Our Blog – Page 57 – Pure Beauty – The Lichfield Beauty Salon

Stay Cool on Christmas Day

24/12/2016 23/12/2016 0

In our experience there are two kinds of women: those who relish the idea of hosting Christmas Day and feeding a dozen people, and those who break out into a cold sweat at the very idea. If you’re hosting Christmas Day this year but are struggling to remain calm about the whole thing, we’ve got some tips to help you to keep cool in the kitchen and allow you to still look fab by the time you take your seat at the table.

Don’t Drink too Much

We know it’s Christmas Day and for many of us that means starting on the Bucks Fizz with breakfast and not stopping until you hit cheese and port in the evening, but excessive drinking will no only leave you fuzzy headed, it will raise your blood pressure and add to your stress. It can also make you look red in the face, which is never a good look! Try alternating an alcoholic drink with a glass of water or juice to get your head clear and your body hydrated.

Spritzzz!

Keeping a cooling spritz in the kitchen will help you in a number of ways. As well as physically keeping your skin cool amongst the bubbling pots and pans, it will also help you to remain moisturised, something which can be an issue in a hot kitchen. Opt for Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist, which is also a toner, and keep it in the fridge for a real cooling boost!

Look After Your Hands

Christmas Day can be especially hard on your hands, between stuffing, peeling and washing, and this type of activity can really dry your hands out, leaving them feeling tight and uncomfortable. Keep a tube of Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment in the pocket of your pinny so that you can top up whenever you feel the need.

Keep Calm

It’s really easy to let the pressure of the day get on top of you, especially if you’re in charge of the food, because you feel the weight of everyone’s happiness directly on your shoulders. Succumbing to stress is the easiest way to start making mistakes, so make your own calm a priority. The calmer you remain, the more likely you are to take everything in its stride, even if problems do occur. Dab a little Dermalogica Stress Relief Treatment Oil onto your pulse points for a mind-clearing blast of soothing scent.

Enjoy Yourself!

The very best advice we can offer you is to just simply try to enjoy yourself! This is ONE dinner on ONE day of the year and even if it all goes wrong and your parsnips get burned none of it really matters! Take it in your stride. You can do this!

Health and Happiness

Tips for dealing with a festive hangover

20/12/2016 19/12/2016 0

Last week we shared some delicious Christmas cocktails, which we hope you have made and enjoyed.

We did say it is a good idea to drink responsibility, so today we have a guide to keeping those hangovers at bay during the party season, and what to do if things get a little too merry.

Let’s start at the beginning and look at exactly what a hangover is.

Hangovers are caused by drinking alcohol, a diuretic, which removes fluids from the body. When you drink too much booze this can lead to dehydration and leave you with a headache, dizziness and sickness. Too much alcohol can also upset your stomach, prevent you from sleeping and depending on how much you drink, traces of alcohol can remain in your system the next day.

We have put together some dos and don’ts that we hope will allow you to have a great time on the night, and will mean you won’t suffer too much the morning after.

Don’t ever drink on an empty stomach. Before you go out try to eat some carbohydrates as this will help slow down your body’s absorption of alcohol.

Don’t drink alcohol when you feel thirsty, instead have a glass of water to quench your thirst.

Also, don’t knock back a double vodka to give you dutch courage. This approach will, more often than not, mean the alcohol will hit your system faster, making you feel you drunk and potentially taking away inhibitions which can lead to a disaster!

Don’t leave your drinks alone. It is sad but true that people do spike them, so be safe.

If you are having a party, do serve healthy, soft drinks as well as jugs of water with ice and lemon.

Don’t mix your drinks, it will really hurt the next day.

Don’t take advantage of buy one get one free offers as this can get messy.

Don’t leave your friends and don’t get into an unlicensed cab.

Don’t go for dark-coloured drinks as they contain impurities, which can irritate blood vessels and brain tissue and make hangovers worse.

Do drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.

Do drink at least a pint water before you go to be and do make sure you have a glass of water by your bed to drink during the night.

Don’t try the old adage ‘hair of the dog’ the next day. Drinking more alcohol will not help and can bring the hangover back, but worse.

If you wake up with a hangover do take over-the-counter tables to help ease the pain. Paracetamol-based products are preferable, as aspirin and ibuprofen can further irritate the stomach and increase sickness.

Do replace those lost fluids with water, coconut water and isotonic sports drinks.

Do limit your caffeine. Your body might be screaming for coffee but this will only aggravate hydration levels – so go for just one and leave it there.

Do have a shower and get dressed – it will make you feel more human.

Don’t skip breakfast as this will only make you feel worse. Nourishing food is the best way to replace the vitamins and minerals your body will have lost. Go for wholemeal toast with eggs and bacon and a glass of Vit C rich orange juice.

Don’t get in your car if you think you might still be over the limit.

This Christmas, do have fun, but don’t put you or others at risk by drinking too much.

Team Pure-Beauty

Decleor, Dermalogica, Skincare Advice

Skincare for Santa

17/12/2016 16/12/2016 0

Being Santa must be a really tough job. You spend all year tucked away at The North Pole, making toys, keeping lists of who’s naughty and nice, and keeping thousands of elves in check, only to spend one manic night flying around the world in an open-top sleigh making sure all the kids get a toy. Poor old Santa doesn’t sound like he has a lot of time for skincare, but we thought we’d make some suggestions of things he could use to keep his rosy cheeks in check.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser

It’s commonly thought that Santa gets his rosy cheeks from drinking a nip of brandy in almost every house in the world, be we have it on good authority from the Head Elf that poor old Santa actually suffers from rosacea. That’s why Dermalogica UltraClaming cleanser would be a good choice for him as it cleanses the face without irritation and actually contains ingredients which will actively calm redness and sensitivity.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment

Father Christmas is pretty hard on his hands, between toy crafting and reindeer husbandry, not to mention the havoc that the reins on his sleigh play with them, which is why we hope Mrs. Christmas has stuck a tube of Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment in his stocking this year. It’s a non-greasy treatment containing pure vitamins that help to repair chapped hands and strengthen brittle nails – perfect for Mr. Claus!

Decleor Lift and Firm Day Cream – Dry Skin

The cold wind on Santa’s face whilst circumnavigating the globe on his sleigh gives him terribly dry skin, so we’d recommend Decleor Lift and Firm Day Cream for dry skin to rehydrate and soothe his wind-blown cheeks. It also contains anti-ageing properties which are essential for a man who’s approaching 1,746 years old!

Dermalogica Hydro-Active Mineral Salts

We’d hazard a guess that Santa is pretty sore and achy after his one night delivery service, so slipping into a hot bath full of Dermalogica Hydro-Active Mineral Salts when he gets home is an absolute must. It soothes aching muscles and can also be used as a skin-smoothing salt scrub – perfect to get rid of a whole world’s worth of pollution off of your skin!

Decleor Iris Rejuvenating Night Balm

Finally, when the deliveries are done and it’s time for Santa to have an EPIC sleep, we’d highly recommend that he slather his tired face with Decleor Iris Rejuvenating Night Balm. It contains 100% natural ingredients (only the best for St. Nick!) and will encourage cell renewal within his skin while he sleeps.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

From Desk to Dance Floor

13/12/2016 12/12/2016 0

From now until the end of the year, your diary will be be full of drinks, dinners and dancing….fun!

If you haven’t got time to go home before you head out we have some easy, beauty and fashion fixes and tricks that will ensure you look perfect day and night.

If you don’t have time to redo all your make-up from scratch, refresh your day-old foundation by patting a light shine liquid-base over your face and then add a new layer of your foundation for a perfect finish.

A light-shade bronzer can be used to create a healthy glow to your face as well as offering a dusting of natural colour to your shoulders and the décolleté.

A white eyeliner brightens and opens up tired, computer-strained eyes and makes you look fresh and ready to go.

Black eyeliner will then take your look from subtle to sultry in moments. Go for a silky, smooth pencil that can be easily blended for a smoky look.

Take a hard-wearing pencil through brow arches to fill in gaps and redefine shape and ensure you look well-groomed.

Spray dry shampoo onto flat, greasy roots to give your hair an instant volume boost.

A coat of bright nail varnish will add colour to any outfit and give you a polished finish.

If you don’t want to take your entire wardrobe to work, plan your outfit so small alterations can be made for maximum impact.

You go to work in trainers, but by night you will need to take off those flats and put on your party heels. Not only will they transform your look in a flash, but they will also make your legs look longer and leaner and give you an air of confidence.

Heels do mean you will need to pack plasters in your bag as well as pumps for the journey home.

Dark denim is great for the office with a crisp shirt, add heels and lace cami and you have a totally new look for that new bar in town.

A simple shift dress is perfect for meetings, take off the jacket, add some bling and statement heels and you are Christmas party ready.

A cool silver pleated skirt with a simple jumper works for HR, but swap the sweater for a pussycat blouse and sandals and you are winning in the fashion stakes.

Jumpsuits are hot on the dance floor and worn with jacket and ballet flats on the shop-floor they are totally versatile.

A leather jacker or faux fur jacket will add instant wow factor to an evening outfit so keep one on the back of your office chair, just incase.

If you really are running from meeting to mingling, add statement earrings for sparkle and a simple slick of red lipstick and you are instantly glam.

Whatever you do, keep safe, have fun and enjoy.

Team-Pure Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Firm Your Wobbly Bits!

10/12/2016 09/12/2016 0

We ladies come in all shapes and sizes and it’s very rare to find a single one of us who doesn’t have a bit of us that we wouldn’t change. From chins to tummys and back to upper arms, many of us have a wobbly bit here or there that we’d love to get rid of. Thankfully, Dermalogica and Decleor have your back with a range of products which can help.

Decleor Slim Effect Localised Contouring Gel-Cream

This gel-cream from Decleor is a powerful tool against cellulite and uses their Lipo-Cellulor Complex to reduce the appearance of cellulite as well as limiting the regrowth of fat cells in targeted areas. It restores the skin’s elasticity and firmness and reduced the ‘orange-peel’ appearance of cellulite, leaving you smoother and better hydrated.

Dermalogica Extra Firming Booster

Firming up your eyes and décolletage is a tricky job as you need a powerful product which is gentle enough to use on delicate skin. This extra firming booster from Dermalogica contains skin re-texturising seaweed, vitamin C and protein peptides which firm the skin and is gentle enough for the eye area.

Decleor Sculpt Firming Body Serum

Decleor Sculpt Firming Body Serum is a firming body serum that combats skin sagging and improves tone and elasticity of the skin. Providing preventative and corrective action on the main causes and of loss of firmness: lack of elasticity, stretch marks and skin ageing, this super serum leaves skin visibly re-vitalised and re-sculpted.

Decleor Hydrotenser Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum

Fatigue can play havoc with the delicate eye area, leaving it looking puffy and with accentuated wrinkles. This serum contains a high dosage of hyaluronic acid which not only firms and re-tenses the skin, but also deeply moisturises, preventing further aging of the skin.

Decleor Slim Effect Draining Massage Balm

Sometimes, areas of the body can become puffy because the area is engorged with retained fluid and massage can be a powerful ally against this. Using Decleor Slim Effect Draining Massage Balm to massage your limbs after a long day can help to drastically improve water retention, leaving you looking slimmer and smoother in the process. The balm is 100% natural, so can be used on any skin type without the need to worry.

Life and Fashion

The Best of European Christmas Markets

06/12/2016 06/12/2016 0

Yes, it’s that time of year again.

Time to pick a destination, book a ticket and step into the wonderful world of Christmas markets.

Mulled wine, mince pies, lights and gifts are all on offer, it’s just a case of which one to choose.

You really can get into the spirit of things at the markets in Edinburgh between now and early January. Put on your warmest coat and gloves and jump on the big wheel, star flyer and fairground rides. Bring the little ones and they can visit Santa Land and buy presents from their friends at the kid’s market. With beautiful presents, hot drinks and delicious food on sale in Princes Street, what are you waiting for?

You might not associate Paris with Christmas markets but we think this is a pretty special place to spent a day or two. Until the 11^th January, the Champs-Elysee to the Place de la Concorde will be dotted with over 200 pretty wooden chalets creating a winter wonderland like no other. Visitors can stroll arm in arm as they try out local culinary offerings whilst sipping fragrant wine under the gaze of the 400-lit Christmas trees.

Back on home turf and Newcastle has a fantastic market running through to 11^th December, so be quick if you want to catch it. Set on Grey Street, over 50 traders are based in wooden lodges and offer a gastronomic delight. From crepes and paella to cakes and pastries, this is the perfect shopping stop-off.

Set beside the beautiful cathedral, Exeter has to be one of our favourite festive markets at Pure-Beauty. This year the city has really gone to town with decorating the cabins and making it really Christmassy following the devastating fire that hit the area just weeks ago. Devonshire independents can be found selling a range of locally produced foods and wines and there are also many unique gifts to be found too. Close to a vast array of bars and shops, the market can be part of a great day out, but don’t hang around it will be gone by 19^th December.

If you fancy flying, how about visiting Stuttgart and trying out one of the oldest, biggest Christmas markets in Europe? The well-established event is on until 23^rd December and is home to nearly 300 stunning stalls. Choirs and music groups mingle with visitors and traders to create a magical atmosphere that you can’t help but love. As well as shopping, eating and drinking, be sure to pop by the ‘Winterland’ on Palace Square for a dose of traditional Christmas.

Belfast is a sure bet for festive cheer, and beer. Held in the grounds of the Belfast City Hall, this market is part of the ‘Year of Food and Drink NI 2016’ and as such is alive with all things delicious to eat and drink. The festive village is a hive of entertainment and crafts and will dazzle the senses.

Last but by no means least we can’t leave out London. As well as Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, there is also the exceptional market on the South Bank. Stalls full of gingerbread lattes and mince pies are set against the River Thames and trees sparkling with fairy lights, a sight not to be missed. With a sprinkling of shows, ice-skating and even a contemporary circus, this is something a little special in the heart of the capital.

If you go to one of these, or any other market, drop us a line and let us know how it goes and what goodies you tried!

Team Pure-Beauty

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Combat the Christmas Hangover

02/12/2016 06/12/2016 0

For many of us, Christmas is the one time of year that we allow ourselves to eat, drink and be completely merry, whilst maintaining a clean lifestyle for the rest of the year. This can often mean only one thing – a nasty hangover the next day! As much as we aren’t advocating drinking to excess (it speeds up the ageing process, you know…), we thought we’d take a look at a few tips and products which can help you feel better without reaching for hair of the dog.

Drink Water

Come on. You know this stuff. There’s no such thing as a magical hangover cure, but drinking plenty of water the morning after a big night is the only sure-fire way to speed up your recovery time. Alcohol dehydrates your system, which is what is usually responsible for your banging headache, so topping up your fluids is a sensible idea.

Spritz Yourself

Often, the combination of wearing a full face of make-up, being up late and indulging in one too many sherries can make your face feel tight and sensitised, leaving you feeling very uncomfortable indeed. Using a cooling spray like Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist will help to relieve inflammation and discomfort, and will also replenish moisture lost because of the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

Refresh Your Legs

If you’re anything like us, then a night on the town usually means a lot of time spent on your feet, dancing with friends and having a good time. This is usually all well and good while you’re doing it but can leave your legs and feet feeling very tired the next day. Using Decleor Circulagel Refreshing Toning Gel can help you to get your legs feeling less achy, gets your circulation moving and reduces inflammation.

Get Some Sleep

If you’re able to, taking a catnap when you’re dealing with a hangover can really do you the world of good. Sleeping through it gives your body a chance to rest and repair and will give you a break from the percussionist playing in your head! If you struggle to sleep when it’s not bed time, try rubbing a little Decleor Relax Intense Relaxing Dry Oil on your pulse points.

Have a Snack

You may not feel like eating if your tummy is feeling like a spin dryer, but eating the RIGHT snack can really help to settle your stomach and make you feel better. Bananas and pretzels are a great combination – bananas contain potassium which is depleted when you drink alcohol and pretzels are covered in salt, which is also usually lacking in your system after a night on the booze.

Health and Happiness

The Benefits of Bathing

29/11/2016 28/11/2016 0

Whilst the pressure of modern life means many of us run in and out of the shower, one of life’s little luxuries still has to be taking a bath.

The simple bath has a long and detailed history and for centuries we have been getting in the tub to relax.

Let’s face it, there is nothing quite a soak in the tub to make you stop in your tracks and take time out from a busy schedule.

“After a hard day at work, I love a cup of mint tea and a soak on the bath’

Karen

“There is something really special about getting in the bath before bedtime and feeling the stress of the day float away.”

Claire

“I have a shower in the morning as it is quick, but a bath at 9pm is my way to really unwind and forget my worries.”

Gabby

The great news is that whilst taking a bath is relaxing, it is good for your health too.

Did you know that a hot bath can help improve your circulation? Hot water creates a physical pressure on the body and in return increases the capacity of our hearts. In other words, when we are submerged in a hot bath, your heart tends to work faster and stronger so a dip a couple of times a week can be of great benefit.

A raised body temperature can also help improve lymph circulation, act as a detoxification, increase metabolism and calm the nervous system with the result being a healthier, more relaxed you!

Over-stretched muscles, small sports injuries and even joint pain can be relieved with a hot bath and can be the perfect end to a session in the gym.

Many headaches are caused by the narrowing of blood vessels in the head. A hot bath can be used to alleviate the pressure on those blood vessels and ease that banging headache.

A warm bath is great before bed as it can aid sleep. When you are tense, and get into the bath, the water increases your body temperature and helps you, and your muscles, relax. As your muscles relax, not only do you relax physically, but mentally too. A bath of around 20 minutes can really help take stress and worry away and make it easier to fall asleep.

Pills and potions are great for a cold, but so is a bath. The steam from a hot bath can dry out the mucus that bungs you up and stops you from sleeping. Taking a hot bath for just 15 minutes can really benefit you when you are ill and if you add essential oils that can further help you and your cold.

Whilst a shower gets you clean, a good soak in the bath can open up the pores in our skin, and clean away some of dirt and toxins in our skin. The result is fresher, cleaner, glowing skin especially if you moisture once you are out of the bath and towel dry.

Sometimes complications can arise from a hot bath, so if you suffer from a chronic condition, check in with your doctor first. It is also worth remembering that taking a hot bath is not recommended if you are pregnant.

So, next time you feel a bit below par or have had a nightmare of a day, run a bath, add some salts, turn the lights down low and let your worries melt away.

Team Pure-Beauty

Dermalogica

Celebs Who Love Dermalogica

26/11/2016 25/11/2016 0

There’s nothing like a bit of celebrity endorsement to make up feel like we NEED a product, but there are celebs out there who don’t use skincare just for the pay cheque, but actually because they simply love them. We take a look at celebs who adore Dermalogica so you can see exactly how fantastic your skin can be with a little time and investment.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham is well known for suffering hormone-related skin issues due to suffering with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, something which can play absolute havoc with your complexion. She wrote about her love of Dermalogica masques on her autobiography, specifically the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, which she referred to as “my little ambulance in a bottle”.

Lily Cole

Lily Cole is one of the most famous models in the UK (and the World) right now and her fresh-faced, blemish-free complexion is the single best testimonial for Dermalogica products. She’s a total devotee and once declared “I have so much make-up plastered over my skin all the time, I worry what it’s going to look like when I wash it off. That’s why I only use Dermalogica products on my face – they definitely do the trick.

Kristen Stewart

Whilst on the set of Twilight: Breaking Dawn, many of the cast had very young skin which felt the strain of wearing so much make up on a daily basis, as well as dealing with low temperatures and central heating. This meant that many of the cast suffered breakouts which had to be dealt with swiftly. Key makeup artist Jean Ann Black relied heavily on the MediBac Clearing System to keep the starts looking their best and said “With the extreme weather we experienced while shooting Breaking Dawn, Dermalogica was always a lifesaver with any problems regarding skin, whether breakouts, dryness or shaving issues”

Dannii Minogue

Former pop star, soap star and X-Factor judge Dannii Minogue is a great lover of Dermalogica products and relies on the Special Cleansing Gel to keep her skin super clean. She says “This is my fail-safe, all-in-one way to remove make up and get my skin feeling smooth and soft.”

Zoe Ball

Having sensitive skin can be really tricky as finding the balance of products can mean putting your skin through the ringer before you find something which works for you. Celebrity DJ Zoe Ball says that finding Dermalogica products, which contain no perfume or additive which will irritate sensitive skin, has been a life-saver “I have very sensitive skin so I use Dermalogica. I can’t use perfumed products and have to be careful with things like soaps. I swear by the Dermalogica toner, intensive moisturiser and lip balm. They make such a difference.”

Health and Happiness

Hygge – What’s It All About?

22/11/2016 21/11/2016 0

Every now and again a trend comes along and has us captivated.

Unless you’ve been camping out on the moon it is likely you have heard the work ‘hygge’ being banded about, but what does it actually mean?

It’s about candles, isn’t it?
Donna

Oh hygee is a type of Scandinavian hug, isn’t it?
Joanna

‘Hot chocolate, candles and wooden huts.’
Debbie

OK, there seems to be some confusion, so we are here to help.

Hygge (pronounced ‘hooga’) is a traditional Danish term, dating back to the end of the 18th Century, which pretty much translates to ‘creating cosiness’. It’s all about self-care, connection and creating a cosy, safe environment where you feel happy, more content, oh and warm.

The Danish winters are long, dark, and pretty harsh so the Danes use hygge, and the many candles that go with it, to keep sprits high and bodies warm.

The great thing about hygge (there are many) is that you can apply it to life anywhere in the world, not just in Denmark.

Some easy ways to add a little hygge into your life include:

Get the light right. Bypass bright, white blubs and instead go for cosy lamps, fairy lights, and of course candles, to create that perfect warm, hygge atmosphere.

If you do want to go all out and revamp the entire house, why not create a hygge corner. This can be a small cosy nook that is packed with cushions, throws, and blankets that uses low lighting and creates the perfect snug for reading, chatting with a friend or simply meditating.

Think hot drinks! It is said the Danes are Europe’s biggest coffee drinkers with some of them even calling it ‘Kaffehygge’. Get some chunky mugs, good coffee and hot chocolate and enjoy a warm drink by the fire.

To go with those milky drinks, how about a slice of cake, warm cinnamon rolls and freshly baked bread – well it is about indulging in the good things in life.

Soft socks, big jumpers, bobble hats and endless scarves are all signs of a hygge life so go out and get some today.

Cooking together is the perfect time to spend time with loved ones . There’s no better way to spend a weekend afternoon than by filling your house with love and sharing hearty food at the table. Yes, this is oh so hygge

Want to really appreciate life, and hygge, start a gratitude journal. With a mug of hot chocolate, curl up in your hygge corner, buy a pretty notebook and write about all the things in life you’re thankful for.

Nourish the soul and go gadget free.

Ask you friends over to your home and spend time together. We’re not talking fancy dinner parties with canapés and champagne but simply eating, drinking and talking with loved ones in the warm, caring environment you have created.

Why not embrace higgle and make enjoyment a priority in life?

The Danes are some of the happiest people in the world, it’s kind of easy to see why.

Team Pure-Beaty

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