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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

Happy holiday hair

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Long days spent on the beach and by the pool are what summer is all about, right?

While we are constantly being reminded to look after our skin when the heat is on, many of take less care of our hair.

If you let your locks take the brunt of the summer sun, before long it will become dull, dehydrated and frizzy.

Don’t despair, you aren’t at disaster’s door yet and you won’t be if you follow our suggestions for keeping your hair in tip-top condition all season long.

Tone down the colour
You might like a lighter look for the simmer, but spending more time in the sun means your hair will lighten naturally. Try to highlight less during the summer months and instead concentrate on protecting your hair by using products that come with a sunscreen.

Add a mask
Why not let the midday sun make your hair healthier? Apply a deep-conditioning mask to you hair, comb into a bun and let the soothing ingredients get to work while you chill out. As well as protecting your hair from salt water and chlorine, doing this will also leave you with soft, shiny locks once again.

Shampoo like a pro
Shampooing your hair every day might be your usual routine but doing this can dry your hair and scalp and even more so during hot weather. Use a mild shampoo every other day, make sure you rinse all the suds away to prevent irritation, then go for a moisture rich, nourishing conditioner and leave to dry naturally.

Leave the products at home
Hairspray and styling products can be extremely drying so ditch them this summer. Many come packed with ingredients like alcohol and ethanol that can cause hair to snap and become brittle, but if you must use them, go for an organic product that is made from non-abrasive natural ingredients that soothe and repair your hair.

Turn the heat off
The sun will give your hair a blast of warmth, so leave the straighteners and curling tongs for nights out only. Rather than blasting with heat, twist random sections of your hair when it is damp, and secure with pins, then as it dries it will curl and by night-time you will be left with pretty waves.

Trim, trim and trim again
Your hair takes a beating during the hot summer months so book in for a trim every six weeks to help keep the ends healthy and strong and you will be glad you did come autumn.

Eat the right stuff
As well as looking at what you put on your hair, you also need to think about what you are putting into your body. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, spinach and eggs, as well as fruit, vegetables and whole grains, all help keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant .

Lots of water
As well as a decent diet, it is also vital to drink plenty of water, around 2 litres a day, for healthy hair and go easy on the cocktails as they will dehydrate you.

Have a great summer.

Team Pure Beauty

Uneven Skin Tone? Not Any More!

Uneven Skin Tone? Not Any More!
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Sometimes, you can have skin which is completely free from blemishes, not too dry, not too oily, not prone to any other issue, but still suffer with an uneven skin tone. Many women are happy to cover an uneven skin tone with make up, but that still leaves us lacking confidence when make-up free. We thought we’d take a look at some of our best products for evening-out your skin tone to ensure that you’re showing peak confidence, even without a full face of foundation:

Dermalogica C-12 Pure Bright Serum

This serum from Dermalogica is a potent ally against hyperpigmentation and areas of uneven skin tone. It contains a unique and specially selected blend of oligopeptides, rice-derived phytic acid, zinc glycinate and algae to attack pigmentation imbalance. It’s most effective when used twice daily after cleansing and should be left to soak in for at least a minute before applying anything else to your face.

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Serum

Elemis is so confident that this serum will improve the appearance of uneven skin, it guarantees that you will see results after just 28 days of usage. It contains a unique combination of daisy and pea extracts which work with encapsulated vitamin C to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots, age spots and existing imperfections.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Something which can worsen the appearance of uneven skin is failing to exfoliate properly. Dull, dead skin cells will cling to the surface and make areas of hyperpigmentation appear worse, which is why it’s important to slough them away. This microfoliant from Dermalogica is powerful enough to drastically improve your skin but is also gentle enough to be used on a daily basis without making skin sore and sensitised. Follow with their C-12 Pure Bright Serum and your skin will look flawless in no time at all.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask

This mask from Elemis does such an intense job of resurfacing your skin, that they recommend that you limit your sun exposure while using it as the new skin which is revealed after use will be brand new and very sensitive. Once applied to the face, you can actually feel the mask working on your skin as a tingling sensation, and a combination of powerful botanicals and targeted enzymes encourage the breakdown of dead skin cells and promote cell regeneration.

Dermalogica Pure Night

It makes sense to use more powerful products at night, when they’ve got a chance to properly soak in and you don’t need to worry about applying make-up over the top. This night cream from Dermalogica actually helps to reduce melanin production, which stops future hyperpigmentation from forming, as well as improving barrier protection against moisture loss and strengthening against environmental damage.

Pack like a pro

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We don’t about you, but while we love going on holiday the thought of packing fills us with dread.

From knowing how many dresses to take, what bikini goes with what kaftan and just how many pairs of shoes are enough, getting your case sorted and into the car be totally exhausting.

Fear not, we have come up with some ideas that will take the stress out of packing so all you need to think about it is whether you are going to sip a margarita or a mojito beside the pool.

Documents
Before you do anything else, make sure you put your passport, tickets, booking details and any other paperwork are put together in a plastic folder in your hand luggage. This means it is safe and you know exactly where it is rather than getting lost between T-shirts and skirts, or even worse being left on the kitchen table. It is also a good idea to photocopy or take a picture of these documents and email them to yourself so you have copies if things don’t go to plan.

Don’t over do it
If you are going away for a week, don’t take enough underwear for a month. Take items that you love, that fit well and go for pretty shoes and accessories that will take even the simplest shirt dress from pool to party.

Plan your outfits
Think about what you are really going to wear and as much as you can, plan your outfits. You might find that one simple jersey dress in three colours can be matched with pretty flip-flops for the beach and an ‘on trend’ espadrille for when the sun goes down? If you do need a jacket or wrap for the evenings, wear it while you are travelling and this will save space in your suitcase and double up as an inflight blanket.

Product placement
Be clever with your packing if you want to save space. Put rolled up socks in your shoes, pack light coloured clothes inside out so they don’t get stained and layer carrier bags on the bottom of your case for laundry.

Toiletries
With liquid quotas in hand luggage constantly changing, don’t risk your favourite perfume or expensive sun creams being confiscated before you even reach duty-free. Put your washbag at the top of your case in a plastic bag to prevent foundation spillages on silk dresses and check lids are on tight. This makes everything easy to find on arrival which really helps on early or late flights when you are tired and grumpy. For anything you are taking through security, measure it out and put it in a clear plastic bag as required.

Fold things up
Marie Kondo recommends you fold your clothing at home and we suggest you adopt the same method when packing a case. Go for light items that won’t crease easily, roll or fold them, taking out the air, and pack in order. By doing this, not only will you have more room in your case, you will also be able to see what’s been packed and you’ll spot your favourite dress in a flash.

Keep shoes separate
You might usually slide your trainers down the side of your case and pop a pump next you your pjs, but don’t. Think about where your shoes have been and rather than mix and match them with your smalls, put them in a separate bag on top of your clothes, even spraying a little perfume to keep them smelling sweet.

Double check your stuff
Once your bag is packed, go through it one last time taking out anything you know you won’t wear – like the heels that simply won’t see the light of day during a walking holiday in Scotland.

Happy packing and even happier holidays.

Team Pure Beauty