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. 

Reinvent your wardrobe this spring

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Accessories, adore, Alice bands, animal print tote, assess, bags, basic repairs, bed, belts, best, broken, bunching, bursting at the seams, buying, charity shops, chuck, click to buy, closer look, cobbler, colour, conscious, creasing, damaged strap, dresses, dressing, drooping hem, dry cleaners, elongate, fashion, feedback, flashing the cash, friends, goodies ], haul, heels, hit, hot, ideas, inspired, items, jeans, jewellery, kudos, landfill, legs, magazines, missing button, neon slider, new, new looks, online sites, polished, pre-loved bargains, prevent, problem, re-hang, reinvent, rework, save space, scarves, scrunchies, season, sell, shine, shoes, social media, social media feeds, solved, sort it, spark, sportswear, style, swap, tee, throw away, vintage stores, wear, well-loved items, well-stocked wardrobe, wire hangers, work harder

If you already have a well-stocked wardrobe and want to be more conscious of what you are buying, we have had a look at how you can rework what you have rather than always flashing the cash or hitting click to buy to get that hit.

Be inspired
Before you do anything, look at what’s hot on the fashion front at the moment as this can really inspire you to take a closer look at your clothes and see how they could work harder for you. Social media feeds and magazines are a great way to asses which looks are in, and the ones that are out as this can spark ideas, and before you know it, you are dressing in a whole new way.

Sort it out
If your wardrobes are bursting at the seams, it could mean that you can’t actually see what you do have to wear so end up in the same jeans and tee day after day. Take everything out of the wardrobes, put it all on your bed and re-hang everything you want to keep on wire hangers as these save space and prevent items from bunching and creasing. You can make it easy to navigate your clothes if you sort by style, colour and season and when you have done this you will have a better idea of what goes with what, and new looks can be created.

Mend it
If you have well-loved items that you still adore but are broken – mend them, don’t chuck them! A damaged strap, missing button or drooping hem can stop you from wearing something, so get it fixed and the problem is solved. If you can’t do it yourself, many dry cleaners offer basic repairs and if it’s heels that need a helping hand, head to the cobbler.

Sell or swap
Before you throw away the clothes that didn’t make the cut, think about selling or swapping them so someone else can love them. This a great time to call on friends to give you some feedback on your clothes and style and they may want to take what isn’t working for you, off your hands, and you could be in for a haul of goodies from them in return. Also remember that online sites, social media, vintage stores and charity shops are perfect homes for pre-loved bargains and it is so much better to keep a garment alive, than sending it to the landfill.

Breath in new life
We all know that accessories can give a favourite look a new lease of life, so this is the time to get out those bags, belts, jewellery and shoes and have a play around. Alice bands, scrunchies and scarves can give a special lift, caps come into play with sportswear and an animal print tote or neon slider will automatically give you style kudos.

Just wear it
Once you have done all the hard work, make sure you wear the items you have kept. Don’t keep things for best, wear dresses that make you feel special, jeans that elongate your legs, and if you have polished those shoes, put them on your feet and shine, baby!

What we would say, is don’t try to reinvent your entire wardrobe in one go. If you can breathe life into three pieces, that’s a great start, and the rest will follow.

Team Pure Beauty

How to update your clothes, rather than throw them away

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biker jacket, boots, brush, buff, buttons, carbon footprint, charity shop, clashing prints, contrasting colours, dresses, Facebook, fitted top, flared jeans, flat pumps, flattering silhouette, gap, handbags, heels, hems, hoodie, jackets, jeans, jewellery, joggers and sweatshirts, jumpers, lace vest, layering, leather, leopard print cardigan, likes, long-sleeved t-shirt, midi dress, money-making side hustle, needle and thread, new clothes, on-trend edge, outfit, palazzo pants, professional bra fitting, rag, season, sewing machine, shape-wear, shirts, shoes, slouchy sweater, sustainability, thick knit, throw away fashion, transform, underwear, update, wardrobe, warm, white trainers

It is super easy to buy new clothes all the time because the prices are so low, but throw away fashion won’t do the environment any good, even if it does increase your Facebook likes. We have been looking at how you can update and transform the contents of your wardrobe, without adding to your carbon footprint.

Find a tailor
We understand that you want to look your best, so why not get changes made to the clothes you love so they look really fantastic? Adding darts to shirts and jackets, taking up hems and swapping buttons are all small things that can have a big impact. If you are a dab hand with a needle and thread, or have a sewing machine, you can make these changes yourself and you never know, it could turn into a money-making side hustle for you too.

Fitted, not baggy
OK, we know there are some days when you want to kick back in your joggers and sweatshirts, but most of us look better when our clothes fit us well. If you love palazzo pants, then add a fitted top and heels to give you a smart look, and pair those flared jeans with a long-sleeved t-shirt, leopard print cardigan and white trainers, for a casual look, with an on-trend edge?

New polish, not new shoes
It is amazing how a tin of polish can make a massive difference to your shoes, boots and even handbags. Use a clean brush to apply the polish, then buff up the leather with a rag (cut up and an old t-shirt, if we are thinking of sustainability) and watch your beloved possessions come back to life, and sparkle in a whole new light.

Think about underwear
Maybe you don’t need a lot of new clothes, you just need some decent underwear that works with, rather than against, your body. Shape-wear will instantly make your clothes feel better and create a flattering silhouette, and with a wide range of options out there, you are bound to find something that’s right for you. In the same vein, why not have a professional bra fitting and see the difference the right bra will make to your t-shirts, dresses and jumpers.

Layer it up
Layering isn’t just a way to keep you warm, it is also a really easy way to breathe life into your existing wardrobe. Putting a thick knit over a midi dress, wearing a lace vest under a slouchy sweater, and bringing dungarees to life with a Breton t-shirt are all ways to change an outfit in an instant. Think about creating new looks with contrasting colours and clashing prints and rather than one big coat, layering a biker jacket with a hoodie is an easy look that will take you from one season to another.

Mix and match
Mixing and matching your clothes will make them work harder for you, so don’t keep anything for best. That beautiful dress you wore to a wedding, can be made casual with a fitted jacket and flat pumps, jeans can instantly be made stylish with heels and a silk shirt, and remember that jewellery can brighten up anything, so don’t leave it in the box gathering dust.

If there are items you don’t need anymore, take them to the charity shop which can also be your first port of call if you have a gap in your wardrobe, but don’t want to buy brand new.

Team Pure Beauty

Go organic on a budget

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Abel & Co, Aldi, apples, Asda, bag for life, bargains, beans, beers, butcher, canned tomatoes, cheese, chickens, choice, clothes, cost-effective, discount section, dreid goods, eggs, environmentally aware, exercise, expensive option, farm, farmers market, flapjacks, freeze, garden, green grocers, independent retailers, kitchen cupboards, local produce, meat, Morrisons, non-organic items, organic basics, organic coffees and teas, organic food, organic products, organic ranges, pasta, price comparisons, pubs, research, rhubarb, rice, Riverford, runner beans, Sainsbury’s Lidl, season, shopping around, soups and stews to pasta sauces, supermarkets, Tesco, tomatoes and strawberries, Waitrose, waste, wines, world

We are increasingly being told that organic food is the way to go if we want to be super healthy and environmentally aware.

While we are all for that, we know this route can also be a more expensive option, so we have looked at how you can make the switch even if you have a budget you need to stick to.

Start with your kitchen cupboards
First of all, don’t throw out everything in your kitchen that isn’t organic – that causes waste which isn’t the aim of this exercise at all. As you run out of basics such as pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, rice, and other everyday dried goods, replace them with organic, which are often found at the same price as your regular non-organic items. Over time easy swaps will mean you have a kitchen cupboard which is full of organic basics so you will always be able to create a tasty meal or snack that is good for you and the world around you. You might also want to apply the same principles when it comes to cleaning products, as well as clothes, as there is a whole range of organic products out there just waiting to be found.

Do your research
Increasingly, supermarkets and independent retailers are offering organic ranges, so it is worth researching who is doing what. Outlets including Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, and Morrisons now sell their own brand organic ranges which can be more cost-effective than dedicated non-organic branded products which not only means you can get the best value for money but you have a better choice. It may take time to do this, but we think it is worth shopping around and doing some price comparisons to get the best deals for you. Oh, and don’t forget to go to your local greengrocers, butcher and farmers’ market as they can be real organic treasure troves.

Go with the seasons
This can take a while to get used to, but if you want to go organic and keep costs down, eating local produce when it is in season is the way to go. From tomatoes and strawberries to rhubarb and apples, there are some great foods out there, you just need to know what to look for and when.

Buy a box
Another way to eat with the seasons is to take part in a box scheme. There are various options out there, including Abel & Co and Riverford as well as local companies and they are a fantastic way to move to organic eating. You can mix and match your foods, including eggs, meat, and cheese, to get a box that is right for you.

Shop at the end of the day
This isn’t exclusive to organic food, but if you shop at the end of the day and check the discount section, you will be amazed at some of the bargains on offer and if you freeze what you aren’t going to eat that day, there is no waste either.

Leave packaging behind
Retailers are starting to stop using unnecessary food packaging and this is often the case with organic options. You don’t need broccoli wrapped in plastic, so take a bag for life, or even better a basket, when you shop and you can feel extra pleased with your choices.

Do it yourself
Growing your own food is a brilliant way to go organic. We aren’t saying go and buy a farm and get chickens, but growing herbs in the kitchen, tomatoes in tubs and runner beans in the garden are simple ways to do it yourself. Not only do these taste miles better than shop bought produce, but having your own mini kitchen garden is rewarding and totally cost-effective, go you!

Cooking from scratch
With a well-stocked larder, we hope that breaking away from microwave meals and cooking from scratch might be easier? One of the best things to do is plan your meals and then batch cook, freeze portions and make lunches in advance. From soups and stews to pasta sauces and flapjacks, you will honestly wonder why you didn’t start soon.

Organic when you eat out
You don’t have to be tied to the kitchen sink to make organic choices. You will increasingly find organic restaurants when you are out and about, as well as organic coffees and teas being served in cafes and wines and beers in pubs. Once you starting looking you will be surprised at what is on offer out there.

We hope you can see that while you need to be a little creative, small lifestyle changes can help you and the planet be healthier and happier.

Team Pure Beauty

Get Fresh Faced for Autumn

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acne or breakout prone skin, air, autumn, boots, botanical oils, build-up, combination or problematic skin, complexion, creamy cleanser, daily dirt, Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Makeup Remover, deep clean, Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution, Dermalogica Foaming Wash, Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser, drier and prematurely-ageing skin, dry, Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser, energises, Essential C and E Vitamins, excess oils, face, flipflops, floral water, Jan Marini C-ESTA Cleansing Gel, Lactic Acid concentrate, lather, lemon, light, love, make-up, moisture levels, moisturiser, Natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients, non-sticky texture, pleasure, potent Vitamin C cleanser, purify, refreshes, remove, repair and balance, revolutionary, rich, Rose Flower Oil, rosemary, Safflower Oil, scientific blend, season, sensitive skin, sharper, shorter, smile, sunroof, sweatshirts, teenagers, temperamental, tight, Toner, Vitamin E, Waterproof mascara, weather, wipe out, world class cleansers

With the air turning sharper and the days getting shorter, we might still be wearing flip-flops and driving with the sunroof down, but it would seem that autumn is on the way. As well as bringing out those favourite sweatshirts and boots, now is also time to think about your complexion as the season changes.

At Pure Beauty we sell some world-class cleansers which will ensure you are ready for autumn and today we are looking at just a handful and hope there will be one which is right for you.

If your face is feeling tight and dry, why not ease things up with the Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution? This rich, creamy cleanser nourishes dry skin and sweeps away impurities, but those all-important moisture levels are maintained. Essential C and E Vitamins have been combined with Safflower Oil, Rosemary and Lemon, which together help condition and refresh your skin and leave it ready for your toner and mosituriser to do their thing.

If you want to repair and balance combination or problematic skin, you need the help of the outstanding Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser. Extracts of Lime Blossom, Lecithin (aka Vitamin F) and Vitamin E help balance excess oils and soothe the skin while removing the build-up of daily dirt as well as make-up. The light, non-sticky texture makes this cleaner a pleasure to use and the results make it even easier to love.

For teenagers with acne or breakout prone skin that can be even more temperamental as the weather changes, we have the excellent Dermalogica Foaming Wash, which is part of the Clear Start range. Not only does this deep clean and purify the skin, it also energises and refreshes it all without stripping those key natural essential oils. Natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients have been blended together and when massaged into wet skin the formula breaks up dead skin cells and clears away trapped oil which helps wipe out existing and future breakouts. Phew!

If you are looking for lather when you cleanse, look no further than the Jan Marini C-ESTA Cleansing Gel. This outstanding, potent Vitamin C cleanser is suitable for all skin type and the luxurious lather helps soothe and protect your skin. As this cleanser is highly concentrated, only a small amount is needed morning and night to see results which will make you smile.

The Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Makeup Remover is a new cleanser on the beauty block and one which is powered by a scientific blend of botanical oils and floral water. Impressed? We think you will be. The ‘revolutionary’ formula cleanses your skin, removes you make-up (even waterproof mascara cannot escape) and also plumps and soothes even the most sensitive skin so it is soft and radiant once again.

Time for one last recommendation and we think the Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser deserves a mention. Regular use of this product will help drier and prematurely ageing skin become super smooth and ultra-clean. The Lactic Acid concentrate re-textures skin, antioxidant Vitamin E conditions and Rose Flower Oil gets to work calming the pesky sensitivity that can really get you down. What’s not to like?

If you’d like further details about these, or any of the products we sell, get in touch today and our team would love to help.

Pure Beauty