How to keep festive stress away

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Family, friends and fun are all part of Christmas, but the festive season can bring anxiety, worry and stress too.

While it’s great to catch up with your nearest and dearest, we know that things can get intense, so we have had a look at how you can make time for you, so that things really are merry and bright.

Breathe
This sounds obvious, but when the pressure is on, make sure you practise deep breathing as it will really help you to stay calm. Sit somewhere quiet, relax and then put your left hand on your lower abdomen and your right hand on your heart. As you breathe in, let your tummy expand and your chest will start to naturally lift. As you slowly exhale, bring your tummy button to your spine. Repeat each set five times and you will start to relax.

Have a place for you
With music blaring out, the TV on and computer games raising the roof, it’s a good idea to have somewhere you can go and just chill out. Whether it’s in the garden, bathroom or your bedroom, take yourself off somewhere quiet, close your eyes and imagine somewhere you really love – like a tropical island or on the beach. Think about what you see, what you can hear and what you can smell, and then float away to somewhere more tranquil than under the Christmas tree.

Go outside
Just five minutes in the fresh air can clear your mind and give you some headspace and a little perspective. A walk around the block, a quick cuppa in the winter sunshine, or clearing up the leaves in the garden can be all it takes to give you some calm. If you can, get out for longer because staying inside all day won’t do you any favours and that’s when tempers can fray.

Drink enough water
Being hydrated is important if you want to feel well and this is especially true at Christmas when there are so many demands on you. Aim to drink at least two litres a day, and if you keep a reusable bottle on your desk and in your bag, it’s really not that hard to get all you need. Oh, and don’t over do things when it comes to drinking booze as that won’t help things!

Have a bath
A long soak in a hot bath can do wonders for all of us, so go on, treat yourself.

Keep a journal
At the end of each day, write down three things you’re grateful for, and why you’re grateful for them. It’s easy to get annoyed with the long queue in the post office and frustrated by the lack of car parking spaces at the shops, but appreciating what has been good and where you have found joy and gratitude, can be really powerful.

Team Pure Beauty

How to have a very eco-Christmas

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A renewable Christmas tree, a trip to the beach, bean casserole, black bag open, bows, box of chocolates, brand new, brown paper, bubble and squeak, buying, carbon footprint, carnage, check it twice, Christmas, Christmas cards, Christmas Day, Christmas tree, Christmas-tree hire service, comfort zone, compost, cuts down, December, do it yourself, e-cards, eco-conscience, environment, fake tree, family and friends, farms, festive season, future generations, garden, garden centres and nurseries, gesture, gift from the heart, glass, glitter, glittery paper, Go meat free, green, happy, hurtle, kinder, leftovers, local farms and butchers, local food bank, local landfill, make a list, millions, money, new trend, nut roast, omelette, organic and free-range options, pair of socks, planet, plant, Plastic, post vans, Recycle gifts, resolutions, ribbons, Santa, shiny, soup kitchen, spicy sweet potato wedges, stop and think, stylish, super simple, supermarket, tat, thrown away, tinsel, trees, vegetarian and vegan recipes, walk in the park, waste, wrapping paper, wrapping up

As we hurtle our way towards the festive season, now is the time to stop and think about what you are buying, and why you are buying it. Yes, we all want to have a great time with family and friends, but to do this there is no need to buy tinsel and tat that will take the local landfill to bursting point.

We have some top tips on how you can be kinder to the planet and look out for future generations while still raising a glass (not a plastic one) with your nearest and dearest this Christmas.

A renewable Christmas tree
You read it right. Millions of Christmas trees are bought every year and that’s a lot of waste! Other options include going for a fake tree – but if you do this, pack it up and keep it for years to come. A new trend being seen in farms, garden centres and nurseries is one where there is a Christmas-tree hire service, so you collect, use and return! Or you can do it yourself and buy a rooted tree that you then plant in the garden after Christmas and bring back out from the cold for the next few weeks.

What about cards?
An unbelievable number of Christmas cards are thrown away each year, so let’s put a stop to that. You can either use ones from years gone by, make your own (leave the glitter out of the equation) or you can send e-cards which cuts down your carbon footprint as well as saving trees and money, oh yes and the fumes of the post vans that deliver them!

Recycle gifts
Years ago, no one would have thought about doing this, but if you have goodies that are brand new that you didn’t want, dust them off and wrap them up for someone else – they will be happy and so will your eco-conscience.

Wrapping paper
Speaking of wrapping up, this is a good one to thing about as all that shiny, glittery paper isn’t up too much for anything other than ripping up come Christmas Day. If you can, save paper each year and bring it out next December, giving it a gentle iron if need be. You can also go for brown paper, draw on bows rather than using ribbon and keep things super simple but stylish and environment loving.

Give away your time
Why spend money if you don’t have to? Instead, give a gift from the heart and do something nice for someone instead of giving them another pair of socks or box of chocolates. You could create some pretty cheques and make them out for something like a walk in the park, a trip to the beach, or an hour of gardening once a week and use this as a lovely gesture of showing how much you care.

Go meat free
This idea seems alien to some, but even if on one day you look at creating vegetarian and vegan recipes, it could make a difference if everyone did the same. We aren’t talking about an omelette or nut roast, but instead look at a tasty bean casserole, spicy sweet potato wedges or bubble and squeak – it might be out of your comfort zone, but it could lead to some pretty special resolutions come 31st December. When you do eat meat, go for organic and free-range options, and if you can, support your local farms and butchers – not just at Christmas, but all year round.

Don’t over buy
You know what we are talking about here. The day before Christmas and the supermarket is carnage as people stock up as if the world is going to end, whereas you’ll find somewhere open on the big day if you run out. Just like Santa, make a list, check it twice and this year, be nice rather than naughty and keep to it! If you have leftovers, see what you can freeze, donate some to an elderly neighbour, local food bank or soup kitchen and then compost any other waste.

Recycle
We know the temptation is to keep a black bag open and on the go come Christmas morning, but rather than chucking everything in the bin, have fun as you open presents and cook dinner, and sort things into recycling as you go to keep things green.

You see, it’s the small things that can really have a big impact, so go forth and enjoy the festivities but keep the planet in mind whenever you can.

Team Pure Beauty

Pure Beauty is the place for last minute present success

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acne, and Nettle, avocado, bacteria, Baikal Skullcap Root, bergamot, breakout, bright, Broccoli, bsthroom, Christmas tree, coconut, Decleor Aroma Cleanse 3 in 1 Hydra Radiance Cleansing Mousse, Decleor Hydra Floral Everfresh Hydrating Light Cream, Decleor Intense Nutrition Lip Balm, Decleor You, Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit, Dermalogica Daily Glow Duo Christmas Gift Set, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Dermalogica Foaming Wash, Dermalogica Precleanse Balm, Dermalogica Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion, dirt, dissolves, Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, Elemis Superfood Facial Wash, enriched, face, Frankincense Essential Oil, friend, glowing, gorgeous, Green Tea Essential Water, healthy, hydrate, illuminates, kale, last minute, light, lips, list, macadamia oil, marjoram essential oil, Me, milky emulsion, Mistletoe Christmas Gift Set, morning and night, mum, neck, Neroli Essential Oil, oil, Papain, perfect skin, present, protects, Pumpkin Seed Oils, rice, Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes, Shea butter, sister, smooth, soft, soothe, spoiling, stimulate, stocking filler, super food shake, Sweet Almond oils, teen, teenagers, tick, tone, tree, wash awayu, water, Wheatgrass

If you still need a present for your mum, a stocking filler for your sister and something for Sue next door, fear not because at Pure Beauty we can help.

We stock a wide range of present perfect options and we think we can help you to tick off anyone who is still left on your list.

A lovely set that we have just for Christmas, is the Decleor You, Me, Mistletoe Christmas Gift Set and we think most people would love to find this under the tree. You get the Decleor Intense Nutrition Lip Balm which has been enriched with Marjoram Essential Oil, Shea Butter and Macadamia Oil and protects lips from dryness and leaves them feeling soft and smooth. The Decleor Hydra Floral Everfresh Hydrating Light Cream illuminates and protects skin thanks to a powerful combination of Neroli Essential Oil and Baikal Skullcap Root. Finally, the hat trick for this gift is a tube of Decleor Aroma Cleanse 3 in 1 Hydra Radiance Cleansing Mousse which is made from Neroli Essential Oils and Green Tea Essential Water which, together, restore radiance, and add moisture.

If you have a friend who needs spoiling, we think that the Elemis Superfood Facial Wash is a good place to start. This gorgeous, nourishing wash revives and refreshes whilst gently cleansing the face and neck. Made from a blend of Avocado, Broccoli and Pumpkin Seed Oils with added Wheatgrass, Kale, and Nettle, this really is a super food shake for the skin and will leave it glowing, healthy and bright – just like the Christmas tree.

For that tricky teen, why not try the Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit? This cool looking set comes with three great products that are perfect for teenagers with acne or breakout prone skin. The Dermalogica Foaming Wash has been designed to be used morning and night and will gently wash away dirt. The Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster is a fast acting acne treatment made with Salicylic Acid which helps to deal with breakout causing bacteria and works in just 15 minutes. It also comes with the Dermalogica Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion which is easy to apply and helps to soothe and hydrate acne irritated skin.

For that hard to buy for family member, why not go for the Decleor Nourishing Body Balm? This intensive body balm that nourishes and moistures the skin and leaves it feeling soft and supple. With a Christmas twist, this beauty is made from a rich blend of Frankincense Essential Oil, Shea Butter, Tamanu and Macadamia Oils, this is the perfect present for someone who has everything except perfect skin.

For a festive looking treat that would be a valued addition to any bathroom, a pot of Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow ticks all the boxes. This luxurious exfoliation product is made from a unique blend of Lime, Ginger and Salt together with Bergamot, Coconut and Sweet Almond Oils. From the very first use, these salts will stimulate and tone the skin and leave it looking fab and feeling super soft.

If you have a last-minute Secret Santa to buy before the big day, we think the winning ticket could be the Dermalogica Daily Glow Duo Christmas Gift Set. The lucky recipient will be able to try the Dermalogica PreCleanse Balm which dissolves oil and dirt from the surface of the skin, and the light, milky emulsion leaves behind a fresh complexion. This is also a great way to try the fantastic Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant for the first time. This product has a unique rice based powder formula that comes to life when mixed with water. It is the activated Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that come together to exfoliate away clogging dead cells so that skin is left looking smoother and brighter.

So put in your orders as soon as possible and if you need any help doing that, get in touch and we would love to help.

Happy Christmas.

Team Pure Beauty
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Advent Calendars Galore

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advent calendar, ark, candy canes, cheap and cheerful, chocolate gifts, Christmas, Christmas tree, Crafter’s Companion, dark and cold, December, Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream (75ml), Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo (50ml) and the Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner, Espresso, family favourites, Frozen, glitter, good old days, grandma, hanging advent calendar, Hazelnut Slice, instructions, John Lewis, LEGO® City Advent Calendar, little beauties, luxe, luxurious options, milk and white chocolates, Nativity scenes, Olaf and friends, old school, Pure Beauty, robins, Salted Caramel Praline, Santa, shopping, sing along, snowboarder, snowy days, super-cute figure, Swizzels Sweets, Thornton’s Continental, Traditional Advent Calendar, uletide log fire, Viennese Truffle, Yankee Candle

With December just around the corner, for many there will be soon a reason to jump out of bed however dark and cold it is outside.

Long gone are the days when children would share one advent calendar. Today you can go from cheap and cheerful chocolate options to more luxurious options and there is an ever-growing amount of choice.

At Pure-Beauty we love nothing more than a present a day in the run up to Christmas and today we will share with you some of the best advent calendars out there.

For candle lovers out there, the Yankee Candle calendar is a must have. Behind every door is a special seasonally scented tea light as well as an extra treat for Christmas Eve. Light up the candle each day and enjoy with a glass of mulled wine and a mince-pie to really get in the spirit of things.

A popular choice for kids, big and small, is the LEGO® City Advent Calendar. Complete with six mini figures, including Santa, a grandma and a snowboarder, as well as Christmas tree with yuletide log fire, there is something fun to build every day in the lead up to the festivities. Be warned, these little beauties are going fast so if you want to join in the fun, get shopping ASAP.

You get an assortment of delicious dark, milk and white chocolates with the Thornton’s Continental advent offering. Espresso, Viennese Truffle, Salted Caramel Praline and Hazelnut Slice are just some of the rich taste experiences to be found inside this luxe option that can be enjoyed for breakfast! Well, it would be rude not to.

If you fancy some a little more rustic, how about making your own hanging advent calendar with a cute kit from Crafter’s Companion? Priced at £14.99 from John Lewis, you will get 24 blank card boxes, 24 metal binder clips, cool foil stickers, 3m of twin, 24 card frames, 24 printed paper strips, 2m of double sided tape as well as a set of instructions so you can make something totally unique.

As an alternative to chocolate gifts, why not wake up to Swizzels Sweets this December? Behind the 24 doors are an assortment of family favourites to delight all. Just remember to give those teeth a good clean before you leave the house and go to bed!

Olaf and friends are here again this Christmas, so if you can’t let Frozen go this one is for you. Each day you get a super-cute figure from the film as well as a back drop so you can recreate your favourite scenes and sing along to your heart’s content.

If you want to go old school, the Traditional Advent Calendar Company is for you. They have a comprehensive range of old-fashioned calendars with seasonal illustrations and glitter galore. Nativity scenes, robins, snowy days and stockings filled with presents are all there for the taking on these pretty calendars. Throw in some glitter and candy canes and you are back to the good old days of Christmas past.

You could also consider buy an advent candle and burn a little each day, or how about giving the one you love a trial product from Pure Beauty during advent to show how much you care? Wrap up gifts such as the Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream (75ml), Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo (50ml) and the Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner and making a cracking start to Christmas.

All you need to do now, is decide which one is for you and of course, only open one door a day because Santa is watching who’s been naughty and nice.

Team Pure-Beauty