of the 1920’s, to the 1950’s Marilyn Monroe high arched, fuller brows. Or even the barely-there brows of the 2000’s, where too many people were tweezer happy and plucked away a few too many hairs.

Until now, where the more natural, fuller brow dominates the market.

As well as trends such as microblading, “soap brows” and even a more “windswept” brow look.

At the moment, the word “subtle” is floating around a lot on social media. The overly-done look is slowly being cast aside, and, most likely because of the world we live in at the moment, a more gentle, natural look has walked in to take the main stage. Less is becoming more, and this translates to the brow and beauty scene as well.

Products such as HD Brows “Brow Beater” is a lightweight, transparent gel formula that will give your brows the perfect finish. With regular use, it can train your brow hairs to stay in the position you want them to. Whether you have one or two naughty stray hairs that just won’t play ball, or if you want to try a completely new brow shape, this product will help you achieve your brow goals.

On the other hand, it may be the case that you have too little hair and want to encourage growth. Natural ingredients such as coconut oil and castor oil have been used for many years and yield brilliant results.

There are also professional products such as the Nouveau Lash and Brow Conditioning Serum that is packed full of nutrients such as Pro-Vitamin B5 and Aloe Vera, and can be used on the brows, lashes and even lash extensions to help your lashes and brows grow nice and strong!

As for treatments, at our Salon in Lichfield, we offer different options for the brow area. From a simple tweeze, to a wax and tint, to your detailed and defined HD Brows. Our Therapists take each client’s face shape, brow condition and their vision for their brows into account. After a detailed consultation they will work with you to achieve your ultimate brow goals.

We hope everyone is staying happy, healthy and well during this time, and are looking forward to treating everyone in our lovely salon very soon.

Five Places You Don’t Expect to Get Acne

Five Places You Don’t Expect to Get Acne
Photo by Audrey Jackson on Unsplash

For most of use, when we hear the word “acne” we think of someone usually in their teens and usually with spots on their face. However, this is a totally inaccurate perception of what an acne sufferer is. Acne can occur at any age, and adult acne doesn’t always manifest on your face. With this in mind, we thought we’d look at five place where you don’t expect to acne, but sometimes still do:

Scalp

When you think logically, the scalp is actually a really obvious place for acne to occur – it’s a sebaceous area which produces oils, and rarely gets exfoliated, unless you have very short hair. This means that it’s easy for the pores to get blocked with excess oils and for acne to occur. Acne can also be exacerbated by underlying dryness, so treating your scalp with Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Hair and Scalp Mask would be a good place to start.

Buttocks

Okay, so no-one wants to talk about having a spotty bottom, but believe us, it’s more common than you may think. One issue with the buttocks is that they deal with a lot of friction but often aren’t included in your exfoliation routine. Investing in an Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush and regularly dry brushing the area will dramatically improve the appearance of acne on your buttocks.

Armpits

Acne in the armpits is usually exacerbated by shaving, so opting for a different hair removal method may help. However, if you absolutely must shave, ensure you prep your skin with Elemis Sea Lavender and Samphire Salt Scrub to lift the hairs and prevent your pores from becoming clogged.

Ears

The ears are another place where the skin has similar oil-producing properties for the face, which means that acne is able to form there. Acne in the ear is generally caused by a buildup of dirt, shampoo and earwax and can be quite tricky to treat. The best thing is to leave them to heal naturally and don’t be tempted to pick at or pop any spots that occur. While we don’t advocate putting anything IN your ear, you can try dabbing a little Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster onto spots which erupt on the outer part of the ear.

Neck

Acne doesn’t just stop where your face ends – spots will often develop on your neck and even your upper chest, too. The best way to deal with this is to invest in an acne-busting kit like Dermalogica Clear Start Clearly Matte Kit and make sure you include your neck and chest in your daily routine.

How to find self-compassion for you

www.pexels.comHave you ever noticed that you are way too harsh on yourself?

That you are worried about what other people think about you?

You’re afraid of doing something wrong?

Letting others down?

Always trying to be perfect, but end up feeling like a failure?

We think it’s time for this to stop, and that 2020 is all about learning how to show yourself some self-compassion each day. We have some top tips about how you can look after yourself more and make your space, a better place.

Breathe in essential oils
We are massive fans of essential oils as they can help you to deal with things like anxiety and insomnia, as well as being super soothing for your skin, and they are part of the self-compassion mix. Every time you start to hear those negative comments coming into your head, just stop, find an oil like geranium, rose or lavender and put a little on your wrists. As you breathe in and out, take in their soothing scent and let them get to work.

Inhale C-O-M-P-A-S-S-I-O-N.

Exhale N-E-G-A-T-I-V-ITY.

Repeat five times.

You might find that using oils in the bath is another way to get the benefits, so at the end of a long day, rather than scroll through social media or binge on a TV box set, run the water, get in and relax.

Self-compassion meditation
Meditation might seem like a buzzword, but this form of self-compassion can help you find inner peace and calm. It’s a little like the breathing exercise above but with added visualisation.

1. Close your eyes, take in a few deep breaths and bring your attention to the present moment.
2. Visualise someone you love unconditionally. Your mum, partner, best friend, or even your dog and imagine they are with you under a clear, blue sky.
3. Put your hands on your chest and on top of your heart and feel the love you have for that person, or pet.
4. Feel this love and connect to the compassion you have within yourself.
5. Take a series of deep breaths, in and out, and just feel the love you have for them and for you.
6. When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes and bring your attention back to the room.

Nourish Your Body
As well as nourishing your mind, you also have to nourish your body if you really want to look after yourself. Our thoughts and feelings can positively, or negatively affect our bodies, so if you can build a healthy relationship with the two by enjoying a good, well balanced diet then things can change. We aren’t saying you have to become a vegan overnight, or that you can’t enjoy treats, but make sure you get your five a day, drink plenty of water, try wholegrains and give the take-aways and energy drinks a miss because they won’t do you any favours.

Know you are enough
Many of us struggle with feelings of inadequacy and try to live up to impossible expectations. It’s easy in our digital age to feel as if something is missing in our lives if we aren’t always winning. In a ‘culture of more’, we don’t always appreciate what we have and it’s easy to look for more and more things to fill a void. You don’t need to do that and can simply say that at this very time, you are enough. It sounds hard, and it might take time, but simply saying you are enough several times a say is the kind of self-compassion we are talking about.

Self-awareness is key to self-compassion
We need to stop the negative self-talking when it starts because this energy can really bring us down. When you start to feel that things are getting a little dark or too much, stop, sit down and take a moment to remember that the power is YOU! If there’s a friend who brings you down, don’t spend too much time with them. If travelling on the tube makes you feel claustrophobic, take the bus. If your job is just too much for you, look around for another one or speak to your manager about making changes. If you can spot the triggers that make life hard, you can put self-compassion into place and change these toxic patterns.

Team Pure Beauty

Get Luxurious with Pure Beauty

Get Luxurious with Pure Beauty
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Even if you’re the sort of person who is very low key and low maintenance on a day-to-day basis, almost all of us enjoy some sort of luxury now and again. This could be your choice of clothes, shoes, handbags or homewares, but for us the real way to treat yourself to something luxurious is by investing in some skincare which will make you feel a million dollars. With this in mind, we’ve curated a list of five of our most luxurious products so that you can invest and treat yourself to some high end luxury in your own home.

Elemis Luxury Cleansing Cloth Duo

These luxury cleansing cloths are made from super soft pure cotton and ideal for removing cleansers, exfoliators and masks. The loose fibre cotton is perfect to enable use as an intensive nourishing treatment and the lightweight fibres ensure a softness of touch on the skin which is less abrasive than a traditional muslin.

Decleor Marjolaine Nourishing Night Balm

This meltingly soft balm from Decleor has an uplifting fruity scent which helps to repair and regenerate the skin throughout the night, so that you wake up to skin which is smooth and supple and looks brighter and more radiant. It contains a rich blend of cocoa and shea butter as well as marjoram and lavender essential oils, plus cranberry, argan and avocado oils which combine to create a luxurious treatment for dry and aging skin.

Elemis Superfood Facial Oil

This facial oil from Elemis contains a luxurious blend of oils derived from anti-oxidant and omega-rich broccoli, flax seed, rosehip, cucumber, macadamia, poppy, rice bran, meadowfoam seed and daikon radish to feed the skin, helping to soften and smooth. It’s a non-greasy formula which glides onto the skin, leaving it feeling deeply nourished and cared for.

Decleor Nourishing Body Balm

Decleor created this body balm to help soothe dry feeling skin. It’s blended from a luxurious combination of frankincense essential oil, shea butter, tamanu and macadamia oils, so the skin feels nourished with moisture, as well as being softer and more supple. It has a unique texture which melts into the skin, making it ideal for an extra luxurious massage.

Elemis The Luxury Travel Collection For Him

Never ones to forget their male clients, Elemis created this travel kit so that the men in your lives can take a little bit of luxury with him when he travels. It contains Skin Soothe Shave Gel, Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, Daily Moisture Boost and Sharp Shower Body Wash, which are the perfect products for staying fresh while travelling.