Our Blog – Page 30 – Pure Beauty – The Lichfield Beauty Salon

Food that will feed your skin

27/08/2019 27/08/2019 0

If you want your skin to glow, ‘you are what you eat’ is so very true.

Yes, it is important to have a good beauty regime in place and be sure to have facials when you can, but you need to feed your skin well if you want it to stay soft, supple, younger looking and even blemish-free.

We have had a look at some of the foods that can help you have your best skin whatever your age.

Brazil nuts
Some people steer clear of nuts because they contain fat, but they also come with a healthy serving of selenium which helps improve skin elasticity and can relieve redness and inflammation. It also helps the formation of glutathione, which neutralises the free radicals that cause acne. Just a couple of brazil nuts a day are all you need, so buy some the next time you are shopping and enjoy them.

Blueberries and blackberries
Blueberries and blackberries not only taste amazing but these little gems are oozing with the antioxidants that can keep skin clear from spots. Eat them on their own, add to porridge, blend in smoothies or make colourful fruit kebabs and have as a mid-afternoon snack – what’s not to like?

Carrots
Carrots are packed full of the vitamin A and antioxidants that can make your skin look healthy and glowing. Other good sources of skin loving vitamin A rich foods include kale, sweet potatoes, and mangos which are all delicious, healthy and super easy to add into your daily diet.

Broccoli and cauliflower
Broccoli and cauliflower might seem like simple staples, but they both contain glucoraphanin which is great at easing inflamed sun damaged skin and can help keep age spots from appearing. Add to any meal, eat raw with dips and even add to tasty stir fries, whatever you do, eat them.

Fats
We know people shy away from fats, but omega-3 fatty acids are really good for your skin and overall health too. Not only are they are a natural moisturiser, they can regulate inflammation, ease acne, and help keep skin supple and young looking as elasticity is preserved.

Green tea
If you can stomach it’s bitterness, green tea can help soothe inflammation, boost your immune system and reduce the amount of pore blocking oils (aka sebum) your skin produces – not bad, hey?

Oysters
We know this seafood is an acquired taste, but they are zinc rich which is what you need if you suffer from spots. If you really can’t stand them, beef, mushrooms, lamb, pork and pumpkin seeds are also packed with zinc, so it’s worth adding them to your shopping list and seeing if they help you and your skin.

Strawberries
Strawberries aren’t just for Wimbledon. These delicious berries taste fantastic and are an enjoyable source of the vitamin C that is key for healthy, clear skin. Great in smoothies, on top of pancakes or just enjoyed on their own, get some strawberries and keep your skin happy.

Water
If you want great skin, you need to drink around six to eight glasses of water a day as this will stave off the dehydration that makes skin look dry, tired and grey. Have a glass by your bed, keep a bottle (use a recyclable one) with you at all times, and if you work in an office have it on your desk as a constant reminder to drink. You can also have herbal and caffeine-free teas and remember that foods like courgettes and cucumber, also contribute water to your body. Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum and those high energy fizzy drinks can go as they are packed with sugar and won’t do your skin any good.

Watermelon
When you eat watermelon, nitric oxide is produced which can help spots to heal. You might not know this, but the redder the flesh of the watermelon, the better it is for your skin!

So, what are you waiting for – swap the greasy chips for sweet potatoes and the booze for green tea and watch your skin come to life.

Team Pure Beauty

Dermalogica, Facial Treatments, Health and Happiness, Salon Special Offers

FREE! Meet Dermalogica Kit with Orders over £85.00

24/08/2019 27/08/2019 0

If you’re a regular customer, you’ll know that we here at Pure Beauty love to give our customers an added bonus. The latest free gift that we have to offer is the Meet Dermalogica Skin kit, a set which contains mini versions of some of Dermalogica’s most popular products. Skin kits like these are a great way to try new products without committing to buying the full size version right away, and you can get your hands on this one with an £85 spend on your usual Dermalogica picks. Here’s what you’ll receive:

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

This soap-free formulation from Dermalogica is designed to thoroughly cleanse the skin without using irritating ingredients. It contains calming balm mint and lavender extracts to soothe the skin, while natural quillaja saponaria gently foams away toxins and deep-cleanses debris.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream

This skin smoothing cream from Dermalogica was updated in 2018 to create their best formula yet and now includes Active HydraMesh Technology, to support the structures of the skin and reduce the signs of ageing. The cream will infuse the skin with 48 hours of continuous hydration and help protect against environmental stress while simultaneously locking in moisture and protecting skin’s beneficial bacteria.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

This unique product starts as a powder and becomes a fine microfoliant upon contact with water. It contains papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes to smooth the skin and accelerate cell renewal, while a unique Skin Brightening Complex of bearberry, aspergillus, grapefruit and licorice helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm

This product is a godsend for people with chronically dry skin. It helps repair the signs of premature ageing with an infusion of multivitamins, as well as increasing the skin’s elasticity and firmness by stimulating collagen synthesis and reinforcing cell to cell linkages. It uses special skin technology to scavenge dangerous free radicals to help protect skin from environmental stress and protects against moisture loss to minimise fine lines associated with dehydration.

Health and Happiness, Skincare Advice

Five Annoying Beauty Problems – and Easy Solutions to Them

20/08/2019 18/08/2019 0

Keeping yourself looking good takes effort – let’s face it, not many of us are lucky enough to roll out of bed looking immaculate with any assistance! However, there are lots of niggling issues associated with beauty which can drive you made if you don’t know how to fix them. We thought we’d take a look at some of the most common beauty problems and attempt to give you a solution to each of them.

Red Bumps After Waxing

Our hair grows from hair follicles in the skin and when waxed, these hairs are pulled out with force, and this causes stress on the skin. The basic response of the body to this is inflammation of the site subjected to this stress. This swelling of the hair follicles usually goes down by itself in a day or two. However, if it’s not going down, Elemis Tea Tree S.O.S. Spray contains tea tree oil, a cooling antibacterial, anti-inflammatory ingredient which will kill infection and reduce inflammation.

Peeling Nails

There are various causes of peeling nails, from dehydration, too much time using cleaning products and even certain deficiencies. To prevent peeling nails, eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water, and ensure you wear protective gloves while cleaning. You should also treat your nails to Nailtiques Protein Formula 2, which is designed for soft, peeling and weak nails.

Cakey Foundation

There are a few factors that can contribute to cakey, over-layered foundation; the first is dead skin cells clinging to the surface of your face, essentially creating a roughly-textured layer that makeup can’t smooth over well enough. Other possible culprits include excessive dryness or dehydration, not using the right skincare or makeup, and simply overdoing it with the foundation and concealer. Use a good exfoliator and make sure you moisturise before applying your make up.

Dry Hair

Heat styling, hair dye and thyroid issues can all cause dry hair, which can be tricky to remedy. The most important thing you can do is add moisture back to your hair, for which we’d recommend Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Hair and Scalp Mask. It’s a luxurious weekly, intensive hair and scalp mask treatment formulated with frangipani monoi and pink clay to help restore softness and strength to dry, damaged hair.

Over-Plucked Brows

Many people spent the whole of the 80’s and 90’s plucking the life out of their eyebrows, so the current trend for thicker, more natural brows may seem impossible for them. Even if you plan to have microblading done, you could improve your overall look by encouraging new eyebrow growth, and lots of our clients have had good results by massaging their brow area with an oil like Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Oil to encourage cell renewal and hair growth.

Health and Happiness

How to make self-care a priority in your life

17/08/2019 18/08/2019 0

We spend so much time being nice to others, we often forget about caring for ourselves.

Practising self-care and self-love might feel indulgent and selfish, but in our fast-paced, switched-on world, it’s a priority, not a luxury.

By showing yourself compassion, consideration and kindness, you can reduce your stress levels, boost your immune system, and generally feel so much better about yourself and your life.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we some ideas to get you started.

Learn to be your own best friend?
Do you tell your best friend how much you hate their legs, or that you think they’re rubbish at their job and make a bad girlfriend? Course you don’t, but we bet you say things like that to yourself from time to time. Self-care is about focusing on the things you love about yourself and talking to yourself as you would talk to a child or a friend. If you start to reframe your inner voice and become your own number one fan, things may start to feel very different for you, and we mean that in a good way.

Take those compliments
If someone tells you they love your dress, like your hairstyle or are impressed by your work progress, say ‘thank you’. This might sound challenging but rather than denying it or putting yourself down, accept it and you will feel ten feet tall. The more you do it, the easier it will get.

Learn to say no
We’re conditioned to say yes to everything, but when it comes to self-care, you need to learn to say no and stick to it. Saying yes too many times can leave you feeling drained, obliged and with no time for yourself it’s easy to become miserable and resentful. From today, start to say “no” and give yourself time to do the things you want to do, or do nothing at all.

Schedule a treat once a month
Having something to look forward to is really important when it comes to self-care. Yes, you have work, there are bills to pay and the house needs to be cleaned, but you need to treat yourself too. Maybe you enjoy a relaxing massage, love catching up with a friend over hot chocolate, or like to have a manicure so your nails look great – whatever it is, book it and keep to it.

Practice forgiveness
Whether it’s forgiving someone else or yourself, being able to let go and forgive can help you move on and live a better life. Holding onto regrets and grievances can take a lot of energy, so lift those heavy weights and move forward with a spring in your step and love in your heart.

Focus on the positives
It’s so easy to focus on the one thing you did wrong, rather than all the things you did right, but this isn’t self-care; it’s self-destruct. Spoiler alert: no one is perfect. No one. Now is the time to stop thinking about the negatives and instead learn from mistakes, but even more importantly, start to celebrate your successes because this is what matters.

Team Pure Beauty

Skincare Advice

Remember to tan the safe way this summer

13/08/2019 13/08/2019 0

When the sun comes out, it’s only natural for us to want to peel back the layers that have kept us warm in the winter and bask in the rays that are flooding down from the skies.

While many of know the importance of being safe in the sun but as soon as it gets sunny, our common sense often goes out of the window along with our cardigans and socks.

Yes, the sun gives us a healthy dose of vitamin D and makes us feel good, but Mother Nature has made it strong and if we aren’t careful, getting a tan can actually be dangerous and detrimental to our skin and overall health.

We aren’t going to be total killjoys, but we are going to look at how you can tan the safer way so that you lap up the goodness summer has to offer but you also protect your skin while you’re outside having fun.

It’s all about the screening
Like so many things in today’s consumer rich society, there’s a lot of choice when it comes to creams, but it is really important that you get it right for you. Always look at the labels and check that you are buying a broad-spectrum sunscreen because this is will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The UVAs cause premature ageing which includes wrinkles and sunspots, and the UVBs can lead to cancer.

When you have found the cream for you, apply around half an hour before you go out in the sun and keep applying during the day. We know creams can be costly, but don’t scrimp when applying, instead make sure you are fully covered (remember ears and toes) and if you go in the water or get really sweaty playing sports and walking around in the heat, apply again.

Go slow
We have all been there. Arriving on holiday, jumping in the pool and then lying on the lounger in the midday sun. You might think this will bring your tan on faster, but what this approach can do is put you at risk of burning, peeling and worse, and you won’t actually speed up the tanning process at all. Building up your tan is all about leaving out those intense sunbathing sessions, so try going in the sun for around 15 to 30 minutes at a time; there is no need to binge on those rays.

Finding a shady spot
Sitting right by the pool or on the sand might be what you think you are meant to do when the sun comes out, but the reality is a little different. You need to consider your skin type, where you are in the world and what time it is (11 am – 3 pm is when you ideally need to stay in the shade) and if you tend to doze off when the temperatures rise, set an alarm and don’t put yourself in danger. As well as sitting under trees or using a parasol, also think about covering up with clothing (you can get UV resistant clothes that might be worth looking at), wearing a hat and also keeping sunglasses on to protect your eyes. It’s totally fine to go out in the sun, swim, play golf and have fun, but head back to the shade when you think things are getting too much.

Water, water, water
You might not know it, but when you are out in the sun not only do you feel thirstier, but your skin does too. The sun can hydrate all of your body, leaving your skin dry and tight, so make sure you drink lots of water during the day, and night, to keep healthy and hydrated.

Fake it
We know this isn’t for everyone, but if you want a glow without putting in the work, or risk, look at the fake tanning options out there. Today it is so easy to build up a natural look without worshipping the elements for even one minute.

Team Pure Beauty

Skincare Advice

Get Smart with your Skincare

10/08/2019 13/08/2019 0

In the past, if you used the word smart, you were probably referring to how someone was dressed. However, if 2019, calling something “smart” is more likely to mean that it has some sort of techy application and goes the extra mile to simplify your life. Smart isn’t just for technology; we sell a whole selection of smart skincare which offers you extra functionality, so we thought we’d share some of them with you to help you to get smart with your skincare:

Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water

This smart cleansing micellar water from Elemis is designed to remove all traces of make-up and daily dirt, as well as the daily build-up of skin pollutants. Cleansing micelles, attracting both water and oil-based grime are enhanced with a complex of natural surfactants derived from apple amino acid, rosehip seed oil and Indian soapnut to lift impurities from the skin.

Dermalogica Solar Defence Booster SPF50

This skin-protecting sloar booster uses UV Smart Booster Technology, an encapsulated complex of antioxidant vitamins C and E which scavenges UV-induced free radicals while enhancing photoprotection. It offers critical defense against both UVA and UVB rays and forms an invisible shield against skin- damaging environmental assault.

Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum

This serum from Dermalogica is part of the AGE Smart System, created to combat the signs of ageing. The supercharged peptide serum helps stimulate collagen production to help firm and renew resilience while potent argan and rose oils revitalise lacklustre skin and smooth away fine lines.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix

This night cream from Elemis is part of a new generation of high-tech skincare, and contains Smart Drone Technology. This revolutionary formula works throughout the night to help restore the natural balance to the skin, creating a protective matrix to help seal in hydration. A youthful, firmer feeling, less crumpled appearance is revealed by the morning.

Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex

Another member of the AGE Smart System, this eye cream from Dermalogica targets concerns of the eye area, primarily wrinkles and crow’s feet plus puffiness, dark circles due to hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity due to dehydration. It’s so potent that women who are pregnant or have nut allergies should avoid it altogether!

Decleor, Elemis, Health and Happiness

How to Cope with a Summer Pregnancy

06/08/2019 05/08/2019 0

Speaking as someone who has two kids, one born in summer and the other born in winter, the summer pregnancy was way more uncomfortable. My eldest was born in August, which meant months of being large during very warm weather, and each day seemed to bring with it a new heat-related misery! It got me thinking about things that I did to stay comfortable during the end stages of my pregnancy, so I thought I’d share them in case it’s able to provide relief for any other discomfited mamas-to-be out there:

Cold Water

Cold water is basically your best friend right now. You should be drinking plenty, but also soaking yourself in it to. If you can bear it, spend your days laying in a cool bath or even a paddling pool! If this sounds like another form or torture, make sure you have a tub big enough for soaking your feet and lower legs. As well as keeping to cool, this will help to stop your feet and ankles swelling, which pregnant women are prone to in this heat.

Stay Moisturised

One of the things that makes the heat feel so much worse when you’re pregnant is having dry skin – the added heat can make your poor pregnant skin feel ready to burst. You have to be careful about the products you use during pregnancy, but never fear, Elemis has your back! Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream veils the skin in a milk protein cocoon, while gently cleansing, enriching and balancing the skin, and is totally safe for use during pregnancy.

Give Yourself a Scrub

Between the heat making you sweat, the big belly you’re carrying around and feeling like you’re not able to do much towards the end of gestation, you probably feel permanently grotty. Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub is another Elemis product which has been designed to be suitable for use during pregnancy and uses cooling ingredients to gently exfoliate and refresh your skin.

Dress for Comfort

The key to staying cool while pregnant in the summer is definitely in what you wear. It’s tempting to wear as little as possible, but actually, loose-fitting, free-flowing natural fabrics will keep you much cooler. The same formula applies to bedding, too; go for cotton or linen and a light sheet rather than a full cover.

Stay Out of the Sun

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but staying out of the sun as much as possible is imperative when you’re expecting. Aside from the fact that getting sunburn at this time will increase your discomfort levels by 1000, it can increase your chances of developing melasma, or “pregnancy mask”, a condition which causes hyperpigmentation of the face. We recommend Decleor Ultra Protective Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF50 for your face and Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF50 for your body.

Skincare Advice

Summer proof your make-up the easy way

03/08/2019 05/08/2019 0

With temperatures rising, and well as the rain coming down, summer 2019, is certainly keeping us on our toes. As we go from one extreme to another, make-up can slip, slide and smudge before you even get in the car, so have some tips on how to weatherproof your look come rain or shine.

Get your base right
It doesn’t matter what season it is, if you want your make up to stand the test of time, you need to get the base right. During the warm summer months, our skin tends to be drier and more dehydrated so as soon as you add moisture, your skin drinks it up and this means make-up can look patchy, something we do not want. To stop this from happening, get the right moisturiser for you and also think about adding a serum with extra hyaluronic acid to your beauty routine to get things right from the start.

Heavy foundations don’t blend well on hot skin, and chances are you simply don’t need it at this time of year. Stick to super light formulas or drop foundation and instead add tanning drops to your moisturiser for a soft, dewy look.

Glow the right way
We often talk about our skin having a natural glow, and that is what you are looking for this summer. If your skin tends to be oily, resist overloading it and instead go for shine-beating products to save your blushes. Oil-controlling primers work well under make-up and a dusting of mattifying powder offers a natural finish, rather than a shiny one.

Bronze it
They might be super simple, but bronzers can make your eyes look brighter, your teeth whiter and give you a fresh, natural look that is easy to maintain. Apply bronzer to your forehead, cheekbones, chin, and nose, and you will have a gorgeous stay-put look for the day ahead.

Leave the panda eyes at home
Panda eyes almost seem a part of the summer, but they don’t have to be. Opting for eye primers, powder eye shadows, as well as waterproof eyeliners and mascaras, will banish panda eyes forever, or most of the day at least. If you are worried about removing waterproof make-up, don’t be. Massaging an oil based cleanser into your skin before you go to bed, will gently remove make-up and dirt and you will be left with soft, smooth, clean skin.

Kissable lips
Hot temperatures and thick lipsticks are not a match made in make-up heaven. For the summer we would suggest trying a lip stain or tint as this offers long-lasting colour as well as comfort. You can off course simply go for a tinted balm with an SPF and this will protect your lips as well as giving them a splash of colour and instant hydration.

The main thing whatever the weather is that you go for products that work for you and help you to feel comfortable in your own skin.

Team Pure Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Sun Exposure – It’s Not Just “The Big C” You Need to Think About

30/07/2019 30/07/2019 0

We all know the major issues that sun exposure can cause – obviously skin cancer is the scariest one, but from a beauty point of view, the profound effect it can have on the ageing process is pretty worrying too. There are also other conditions which can be caused by time in the sun, that many of us don’t know about, so we’re highlighting five of them and telling you what you can do to prevent them:

Melasma

Many people think that melasma is only caused by pregnancy (it’s often referred to as ‘pregnancy mask’) but actually, men can develop melasma too. People with higher levels of melanin in their skin are particularly prone and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and the use of sun-beds or phototherapy can trigger melasma or make it worse. The best way to prevent melasma is with a sun block with a high SPF, or skin lightening treatments.

Cataracts

Long-term, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun can damage the retina. The retina is the back of the eye, where the rods and cones make visual images, which are then sent to the visual centers in the brain. Damage from exposure to sunlight can also cause the development of cloudy bumps along the edge of the cornea, which can then grow over the cornea and prevent clear vision. UV light is also a factor in the development of cataracts. Wear proper UV eye protection to prevent this.

Heat Stroke

Many people think that heat stroke is something that makes us feel a little bit sick and dizzy after too much time in the sun, but actually heat stroke can be a medical emergency. Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing. Avoid heat stroke by spending plenty of time in the shade and drinking lots of fluids.

Cramp

When your body sweats, it looses a lot of the natural salts that the body needs to be able to function properly, and when you rehydrate with only water, instead of an isotonic solution, these salts can be further depleted. This can lead to muscle cramps which can be painful and unpleasant. Avoid cramps and muscle spasms by eating a salty snack and getting plenty of rest in the shade.

Polymorphic Light Eruption

According to the NHS website “Polymorphic light eruption is a fairly common skin rash triggered by exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light. An itchy or burning rash appears within hours, or up to 2 to 3 days after exposure to sunlight. It lasts for up to 2 weeks, healing without scarring. The rash usually appears on the parts of the skin exposed to sunlight – typically the head, neck, chest and arms. The face is not always affected.” A good sunscreen will prevent this from occurring.

Health and Happiness

How to keep your hair under control this summer

26/07/2019 30/07/2019 0

Summer is here and while you’re ready for parties and fun, quite often your hair will misbehave and let you down.

Frizz, limpness and greasy locks can all be a seasonal nightmare, but we have some easy fixes that will let you take back control of your hair so you look great.

Have a trim
While you might be growing your hair, the best way to keep it in good condition is to have a trim. Just having a centimetre or two taken off the ends will give it a sharp edge and keep things tidy and in good shape.

Wear a hat
OK, it might not be totally on-trend, but it’s all about prevention which means a hat is your new BFF. Whether you go for a cap, sun hat or big-brimmed straw number on your head, this is one way to keep your tresses in one place and safe from harmful rays.

Grease lightening
If you suffer from greasy hair it really can be the pits, but washing it more often can make the problem worse. We would suggest using a dry shampoo between washes and it will not only save your styling blushes but can help with the environment too as you’ll be using less water.

Stop chlorine in its tracks
We don’t have to tell you that chlorine can play havoc with hair, and if you’re fair it can turn blond to a paler shade of green, which we just aren’t keen on. If you do go swimming, rinse your hair straight away with a pool-specific shampoo to keep get rid of chlorine, chemicals, and salt from the sea. Oh, and when you do swim, either wear a cap (we know) or put up in a messy bun to keep your hair out of the water.

Get a serum
If you want to get rid of frizz, the best way to go by using a serum. Find one that works for your hair and use it when you really have to, but don’t go overboard on the products as this can cause build-up, something you just don’t need.

Twists and turns
If your hair doesn’t want to behave, twist it into cute bunches or plaits and you’ll create a whole new look that’s totally you.

Slick it back
A cool, smooth ponytail really does hide a multitude of hair sins and looks fab at the same time. Use a decent band or scrunchie, have gel at the ready if things are really out of hand, then rock that movie star style all the way to the bar.

Turn the temperature down
While you can’t control Mother Nature, you can step away from the hairdryer and tongs when it’s warm outside. Your tresses have enough to deal with when it comes to humidity and the sun, so if you add a blast of heat from your straighteners, it could get messy. Find a good shampoo and conditioner, towel dry your hair and try the natural look this summer and you never know, you might like it.

Use a mask
Experts believe that using a nourishing mask once a week can help keep your hair in good condition, and if you have dry or thick hair you may need to do this twice a week as it will drink up the goodness but you will be pleased it did.

Team Pure Beauty

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