Harnessing the Power of Apricots

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alcohol, antioxidants, Apricot, apricot kernel oil, apricots, balance, cleansing, cotton wool, dermalogica, Dermalogica Precleanse, Elemis, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm, Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner, fatty acids, irritation, linoleic acid, mineral oils, moisturisation, natural, oil, parabens, pH, Quillaja Wood, saponins, SLES, sodium laureth sulphate, soothe, soothing, spritz, Sweet Betty flower, vitamin A

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The humble apricot might not seem like anything special but it actually contains a whole host of things which are incredibly good for us, which is why several of the products we sell contain some element of apricot in them. From antioxidants to all-natural moisturisation, we take a look at some of the best apricot containing products from Elemis and Dermalogica and exactly what they’re doing to keep you beautiful.

Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner

One of the things which apricot does best is soothing the skin and reducing irritation, which is why Elemis has based this toner on it’s properties. As well as containing apricot extract, the toner also contains Sweet Betty flower, which Tones, moisturises and re-balances precious pH levels without the use of alcohol and saponins from Quillaja Wood help to soothe and harmonise the skin. As will all Elemis products, this toner has no parabens, sodium laureth sulphate or mineral oils, which can damage the skin in the long run. Sweep it over the face with a cotton wool pad after cleansing the face, or use as a spritz when your face is feeling hot, dry or tight.

Dermalogica Precleanse

You may be asking “why do I need to PRE-cleanse my skin?”, but this precleanse from Dermalogica has been described as a wonder-product by professional dermatologists, beauty professionals and our customers alike. It dissolves oil-based make-up, sebum, sunscreens and environmental pollutants from skin’s surface, enabling skin to be thoroughly cleansed, all without compromising the delicate balance of natural oils which exist within the skin. It contains apricot kernel oil which not only helps soothe to irritation, nourish, and moisturize the skin, but is also an excellent source of fatty acids, Vitamin A and Linoleic Acid which help to reverse and combat the signs of ageing.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm

The eyes can be a really tricky area to deal with; the skin is very delicate and the whole area can be really sensitive, even if the rest of your face isn’t, however, they’re also one of the main areas where people report the early signs of ageing first. This means that a product which is powerful yet soothing and delicate is imperative, which is where this balm from Elemis comes in. As well as containing omega-rich apricot kernel oil which nourishes the delicate eye contour area, it also benefits from chamomile, arnica and bird of paradise flower, which reduce wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. It’s free from fragrance and any irritating preservatives and is perfect for use on even the most sensitive of eyes.

The Mighty Mango

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almonds, avocados, balanced diet, beta-carotene, big, blemishes, blend, blueberries, breast, carotenoids, central, chopping board, colon, complexion, copper, cream, cubes, cup, cut, digestion, dry eyes, easy to manage, elimination, enzymes, exposed flesh, face mask, fibre, glow, halves, healthy and strong, heath promoting qualities, horizontal, hormone production, ice, Immune System Booster, leukaemia, lower cholesterol levels, natural beauties, night blindness, pattern, pectin, potassium, production, prostate cancer, protein, RDA, recharge, recipe, red blood cells, salsa, salt intake, seed, skin loving Vitamin E, sliced mango, spinach, spots, vertical, vitamin A, Vitamin B6, waste

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

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.

Botanicals at Pure Beauty

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Aloe, botanicals, cells, corn cob meal, decleor, dermalogica, Elemis, exfoliate, fresh, Mallow, natural, overstimulation, regenrate, regrowth, vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E

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For many of our customers, using products which contain natural ingredients is of utmost importance as they want to ensure that everything they put on their skin is completely chemical-free. We sell many products which are derived from natural botanicals, so we thought we’d give you an overview of some of the best:

Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Tint SPF30

This product from Dermalogica performs many different functions, harnessing the power of botanicals to help guard skin against premature aging and irritation as well as using tinted earth minerals to give a light coverage and also protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It protects against the signs of ageing as well as irritation and is a great all-round product.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque

This intensive, concentrated masque contains a high concentration of vitamins and botanical extracts to give a powerful dose of moisture to the skin, aid collagen synthesis, increase elasticity and restore suppleness. It’s a product with a luxurious feel which can be used twice a week.

Elemis British Botanical Shower Cream

Having a shower can be as functional or as luxurious as you want it, simply by tweaking the products you use, and this shower cream from Elemis is the perfect luxuriant cream. It contains lavender, geranium, chamomile and palmerosa which combine to make a deeply relaxing and restorative shower experience.

Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair

The eyes are an area in which we should all be careful about the products we use because the skin is so delicate, which is why this intensive eye repair from Dermalogica contains eye-soothing botanicals of cucumber, butcherbroom and arnica to help maintain the skin’s optimum health and restore suppleness. It has a high concentration of vitamins A, C and E to restore the skin on the deepest level.

Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub

Scrubbing the skin can be tricky; you want to slough away the dead skin cells as efficiently as possible without causing irritation to the skin, which is why using natural ingredients is important as they won’t damage the epidermis. This prep scrub from Dermalogica uses natural corn cob meal as an exfoliant, and also contains mallow, ivy and aloe vera to soothe and protect the skin, leaving you feeling refreshen without being overstimulated.

Five Super Soups for Autumn

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autumn, bacon, chicken, cold, comfort, decleor, dermalogica, ham, minerals, nutrition, pea, soup, tomato, vitamin A, Vitamin C, wild rice, winter

One of the best things about the changing seasons is the different produce which becomes available and now that the weather is starting to cool down, our thoughts are turning to comfort foods. Soups are excellent in so many ways; not only are they warming and comforting, they’re easy to make, use fresh ingredients and can help us to get several of our five-a-day in one meals. We’ve got five suggestions for seasonal super soups which contain huge amounts of nutrition for our skin and hair whilst making you feel like you’re getting a hug in your bowl!

Butternut Squash with Chilli and Crème Fraiche

Butternut squash is the perfect example of a tasty seasonal offering and epitomises autumn for us here at Pure Beauty. As well as offering an enormous amount of Vitamin A (over 200% of your RDA in just 100g!), the hint of chilli will give you a warming boost and the crème fraiche will give you a creamy touch and a calcium boost without adding millions of unwanted calories.

Tomato Soup with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This is probably one of the simplest yet most popular suggestions for soup and is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. The grilled cheese may not be the lowest-calorie option but it won’t hurt to indulge every now and again and the tomatoes contain lots of vitamin C, which is important for cell growth and skin healing.

Pea and Ham Soup

This retro-tastic soup may not be such a popular option these days but you can bring it up to modern day by using split peas and a whole load of bacon! The beauty of soup is that you can add pretty much anything you want to make it to your taste and the saltiness of the extra bacon combined with the freshness of the peas will combine to make a flavour explosion.

Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet potato is another amazing ingredient to use as the base of a soup as it contains a whole load of vitamins and minerals, and gives a sweetness which can be built upon to create an amazing flavour. Experiment with flavours and textures such as avocado and kidney beans for a truly different and tasty creation.

Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

No list of soups is complete without a chicken soup on it, but we’ve gone for something a little different to the usual plain old cream of chicken soup. Chicken and Wild Rice soup has a delicious flavour, a creaminess thanks to the starchy rice and is also super filling and packed with protein. It’s really simple to make and contains at least three of your five-a-day in just one bowl!