Bring Veganuary into Your Skincare

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“Veganuary is a name for going vegan, or not eating or using animal products, for the month of January”

For many people, Veganuary is a time to try to make the transition to a plant based diet and wean yourself off of animal products. It’s a great place to start if a cruelty-free lifestyle is something you covet, but there’s actually a lot more to it than just changing the food you eat, as many products also contain animal byproducts or rely on animal testing. With this in mind, we’ve curated a list of five of our favourite cruelty-free, vegan beauty products which can replace your usual skincare items for Veganuary and beyond. 

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser

This cleanser from Aromatherapy Associates is a  vegan and nut-free blend of essential oils which combine to create an ultra-gentle yet supremely effective facial cleanser. Damask rose, jojoba and geranium help to brighten, hydrate and cleanse the skin, melting away impurities and leaving the skin dewy and fresh. 

Bloom and Blossom And Breathe Relaxing Shower Oil

Bloom and Blossom products are all 100% vegan and cruelty free made here in the UK from naturally derived ingredients. This shower oil is a great option if you’re trying to go vegan and the blend of frankincense, ylang ylang and lemongrass help relax and calm the skin and mind before sleep. It can be used in the shower or bath, depending on your preference.

Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum

If you’re looking for a product which is vegan friendly and takes care of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and hyperpigmentation then this is the serum for you. It contains a stable vitamin C complex, as well as lactic acid, sophora japonica flower extract and chia seed oil which will brighten, firm and prevent damage to the skin. Make sure you use an SPF while you’re using this serum as it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. 

Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Booster

AHAs, or alpha-hydroxy acids, are super-hero ingredients in skincare, using natural acids and enzymes to give lacklustre skin a boost. This glow booster from Elemis uses AHAs from cherry and pumpkin to create a formula which is instantly absorbed and offers a completely vegan, cruelty-free option for brightening your complexion. 

Orly Breathable Fresh Start

You may be surprised to learn that there are ingredients in many nail polishes which are decidedly NON-vegan. From pearl essence, which is derived from fish scales and can give nail polish a shine, to carmine, which made from boiled and crushed beetles, and oleic acid, made from animal fat or tallow, it can be hard to find a nail varnish which is even close to cruelty free. Fortunately, all of Orly’s polishes are vegan and cruelty free, so you can still enjoy colourful nails without the worry.

How to eat for a less stressed life

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They say you are what you eat, and this is so true when it comes to our stress levels.

Not only is stress linked to serious physical health issues like heart disease, a poor immune system and digestive problems, but it plays a significant factor when it comes to our mental wellbeing.

You might not know this, but eating a balanced, nutritious diet isn’t only good for your body but it’s key for your brain, too.

Food can also affect our hormones, so eating well will help you to keep your cool and you’ll find that the more of the right stuff you eat, the less of the bad stuff you will feel.

We have had a look at some ideas that could help you get a better balance in your life and help the world to look like a better place.

Keep your blood sugar levels steady
This step is so important and can be done if you start to swap sugary and starchy foods for complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats as these are more satisfying and keep things balanced. Sweet potato and broccoli (complex carbs) with salmon (healthy fats and protein) make a great meal for lunch or dinner and will not only fill you up but also keep things steady so your stress levels don’t though the roof. Celery sticks with hummus, a handful of nuts, and a banana with some almond butter are all great snacks that will keep stress away, and if you start your day with porridge, you are onto a winner.

Get your B vitamins
You might not know this, but B vitamins are brilliant because they help your adrenal glands deal with stress. Luckily for us, they are everywhere and in everything from wholegrains, eggs and meat to nuts and seeds. If you can try to eat more of these wholesome, nourishing foods, your stress levels will thank you.

Make time for magnesium
Magnesium is great for helping your body to deal with stress, it is thought that a magnesium deficiency can be linked to anxiety. If you want to boost your magnesium intake, it’s pretty easy – just pile your plate with broccoli, eggs, spinach and pumpkin seeds and if you are worried you aren’t getting enough, take a supplement and let the goodness calm you down.

Cut back on stimulants
We do take them on board so easily, that we forget just how much stimulants can make our stress levels worse. If you love tea and coffee because it powers you up, that’s ok, but try to have just one or two cups a day, rather than ten.

Those energy drinks, even the sugar free ones, are full of nasties that can make you feel as if your heart is racing and your stress levels are off the scale, so cut them out.
If you find yourself needing a caffeine hit, get it the natural way and go for green tea instead – it contains a compound called l-theanine which helps you feel calmer, and the warmth will soothe you but your stress levels won’t go through the roof.

Keep hydrated
One of the best things you can do for your mind and body, is to drink plenty of water. We know we say this a lot, but that’s because it’s true. Starting the day with a cup of warm water and lemon can really help to kick start your system and clear away the toxins from the night before. Carry a bottle of water with you on the go (a reusable one of course) and fill it up when you are running low, adding lemon, lime and ice for taste. As well as a glass on your desk or at your workstation, also try out herbal and fruit teas as an alternative to the skinny, double shot, extra hot flat white that will set your nerves on edge and add to your stress levels.

Managing your diet is key to helping with stress, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed and things are getting out of hand, it’s really important to speak to someone or seek professional support, you don’t have to struggle alone.

Team Pure Beauty

Keep Your Routine Cruelty-Free

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Photo by William Daigneault on Unsplash

Whether you eat a vegan diet, are veggie, or still have meat in your diet, it’s important to most of us that our beauty products aren’t tested on animals. Cruelty-free beauty means that you can use products with the peace of mind that nothing you’re using has been tested on animals, and here at Pure Beauty, we try to offer as many of these products as we can find. Here are five of our favourites:

Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum

This serum from Dermalogica is deisgned for people with ageing skin who still deal with adult acne or breakouts, giving you spot-busting power which will also tackle the signs of ageing. The AGE Bright™ Complex works with the skin’s natural microbiome for clearer, brighter skin and as well as being cruelty free, the formula is also gluten free, vegan friendly and contains no artificial fragrances, colours or parabens.

Orly Breathable Almond Milk

This beautiful soft taupe colour is the perfect neutral colour for autumn and is cruelty free, as are all of the polishes from Orly. The strong formulation means that you have no need for top coat or base coat and the advanced technology means that oxygen can still penetrate through to the nail, reducing any risk of damage from having your nails painted.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Calm Water-Gel

Many products for deeply dry skin are often oil-based, but this water-gel from Dermalogica is different. It’s designed for use on skin which suffers from sensitivity and redness and treats the underlying dryness using hyaluronic acid technology which works in different skin layers to increase and lock in moisture. It’s vegan friendly and cruelty free, as well as being free from gluten and parabens.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Barrier Defence Booster

This defence booster from Dermalogica is formulated using a combination of oils which not only moisturise the skin but also protect it from environmental stressors. Squalane locks in moisture, while soothing oat oil helps combat sensitivity and support healthy looking skin. It’s made using cruelty-free ingredients and can be applied directly to the skin, or mixed with your usual moisturiser for an added boost.

Dermalogica Phyto-Nature Firming Serum

This vegan, cruelty-free serum from Dermalogica is aimed at ageing skin and provides flash-firming properties with just one application. It’s clinically proven to double skins luminosity and minimise the appearance of fine lines after just one application, while reducing visible wrinkles in 4 weeks.

How to practise self care when you work from home

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When you work from home, self-care is vital and it is important to make a clear distinction between your work and personal life, ensuring you take time for yourself.

We have some sensible, but easy ways you can get a better balance when it comes to working from home.

Set Boundaries
When you work from home, it is really easy to slip into bad habits like working late into the evening and at the weekend. To maintain a healthy balance between work and home, set your work hours and stick to them. Maybe it is the traditional 9 to 5 that works for you, 10 until 6 is better for some people, a half day on Friday can be a perk of the job. Decide it, do it and stick to it.

Have a place to work
If you can, create a designated office space with a desk and upright chair that supports your back. If you have a whole room or can renovate the loft or the garage, this will give you a great working area and get you in the zone. Lighting is important as this will help you not to strain your eyes or cause headaches. Having a tidy workspace will help to keep your mind clear, and turning off the computer at the end of the day will help you maintain your working hours.

Start the day the right way
You might not have a team meeting to go to, but starting your day with a new list and set of goals, will keep you on track and motivated. You don’t have to do this at your desk, you can have a walk, a coffee after the school drop off or even speak to your VA and make sure you are both on the same page.

Walk away
Making time for some exercise during your day will boost motivation levels and increase productivity. Whether you go for a park run, walk the dog, do a HIT session, or practise yoga in your living room, doing something will give you a break and more energy.

Take a lunch break
We know many people don’t take have an official lunch break, but if you can make time to walk away from your desk and head outside for fresh air, this will set you up for the afternoon ahead. Packing up a salad with oily fish, filling up on soups and stews or having a pitta with feta and egg is a good way to fuel up and afternoon smoothies or homemade flapjacks are good too.

Do not do chores
Putting on the washing, going to the shops, visiting friends or doing a little DIY might be on your list of jobs at home, but it isn’t your real work that will pay the bills. Find times when you can do this, but stick to your working times as above, or you will end up having a clean house and full fridge, but unhappy clients.

Have healthy snacks
It is easy to go for the biscuit tin or unwrap a chocolate bar when you are working at home, but having fresh fruit in a bowl and nuts and raisins in a pot on your desk means when you are peckish, you don’t overdo the rubbish.

Get Dressed
It might seem like a good idea to work in your PJs or yoga pants, but you wouldn’t go out to work this way, so don’t do it at home. Get up, get showered, put the coffee on and get dressed and this will give you a work ready feel, and save blushes with the postman or unexpected Skype calls from clients.

Meditate
We believe that if you take a little time to meditate during the working day, it will give you headspace to unwind so you will return to your computer feeling refreshed.

You still need to sleep
We all need to aim to get about eight hours of sleep a night, and this is the same when you work from home. Late nights and lie-ins might be tempting, but they won’t do your motivation or productivity levels any good. Get into a routine and if it means scheduling calls at 9am or booking a dance class at 6pm to keep to time, then do it.

Got a working at home tip? Send it our way as we would love to know what it is.

Team Pure Beauty

Let’s hear if for the boys at Pure Beauty

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Regardless of generation or age, these days, men are investing more time, energy and money in their appearance than ever before.

At Pure Beauty we are here to help everyone look, and feel, great, and today we are looking at products that give men a boost!

The Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream for Men has been created just for men and helps to hydrate and firm their skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. From the word go, skin is left looking smoother than before and feels refreshed and replenished. Mediterranean Algae, Padina Pavonica, Ginkgo Biloba and soothing Abyssine™ come together to help with suppleness, firmness and elasticity – what’s not to like?

The Decleor Triple Action Shave Perfector is a super serum that prepares the skin for shaving. A cocktail of essential oils have been mixed to meet the exact needs of men’s skin and this can lead the way to a smoother, clearer, fuss-free shave. Applying three drops of the serum to cleansed skin will prepare it for shaving, and when used after your shave, it can soothe razor burns and enhance the effectiveness of your other products.

With a month’s supply of the world’s first fully customisable shave routine, the Dermalogica Shave Essentials Trio shows you how well you can treat your skin when shaving. The set comes with the Dermalogica Daily Clean Scrub (44ml), Dermalogica Soothing Shave Cream (74ml) and Dermalogica PostShave Balm (10ml) and we think you will be hooked after your very first shave.

Whether it’s from golf, driving, football or gardening, the Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak will help to ease overworked, tired muscles. This natural foaming bath soak smells amazing and works wonders on aches and pains. Extracts of Birch, Juniper, Clove, Alpine Lavender, Wild Thyme and Blue Chamomile have been mixed with Sea Salt which together warm muscles and recharge bodies.

Men don’t escape the ravages of time, which is why so many of them love the Elemis Anti-Ageing Time Defence Eye Reviver. This lightweight anti-ageing men specific eye cream has been clinically proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles by up to 37% in less than a month and increase skin hydration by up to 82% in the same time period – wow! Created to help support skin elasticity and to tighten, firm and hydrate, this will be a welcomed addition to any bathroom cabinet.

When it comes to the sun, everyone needs protection. The Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF50 defends against UV light and can be used by anyone, so no excuses boys. Oleosome Microspheres enhance the performance of the SPF and counteract the moisture loss that can be triggered by being out in the sun. The cream sinks into the skin without a greasy after-feel and should be liberally rubbed into your skin at least 15 minutes before going into the sun.

If you have any questions, or would like to try before you buy, get in touch and we can give advice and send samples.

Team Pure Beauty