Our Blog – Page 42 – Pure Beauty – The Lichfield Beauty Salon

Summer beauty tricks

05/06/2018 05/06/2018 0

We don’t know about you, but as much as we love summer, it can be a pretty high-maintenance season when it comes to keeping your beauty game on track.

Beach breaks, pretty dresses and longer nights are all great, but add in fading hair colour, foundation build up, sweat, breakouts and frizzy hair, and you really need to up your game to look, and feel, as fresh as a daisy.

We have got some quick, easy tips that we hope will see you through from now until late September.

Lighten up your foundation
Let’s start with foundation, and if going bare is a step to far, then think about trying out a BB cream. Known as Beauty Balm, or Blemish Balm, a great BB cream is a one-product-does-everything summer saviour. Hydrating ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic acid, a broad spectrum SPF, plus antioxidants are blended with a touch of colour to even out your skin so it looks great and can breathe however hot it gets in the midday sun.

Add an exfoliator
If you don’t use an exfoliator at the moment, we would suggest adding it to your beauty routine at least for the next few months. Gentle facial exfoliation will help keep your skin free of clogged pores, clear away dead skin cells and create a clear canvas for easy moisturiser, sun cream and make up application. It is really important to remember that exfoliation does reveal new, sensitive skin which could be prone to burning in the sun, so exfoliate in the evening and also keep the sun cream topped up the next day to be safe.

Colour protecting shampoo
Maintaining glossy locks can be a full-time job in the summer, so to help prevent the sun from fading your highlights, switch to a specifically formulated shampoo and condition for colour-treated hair. Many come with UV-absorbing filters and extra moisturising ingredients, so as well as keeping your hair looking vibrant, it will prevent it from becoming dull and dry which can really drag you down.

Change your perfume
When the temperature rises, you don’t want the heady, heavy perfumes that are perfect on winter nights to control your senses, so swap for a light, crisp, refreshing scent instead. Citrusy, fruity, floral notes are all great and for us, it has to be Marc Jacobs’ iconic Daisy Love fragrance.

Remember your feet
We take care of our face, bodies and hair, but don’t forget about your feet. Hard skin on your heels and chipped nails can be the result of months spent in flip-flops and sandals but they can totally bring down an otherwise flawless appearance. Try to have a regular pedicure, correct mistakes as they occur and when you are outside, apply suncream to your toes!

Creamy eyes
Creamy eyeshadow could be a game changer for your beauty bag this summer. Often more water-resistant and long-wearing than their powdery sisters, go for pale, pretty light reflecting shades for a natural sun kissed look that will take you from dusk to dawn.

Don’t forget your primer
Natural oils can separate the pigments in foundation, making your skin look uneven and blotchy as the day gets warmer. Using a primer might seem like skin overload, but it can create a shield that prevents things getting messy by midday.

Lip balm rather than lip gloss
Super shiny lip gloss is great for winter glam, but go for a tinted lip balm in the summer for a long-lasting, cleaner look.

Team Pure Beauty

Life and Fashion

The Effects of Pollution and How to Combat Them

02/06/2018 03/06/2018 0

You might not know this, but living or working in a city can damage your skin, through daily exposure to pollution. You probably get home at the end of the day feeling like you need to wash the car fumes off of your face, but there’s a good reason for doing so, because leaving the pollution clinging to your skin can cause damage and speed up the ageing process. Fortunately, we have lots of products to help, and these are five of our favourites:

Decleor Anti-Pollution Hydrating Active Lotion

Daily pollution can be incredibly drying to the skin, so ensuring that you use a decent moisturising product is really important. This lotion from Decleor is a lightweight formula which is suitable for most skin types, even dry skin, and combines the freshness of a cosmetic water with the hydration power of a cream. It protects the skin against pollution and leaves skin feeling fresh and glowing.

Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant

This unique product comes in powder form and is activated when mixed with water. It’s designed for people who are concerned about the effects of pollution and premature ageing and provides triple-action adsorption along with physical and chemical exfoliation, removing harmful impurities from pollutants that have built up on skin throughout the day.

Decleor Anti-Pollution Hydrating Fluid SPF30

We love a multi-functional product here at Pure Beauty, and this one from Decleor certainly fits the bill. Not only does it protect your skin from daily pollutants, but it also contains SPF30, which protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It contains hyaluronic acid to plump up fine lines and will leave skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.

Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules

This wonderful little pot full of capsules comes offers two variations – the pink capsules are for the daytime and contain rose oils, while the green ones contain lavender oils. The combination of treatments contain high levels of antioxidants and are intended to protect the skin against the harmful effects of pollution and daily free radicals. They’re also produced in line with the Elemis promise, which means that they contain no parabens, SLS, artificial colours or other nasties.

Decleor Anti-Pollution Hydrating Gel-Cream

This gel-cream from Decleor is a really clever product which actually consists of microdroplets of oils in a 70% water-based texture to deliver immediate hydration. It contains centella asiatica, which has anti-inflammatory properties which instantly helps to sooth delicate skin, as well as moringa olifeira extract, which creates a protective layer against pollution particles.

Health and Happiness

A shout out to coconut oil

29/05/2018 03/06/2018 0

You might have thought the hype around coconut oil was a passing phase, but we think it is here to stay, and we also thing that’s a good thing.

Coconut oil is used in many beauty products, and for good reason: not only is it brilliant for keeping your skin soft and supple, it is pretty good for your hair too.

The great thing, is, buying raw, (preferably organic) virgin coconut oil won’t cost you a fortune and there are loads of things you can use it for.

Face
Remove panda eyes
Waterproof mascara under your eyes in the morning is a thing of the past with coconut oil. Put a little oil on a cotton wool ball and gently sweep it over your eyes, paying attention to your under-eyes too. As well as breaking down and taking away make-up, coconut oil hydrates, too. Win, win.

Cleanse the coconut way
Coconut is great for cleansing and hydrating your skin. In the evening rub a little oil in gentle circular motions over your face and neck, giving yourself a gentle massage as you remove the dirt of the day. When you’re done, wash off the residue with your favourite cleanser, then moisturise.

Create kissable lips
Forget chap sticks and expensive balms, applying a little coconut oil to your lips after you have brushed your teeth, will leave them soft, smooth and totally kissable.

Hair

Mask it
Given how glossy Meghan Markle’s hair was on her wedding day, we wonder if she used coconut oil on it on the lead up to the big event. To really treat and condition your hair, apply a fifty pence piece sized dollop of oil to your hair, comb it in then put your hair in a loose bun before you go to sleep. In the morning, shampoo and condition as usual and your hair will look super sleek and shiny.

Extra shine
Once you have dried your hair, if you want a little bit of extra shine, smooth a really tiny amount of coconut oil on the ends for a mini makeover. Be warned, using too much oil, or putting it on your roots, could mean your hair looks greasy not glam, so go easy and stick to the ends.

Fire frizz
Anyone who has frizz issues will love knowing that you can tame your mane with coconut oil. Calm frizzy, flyaway strands with just a little oil and it will nourish and protect your hair as well as leaving it looking smooth and polished.

Body

Hand it over
Massaging coconut oil into your cuticles, the skin around your nails and on your hands can offer much-needed hydration and lock in moisture. You can use it on your feet and toes too!

End the drought
If you have dry skin on your elbows and knees, using coconut oil can help with those issues too. Just a little bit of oil applied to problem areas can help your skin heal and hydrate.

Rub it out
If you don’t have massage oil for that end of the day neck rub, try coconut oil instead. Not only will your aches and pains be eased, but your skin will be smooth and your will smell gorgeous too.

Let us know what you use coconut oil for, we would love to hear your hints and tips.

Team Pure Beauty

Skincare Advice

Olives Can Make You Beautiful!

26/05/2018 28/05/2018 0

We’ve written before about the importance of olives when maintaining a balanced diet and all of the health benefits that they offer, but olives are also useful when used in beauty products. Here at Pure Beauty, we sell several products which harness the natural power of olives and their oil, so we thought we’d give you an overview of them and exactly what they do.

Dermalogica Foaming Wash

When we think of olives, the first thing that usually comes to mind is olive oil, so it seems odd that a product for oily skin would contain something olive-related. However, Dermalogica has used oleanolic acid in its foaming wash, which is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound found in olive tree leaves. It helps to clear acne-prone skin of sebum and bacteria and helps to prevent redness and breakouts.

Decleor Micellar Oil

Micellar products are huge right now, combining both water and oils to help to give the skin a deep cleanse without affecting its delicate balance. This micellar oil from Decleor uses vegetal squalene, which is derived from olive oil, and maintains optimal hydration levels for deep moisturisation and suppleness. It can handle even the most waterproof make-up and will melt away the day’s collected dirt and pollution.

Dermalogica Precleanse

This product from Dermalogica is often described as a beautician’s secret weapon as it delivers a professional-level deep cleanse and can help achieve an ultra-clean and healthy skin working with your daily cleanser. It is suitable for all skin types and uses olive and kukui oils to melt away sebum, make-up and daily grime which is often missed by a regular cleanser. It can be used on all areas of the face, even the eyes, for superior make-up removal.

Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF20 (Available in Light, Medium or Dark)

Normal foundations can be drying to the skin, and if your skin is already prone to dryness, the last thing you need is cosmetics which exacerbate things. This sheer tint from Dermalogica gives a wash of colour without caking the skin in make-up and uses olive fruit extract, which is rich in antioxidant polyphenols that scavenge free radicals and lactic acid that provides hydration and gentle exfoliation. It also contains broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreens shield against UV damage without the intense chalky, whitening and drying effects so commonly associated with physical sunscreens.

Life and Fashion

Exams need not be stressful

22/05/2018 22/05/2018 0

A’ levels, GCSEs and SATs are all being taken at the moment, and if you have children or teenagers in the throes of doing any, or all, of these, it can be a time of anxiety and stress.

We have had a look at how you can help to calm nerves, ease tension and generally ensure that emotional chaos doesn’t rule the day.

Set up a routine
Just as you do with babies and toddlers, having a revision routine for teenagers can really help things run smoothly. As well as adding all exams to the family calendar, look at having 40-minute revision sessions, spaced out with 15 minute breaks and a set lunchtime to really regroup and refresh. Fresh air in the garden, a glass of water and a snack as well as some stretches can help with rehydration, boost moods and improve work efficiency.

Manage expectations
Peer and parental pressure, along with social media, can make it seem like only a string of A stars will do, when in-fact a child doing their own best is what matters. Try not to push for perfection and instead look at what is achievable to avoid adding to stress levels.

Keeps things in perspective
Yes, A’ levels might seem like the golden gate to university life, but that doesn’t mean everything else has to come to a standstill. While we all want students to do their best, knowing that there is always a second, or even third chance of getting things right, can help to keep things in perspective.

A holistic approach to well-being
Energy drinks, coffee, caffeine tablets and sugary snacks might seem like the ideal energy boost, but they will have not only a counterproductive effect on studying but may impact sleeping too. Make sure your children enjoy a balanced diet, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep, as well as screen time breaks and this will help them cope with all the exam season throws at them.

All work and no play isn’t fun
Yes, exams are important and there is work to be done, but no one can thrive on studying alone. Time with friends, exercise, the odd shopping trip and just chilling out will all help kids to switch off and just be, well kids. They aren’t being lazy, they are being human and need time off to be able to work to their best ability.

Catch up
Ask them how it is going and you might get a grunt if you are lucky, but spending time together as a family can be really beneficial at this time. Maybe going for a walk, watching a film together or having dinner at your favourite restaurant will help take things down a notch or two and let them know you care and are there for them, whatever the results say in August.

Remember, you count too
When the heat is on, it is hard to think about yourself, but you need to. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so whether you go to a yoga class, run by the river with a friend or pop into see us and have a relaxing facial, schedule in some ‘me time’ and the benefits will be felt by everyone.

Good luck and call us if we can book you in.

Team Pure Beauty

Decleor, Elemis

All About Apricots

19/05/2018 22/05/2018 0

Using seasonal fruit and veg in your cooking is a great way to ensure you’re getting the right vitamins, minerals and nutrients from your produce right when it’s at its best, and right now, apricots are at the peak of their growth. Luckily, we don’t have to wait until May every year for apricots to make it into our beauty products and today we’re showcasing four products which are packed with them!

Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner

Apricots contain several elements which are very soothing to the skin, and this toner is the perfect way to calm the skin after a thorough cleansing. It can be used with a cotton pad or spritzed onto the skin for an all-over calming effect, and preps the skin, aiding the penetration of the moisturiser or night cream. It helps maintain the skins natural pH level, without the use of alcohol or other harsh detergents, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

Dermalogica Precleanse

If you want to get your skin clean to a professional level, then using a pre-cleanse before you cleanse your skin is a must. This Precleanse from Dermalogica uses apricot kernel oil, which is an excellent source of fatty acids, vitamin A and linoleic acid and helps to soothe irritation, nourish and moisturise the skin. It can be used all over the face and neck and will offer superior results against cleansing alone.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm

This eye balm harnesses the power of apricot oil, which is high in Omega-rich fatty acids, to recontour the eye area and give a firmness where it has been previously lost. It’s compatible with make up and can be applied wither before or after and also has a built-in soothing applicator to further reduce the signs of puffiness around the delicate eye area.

Dermalogica Precleanse Balm

This product is a balm-version of the Dermalogica Precleanse and comes with a soft-touch, double-sided mitt applicator and exfoliator to help ensure a more thorough, professional level of clean. It uses apricot kernel oil as it does not leave behind a greasy coating, and its lightweight feel and exceptional rehydrating properties make it ideal for any skin condition. It dissolves make up and other dirt without affecting the skin’s natural balance and won’t clog the pores.

Skincare Advice

Taking the stress out of sensitive skin

15/05/2018 15/05/2018 0

Having sensitive skin might seem like a curse, but don’t despair as there are things you can do to improve its condition and your confidence.

Signs that you do have sensitive skin include:

Tight, uncomfortable feeling skin on your face, neck and body which is sometimes sore or sensitive to touch
Skin which easily dries out during flights
Skin which is drier in the winter and more oily during the summer
Embarrassing flushes after eating spicy food or drinking alcohol
The appearance of red patches which don’t fade
Areas of uneven texture
Blemishes and breakouts
Dryness and flakiness
Reactions to skincare products and washing powders
Rashes from the heat

Sensitive skin is generally caused when the nerve endings in the top layer of the skin become irritated. This occurs because your natural barrier function becomes weaker and the triggers for this happening include:

Air conditioning and central heating
Using the wrong skin care products and washing powders
Extreme weather conditions
The chemicals found in cleaning products
Hormonal changes
Bathing and showing in hard water
Stress
Pregnancy
Menopause
Dirt and pollution
Smoking
Swimming pool chlorine

Of course, you can’t change the weather or move house just so you can have soft water, but you can take some of the issues on board and find a way to look after your skin in a different way so it doesn’t take over your life.

Some of the easiest steps include:

Using to products that are specifically made for sensitive skin can be a positive step in the right direction. Our team are always happy to help look at what might work for you, so do get in touch if that would help.
Once you have products you ae happy with, start and end each day by cleansing away the dirt of day from your face, then using a toner and suitable moisturiser. Use a hydrating moisturiser and consider adding a serum to your beauty routine for added protection and care.
Don’t scrub at your skin as this can cause increased sensitivity.
Makeup wise, we suggest going for a natural look to allow your skin to breathe, so don’t apply too much foundation if you can help it.
If you’re going outside, even when it is cloudy, apply a suncream to protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays and wear at hat or cap between 12 and 3pm.
If you work in an air-conditioned environment, there is even more need to use the right moisturiser as this will help prevent your skin from drying out. Why not keeping this on your desk or in your bag, so you can reapply it when needed during the day?
If you smoke, stop.
Eat a well-balanced diet, take exercise and drinking plenty of water so your skin is hydrated.
When you do the washing up or cleaning, wear rubber gloves as this can help ease dry skin on your hands and apply a rich hand cream and we are sure you will see smoother, softer skin.
If you think it could be your washing powder that is making your arms and legs itch, maybe switch to a fragrance free, non-biological option and see if it makes a difference.

If you continue to suffer, maybe speak to your GP who might be able to offer additional suggestion or alternative treatments.

Skincare Advice

Why and How You Should Be Using Beauty Oils

12/05/2018 15/05/2018 0

Beauty oils are huge right now, with every YouTuber on the planet making videos of themselves dripping them all over their faces, but are they just a ‘trend’ or is there benefit to using oil on your face?

The short answer is, YES, there’s a whole bunch of reasons to use beauty oils, and we’ve put together a little beginners guide to set you on the right path.

What are beauty oils?

Beauty oils are usually a blend of essential oils, fruit oils, plant oils and oils from other sources which have specific benefits for your complexion. Each one has a different formulation, which is good for different skin issues and they also usually have a complex fragrance which also works on an aromatheraputic level.

What are they good for?

Oils are deeply moisturising, making them good for dry skin and also skin which is suffering from the signs of ageing. However, they can also be good for oily skin, if you choose the right one. There’s pretty much an oil for every type of skin concern!

How do I use them?

If the YouTubers are to be believed, you’re supposed to film yourself dripping them all over your face – but actually, they can be used as a moisturiser, some can be used as cleansers to get rid of waterproof make up, they can be used for therapeutic massage and some can even be used as a replacement for your primer under make-up, especially if you have dry skin.

Which ones do we recommend?

Decleor Aroma Nutrition- Satin Softening Dry Oil – perfect for skin, hair and nails, to give a deep wash of moisture without feeling too greasy.

Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil – perfect for daily use to replenish very dry skin and improve oil production on a cellular level.

Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil – a delicate cleansing oil which melts away make-up in seconds without interfering with the skin’s natural balance.

Decleor Aromessence Neroli Amara Hydrating Oil Serum – a multi-award winning serum which is suitable for all skin types and will deeply nourish and hydrate the face.

Elemis Superfood Facial Oil – a natural blend of highly concentrated plant-based superfoods that deeply nourishes and hydrates.

Health and Happiness

Take a break and relax in five minutes

08/05/2018 15/05/2018 0

You’ve got 87 new emails in your inbox, the next conference call starts in five minutes and your to do list is growing by the minute – arghhhhh. When you are feeling frazzled, and a long weekend at the beach to regroup isn’t on the cards, you can reset your calm in less time that you think.

We have put together a list of easy ways to relax and relieve stress in just five minutes, or less.

Sip green tea
Instead of heading for another coffee, go for a green tea instead. Boil the water, pour it out, and once cool take a soothing sip of tea which contains a source of L-Theanine, a chemical that helps relieve anger.

Have a square of chocolate
Just one square of good quality, dark chocolate can help calm your nerves, regulate the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in your body and stabilise your metabolism. What’s not to like?

Get some gum
Minty, fruity, or bubble-gum flavoured, gum is a surprisingly quick and easy way to beat stress. Just a few minutes of chewing can help to reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels, but always go for a sugar-free option.

Stretch it out
Ever 30 minutes, get up, stand away from your desk or workplace and stretch. A few simple shoulder rolls or chest-opening stretches can ease muscle tension and help you to relax instantly.

Meditate
You don’t need to go on a retreat to meditate, as five minutes of peace is all it takes to feel the benefits of meditation. Find a quiet, comfortable spot, sit down, close your eyes, concentrate on your breath, and feel your anxiety start to disappear and the mist to clear.

Close your eyes
If lists and numbers are flashing in front of you, take a quick break by closing your eyes so you can regain calm and focus.

Get a stress ball
It is so simple, and so old school, but squeezing a stress ball is a great way to relieve all that built up tension and saves you dealing with a panic attack when things just get too much.

Try cold water
When stress hits, leave your desk, walk to the bathroom and run the cold water on your wrists and behind your ears. There are arteries underneath the skin in these area, so cooling them down can help calm your whole body down.

Get organised
Trying to work in a mess of Post-It notes, cables and pieces of paper can be stressful in itself. Take a few minutes to organise your work space and make a list of what needs to be done today and you will start to see the wood from the trees once again.

Move
Whether you walk up and down the stairs, dance around the kitchen or run to the shop, getting up and moving for even five minutes can work wonders for your stress levels and your mood.

Sing
Whether it is Beyonce, Justin Bieber or The Beatles, put your favourite song on, and sing it at full volume as you dance round the room. We bet you’ll find being lost in music for five minutes will fix a bad mood and take your back to better days.

If you have more than five minutes, you can of course come in and see use and whether you go for a facial, massage or soothing body treatment, we can get you back on track.

Skincare Advice

The Importance of Oxygen

05/05/2018 07/05/2018 0

With so much talk about how “antioxidants” are important to the skin, it might be easy to forget that oxygen is actually vital for the proper function of the skin. Oxidation is actually the decaying process that occurs when cells metabolize oxygen. As we get older, however, the skin loses its ability to process oxygen efficiently, which is why many products for ageing skin are “oxygenating”. Here at Pure Beauty, we offer several oxygenating products, and these are five of the best:

Decleor 2 in 1 Purifying and Oxygenating Mask

This product from Decleor combines a mask and an exfoliant into one product, for a simple, gentle approach to pureness. The mask contains bamboo tears, which cleanse and deeply mattify without dehydrating the skin and Egyptian loofah fibres, which gently eliminate dead skin cells. White Jojoba restores hydration and leave your skin feeling soft.

Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50

This product from Dermalogica is specifically designed for ageing skin and stimulates wound healing and collagen formation while increasing oxygen utilisation in cells. As well as defending against the internal and external causes of skin aging, this cream provides critical protection from daylight exposure, and blends smoothly into skin to create a perfected finish.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream

This night cream from Elemis is one of the best-loved products on the planet and it’s clear to see why! It’s a scientifically-proven night cream which helps to increase oxygen levels in the skin, to help to slow down ageing and bolster its natural regeneration process. It’s not cheap, but the results speak for themselves. A little goes a long way and it’s really worth every penny!

Decleor Velvet Mattifying Fluid

This mattifying fluid is designed for oily skin and encourages the skin to absorb more oxygen, therefore improving cellular activity and helping combat lifeless skin. It provides all day mattifying power, leaving your skin looking perfected and smooth, without drying it out at all. It’s ideal when used as a primer under make-up, giving the skin an airbrushed look.

Dermalogica MAP-15 Regenerator

Dermalogica created this powder-to-emulsion product that delivers the highest concentration of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) directly into the skin to help dramatically improve skin firmness and clarity. It increases oxygen utilisation in skin while hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, phospholipids, algae and yeast extracts to help stimulate collagen production, brighten skin tone, and neutralise free radicals to dramatically.

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