Our Blog – Page 53 – Pure Beauty – The Lichfield Beauty Salon

Tips for Getting Your Sun Protection Right

13/05/2017 16/05/2017 0

Here at Pure Beauty headquarters, we’re keeping everything crossed in the hope that some warmer weather might FINALLY be on its way. This means that all thoughts are turning to sunnier days spent outdoors, which in turn means getting our sunscreen on. Although it might seem like a simple case of “slap it all on”, there are some little tips and tricks that you can use to make sure you get the full coverage you need for proper protection, so here’s a few of them:

Use a Beauty Blender

Beauty blenders are all the rage right now, a new and improved way to apply make up to the face. However, using a beauty blender to apply your sunscreen to your face can be a great way to ensure even coverage and to help your skin to really absorb the lotion you use. Opt for a silicone beauty blender so that you don’t end up absorbing the lotion into the sponge instead of your skin, and try to ensure you apply around a teaspoon of sunscreen to your face for proper coverage.

Apply Liberally

This one may sound obvious, but you need to make sure you get it EVERYWHERE. So many people apply their sunscreen and then realise they’ve missed a huge area when it’s too late and they’re already burnt. Even if you have straps covering your shoulders or shorts on your legs, fabric can move and sensitive areas are left vulnerable. Applying your protection BEFORE you get dressed is always a good idea.

Reapply

Applying sunscreen isn’t a one-time thing, unless you opt for something which is designed to last all day, and even then things like sweat or swimming can reduce the effectiveness of your lotion. Try to reapply every two hours to remain protected and possibly more often if you’re doing a lot of activity or spending time in water. Don’t forget, water can also reflect the sun and increase the intensity of a burn, so opting for a sunscreen which is water-resistant will also help.

Get Some Help

Unless you’ve got arms like Mr. Tickle from the Mister Men, there’s a good chance that you simply won’t be able to reach every single area that needs to be covered. The best thing you can do is ask someone to help you; make it a labour exchange where they do yours and you return the favour! If you simply don’t have any help, opting for a spray-on sunscreen may also help.

Think About Timing

Sunscreen takes at least 15 minutes to soak in and reach full effectiveness, so applying it as you shoot out of the door will leave you susceptible to burns. Ensure you leave enough time for your sunscreen to soak in before you leave the house to ensure that the lotion you use is really working for you.

Skincare Advice

How to Avert a Fake Tan Disaster!

09/05/2017 08/05/2017 0

Here at Pure Beauty, we offer a whole range of gradual tanners, tan accelerators and bronzing moisturisers, all of which allow you to tan gradually, controlling the level of tan that you want and avoiding streaks. However, there are other brands of fake tan out there which don’t give such good results and it’s really common to have a fake tan disaster if you’re not careful! We’ve put together seven top tips for getting rid of streaky, overly orange fake tan so that you can get back to a more normal skin tone!

Head for the Sauna

The combination of the heat from the sauna and the sweat your body will produce is a sure-fire way to help get rid of the fake tan. Take a stiff towel along with you and give yourself a really good towel down once you shower after getting out of the sauna or steam room and it will help to lift off the fake tan. It might not get rid of all of it, but it should definitely reduce it a bit.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is acidic and contains enzymes which will help to break down the fake tan, and it’s best to use it when it’s hot. Soak a flannel or washcloth (preferably an OLD one as it’s going to turn orange!) and microwave it for about 30 seconds. Rub the flannel on all of the areas where you need to minimise the tan and it should start to come off pretty quickly.

Peel

If you’ve gone overboard on the facial tan and need to reduce the “Ross from Friends after using the tanning booth” look, then using a facial peeling product will lift off a lot of the tan on your face. Choose something with salicylic acid for maximum effect.

Shave!

Just like with the lemon juice, there’s something in shaving foam which can help to take down the intensity of fake tan, so if your legs are the problem then simply shave them! The combination of the shaving foam and the actual exfoliating action of the shaving will make your legs look far less orange and will help to even out any uneven areas.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste can be handy on smaller areas where you’ve ended up with splodges of fake tan, such as your hands if you’ve had a tanning mitt failure! Rub the toothpaste on the areas you want to eliminate BUT it needs to be toothpaste which is pure white – for some reason, the stripy varieties just won’t cut it!

Exfoliate

Most people thing of exfoliating BEFORE they tan, but if you’ve had a disaster then exfoliating after could be the solution to the problem. An exfoliating body scrub is the perfect product to use if you need to reduce your David Dickinson-style hue!

Body Brush

A body brush is also great for sloughing away the layers of dead skin, as well as any overly-tanned areas that you want to minimise. Dry brushing is effective at reducing streaks and can be done before shaving to give you the best results.

Decleor, Dermalogica, Elemis

The Beauty Benefits of Aloe Vera

06/05/2017 08/05/2017 0

Many of the products that we sell here at Pure Beauty contain a whole host of natural ingredients which harness the wholesome power of the earth to enrich your skin. One ingredient which features heavily, and has in fact been used for centuries for everything from sun burn to stretch marks, is aloe vera so we thought we’d take a moment to look at some of the aloe-containing products we offer so that you can see which products from Decleor, Dermalogica and Elemis benefit from its uses.

Decleor Post-Wax Double Action Gel

Waxing can be tough on the skin, leaving it feeling red, sore and highly sensitised afterwards, which makes using ultra-soothing aloe vera in a post-waxing product common sense. This gel from Decleor relies heavily on aloe vera to immediately soothe skin and reduce redness and inflammation after a hair removing session. Additionally, it will also reduce the risk of ingrown hairs and slow regrowth, allow you to wax less often.

Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant

Sometimes, the best way to make your skin look better is to simply slough away the dead skin cells on the surface, revealing the newer, fresher skin below. However, exfoliation can be harsh for some skin types, which is why this exfoliant from Dermalogica is enriched with the aloe vera so that your skin can be soothed AS SOON as the exfoliation happens. While natural fruit enzymes remove the dead skin, extracts of lavender, aloe vera and coneflower help reduce sensitivity and soothe skin.

Elemis Skin Soothe Shave Gel

Most men use the traditional method of wet shaving their face, some every day, which can be a huge cause of irritation to the delicate skin of the face. Using the right products to provide a barrier between face and blade is hugely important and this soothing shave gel captures the power of aloe vera, as well as anti-inflammatory extracts of arnica and chamomile and cooling menthol, to ensure maximum soothing power

Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner

This toner from Dermalogica is called “multi-active” for very good reason, as it performs a whole host of functions on your face. Using aloe, as well as lavender, balm mint and arnica, to refresh, repair and soothe the skin, it also adds critical moisture to the skin and evens out porosity of the skin to allow moisturizer to be more evenly absorbed. The spray is also totally fragrance-free which means that it appeals to lots of male Pure Beauty customers who don’t wish to use products which a feminine scent.

Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub

This exfoliating scrub from Dermalogica was actually re-formulated back in March 2015 to ensure that the best possible combination of ingredients were being used. It uses natural ingredients such as finely-granulated corn cob meal which help to remove dead skin cells while extracts of mallow, ivy and cucumber plus soothing aloe vera help to prevent over-stimulation of the skin.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Chill out, don’t burn out

02/05/2017 02/05/2017 0

New Year’s Resolutions are long gone and the summer holidays are far away on the horizon, which means getting bogged down with life and not taking time out for you is easy to do.

The thing is, if you don’t slow down and stop once in a while, your health and wellbeing can suffer and you can be looking at burnout.

Not fun and totally not cool.

You might think the demands of your career, family, friends and relationship don’t leave you any free time, but we think you can find a slot or two a week to take care of number one.

This isn’t selfish and shouldn’t feel guilty, and let’s face it, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

We have some great ideas of how to recharge your batteries so you feel happy and balanced rather than tired and resentful of all you do for others.

Go for a walk. Simple as that. Getting outside, away from screens and the bothers of life. Taking in fresh air will not only clear your head but you will soak up some bone building Vitamin D at the same time.

Take regular exercise. Raising your heart rate and doing something physical you really enjoy is a great way to step away from life. It could be training to do a 5k run, open water swimming, surfing, boxercise, basically anything that gets you out of breath and sweating. Before long you will look forward to that game of netball or gym session, and the burst of feel good endorphins it offers will make your day so much better.

Meet a friend for a coffee, lunch or drinks after work and catch up. While many of use divulge the details of our lives for all to see on social media, there is something to be said for meeting up with your nearest and dearest in person.

Speaking of social media, turn it off. Once a week go screen free and see just what the world offers when it isn’t fuelled by likes and tweets and ‘look at me and my perfect life’ photos.

Book a holiday and have something to look forward to.

Have a massage or reflexology session. Modern day life is busy and demanding and just one hour of pampering can make a massive difference.

Write a journal, take up scrap booking or go to an art classes. Letting your creative juices flow can be good for you soul.

Meditate, everyday, and free your mind from the toxins that are cluttering it up.

Get enough sleep. Yes, we know this can be hard, but having a warm, relaxing bath, getting into clean sheets and really resting can be so beneficial for you and for those who live with you!

Get a pet. We aren’t talking about a fish, but a cat, dog and even a rabbit can be a real companion and offer a little bit of time out from the pressures surrounding you.

Bake a cake. The process can be relaxing and the rewards are delicious.

Read a book, watch a movie or go to the theatre and escape from everything and enjoy being in another world for a couple of hours.

Go dancing, let loose and have fun.

Learn to sew or knit. Yes, these might seem a bit old-fashioned, but you can really lose yourself in a hobby like this and as well as relaxing, you get something else for yourself at the end of it.

Whatever you decide to do, make time for you and don’t feel bad about it.

Team Pure Beauty.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Beauty Focus – Cellulite

29/04/2017 28/04/2017 0

Cellulite. We’ve all heard of it, some of us have it and some of us don’t, but there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to it with even the slimmest celebrities with the most faboulous legs, such as Beyonce, falling foul of it. But what is cellulite? Why do some of us get it while others manage to steer clear? We’re hoping to probe that mystery today to give you some answers!

Cellulite - Beyonce — Image source: http://bit.ly/2pa42K4

What is cellulite?

According to Wikipedia: “Cellulite (also known as adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, gynoid lipodystrophy, and orange peel syndrome) is the herniation of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissue that manifests topographically as skin dimpling and nodularity”

To simplify, cellulite is an area of fatty tissue, close to the surface of the skin, which can look lumpy and bumpy on certain areas of the body. It can look quite bad from certain angles and many women will feel self-conscious because of it.

Why does it occur?

Cellulite has a number of causes, such as dietary changes, hormonal factors, genetic factors, and a high-stress lifestyle. However, simply being a woman will also increase your risk factor exponentially.

How common is it?

Although it may seem like lots of women manage to avoid cellulite, current wisdom suggests that 85-98% of women actually have cellulite to some degree, so actually, those of us who manage to avoid it are in a tiny minority!

Where do most people get it?

The most common areas for cellulite are the bottom, upper thighs, upper arms, tummy and lower back. Some women also experience it on the upper arms although closer to the pelvic region is the most usual place.

Is there anything I can do about it?

Of course! Many women report in improvement in the appearance of cellulite with regular skin brushing, because it helps to break down the uneven pockets of fat which are sitting below the skin, as well as improving circulation, which will prevent further development of cellulite. The Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush is perfect for this as it’s made from natural cactus bristles and will soften the skin in the process. May of our clients also report good results with Elemis Cellutox Active Body Oil as regular usage can help to dissipate the build up of toxins which contributes to forming stubborn pockets of cellulite beneath the skin.

Remember – if even Beyonce has to deal with it, it can’t be that bad!

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Turmeric – the superfood for super health

25/04/2017 24/04/2017 0

Take a look in your kitchen cupboards and we are pretty sure that 95% of you will find a jar of golden turmeric hiding in the spice rack somewhere.

You might only bring it out once in a while to add a warm, peppery flavour to curries and soups, but after reading this post, we think turmeric is going to be featuring a lot more in your life.

You might not know this, but turmeric is a tropical plant that belongs to the ginger family. It’s root is boiled and dried then finely ground to create the vivid powder we are so familiar with.

One of the reasons turmeric is so widely used and well-regarded is because it contains curcumin, a compound which is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown this simple root could have endless positive effects on your health, including relieving gas and bloating, easing digestion, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, taking the sting out of colds and flu, helping with blood pressure and treating depression.

Wow, this is a superfood if ever we have seen one!

While none of this is 100% proved, it would seem that it is worth incorporating this little bit of this natural gem into your diet.

Yes, it is a fantastic addition to curries and spicy dishes, but there are other ways to get some of the golden stuff into your body so it can reap the benefits.

For a tasty breakfast that packs a punch, add a pinch or two to scrambled eggs.

Stir it into olive oil, then toss in roasted vegetables.

Blend into a vitamin packed smoothie, especially good post workout to help ease aching joints and muscles.

Use a teaspoon or two in chicken noddle soup for an added immune boost.

Add a pinch of ground turmeric to warm water and lemon to start your day the right way. You can also buy turmeric tea bags, which can be drunk alone or mixed with green, white, black, or mint varieties.

For something a bit different, add it into homemade vegan ice cream. Add a pinch of turmeric to a cup of coconut cream and blend with a ripe banana, five pitted dates, a drizzle of honey and some fresh ginger. Blast in the blender, then pour into pots, freeze, and enjoy.

What we are really saying is to aim to make this an everyday staple that can be used to season eggs, stir fries, pulses, guacamole, nut butter, humus, dips, sauces, dressings and even porridge.

If none of these ideas really appeal, pop along to your health food shop and buy some capsules and take if you take the suggested does each day it can help you get you in tip-top condition.

Got a turmeric trick, send it our way, we would love to know it.

Team Pure-Beauty

Health and Happiness

5 Unusual Menopause Symptoms and How to Deal with Them

22/04/2017 24/04/2017 0

5 Uncommon Menopause Symptoms — Image Credit: http://bit.ly/2pJmyXT

The menopause is famous for making women feel uncomfortable and there’s a whole list of symptoms, such as hot flushes and lack of energy that we all know about. There are, however, several more “unusual” symptoms which people either don’t know about or haven’t worked out that they’re associated to menopause. We’ve put together a list of five of these unusual symptoms in the hope that we can help you to deal with them.

Dry Skin

As your body starts to wind down hormone production, dry skin can be a knock-on effect. The good news is that we have a whole army of moisturisers to help you to deal with this, and as skin ages it requires something richer like Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich which will ivisibly mprove hydration and firmness within 15 days!

Poor Sleep

We’re not sure if it’s the nocturnal hot flushes which make sleep feel elusive or just a generally restless night, but feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep is really common for menopausal women. Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm contains a blend of oils which combine to promote harmony, tranquillity and relaxation. Apply a couple of drops to your temples to help you to relax and drift off to a more restful sleep.

Headache

You may not think that head pain could be associated with your reproductive system, but lots of women report blinding headaches as part of their menopause symptoms. What most people don’t realise is that oestrogen withdrawal is a really common trigger for migraines, and therefore menopause and migraines tend to go hand in hand. Lying in a dark room and taking analgesics is usually the only sure-fire way to soothe a migraine.

Sensitivity to Sound and Noise

General irritability and feeling overwhelmed is reported as a peri-menopause symptom that some women experience, but some even go on to find that their sensitivity to light and sound is increased, leaving them feeling totally overloaded. Giving yourself time alone to unwind is really important for both your physical and mental wellbeing during this time, so taking yourself off to a bathroom or bedroom and indulging in some at-home spa treatments is a must. We recommend the Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi range to help you to unwind.

Joint Pain

Many, previously healthy, women say that they feel like they’ve aged by ten years when menopause starts because it can be so draining and although joint pain seems like a simple case of ageing, it can actually be caused by menopause. Adding fatty oils like Cod Liver Oil as well as a glucosamine supplement can help, as can regular soaks in a warm bath using something like Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak to soothe aching bones.

Health and Happiness

Get up and jump into spring

18/04/2017 18/04/2017 0

During the cold, dark winter months we tend to snuggle up on the sofa with a hot chocolate and the remote control and watch one box set after another. As comforting as this is, with spring in the air and the nights getting longer, it is time to shrug off that fleece and get ready for summer.

We have had a look at how you can make health and fitness your best friends, rather than regarding them as the enemy, so you can feel your best you, ever.

Get outside for a brisk walk every day. Walking has a great effect on your health and, if done on a regular basis it can help reduce your cholesterol levels, balance your blood pressure and boost your mood. This is also a natural way to improve your Vitamin D levels, something we know that can be hard in the UK but it is worth a go and you can top up the good stuff with a supplement.

Find a sport you enjoy and do it. Whether it’s a run in the park, a swim at the lido or a kick boxing class, there is something for everyone, you just need to look for it. If you find it easy to sit back with a take away and skip yoga, go with a friend and then you can’t miss it or you’ll be letting yourself and them down.

Instead of having the three traditional meals a day we all stick to, try having more snacks and smaller meals. Go for low Glycaemic Index foods like fruit, vegetables and wholegrains and this will help your blood sugar remain steady and you won’t be hungry and tempted to grab a bar of chocolate or slice of cake at 4pm.

We know they taste good, but if you want to look and feel good we suggest you reduce alcohol, processed foods and refined sugar. Don’t ban them altogether but remember that saying, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips, and you might ditch that doughnut for dates.

Whatever you do, don’t be afraid of healthy fats, they are good for you. Foods like nuts and avocado will fill you up without causing weight gain, unless you overdo it of course, and they will also help your hair, skin and nails look amazing.

If you are looking for some food and lifestyle swaps that are easy to make but can have a big impact, we have a few ideas:

Ditch the meat and go veggie at least twice a week
Park a mile from your office and walk the rest of the way
Swap sugar for cinnamon
Eat oily fish twice a week
Replace sour cream with low-fat Greek yogurt
Go sugar-free with tea and coffee
Reduce salt and use herbs and garlic instead
Ditch the white bread, rice and pasta and try whole grain versions
Swap those sweetened cereals for porridge or a vitamin packed smoothie
Brush your teeth after eating as way of avoid snacking
Eat fruit rather than drinking lots of fruit juice
Eat from a smaller plate, yes it works!
Swap the bus for your bike
Keep a food diary, you will be amazed at what you actually eat each day
Broccoli, cashew nuts and peppers will support your immune system and help you avoid infections and mean less sick days.

Add lentils and pumpkin seeds into your diet to improve your mood and remember that your metabolism will benefit from the protein found in lean meat, dairy, peanuts and pulses.

Make sure you drink enough water. Being hydrated is vital for good health and will also keep your brain clear, your skin glowing and hair glossy.

Put a photo of the dress, bikini or holiday destination on your fridge and every time you open the door you will go for the strawberries over the Starmix.

Go on, give these a go and we are sure you will see the difference in no time.

Team Pure Beauty

Decleor, Facial Treatments

Care for Your Eyes with Decleor

15/04/2017 18/04/2017 0

Eyecare from Decleor — Image: Creative Commons CC0 license

According to a recent survey of over 1000 people, both men and women consider the eyes to be the most important feature when determining attraction and with more over 50’s back in the dating pool than ever before, looking after your eyes is key. Decleor offer a huge range of eye-care products, designed to keep the delicate skin around your peepers in top condition, so we thought we’d take a look at some of their most popular offerings.

Decleor Dark Circle and Eye Wrinkle Eraser

If you’re lucky enough to still be in the early stages of the ageing process then this cream is ideal for you. The correcting action smoothes and fills fine lines and wrinkles while the yellow pigment covers and corrects the dark areas of your skin. It comes with a special silicone applicator which allows you to apply it where you need it the most.

Decleor Harmonie Calm Relaxing Milky Gel-Cream for Eyes

At the end of a long day, it’s really common for eyes to feel puffy and sore, which is why Decleor created this gel-cream. It’s got a light texture specially formulated for the sensitive eye area and will reduce dark circles, soothe the sensitive eye area, moisturise and protect the skin around the eyes and reduce the signs of reactivity. It’s great for hayfever sufferers, too.

Decleor Hydrotenser Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular ingredients in anti-ageing products, and this serum from Decleor contains a high concentration of it to smooth deep wrinkles and reverse fine lines. The firming effect gives the whole eye area and much needed boost and can be applied morning and night to make you look well-rested even after the worst night’s sleep!

Decleor Lift and Firm Eye Cream

This eye cream from Decleor is a multi-functional potion. Not only does it lift and firm the eye area (as the name would suggest!) but it re-energises the support fibres and reactivates the micro-circulation of the eyes. It also contains light-reflective particles which add radiance. This means that not only will the puffiness and dark colouration be reduced, but you’ll look totally revitalised and youthful, just by using one cream.

Decleor Refreshing Eye Make-up Remover

It’s all well and good using specific eye creams to improve your eye area, but removing eye make-up with a dedicated product is equally important. Using an eye make-up remover will not only ensure that your make-up is removed efficiently (especially if it’s waterproof), it will also avoid irritating a delicate area, while camellia oil comforts and nourishes the skin.

Life and Fashion

Keeping moths at bay, the easy way

11/04/2017 18/04/2017 0

With news this week suggesting moths seem to have an appetite for precious curtains and carpets, costumes and tapestries in some of our most loved historic properties, we thought we would look at how to make sure they don’t get at your favourite clothes.

There are approximately 2,400 species of moths in the UK and whilst they pose no health risks, the larvae of some types can damage the natural materials like wool, cotton and silk and this puts your delicate items at particular risk.

No one wants to find holes in their wedding dress or precious family air looms, so the best thing to do is stop them getting inside in the first place, because once they find a dark cupboard or wardrobe, moths will lay eggs and the damage can happen faster than you can put a dark wash on. We accept that doing this can be hard, but we have put together some handy hints and tips to keep moths at bay in your home.

Use fly screens on your doors and windows and draw your curtains at night to prevent moths getting into your lovely home in the first place.

Check your loft every spring because moths love the bird nests in eaves of homes and will hide out all winter waiting to cause problems.

Clean under your beds on a regular basis and even check those in the spare room as they are dark and cosy, just what moths love.

Hoovering and cleaning your wardrobe every couple of weeks, and keeping the doors open every now and again, is a good way to stop the larvae eating away at your dresses and skirts.

It is also worth noting that moths and their larvae love dirty, sweaty clothes that smell, so only keep clean items in your drawers, wash the rest before putting them away.

When it comes to washing, as well as sorting items by colour, try to wash clothes that are stored in the same drawers or hanging space together too. This will help prevent cross contamination and keep any problems under control.

Lavender bags in your wardrobes and chest of drawers will not only ensure everything smells lush but they will keep the moths away as they hate the smell.

Rather than keep all clothes out, all of the time, change them by season and store in vacuum bags, again with a little lavender as an added moth deterrent. If you don’t want to spend cash on the real thing, you can fold your clean clothes into a bin liner, put the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner in the top of the then seal with you hand and the bag will shrink in front of your eyes. Seal with a hair band or tape and store away until needed.

One way to get rid of damage causing larvae is by freezing it. Put your affected clothing into a plastic bag, seal and store in your freezer for 24 hours. Take them items out then wash and dry them and hang up next to a lavender bag.

If the sun comes out, hang your coats and jackets on the washing line and beat areas like the collar and seams to kill eggs and larvae and breathe fresh air into the fabric. Note, if someone is having a bonfire or BBQ, do it another time.

There are a range of products on the market including sprays and traps, that can be hung in wardrobes and cupboards to deal with small infestations and protect your clothes and fabrics.

Got a tip for moths we haven’t covered? Drop us a line, we would love to know your moth combatting secrets.

Team Pure Beauty

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