Stay Cool Even When The Humidity Rises

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base, BB Cream, blemish, correction, decleor, Decleor BB Cream, dermalogica, Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner, Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30, Elemis, Elemis Daily Redness Solution, flawless, frizz, full-coverage, hair, humid, humidity, inflammation, make-up, oil production, redness, sebum, skin, soothing, spots, spritzing, sweat, Toner

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Is it just us, or does the current weather SUCK?! It’s not quite hot, not quite cold and if it’s not hacking down with rain, it’s super humid and sticky. Dealing with humidity can be so much more difficult to deal with that other extremes of weather, but there are things you can do to help keep you looking your best, even when it seems like Mother Nature is conspiring against you! Read on for our suggestions of how to cope in humid weather.

Keep Your Hair Low-Maintenance

Unless you’re REALLY lucky, you’re probably like us and closely resemble Monica Geller in Barbados when the humid air hits your hair. All the blow-drying and straightening in the world isn’t going to be enough to tame your hair in high humidity, so the best thing you can do is just not do it! Using a daily conditioning rinse will help to weigh your hair down, taming flyaway locks, but leaving it to do it’s own thing after using the rinse will give you the best chance of a smooth barnet.

Use Lighter Products

Using thick, oily or rich products will feel fairly horrible on your skin in times of high humidity, and could even end up causing spots because they don’t allow your skin to sweat and breathe enough. Opt for cooling, spritzing products like Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner to keep your skin feeling fresh and avoid breaking out into spots or areas of redness.

Make-Up is Overrated

We know it’s tempting to wear your usual full-coverage make-up all year round, but when the humidity hits, there’s a good chance that a thicker foundation won’t even stay on your face properly. Opting for a lighter version of your usual base, like Decleor BB Cream, which will give you a decent level of coverage whilst providing moisture and blemish correction, and won’t be as susceptible to the heat and humidity as thicker products.

Rid Yourself of Redness

On humid days, we basically feel hot and bothered any time we have to move around, and this can massively exacerbate any redness that you may already experience. Elemis Daily Redness Solution will ensure that your skin doesn’t flare up in the heat and humidity and will de-sensitise and comfort irritated, red and blotchy complexions. It makes a great base for make-up and when used with the Decleor BB Cream above will give you a flawless finish.

Limit Oil Production

Humidity and heat can be a nightmare if you have naturally oily skin, so preparing for humid days with an oil-reducing product is essential for keeping your skin looking great. Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30 will do a two-fold job of protecting you, firstly by offering defenses against the sun’s harmful rays, but also by regulating oil production and soothing inflammation. The ultra-sheer formula absorbs surface oils to prevent shine without any powdery residue, delivering an all-day matte finish.

The Mighty Mango

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The term ‘super-food’ is banded around the place like no one’s business at the moment. From avocados and spinach to almonds and blueberries, these natural beauties are all over the place, but no one ever really seems to put the mighty mango in this group?

Well, we think they should be and are here to put them on the healthy map.

Mangos grow in tropical climates and are a nutritionally rich fruit with a unique flavor, fragrance, taste, and it has so many heath promoting qualities we don’t know where to start.

Cancer Prevention
Some research has shown that the antioxidant properties in mango fruit can help protect against breast, colon and prostate cancers as well as leukaemia.

Eye Sight
A cup of sliced mango contains around 25% of the RDA of Vitamin A which is key to good eyesight and can prevent night blindness and dry eyes.

Cholesterol Count
Due to the high levels of fibre, pectin and Vitamin C in mangos they can help lower cholesterol levels.

Glowing Skin
Mangos help clear clogged pores and eliminate acne, and because they are rich in skin loving Vitamin E, your complexion will glow if you eat them as part of a balanced diet.

Digestion
Mangos are packed with clever enzymes that break down protein and come with fibre both of which help with digestion and elimination.

Immune System Booster
Due to the generous amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, plus 25 different carotenoids, fresh mango is the perfect way to keep your immune system healthy and strong.

The Other Bits
Mangos also come with Vitamin B6 and other B vitamins that help with hormone production and prevent heart disease. They have plenty of potassium that balances out salt intake as well as copper that helps with the production of red blood cells.

So you have got your mango, but how do you prepare it so none goes to waste?

Hold the mango on its side and cut down either side of the large, central seed so you have two big halves.

Place each half on a chopping board, peel face down, and cut the exposed flesh in a horizontal and vertical pattern, taking care not to cut too deep through the skin or into your fingers. Then invert the whole half and push out easy to manage cubes.

You can use this cubes to make a super effective face mask. Simply blend the mango and apply to the face and let your skin soak up the beta-carotene and Vitamin C help which will repair spots and blemishes and recharge your complexion.

Otherwise eat the mango solo, on cereal, in smoothies, add it to salads, pop on the top of ice cream, mix into a salsa, blend into yogurt, make a pie. The ideas are endless, the taste is incredible.

Got a mango recipe you like, send it over, we would love to give it a try.

Team Pure Beauty

Can You Pull Off a Pixie Cut?

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acne, bad skin, clean, cleanse, conditioner, cut, Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse, forehead, hair, hairdresser, Jennifer Hudson, Mia Farrow, Michelle Williams, oil, Pamela Anderson, pixie, sebum, short hair, spots, texture, Zendaya

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Last years’ hot hair trend was long, flowing tresses in a variety of mermaid, unicorn and dragon-like shades, taking hair maintenance to a whole new level. However, this summer, a far more low-key trend is taking hold – the Pixie Cut. Celebs from Katy Perry to Zendaya to Scarlett Johansson are getting their hair shorn and looking amazing in the process. If you’re thinking about getting the chop like your favourite celeb, read on for our ultimate guide to pixie cuts:

Will It Suit Me?

This is one of those tricky questions that is very hard to answer until after you’ve taken the plunge, but there are places online to try new hairstyles by uploading a current photo of yourself so it might be worth giving that a go if you’re unsure. Generally speaking, very short hair needs a good bone structure to support the look, so people with very round faces should probably avoid it. Many people who suffer with acne or bad skin tend to hide behind their hair, so if you feel naked without hair around your face then this might not be the cut for you. However, there’s some evidence to suggest that the oil and daily dirt from hair could exacerbate spots on the forehead, so cutting it back might actually help.

What Type of Cut Should I Go For?

The pixie cut has really evolved since the days of Mia Farrow’s super short, boyish cut and there are several variations on the traditional style to suit a range of tastes. Lots of people are keeping it longer on top but super short at the sides, or having a swept-over look at the front, which allows you to be more versatile with how the style looks.

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Is It Really Low Maintenance?

Having short hair might seem like the easy option, and with SOME styles it is, but actually you might find that short hair takes more styling than longer hair, which can be chucked into a ponytail or braid on days when you can’t be bothered. Unless you go for a total crop, most short hairstyles require some element of styling and although the results are worth it and usually look fantastic, if you’re not a person who has time in the mornings you might want to think on it for a bit longer! Also, short hair needs to be kept…short! You’ll need to be prepared to trim your hair more regularly than if it’s long because pixie cuts grow out really easily.

Hair in Bad Condition?

If your hair is damaged from years of heat styling, over-bleaching and neglect then a pixie cut could actually be a really stylish way to take things back to zero, cutting away all of the damaged hair and letting your hair grow back fresh and new. Once you’ve had the cut, take care of your hair with Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse for protection from heat and increased moisture.

Is There Anything Else I Need to Know?

If you don’t have a regular stylist, make sure you choose someone with plenty of experience in pixie cuts because they can be one of the harder looks to achieve and take a lot of skill. If you have a regular hairdresser, they’re probably a really good person to chat to before going for it because they’ll be able to give you a professional opinion on your hair texture and whether the cut will suit you or not. Ask them to be brutally honest with you!

Hair Removal – What Are Your Options?

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age spots, ageing, ALA, alpha lipoic acid, anchovies, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, apricots, arms, berries, bikini line, blackberries, blemishes, blueberries, body hair, Brazillian, broad spectrum, Broccoli, chia seeds, damage, dark spots, decleor, Decleor Post-Wax Double Action Gel, Decleor Rose D’Orient Soothing Oil Serum, dermalogica, Dermalogica Antioxidant HydraMist, Dermalogica C-12 Pure Bright Serum, Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier, Dermalogica Post Shave Balm, Elemis, Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush, Elemis Energising Skin Scrub, Elemis Liquid Layer SPF30, Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir, epilate, epilator, epliation, exfoliate, eyebrows, fatty acids, fish, free radicals, fullness, hair, high factor, Hollywood, hyperpigmentation, ingrown hair, laser hair removal, liver spots, mackerel, nuts, oils, oily fish, omega-3, orange, plump, plumper, polyphenols, pomegranate, protection, raspberries, salmon, Shaving, SPF, spinach, spots, strawberries, sun, sunscreen, sweet potato, threading, UVA, UVB, vitamin A, walnuts, waxing, wrinkles

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Hair removal – it’s one of those things that most of us do but few of us ever talk about it, but it’s a fact of life and needn’t be taboo. There are various different methods that you can use for hair removal, some more permanent than others and varying in price and effectiveness. Here’s a rundown of a few of them:

Shaving

Probably the most common type of hair removal on the planet, shaving is also one of the cheapest ways to remove hair, with some disposable razors costing a matter of pennies. It’s not a very long-lasting method because it only trims the part of the hair which sits above the skin, but it’s definitely convenient and can be done on any part of the body that you care to use it. If you plan to shave, use Elemis Energising Skin Scrub beforehand to prevent ingrown hairs and soothe the skin, post-shave, with Dermalogica Post Shave Balm.

Waxing

Waxing lasts longer than shaving and gives a smooth finish, but does have it’s downsides. You need to leave time between waxes to allow the hair to be long enough for the wax to adhere to, and there’s obviously the pain-factor. Also, unless you wax at home, you’ll need regular appointments which can be pricey. If you do wax, treat your skin with Decleor Post-Wax Double Action Gel to soothe and repair.

Laser

Laser is probably the most expensive way to remove hair but it’s also the only way to remove hair permanently. Most people require between 6 and 10 sessions for complete removal and occasional touch-ups if you get a rogue hair or two growing back, but most people have great levels of success with it. Your skin will feel sensitive after a laser session, so treat your skin to some Decleor Rose D’Orient Soothing Oil Serum.

Threading

Threading is an ancient form of hair removal from Asia which involves using pieces of twisted thread to pull the hairs out. Many Asian women use threading to remove facial hair and arm hairs and the method is actually incredibly accurate, allowing you to get a really nice shape when threading eyebrows. There are many tutorials online to allow you to learn how to thread yourself, but we’d recommend going to a professional at least for a while!

Epilating

Epilating is the Marmite of hair removal – most people either love it or really hate it! It’s usually done with a handheld machine which pulls the roots out and it actually lasts quite a long time – if you can deal with the pain! Ingrown hairs are a real issue with epilation, so regularly scrubbing the areas you epilate with Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush will help minimise this.

Say ‘NO!’ to Shine

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acne, acne prone, acneic, Balm Mint, blackheads, Camphor, cause, central heating, Cornflower, decleor, Decleor Velvet Mattifying Fluid, dermalogica, Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier, Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15, Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion, Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30, grease, greasy, hormones, irritation, make-up, matte, mattifying, microsponges, moisture, moisturiser, oil, oil free, oiliness, oily, over-production, over-stimulation, pores, Pro-Vitamin B5, root cause, Salicylic Acid, sebum, shine, shiny, skin, SPF, SPF15, SPF30, spots, target, teen skin, teenage skin, winter

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You may think that Summer is the prime-time to be worrying about shiny faces, what with the heat making you sweat, but if you suffer with over-production of sebum then winter can provide it’s own challenges. Constant changes of temperature, drying central heating and lack of sunlight can all conspire to make your skin create it’s very own oil slick, so we thought we’d showcase five of our best products to help you fight the shine

Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion

When we, here at Pure Beauty, read the description of this featherweight lotion, we weren’t quite sure we’d read it right, but yes, it actually contains microsponges! The particles are super absorbent and mop up excess sebum from your skin, and the lotion is suitable for people with oily, breakout-prone and acneic skin. Salycilic acid clears blocked pores while camphor, balm mint and cornflower reduce inflammation, attacking the root cause of sebum overproduction.

Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier

This incredibly potent lotion contains a multitude of hard-working ingredients which combine to perform a number of different functions. It’s a medicated, topical treatment which can be applied directly to an area of excess shine or breakouts and uses green tea, vitamin A, yeast extract, grape seed extract and pro-vitamin B5 (amongst other things!) to keep your skin totally clear and mattified.

Decleor Velvet Mattifying Fluid

Decleor have developed this fluid which attacks the problem of oiliness by increasing the amount of oxygen that the skin can absorb. This improves performance on a cellular level, rejuvenating your skin and discouraging the production of sebum as an overcompensation. It’s a really lightweight fluid which literally mattifies your skin upon touch and continues working all day to keep it look fresh.

Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30

Keeping oily skin protected from the sun can be really tricky because so many sun lotions are oil-based and add to an already shiny face, making wearing make-up almost impossible. This lotion from Dermalogica is not only completely oil-free, but it also contains a broad-spectrum, high SPF to fend off the sun’s harmful rays whilst helping to prevent shine, regulate oil production and soothe inflammation.

Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15

This matte moisturiser from the Clear Start range is designed specifically for teenage skin, moisturising the skin from deep with, clearing excess sebum and targeting the cause, as well as helping to reduce inflammation and breakouts. It contains a light SPF for added protection and can be used in conjunction with the rest of the Clear Start range to keep teenage skin well under control.