Our Blog – Page 44 – Pure Beauty – The Lichfield Beauty Salon

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.

Health and Happiness

Keep hay fever at bay

01/05/2018 01/05/2018 0

It seems like only yesterday we were shovelling snow off our paths and wrapping up in thermals, but all of a sudden spring is here and with it brings the pollen that causes hay fever, and misery.

The balmier climes we have been seeing recently mean trees have burst into flower and the pollen levels have risen. Millions of Brits suffer with itchy eyes, a runny nose, headaches and irritating sneezes every summer, so we have had a look at why and what you can do to deal with the pain of hay fever.

Hay fever tends to start in late March and can last until the end of September, with things being worse when it’s warm, humid and windy as this is when the pollen count is at its highest.

Unlike a cold, which tends to last for a week or two, hay fever sticks around for longer.

The typical symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, coughing and a runny and/or blocked nose. Itchy, red, watery eyes are a constant feature and headaches as well as pain around the forehead and temples can make days drag.
A sore throat as well as ear ache and a poor sense of smell can leave you feeling tired and irritable – well is it little wonder?

One of the many frustrating things is that because Mother Nature is at the heart of this condition, hay fever cannot be prevented and there is no cure because the symptom causing pollen is in the air.

There are however things that can help you get the situation under control.

Try putting Vaseline around your nostrils as this can trap pollen before it gets into your nose and we also like the HayMax organic allergen barrier balm which you can buy in most chemists. They might not be on trend, but wraparound sunglasses can help stop the pollen getting in your eyes. It might seem extreme but shower and change your clothes when you’ve been outside as this will wash away pollen Boring maybe, but when pollen levels are high, why not stay indoors and get those jobs done that were on your list all winter. Keeping windows and doors closed helps the situation, as does vacuming and dusting.

There are also some golden ‘don’ts’ that you might not of considered but could help you feel better. Don’t cut the grass or walk on grass as this can really lead to problems. They are pretty, but don’t have fresh flowers in the house, smoking is always a bad idea and really won’t help hay fever, and don’t dry your clothes outside as they will pick up pollen which you will then ingest.

Even with all of these steps taken, you may well still find pollen gets to you and makes you feel grotty and unable to get on with life.

You can take over the counter products from the chemist and your Pharmacist will be able to talk you though painkillers as well as antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays which can all ease symptoms.

If nothing takes the edge off things, you may want to speak to your GP and they can prescribe stronger medication.

We hope this helps you on your hay fever journey and remember, we are always here to pamper you if you are feeling less than 100%.

The Salon Team

Facial Treatments, Skincare Advice

Looking After Your Lips

28/04/2018 29/04/2018 0

The lips are one of the most noticeable features of your face – most people say that the first thing they look at is a person’s mouth and it’s often the focus when speaking or smiling. That means that keeping your lips in beautiful condition is important for the whole appearance of your face, so we thought we’d talk to you today about some of the products that Pure Beauty have to offer for looking after your lips.

Decleor Luxuriant Nourishing Lip Balm

This balm from Decleor has a rich feel which melts in beautifully and not only protects lips from dryness, but can also help to restore lips which are already suffering. It contains a combination of marjoram essential oil, shea butter and macadamia oil to leave lips feeling soft, supple and totally restored to their best.

Elemis Lip Revive

This reviving lip treatment from Elemis contains zingy, cooling peppermint with helps your lips to feel in tip-top condition. It’s made from a base of white bees wax, a totally natural alternative to the usual petroleum-based lip treatments which actually dry the lips out MORE. It heals and soothes dry, chapped lips and offers excellent moisturising properties.

Dermalogica Lip Renewal Complex

Ageing lips often suffer from dryness, as well as fine lines and wrinkles, which is why Dermalogica created this lip complex, specifically for older skin. It’s designed to restore delicate tissue while minimising contour lines and helping to prevent the signs of aging. It is suitable for drier/prematurely-aging skin and is especially useful for former smokers who want to reverse the signs of ageing around the mouth.

Elemis Pro-Definition Eye and Lip Contour Cream

The skin around the eyes and mouth are actually pretty similar; both are areas of high movement and are susceptible to showing the signs of ageing because of this. Elemis has developed a cream which is suitable for both the delicate eye and lip area and new Chaperone technology with scientifically proven plant stem cells help to redensify, plump and re-build thin, ageing skin around the eyes and lips.

Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment

This restorative lip treatment contains a highly-scientific combination of swertia chirata extract, apple fruit extract and glycerin, sesame seed extract and shea butter. It’s designed to bolster the fragile skin around the mouth, give plumpness back to the area and deeply moisturise while protecting from further drying. The container offers a special applicator to make using it even easier.

Health and Happiness

Eat spring vegetables and feel great

24/04/2018 29/04/2018 0

As well as longer evenings, warmer temperatures and bank holidays, spring is also the time when British vegetables come into their own giving you so much more choice when it comes to cooking. Nothing tastes quite as good as fresh rhubarb and radishes so we have had a look at the best way to tuck into them while you can.

Spring greens
Well, what else could we kick off with? Spring by name and spring by nature, these often overlooked vegetables have dark, loose, lush leaves but come without the hard core that is at the centre of white and purple cabbages. Whether you use them in a soup, stew, broth, stir-fry or as part of a Sunday roast, simply shred the leaves, cook and enjoy spring greens at the their best from now until the end of May.

Asparagus
There is something special about the asparagus, but the British season is short so if you see it for sale, grab it. It is the prized tender tips you want to go for and these need to be cooked al dente so they keep a little bite and don’t go soft. Serve with a tuna salad, baked with cod or simply use as an alternative to soldiers and dip into your breakfast eggs.

Rhubarb
Did you know that rhubarb is actually a veggie? The bright pink colour, sour, fruity taste and the fact that it is mostly used in desserts, makes us think it’s a fruit but it comes from the same family as sorrel and is most definitely a vegetable. While this can be ready as early as January, it is spring when the best crop becomes available. Rhubarb adds something different to sweet and savoury dishes but we love nothing more than a homemade crumble served with custard.

Cauliflower
We know that the humble cauliflower is used all year round, but right now they are at their finest. We love a traditional cauliflower cheese after a busy day at work and it is of course the perfect accompaniment to pretty much any meal you make. If you want to up your cooking game, why not try to make cauliflower rice to go with your salmon, cut up and create cauliflower steaks for the BBQ, or you can find a recipe online and make a fab gluten free pizza base with cauliflower.

Purple sprouting broccoli
There isn’t long until the end of April, so we suggest you go for a serving of this vibrant vegetable ASAP. Not dissimilar to its green cousins, the purple florets offer a more delicate taste, as well as a splash of colour. Serve with chicken or fish, add a little garlic butter to bring out the flavour of your meat or use it to bring a simple salad to life by adding a few florets on the side.

New potatoes
A solid staple, that’s what the new potato is and it really cannot be beaten. With a sweet, nutty flavour and flaky skins, these potatoes have a firm texture so are perfect for potato salad made with fresh mayonnaise and chives. Add to a nutty salad, cut up into a casserole or layer onto of a Shepherd’ pie for a light crust.

Radishes
We love these crisp, bright peppery vegetables and think should be added to every salad or you can pickle them and use as a delicate G&T garnish.

So, step away from the tins and get fresh in the kitchen this spring.

Life and Fashion

Five Ways to Make Your Hair Appear Thicker

21/04/2018 24/04/2018 0

There are loads of products on the market which promise thicker hair, from magic capsules to special shampoos, but the plain fact is that your head has a certain amount of follicles, usually dictated by genetics, and no amount of product will change that. There are, however, things you can do to make your hair APPEAR thicker, and we thought we’d share a few thicker-hair secrets with you today.

Switch Up Your Shampoo

Lots of shampoos contain something called “sulfates”, which are usually used to cut through grease, but they can also strip the outer layer of your hair, leaving it looking dry and flyaway. Switching to a sulphate-free shampoo such as Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo will give your hair a much fuller look and stop your hair from being damaged in the process.

Change Your Conditioner

Many conditioners are just way too heavy for fine hair and will literally weight it down, making it look even flatter than usual. A lightweight conditioner like Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse will do a much better job of conditioning your hair without making it look flat as a pancake and will make it easier to add volume while styling.

Think About Your Style

Styles which are parted in the middle and dead-straight will massively accentuate fine hair; a sweeping fringe, side parting and waves or curls will add masses of volume to your hair and really help to disguise fine or thinning hair. Experiment with different things and don’t be afraid to go for something out of your comfort zone!

Look After Your Scalp

Sometimes, the problem with your hair is actually your scalp, and you might find that treating your scalp to some TLC can improve the appearance of your hair. Elemis Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend is rich in plant collagen and is designed to be used on the scalp, as well as the skin, hair and nails. It’s a light oil which is easily absorbed and improves circulation with regular use.

Audit Your Products

Think about the products you’re using on your hair – are they weighing it down? Oil-based products like serums are generally too heavy to use on fine hair, whereas something like a sea-salt spray will had texture and definition to your hair, helping to give it body and volume.

Body Treatments, Facial Treatments, Manicures

Pure Beauty for Pampering Treats

17/04/2018 24/04/2018 0

Welcome to Pure Beauty in Lichfield; an oasis of calm just moments from Upper St Johns Street, where you can leave the worries of the world at the door and be pampered to your heart’s content.

We pride ourselves on first class customer service and have a team of experienced, professional therapists who offer a range of treatments that leave you feeling relaxed and revived as well as looking fantastic.

With so much to choose from, we are going to have a look at some of our most popular treatments and hope they will tempt you to come in and give us a try.

CACI Non Surgical Face Lift
If you are looking to improve muscle tone as well as soften fine lines and wrinkles, you might be interested in the CACI Non Surgical Face Lift. A micro-current is used and a combination of waveforms and ultra low frequencies work with your body’s own bio electrical field for noticeable results. We recommend a 12 week course to get the most out of this treatment, with 1 to 2 sessions a week initially and monthly top-ups there after for maintenance purposes.

Manicures and Pedicures
Tidy nails are a sure way too look and feel great about yourself everyday. Our Luxury Manicure takes just under an hour and is the perfect pick me up from a busy schedule and demanding family life. Your therapist will start by submerging your hands in warm water so your nails are softened, nourished and receptive to your treatment. Your cuticles will then be tidied up and treated so they are strong and healthy. Following an arm and hand massage, your nails will filed and your chosen polish and finish applied.

If time isn’t on your side but you want to get flip-flop ready, why not go for the Express Pedicure? During the 30 minute session, your therapist will gently push back your cuticles, massage your feet with a beautiful foot cream, file your nails and apply polish so your feet are picture perfect. We do suggest you have open toe shoes to leave the salon so no smudges occur before the colour and finish are 100% set.

Pregnancy Treatments
Mums-to-be need to take care of themselves, as well as their precious load, and for this reason we offer a range of treatments just for them. The Elemis Peaceful Pregnancy Massage is a sensitive, relaxing massage that gently hydrates and moisturises the delicate skin that is growing with the baby. Nurturing aromatics are used by experienced therapists who ensure you are comfortable and leave feeling cared for. We also have the new post-natal treatment that gives new mums 90 minutes of ‘me time’ so they can get away from nappies and feeding a let us take care of them. A gentle body massage, bespoke facial and soothing mask are all part of the package and one that takes care of the needs of new mums who walk out of the salon ready for the next feed.

ELEMIS Facials
Our Elemis facials are really popular because our therapists ensure they are tailored to each client. We love the Elemis Superfood Pro Radiance Facial which leaves skin plump, glowing and looking healthier than ever. The results are thanks to a nutritional boost rich in superfoods and essential minerals that ease stressed, dull skin and brings it back to life.

Just for Men
We know men also need a little bit of time out so we offer a range of treatments just for them. One of the most popular choices is the Deep Tissue Back and Shoulder Massage. This highly targeted treatment focuses on releasing the tension that builds up in the back and shoulders, something which is often the result of driving for hours, time spent at a computer or over doing things in the gym. Therapists work with clients to customise treatments and using the right the level of pressure the powerful deep tissue massage will break down and take away the aches and pains caused by tight, over worked muscles.

Whatever you are looking for, give us a call and we are confident we can help you feel your very best you.

Team Pure-Beauty

Skincare Advice

Lotions and Creams – What’s the Difference?

14/04/2018 24/04/2018 0

If you’re not familiar with the products in a particular range, or just aren’t hugely knowledgeable when it comes to skincare, all of the various terms might seem confusing. Two of the most commonly used words in skincare are “lotion” and “cream” and while it might seem like these are the same thing, there are some major differences.

Lotions have a lower viscosity, meaning they have a thinner consistency compared to creams. This is why you’ll find most lotions packaged in bottles that can be squeezed or come with a built-in pump, like Decleor Hydra Floral White Petal Skin Perfecting Hydrating Milky Lotion. Lotions also tend to be lighter and less oily, which makes the formulation ideal for products that are used for the entire body and/or used during the day.

Creams, on the other hand, are much thicker. They are usually packaged in small jars since they are not only difficult to squeeze out of bottles, but are also more concentrated. Most anti-aging products used on the face have a cream formulation, such as Decleor Energy Concentrate Youth Cream which contains peony, lychee and rhodiola extracts, which re-energises the skin.

If you have normal skin, lotions are already sufficient to moisturize your entire body, including your hands and feet. As mentioned earlier, lotions are also ideal to use during the day and during summer as well, since they are absorbed easily and don’t leave a sticky, sometimes greasy residue; if you live somewhere hot and/or humid, you may also want to use lotions instead of creams. However, if your hands, elbows, knees, and feet are particularly dry, you can find some specialized creams that can address the dryness in these areas.

Meanwhile, if you need intensive moisturisation — for example, you have very dry skin — then creams best suit your needs. Those who live in places with strong winds or extremely cold winters may also benefit from the usage of creams, as they are thicker and thus provide a greater level of protection from harsh environmental conditions.

Another thing that you should remember is that you should only use products intended for a specific use. That is to say, hand lotions and creams should only be used for the hands, and so on. This is because there are often ingredients in these specially made lotions and creams that aren’t supposed to be used in other parts of the body.

Now that you know the difference between the two, it’s time to get a lotion or cream (or both!) to take care of your skin all over.

Life and Fashion

Get your feet flip flop ready

10/04/2018 13/04/2018 0

We don’t know about you, but we think it feels like spring is in the air and that means putting the Uggs away, getting the flip flips out and making sure our feet are in good condition after a long, cold winter.

We have put together some easy to follow tips to get your toes and feet happy and healthy for the summer.

Exfoliate
When you are in the shower, use your body scrub to exfoliate your feet and in between your toes, as bacteria can live here that can cause infections.

Dry your feet well
Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them, especially between the toes as is where fungal infections such as athlete’s foot can develop.

Keep them smooth
There is nothing worse than scratchy, coarse feet so get into the habit of using a pumice stone or foot file on damp heels and calluses as this will keep them healthy and looking good. First, soak your feet in warm water for around 10 minutes to help soften your skin. Then gently remove the thickened skin with a pumice stone, take your time, go easy and don’t rub until the skin is raw. Little and often is the key to success. Apply foot scrubs or gentle exfoliators to your feet to further remove dead skin. Finally apply a foot cream or balm containing shea or cocoa butter and let the goodness get to work, free of shoes or socks.

Moisturise
If your heels are very dry and cracked for an extended period, you might want to talk to a podiatrist or chiropodist but if it is every day wear and tear, using a moisturising product on a regular basis will keep them in tip-top condition.

Protect from the sun
We are getting better at wearing sunscreen on our faces and bodies, but don’t always remember to put it on the tops of our feet and toes. Apply a broad-spectrum cream with an SPF of at least 30 when you’re going barefoot or wearing open shoes and make sure you don’t burn as it can be really painful and potentially dangerous.

Go easy on the polish
We know painted nails look great with flip flops and sandals, but nails naturally become more brittle with age and the ingredients in some polish products can dry your nails even further. Every couple of weeks remove your nail varnish, using an alcohol-free product, and allow your toenails to breathe for a few days before treating yourself to a relaxing pedicure.

Cut carefully
Trim your toenails on a regular basis using proper nail clippers not kitchen scissors. The best way to do this is to cut straight across the nail, never at an angle or down the edges as this can cause painful ingrown nails. After cutting your nails, moisturise them with either a cuticle cream, petroleum jelly, or Vitamin E oil.

Limit high heels
We all love heels but they don’t do us many favours in the long run and they can cause posture, back and knee problems. Keep them for special occasions, try not to wear them all day long and if you need insoles or plasters, use them as your feet will thank you.

Take care with flip-flops
We know it is tempting in the summer to wear flip-flops all the time but they don’t provide any support and can give you arch and heel pain. Be sensible and swap your shoes around, wearing trainers if you are out walking, and having a couple of pairs of sandals, ideally with straps, you can alternate is a good idea.

Poolside health
Changing rooms, gym showers, swimming pools, public toilets, and hotel bathrooms are breeding grounds for fungus and nasties. Try to avoid walking barefoot in such places to prevent picking up athlete’s foot and verrucas.

Feet can tell a lot about our overall health. For example, dry skin can be a sign of chronic fatigue and flaky toenails can be attributed to a deficiency in calcium or Vitamin B, so if you do have any major issues with your feet, speak to your GP for medical advice.

Dermalogica, Elemis, Health and Happiness

A Herbal Treatment for Your Skin

07/04/2018 13/04/2018 0

Mankind has been using combinations of herbs for centuries to treat a whole load of ailments, and these days, the best beauty products also harness the powers of nature. From lavender to soothe the skin to rosemary which helps aching joints, we stock a whole range of products which are based on herbs and pack a real punch. Read on for five of our favourites:

Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask

Masks are a great way to treat your skin and using one which is infused with lavender is going to be the perfect way soothe your skin. This mask from Elemis is ideal for sensitive, blemish prone skin and can be used as a special overnight treatment to repair and heal blemished skin. It doesn’t set, so it doesn’t dry the skin out and is great for oily skin.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream

This cream from Dermalogica contains a whole load of different ingredients, derived from nature. As well as aloe gel, the cream contains mallow, cucumber and arnica, as well as grapeseed extract and vitamins A, C and E. It helps to smooth fine lines, prevent the cellular damage caused by free radicals, and restore suppleness and tone to the skin.

Elemis Musclease Active Body Oil

As we mentioned above, rosemary oil is a great remedy to aching muscles and in this body oil it’s combined with maritime pine, sea buckthorn and sea fennel extracts to help ease muscle spasm caused by sport, dance, physical work and wear and tear. It soaks in quickly and doesn’t leave the skin feeling oily, just moisturised and smoothed.

Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment

Because the mouth is a high-movement area, it’s also one of the places that wrinkles are most likely to form, which is why using a targeted product to take care of the area is important. As with other night creams, this lip treatment is ultra-rich and contains Indian gentian, an herb which is found high in the Himalayan mountains. It helps thicken the epidermis, which reduces skin fragility and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles on and around the lips.

Elemis Smooth Result Shave and Beard Oil

Beard-care is hugely popular these days, and rightly so, with more blokes than ever sporting a chin warmer! This versatile oil can be used both for shaving and for keeping your beard soft and smooth, and contains a blend of vitamin-rich herbal oils to suit all skin types.

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