Pure Beauty - The Lichfield Beauty Salon

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Let Decleor Smooth Your Skin Without Make Up

Let Decleor Smooth Your Skin Without Make Up
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For many women, make-up is a fact of life and a normal part of their daily routine. There are, however, plenty of us who would rather forego the faff of putting their face on and who dislike the feeling of heavy creams and foundations on their skin. The problem there is that very few people have naturally perfect skin, and although you may want to go bare faced, you may not have the confidence to do so. Decleor have a great selection of products which promise to give you much smoother skin, so we thought we’d take a look in honour of our foundation-free sisters out there:

Decleor Mandarine Smoothing Night Balm

One of the things that we love the most about this night balm from Decleor is that not only does it do a powerful job of smoothing the skin and eliminating imperfections, but it’s also made from 100% natural ingredients. The antioxidant powers of mandarin essential oil help to visibly smooth wrinkles and create a luminous skin finish, while evening primrose plant oil, shea butter and cupuacu butter provide optimal hydration.

Decleor Energising Smoothing Cream SPF15

This cream from the Aroma Lisse product range is for use during the day and contains light-reflecting particles to give a smoother, more radiant look to the skin while offering protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Hyaluronic acid and ginseng extract will plump the skin, deeply hydrating as it goes, as well as protecting against the attack from daily pollutants and eliminating signs of fatigue. It’s a real multi-tasker which will leave your skin photo-ready without the need for cosmetics.

Decleor Hydra-Radiance Smoothing and Cleansing Mousse with Cloth

Often, problems with a lack of smoothness can be traced back to improper cleansing and not exfoliating the skin properly – how can your skin be expected to shine when it’s being shrouded by old, dead cells? This cleansing mouse and cloth combination will thoroughly cleanse the skin, sloughing away not only the day’s dirt and grime but also ridding the skin of dead cells and revealing a smoother complexion beneath. It’s also suitable for all skin types and can be used every day.

Decleor Phytopeel Smooth Exfoliating Cream

Many exfoliators are harsh on the skin and contain particles which actually scrape the dead skin cells away. This exfoliating cream from Decleor doesn’t contain any particles and uses active ingredients to absorbs and eliminates impurities. Best used once or twice a week alongside your regular skincare routine, it will stimulate the cell renewal process and leave your complexion looking smoother and fresher for the long-term.

Decleor Mandarine Smoothing Oil Serum

Many of the most powerful beauty products that we sell are in serum form and this smoothing oil is yet another. It will help to prevent the first signs of ageing and correct fine lines and wrinkles while ensuring a deep skin hydration thanks to hazelnut and sunflower oils. It should be applied each morning after your usual cleanser and before you moisturise to guarantee an improved complexion and continuing smoothness.

Elemis White Brightening System

Hyperpigmentation and an uneven skin tone is an issue which is suffered by many people, especially those with ageing skin or those who have been life-long sun worshippers. Sun damage itself can be tricky to reverse, but there are things that you can do to deal with hyperpigmentation, which is why Elemis developed the White Brightening System, a whole range of products designed to tackle that exact issue. Here’s a look at the products in the range and an overview of how each one can help:

Elemis White Brightening Dark Spot Corrector

Elemis White Brightening Dark Spot Corrector

This spot corrector is an intensive treatment which is designed to put used directly on each spot of hyperpigmentation, and can be used on the face, neck, decolletage and even your hands, to target and reduce the appearance of dark spots. The ELEMIS Brightening Complex of encapsulated vitamin C, pea and daisy is blended with garden cress, rich in a powerful anti-oxidant phytonutrient, to help reduce the intensity of dark spots without affecting the surrounding area.

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Cleanser

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Cleanser

A good facial routine begins with your cleanser and this one is perfect for reducing the appearance of dark spots. It eliminates excess oils and uses extracts from kiwi and other botanicals to smooth the skin and make your skin tone look more unified. It can be used daily but should be kept away from the delicate eye area, but still upholds the Elemis promise with no parabens, SLES or other nasties.

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Lotion

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Lotion

This Even Tone Lotion is intended for use right after cleansing and will help to maximise the anti-dark spot effect of the other products in the range. It helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots, age spots and existing imperfections, whilst red algae extract intensely moisturises the skin for lasting hydration. The lotion will restore visible clarity and luminosity, leaving the skin soft and shine free.

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Serum

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Serum

Serums are usually an intensely powerful, enriched product which have the most profound effect on the skin, and this one is no exception. It contains potent ingredients which promise to reduce the appearance of uneven pigmentation and dark spots in just 28 days of use, which is a pretty bold promise, even for Elemis! Not only will it tackle already-existing dark spots, it also works beneath the skin on a cellular level to prevent further spots from forming, giving you a more even skin-tone for the foreseeable future.

Kitchen cupboard essentials

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We know that cooking wholesome meals at home, from scratch, is good for us, but sometimes you go to the cupboard, and well it is bare and calling for a take-away seems like the easiest option.

Easy yes, healthy no and cost-effective, definitely not.

By simply stocking up on the essentials once a month, you will find it so much easier to keep on track with meal planning and making.

TINS

Tomatoes
These are the basic staple for many casseroles, sauces, soups and stews so stock up on this true all-rounder.

Pulses and beans
Chickpeas, red kidney beans and lentils are packed with fibre and protein and can be used in curries, casseroles, for dips and in salads. You can also use them to make homemade baked beans that taste amazing but come with less sugar and salt than supermarket versions.

Fish
We know fresh is great but don’t be without a stash of tinned tuna, salmon and sardines. Once washed, these can all be added to pasta, rice, salads and so much more. You may also want to add anchovies to that list as they pack a real flavour punch.

PACKETS

Pasta
This is a one stop wonder for everyone. Pasta can be used for bakes, packed lunches, a tasty tea or a chunky addition to soup. Buy in bulk and add in whole grains too.

Rice
We love whole grain rice because it is full of fibre as well as slow-release energy. Not just as a side for curries, this pantry staple can be mixed into salads, eaten with pulled pork or mixed with hard-boiled eggs and kippers and you have a fast, tasty, healthy supper in seconds.

Couscous
This little wonder food is full of protein and has become really popular recently, for good reason. It is has traditionally been eaten with spicy tagines but also goes well with a stodgy stew. Add some dried apricots and raisins and you a salad base that really can’t be beaten.

Noodles
Just like pasta, these budget basics can be used across the board and add bulk and texture to soups, stir-fries and veggie curries.

JARS

Honey
This kitchen multi-tasker is great on toast and stirs right into porridge but it can add a little something special to marinades, sauces and your cake baking. You can also mix with mustard to create the most delicious meat dishes.

Olive oil
No kitchen can be without a bottle of decent olive oil.

Vinegar
Forget the fish and chip shop, red, white, cider and balsamic vinegars can really bring your meals alive. Salad dressings, marinades and rich sauces can all be enhances with vinegar and the flavours you can create are out of this world.

AND THE REST

We all have different tastes and budgets but some of the other basics to keep in your kitchen cupboards include:

Herbs and spices – a decent collection will last for ages so don’t scrimp on flavours
Salt and pepper
Tomato purée (add a flavour punch to lots of different dishes)
Plain, self-raising and bread flour plus dried yeast
Dried fruit
Cocoa powder
Sugar (white and brown)
Porridge oats
Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda
Condiments such as tomato ketchup, brown sauce, mayonnaise and Tabasco are a must for many.

Team Pure Beauty

Flower Power with Pure Beauty

Flower Power with Pure Beauty
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Here at Pure Beauty, we often talk to you about the ingredients in our products and focus on the individual benefits of each thing. Today, we’ve decided to shine a light on the products we sell from Decleor, Dermalogica and Elemis which are based on the powers of flowers! From rose to lavender to camomile to cornflower, there’s a whole meadow of blooms in our favourite products, and these are five of our favourites.

Elemis White Flowers Eye and Lip Make-Up Remover

The power of flowers is perhaps most evident in this product, because it’s right there in the name! As well as containing white tea, this powerful paraben-free make-up remover contains white peony and white water lily, combining to cleanse, refresh and condition your face. It removes all trace of make-up, even waterproof mascara and will soothe a tired eye area. It’s delicate enough for contact lens wearers and even those with sensitive or allergy-prone eyes.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum

This serum from Dermalogica is designed to intensively replenish ageing skin with moisture and vitamins, and is based on a mixture of sunflower butter and microencapsulated vitamins A, C and E. It provides antioxidant protection and actively prevents hyperpigmentation in prematurely ageing skin. It also helps stimulate collagen synthesis which will help your skin to look plumper and younger.

Decleor 24 Hour Hydrating Light Cream

Decleor has developed this cream, designed to deeply hydrate your skin with the lightest touch by harnessing neroli oil. Neroli oil comes from the flowers of the bitter orange tree and is part of their Hydra Floral range, which uses natural flower oils to enrich the skin with moisture and protection. The moisturiser guarantees to offer 24-hour hydration and in a study conducted by the brand, 85% of women noticed their skin was revitalised and softer after the first application.

Elemis Jasmine and Rose Hand and Nail Cream

Jasmine and rose are well-known for their enchanting scents, which do indeed add to the delicate aroma of this hand and nail cream, but they also lend their nourishing oils and softening flower milks, to offer intensive and long-lasting moisturisation. The cream replaces lipids which have been lost from the skin and will protect hands from further damage. It’s produced in line with the Elemis promise, which means it’s totally free from parabens, SLES and any other artificial nasties.

Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil

This daily-use treatment oil harnesses the very best that nature has to offer and its numerous phytoactives will help to solve dryness and dehydration while reinforcing the skins natural protective function. It contains oils extracted from camellia, orchid, sunflowers and rosemary, as well as those from other natural sources, such as tamanu, rice bran and chia seed. It can be applied directly to the face or added to your daily Dermalogica moisturiser to act as a base.

Iron – what’s it all about?

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There is so much information out there about what we should eat, and what we shouldn’t, that at times it can feel pretty overwhelming and you just want to head out for a KFC.

Don’t!

A good rule of thumb is to eat a balanced diet of fruit and vegetables with good lean protein and whole grains. Drinking plenty of water, limiting processed foods and sugar as well as alcohol and getting some exercise all help to keep you in optimum health.

One thing we often hear about is not getting enough iron, which isn’t great for you. We iron so that our bodies can make haemoglobin, the blood protein that helps transport oxygen around our bodies.

An iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, a condition that leaves us feeling weak and tired, short of breath and complexions become paler. Not something you want to be dealing with.

We also need iron to regulate our immune systems, if we don’t have enough we are more likely to pick up colds and bugs and it will take longer to recover.

The suggested amount of iron you need is:
14.8mg a day for women (19-50 years)
8.7mg a day for women (50-64 years)
8.7mg a day for men (19-64 years)

Ideally, you should be able to get all the iron you need from your daily diet and excellent sources include:

  • red meat including liver, beef and lamb
  • dark-green leafy vegetables like spinach, watercress and curly kale
  • clams, mussels and oysters are great sources
  • beans and pulses
  • nuts
  • dried fruit (dried apricots and figs are great options)
  • whole grains – such as brown rice
  • fortified breakfast cereals

One thing to be aware of is that Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron. This means when Vitamin C rich foods are combined with foods rich in iron, absorption of the iron is substantially increased. We all know oranges are the ‘go to’ source for Vitamin C, but also consider strawberries, broccoli, red peppers, kale, grapefruit and Brussel sprouts – maybe not all at once!

It is also worth noting that dairy products like yogurt, cheese, milk and eggs can interfere with iron absorption, so once again it is just really important to make sure you try to eat a varied, balanced diet that covers all food groups.

One way to get your day off to a good start, is with a bowl of homemade, iron packed muesli that is also full of fibre.

For this you will need three cups of oats and a cup of mixed nuts ( including macadamia nuts if possible) as well as
½ a cup of sesame seeds, ½ a cup of sunflower seeds, ½ a cup of raisins and ½ a cup of dried apricots. Add them all into an airtight container and enjoy a bowl for breakfast with nut milk and a glass of orange juice.

If you think you might be iron deficient or anaemic, speak to your GP for more advice and a diagnosis and if a supplement is suggested, stick to the prescribed does and hopefully you will see a change in your spirits and energy levels.

Team Pure Beauty

A Balm for Every Problem…

A Balm for Every Problem...
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Beauty balms are becoming more and more popular, and with good reason; they often tackle a number of problems with just one product. Balms are rich and potent and offer the skin an extra dose of healing goodness, and are especially good after cosmetic procedures or sun exposure. Elemis, Dermalogica and Decleor all have some excellent balms within their ranges, so we thought we’d shine a light on five of the best.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Aging skin is often too delicate to deal with harsh cleansers, which means that getting rid of make-up and dirt at the end of the day can almost do more harm than good if you aren’t using the right products. This cleansing balm from Elemis encourages collagen production which plumps the skin and banishes wrinkles, all while using nourishing elderberry, starflower and optimega oils to dissolve make-up and pollutants.

Dermalogica Post Shave Balm

Shaving is a necessary evil; it’s an efficient way to remove hair, but it can also be detrimental to your skin, which can be left red and raw. Using a balm after you shave, like this one from Dermalogica, is great as it will sink into your skin and deeply replenish lost oils which are stripped away when shaving. It reduces hair regrowth and prevents ingrowing hairs, too.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm

Balms are an excellent product to use on skin which feels like it’s lost its mojo, and that’s why Elemis produced their Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm. It enhances the skin, improving radiance, and leaves your skin exuding vitality. Unlike other balms, it’s light enough to be used under make-up and actually makes a fabulous primer for foundation. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be applied daily after cleansing.

Decleor High Repair After Sun Balm for the Face

Over-exposure to the sun is one of the quickest ways to damage your skin, both short-term and long term. In the short-term, you’ll suffer with tightness and pain, depending on the severity of the burn and in the long-term, if lost moisture is replenished, the ageing process will speed-up. This balm from Declor is designed to be used after sun exposure and will both soothe the burn and ensure that vital nutrients are replaced in the skin, helping the healing process and halting the signs of ageing.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Neck and Decollete Balm

Forgetting your neck and decolletage is one of the ultimate beauty sins, but it’s something that SO many women do! Fortunately, Elemis have created this balm specifically for those areas, harnessing the power of sea buckthorn oil, one of the richest known plant-sources of Fatty Acid Omega-7, to visibly improve the appearance of skin elasticity and smoothness, reducing the appearance of crepiness and skin slackening.

Run the mindful way

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There is no doubt that the benefits of running are plentiful but as well as being great for keeping our hearts and bodies healthy, it can also be good for our minds too.

You might not have thought about practising mindfulness as you run, but if you stop and think about it for a second, it makes total sense.

If you are able to get into the grove, then running while freeing your mind of troubles and simply being in the moment can be hugely impactful.

To help you start your journey, we have had a look at how you can run the mindful way.

Before you go out for a run, just think about your mood, your day and where you are at. Also consider when you run because at the height of rush hour might not be the best time.

Be sure you stretch before you run, as normal, and you might find that adding a little essential oil (we like peppermint) to your vest can help you breathe more easily and clear your mind.

Once on the move, find a comfortable pace. Some days you will be faster and other days you will want to take it easier. See how you are feeling, and go with your mood.

As you run, take a moment to be mindful of the world around you. Take in the weather, the temperature, other runners, dog walkers, the buildings on the street and be conscious of smells, colours and sounds.

Once you have found your pace, just remind yourself of the intention to run mindfully during your session.

When you are ready, choose either your left or right foot and count every time it touches the ground.

Count ten steps, on that foot, and once you get to ten, start again.

As you do this, if any invasive thoughts come into your head, acknowledge them then let them go again.

If those thoughts come back, simply let them go once more. It might take a while for your to get used to running with a mindful intention, but in time those thoughts won’t come to mind and you will get used to running free.

As you run, you will find that you go into a mindful zone where the thoughts of the day and the world around you disappear and you are left with your steps. When this happens, you are running mindfully.

As your practise becomes more natural, you can mix things up a little and try counting your breaths rather than steps and enjoy being at one with your body.

As you come to the end of your run and start to stretch and cool down, stay with your breathing.

By working to slow down and rewire your mind, you really can let go of stress, get fit, and use running to calm down and live in the moment.

So focus on your breath, drop the busy thoughts and watch your steps and as you enjoy the silence of the moment, even on a busy road, you can think more clearly, be more compassionate and connect with yourself and those around you.

Team Pure Beauty

Break-Up Beauty

Break-Up Beauty
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Breaking up with your significant other is rarely easy and time spent crying and feeling sad can have an impact on your appearance. Taking time to be kind to yourself is important, and although your looks are probably the last thing you’re thinking about at the moment, at some point you’re going to come out of the other side of the break up and want to get on with your life! We thought we’d take a look at five products which are essential, post break-up, to get you looking and feeling your best again.

Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak

If you’ve ever been through a hard time, you’ll know that sometimes it can feel like you’ve run a marathon even if you’ve barely moved, especially if you’ve been doing lots of crying. During times of stress, your muscles are naturally very tense (something to do with Fight or Flight, we suspect) so it’s essential to help your muscles to unwind if you want to feel normal again. The Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak is the perfect product to put into your bath to help to melt the tension away and soothe your aching limbs.

Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo

Florence Henderson knew what she was talking about in South Pacific when she sang “I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair” – often, hair washing falls by the wayside when you’re doing Netflix marathons with a bottle of wine and a family-sized bag of Malteasers and one of the best ways to start feeling more human is to lather up your locks. This shampoo from Dermalogica is gentle but powerful and will wash way dirt and oils to leave your hair looking shiny and new.

Elemis Absolute Eye Mask

Crying will inflame the eye area, leaving tissues congested with fluid and you looking like you’ve got ten rounds with one of the Klitschkos. To reduce this puffiness, you need Elemis Absolut Eye Mask which helps decongest, firm, tone and minimise dark circles. It lifts and revitalises tired eyes, and encourages cell renewal which supports the delicate eye tissue. Use twice a week for best results.

Decleor Essential Tonifying Lotion

If you’ve been wallowing in misery and failing to take care of yourself then your skin is probably in desperate need of a boost and this tonifying lotion is just the product to give it to you. It’s light and refreshing with a sparkling fragrance which will invigorate your skin and awaken your senses. Ingredients include green tea essential water to help remove impurities and tighten pores as well as highly-fragranced Neroli Essential Oil to help protect, repair and fight against dehydration.

Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush

Is there anything more cathartic than the thought of physically brushing away traces of your old relationship?! This brush from Elemis is designed to be used to detoxify the skin by gentle brushing way the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing new, refreshed skin beneath and allowing you to reduce the appearance of cellulite, improve circulation and soften the skin.

Get fab abs from your food

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You might be a total gym bunny or a Pilates queen, but if you don’t eat the right foods, no amount of exercise will give you the toned tummy you so desperately want.

Stock your kitchen cupboards with these winning ingredients, and your battle with that bulge could be over.

Asparagus
Insoluble and soluble fibre are found in this vegetable making it a ‘must-eat’ for good digestion. As asparagus is also a natural diuretic, it can help with water retention as well as acting as a prebiotic helping healthy gut bacteria to flourish.

Avocado
This really has to be top of the superfood list for so many reasons. In this case, as well as offering essential fats, this little beauty is a belly blaster thanks to the high levels of naturally occurring oleic oil. Whether you add to smoothies, chop into salads or mash onto rye bread, getting avocado onto your plate is one of the best things you can do for all round good health.

Bananas
Not just for packed lunches, these potassium powerhouses help us to get rid of sodium as we wee which means saying good-bye to bloating and puffiness. Not many people know this but bananas are packed with starch so when you eat one, your liver is encouraged to switch to fat burning mode, clever, hey?

Blueberries
These pretty little purple darlings contain a powerful antioxidant that is believed to speed up how we burn fat so it isn’t stored around the tummy area. Eat as a snack in the office, add to your morning porridge or pop onto pancakes and you will be happy that you did.

Fennel
This comes with a distinctive taste but it is worth swallowing for the excellent digestive benefits. The roots, seeds and leaves all help deal with bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation and cramps as well as acting as a general anti-inflammatory. Thinly sliced fennel can be added to salads or you can take it as a tea – either way, we think it will help make you feel super confident about your stomach.

Oats
Adding wholegrain oats to your diet is one way to get a flatter tum, and if you start at breakfast then all the better. It is believed that eating oats can help improve your gut health and speed up your metabolism. Certain types of oats (including rolled) are full of the soluble fibre that helps to absorb water and slow digestion so you are left feeling fuller, for longer. This type of fibre is also a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria your tummy needs as well as helping to control blood sugar levels and blood pressure. What are you waiting for, start making porridge for breakfast and taking homemade fruit flapjacks to the office and you will feel fuller for longer.

Water
It might seem obvious, but water also plays a role in keep your tummy healthy and trim. As well as your recommended eight glasses a day, experts say that drinking warm water on an empty stomach is excellent for your digestive system and stimulates the removal of toxins. It might not be your usual coffee kick but starting your day with a glass of warm water with lemon could be the first step towards a healthier, slimmer waistline, so why not give it a go?

Got a tummy trick you would like us to know about? Well, get in touch because we would love to hear all about it.

Team Pure Beauty