How to make self care a priority in 2019

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Demands at work, family pressures and the endless bombardment of information from social media means that making time for ourselves becomes increasingly difficult. The thing is, if you don’t do this, you will burn out and then you will be no good to anyone at all – harsh but true.

We have looked at some simple ways that you can build some time into your busy life to ensure you get the care you need to be happy and healthy.

Make a list
Whether you use a pen and paper, write on a blackboard or tap into Trello, make a list of what you need to do. As well as giving you a focus and ensuring you don’t forget to take the cat to the vet, a list can take away that feeling of overwhelm and give you a sense of achievement as you tick things off.

Spend time alone
Many of us spend a lot of our time with family, friends and work colleagues, and while it is good to be sociable, you need some time alone too. On that to do list, add in a slot where you can read a book, watch a movie or just have a bath and enjoy a little solitude.

Stop the chatter
You are kind to others when you talk to them, but do you extend the same care to yourself? You need to be your own cheerleader and that means ignoring the voice that puts you down and instead, focus on the good! Whether it’s your smart appearance, achievements at work or recent weight loss, give yourself a pat on the back and when you look in the mirror, smile at your reflection, because ‘you are worth it’.

Switch off
Technology and social media have a lot to answer for. While they might make it easier for us to connect, they can also totally take over our lives and negatively impact our mental health and self-esteem. We aren’t saying knock it on the head altogether, but don’t take your phone to bed with you (buy an alarm clock), you won’t miss out if you aren’t checking Facebook every three minutes and if you can, go digital free for an hour a day, working up to a whole day if you can.

Treat yourself
Whether it is going for a coffee with friends, having a relaxing facial or buying yourself a bunch of flowers on the way home from work, do something that is just for you. These things won’t blow the budget but they can really help to lift your mood and will put a spring in your step.

Get outside
Being inside isn’t good for us all the time. Get your coat on and get outside in the fresh air, however cold it is. A brisk walk at lunchtime, a run along the river or a bike ride with your partner will blow away the cobwebs and give you a blast of the natural endorphins that make you feel good! Put aside sometime each week to being outside and we are pretty sure your mental health will thank you for it.

Remember, 2019 is all about self-care!

Team Pure Beauty

How to deal with a break up

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If you received a broken heart for Christmas, we really feel your pain because we know only too well that dealing with a break up can be really tough.

Whether you are feeling sad, angry, betrayed or confused, don’t worry, these are all natural responses when a relationship ends, and while we know there is no quick fix, we do have some ideas to help you get back on track again.

Press delete
Social media makes it possible to hold onto your ex for longer than you may have done in the past, so we suggest you delete them for once and for all. Yes, you might want to see what they are up to, but the more you check Facebook and Instagram, the harder it is going to be to let go, so delete them right now. Blocking might feel harsh, but it has to be better than agonising who that girl is in the photo and if you are still feeling upset several months down the line and they change their relationship status, you don’t want to know. So go on, do it now and ask other people not to tell you what is happening with you ex too!

Cry
Everybody hurts sometimes, so after a break up spend some time alone and have a good cry, get those feelings out there and yes, feel sorry for yourself, it’s allowed.

Give it time
Whether you were the one to make the break, or the one who was dumped, you need time to get over the end of a relationship. You have been on holiday together, maybe shared a home, have the same friends and then there’s ‘your song’ and none of those things are going to be erased in a few days. Time is a healer, so give yourself that space and over the coming weeks and months, things will get easier and you will start to see the sunshine again.

Talk about it
Yes, you will want to be alone to heal your pain, but you don’t want to become a recluse. Spending time talking to the friends and family you love and who make you smile, is so important and will help you feel connected and supported. Whether you talk about your break up, the reasons why or what to do next, chatting with people you trust not only gives you another point of view, but it can be a distraction from your thoughts which can be a huge help. Try not to bottle things up as that can make things worse and if you get to the point when you just can’t see the wood for the trees, maybe speak to your GP.

Get moving
Yes, watch those sad films and get into bed with your hot water bottle and onesie, but it is also important to get up and move about. Having those feel good endorphins pumping around your body can be a great way to heal and help you to move forward. Going for a run, taking a dance class or jumping on your bike can all help deal with your stress levels, boost your mood and you will be distracted from your heartache.

Treat yourself
After a breakup you might not want to do anything nice for yourself but it is one way to reboot, and you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else again. Now is the time to treat yourself to something that will make you feel good, and whether it is a facial, coffee with friends or a trip to the cinema, doing this is key to healing and will help you to smile again. Remember – you’re worth it!

Do it in your own time
While we have given you some ideas of how to feel better, there is no timescale for this. You are human and will deal with your emotions in your own time and own way. Mending a broken heart is a marathon, not a sprint, so don’t compare yourself to anyone else, go at your own pace and as you are kinder to yourself, you will start to feel happy again.

Team Pure Beauty

5 Skincare Mistakes That Are Making Your Acne Worse

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Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash

Acne is a struggle for a lot of people, and dealing with it usually takes a multi-pronged approach which is different for everyone. There are, however, a lot of mistakes that acne sufferers make which could be making the condition much worse. Here, we look at five of them.

Too Much Abrasive Exfoliation

When you have acne, there’s a tendency to want to over-clean your skin, but using products which are too abrasive can actually exacerbate things. Use a gentle exfoliator a few times a week, and if you’re afraid of being too rough with your hands, try an exfoliating brush, which works to clean pores without irritating your skin.

Squeezing Pimples

We know that pimples can feel unsightly, but squeezing them can do more harm than good. As well as causing inflammation and redness, there’s the risk of scarring and even introducing bacteria, which can cause infections in your face. Opt for a spot treatment which will kill the bacteria and reduce the redness, instead.

Poor Rinsing

Something that a lot of us are guilty of is failing to rinse products off of our faces after washing. This means that not only has the dirt not been washed away, but residual product is left on our faces, which can cause irritation and spot formation. Be sure to rinse your skin thoroughly after washing; about 30 seconds should be enough.

Failing to Moisturise

If your skin is shiny or has an oily feel, it doesn’t mean you should avoid moisturising. After washing, your skin’s relatively dry as a result of the cleansing process. All cleansers, even water, take out some level of moisture. Using a moisturiser will replace this, protect your skin and prep it for makeup – we recommend Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15 which also contains a sunscreen for extra protection.

Forgetting to Use Sunscreen

While we’re on the topic of sunscreen, skipping it is a bad idea. Sunburn may dry your skin out temporarily, but the damage from drying your skin out so drastically can actually cause your acne to worsen in the long-run. For optimum protection apply a facial moisturiser that contains sunscreen of SPF15 or more every day.

Random acts of self kindness

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We all know that being kind to others can give you a feel-good boost, but what about turning the goodness in on yourself once in a while? Far from being selfish, random acts of self-kindness can give your body some much-needed love, a little self-compassion releases a dose of feel-good serotonin and the chance to sit back and take your foot off the cortisol pedal can only be a good thing?

We know this might sounds a bit ‘out there’ but bear with us and we think you will like at least one of the suggestions we have made and hope you will try it out for yourself.

Write a gratitude diary
Before you go to bed, write down your thoughts from the day and make a list of what has made you happy and those things that made you grateful. It could be having a coffee with a friend, watching a beautiful sunset or simply having a hot bath are just some of the simple things which help life look better. Buy a pretty notebook, make a list each day and you will be surprised at just how much good there is in your life.

Just say no
You might not think it, but it is OK to say no to plans from time to time. We know that people have busy lives and family and friends make constant demands but sometimes missing that party or those drinks in the pub really won’t matter and you will be surprised at how taking it easy can perk you up way more than a sugary cocktail.

Colour in
The craze for adult colouring books isn’t going away, and for good reason. Turing off from the demands of life and simply drawing in between the lines with nothing else to focus on or worry about can be really relaxing and slightly addictive.

Work on yourself
Investing in your emotional wellbeing and mental health can be one of the best things you do for yourself in the long-run. Whether you see a therapist to talk over your issues, have a reflexology session, or read a self-help book and put the ideas into practice, all of these will help you see you who are so you can be happy.

Have cake and tea
Find a quiet café, where no one knows you, take a magazine or book, order a cup of tea and a slice of cake and enjoy the moment.

Try a little retail therapy
Every once in a while, buy something just for you. This doesn’t have to be something extravagant but treating yourself to a unicorn mug, your favourite scented candle or a really soft sweater can remind you that you are worth it.

Have a massage
Every now and again, book a massage, facial or manicure and let someone else look after you for a while.

Chill out
Do a yoga class. Meditate on the beach. Be alone with your thoughts. These are ways that you can turn off from the world and listen to your body, you just need to find what works for you.

Drop the guilt
Too many of us are consumed with guilt and what other people think of us. Leave those unhelpful feelings at the door and learn to accept that you are human and perfect the way you are. Use your time for what makes you feel good and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

Enjoy a bath
This one is super easy but often left off lists. Turn off your phone, pour bubbles into warm water, light some candles and let your worries melt away as you really let go and relax. Make Sunday night your escape night, a random act of kindness to yourself and you will end the weekend, and start the new week, looking after number one.

Team Pure Beauty

Tips to help your skin breathe

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While foundation is helpful when it comes to hiding blemishes and creating a flawless complexion, wearing layers of make-up and powder everyday doesn’t always help your skin breath and won’t leave it in the best condition.

We all know we need to take deep breaths when life seems out of control, and you can apply the same principle to your skin.

Here are our top tips on how to give your skin a break so it feels and looks great.

Cleanse every morning and night
We have said it before and will say it again but it is essential to cleanse twice a day with a face wash or cleanser designed for your skin type. This is especially important if you do wear make-up as the process will remove left over products and residue which has built up over time.

Remove make-up before you sleep
When we sleep, our skin rejuvenates and repairs itself, however if you have make-up on when you fall asleep, this won’t happen as well as it could. The dirt will sit on your face as you sleep so your pores may well get clogged up, leaving you with unhappy skin when you wake up.

Exfoliate
A gentle, natural exfoliation product is a must have for most of us as they gently remove dead skin cells and product-build leaving you with a silky-smooth, natural glow. Check the details of the product before you use it, and always follow instructions.

Take a make up detox
For many people this is scary, but how about going make-up free one day a week to give your skin a break? Maybe on a Sunday, cleanse, tone and moisturise, leave your make-up bag zipped up and if you have to go out, wear sunglasses and a cap to make it less painful. Go on, we dare you.

Love your lips
Go easy with lipstick as they can be drying. Simply apply a little balm to your lips and this will keep them soft and moisturised.

Go for lighter coverage
Swapping heavy-duty products for lighter alternatives will let your skin breath and they are less likely to block pores and cause congestion. There are some great tutorials and guides online that show you how to create a pretty, natural look that you might even prefer to the more sculptured approach you usually take to make-up. You may find that using the right moisture followed by a foundation that matches your skin tone will actually enhance your natural complexion and erase any imperfections without having to add layers of product that hides your beauty.

Don’t exercise with make-up on
It might leave you feeling exposed, but try not to exercise with your make-up on. The reason for this is because as you exercise you sweat and this gets rid of the toxins in your body. If you’re pores are clogged up with make-up, your skin can’t sweat productively so your face remains dirty and oily leaving it prone to breakouts, something you don’t want and can avoid.

TLC
We all need a little TLC and so does out skin. Once a month try to have a facial which will not only relax you but also boost your circulation, add hydration and leave your skin soft and smooth. If you don’t have the time, or budget, to go to a pro, apply a face mask or massaging facial oil into your skin as you relax in the bath can also give you the time out you need to let go off stress and give your skin some love too.

Team Pure Beauty