Twixmas is the Time for Self-Care

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Aromatherapy Associates Support Nourishing Body Oil, bath, coconut, cream, evening primrose, exotic, eye, face, festive, geranium, kit, lotion, Lycon Lyco'Pedi Kit, macadamia, mask, Maskology Retinol and Vitamin C Professional Under Eye Mask, massage, New Year, pamper, pampering, pedicure, Relax, REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil, retinol, scent, season, self-care, skin oil, Twixmas, UpCircle The Pamper Kit, vanilla, Vitamin C, ylang ylang

Photo by Taryn Elliott

Once the stress of Christmas Day is over, Twixmas, the relaxed period between Christmas and New Year, comes along to help recharge our batteries before we welcome in another year. Marked from the 27th until 30th December, Twixmas is the perfect time to give yourself a serious pampering so that the wear and tear of Christmas can be wiped away and you begin the New Year as your most radiant self. Here are five hero products for making Twixmas the most wonderful time of the year for your skin:

REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil

When we think of self care and pampering, most of us automatically picture ourselves in the bath, and this oil from REN Clean Skincare is the perfect partner for that scene. REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil is a bath oil for all skin types designed to calm the mind and soothe the skin. A few drops of this rich oil in your bath is enough to de-stress, leave the day behind and even soothes dry skin.

Maskology Retinol and Vitamin C Professional Under Eye Mask

If you’re still reeling from the strains of Christmas, there’s a good chance you’re lacking sleep and that almost always shows around the eyes, making it the perfect time to use this mask. The retinol formula will brighten dark circles, improve the appearance of pigmentation and smooth the skin’s texture. The serum infused hydrogel mask transforms the eye area in just 20 minutes. It’s rich in anti-ageing ingredients, the mask visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles, while rejuvenating and energising the area to maintain a youthful glow.

UpCircle The Pamper Kit

If you want to indulge in some pampering but also want the peace of mind of knowing that your products don’t have a negative impact on the planet then this Pamper Kit from UpCircle is the one for you. It contains seven samples of UpCircle’s best selling products; Cleansing Face Balm, Clarifying Face Mask, Face Toner, Eye Cream, Face Moisturiser, Organic Face Serum and Body Cream. They all contain ingredients which are vegan and cruelty free, and come from sustainable sources. 

Lycon Lyco’Pedi Kit

A pedicure is the perfect pampering treat, especially when you’ve been spending busy days on your feet, cooking, cleaning and doing all the other festive prep. This Lyco’Pedi Kit from Lycon gives you everything you need for the ultimate mini pampering experience in a convenient mini carry bag. It contains their Refreshing Soak, Massage Lotion, Sugar Scrub, Hydrating Mask and Smoothing Cream, allowing you to whip your feet into shape in no time at all. 

Aromatherapy Associates Support Nourishing Body Oil

Self-massage is a great way to make yourself feel more relaxed and relieve the stresses of the season, and this Nourishing Body Oil is the perfect conditioning and deeply penetrating dry skin oil for the job. Combining macadamia, coconut and evening primrose with the exotic scent of geranium, ylang ylang and vanilla, the blend both conditions the skin and uplifts the senses with aromatherapy. 

The Best Christmas Beauty Gifts for Every Budget

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Aromatherapy Associates Support Lavender and Peppermint Bath and Shower Oil, bath, budget, Christmas, festive, Frankincense, GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener-Champagne Gold, gift, gifts, giving, hair, Hayo'u Mineral Shower Wash, Hayo'u Signature Body Gua Sha Collection, heat, lavender, lotus flower, muscles, pamper, presents, Relax, shower, skin, stocking, stocking filler, styler, sunburn, tension, treat, Voesh 4 Step Deluxe Pedi in a Box Peppermint Swirl, ylang ylang

Photo by Juliana Malta on Unsplash

It’s officially December, which means that the Christmas shopping period is well and truly upon us! Whether you’re almost done and just need a couple of bits for a distant relative or you’ve still got almost everything to buy, we’ve got a selection of products from across our ranges to suit every budget. Here are our suggestions to help make your festive purchasing pain-free:

£10 or Under – Voesh 4 Step Deluxe Pedi in a Box Peppermint Swirl

Giving someone everything they need for a home pedicure is a great gift, but one that’s peppermint candy cane themed? Perfect! This is a complete hygienic spa pedicure solution, enriched with key ingredients to give your feet the nutrition they need. Each product is individually packed with the right amount for a single pedicure and your loved one will have feet which are ready for the parties between Christmas and New Year!

£30 or Under – Hayo’u Mineral Shower Wash

While you may not usually spend £30 on a shower gel, treating someone you love to this stress-busting product will show them exactly how much you care. It contains iconic Chinese ingredients such as lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang, all of which have been used for thousands of years to improve circulation and reduce stress, and the formulation is naturally paraben, SLS and SLES free, and does not contain mineral oil or petrolatum. 

£50 or Under – Aromatherapy Associates Support Lavender and Peppermint Bath and Shower Oil

If you want to treat someone you love to the ultimate in luxury bathing, then this bath and shower oil should be at the top of your list. The therapeutic oil blend, with soothing peppermint and high-altitude grown lavender ease sunburn, dissolve tension headaches and counter moments of over-indulgence as you soak or shower. It can also help to aid digestion and support the immune system, making it the perfect thing to help with the excesses of the festive season. 

£100 or Under – Hayo’u Signature Body Gua Sha Collection

If there’s someone in your life who loves wellness and deserves a treat, then this Gua Sha collection from Hayo’u could be a great choice. It contains everything you need to get your body looking and feeling good, including a Jade Body Comb, a Body Restorer and Body Oil which has been formulated specifically to be used with body gua sha. Regular usage can help to alleviate tight, tired muscles, support circulation and lymphatic drainage and provide instant muscle relief for peak performance.    

£100+ – GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener-Champagne Gold

If you’re looking for a gift which will really spoil your loved-one rotten then you can’t go wrong with a GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener in Champagne Gold! This  limited edition gift set is adorned in a dazzling champagne gold coat and accompanied by a dramatic red velvet vanity case. The straighteners are GHD’s ultimate SMART styler, equipped with ultra-zone predictive technology for superior styling in just one stroke. Infinity sensors fitted within the high gloss plates monitor heat distribution 250 times per second to maintain even heat distribution, for a personalised styling experience that adapts to your hair.

Five Products to Help Soothe Anxiety

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alcohol, alleviate, anti-viral, antibacterial, anxiety, aromatherapy, bath, bathing, bergamot oil, boost, Clary Sage, COVID-19, cruelty free, depression, Frankincense, geranium, hand cleanser, harmonise, lemongrass, linden blossom, lockdown, lotus flower, luxurious, mental health, moisturised, natural ingredients, oils, olfactory, pandemic, Public Health England, rebalance, Relax, rescue breaths, ritual, rose flower water, Sandalwood, scented candles, senses, soak, soothe, stress, therapeutic, Vegan, Vetivert, warm, ylang ylang

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

A recent study in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology has revealed that levels of anxiety are at an all time high within the UK’s population. In fact, the prevalence of anxiety has increased by a whopping 27.88% since the first lockdown, taking mental health-related issues to the forefront of many people’s minds. Self care is an incredibly important part of maintaining good mental health, so with this in mind, we’ve curated a list of five key products which can help to alleviate anxiety. 

Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath and Shower Oil

Soaking in a warm bath is a great way to help you to relax and to quieten down the anxiety that is swimming around your head at the end of a long day. This bath and shower oil from Aromatherapy Associates has been formulated to create a luxurious bathing experience and contains clary sage which is known to soothe anxiety, sandalwood which is said to ground your emotions and geranium which is able to help to rebalance your mind.

Evolve Organic Beauty Keep Calm and Spray On

If your anxiety is health related, due to the effects of living through a pandemic, then this product will have a doubly good effect for you. Keep Calm And Spray On from Evolve Organic Beauty is a spray-on hand cleanser which contains 70% alcohol. This is a full 10% above the minimum amount recommended by Public Health England to kill the COVID-19 virus, so you know that you’ll be well protected, health wise. It also contains bergamot oil which has been found to help relieve anxiety, improve modes and also holds anti-viral properties.

Hayo’u Scented Candle

The olfactory sense is perhaps one of the most powerful when it comes to helping temper our emotions, which is why scented candles can be a great ally when anxiety is taking hold. This scented candle from Hayo’u contains an indulgent blend of lotus flower, frankincense, lemongrass and ylang ylang oils, which help to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as relaxing your nervous system and boosting your mood. It’s also recommended that you practice a rescue breath ritual while the candle is burning to really increase the effects of the blend of fragrances.

Bloom and Blossom All Night Long Calming Sleep Spray

Suffering with anxiety can play havoc with your sleep cycle, making it difficult to fall asleep and leaving you feeling unrested once you wake up. Bloom And Blossom have created this All Night Long Calming Sleep Spray which is made from 99% natural ingredients and helps you to reduce anxiety and drift off into a deep sleep. It is made in the UK, it’s 100% vegan and cruelty free and contains frankincense, rose flower water and linden blossom, which all help to reduce stress. 

This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak

When using aromatherapy to alleviate anxiety, alternating between fragrance blends can help your body to remain receptive to the different smells. This Deep Sleep Bath Soak from This Works is intended to melt away your anxiety, harmonise your mind and body and leave you feeling moisturised, relaxed and ready for sleep. Lavender, chamomile and vetivert are the main therapeutic fragrances within this product, which is also 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty free.

Simple ways to get fit at home

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90-degree bend, apps, back, breath, breathe in, cardio, chest, chin, co-ordination, core strength, crunches, elbows, fit, fitness levels, flexibility, focus, get fit, grow, gym, heart rate, hip width, hurt, inner thigh, jog, lengthening your spine, local sports centre, lungs, mental calmness, nknees, online videos, outside, over worked, palms, park run, posture, Relax, relaxes, reps, safely, shoulders, skipping, skipping rope, small changes, Sofa leg raises and crunches, speed, Stair runs, stamina, star jumps, step classes, stressed out, stretch out, sweating, tree pose, triceps, walking, weights, woods, Workout with bottle weights, world of yoga, yoga

When it comes to getting fit, many of us shy away from making a start as it feels like a massive mountain to climb, and the thought of sweating it out in a room full of regular gym goers just doesn’t appeal.

So, we don’t get started and nothing changes.

Let’s stop right here for a moment.

What if we said that you can start to shift your fitness levels for the better in the comfort of your own home in just 20 minutes a day?

Yes, you heard us right.

You don’t need anything fancy, it’s all in your house already, and in no time at all we think you might start to like it.

Skipping
Let’s go back to basics and grab a skipping rope to get fit. It’s super simple and you probably remember it from your school days, but you’re jumping the rope, not stepping over it, and the idea is to increase your speed over time and being out of breath will show you are working well! Clear out some space, go outside if you need more room, and we would say skip for one minute, then do star jumps for a minute and keep going for as long as you can.

The reason this is good for you is because it gets your heart-rate up and gives you some cardio action, but it’s not too intense. Oh, and using the rope can help improve your co-ordination which is never a bad thing!!!

Sofa leg raises and crunches
To do this, simply sit on the edge of your sofa and put your hands either side of you. Straighten your legs out in front of you, raise them to 45-degrees, and then go back down, stopping just above the floor. Do twenty reps of these and avoid dropping your legs back to touch the floor in between. In addition to this as you sit on the sofa, do 20 crunches by bringing your knees up to your chin and then straightening your legs directly out in front of you.

This might hurt to start with, but both exercises work your abdominal muscles and improve your core strength, and you don’t even have to get up off the sofa – so try this double win!

Stair runs
Forget the step classes at the local sports centre, you can use your stairs to get fit. Start with walking up and down them ten times, then do it two at a time – you will feel a difference. As you become fitter, up the speed and you will see your fitness and stamina improve. You might find that in time, you start to walk to the shops rather than drive the car, try a jog in the woods or even have a go at a park run, you never know what small changes can bring to your life.

Workout with bottle weights
Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet planted hip width apart on the floor. Hold a bottle in each hand with your arms outstretched above you, then bring your elbows towards the floor with a 90-degree bend in your arms, hold for one, and keeping your elbows where they are, unbend your arms to bring your forearms towards the floor. Try not to let your arms touch the floor as you do this, and while you can start with ten reps, build it up to 30 on each side over time. If you do this you will strengthen your triceps, shoulders as well as your chest. If you enjoy this, you can buy some real weights, but start here just to check out how it makes you feel.

Yoga
This beauty won’t see you out of breath, but it will help you to improve your focus, core strength, flexibility and mental calmness and it can help you to relax and stretch out – what’s not to like?

If you don’t feel like braving a class, there are a lot of online videos and apps out there which safely introduce you to the wonderful world of yoga where there is something for everyone.

We love the easy to do tree pose. To do this, bring one foot up to rest on the inner thigh of the opposite leg above the knee. Once you are feeling balanced, put your palms together and raise your arms above your head until they are nearly, but not quite, straight. Then, breathe in and out slowly as you maintain your balance and and feel your strength grow. We like this because it’s brilliant for posture and lengthening your spine, but it also opens your lungs and relaxes your mind which makes it great if you are feeling stressed out and over worked.

Got an indoor fitness tip you think we would like? Send it over, we would love to know more.

Team Pure Beauty

Essential Oils for You and Your Home

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acne, anti-inflammator, antibiotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, anxiety, babies, bathroom, blisters, burns, chemical ingredients, chemists, chest balms, cleaning products, clear, compresses, couple of drops, dab, dandruff, diffuser blends, direct use, environment, essential oils, eucalyptus, family, floors, fridge, gingivitis, head, heady scent, health, home, humidifier, immune boosting powerhouse oil, inhalants, insect bites, lavender, lemon, Lemon essential oil, less drying, lifestyle, lift your mood, light clean scent, massage blends, muscle massage oils, natural goodness, natural menthol, pillowcases, purify, Relax, rubs, sedative properties, shake, shake off, shower gel, skin, sleep, slumber, smell, smell amazing, soap, steam inhalation remedy, stings, stubborn stains, sunshine, super popular ingredient, supermarkets, Tea Tree Oil, totally natural, universally loved, warm water, young children

Essential oils not only smell amazing, but they are totally natural and can be used on your skin, for your health and in your home.

You can create massage blends, inhalants, rubs, compresses, diffuser blends and cleaning products that won’t harm you, or the environment but could lift your mood and boost your senses.

We have looked at some of the most accessible oils out there and hope you’ll find one that suits you and fits into your lifestyle.

Lavender
This is one of the most universally loved essential oils and for good reason. This immune boosting powerhouse oil can be used as an antiseptic, antiviral, antibiotic and antispasmodic. It helps with sleep or anxiety issues due to its sedative properties. It can be used for treating burns and blisters, insect bites and stings. You can find it in most chemists and supermarkets, and a little goes a long way. You can help the whole family relax by adding a couple of drops to the bath, and if you dab on pillowcases, the heady scent could help ease you into slumber the natural way.

Eucalyptus
This is a super popular ingredient in chest balms and muscle massage oils because the natural menthol helps you to breathe easily and relax again. To make your own steam inhalation remedy, add one or two drops of oil to a bowl of hot water. Close your eyes, inhale deeply – draping a towel over your head to trap the steam – and say goodbye to your stuffy nose and painful sinuses. You can also add several drops to a humidifier to clear the air at home or work, but we would suggest you avoid direct use with babies and young children. You can add to a tissue or item of clothing to help keep your head clear and focus straight.

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, it can be used to deal with gingivitis and helps shake off dandruff. It is also a gentle way to treat acne and is less drying than more common chemical ingredients. Simply add a couple of drops of oil to half a cup of warm water, shake well and apply to your skin with a clean cloth and let the natural goodness soak in. Not only is it effective on your skin, but tea tree oil can also be used to purify your home and can be added to soap, shower gels and even your surface cleaners to give them a boost.

Lemon
It might be the middle of winter, but lemon essential oil can bring a little sunshine to your life whatever the time of year. Adored for its light clean scent, this essential oil is perfect for homemade cleaning products as it is naturally purifying and can clear away stubborn stains and freshen the air. You can use lemon essential oil to freshen up your fridge, clean your floors, put a little on the carpets in your car and it will make your bathroom smell so much better than ever before.

What’s your favourite essential oil and how do you use it everyday? Let us know, we are all ears and open to new ideas.

Team Pure Beauty