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

How to Look More Polished

30/06/2018 03/07/2018 0

For many of us, our daily beauty routine consists of what we can fit in during the time we have (which is often about 30 seconds between pushing the kids out of the door for the school run and going to work). There are, however, a few little things that you can do which will give your whole look a more overall polished look. Read on for our tips:

Neat Nails

There’s nothing that can ruin a look quicker than having ragged nails, split cuticles and generally untidy hands. We suggest soaking your fingers in warm water, before trimming your cuticles and ensuring there’s no other ragged skin, and then shaping your nails with a file made from natural materials. Finishing with dark nail varnish will make shorter nails look more elegant and Elemis Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream will ensure your hand stay looking good.

Accessorising

It’s more than possible for two people to wear the same outfit and for one to look better than the other, purely because they’ve accessorised beautifully! Go for statement necklaces or earrings and don’t be afraid to go for a bold contrast of colour against your outfit.

Well-Fitting Clothes

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a size 6 or a size 26, if your clothes are ill-fitting it will always ruin the shape of your outfit. Make sure your buttons don’t gap, your waistband doesn’t pull in and that you don’t need to be constantly tugging at your garments as all of these things will destroy any chance of looking well put-together.

Good Hair

Even if you’re not the sort of person to do a full blow dry on your hair every morning, having a good hair cut means that you’ll look elegant with little effort. Find an experiences stylist and discuss with them exactly what you want before taking the plunge, and do be afraid to ask them to make alterations if you don’t immediately love it.

Moisturised Skin

You can do all the good hair and perfect outfits you like, if your elbows and knees are flaky and dry, you’re going to lose that polished look. Decleor Nourishing Body Balm is an intensive body balm to leave dry skin feeling nourished with moisture.

Life and Fashion

New hair, new you

26/06/2018 26/06/2018 0

When it comes to maintaining a youthful glow, many of us think that a good beauty routine, drinking lots of water and using anti-ageing products will achieve this.

While there is no doubt these things help, have you ever thought what a change in hairstyle might do for your image?

We think that there is nothing quite like a cut, colour or revamp to give you a new, fresh look, but it is also worth remembering that having a regular trim means you will have healthy-looking hair which always looks more youthful than a style which is littered with damaged split ends.

Ombré Waves
While there are some pretty fierce colour ideas out there right now, you can still have fun without looking like you have got things a bit wrong. Going for a soft ombré option with youthful, face-framing waves gives a really chic look and your confidence will take a boost too.

Sleek Bob
A bob is a classic cut that takes away the years. Go for shorter layers in the back as these give you extra volume and use a serum for added shine and glamour. You can keep things straight, or add waves using a heated brush or wand. Another clever trick is rather than parting your hair in the middle, opt for a side parting which instantly creates a younger “just out of the salon” look.

The Messy Chignon
We love this look at any age. Not as tight or ageing as the classic bun, a loose chignon doesn’t just give you a fashion edge but it also adds volume to your hair which can erase the years. Add statement earrings and skin flattering lipstick and you will look, and feel, fabulous.

Keeping it Long
If you aren’t ready to part with your long locks, think about having some soft layers and a long side-swept fringe which will keep you looking fresh and current.

Highlight It
Long, beachy hair with some well placed, natural looking highlights can give your skin a radiant, just got back from holiday glow. Speak to your hairdresser about the best shades for you and do remember this is can be pretty high maintenance and you will need your roots done every six weeks!

The Pixie Cut
This isn’t for everyone but it is timeless and effortless. Choppy layers are the perfect way to add texture and dimension to this classic cut so that your look will be youthful not dated. Adding a few well-placed low-lights can create a really stunning, easy to maintain look that is perfect for all seasons.

Go With the Grey
Long gone are the days when grey hair needed to be hidden. Either embrace your silver stands and shine as you are meant to, or speak to your hairdresser about some adding colour so that you’re not only happy with your look but you also keep your confidence.

Tie it Back
If you have longer hair and want it out-of-the-way, go for a low, loose ponytail as opposed to a high one, and this will give a subtle, chic look that is perfect for yoga classes, work and when you don’t want hair getting in your eyes.

Add a Fringe
If you want to add style and hid the odd wrinkle, think about a fringe. Go for a feather, sweeping style, rather than a blunt line and you will get a much softer look that flatters your face and brings out your eyes.

Always used a good quality shampoo and conditioner and remember that a smile makes the world of difference too.

Team Pure Beauty

Skincare Advice

The Best Sunscreen for your Skin Type

23/06/2018 25/06/2018 0

Now that summer is finally in full swing, everyone’s thoughts should be turning to sun protection, but one mistake that people often make is thinking that one type of sun cream will suit everyone, which simply isn’t true. Each face will have different requirements, on top of needing to be kept safe in the sun, so we thought we’d take a look at the sunscreens in our ranges to see which is best for each skin type.

Oily skin

Many sun protection products are made from ingredients which feel incredibly thick and greasy on your skin, which isn’t desirable if you’ve already got oily skin. Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30 contains no oils and actually mattifies the skin while offering broad-spectrum protection to your face.

Ageing Skin

It’s hard to say whether Decleor Protective Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF30 Face is a sunscreen which contains anti-ageing properties, or an anti-ageing cream with added SPF, because it does both jobs so well! As well as protect the cell’s DNA, it can combat the signs of ageing and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. It will also reduce cutaneous reactions caused by sun exposure.

Sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, then Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF30 is the sunscreen for you. As well as giving you broad-spectrum, SPF30 protection, it also contains ingredients which are designed to reduce redness and inflammation, as well as antioxidants and botanical extracts help guard against premature aging and irritation. It can be mixed with your regular moisturiser for added hydration.

Young Skin

If you like to spend time in the sun but are worries about the signs of ageing being sped up, then Elemis Liquid Layer SPF30 would be a good first-defence for you. It’s a lightweight, non-oily formula for invisible protection which offers a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection layer and contains naturally occurring titanium dioxide, a physical UV barrier for added protection.

Uneven Skin

One of the annoying things about finding a facial sunscreen is finding one which plays nice underneath your make-up, which is why we love Decleor BB Cream 24 Hour Hydration SPF15 Medium. It gives skin a wash of colour, evening out the skin tone and providing a decent level of coverage, while also offering SPF15 protection from the sun.

Health and Happiness

Quick Healthy Breakfasts

19/06/2018 19/06/2018 0

Grabbing an energy drink and a cereal bar as you run out of the door and head for the bus might be quick, but have you stopped to wonder why you are hungry again by the time you get your desk?

Sugary snacks might give you an initial hit, but void of real goodness, you will probably find you crash and burn before lunchtime and this will set you up for a day of ups and downs that can be avoided by eating a proper breakfast.

We know that time is tight in the morning, but we have had a look at some easy, quick breakfasts that will keep you running on full for longer.

Peanut Butter on Toast
This is a superfood twist on the classic PB and toast and we love it. Slice half a banana and add it on top of your peanut butter together with a sprinkling of vitamin packed chia seeds, then enjoy the energy and goodness.

Granola on the Go
Tupperware is so now, so make sure you buy some! Add a cup of granola (homemade if you can) to your tub, mix in a pot of natural yogurt, add a handful of sliced white grapes as well as some dried apple rings and you have a fantastic breakfast that is perfect for eating at your desk.

Blueberry Smoothie
This a simple, delicious smoothie for the morning rush that is good to drink on the go. Blend one banana with half a cup of blueberries and the same of strawberries. Then add a few cubes of melon and cucumber together with half a cup of coconut water, blend until smooth and drink while cold by adding ice cubes.

Quinoa Porridge
Yes, you read this right. Gently cooking quinoa in almond milk together with sweet spices and dried fruit makes for a great breakfast. As well as filling you up, it is high in protein and essential amino acids and these can help with tissue growth and repair. Put all the ingredients into a pot, bring to a boil and them simmer, adding a little honey before you eat. .

Avocado and Eggs
Something are best eaten simple, and this breakfast is just that. Toast two slices of rye bread, then add one smashed avocado and top with a poached egg, plus salt and pepper and a few pine nuts for added taste and texture. As well as having plenty of protein, you also get the healthy fats from the avocado that help your skin and hair look great.

Breakfast Burritos
These are a brilliant way to start the day but can also be wrapped up and taken to work or school for lunch. Get some wraps, preferably wholemeal, and we like bacon with tomato and avocado but you can pretty much add anything that takes your fancy and keeps your tummy from rumbling.

Overnight Oats
Yes, this has to be is the ultimate busy person breakfast and our favourite. Put some oats, chia seeds, blueberries, raisins, almond milk, and honey in a bowl and mix well before covering and putting in the fridge before you go to bed. By the morning this will be a delicious blend of goodness and flavours and adding sliced banana before you eat, will really give a great start to your day.

Special Scrambled Eggs
This is great for the weekend when you wake up late and want to laze around. Make up some soft and fluffy scrambled eggs, add smoked salmon and some granary toast and you have a feast for brunch!

Let us know if you have a favourite we have missed off the list.

Life and Fashion

Bare-Minimum Beauty

16/06/2018 19/06/2018 0

It’s fair to say that beauty regimes are a spectrum, with some people spending hours and hours on their routines while others prefer to get up and go with minimal effort. We’ve written many times about the optimal skin routines and all the things that you should be doing, but this time we thought we’d give a nod to the low-maintenance sisterhood and take a look at the bare minimum that you should be doing to keep your skin ticking over nicely, and the products that can help you do this:

Efficient Washing

If you’re more of a ‘scrub in the shower’ than a full-on purveyor of the cleanse-tone-moisturise technique, then a facial wash that you can use in the shower is what you need. Elemis Gentle Foaming Facial Wash just needs to be rubbed onto dry skin and then rubbed over with water to create a foam, then can simply be rinsed off with water. No mess, no fuss, no need for special cloths!

3-in-1 Goodness

If your skin needs a little more than just a cleanse in the morning, but you don’t want to spend ages (or fortunes) on different products, then Decleor Hydra-Radiance Cleansing Mousse would be a good investment for you. It cleanses the skin, as well as plumping and firming, and even contains hyaluronic acid to give your skin a wash of moisture that will last all day.

One Bottle to Rule Them All

One of our very favourite products is Elemis Tea Tree S.O.S. Spray, purely because it has SO many uses, making it the best friend to all you low maintenance gals out there. It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, so it can be used in lieu of a spot treatment, as a deodorant, a foot spray, to soothe insect bites, after waxing, for cleansing your body brush, and even to clean your trainers if they’re whiffy!

Nourish…EVERYWHERE!

It’s rare to find a product which can be used on your skin, nails and your hair, but Decleor Aroma Nutrition Satin Softening Dry Oil is one such product. It’s a dry oil, which means it nourishes and moisturises without leaving you feeling greasy and leaves your body and face feeling softer and more comfortable, your hair nourished and looking shiny. It’s enriched with frankincense essential oil, camellia, rose and sweet almond oils, giving a wonderfully subtle and feminine fragrance.

Health and Happiness

How to sleep in the heat

12/06/2018 12/06/2018 0

We don’t know about you, but we find getting to sleep, and staying asleep, is so much easier in the winter.

Cool crisp sheets, cold air, blankets and bed socks are a much cosier way to end the day, rather than melting into your bed when it is just too hot.

The ideal temperature for sleep is said to be 17ºC and we saw higher in May, but don’t despair, we have some hints and tips on how to nod off however warm it is.

In the day
If it is hot during the day, use blinds and curtains to keep the sunlight out and close the windows.

Don’t burn
Sounds silly, but sun burn only gets worse at night so avoid it at all costs for the sake of your skin and sleep!

Eat early
We suggest eating your evening meal at least two hours before you got to bed, and try to limit booze before bedtime too. Keep hydrated by drinking water, but don’t overdo it or you’ll keep waking up and needing the loo.

Freeze your bedding
Sounds crazy, but putting your sheets and pillow cases into bags and placing them in your freezer for half an hour before you go to bed, can make a difference. When you take them out, grab some ice cubes for your water too and stay cool all night long.

Go for cotton
Satin, silk and polyester just don’t cut it when it’s warm, so opt for cotton and linen as they are lightweight and breathable. If you’re going to wear PJs, go for cotton with these too as it lets your skin breath and cuts down on sweating and smelling too.

Hit the shower
Rather than washing the day away in a hot bath, have a shower before going to bed and this should help you to cool down. Don’t blast icy water however as this can actually make you more alert and choose a soothing shower gel to relax and calm your mind rather than citrus bursts which can awaken the senses – something you don’t need.

Put the fan on
Fans are great but they can simply mix up the warm air in your bedroom, so put a large bottle of frozen water in front it for an all-night cooling effect.

Ice packs
Put picnic ice packs in the freezer in the morning, and in the evening, take them out, wrap them in a pillowcase and put them in your bed – just like a hot water bottle, but in reverse.

Don’t toss and turn
Getting restless and cross because you can’t sleep will probably only make you hotter and keep you awake for longer. If you can’t sleep, get up, have a glass of water, take a few deep breaths, maybe try a little meditation then when you feel calmer, go back to bed and try again.

Go pill free
The temptation might be to take something to help you sleep but if you can resist that one! If nothing helps, go and see your GP or talk to your pharmacist, but before you know it you will be digging out the electric blanket and looking for your thermals!

Good luck and sleep tight.

Team Pure-Beauty

Life and Fashion

How to Wear Red Lipstick Like a Pro

09/06/2018 09/06/2018 0

Many women will happily tell you that they’re just not brave enough to go super bold and wear a red lip, or that they’ve never been able to find a red lipstick which suits them, but there’s an old saying which goes “there’s a red lipstick for every face”, so we thought we’d give you some tips on how to totally rock a red lip:

Make Sure Your Lips Are in Good Nick

If you’re making a statement with a bright lip colour, you’re not going to want to have flaky lips which look like they’re falling off of your face, so make sure you slather on Decleor Luxuriant Nourishing Lip Balm to get your lips feeling smooth and nourished.

Choose the Right Red

There are SO many different shades of red out there, some with blue undertones, some with orange undertones and some with pink undertones, and they’re all suited to different colourings and complexions. Head to a make-up counter and spend some time with the consultant finding a red that you feel amazing in.

Avoid the Bleed

If you have a lot of fine lines around your mouth, any shade of lipstick could potentially bleed into them, but red will show up quite badly. Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment is designed to target those feather lines around your lip and will plump them up to stop your cosmetics bleeding out.

Get a Lip Liner

In the old days, lip liner was a bit iffy, and would leave you with a halo of colour round your mouth once your lippy had worn off. These days, we suggest that you buy a lip liner in a shade which is the closest possible to your lippy and colour in your WHOLE lip area, not just the edges. This will not only give your colour more lasting power, but also protect from the bleed-through we mentioned above.

Remove it Properly

Red lipstick often contains very strong pigments, some of which can even stain the skin, so removing it properly is a must. Elemis White Flowers Eye and Lip Make-Up Remover is designed to deal with even the toughest waterproof make-up and will blitz your red lips once you want to go back to a natural look.

Health and Happiness

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

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