Up the beauty odds this autumn

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air conditioning, Aloe Vera, antioxidant serum, battering winds, beauty, beta hydroxy Salicylic Acid, bobble hats, brisk, central heating, chilly, chunky knits, coat, complexion, Coneflower, dead cells, Decleor Flash Radiance Mask, Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance, dull, eased, elderberry, Elemis Lip Revive, Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm, environmental attacks, evidence, exfoliate, express mask, feed, fine lines, freezing, gentle, Ginkgo, glow, grape seed, Hydrocotyl, imperfections, infused, intensely cleansed, Jan Marini C-ESTA Serum, Lactic Acid, lavender, layer up, Natural fruit enzymes, non-abrasive, nourished, October, Optimega oils, Padina Pavonica, rare rose extracts, renewed, roses, Saro essential oils, skin, snow, soft and supple, staple, starflower, stimulated, summer, thermal tees, Vitamin C, Wild Yam, winter

While we have been enjoying warm sunshine during early October, those brisk early mornings and chilly dark evenings, and battering winds, are all the evidence we need at Pure Beauty to know winter is on the way.

You can layer up in chunky knits, thermal tees and bobble hats to keep your body warm, but at this time of year you need to be thinking about your skin too. Harsh frosts, rain and lower temperatures mixed with the endless blasts of air conditioning and central heating, means our skin is constantly on high alter for all that you throw at it.

At Pure Beauty we stock some great products which will help your skin to glow all winter long.

One way you can be sure your skin is winter ready, is to exfoliate away the dead cells that are getting you down. We love the Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant which is a gentle, non-abrasive exfoliation treatment. Lactic Acid, Beta Hydroxy Salicylic Acid and natural fruit enzymes have been blended to ensure that not only is dull skin removed, but renewal is stimulated too. As you would expect from this brand, conditioning botanical extracts including Lavender, Aloe Vera and Coneflower, have been added and together they soothe the skin and make it as soft as snow.

While roses are usually identified with summer, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm is a perfect winter staple. This deep cleansing balm not only dissolves make-up but daily dirt and pollutant build up too. Skin that has suffered at the hands of the elements is immediately cleansed, nourished and renewed by this gorgeous product. Made from a blend of rare rose extracts from around the world and infused with Elderberry, Starflower, Optimega oils and Padina Pavonica, this is a beauty winner in our book.

If you are thinking of stepping up your mosituriser this winter, the Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance could be a good bet. This ultra-rich phytonutrient moisturiser is perfect for dry skin and thanks to added Vitamin C, fine lines are eased and skin is left feeling soft and supple. Vitamins A and E, and Ginkgo protect against environmental attacks while Hydrocotyl, Grape Seed and Wild Yam, reduce the signs of premature ageing, so you will look better than ever.

The harsh winter months can leave even they healthiest skin looking dehydrate and tired. To combat this, why not feed your complexion with the Jan Marini C-ESTA Serum. This powerful antioxidant serum is packed with Vitamin C goodness that helps to ease the appearance of the fine lines and wrinkles that can look more prominent during the colder months. Ongoing use will help skin look smoother and more evenly toned, while deep lines will seem less pronounced and you will look healthie,r even if you are freezing under your coat.

Unless you wear a balaclava, your lips are going to take the full force of winter. Don’t despair, if you carry the Elemis Lip Revive with you, they will stay soft and perfectly moisturised from dawn to dusk, and beyond. A nourishing White Bees Wax base has been enriched with added vitamins and peppermint to create a lip salve that is too cool for school.

For those nights out when you want your skin to glow, why not try the Decleor Flash Radiance Mask? This clever express mask has been created to specifically revive complexions and hide imperfections. Leaving the blend of Elemi and Saro Essential Oils on cleansed skin for just three minutes, will restore radiance and skin will be soft, smooth and even.

We would love to help you decided on which products could be best for you this winter, so why not get in touch and chat through some ideas?

Team Pure Beauty

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Get Your Toes Sandal Ready

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attention, back to basics, bare feet, beautician, bed, bubble bath, candles, chill, clean, coloured toes, cool coral, cooling, corners, cup of coffee, curve, cut straight across the nail, decent scissors, dry, exfoliation product, extra, feel, feet, flip flips, focus, foot cream, foot crystals, fun, get out of bed, good, goodness, hand, hard, heat, ingrowing nails, jagged sides, job, look, love, melt, paint, pamper night, peppermint, phone, playlist, pop of pink, problematic, protect, pumice stone, rich red, rinse, running for the bus, salon, sharp corners, skin, slick finish, smooth, smudges, soften muscles, stairs, stubborn areas, summer, Sunday, sweat, temperatures, tempted, ticklish, tissues, toe nails, tough, Vitamin E, walking to work, warm water, work

Let’s face it.

Your feet work really hard for you.

From the moment you get out of bed and make that first cup of coffee, to walking to work, running for the bus and then climbing the stairs back to bed, it’s all go for your toes.

The thing is, if you take care of your feet in-between salon pedicures, you can look sandal smart all summer long and we are going to show you how.

Soak Away
Why not set Sunday aside as a pamper night? Once you have switched off your phone and lit some candles and turned on your play list, fill a bowl with warm water and get ready to chill. Add a little of your favourite bubble bath or foot crystals (available in chemists and supermarkets) then let your feet soak for around 10 minutes and use this time to focus on you and your breathing. As your feet sit in the water, the skin will soften and your muscles will relax.

Exfoliate
With your skin nice and soft, rinse and dry them and then use an exfoliation product to get rid of the dead cells that can build up as a result of wearing flip-flops and padding around in bare feet when the temperatures rise.

Buff Up
For this step, we suggest you go back to basics and use a pumice stone as these can make a big difference to the way your feet look and feel. Very gently rub the stone over those stubborn areas where the skin is tough and problematic. If you do need an extra hand with this, then speak to your beautician the next time you are in the salon.

Tidy Up
There is no point in making sure your feet look good if your toenails leave a lot to be desired. As they will also be softer than usual after a warm water soak, this is the time to pay them some attention and we would suggest you buy some decent scissors just for the job. You need to cut straight across the nail, do not be tempted to go for a curve or to tidy up the corners, as you could cut too much away or end up with ingrowing nails – neither of which you want. Toes are ticklish, but needs must when it comes to beauty, so next take a clean file and make sure they are smooth and tidy with no sharp corners or jagged sides.

Moisturise
Just like other parts of the body, your feet need to be moisturised if you want them to be happy and healthy. Go for a foot cream which is rich in Vitamin E and contains peppermint, which is super cooling as this is a winning combination. Work the cream into the problem areas and let the goodness melt in.

Paint
Yes, this is the really fun bit. We love coloured toes but the key to a clean, slick finish is to either use separators or place a twisted tissue between each toe and this will protect against smudges. Whether you opt for rich red, a pop of pink or maybe a cool coral, add a clear finish and you will have happy feet and a smile.

Team Pure-Beauty

It’s all about the essential oils

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acne, amazing, antibacterial and antiseptic properties, Argon, avocado, beauty routine, blemishes, chamomile, clean, clean soft cloth, coconut, conditioner, cotton bud, dandruff, dehydrated, essential fatty acids, feet, fine lines, irritated scalp, joys, lavender oil, medium-chain fatty acids, mix, Mother Nature, natural essential oils, nourish, rich, Rosehip Oil, sage, scars, shampoo, sinks, skin, smooth oil, soft, sooth, spots, stretchmarks, summer, super shiny hair., sweat, tea, Tea Tree Oil, tired, toes, Toner, vibrant scent

At Pure-Beauty, we are massive fans of natural essential oils, and even more so during the warm summer months when need to take care of ourselves that little bit more.

We have had a look at the benefits of adding oils into your beauty routine and we think you might be pleasantly surprised at how mother nature can make things so much better.

Keep breakouts at bay
When it is hot we tend to sweat more than usual and this can lead to a build-up of oil under the skin and cause annoying spots. Lavender Oil is perfect for dealing with this because it is packed with the antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can help prevent the bacteria that causes acne from growing as well as treating the blemishes you do get. Dilute a little oil with water and dab gently to the affected area using a clean cotton bud and it will soothe and nourish the skin the natural way. You can also mix the oil with cold water for a simple toner that is especially good for treating oily skin.

We are massive fans of Tea Tree Oil and it is our acne go to product thanks to the really powerful antiseptic qualities and vibrant scent. Simply add a few drops to cool water and apply to your face using a clean soft cloth and let the oils get to work.

Oils for your skin
Bear with us on this one because we know it might sound wrong, but putting oils on your skin can be amazing.
The summer brings many joys, but it can also make our skin dehydrated and tired, however adding an essential oil into the mix can bring it back to life. Rosehip Oil is a good choice because this rich, smooth oil sinks into your skin leaving it soft and supple without a trace of greasiness, just vibrancy. Packed with essential fatty acids plus Vitamins A and C this is a true beauty must have. As well as helping with fine lines, it is also brilliant for the scars and stretch marks many of us are conscious of in the summer but do remember to still apply sun cream if you are going outside.

Look after your head
If you think Chamomile is only for drinking in tea, you’ll be surprised to know that it also soothes and hydrates an irritated scalp – something that can happen when the heat is high. Simply adding a few drops of oil to your shampoo or conditioner can make a big difference and ease itching without the need for any chemicals.

Sage is often thought of as a little bit of magic and we agree when it comes to getting super shiny hair. As an astringent, it is beneficial for hair growth but also fights dandruff and encourages glossy locks. You can simply apply a little oil to your scalp and let nature take care of the rest.

Oils for hair don’t stop here with Argon, Avocado and Coconut all being offering a boost, so them as a regular, weekly treatment and we are pretty sure you will see the shine in no time at all.

Happy feet
Back to those medium-chain fatty acids from Coconut Oil and we would suggest you apply this loving to your feet and give them the care and attention they deserve. Coconut Oil is totally nourishing and will get to work on tough, dry skin, leaving your toes as soft as a baby’s in no time at all.

Team Pure Beauty

How to shop in the sales

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40, bags, bargain, big discounts, black dresses, boots, bright pink hot pants, buy, car, Christmas presents, colour, credit cards, debt, dresses, eat and drink, energy levels, Exchange and Refund Policies, fabrics, fashion forward statement, feelings, focussed, fuel, great purchases, hours, impulse buying, jackets, jeans, layers, leather skirt, make a list, mall, March, money, preparation, receipts, regret, sale shopping, sales, Set a Limit, size 14, slim, smart, smart wool coat, spending limit, spring, staples, summer, take a break, time, trousers, waste, weekly groceries, winter

Before we have even put our Christmas presents away, the shops have got their sale signs up and once again our credit cards come out and take a battering.

Yes, 40% off might seem like a bargain but it is a good idea to stop and think about what you are going to buy otherwise it could just be a huge waste of time and money.

If you approach sale shopping the smart way, you’ll get the most out of your cash, walk away with great purchases and avoid feelings of regret and shame.

Preparation
Sale shopping starts with preparation so look at what you already have so don’t simply buy another version of it. If you have five black dresses, will a sixth really change your life and while those boots might be 80% off, if you have two pairs the same already you aren’t making a saving at all.

Make a List
Just as you do for your weekly groceries, make a list before you head to the mall and this will help keep you focused. Sales are a great time to replace staples as well as finding classic items in excellent fabrics that won’t date. Dresses, trousers and jackets can be layered to take you from winter to spring and you can never go wrong with a smart wool coat if you want to make a fashion forward statement.

The Right Size
If you are a size 14 in jeans, buy a 14 and not a 12 hoping you will slim into them in the summer. Bargains are only bargains if you can wear them, so go for the right size and colour and prevent a trip to the charity shop in March.

Make Life Easy
Let’s be realistic, the shops will be busy, it will be warm and stuffy and by the time you get to the changing rooms you might be flustered. Go to the sales in easy to take off layers, use a rucksack to keep your hands free and if you can, shop alone.

Fuel Up
If you are out for several hours, take a break. Regular breaks to eat and drink will keep your energy levels up and stop you from getting distracted and impulse buying those bright pink hot pants you will end up having to take back the next day.

Set a Limit
When big discounts are on offer, it is easy to get carried away. Set yourself a spending limit and once you have reached it, call it a day and head home. There is no point cramming the car with shiny bags if it means ending up in debt and having to eat beans on toast until the summer.

Exchange and Refund Policies
Last of all, before you buy, just check the returns policy so you know that if that leather skirt isn’t quite right when you get home, you can take it back. Oh, and always keep your receipts safe.

Happy shopping.

Team Pure Beauty

Add value to your house before you sell it

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a thing, armchair, autumn, bathroom, bean bags, best price, bigger and brighter, brass letterbox, brightens, buyers, carpets cleaned, clutter, coat of paint, cramped and small, curtains, cushions, Decluttering, designer makeovers, doorknob, dust free doors, estate agents, expense, expensive extensions, finances, fix the windows, front door, gardener, gutters tidied, home, house, house numbers, investment, kitchen, lights, luxury, minimal, Off whites, old newspapers, outside, pale greys, piles of plastic toys, power clean the drive, pretty baskets, properties, recycle, room, rugs, ruthless, selling your home, shampoo bottles, skirting boards, sofa, soft shade, stacks of books, summer, tidy, utility room, walls, warmth, Wash the walls, windows cleaned

With the summer coming to and end and autumn on the horizon, what better time to consider selling your home.

As well as speaking to estate agents, searching online for new properties and looking at your finances, you may also want to make some adjustments to your house to make it as marketable as possible and to help secure the best price.

We aren’t talking about designer makeovers or expensive extensions, but small changes that can have a big impact.

Make it clean
While potential buyers need to be able to visual your home as theirs, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to do so, which means offering a clean slate. Wash the walls, have the windows cleaned, gutters tidied, carpets cleaned and if needed, get a gardener to tidy up outside. Yes, it is an investment but one you will reap back.

Take the clutter away
Decluttering has become quite ‘a thing’ and that’s because it works. Go through your house room by room and well as ensuring you have dust free doors, lights and skirting boards, clear the house of old newspapers, stacks of books, piles of plastic toys and half empty shampoo bottles. Be ruthless and throw away, give away and recycle anything you just don’t want or need. For anything left and remaining in the house, either box up and put in the loft or tidy away neatly in cupboards or pretty baskets.

A coat of paint
If you have lived in a property for many years, the walls can take a battering and buyers will notice this. A fresh coat of paint instantly brightens any room and if you go for a soft shade you will add a sense of warmth and luxury to your house. Off whites and pale greys are not only on trend but also work well with most furnishings, making it appealing to people looking round.

Make space
Once you have a clean, clear canvas you can look at how you are using space. Yes, right now you love having a massive sofa, armchair and bean bags in the living room – but this will make the room look cramped and small – not what you are trying to convey. We aren’t saying go minimal, but clearing away large pieces of furniture, opening the curtains and having the right lighting can make a massive difference.

Look at the front door
If you have taken the time to fix the windows, power clean the drive and trim the hedges, you don’t want to fall down with a dodgy front door. If it’s really bad consider fitting a new one, otherwise clean it down, paint it and add a new doorknob, brass letterbox or smart house number and the difference can be well worth the effort.

Small touches
When you have viewings, first of all make sure the house is spotlessly clean and if possible, go out and let the agent show buyers around – this is especially true for a first viewing. Having flowers, or house plants, can have a real impact on the look and the feel of your property, and rod diffusers placed strategically in rooms like the kitchen, bathroom and utility room can be a good idea. Mirrors will reflect light and make the place look bigger and brighter, rugs and cushions offer a homely feel and those stories of freshly baked bread….they are true!

If you do sell, we wish you lots of luck!

Team Pure-Beauty