Our Blog – Page 52 – Pure Beauty – The Lichfield Beauty Salon

5 Common Foundation Mistakes

15/07/2017 18/07/2017 0

Whether you’re a full-face, contour-loving foundation fan, or a ‘swipe of BB Cream and you’re done’ kinda gal, there are still some simple rules that you should be following to make sure you get your foundation completely right. Read on to find out five of the most common foundation mistakes to help you to avoid making them in the future:

Forgetting Primer

If foundation is the base for your make-up then primer is the base for the whole shebang! Prepping your face with a good primer before putting your foundation on is really important if you want your make-up to sit correctly on your face. Using a primer which is specific to your needs can help with dryness, redness, excess oil and even reflecting light and distracting from dark spots, and will give you an overall flawless look with minimal effort.

Using the Wrong Foundation

Just like with skincare, foundation is usually suitable for different skin types and choosing the right one is the key to getting your make-up to last. An oil-based foundation will slide right off of an already oily complexion and something without oil will likely dry out faces which already suffer with dehydration. Choose the right foundation for you if you want the best coverage possible.

Testing it on Your Hand

It’s a simple fact that, although most of us have used the back of our hands for colour-matching our foundation, it’s very unlikely to give you a good match as it’s rarely the same skin tone. The best place to test make-up is along your jawline or under your eyes, so go along to a proper beauty counter with a bare face and ask them to help you to find your match if you want something as close as possible.

Being Too Hasty

Putting your make-up on in a hurry can be problematic for more than one reason. If you’ve just got out of the bath or shower, the chances are that your skin hasn’t had adequate time to cool down and you may perspire your perfectly-applied make-up off within minutes! Also, if you moisturise before you apply foundation (and you SHOULD be moisturising before you apply foundation!) then giving it proper time to soak in is a must, or this will also interfere with the setting power of your foundation.

Applying Concealer First

I’m pretty sure that every make-up guide in every magazine that I read as a teen instructed us to apply concealer and then foundation, but the current wisdom is that concealer is far more effective when applied over the top of our foundation and will help you to achieve both better coverage and a more natural look when applied in that order. Use a beauty blender to blend it all in perfectly for a flawless look.

Elemis

Give Your Skin a Boost with Elemis Serums

08/07/2017 10/07/2017 0

Although you may feel as though you have your daily cleanse, tone and moisturise routine dialled in, adding a serum into your rotation can also do your skin the world of good. Serums are often the most powerful products in a range, and this is especially true of Elemis, with several of their serums showing clinically proven results. Today, we’re taking a look at 5 of the best serums from Elemis to help you decide which would work the best for you.

Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules

The little pot contains not one but two different formulations which are designed to moisturise and nourish the skin. The pink pods, which are beautifully rose scented, are to be used in the morning and the purple pods contain soothing lavender which not only helps to rid the skin of free radicals and daily pollutants but also helps to de-stress skin cells and create the ‘Bliss Effect’ for enhanced well-being.

Elemis Hydra-Boost Serum

This serum is specifically formulated for ‘thirsty’ skin which needs an all-day hydration boost and is clinically proven to give a full day of moisturisation to your skin. It contains quinic acid, nourishing dhatelo oil and hyaluronic acid, which are blended with organic myrtle, rich in anti-oxidant phenolic compounds, to help maintain the skin’s natural defence systems. Use it morning and evening for continuous moisture, alongside your usual moisturiser for maximum effect.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Serum

This serum is truly remarkable in the fact that is give you the instant appearance of having had a face-lift! It’s super intense and leaving skin feeling firm and strengthened, whilst smoothing the appearance of wrinkles. It contains a number of totally natural ingredients such as quartz and argan oil and is made of smaller molecules which penetrate the skin quickly and more deeply, giving such an immediate effect.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir

Another serum from the Pro-Collagen range, this serum elixir is intended for use with ageing skin and significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With regular use, skin feels smoother and firmer, with significantly better hydration levels and a combination of hyaluronic acid and omega-rich camelina oil provides superior moisturisation leaving the complexion visibly smoother, plumper and more youthful looking.

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Serum

Discolouration and dark patches can be a real issue, especially with prematurely ageing skin, which is why you need a powerful product to deal with it. This serum is designed to actively target hyperpigmentation on the skin and lighten it significantly, even after just 28 days of use. Past imperfections, such as acne scarring, are visibly reduced and it even works to prevent future over-pigmentation of the skin, too.

Health and Happiness

Get fit with an app

04/07/2017 03/07/2017 0

If you are fed up with forking out cash on a gym membership you just don’t use, now is the time to cancel that direct debit and exercise a different way and on your terms.

Long gone are the days when you had to head to a sweaty sports hall to get in shape, now you can use a whole host of apps to reach your peak fitness levels.

We have had a look at what’s out there and think you will like what we have found.

FitStar from FitBit is a totally personalised way to boost your activity levels at a price that won’t break the bank. Coming in at £5.99 a month you are getting a totally bespoke personal trainer approach for less than the price of a pint. With just a screen, a little bit of space and a decent dose of motivation, this app is all you need to get fit for once and for all.

If can’t make up whether you want to do cardio, strength training, stretching or yoga, then Sworkit will be right up your street as it offers them all, and some. With plans for beginners, intermediate, and advanced exercisers, and for those who want to be “Leaner,” “Fitter,” or “Stronger.” this gem of an app has our vote. With endless body weight exercises you can workout at your own pace at home, in the park or even on holiday and never have to hit the locker room again.

If you fancy working out alongside Serena Williams and Ellie Goulding, then you need to check out the Nike+ Training Club app. You can choose from over 150 workouts that will put your through your paces, but only pushing yourself to the edge will get you the celebrity look!

If you are looking for something a little more holistic, we think you will like Pocket Yoga. This easy to use, affordable app takes you through hundreds of yoga poses and has nearly 30 different sessions meaning there is something for every zen.

Not an easy option but the Daily Butt Workout gets our vote. Load the app up and each day you can choose from a 5 or 10 minute workout that has various different exercises to tone your butt. With a video for each move as well written instructions this option is easy to follow and the results are out there to achieve if you really put in the time and effort.

In seven minutes you can make a cup of tea, watch the TV, send several emails or you can make a start with the 7 Minute Workout app. This awesome personal training app combines cardio and strength training and as you work out, your progress is tracked and in time your sessions become even more intense!

We all know just how important it is to chill out as well as workout, and Relax Melodies lets you do exactly that. This soothing app is perfect for when you are relaxing at the spa, taking a yoga class, doing some meditation, having a massage and can also be a life saver if you are having trouble sleeping. With over 50 free sounds and melodies you will be one cool customer if you start to use this app.

Got an exercise app you love, let us know as we would love to try it.

Team Pure Beauty

Elemis, Skincare Advice

Product Focus – Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing

01/07/2017 03/07/2017 0

It’s a fact of life that although most of us would like perfect skin, very few of us really have it and sometimes the normal functions of the body don’t happen as they should. This is definitely true of the skins’ natural exfoliation cycle, which often needs a helping hand to keep your skin looking refreshed and clear, which is why Elemis came up with the Dynamic Resurfacing range. The products are designed to keep your daily exfoliation on track, so we’re looking at the four products in the range:

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash

Washing is probably the most important factor in keeping your skin free from dead cells which can make your complexion look dull and lacklustre. This facial wash from Elemis is designed to actively smooth and refine the face, sloughing away dead skin cells and unclogging the upper layers of your epidermis, to reveal vibrant, fresh skin beneath.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask

Masks are a fabulous ally against the build-up of dead skin cells as they can be left on and allowed to work over a period of time. This mask in the Dynamic Resurfacing range has a gel consistency and gives a powerful tingling sensation when applied to the face, so you can actually feel it working. It will not only re-texturise the skins’ surface but also balance sebum production levels whilst protecting the skins natural pH levels.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Night Cream

Night creams are fantastic because you can use rich products which you wouldn’t want to use during the day, and not have to worry about them interfering with your make-up! They also get a long time to soak in and really work, which is what makes this night cream so successful. As well as stimulating the skins’ natural cell renewal processes, it also helps to smooth fine lines and reduce the appearance of other imperfections, too.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Serum

This serum is powerful stuff, containing four flower Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Selastin and patented Tri-Enzyme technology. It’s clinically proven to smooth the skin’s surface, revealing a beautiful complexion beneath. It also helps with other imperfections, such as wrinkles and enlarges pores and its a good all-round product for a number of skin issues.

Health and Happiness

Sleep like a baby

27/06/2017 26/06/2017 0

Last week, summer really came to town and while many people love the warmer weather and soaring temperatures, for others it makes hay fever worse and sleeping difficult.

‘I love the sun but getting to sleep and staying asleep is so hard.’
Jo

‘When it is too hot outside my house really heats up and trying to get any sleep is almost impossible so I am too grumpy to enjoy the sun the next day.’
Tara

‘The summer is here but so is my hay fever which sucks as it makes sleep really difficult.’
Donna

We have put together some ideas that we hope will help you get a better night’s sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed and able to enjoy the day ahead of you.

During the day, shut your windows and keep the blinds and curtains closed. Make rooms as dark as possible and try to keep the hot air and the sun out. By doing this you’ll have a cooler room in the evening, when you can open the windows again and let fresher air flood in.

You might want to think about sleeping downstairs on really hot evenings as lower floors tend to be cooler.

You probably won’t feel much like a roast dinner when it is 90 degrees, but if you do want to sleep better in the heat, having a light evening meal with water is probably your best bet. Salads, fruit and smaller protein based snacks and meals will fill you up, but won’t heat you up!

Take a cool shower rather than having a bath before you go to bed. As well as helping you to cool off, a shower, rather than a bath, will rinse away any pollen on your hair and skin that could cause problems as you try to drift off.

Applying a light after sun product to your skin, even if you haven’t had too much sun, can be a great way to cool off before you climb under the sheets.

Put clean pillow cases in the freezer an hour before you go to bed and them will feel wonderfully cold when you lie down to go to sleep.

Another freezer tip, and this time it is for your water. Put a half full bottle of mineral water in the freezer in the morning and at bedtime, top the ice up with cold water and you will have a chilled drink all night long.

Either wear cotton clothes in bed, or none at all. The hot weather will make you sweat more than ever and PJs won’t help you have sweet dreams, so keep those for Christmas.

You will probably also want to ditch your duvet and swap it for a lighter blanket or sheet.

Get a fan. These can be purchased quite reasonably at many shops, as well as on Amazon, and can make life more comfortable when the temperatures are high.

Once you’ve got a fan, put a bottle of frozen water in front of it and let the fan blow over the cold bottle to cool you down. Yes, really.

If you are feeling creative, why not take your covers and water outside and sleep under the stars?

However you do it, we hope you manage to get some sleep even on the hottest nights this summer.

Team Pure Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Busting Some Common Beauty Myths

24/06/2017 26/06/2017 0

Busting Common Beauty Myths — Royalty-free Image

If you’ve ever had a conversation with anyone about something beauty related, I guarantee they’ll have spouted some nugget of age-old wisdom which is actually a total myth! Although people think they’re helping, often these pearls of wisdom aren’t nearly as useful as they’re touted as being, so we thought we’d take a look at five of the most common beauty myths around and debunk them as we go!

Cutting Hair Makes it Thicker

Probably the single most common beauty myth out there, people STILL claim that cutting hair (or brushing it more) will make it thicker. The fact of the matter is, your head has a finite amount of follicles and those follicles will always produce the same amount of hairs with the same thickness, regardless of what you do. Trimming split ends will get rid of that ragged, thinning look at the bottom, but cutting off your hair will definitely NOT make it thicker or grow faster!

Splashing Your Face with Cold Water Closes Pores

Pores will open and close of their own volition and no amount of cold water will make enlarged pores shrink. The key to keeping your pores minimised is to keep the skin really clean so that dirt can’t accumulate in them and use a decent primer to reduce the appearance of uneven skin and larger pores.

Hair Will Start Cleaning Itself

This one can produce particularly grim results if people decide to quit hair washing altogether! Even people who are part of the “no-poo” movement of non-washing will use other things on their hair to keep it clean because your head will produce sebum and sweat no matter what. Opting for a sulphate-free shampoo is basically the best way to keep it clean if you aren’t a fan of of using lots of harsh chemicals on your head.

Make-Up Causes Acne

It’s a common myth that make-up can cause acne, or that acne sufferers have dirty faces. The most common cause of acne in teenagers is an over-sensitivity to hormones or simply a genetic pre-disposition which is passed down from parents. Using a proper acne-related skincare regime such as the Dermalogica MediBac Clearing System will help immensely.

Pulling Out Grey Hair Makes Two Grow Back

As we said above, a hair follicle can’t start growing hair which is wildly different from what is already there, and greying hair is simply a result of the body scaling back melanin production, the thing which gives your hair its natural colour. There’s absolutely zero evidence that pulling out a grey hair would make two grow in its place, otherwise balding blokes would be plucking their heads regularly to make double the hair grow back!

Health and Happiness

Boost your metabolism with your diet

20/06/2017 20/06/2017 0

We know that your metabolism is partly determined by your genetics, but if you want to fire it up and really getting it working for you, you need to look at what you eat too.

Lots of people think they know what their metabolism does, but just so you know for sure, it describes the chemical processes in your body that keep you alive. This includes making sure your organs work well, you can breathe, repairing cells and digest food.

A sluggish metabolism slows you down, makes you feel below par and can lead to you piling on the pounds.

If this is you, then it’s time to ditch the faddy diets and sugar laden snacks, and instead fill up the foods that will give you a super working, fat-burning body.

Eat when you wake
Eating a decent breakfast means your body won’t go into starvation mode and crawl to a halt to conserve energy. A glass of warm water and lemon accompanied by porridge, eggs or a vitamin packed smoothie will get your metabolism going for the day ahead and help you feel on top of things.

Egg Whites
Egg whites not only taste good when cooked the right way, buy they are really rich in the branched-chain amino acids that your metabolism loves. Of course eggs are also loaded with protein and vitamin D so go for an omelette, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or boiled eggs with rye toast and you will ready to rev.

Get hot with chilis
Chili peppers are full of the chemical compound, capsaicin, which is brilliant at ramping your metabolism up a gear and they have a handy dose of Vitamin C too. Just one tablespoon of chopped, dried chili peppers being added to your diet each day can help fire things up and get you back on top. You can do this by simply adding the flakes to salsa, stir fries, marinades and sauces.

Whole grain goodness
White bread and cakes taste sweet but it’s whole grains that will get your body burning more fat. This happens because foods like brown rice and oatmeal are rich in fibre so your body has to work harder to break them down than their processed peers. So, go with wholes grains every time you eat.

Catch up with coffee
It’s an oldie, but coffee is still a goodie if you want to get your metabolism in working order. Don’t overdo it, but if you need a hit then have a cup or two a day and let it get to work on your system. If the hard stuff isn’t for you but you still like a hot drink at your desk, green tea has ingredients in it that apparently promote fat-burning, so pop to your health food shop and stock up.

Iron it out
You need to make sure your daily diet is packed with iron because if it isn’t, this can slow your metabolism down and cause other health issues such as anaemia. Ideally you want to eat three or four servings of iron-rich foods, such as chicken, kidney beans, lentils and fortified cereal, a day to keep in tip tops health.

Add water, exercise and sleep to this foodie equation and your body will be up to speed in no time.

Team Pure-Beauty

Decleor, Dermalogica, Elemis

Staying Fresh During Air Travel

17/06/2017 20/06/2017 0

It’s that time of year when many of us are getting ready to go on holiday but one of biggest concerns we hear from our customers is the fact that plane travel can play havoc with our skin, and often they get off the plane at the other end looking rather then than perfect! Today, we’re looking at five products which you can take on a plane to help you to look your best when you reach your destination:

Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks

After a long flight, the eyes often feel dry, puffy and totally worn out, so these hydra-gel eye masks are the perfect thing to keep in your carry-on bag. Potent plankton extract, combined with the power of padina pavonica and chlorella, gives an instant skin-tightening effect, whilst hyaluronic acid hydrates the delicate eye area. Eye contours are left looking visibly smoother and feeling intensely moisturised.

Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner

One of THE most refreshing things you can do on a plane is spritz your face with a product designed to cool and soothe the skin, and the Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner is perfect for this. Not only does it contain skin-repairing aloe, but it also has soothing lavender, balm mint and arnica in the blend to make it perfect for plane-weary skin. It also comes in a handy 50ml sized bottle which makes it handbag sized and totally in line with airline regulations.

Elemis Sweet Orchid Hand and Nail Cream

Another place that we often feel is dried out by air travel is our hands and nails. A few hours on a plane is enough to leave our hands feeling rough and dehydrated, so keeping this hand and nail cream from Elemis nearby can really help. As well as giving our hands vital moisture, it smells absolutely divine, infused with sweet orchid for a luxurious scent.

Decleor Face Tan Activator Serum

If you’re jetting off for time in the sun, you’ll want to get your skin ready for all of those rays, and the plane journey is the perfect time to keep up with your routine. Decleor has formulated this Face Tan Activator Serum which prepares your skin for sun exposure, boosts your tanning potential and can be used alongside other sun protection to ensure your face is properly protected from the ageing rays.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser

Often, plane travel can leave us feeling a little grimy (something about being stuck in an air-conditioned tube with hundreds of other people) and by the time we reach our destination, a bit of a wash is in order! Unless you’re lucky enough to be travelling First Class, you probably won’t have access to a shower, but this cleanser from Dermalogica will not only get your face feeling clean and refreshed, it will also soothe is after a long flight AND comes in a 50ml bottle, making it the perfect product for travel.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

How to look good in photos

13/06/2017 12/06/2017 0

Let’s face it, from selfies to group hugs, photos are becoming a part of everyday life and with many snaps being put online, you want to look good.

Double chins, closed eyes, smudged make-up can be filtered out of the equation, but our guess is you would rather they weren’t in the picture from the start.

Follow our photography tips and you will that you’ll always look great in pics.

Think about unicorns
Nope, we haven’t lost the plot but rather we know when we think about nice stuff, our faces look happier. Real thoughts of happiness help put a genuine smile on our faces and help us look, and feel, calm and happy rather than having a forced, fake smile that screams ‘I don’t want to be here’.

Be your best you
OK, this might be over thinking things but if you know which bits of you, you like and which bits look best and this is what needs to be focussed on in your photos. If your lips are on the thin side, when the camera clicks, have them slightly parted and blow lightly as this will give the illusion of being fuller. If you are conscious of having a round face, don’t look at the camera straight on, instead turn your head slightly to the side. If you want to take the focus off your nose, move your jaw forward a little and this helps with a more balance profile and better picture.

Find ‘your’ smile
This might sound over indulgent but rather than a stab in the dark at your sister’s wedding, why not perfect your smile before the big day? Many celebrities and models are snapped with the same smile and pose time and time again and always look great. We know this is in part because they are beautiful but it is also because they know what works for them. Get your phone and take some photos, or ask a friend to do it for you, and find a smile you love and stick with it. Practice makes perfect, right?

All about the lights
We know you can’t organise this for every photo, but a lot of image success is down to the lighting. Avoid harsh shadows as these make blemishes worse and don’t look directly at the sun or it will be squint city. The best lighting is when it is even from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin, and from cheek to cheek.

Keep your body straight
You can easily get lost in the background of photos so when sitting down, sit up straight and ensure you are on the edge of your chair. This helps lengthen your body so the camera captures you at your best.

Hands on your hips
There is no doubt that putting your hands on your hips is a winning look as it will accentuate your waist and make you look slimmer. To get this look right, position your hands with your fingers out, palms facing behind you and you are on course for natural and comfortable shot you will want to shout about.

It’s all about the clothes
These tips can help you look good on and off-screen. Wearing darker clothes slim your body, thighs and arms whereas horizontal stripes make your hips and waist appear wider than they actually are, so steer clear and go for block colours. Keep lines clean and sharp and while they might on trend for S/S17, floaty sleeves, accentuate the thickest parts of your arms making them look bigger, not cool.

Cameral level
Whether it is an iPhone or fancy camera, having the device at eye line or slightly higher is great as you will get a defined jaw line and more flattering photo.

Keep it simple
Keeping it simple really is at the heart of the photographic matter. Don’t force your pose too much, stand up straight, try to keep things relaxed and don’t look like a baby deer caught in headlights either.

Happy snapping.

Team Pure Beauty.

Elemis

Product Focus: Elemis Superfood Facial Oil

10/06/2017 12/06/2017 0

Most of us know by now that there are foods, and then there are SUPERfoods; superfoods are nutrient powerhouses that pack large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. Eating them may reduce the risk of chronic disease, and prolong life, and people who eat more of them are healthier and thinner than those who don’t. But what about for your skin? Well, superfoods are also incredible for your complexion, which is exactly why Elemis has harnessed the power of as many superfoods as it can pack into its Superfood Facial Oil.

What Does it Do?

This oil nourishes and hydrates the skin, leaving it soft and supple and with a radiant glow, thanks to the non-greasy formula which melts into the skin with ease. Once absorbed, the oil forms a protective layer over the skin which locks in moisture and protects the skin from the daily barrage of pollutants and free radicals. The key ingredients are the high concentrations of Omega acids, which are antioxidants and help to feed the skin, keeping it healthy.

What’s in it?

Oils have been extracted from a whole rainbow of superfood for this formulation, including broccoli seed oil, flaxseed oil, daikon radish oil, rosehip seed oil, cucumber oil, macadamia oil, poppy seed oil, rice bran oil and meadowfoam seed oil! Rich in fatty acids from Omega 3 to 7, these oils are brimming with vitamins B1, C, E and tocopherols as well as oleic acid.

Who is it For?

Elemis Superfood Facial Oil is 100% natural and can be used on any skin type. Although it’s an oil, the formula is totally non-greasy, which means that even those with excess sebum production issues can use it, and the oil will actually help to balance out oily or combination skin by calming and hydrating the face. It’s particularly good for ageing skin as it’s often harder to get older skin to retain moisture, however it can be used from any age and will keep your skin looking younger for longer.

How Do I Use it?

Massage 3-4 drops over the face and neck every morning. Use alone, or before your daily moisturiser. If contact with eyes occurs, rinse thoroughly.

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