Christmas cooking the fun way

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are easy to make, bake, baking powder, baking trays, caster sugar, cheese, cheese stars, cherry tomatoes, Christmas tree cookies, Christmas tree cuter, cling film, cook, cookies, cream, cucumber, decorate, dough, drinks, eat, eggs, escaping, family and friends, festive fun, fridge, friends, goodness, grated cheese, herbs, homemade biscuits and snacks, icing sugar, jolly, look good, love, messy, mild cheddar, milk, mix, mozzarella, mug, parchment, pens, plain flour, pre-made puff pastry, pretty boxes, recipes, salt, school party, scrubbing, sift, silver balls, silver foil platter, star cutter, stars, super healthy, table salt, tissue paper, tree, tree trunk, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, veggie, winning treats, wrap, yellow pepper

This year, why not impress family and friends with homemade biscuits and snacks, and as well as saving yourself some money, you can have festive fun too? We have several tried and tested recipes we love, and hope you will too!

Christmas tree cookies
These cute cookies look good, taste great, are easy to make and even the youngest members of the family can get involved and help you to decorate them!

For these winning treats, you will need:

470g of plain flour
1 level teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of table salt
225g of unsalted butter
300g of caster sugar
Two medium eggs
Two teaspoons of vanilla extract
A Christmas tree cuter
Colouring icing sugar pens
Silver balls

Sift together the baking powder, flour and salt. Cream together the butter and sugar until you have a light and fluffy mix, then beat in the eggs (one at a time) and finally stir in the vanilla. At this point you can then slowly add the flour mix, and when you have a ball of dough, wrap it in cling film and put it in the fridge for around an hour.

When you get the dough from the fridge, pre-heat your oven to 200 C / gas mark 6 /180C fan and line two baking trays with parchment paper – this means the cookies will slide off once cool and you won’t have any nasty pan scrubbing to do.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out your cookies.

Bake for about eight minutes or until the edges are just turning light brown, and transfer from the baking trays to cooling racks.

Decorate with the icing pens when the cookies are completely cool and put on the little silver balls for an added touch, then either eat them (fast) or put them in pretty boxes with tissue paper and give them out as presents!

Cheese Stars

For the school party, or drinks with friends, these easy to make cheese stars are winners.

You will need:

A pack of pre-made puff pastry
One mug of grated cheese – a mild cheddar / mozzarella mix works well
Flour for dusting
2 table spoons of whole milk
A star cutter

It is best to make these on the day of eating, so when you are ready, preheat the oven to 200C / 180C fan / gas mark 6 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, or grease them with a little butter.

Next roll out the sheet of pastry and put your grated cheese on half of it, fold it over and then on a floured surface, gently roll to around double the size. At this point just make sure no cheese is escaping from the sides as this can get messy in the oven! Next, cut out star shapes from the folded sheet and place on the baking sheets, brush with milk and cook for around ten minutes. You can add some herbs or salt to the tops of the stars if you like! They will last for a couple of days in a tin, but we don’t think they will be around that long!

Veggie Tree

For something super healthy for the party table, you can’t go wrong with savoury festive tree made with goodness and love.

For this you will need:

Lots of cherry tomatoes – cut in half
Green grapes – cut in half
A yellow pepper with a piece of the flesh cut into a star shape
Half a cucumber
Salsa
A large silver foil platter

Chop a 5cm piece of cucumber and place it at the bottom of the foil platter to make the tree trunk. Then you need to make a row of tomatoes and grapes to make the first part of the tree, and then add more layers, each one shorter than the last so you end up with a cute Christmas tree shape. At the top you can add your yellow pepper star, then serve with the salsa and the rest of the cucumber cut into sticks! This looks fun and jolly and also help to keep up your five a day!

Got a recipe you love, let us know about!

Team Pure Beauty

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Buy your Secret Santa at Pure Beauty

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balm, Balm Mint, calms, cleanse, clove, cold winter months, collagen-stimulating peptides, comforted, cools, Decleor Luxuriant Nourishing Lip Balm, decorations, Dermalogica Antioxidant HydraMist, Dermalogica Shave Essentials Trio gift pack, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, desk drawer, Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Hand and Nail Cream, fine lines, foaming gel, free radicals, gift, handbag, Last Christmas, Lavender Extract, lip, lip balm, Liquorice, love, loved, luxe feel, Macadamia Seed Oil, make-up, marjoram essential oil, middle man, mistletoe, natural moisture balance, nourishes, office, PA, PR, present, purifies, rose, Secret Santa, Secret Santa present, Shea butter, skin types, smooth shave, soap free, staff room, tenner, tone and moisturise, Toner, travel-size, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, white tea

The office is buzzing, the staff room is full of glitter and gossip, Last Christmas is on play 24/7, and people all over the country are wondering what to buy for that all important Secret Santa present.

At Pure Beauty we are sure that we will have something that Sam from accounts, Rosie from PR and Penny the company PA, will just love.

The Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a favourite with our customers, and the handy travel size version makes the perfect Secret Santa present for pretty much anyone. Suitable for all skin types, this lovely soap-free, foaming gel removes make-up and leaves skin clean, without disturbing the natural moisture balance, which is especially important in the cold winter months. Balm Mint cools and calms skin, while Lavender Extract purifies it which means complexions are left feeling comforted and loved.

If you want to give your Secret Santa something special, how about the Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Hand and Nail Cream? This is luxury hand cream not only nourishes skin but leaves it delicately scented too. Shea Butter has been blended with Macadamia Seed Oil as well as Frangipani Flowers, and we think it is a stunning combination. Perfect for any desk drawer, handbag or wash bag, this is a gift that will keep on giving long after the decorations have come down .

Although most people know the mantra of cleanse, tone and moisturise, many miss out the middle man, the toner. Why not give someone the gift of toning this Christmas and wrap up the Dermalogica Antioxidant HydraMist as your Secret Santa gift? White Tea, Liquorice and Vitamin E fight damaging free radicals, Vitamin C and collagen-stimulating peptides, encourage firmness and elasticity so that fine lines are smoothed, and with the help of Rose and Clove Extracts, skin feels soft and refreshed.

If Dave in IT is your Secret Santa, you can’t go wrong with the Dermalogica Shave Essentials Trio gift pack. This is a complete set of products that offer a smooth shave and healthy skin for under a tenner – what’s not to like? The Dermalogica Daily Clean Scrub (44ml), Dermalogica Soothing Shave Cream (74ml) and the super cooling Dermalogica PostShave Balm (10ml) equals a month’s supply of products that we think the Dave will love.

Last, but by no means least, we want to mention the Decleor Luxuriant Nourishing Lip Balm. This would make a gorgeous Secret Santa for anyone and will leave their lips feeling loved all Christmas long. With a luxe feel, this balm has been enriched with Marjoram Essential Oil, Shea Butter and Macadamia Oil and simply sinks into lips leaving them feeling soft, smooth and totally smoochable under the mistletoe.

If you’d like any more details about these Secret Santa ideas, or any of the products we sell, get in touch and we would love to help you make the right choice.

Team Pure Beauty

Don’t go to bed with your make-up on

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a natural humectant, acne scarring, basket, bed, berries, Bioglycolic Bioclear Cream, blemish, breakouts, clean-rinsing formula, cleans, conditioning gel, contact lens, dead cells, Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Makeup Remover, Dermalogica Foaming Wash, Dermalogica Soothing Eye Make Up Remover, dissolves, effective, efficient, Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil, energises, eye lashes, fine lines, floral water, foundation, gentle, highlighter, impurities, introduction, irritation, Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser, large pores, lid, lip liner, love, make-up, Mascara, morning and evening, office drinks, Oil and alcohol-free, orange peel, party, perfect, plumps, radiance, redness, refined skin, revolutionary formula, Salicylic Acid, silk amino acids, sleep, smoky eye, softens, sorbitol, staying power, stinging, strengthen, surgery, Tea Tree Oil, teenagers, train, trapped, Virgin Botanical Oils, water-soluble, waterproof make-up, work, wrinkles

After a long day at work, office drinks and having to stand up on the train all the way home, taking your make up off before jumping into bed might be the last thing you want to do. We get it, but we also know that leaving foundation, mascara and highlighter on as you sleep, can play havoc with your skin, so those extra few minutes in the bathroom before you hit the sack, are totally worth it.

At Pure Beauty we think we have got this covered, and have something that will be right for everyone, whatever their age and however hard they like to party.

While getting that smoky eye perfect can take ages, taking it away is super easy with the Dermalogica Soothing Eye Make Up Remover. This efficient, clean-rinsing formula dissolves all traces of eye make-up including stubborn mascara, as well as heavy lip liner too. Oil and alcohol-free, as well as water-soluble, this conditioning gel not only cleans but thanks to Silk Amino Acids it helps to strengthen eye lashes and condition the delicate lid area at the same time. Simple to use, this gentle formula won’t cause irritation or stinging, which makes it perfect for all skin types and ideal for contact lens wearers – just remember to take those babies out before nodding off!

Teenagers love make-up and sleep, so they might want to try the Dermalogica Foaming Wash if they want to keep their skin blemish free. Orange Peel and Tea Tree Oil energises and refreshes skin, while Salicylic Acid deals with dead cells and trapped oil so that breakouts are tackled and kept under control. Gentle but effective, this face wash can be used morning and evening and is the perfect introduction to a great skin care routine for life.

If you like make-up with staying power, the Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil could be good for you. Brilliant for removing waterproof make-up, and ideal for oily skin, this popular cleanser not only soothes and softens your skin but it lifts impurities away at the same time.

Want to try something new, then how about the Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Makeup Remover? Powered by a scientific blend of Virgin Botanical Oils and Floral Water, not only does this product cleanse and nourish your skin, but it takes away all traces of make-up too. Decleor have create a revolutionary formula which softens, plumps and soothes skin which together boosts radiance, so add it to your basket and put it to the test.

For clean, smooth, refined skin you don’t need surgery, what you need is the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser. We love this gentle, soap-free cleanser because not only does it wash away the day, but it leaves your skin feeling amazingly hydrated thanks to sorbitol, a natural humectant derived from berries. The non-irritating formula easily rinses away, and works well with the brand’s Bioglycolic Bioclear Cream which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, redness, acne scarring, large pores and uneven texture.

If you would like more information about any of these products, or are interested in trying some samples before making a decision, get in touch today and we would love to help you get things right.

Team Beauty

Let your eyes shine bright

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ageing, anti-ageing formula, Anti-Aging Peptides, apricot kernel oil, Arnica, Baikal Skullcap Root Extract, Bird of Paradise Flower, body, bright, brighter, C and E, chamomile, Cornflower Floral Water, dark circles, Decleor Hydra Floral Everfresh Hydrating Wide-Open Eye Gel, dehydrated, Dermalogica MAP-15 Regenerator, Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Firm, Dermalogica UltraSmoothing Eye Serum, drift away, dull, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm, Epidermal Growth Factor, eyebrows, Eyes, fall asleep, fancy, fine lines, five star, fragile skin, gentle formula, golden chamomile, heal and repair, healthier complexion, healthy look, highly-active eye treatments, hyaluronic acid, irritation issues, Jan Marini, lightweight, love, moisturising eye balm, Natural Algae, nourishes, Oat kernel extract, optical blurring powders, perfect, protective barrier, puffiness, samples, seaweed extract, sharing, strengthen elasticity, stress, super-delicate eye contour area, TGF β-1, Thymosin β-4, tired, triggering, Vitamins A, wake up, years, youthful

We use our eyes from the moment we wake up, to the second we fall asleep, so it is no wonder that the skin around them can become tired, dull and dehydrated. The skin around the eyes is also some of the thinnest on your body, which means it is little wonder it is the first place stress and ageing are seen.

At Pure Beauty we sell some fantastic products that have been specifically designed to ensure eyes look, and feel, great.

Today we are sharing some of our favourites with you, and hope there will be something that takes your fancy.

We love the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm which is perfect when it comes to easing those visible lines around the eyes. Seaweed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E, as well as healing Organic Silicones, accelerate repair, strengthen elasticity and improve smoothness around the eyes, for a more youthful, healthy look. For the very best results, pat a little Dermalogica MAP-15 Regenerator around the eye area first, then use the Power Firm product and watch the years drift away.

The Decleor Hydra Floral Everfresh Hydrating Wide-Open Eye Gel, is a lightweight, anti-ageing formula which can be used twice daily around the eyes and eyebrows. Packed with Cornflower Floral Water and antioxidant Baikal Skullcap Root Extract, dark circles are minimised, puffiness is eased, and fine lines are smoothed. This gentle formula creates a protective barrier and helps to create a brighter, healthier complexion.

For something special, we think the Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm hits the spot. This illuminating, moisturising eye balm, brightens and refreshes tired eyes and really brings them to life. Chamomile and Arnica have been blended with Bird of Paradise Flower and together, with optical blurring powders, dark circles are minimised and health is radiated. Apricot Kernel Oil nourishes the super-delicate eye contour area, and when used on a regular basis you will really start to see a marked difference in your skin.

Jan Marini is a relatively new brand to the site, and we are already in love with their Transformation Eye Cream. If you really need some help to visibly improve the texture and restore the hydration around your eyes, this product is for you. TGF β-1, Epidermal Growth Factor, Thymosin β-4, Anti-Aging Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid have been mixed together to create a product which helps heal and repair sad skin which needs a little love.

Back to Dermalogica, and we have to mention the five-star Dermalogica UltraSmoothing Eye Serum. We adore this product because it gently treats signs of ageing around the eyes without triggering the sensitivity or irritation issues which can happen when using highly active eye treatments. Natural Algae and Golden Chamomile deal with puffiness, Oat Kernel Extract helps soothe fragile skin, and Hyaluronic Acid makes sure the eye area is hydrated so those fine lines are kept at bay.

For information, or samples, get in touch and we would love to help you find products that are right for your eyes.

Team Pure-Beauty

Balms, what are they good for?

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100% natural ingredients, acai, adore, balm-to-oil cleanser, balms, body, chilled out, cleanse, Decleor Magnolia Youthful Night Balm, Decleor Nourishing Body Balm, delicate eye contour area, Dermalogica Precleanse Balm, Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm, eucalyptus, excess oil, face, firmer skin, Frankincense Essential Oil, fresh, healthy, intensely cleansed, lemon, love, luminous glow, luxury formulas, macadamia, make-up, mind, moisturiser, noni, nourished, organic Indian menthol, palm, Patchouli, plumper, powerful vitamin complex, primer, protects, Purple Orchid, radiance booster, relaxation, renewed, rose, salon, samples, senses, Shea butter, skin, soft, stressed out, sunscreen, supple, tone and moisturise, tranquillity, treat, Warming

We know you already cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night (you do, don’t you?), but you can also add a balm into the mix if you really want to keep your skin soft and supple.

Face and body balms give your skin extra love so why not treat yourself to one of these luxury formulas and see if it works for you.

The Decleor Magnolia Youthful Night Balm is great if you want plumper, firmer skin which has a fresh, luminous glow when you wake in the morning. This slumber specific balm is made from a blend of 100% natural ingredients including Shea Butter, Magnolia Essential Oil and Rose, all of which your skin will love.

At Pure Beauty we are massive fans of the Dermalogica Precleanse Balm. This is a really special deep-cleansing balm-to-oil cleanser that melts into the skin, and as it does, it gently removes excess oil, sunscreen and make-up. Apricot Oil, which is rich in fatty acids, has been mixed with essential oils which come together and not only ensure skin is salon smooth, but also refreshes the senses and clears the mind.

It’s the powerful vitamin complex in the Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, that protects against moisture loss, something we all need from time to time. Purple Orchid, Noni and Acai have been added into the mix and whether you use this as a moisturiser, radiance booster, or primer, we think you will like what you see.

If your body is feeling dry and tight when you come out of the shower, we would suggest letting the Decleor Nourishing Body Balm loose on your limbs. Thanks to Frankincense Essential Oil, Shea Butter, Tamanu and Macadamia Oils, this gorgeous body balm helps soothe dry feeling skin and make it come alive again. Apply once or twice a day by warming the balm in the palm of your hands and your skin will feel nourished in no time.

Whatever skin type you have, we think it will adore the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm as much as we do. This gentle but powerful cleansing balm dissolves make-up, dirt and pollutants as your skin is being intensely cleansed, nourished and renewed. When you pat your face dry, all you are left with is a healthy skin and a big smile.

Harmony, tranquillity and relaxation don’t always come easily in modern-day life, but they can if you use the Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm. Packed with a powerful blend of essential oils, just a few drops, massaged into the temples can take you from stressed out, to chilled out, in minutes. Patchouli, Lemon, Eucalyptus and Organic Indian Menthol come together to enhance feelings of positivity, and we think you will be hooked from the word go.

You might not think a balm would work for your eyes, but we are here to tell you that it really can. The popular Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm brightens and refreshes tired eyes. A cooling applicator means that skin soothing Chamomile and Arnica as well as Bird of Paradise Flower and omega-rich Apricot Kernel Oil nourishes the delicate eye contour area and optical blurring powders help reduce the dark circles that can take your confidence away.

For more information, or to try samples, why not get in touch and see how a balm could enhance your beauty routine.

Team Pure Beauty