Clean up your make-up act

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Baby shampoo, bag, bar, base, bathroom, beauty staples, bin, brushes, change colour, clear, cool, cream-based foundations, crumble, dark, day, die, dry, dry naturally, dry up, evening, eye, eye infection, formula, G&T, game over, gentle liquid soap, good to go, life is busy, light reflecting particles, lip liners, lipstick, make-up bag, Mascara, mix, nail varnish, prone to clumping, Pure Beauty, re-infection, replaced, shake, share, sheer, smell, smoothly, SPF, synthetic, tip, winter

We use our make-up bags every day, often more than once, but how often do you clean it and clear it out?

Made you think, didn’t we?

The reality is, life is busy, time is short and with a G&T with your name on it at the bar, you don’t want to spend your time sorting out old mascaras, but you need to.

Today we are looking at just how long you should keep your beauty staples, before throwing them in the bin and replacing them with something shiny and new.

First things first, take everything out of your bag, clean and dry it and if it has seen better days, buy a new one. This is also the perfect time to wash your brushes. Baby shampoo is brilliant for natural hair brushes and a gentle liquid soap does the job for the synthetic ones. Brushes really can be a breeding ground for germs, so wash them once a week to be safe. Rather than storing them in the bottom of your bag, keep brushes tip up in pot and allow them to dry naturally.

Next, sort out the products in front of you and anything that you haven’t used for a while, that is past its best or has had the top left off, should be replaced. It is also worth noting, if you’ve had an eye infection it’s a good idea to throw out make-up that could cause a re-infection. Oh, and if you want your stuff to last, don’t store it in the bathroom but somewhere cool, dark and dry.

The shelf life for foundation changes depending on the formula, but generally cream-based foundations last between six months to a year, and if there’s an SPF it tends to be less. Always pay attention to how your foundation looks and feels on your skin and if you notice that is starts to change colour or smell, it is time to ditch it. Also remember, as we head towards winter, you might want to swap your lighter sheer foundation for a stronger base but go for a product with light reflecting particles.

Ideally a mascara is good to go for around four months. After this time, they tend to become dry and prone to clumping, and using the same brush over and over can increase the risk of eye infections.

We all tend to have a different lipstick in every bag, ones for day, others for evening and ones we never even wear. This is totally fine but just make sure you keep them clean and if you come across one that is past it’s best, chuck it away and use another one. Oh, and don’t share them!

Eye and lip liners can last up to three years but it is likely you will use them before that, or they will dry up and crumble. Again, don’t pass these around on a night out and at the first sign of dehydration, bin and buy a new one.

Nail varnish is one of those products that never seems to die, but shake it and if the colour doesn’t completely mix or the varnish is too sticky to apply smoothly, it’s game over.

Got a tip we have missed, then get in touch and let us know.

Team Pure Beauty

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Keep calm and get flipping

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baked beans, blue cheese, breakfast, brunch, butter, cheese, Chocolate sauce and marshmallows, Courgettes with feta cheese, crepe, delicate, dinner, eggs, fillings toppings, Fish fingers, flip, flour, fruity, ham, healthy, lettuce, loaded, lunch, mayo, naughty, non-stick pan, onions, organic, pan, pancakes, plain, Pure Beauty, red pepper., Rhubarb compote, savoury, scoop of cookie dough ice cream., skinny, Smoked salmon and cream cheese, Soft fried egg, spinach, strawberry jam, sugar and lemon, sugary, sweet, swirl, thin, vanilla ice cream, vegetable oil, veggie, whipped cream

Pancake Day, officially known as Shrove Tuesday, is heading our way and we are super excited!

The great thing about pancakes is that as well as tasting great they are easy to make and a really sociable way of cooking. Family and friends can all help with making the batter, fillings are a totally personal choice and of course, everyone likes to get involved with the flipping.

To avoid pancake disasters on the day, we suggest you get some practice in over the next week. For a basic, but brilliant batter, you will need:

140g plain flour
200ml whole organic milk
2 large free range eggs
Table salt
25g unsalted, melted butter
Vegetable oil (it has no taste)

With everything ready, sift the flour and a pinch of salt into a medium-size bowl. Create a shallow hole in the middle of the mix then add the milk and break your eggs into the hole and slowly whisk it altogether. Add the water, whisking constantly, until you have a smooth, lump free batter.

Keep the batter covered and leave it to settle for around 30 minutes, after this time you can whisk in the melted butter, again until your mixture is smooth.

Put a little oil in a non-stick pan and place on a medium heat.

Once hot, pour around two tablespoons of your batter into the pan and swirl around the based ensuring it is evenly coated.

The idea is to create a thin, delicate, crepe so you only need to cook for around one minute on each side.

If you are brave enough, flip your pancakes and hope for the best but for the more cautious cooks out there, use an egg slice to turn.

Once you have a stack of pancakes, it is time to get to work with toppings.

Sweet, savoury, healthy, naughty, skinny, loaded, sugary, veggie, fruity or plain, you can be as creative as you like when it comes to pancake fillings and toppings.

We are torn between sweet and savoury here at Pure Beauty, but our favourites, in no particular order, are:

Melted cheese and baked beans.

Fish fingers with lettuce and mayo – yes, really!

Ham, onions and blue cheese.

Peanut butter and ice cream.

Strawberry jam and whipped cream.

Chocolate sauce and marshmallows with a scoop of cookie dough ice cream.

Courgettes with feta cheese and red pepper.

Chicken and garlic mushrooms.

Soft fried egg and spinach with black pepper.

Rhubarb compote and organic, vanilla ice cream.

Kiwi fruit and blueberries with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Bacon with cheese and sun dried tomatoes.

Pulled pork with apple sauce.

Smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Banana and mango with crème fraiche.

Cooked apples with salted caramel sauce.

And of course, sugar and lemon.

Don’t forget, you can change your batter so it is gluten free, or use whole wheat flour instead of plain.

Pancakes are perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, so don’t keep them for just one day of the year, enjoy them all the time.

Have fun making your pancakes and let us know your favourite fillings.

Team Pure Beauty

Keep your sweet tooth at bay

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banana, cake, chopped banana, cinema, coconut flakes, cravings, cream cheese, cucumber, December, delicious, dried fruit, eat, five a day, frozen berries, fruit kebabs, goji berries, good quality dark chocolate, Greek yogurt, healthy, hummus, January, kiwi, low-fat, mango, melon, nuts, oats, organic, peanut butter, popcorn, portion sizes, Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, Pure Beauty, refreshing, seeds, sliced apple and pear, snack, spinach, sugar, time, trail mix, work

December is a time when we sit back, enjoy life and over indulge. Sugar is on pretty served on tap over the festive period and now many of us are looking to make some sensible, healthy swaps.

This said, you don’t have to live on water and dry crackers to get healthy but we have to tell you, the only way to kick a sugar habit is to cut right back.

This won’t be easy but over time your body will crave sugar less and you will feel so much better.

We have had a look at some delicious alternatives to sugary snacks and drinks that will keep your cravings for the white stuff at bay.

Porridge with sliced fruit isn’t just a brain boosting breakfast but can also be a filling snack. Keep a stash at work and you won’t be tempted to reach for that chocolate cake.

If you want a healthy snack with a naughty edge, go for rice cakes with peanut butter and chopped banana.

Popcorn can be a great, healthy treat. We aren’t talking about the mega buckets at the cinema but instead fresh popcorn made at home with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Give it a go; we think you will like it, a lot.

Organic oatcakes with hummus and slices of cucumber make a protein packed snack that will keep hunger locked up until lunchtime.

Bananas are great on cereal and smoothies but peel and chop ripe ones into bite-sized chunks and you have crunchy treats that are full of Vitamins B6 and C, potassium, and a serving of fibre too. Frozen grapes are pretty good too.

For an on the run snack that is as easy to make as it to eat, go for homemade trail mix. Throw together coconut flakes, dried fruit, goji berries, raw ruts and seeds and you have an instant, delicious snack that will keep you away from the vending machine. Just watch portion sizes.

Keep a stock of frozen berries in the freezer and add them to low-fat Greek yoghurt for an evening treat. This tastes great but it’s low in sugar and high in protein so will keep you fuller, for longer.

Chunks of melon, strawberries and grapes make tasty fruit kebabs and top up that all-important five a day quota.

Pumpkin and sunflower seeds with a handful of nuts are a cracking combination.

For a real taste bud tingle go for an ice-cold smoothie packed with mango, banana, kiwi, cucumber, spinach, a splash of coconut milk and a little lemongrass. Delicious and refreshing.

Low fat milk with a little honey can give you the sweet hit you need without blowing the plan out of the water.

For a sugar free savory winner, how about sliced apple and pear with a layer of low fat cream cheese?

If you are having a bad day and only chocolate will do, we will let you have a square or two of good quality dark chocolate, but don’t eat it all.

Got a winning combination? Let us know what healthy snacks work for you.

Team Pure-Beauty

Kick off Christmas with cocktails

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Absolut, Amaretto Fizz, bubbly, Christmas, cocktail party, cocktails, creme de cocoa, Disaronno, drink responsibly, ginger wine, girls, glass bowl, home, ice, kiwi fruit, lime, non-alcoholic, orange juice, party, pineapple chunks, Pure Beauty, Secret Santa, smile, smooth, stem ginger, strawberries, sugar frosting, twist, vanilla vodka, vodka and tonic, water, Winter Wonderland Delight

With the big day getting closer by the hour, isn’t it time you started to wind down and enjoy a little Christmas cheer?

Forget going to the pub and waiting hours to be served a warm pint of beer or weak vodka and tonic, instead why not throw at cocktail party at home?

Set a date, organise a Secret Santa and get the girls round for drinks and and festive fun.

We have put together some super-easy, great tasting drinks we think you will love.

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a Christmas Cosmo. This is the height of sophistication and we have added a little extra zing. You will need:

• A bottle of good quality vodka
• A bottle of ginger wine
• 1 litre of cranberry juice
• 5 limes
• Lime zest and stem ginger to garnish
• Ice to serve
• Cocktail glasses with sugar frosting

Mix the vodka and ginger wine in a chilled jug.

Add the cranberry juice and then the lime juice.

Garnish the glasses with ice, lime zest and stem ginger.

Pour, sip, repeat.

The Winter Wonderland Delight is a cool, smooth drink that is easy to make, easy to drink, easy to remake….what’s not to like?

You will need:

• 1 oz of cream of coconut
• A double serving of vanilla vodka – we will like Absolut
• 1½ oz creme de cocoa
• Lots of ice

First of all crush the ice in a blender, then add the cream of coconut, vanilla vodka and creme de cocoa. Give the blender a five second blast.

Shake until well.

Strain into glasses and enjoy.

If you are looking for something bubbly with a twist, look not further the Amaretto Fizz.

You will need:

• A small bottle of amaretto-flavored liqueur like Disaronno
• 1 litre of fresh orange juice – we prefer smooth
• 2 bottles of prosecco or champagne
• Strips of fresh orange zest
• Ice

First of all chill the glasses as this drink is best served cold, very cold.

Then mix together the Disaronno, orange juice and sparkling wine in a jug. Add orange zest to each glass, and some ice, then pour and put this Pure-Beauty favourite to the test.

It is a good idea not to leave anyone out, so have a bowl of non-alcoholic punch at the ready. We love this zesty, fizzy concoction as it tastes so amazing you mind missing out on the booze factor.

You will need:

• A small box of strawberries
• 1kiwi fruit chopped and peeled
• 1 tin of chilled pineapple chunks
• One bottle of sparkling apple juice
• One bottle of tropical fruit juice
• One bottle of sparking mineral water
• Ice

Put the strawberries, kiwi fruit and pineapple chunks into a large, glass bowl. Then added equal amounts of chilled sparkling apple juice, chilled tropical fruit juice and chilled mineral water. Serve with chilled glasses with ice and smile.

Remember to drink responsibly, eat as well as quaffing and have a glass of water between cocktails.

Happy Christmas.

Team Pure-Beauty

Have a happy half term

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apples, basics, buckets and spades, cider, creativity, cycle, Dan TDM, farms, fish and chips, football, fun, garden centres, half term, Halloween, help, Mario, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, movies, Nine Lives, playroon, pub, pumpkins, Pure Beauty, puzzles, sand castles, sea, shells, snacks, sofa, Storks, sun, supermarket, trains, Trolls

How did we go from back to school excitement to half term chaos in the blink of an eye?

If it seems like you only yesterday you marched your little ones off to school and now they are asking what the holidays have in store, don’t worry we are here to help.

We have done a little research and come up with some fun activities that will keep the whole brood happy all week long.

Get outside
Make the most of the last of the sun and get outside. Enjoy a walk, explore a nature trail, climb some trees or follow a car free cycle route. This half term there are apple festivals and den building, canoe courses and footballs camps to take part in all over the place. Whether you live in the city or country, by the sea or near the river, there is nothing like bundling up and getting some fresh air, stopping on the way home for a hot chocolate and muffin.

Get cooking
Half term is the perfect opportunity to do some baking at home. Cakes and muffins, pies and crumbles, the ideas are endless. Have a look online for some new ideas and why not start a blog to share you wares. You could even get a head start on Christmas and get your cake made and ready in the tin for decorating.

Catch up in some films
Term time can be crazy with extra clubs and activities and fun things, like watching films, can get lost in the madness. Why not use this half term to kick back and catch on the latest blockbusters? Nine Lives, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Trolls and Storks are all currently playing and are apparently worth a watch. Look out for the family mornings where tickets can be as little as £2.50 and there are offers on pick and mix. If you prefer popcorn and flicks from the comfort of your own home, grab some DVDs, dim the lights and enjoy a movie marathon on your sofa.

Pick up a pumpkin.
There are events on farms, garden centres and even in local coffee shops where you can go and try out pumpkin carving for yourself. The stakes get higher every year and levels of creativity are at an all time high in 2016. From traditional ghosts to Mario and even Dan TDM, never has it been so exciting when it comes to pumpkins.

Have a clear out
With everyone at home why not go though the playroom and bedrooms and get rid of the games, toys and clothes that no needs anymore. Take puzzles, jumpers and old trains to the charity shop and feel good about giving back and taking stock.

Visit the beach
Buckets and spades, boots and scarves are all on the list for a day by the seaside in the winter sun. A day on the beach, building sand castles and looking for shells, will take you back to basics and put colour in your cheeks. Once the sun goes down, head to the pub for fish and chips and a pint of cider and start planning your next trip to the sea.

Throw a Halloween party
Whilst most people actually go back to school on 31st October, there is no reason why you can’t host a fab party the weekend before. Your local supermarket will be jam packed with ghoulish snacks and scary costumes, so send out the invites, get the apple bobbing set up and prepare to have one scary night. Oh, and don’t forget to put the pumpkin you craved outside, so the trick or treaters know you are waiting for them.

After all that fun, be sure to order yourself a pampering treat from Pure-Beaty and sit back and relax knowing you have done a great job.

Team Pure-Beauty