Our Blog – Page 28 – Pure Beauty – The Lichfield Beauty Salon

Foods to boost your winter heath

05/11/2019 03/11/2019 0

Yes, you can have the flu jab, and take supplements, but if you want to keep coughs and colds away this winter, you may want to think about what you eat.

The chilly days and dark nights might have you reaching for comforting cakes and sugary chocolate, but what you really want to be serving up is healthy food that will help boost your immunity and keep you from harm’s way.

We aren’t saying you have to do a total kitchen cupboard overhaul, but simply making some swaps and adding some new foods to your plate could be all it takes to get in tip-top condition.

Brilliant broccoli
You need broccoli in your life simply because it’s bursting with bug fighting nutrients and also contains choline which is good for your gut. Yes, you can cook your broccoli, but also try eating it raw because it’s more nutritious this way. Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and kale are also winning winter foods, so stock up, get eating and feel fabulous.

Call time with cinnamon
When you next enjoy a cuppa, ease up on the sugar and instead sprinkle some cinnamon on the top of your drink. You might think this spice is only for Christmas, but cinnamon is great for your gut and immune system, so if you end up with a cold, it should help it clear up quicker. You can also try mixing it with raw honey, which has similar properties, or put in healthy puddings and smoothies, give it a go and see what works for you.

Glorious garlic
As well as tasting great, did you know that raw garlic is brilliant at helping your immune system to fight fit? Well, it does! This is because it comes with amazing natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, that are key to warding off illnesses and speed up recovery too. Simply crush or slice garlic cloves and add to salad dressings and veggies, and if you can’t go cold with this, you can add to curries, sauces, stir-fries, roasts and many other dishes, but whatever you do, add it.

Oranges
Nothing new here, but we will tell you once again that vitamin C is a sure-fire way to help you fight off infections. Vitamin C isn’t stored in your body so you need to try and have foods that contain it every day. If oranges aren’t your thing, then tomatoes, peas, and peppers also have a healthy dose of the good stuff, and there is nothing stopping you from taking a supplement and drinking lemon with hot water and ginger is pretty good for you, too.

Watermelon
Watermelons come with a good serving of citrulline which helps keep your heart healthy, and they’re jam-packed with vitamins A, C, and B6 too, so if you spot them in the shops – buy them. The goodness carries on because the lush red flesh is full of the lycopene that not only helps strengthen bones but keeps your immunity balanced.

Yogurt
Rather than having milk with your cereal, why not drop have a dollop or two of yogurt instead? Go for a decent brand that contains friendly bacteria as this will help your immune system fight bad gut bacteria and encourage your body to produce more white blood cells, which are key to being happy and healthy.

So, bin the biscuits and get healthy this winter.

Team Pure Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion, Manicures

How To Look After Your Nails Between Salon Visits

02/11/2019 01/11/2019 0

Visiting a salon to have your nails done feels like a lovely, luxury treat for many of us. However, even if you’re lucky enough to have your nails done by a professional on a regular basis, you still sometimes need to do a little bit of maintenance yourself, between visits. With this in mind, we’ve put together a little guide to show you what you can do to keep your nails in tip-top condition, even if you’re not due to see your regular manicurist for a while:

Keep Your Nails Tidy

Nails don’t always grow evenly, and they can also chip between salon visits. The best way to attend to this while keeping them strong and healthy is to file them into a rounded shape. File your nails from the outer edge into the centre so that each half is filed in one direction. This helps keep nails even, which prevents snags and breakages.

Don’t Cut Your Cuticles

If your cuticles have started to look ragged and untidy before your appointment, you might be tempted to cut them, but this is something that should really be left to a professional. Your cuticle protects the base of your nail and cutting them yourself can lead to uneven nail growth and even infections. Push them back with a rubber-ended cuticle stick.

Use Cuticle Oil

If your cuticles need a little more attention, then use Nailtiques Cuticle Care Oil. It comes in a handy rollerball applicator to help you to apply it in the right area with no mess and no fuss. This fresh formulation with a blend of sunflower, safflower, avocado and hemp seed oil will help keep your cuticles and skin soft and healthy.

Give Your Nails a Protective Layer

If your nails are already painted, you might not want to do anything to them, but if your nails are clean then giving them a coat of Orly Breathable Treatment and Shine Clear could really help to improve the health of your nails. It contains advanced oxygen technology which will help to nourish and hydrate to strengthen and grow with argan oil, pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin C all in one longer lasting formula.

Remember Your Whole Hand

It’s often the case that hands which are suffering from all-over dryness will also affect the nails, so remembering to hydrate your hands is essential for healthy nails. Nailtiques Hand Conditioner contains pure aloe, jojoba oil, glycerine and natural soluble collagen to deeply nourish. The cream is lightweight, non-greasy and fast absorbing, leaving your hands feeling soft, supple and cared for.

Health and Happiness, Uncategorized

Avoid burnout by practising self-care

29/10/2019 28/10/2019 0

Self-care is quite simply any activity we do on purpose to help take care of our own mental, emotional, and physical health. It sounds like a super simple concept, but it’s something that is often overlooked.

The reality is that self-can isn’t a luxury, but something that is vital for good mood and reduced anxiety as well as cutting down the likelihood of exhaustion, stress, anxiety, and burnout which you really want to avoid.

Signs of burn out include becoming withdrawn from family and friends, drinking too much alcohol, eating badly, not getting enough sleep and having a general feeling of low mood and dissatisfaction.

We spend so much of our time caring for others, we often sacrifice our own needs. Self-care is different for everyone but the important thing is that you take 10 to 15 minutes a day, to do something that allows you to totally relax and let go.

As well as eating a good diet, drinking lots of water, taking exercise and sleeping well, we have some easy ideas that will allow self-care to not only slip into your life but make it better too.

Reading
It doesn’t matter what you read, but reading is a great way to escape from life and go somewhere a little slower for a little while. Whether it’s the current bestseller, a classic or an easy to read chic lit novel, let the words leap off the page and feed your mind and imagination. Book clubs, local libraries and reading in coffee shops are all good ways to start something you may have left behind, and once you are hooked on a book the world will simply fall away and burnout will be on the back burner.

Meditation
Whether you use an app, go to a class or simply find a quiet spot at home, a little meditation can go a long way towards keeping burnout away. Find something that allows you to leave the stress of the day at the door so you can collect your thoughts, slow down your heart rate and let life go back to basics for a while.

Yoga
We love yoga at Pure Beauty because it allows you to look after your mind, body, and soul. A class can be sociable, but with many online lessons and apps out there, you can also do downward dogs to your heart’s content at home!

Gardening
If you think you haven’t got green fingers, think again. Being outside, at one with nature, creating and nurturing is a fantastic way to bring things down a notch or two and take care of yourself. You might have a big garden, a window box or a simple patio with pots, whatever it is, go out there and as you see flowers, plants and herbs grow, burnout will be the last thing on your mind.

Talk it out
You might not want to burden others with your problems but talking can be a good way to practice self-care and keep burnout at bay. What you might see as a nightmare with no escape, could actually be viewed as an exciting opportunity by someone else. It could be your partner, mum, sister, friend or even a colleague, but chatting over a cuppa is a self-care treat many of us don’t indulge in often enough.

Treat yourself
A massage, manicure or pedicure at a salon is a real self-care treat and while you can’t do it everyday, once in a while is fine. Let someone else take over while you simply lie back and let your worries fade away.

Crafting
Anything you do that stops your mind racing and worrying is a good way to improve mental health and crafting is high on the list. Knitting, crochet, painting or scrapbooking are all easy, but effective ways to add self-care into your life and can be really beneficial in preventing burn out. Find something you enjoy, join a local group and as well as keeping demons away, you can make your Christmas presents too so take away the stress of last-minute shopping that isn’t much fun.

Team Pure Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

How to Prolong the Life of Your Coloured Hair

26/10/2019 28/10/2019 0

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of walking out of a salon with freshly coloured hair. It can make you feel happier and more confident and help to put a spring in your step. There’s a good chance it’s also taken quite a dent out of your purse, so making your colour last as long as possible is a top priority. Thankfully, there are things you can do which will prolong the life of your colour and keep it looking glossy and vibrant for as long as possible. Here are five of our top tips for keeping your coloured hair looking good:

Deep Condition First

Hair which is well-hydrated will be more receptive to colour and will hold on to dye better and for longer. While deep conditioning treatments aren’t a great idea for a while after you’ve dyed your hair, making sure your hair is hydrated BEFORE you have it coloured will help. Use Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Hair and Scalp Mask to help restore softness and strength to dry, damaged hair.

Cool the Shower

If you take showers which are super hot, there’s a good chance that this will dull your hair colour. Hot water opens up the cuticle of the hair which releases the moisture and the colour from your hair. Simply turning the temperature down when you wash your hair will help your colour to stay in place and keep it looking fresh for longer.

Hold Off on Washing

We know that you want to keep your new ‘do looking fresh, but you should try to wait as long as possible before washing your hair for the first time after having it dyed. A minimum of 48 hours is recommended, but if you can hold off for longer, that’s even better. Try to use a mild, sulphate-free shampoo like Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo.

Consider a Filter

You might have a filter for your drinking water, but did you know that you can get a filter for your shower head, too? The water that comes through our taps contains chlorine and other chemicals which can make your colour fade or strip it away altogether. Invest in a shower head filter and it will get rid of all of these nasties and help you to prolong the colour of your locks.

If You Must Use Heat, Protect

It’s a fact that heat styling with hairdryers, straighteners and curling irons will all contribute to your colour becoming dull. However, we’re also sympathetic to the fact that pretty much everyone uses some form of heat to style their hair and getting rid of it altogether is a big ask. If you must use heat, try to add a protective oil like Decleor Aroma Nutrition Satin Softening Dry Oil as this will give the hair a protective barrier and hydrate the hair for colour longevity.

Health and Happiness

Natural ways to winter proof your mood

22/10/2019 21/10/2019 0

While winter is a great time for spending time at home, one dark, quiet night after another can take its toll on your mood. Many people struggle with various levels of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) but there are ways you can deal with this.

When it comes to SAD, it all about those feel-good chemicals in your body and brain, and the less you have, the lower your mood will be. You can take drugs to help ease your symptoms, but we’ve had a look at some natural ways to boost your happiness even when it is cold and dark outside.

Up your vitamin D
Your mood and hormones rely on vitamin D to work well, and if you don’t get enough, things can start to slide. Vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, cheese, egg yolks, and fortified cereals are one way to up your intake, and adding a supplement can also help ensure you are topped up and happy. Check-in with your GP or pharmacist to find a product, and dose that works for you.

Light up your life
For some people, the answer to winter blues comes from using a special lightbox. Do your research, find a product that is in your budget and give it a go! You can also buy alarm clocks that wake you up with a ‘natural’ light rather than an alarm that can actually break your sleep too abruptly.

Get outside
You might not know this, but exposure to cold weather increases both blood flow and endorphins and both can help to pick up your mood. Going for a brisk walk, maybe doing a couch to 5km challenge or jumping on your bike and riding the blues away could be the answer you have been looking for. Do something you enjoy, buddy up with a friend and your mood will be glad you did as those feel-good chemicals flood your body.

Oil up
We are massive fans of essentials, because not only are they natural and smell amazing, but they can also calm you down and make you feel happier in return. Lavender is a great place to start, so diffuse this during the day and night and start to breathe in winter happy vibes.

Have a massage
Go ahead and treat yourself to a massage. These sessions can ease away aches and pains, and as you lie in the quiet, with no one asking anything of you, your stress levels will ease and you’ll leave feeling so much happier and relaxed. Speak to your therapist and see which treatment could be best for you and then lie down and let your problems leave the room.

Make time for tea
As the sun goes down, why not cosy up on the sofa with a warm cup of organic tea. Green, black, and white tea come with a wonder compound called L-theanine that can help with the blues or just sip a herbal infusion, but whatever you do, take the time to sit down, kick back and relax.

If things get really bad, speak to a friend or your GP and get the help you need to make the cold, dark months more enjoyable.

Team Pure Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Halloween Skin Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

19/10/2019 21/10/2019 0

Halloween is bigger than ever, with everyone and their dog joining in (we aren’t even kidding…matching Halloween costumes for dogs and their owners are huge business!). Many people opt for beautiful make-up effects rather than using masks to create their look, but every year we hear about how things have gone wrong on 1^st November. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of Halloween skin mistakes so that you can avoid them when creating your costume:

Use Skin-Safe Products

If you’re going all-out and creating a look which requires more than your face to be painted, you must make sure you’re using skin-safe products. You’d be amazed how many Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy costumes have been created using green poster paint, and this is NOT good for your skin. Aside from blocking your pores, it can cause dryness and irritation that you may even need medication to clear up.

Don’t Use Glue

Following on from the above point, we never fail to be shocked by the amount of people who use glue on their faces. Sure, gems, fake scars and other embellishments can take your costume to the next level, but PVA glue will not do your skin any favours. Eyelash glue is a good alternative as this is designed for use on skin and won’t cause irritation.

Beware Backcombing

There are many looks which can be accentuated by having a huge bush of frizzy hair, but the simple rule of teasing is this – what has been done, must also be undone! Backcombng causes the hair to tangle and knot, and getting this out again can not only be painful but it can also damage your hair, causing breakages. If you must backcomb your hair, first smother it in Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Hair and Scalp Mask before doing so, as this will help to de-tangle your mop without damaging it.

Don’t Sleep in Face Paint

Okay, so we’ve all been guilty of going to an amazing Halloween party and then falling into bed in a boozy haze once we get home. However, the only thing worse for your skin than using oil-based face paint is leaving it on overnight. As soon as you get home, cleanse your face with Decleor Micellar Oil as this will tackle oily paint and give your skin the deep cleansing that it needs.

Don’t Hit the Sweets too Hard

Although we know that sweets don’t cause acne, as many people used to believe, we do know that high sugar levels can exacerbate acne, as well as other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. This is because when you eat sugar, insulin levels rise, which subsequently increases the inflammation in the skin. And since inflammation is a key component in the formation of acne, you end up seeing flare-ups and an increase in the amount of acne on your face.

Health and Happiness

Get to sleep the easier way

15/10/2019 14/10/2019 0

The summer has gone which means those body melting temperatures and unbearable nights are no longer with us, but many people still toss and turn unable to get to sleep at night.

Fear not, we have put together some simple tips that we hope will help you to fall asleep and get the sleep you need to get through the day.

Getting into a regular sleep routine
You might not realise this, but going to bed at a different time every night won’t be doing you any favours. We know there are times when you go out and are home late, or nights when you sink into the sheets before Corrie ends, but you might find that going to bed at the same time every night will help your internal body clock get used to a schedule and things may well fall into place.

Think about where you sleep
This is really basic, but if you want to have a good night’s sleep you need to ensure you have a quiet, dark bedroom that isn’t too hot or cold. Clean sheets, no dogs, a fan or open window, blackout blinds, thick curtains, and earplugs are all easy things you can use to help you get the zzzzzs you need. This is also a good time to mention that your mattress needs to work for you too. If yours is old, feeling lumpy or just not doing the job, go and try some new ones out and you might be surprised at the impact this can have.

Be active in the day
Yes, we are talking about night time here, but regular exercise in the day really can help you sleep better when you go to bed. Walking, running, swimming and dancing are all great ways to boost your health, and you’ll find that doing something like this several days a week will have positive ripple effects across the board – including your sleep.

Think about food and drink
You might like tea and coffee, but caffeine really can keep you awake, as can eating a big meal late in the evening, so think about how often you do this and whether these bad habits are disrupting your sleep. This also goes for cigarettes and alcohol, neither of which is going to do you any favours at any time of the day or night, so give them up and feel the benefits on many levels.

Chill out
A warm bath full of bubbles, a little meditation, lavendar oil on your pillow, using relaxation techniques or doing some gentle yoga can all help you unwind so you are more prepared to go to sleep. Jumping into bed as soon as you stop watching TV or finish work, won’t put you in the best mood for sleep, so give yourself time to adjust and then you are more likely to settle.

Find a mind distraction
Sometimes when we can’t nod off, we focus on getting to sleep even more and this can leave you lying awake feeling increasingly frustrated and then exhausted by morning. Don’t allow your mind to wander, instead read a book, listen to soothing music or even start knitting and let sleep follow.

Go screen-free
Computers, phones, screens and TVs might be part of daily life, but they have no place in your bedroom. These screens can stimulate your mind, making it difficult to rest and wind down, so leave them in the kitchen, get an alarm clock to wake you up and go digital free in the bedroom.

Get some help
If you put these things into place and still aren’t getting the sleep you need, maybe start a diary to track what is happening and then speak to your GP. It might be that you need a little more help to get to the root of your problems, but don’t suffer alone as things won’t get better, but they might get worse.

Team Pure Beauty

Uncategorized

Skincare Ingredients That You Shouldn’t Use Together

12/10/2019 14/10/2019 0

When you’re building a skincare routine which is bespoke for your personal skin needs, it’s tempting to layer on as many products as you can because you feel they’ll be beneficial. However, there are certain ingredients that you should avoid using together, even if they seem like they’re both good for you. Here’s a rundown of some of the ingredients that you shouldn’t be combining in your daily routine:

Retinols and Salicylic Acid

You might think that hitting your skin with these two ingredients will leave your face smooth, but they’re two pretty powerful things which could leave you with extreme dryness. Retinols are usually used in ageing products like Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair while salicylic acid is know for its exfoliating properties and should be used with care – Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclear Lotion is a prime example, as they recommend you use a sunscreen at all times.

Vitamin C and Acids

Vitamin C is really good at brightening the skin, such as within Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum, which combines ultra stable Vitamin C complex with a bio-technologiy to deliver the natural power of Vitamin C where it’s needed most. However, if you mix this with products containing stronger acids, this can alter the pH of the vitamin C and basically render it useless.

AHAs and Retinols

Using retinol and AHAs together is another recipe for redness and irritation. Both increase photosensitivity in the skin – this means that your skin is much more likely to burn, even if it’s not sunny outside. If you’re using any kind of retinol or skin brightening AHA, like Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Booster, make sure you’re wearing a daily SPF 50 such as Decleor Ultra Protective Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF50 Face, and use them in the evening to further lessen the risk of UV damage.

Oil-Based and Water-Based

Everyone knows that oil and water don’t mix, and with the exception of micellar waters and oils, that’s generally true when it comes to skincare. It’s okay to use oil-based and water-based products on your skin, but you have to think about the order – if you use oil first it will create a barrier that water-based products won’t penetrate, making them useless.

Health and Happiness

Top tips for good mental health

08/10/2019 07/10/2019 0

10th October is World Mental Health Day, so we’ve had a look at some ways you can look after yourself and deal with the ever-changing, always growing demands of modern-day life without suffering from burn out.

Get plenty of sleep
Sleep really is important for both physical and mental well being and is key when it comes to regulating the chemicals in our brains that manage our moods and emotions. If we don’t get enough sleep, we can start to feel depressed or anxious, and get cranky at the smallest things. Try to get into a good bedtime routine, don’t have screens in your room and if you can’t drift off, add some lavender oil to your pillow and fall asleep the natural way.

Think about food
We know that eating well is good for our bodies, but it’s also important for our minds. If you have a mineral deficiency, maybe in iron or vitamin B12, this can lead to poor mood and anxiety which was can all do without. If you enjoy a diet full of fruit and veg, wholegrains, protein and lots of water, this will help to keep you feeling full and level.

Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
Drinking and smoking aren’t great for anyone, but they can cause withdrawal symptoms, some of which certainly can impact your mental health and if you aren’t feeling great anyway, it can make things worse. When you’ve been out drinking, the next day you can feel depressed and anxious and with a headache to boot, this can make it harder to concentrate. If you smoke, between cigarettes your body and brain go into withdrawal which makes you irritable, giving you another good reason to quit, and soon!

Don’t stop moving
Exercising is a great way to eliminate anxiety, stress as well as feelings of tiredness and lethargy. You don’t need to run a marathon or play professional football; a walk, swim or jog can all do the trick of lifting your mood and as your heartbeat rises, those feel good chemicals will flood your body and things will start to look up.

Soak up the sun
We know there isn’t a lot of sunlight in the UK in the winter, but it is a great source of vitamin D. which helps our brains release chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that make us smile! Try to go out in the sun when you can, this will also give you that exercise boost, and if you do find you are feeling sad, trying a vitamin D supplement or using special light-therapy lamp might work for you.

Manage stress
We are realistic and know that stress is part of life, but keeping it in check is vital for good mental health. Making lists, delegating, taking time out and talking about your worries and fears will all help keep stress at bay. Also learn to say no, things can’t wait, but your stress levels can’t.

Enjoy life
Whether you like to walk the dog, dance or just watch TV show, you really need to set aside time each day to enjoy yourself. If you don’t do anything you like, it is easy to become angry, resentful and unhappy, so put time in your diary, and stick to it.

Give back
Just as you need to do things for yourself, giving back and helping others can be really beneficial to your mental health. You can take a neighbour shopping, help at a community event or do a fundraising run, so find something that has meaning for you and you will be surprised where it can lead.

Ask for help
One of the most important things you can do for your mental health is to ask for help. You don’t need to feel ashamed to ask for support, most of us go through ups and downs, and as they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Team Pure Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion, Manicures

How to Make Yourself Look POLISHED!

05/10/2019 07/10/2019 0

Anyone can get ready and make themselves look great, but have you every noticed that there are people out there who managed to go the extra mile to look really polished? It’s usually a combination of small touches that give them that polished look, so we thought we’d take a look at some of the things that you can do to achieve a polished look for yourself:

Literally Polish Yourself!

You can look immaculate from head to toe, but if you’ve got dry skin on your elbows, knees, heels or anywhere else, it’s going to instantly ruin your polished finish. The key is to ensure you exfoliate regularly and slather on the moisturiser, concentrating on areas which you know are likely to be on show.

Care for Your Nails

Painted nails in a bold or classy colour elevates any outfit. Get your nails done and you’ll look stylish in just jeans and a t-shirt. Doing a professional looking manicure or nail job at home is a skill you can learn, but remember that chipped polish looks worse than none so it can be a time commitment. Also, remember your cuticles – no-one looks polished with ragged skin around their nails!

Sleek Hair

You know what’s not polished? Flyaways and loose, scraggly ends. A low ponytail not only looks sophisticated, but it looks good with every type of bone structure. Spritz a little hairspray on a comb before running it through your hair and create a deep side part that’s different from your usual one to avoid flyaways. Leave your hair loose or secure it into a low ponytail with a hair tie that matches your hair colour.

Clothing

You don’t need a complete wardrobe overhaul to make you look and feel polished, a few tweaks here and there will do it. First up, make sure everything fits perfectly. For petite women this can be easier said than done. Shop from brands that aim specifically at petite women and always alter your clothes so that they’re not too long or swamping you. Beautifully tailored clothing will make you appear instantly pulled together.

Posture

One of the best and most important ways to make yourself appear more polished. Slouching isn’t flattering on ANYONE. Standing up straight will make you look taller, slimmer, it will make your clothes hang better, it will make you look more confident and there’s even anecdotal evidence to suggest it could improve your digestion…what have you got to lose by trying it?!

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