Look and feel cool this summer with the right clothes

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animal prints, beach, bikini bottoms, black capri pants, black dress, blanket, Body con dresses, breathe, cami, capsule wardrobe, chic, classic, classy, comfort, cotton shirts, crisp, day time dress, denim, dresses, exfoliate, fantastic outfits, feel, fitted t-shirts, floaty, florals, foundation, gold accessories, good quality sunscreen, heat, hot pants, jeans, kaftans, leg-lengthening wedges, light jacket, lightweight, limbs, look, lose, love, midi dresses, monochrome mixes, navy city shorts, navy vest, office, oversize shirt, pale, party, party dresses, patchy, pins, relaxed, rule of thumb, sharp, shave, shorts, smart look, statement necklace, style, summer, super short denim cut-offs, tailored shorts, tee, tube, wardrobe staple, wax, weather, weekend, white, work

While we love the sunshine, as the temperatures rise, it can be tricky to know what to wear so you look, and feel, cool wherever you are.

Pretty dresses and crop tops are great for keeping the heat at bay, but while they work at the weekend, they might not do the job in the boardroom. The general rule of thumb is that if it works for the beach, it probably won’t be right for the office.

We have had a look at how you can look and feel cool this summer whatever you are doing, wherever you are doing it.

Cut down on denim
We know that denim is a wardrobe staple, but standard jeans, dresses and even skirts can make you feel as if you are wrapped in a blanket and your limbs will struggle to breathe. If you like the comfort of denim but not the heaviness, go for a lightweight, pale option that you can match with a navy vest and pretty pumps and you’ll have an effortlessly chic, cool look in moments.

Make shorts work for you
Let’s get this out of the way – hot pants, super short denim cut-offs and bikini bottoms are great for the beach and pool, but when it comes to going to work or the shops, we would suggest a slightly longer length. If you want a sharp, smart look, the answer is tailored shorts with a signature tee tucked in and leg-lengthening wedges.

Trash the tights
Yes, some people hate their legs so much that they will still wear tights in summer. You don’t need to! OK, they might be pale and patchy but if you exfoliate, shave or wax and apply a gentle tanning product, you will soon love your pins.

Create a capsule wardrobe
This sounds a little structured, but if you get the basics right you are on the way to winning when it comes to the cool stakes. We all have our own style but crisp, cotton shirts, fitted t-shirts, midi dresses, decent underwear, shorts and flat sandals are a good starting point. You can then add a light jacket, statement necklace and bold bag and dress things up and down to match the weather and occasion.

Keep it lose
Body con dresses look might be on trend, but if you are on the tube or in the bank queue, you are going to feel hot and sticky. Yes, wear those fantastic outfits when you party, but for the day time you might want to go for something that is more relaxed and floaty as this can keep you cool and save those embarrassing underarm marks.

Think about neutrals
You might think that when summer comes you need to ditch everything else and only wear white, but this isn’t the case. A classic black dress and gold accessories, navy city shorts and a fresh white tee, or black capri pants and a fitted short-sleeved shirt, all look fantastic, classic and classy and will show off your tan perfectly.

Grab a kaftan
Kaftans aren’t just for the beach; they can actually work well as a day time dress or oversized shirt. We would suggest you go for monochrome mixes, animal prints or florals but one word of warning – if they are see-through wear a cami to save blushes.

Add in sunscreen
Even if there are clouds in the sky, the sun’s rays can still get through and burn your skin. Whatever else you wear, please make sure you apply a good quality sunscreen before you go out in the sun. It’s it key to also use a facial sunscreen and if you don’t want to overdo the foundation, try a tinted moisturiser instead for the summer months.

Team Pure-Beauty

What’s best on TV this Christmas?

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banter, Barry Gibb, BBC1, BBC2, Bee Gee, BFG, big friendly giant, Boxing Day, Carey Mulligan, celebration, champagne, Channel 4, Channel 5, charming, Chi energy, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, classic, classic animation, crooner from Vancouver, cute, December, dinner, eat, Emmerdale, enjoy, Far From the Madding Crowd, fizzy, fun, Gary, happiness, Jack Black, jokes, Katherine Jenkins, Kung Fu Panda, Mark and Howard, martial arts, Mary Berry, Michael Buble, Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show, mince pies, mobile phones, multiple channels, orphan, party, Penguins of Madagascar, period drama, PJs, popcorn, premiere, presents, red button, remote control, Roald Dahl, roasties, snacks, soaps, social media feeds, Special, Stephen Spielberg, Take That, Take That: We’ve Come A Long Way, talented superstar, The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davie, The Snowman and The Snowdog, Thomas Hardy, tunes, turkey, TV, white Christmas, YouTube videos

Yes, we might all have mobile phones, YouTube videos and social media feeds to keep our eyes busy, but nothing says Christmas quite like curling up on the sofa with your nearest and dearest and watching some great TV.

With multiple channels and endless choice, it is hard to know where to start, but to help bring clarity, and even prevent some remote-control controversy, we have had a look at what’s on, when, so all you have to do is decide what snacks to eat and which PJs to wear.

If we don’t have a white Christmas you can get a fix of the white stuff with the Penguins of Madagascar. Tune into BBC 1 on Saturday 22 December from 1.40pm and these cute little birds will bring happiness into any home!

If it’s a classic you are after, they don’t come much better than Far From the Madding Crowd which is on BBC 2 at 10pm on Sunday 23rd December. The period drama, which stars Carey Mulligan, is an adaptation of the beloved Thomas Hardy novel and it is a real treat for English lit and history lovers everywhere.

If you have a soft spot for the crooner from Vancouver, you do not want to miss the Michael Buble special that is being shown on Channel 5 at 9.30pm on Christmas Eve. Pour the champagne, warm the mince pies and as you wrap those last few presents, find out all there is to know about this charming, talented superstar, oh and listen to some of his tunes too!

Christmas Day isn’t Christmas Day unless you watch The Snowman. As the dinner cooks, why not catch the classic animation on Channel 4 at 12.40pm and while the roasties crisp, you can follow it with The Snowman and The Snowdog.

Thank goodness for the red button, because Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show is on at the same time as Emmerdale and Mary Berry on December Day. Tune into BBC1 at 6.45 and as your turkey goes down you can enjoy, fun, jokes, banter and a side of singing from Katherine Jenkins.

Boxing Day brings soaps galore, The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies as well as sports on Sky, but it’s the premiere of the BFG that we will be tuning into. Stephen Spielberg has gone all out to bring this Roald Dahl book to life in the most magical way. The story of how a big friendly giant strikes up a friendship with an orphan might seem a little far-fetched, but if this film doesn’t make you smile, we don’t know what will. The show kicks off at 5.40pm on BBC1 and we strongly suggest a bowl of popcorn and a glass of something fizzy to get the party started.

We do not advocate fighting one little bit, but we do suggest turning to BBC1 at 4.30pm on Thursday 27th so you can watch Kung Fu Panda. Chi energy, martial arts and pandas as you have never seen them before, will come alive in front of your eyes, and so you know, the voice you are trying to identify in the background, is Jack Black.

We could go on and on, but before we go, we want to make sure you know about the Take That are coming to a screen near you on December 28 at 7pm. BBC 1 will show Take That: We’ve Come A Long Way which is a celebration of the iconic boy band who have been in the business for 30 years. Gary, Mark and Howard are joined by Robbie as they look back at an astonishing three decade career, oh and watch out for Bee Gee, Barry Gibb, too. Do. Not. Miss. It.

We think our work is done here, so all that is left to say is have a very happy Christmas.

Team Pure Beauty

Mask it with Pure Beauty

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Activated Binchotan Charcoal, Antioxidant vitamins, Arnica, back on track, Bamboo Extract, bergamot, C and E, calming agents, calming botanical extracts, classic, clay based mask, cool, cucumber, cuticles, dead skin cells, Decleor 2 in 1 Purifying and Oxygenating Mask, deep cleansing, dehydration, Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque, Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque, diet, dry, dry hands, dry lines, dull, dull skin, Egyptian Loofah Fibres, Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask, Elemis Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask, Exfoliators, extra pampering, fast working, fine, gorgeous ingredients, happy, heavenly, honey, hydrate, impurities, intensive treatment, irritation, Jan Marini Luminate Face Mask, lukewarm water, luminosity, luxury, make-up, mask, masque, moisturising therapy, nourished, orange, pollution, prematurely ageing skin, radiant complexion, redness, replenished, restoring moisture levels, restoring suppleness, samphire, Sea Silt, silky-smooth, skin, smooth, Special, Spheres of White Jojoba, Strawberry and Kiwi, stress, stressed, texture, thin layer, time poor, tired, tone, Vitamin C, Vitamins A, Volcanic Ash

Every now and again, our skin can become dry, dull and a bit sad.

Stress, pollution, make-up and diet can all have an impact on how our skin looks and feels, but adding a mask to your beauty routine can help keep things on track.

We have had a look at the products we offer at Pure Beauty and we are pretty sure there will be something perfect to get your skin back on track.

If you are looking for something special, we would suggest trying the Jan Marini Luminate Face Mask. This luxury mask improves tone, texture and luminosity, from the very first use. Up to three times a week, apply a thin layer to your face, avoiding the eye area, and leave on for ten minute before washing away with lukewarm water. Exfoliators will gently remove dull, dry skin while calming agents reduce irritation and redness, leaving skin immediately brighter and glowing.

If you are looking for a classic, we high suggest the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque. This easy to use product is perfect for restoring suppleness and reducing the appearance of fine, dry lines caused by dehydration. Botanical extracts of Cucumber, Arnica, Orange and Hops have been added to deal with inflammation and thanks to Vitamins A, C and E, skin is nourished and replenished from the very first application.

At Pure Beauty, we love the Elemis Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask. Rich in extracts of Strawberry and Kiwi, this clay based mask is a fantastic deep cleansing, moisturising therapy for your skin. After use, the Vitamin C from the fruit extracts means improved elasticity and you are left with a smooth, radiant complexion.

If you are time poor, why not try the Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque. This fast working, easily removed formula is heavenly for tired, dull skin and works wonders. Activated Binchotan Charcoal adsorbs impurities and Sulfur promotes cell turnover so that skin becomes brighter and this is further enhanced by the addition of Volcanic Ash, Sea Silt, Bamboo Extract and alpha hydroxy acids. The result is a skin revolution.

For a totally hydrating, soothing treatment, look no further than the Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask. A blend of gorgeous ingredients, including Honey, Bergamot and Samphire, not only nourish the skin, but also support the moisture barriers, making it perfect for anyone who works in a highly air condition environment such as an office or retail space. Good to note, that this is a multipurpose product and can also be used as an intensive treatment for dry hands and cuticles.

For a little extra pampering, we suggest trying the Decleor 2 in 1 Purifying and Oxygenating Mask. This products combines an exfoliant with mask to not only cleanse the skin, but hydrate it too. Thanks to Egyptian Loofah Fibres, dead skin cells are washed away and Spheres of White Jojoba swoop in to restore hydration, leaving your skin feeling soft and silky smooth.

A real Pure Beauty winner, is the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque. Packed with super-concentrated antioxidant vitamins, this is perfect for calming stressed, prematurely-ageing skin. Vitamin A increases elasticity and moisture levels, Vitamin C helps restore suppleness and cool, calming botanical extracts of Liquorice, Comfrey and Burdock soothe the skin leaving it happy once again.

If you would like more information, or are interested in receiving samples so you can try before you buy, get in touch today and we would love to help get it right for you.

Team Pure Beauty

Make yours a healthy breakfast

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almond, bake, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, black pepper, blueberries, blueberry, bus, butter, cereal, chia seeds, cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fats, classic, creamy avocado on toast, eggs, extra hungry, fibre, food processor, free range eggs, hearty dinner, home, lemon juice, light brown sugar, margarine, Monday meetings, nut butter, oat milk, olive oil, orange zest, organic oats, packed with protein, PB, peanut butter on toast, plain Greek yogurt, Poached Eggs, popular, pure orange juice, sahre, salt, scrambled eggs, slices of banana, smoked salmon, smoothie, strawberry, sugar, team, toasted rye bread, vinegar, white toast, wholewheat flour, work, yogurt

We all know breakfast is an important meal of the day, so getting it right is important.

Rather than opting for white toast loaded with margarine or a bowl of sugar-coated cereal that will have your mood drop before you get the bus, instead choose a meal packed with protein, vitamins and minerals that will keep you full until lunchtime, or at least your 11am banana break.

Poached Eggs With Mushrooms and Tomatoes
Beef tomatoes and golden brown mushrooms served with a perfect poached eggs is a breakfast winner. To help the egg whites set, add a splash of vinegar to your water and add a little olive oil to the toast. If you want to make this into a hearty dinner, add extra mushrooms, smoked salmon and a serving of iron rich spinach.

Avocado & Strawberry Smoothie
This creamy breakfast blend is high in calcium and low in calories and a great way to start your day, especially if you are on the run. You will need:

• ½ a ripe avocado stoned, peeled and cut into chunks
• 150g of strawberries
• 150g of blueberries
• 4 tbsp. of natural yogurt
• 200ml of almond or oat milk
• Lemon or lime juice, to taste
• Honey if needed
• Ice cubes

Put all the ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add a little water then either enjoy at home, or put in a bottle and take to work.

Nut Butter, Banana & Chia Seed Toast

This is a superfood twist on classic peanut butter on toast. It is packed with vitamins and minerals and for one tasty serving you will need:

• Half a large banana (sliced)
• A teaspoon of chia seeds (soaked for 15 minutes)
• 1 slice of dark rye break, toasted
• 1 tablespoon of nut butter (we like almond)
• 4 strawberries

Toast the bread then spread the nut butter on top. Place slices of banana on the nut butter and top with chia seeds and serve with the strawberries for an extra vitamin boost and enjoy before making a second round!

Avocado on Toast
There’s a real benefit to starting your day with creamy avocado on toast, a dish that is popular with our team. The fruit is loaded with fibre and fab cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fats. Plus, the whole meal is ready in just three simple steps so you have to time to make it every day of the week. Mash the avocado onto toasted rye bread, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle with black pepper and enjoy. If you are extra hungry, added a serving of hot scrambled eggs.

Blueberry Muffins
Made with plump blueberries, whole-wheat flour, oats and Greek yogurt, these healthy muffins keep you full during those long Monday morning meetings. For 12 muffins you will need:

• ¼ of a cup of wholewheat flour
• 1 cup of large organic oats
• 2 cups of fresh blueberries
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 a teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• ½ a cup of light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, plus two tablespoons of pure orange juice
• 2 medium free range eggs
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

To start with heat your oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and line a muffin tin with muffin size paper liners.

Place the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a food processor and blitz until you have a fine powder. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, butter, orange zest and juice, egg, and the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and mix together before adding in the blueberries. Make sure all ingredients are folded together well. Divide the mix into the muffin cases then bake for 20 minutes until they have raised and golden. Eat them at home or take to work and share.

Happy breakfast eating.

Team Pure Beauty

Our Favourite Retro Beauties

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beauty, classic, retro

There are women whose beauty has shone through the decades, women who will be long remembered for their classic looks and effortless style. From Rita Hayworth to Marilyn Monroe, these women provide inspiration with not only their looks but their words as well. Here at Pure Beauty, we thought we’d share our favourite retro beauties and give you some tips to help emulate their styles.

Rita Hayworth

“I never really thought of myself as a sex goddess; I felt I was more a comedian who could dance.”

Rita Hayworth, perhaps best known for being the inspiration behind the short story which was the basis for The Shawshank Redemption, was a vibrant redhead with alabaster skin and eyebrows to die for. To maintain even skin tone like Rita, Dermalogica’s range of Sheer Tints provide an all-day sheer wash of colour whilst offering up to SPF20 protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Audrey Hepburn

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.”

Audrey Hepburn will forever be remembered as the enigmatic lady with delicate features and elfish crop, and her most memorable feature was definitely her huge eyes. If you’re as blessed as Miss Hepburn in the eye department and want to make the best of the feature, we recommend Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser for removing make-up without harming the delicate eye area, as well as Decleor Harmonie Calm Relaxing Milky Gel-Cream for Eyes to soothe and calm your skin.

Marilyn Monroe

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

Marilyn Monroe is probably the best-known pin-up of all time and had a pout that women, in modern times, pay thousands to achieve. If you want to make the most of your luscious lips, use Decleor Nutri-Smoothing Lipstick to smoothe and moisturise the area as well as Dermalogica Lip Renewal Complex to minimise countour lines and signs of ageing.

Lana Turner

“It’s said in Hollywood that you should always forgive your enemies – because you never know when you’ll have to work with them.”

Lana Turner was another blonde bombshell whose cascade of golden curls were a trademark part of her look. To maintain your own hair and keep it in tip-top condition for pincurls and bobby pins, we recommend Dermalogica Shine Therapy Shampoo followed by Dermalogica Silk Finish Conditioner which contain vitamin A and panthenols to leave hair silky smooth and shiny.

Jayne Mansfield

“Most girls don’t know what to do with what they’ve got.”

Jayne Mansfield was a heck of a woman who was never afraid to bare her flesh in the name of getting an amazing photo. Baring all means taking good care of your skin, so exfoliating with Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Scrub is a must. Follow this up with an all-over coating of Decleor Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk which has a little self-tan included in the formula to help you to build up a healthy glow over time.