How to Beat Blue Monday

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21st January, amino acids, anxiety, anxious, bag, beans, below par, bleak mid-winter months, Blue Monday, breakfast, caffeine, cheese, coffee, cola, cold, coloured fruits and vegetables, concerntration, constipated, cucumber, daily fix, decaf, depressed, desk, doom and gloom, drink, eggs, emotions, fatty acids, fibre, fish, five a day, fizzy drinks, food, fresh, Frozen, gut, headaches, healthy digestion, herbal tea, hydrated, ice, January, juiced, lean meat, lemon, lentils, mental health, mentally, miserable, mood, nuts and seeds, omega 3 and 6, outside, partially hydrogenated oils’, payday, physically, portion sizes, protein, pulses, regular meals, resolutions, sip, sleep, small, soothing hot drink, soya products, squash, stimulant, tea, trans fats, tummy, water, wholegrains, winning lottery ticket, worried

With the 21st January, aka Blue Monday fast approaching, some of you might be feeling a little below per right now. It is cold outside, it’s still ages until payday and those resolutions that seemed like such a good idea on 31 December have been long forgotten, all of which can make you feel a bit miserable.

Fear not, it’s all doom and gloom. While can’t turn up the temperature or give you a winning lottery ticket, we do know that what you eat and drink can help ease the blues and beat the anxiety that makes life a little harder in the bleak mid-winter months.

Drink water
Yes, this one again. If you don’t keep hydrated you won’t feel at your best, your concentration will lapse, you may get headaches and you might also feel constipated and none of these things will help your mood. Cut down on fizzy drinks and high sugar squashes, and instead drink water with ice and add slices of lemon and cucumber to liven things up a little and keep a bottle on your desk and in your bag so you can sip during the day.

Keep an eye on caffeine
We know many people love a coffee first thing and a tea break mid-afternoon, but both of these drinks contain caffeine which might not help you if you are feeling blue. Caffeine is a stimulant and one which will give you a burst of energy at first, but then when you come down the other side it could make you feel anxious, depressed and disturb your sleep, especially when drunk before you go to bed. We don’t suggest you stop having your daily fix suddenly, as this could lead to nasty withdrawal symptoms, but it might be a good idea to start cutting back on tea, coffee, chocolate, cola and energy drinks and think about switching to decaf versions or opting for herbal teas which are caffeine free but mean you don’t miss out on a soothing hot drink.

Look after your tummy
You might not know this, but your tummy reflects your emotions so if you are feeling anxious and worried, your gut may suffer too. To help with healthy digestion, it is important to eat plenty of fibre which means loading up on wholegrains, beans, pulses, live yoghurt and you might want to consider taking a probiotic too.

Get your fruit and veg in
Eating a variety of coloured fruits and vegetables every day means you’ll get a good range of nutrients including the minerals, vitamins and fibre needed to keep you physically and mentally healthy. You might be interested to know that fresh, frozen, canned and juiced fruits and vegetables all count towards your five a day and if you are worried about portion sizes, one portion is about a handful.

Remember to eat protein
Protein is packed full of the amino acids that make up the chemicals your brain uses to regulate your thoughts and feelings, and it also keeps you feeling fuller for longer so you are less likely to reach for the mood interrupting sugary snacks later on. Lean meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, lentils, soya products, nuts and seeds are all good protein sources and it is pretty easy to fit them into every meal – so make sure you do.

Eat the right fats
We know we are told fats are bad and to be avoided at all costs, but this isn’t true. Try to avoid ‘trans fats’ or ‘partially hydrogenated oils’ and instead eat fatty acids, such as omega 3 and 6 as these are good for your brain function and mental health. Healthy fats can be found in oily fish, nuts (almonds and walnuts are a good choice), olive and sunflower oils, seeds (such as sunflower and pumpkin), avocados, and eggs all of which are tasty and easy to eat!

Eat on a regular basis
Now is not the time to skip meals as this will lead to a drop in your blood sugar levels and that can make you feel tired and irritable. Try to go for small, regular meals throughout the day, adding in healthy snacks, and always eat breakfast as this will set you up for the day. Wholegrain bread and pasta, brown rice, cereals as well as nuts and seeds are all a good idea but keep away from sweets, biscuits, sugary drinks, and alcohol as these won’t do your mood any favours.

Whatever you eat and drink make the sensible choice and we wish you a very happy, healthy 2019.

Team Pure Beauty

Get the party started at Pure Beauty

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awake, bag, bar, beautifully natural golden glow, bounce, Clary Sage, conditioned, conditioning cleanser, dance, dead skin cells, Decleor Body Firming Oil-In-Cream, Decleor Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk, delicate fragrance, Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash, Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo, Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse, Devils Apron Seaweed, diary, drinks, dullness, elasticity, Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub, Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Cream and, essential oils of Tea Tree, eucalyptus, events, exfoliation, Extracts of Vanilla, firming oil-in-cream, floral scent, foaming lather, fresh, gentle massaging movements, glows, gorgeous moisturiser, gorgeous products, Grapefruit Essential Oi, healthy and sun kissed, infuse softness, January, lavender, lemon, light, little black dress, look your best, Magnolia Essential Oil, manageability, natural moisturisers, New Year celebrations, nourishing, occasions, office Christmas lunch, orange, parties, party season, Peppermint Essential Oil, perfect dress, purify, quick shower, rich, robust, rosemary, Sandalwood, shiny hair, shoes, showering, silicon-rich sea plant particles, skin firmness, smell, smooth, soap free, soft and silky, sulfate-free shampoo, sunbeds, Tahiti, travel sizes, wash bag, wash your hands

Have a look in your diary and we are pretty sure that from now until January you will have a whole host of festive parties and events to attend. From the office Christmas lunch and drinks with the neighbours, to nights out with the girls and New Year celebrations, this is a busy time of year and it is only natural that you want to look your best.

As well as choosing the perfect dress, finding shoes you can actually walk in and a bag that works for all occasions, you want your skin to look great too. At Pure Beauty, we sell a range of gorgeous products which can help do exactly this.

If you only have time for a quick shower before heading out to a party, may we suggest you use the Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash. This rich, conditioning cleanser is soap free which means it leaves your body feeling soft and silky every time you step out of the shower. Essential Oils of Tea Tree, Lemon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary purify without stripping natural moisturisers, while Sandalwood, Lavender, Orange and Clary Sage leave your skin conditioned, smooth and smelling great. With travel sizes on sale too, you can pop it in your wash bag, get ready after your last meeting and still look fresh and awake when you arrive at the bar.

If it is smooth skin you want, look no further than the Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub . Packed with silicon-rich sea plant particles, Devils Apron seaweed and Peppermint essential oil, using this scrub will not only clean your skin, but take away the dead skin cells that cause dullness too. Use in the shower and follow with the Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Cream and your limbs will feel satin soft, look silky smooth and you will smell amazing and you dance the night away.

For fresh, shiny hair, look no further than the Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo. Suitable for everyone, this nourishing, sulfate-free shampoo has a robust, foaming lather that is packed with moisturising oils which infuse softness, and manageability. Follow with the moisture rich Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse for an added bounce, shine and delicate fragrance.

If you want skin that glows, without the damage caused by sunbeds, why not try the Decleor Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk? This gorgeous moisturiser not only offers socks into the sink and offers intense nourishment but it builds a beautifully natural golden glow that is perfect for the party season. Extracts of Vanilla from Tahiti have been blended with Magnolia Essential Oil to create a rich, softening lotion which sinks into your limbs and helps them look healthy and sun-kissed. This body milk is best applied to dry skin after exfoliation and showering, using gentle massaging movements evenly over the body and do remember to wash your hands after use.

If you want to firm up your skin before slipping into that little black dress, you might want to consider trying the Decleor Body Firming Oil-In-Cream. This light, firming oil-in-cream helps improve skin firmness and elasticity. It has a fresh, floral scent with hints of Grapefruit Essential Oil, and when used morning and night skin appears smoothed, soft, supple and toned which is just what you want when you are out with friends celebrating Christmas.

If you have any questions, or would like to try out a sample or two, get in touch and we would love to help you find something that works perfectly for you.

Team Pure Beauty

Clean up your make-up act

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Baby shampoo, bag, bar, base, bathroom, beauty staples, bin, brushes, change colour, clear, cool, cream-based foundations, crumble, dark, day, die, dry, dry naturally, dry up, evening, eye, eye infection, formula, G&T, game over, gentle liquid soap, good to go, life is busy, light reflecting particles, lip liners, lipstick, make-up bag, Mascara, mix, nail varnish, prone to clumping, Pure Beauty, re-infection, replaced, shake, share, sheer, smell, smoothly, SPF, synthetic, tip, winter

We use our make-up bags every day, often more than once, but how often do you clean it and clear it out?

Made you think, didn’t we?

The reality is, life is busy, time is short and with a G&T with your name on it at the bar, you don’t want to spend your time sorting out old mascaras, but you need to.

Today we are looking at just how long you should keep your beauty staples, before throwing them in the bin and replacing them with something shiny and new.

First things first, take everything out of your bag, clean and dry it and if it has seen better days, buy a new one. This is also the perfect time to wash your brushes. Baby shampoo is brilliant for natural hair brushes and a gentle liquid soap does the job for the synthetic ones. Brushes really can be a breeding ground for germs, so wash them once a week to be safe. Rather than storing them in the bottom of your bag, keep brushes tip up in pot and allow them to dry naturally.

Next, sort out the products in front of you and anything that you haven’t used for a while, that is past its best or has had the top left off, should be replaced. It is also worth noting, if you’ve had an eye infection it’s a good idea to throw out make-up that could cause a re-infection. Oh, and if you want your stuff to last, don’t store it in the bathroom but somewhere cool, dark and dry.

The shelf life for foundation changes depending on the formula, but generally cream-based foundations last between six months to a year, and if there’s an SPF it tends to be less. Always pay attention to how your foundation looks and feels on your skin and if you notice that is starts to change colour or smell, it is time to ditch it. Also remember, as we head towards winter, you might want to swap your lighter sheer foundation for a stronger base but go for a product with light reflecting particles.

Ideally a mascara is good to go for around four months. After this time, they tend to become dry and prone to clumping, and using the same brush over and over can increase the risk of eye infections.

We all tend to have a different lipstick in every bag, ones for day, others for evening and ones we never even wear. This is totally fine but just make sure you keep them clean and if you come across one that is past it’s best, chuck it away and use another one. Oh, and don’t share them!

Eye and lip liners can last up to three years but it is likely you will use them before that, or they will dry up and crumble. Again, don’t pass these around on a night out and at the first sign of dehydration, bin and buy a new one.

Nail varnish is one of those products that never seems to die, but shake it and if the colour doesn’t completely mix or the varnish is too sticky to apply smoothly, it’s game over.

Got a tip we have missed, then get in touch and let us know.

Team Pure Beauty

Autumn fashion the weather way

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Accessories, arm, bag, biker, bling, cardigans, case, cases, chic, clutch, coat, December, demin, earrings, edge, fashion, glittery accessories, jacket, lash lengthening mascara, midi skirt, mini break, navy, October, on trend, oversized, pixie, points, rain, scarves, shadows, sheepskin, sophistication, style, sun, sunglasses, tote, UV, weather

We don’t know about you, but it seems like the weather is still pretty mild for mid-October?

One minute it is almost balmy, the next there is rain pelting down on your freshly made up face.

With this in mind, knowing what to wear so we aren’t too cold or too hot is a bit tricky.

“I keep my umbrella and sunglasses with me at all times, together with a pair of gloves.”
Joanna

“I am still wearing my maxi-dreses in October but add a demin jacket when the sun goes in.”
Tina

“It am still in flip flips and have a regular manicure. I’m just not ready to get out the winter boots.”
Maria

With this in mind, we have put together a few ideas for the perfect autumn transitional wardrobe.

Jeans are a staple for pretty much everyone. Dark denim can be dressed up with a crisp white shirt and boots for work and a simple, black t-shirt and Converse trainers make skinnies the right side of casual for the school run. Find a brand that works for you, get your size right and mix fitted with boyfriend styles and you will never struggle with jeans again.

Layering is at is most useful between October and December. Stock on staples such as long-sleeved, cotton tops, pretty vests and fitted cardigans in neutral tones and you can adapt your look as the weather changes.

We aren’t yet really in the realms of heavy winter coats, but chilly mornings and early evening shadows, mean that for many, a jacket is a must. Go for a structured denim or leather jacket that is easy to carry over your arm but will keep you warm once the sun goes in. If it’s rain that catches you out, there are some pretty smart shower resistant coats that look smart and keep your dry.

What to wear on your feet? A pair of silver ballet pumps or snake print trainers, make the perfect autumn footwear. They can be worn with jeans for coffee with the girls, add a little sophistication to a midi skirt and give an edge if having an early evening drinks.

If you are thinking boots, invest in a pair in either black or tan and go for a heel if you are up to the challenge. Long or short work well, pixie and biker are both in the shops and on trend. Shiny metal hardware adds an extra statement and if it is really cold, consider sheepskin – you know what we are talking about.

Accessories really make an outfit work as the seasons change. Pretty scarves, waterfall cardigans, cute earrings and a splattering of bling can totally change any look in seconds. Flick through a few magazines or scroll Pinterest and you will soon find looks something that will work for you.

Never leave the house without a pair of sunglasses. They add an instant touch of chic even if you are going to the supermarket. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but got for a dark, over sized pair that offer adequate UV protection and keep them in a case to prevent scratching.

Your bag can seriously make or break your outfit. There are some fantastic totes in the shops this autumn in rich navy and reds that add an instant look of glamour to even the plainest pair of jeans and pumps. For evenings, go for a minimal clutch with a little glitter for extra style points and if you are going on a mini break, wheeled cases are the way to go.

Add some lash lengthening mascara, a swipe of plum lipstick and a smile and you are ready to go come rain or shine.

Team Pure-Beauty

Get on your bike

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bag, bigger, bike, Bike Week, challenge, clean, cycle, employee, environment, equipment, faster, fit, fresh, Government’s Cycle to Work scheme, handles, HR, layered, lights, lock, office, official, organisation, padded shorts, parking, pavements, red lights, reflective, road, rucksack, rules of the road, showers, taffic, tax, vital, work, workplace

11-19th June is Bike Week, an annual event that promotes cycling and demonstrates how it can easily become a part of your everyday life.

This year the main focus is on cycling to work, so we have had a look at how to get started.

First things first, you need a bike. If you already have one, make sure it is in good working order and if you haven’t used it for a while, take it to your local bike shop for a service. If you don’t own a bike, start with something simple, functional and ensure it is the right size for you. There are some great bikes on the market and you might be able to pick up a good second hand cycle that will ease you into this lifestyle change without making a massive financial investment.

You might want to take a look at the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme; an employee benefit that provides tax savings on bikes and equipment.

Get a helmet. No they aren’t cool but protecting your head is key to safe cycling, so make it a priority. It is also a good idea to invest in bright, reflective clothing especially for the evening and winter commute, as well as decent lights for your bike.

Always carry spare inner tubes, tire levers and a pump in case you get a flat and learn how to use them too.

It is one thing driving or getting the bus to work, but cycling needs a little more planning. You ideally want to find a route where you can use roads with dedicated bike lanes or take the quieter streets with slower speed limits. Ensure there is good lighting as this will make you feel more confident and safer.

Trial the route before you use it for work as this will help you feel prepared. Once you are happy with the route, leave early the first few times you do it for real. Giving yourself an extra 15 minutes will help you relax so you can deal with any unexpected traffic or delays calmly and not get stressed or nervous. Once you get in the swing of things you will find you simply take these in your stride, or peddle!

Be aware of the road and the traffic around you. Buses, cars and lorries are bigger and faster than you so it is vital that you keep focused and in their view. It is also important that you follow the rules of the road and never cycle on the wrong side, don’t use pavements and always stop at red traffic lights.

Whilst you can wear your work clothes for cycling, many people prefer to change into them when they arrive so they feel clean and fresh. As well as the reflective clothing we have mentioned, you may want to wear padded shorts or tights and go for layered clothing, as you will work up a sweat. A rucksack means you are free of a bag on your handles and you can also keep your lock in this.

Find out what facilities your workplace offers cyclists. Ask colleagues or HR about cycle parking, showers and a place to store your gear. If there isn’t anything official in place, see what can be organised and you might be surprised by how many other people want to get involved but were to scared to ask.

Cycling with a friend can be fun so see if anyone else is up for the challenge or maybe someone in the office is looking for a buddy to join them?

Most of all, remember that cycling is meant to be fun. Yes it is a great way to get fit and you will be doing your bit for the environment, but try to relax and take it easy. You want riding to be enjoyable, so do it when you feel like it and if it is raining or you don’t feel 100%, give it a miss and try again the next day.

Stay safe and cycle happy.