Waxing- What To Expect

Booking a body wax for the first time can be daunting- In fact, even those who are well practised in the world of wax often feel apprehension towards that routine salon trip. From feeling self-conscious to dealing with those nagging questions- Will It hurt? How long will it hurt for? Have I let my hair grow in enough for it to be effective? We’ve all been here.

Stress no more- Here at PURE, we want to make sure that our clients have the most comfortable an successful salon trips possible. We offer a wide variety of body waxing for both male and female clients, from Underarm to Hollywood or full body for those looking for an all-over skin smoothing beauty overhaul.

We have created this Handy Guide to Waxing to ensure that all of your worries and questions are answered, and you can be as informed as possible about what to expect from your waxing appointment at PURE.

Using hot or strip wax to remove body hair over shaving or other alternative comes with heaps of benefits:

· Say Goodbye to Itchy Skin– There’s nothing like a bit of razor burn to ruin your day- that red bumpy irritating rash is a thing of the past as soon as you ditch those razors!

· Waxing is proven to produce fewer and finer regrowth than removal cream and shaving- so your legs appear smoother for longer

· Less chance of ingrown hairs, so you can finally put those tweezers away!

· Fast and efficient- lie back and relax while our therapist does all the work

Our therapists use the best hair removal products on the market, you have the choice between hot wax or strip wax so you can feel totally comfortable throughout your treatment.

Australian Bodycare- The brand leader in Tea Tree Oil products since 1992. The waxing products not only heal but maintain naturally clean and healthy skin and hair. Whilst the distinctive scent of Tea Tree Oil disappears quickly, the antiseptic effect continues to protect skin.

Perron Rigot– Natural and market leading waxing beads designed for extremely supple for comfortable application

Our therapist are highly trained and have developed waxing techniques that are gentle on skin, fast, less painful, skin-friendly for both, males and females. No matter what kind of waxing you choose: facial, body or intimate, we will deliver superior results. And once your treatment is done, ask our therapists about waxing aftercare products in our salons.

One of the main benefits of waxing is that you don’t have to do much- but there are a few things you should keep in mind prior to your appointment to make things easier for both you and your therapist and guarantee the best results.

1. Don’t shave beforehand– let your hair grow out as much as possible, if your hair is short then our therapist will not be able to carry out the treatment. Hair should be no less than a quarter of an inch long to make sure that the wax can pick the hairs up.

2. Exfoliate– This isn’t an essential step but gentle exfoliation prior to your waxing appointment can ease pain during the treatment as well as leaving your skin silky smooth.

3. Don’t apply any cream or tan to the skin before waxing as this may interfere with the wax and prevent it sticking

4. Be comfortable- wear loose fitting comfortable clothes! Your skin may feel a little irritation directly after your treatment so it’s important to take steps to be as comfortable as possible. If you are coming in for a bikini wax remember- cotton underwear works best!

5. Drink plenty of water before and after- keeping your body hydrated can help target and reduce pain.

After your appointment, your therapist will talk you through some detailed aftercare instructions to ensure that you get the most out of your wax and prevent any pain or irritation. Here are a few things to remember:

1. If having a bath or shower post-appointment, ensure that the water is not too hot as this might cause some irritation. Lukewarm is best.

2. Keep the waxed area clean and avoid heat and friction for 24 hours.

3. Don’t use saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs or sun beds for 24 hours post appointment.

4. Avoid scratching or touching– some areas may appear red or bumpy for a short time, this is completely normal and will go away You can apply some antiseptic cream is needed.

5. Do not apply any perfumed deodorants or creams to the area.

6. After 24 hours you may begin using a good quality moisturiser. We recommend Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Body Lotion

We stock a full range of natural and skin nourishing Australian Bodycare Waxing aftercare products in all of our salons. These incredible value products are professional quality and all infused with soothing Tea Tree Oil a 100% natural and pure oil extracted from the leaves of the Australian tree, Melaleuca Alternifolia.

Book your next wax today with PURE.

Visit purespauk.com to book online or give us a call on 0343 507 1888. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact our customer services department on [email protected]

We Need To Talk About Himalayan Salt

Ever heard of a wonder mineral? These rare and indispensable beauties are naturally formed by Mother Earth herself to bring us a cornucopia of health benefits for both our insides and outsides! Here at PURE, we love to celebrate all things natural, sustainable and valuable to our bodies.

Let’s talk about Himalayan Salt– we can’t  get enough of it! If you’ve ever been into one of our luxurious Spas for our signature PURE Body Scrub you’ll know all about how magical this dusky rose gem is for gently dusting away all that rough skin to produce a soft and supple glow from head to toe whilst proving you with that much needed tranquil and well-rested post-spa feeling. In fact, we love Himalayan salt so much we have decided to include it as part of our core PURE Skincare retail collection in our brand-new Spa from Home Kit– so you can recreate that wonderful spa feeling from the comfort of your own home!

Himalayan salt is one of the world purest salts. Hailing from the Punjab region of Pakistan, Himalayan salt is mined from the base of the Himalayas. It is made up of over 80 different minerals, including zinc, chromium, magnesium, calcium, iron and iodine- each of which comes with it’s own unique set of health benefits when used on the skin:

Zinc- Strengthens immune system

Chromium- Looks after metabolism

Magnesium- helps with muscle and nerve function, regulating blood pressure and immune system boosting

Calcium- Maintains bone and muscle strength- has anti-ageing properties

Iron- Helps provide energy and focus

Iodine- Promotes Thyroid health

Potassium- Aids in cell-restoration

Himalayan salt is known to literally scrub away aches and pains– it sounds unbelievable but this wonder miracle lives up to its name! Many people who suffer from chronic pain have acknowledged the salt as indispensable in soothing muscle tensions- rubbing in circular motions around sore areas will help loosen off pain and boost circulation whilst cleansing those pores and getting rid of dead skin- remarkable!

Wondering what it might do to your skin? Rumour has it using Himalayan Salt regularly can make you GLOW! That’s right, all of these vitamins and minerals are loaded with skin brightening properties that will work wonders for your complexion. It can even help to reduce the irritation, redness and scaling of eczema and psoriasis to name a few.

Body Scrub: Himalayan salt is exfoliating in texture and will leave your skin soft and smooth. Regular skin exfoliation is so important to bring into your routine because it is proven to boost the collagen production in your skin, which is the protein involved in keeping your skin smooth. Why not try PURE’s DIY body scrub, using a few pumps of our PURE Massage Oil and a scoop of PURE Himalayan salt. Wet the skin, and apply the scrub in circular motions, to remove dead skin cells, being sure to avoid any broken or irritated skin.

Bath Salts: Add PURE Himalayan salts to the bath, it’s easy, relaxing and effective. Not only does salt have microbial properties, which helps to calm and soothe body acne, but it can also help rescue skin irritation and inflammation. Plus, there’s the whole mind-body relaxation that happens whenever you take the time to soak in a warm bath. In fact, some studies have found that bathing has equal mental and physical benefits such as reduced anxiety, relieved tension and increased overall blood flow.

Pedicure: You can give your feet some attention and create a foot soak or a soot scrub. Pink Himalayan salt helps your skin retain moisture, therefore adding it to a foot soak with warm water; painful and tired feet can be relieved and rejuvenated with the salt helping the moisture return to them. If you want to soak up the health benefits of Himalayan salt, treat your feet to a luxurious soak. If you struggle with ankle or foot aches, warm Himalayan salt water can relax cramped muscles. The magnesium and calcium present in the salt can also help strengthen your bones, connective tissues, and skin, which can help reduce everyday soreness or pain.

Himalayan salts are soothing for your soul and mental wellbeing. Adding himalayan salts to your bath not only simulates the calming effect of lying on a warm saltwater beach but it is also said to melt away stress, reduce fatigue and improve emotional health. This calming and soothing effect of soaking in a Himalayan salts bath, is the perfect addition to your bedtime ritual. Taking a warm soak in the evening will help you melt away the stress of your day, and ease into a deep restful sleep. Your sleep quality will thank you, as well as your skin.

Not sold yet? Try it for yourself in our brand new Spa At Home Kit- worth over £55- Get it for just £25 until 30th April!

End of Year Blog with Our Brand Ambassador- Gabrielle Macdonald


As the end of 2020 approaches, I have been reflecting on what has been a strange and difficult year for everyone. This time last year I had just finished my first season as a professional and was excited about progressing in 2020. I headed out to South Africa in February where despite tasting victory in the team event, I then went on and missed the next 3 cuts. It was a loss of form that took me admittedly by surprise, much like the Covid-19 pandemic and the unexpected turn my season took after I got home from South Africa. Event after event got postponed or cancelled, as the world and global travel came to a standstill. During the initial lockdown, not being able to play golf for around 11 weeks was hard but nothing compared to what some people were going through, and thankfully those in my family who caught the virus have now recovered. 

As the summer rolled on and restrictions were eased, there was light at the end of the tunnel for myself and fellow golf professionals in Scotland as Paul Lawrie announced a new mixed gender Tartan Tour. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to compete again after 4-5 months without tournaments. I managed to play in 3 events before the Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS) season resumed with a reduced schedule of 5 events. It was a credit to the Tour and tournament sponsors for managing to put any events on for us, and I know we are all so grateful the opportunities we had this year. I played in Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Spain and although we were in tournament bubbles with strict Covid-19 protocols it was fantastic to be back doing my job. I had some success with two top 25s and a career best of 3rd place in Prague. This gave a chance of finishing inside the top 5 on the Order of Merit, which would have given me status for the main Ladies European Tour. Unfortunately, two missed cuts in Spain saw me finish 13th on the OOM. It was a disappointing finish to my season but putting myself in these positions shows I’m on the right track towards reaching my goals. 

Since returning home I have been practicing at Craigielaw and working on my fitness again. I have been trying to run 100km a month since November and have also returned to the gym to improve my strength and power which will hopefully lead to distance gains on the golf course. With all this exercise, I’ve been needing to recover properly, and it has been fantastic to go for massages at Pure Spa. It definitely helps with my recovery and eases muscle soreness. 

I’m planning on heading to South Africa in February to start my 2021 season, and with the vaccine beginning to be rolled out, I’m hopeful for a more normal looking golf calendar in the year to come. Until then, I will be getting into the Christmas spirit by thanking those who have helped me this year and sending (virtual) hugs to all my family and friends. I am hoping to spend Christmas Day with my family relaxing and eating lots of delicious food! We would normally have a big family party between Christmas and New Year but as it’s not possible this year I might have to go on a few more walks in order to see extended family. 

I would like to say a big thanks to Pure Spa for their continued support and wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas. Cheers to a better year to come.

Maskne: What Is It And How Can I Treat It?

About the author: Scott McDougall (MPharm) is the co-founder and registered manager of The Independent Pharmacy, an online pharmacy and healthcare resource based in the UK. As co-founder of a leading online pharmacy, Scott has a particular interest in the safe and responsible implementation of online healthcare services.

Wearing face masks has become a part of everyday life during the pandemic. And while they’re an important part of fighting the spread of COVID-19 many people are finding they’re getting unwanted skin problems from wearing a mask. With requirements to wear a mask set to remain for the foreseeable future, we’ve taken a look at how you can treat and prevent maskne.

Maskne is an outbreak of spots and blemishes caused by wearing a face mask for prolonged periods of time. They occur mostly around the chin, but all areas of skin underneath the mask can be affected.

The constant contact between the mask and your face causes micro-tears in the skin and makes it easy for bacteria and dirt to clog up pores. On top of this, breathing inside the mask creates a moist environment and increases the build-up of sweat, oil, and bacteria, which exacerbates the problem and leads to pimples and acne cysts.

Once these skin problems have started to show up, wearing masks again often makes them even worse. So it’s important to be aware of how to treat your skin when you experience maskne and what steps you can take to minimise or prevent it from happening in the first place.

Wash your face

Use a gentle cleanser or face wash and warm water to clean your face before wearing a mask. This helps to get rid of any dirt and bacteria that’s already on your skin that can cause breakouts when you put the mask on.

Use moisturiser

The next step before putting a mask on is to apply a moisturiser that’s suitable for sensitive skin. If your skin feels oily you might think it’s counterintuitive to use moisturiser but it can actually help. It’s important to keep your skin hydrated and minimise irritation, and the moisturiser can also act as a barrier to reduce some of the friction.

Avoid makeup

If you can, try to stop wearing makeup underneath your mask, it can help further clog up your pores and also makes the inside of your mask dirty. If you want to still wear makeup, choose lighter products that are suitable for sensitive skin. And remember to regularly clean your brushes or applicators to stop a build-up of germs from the acne.

Keep washing your mask

Cotton, reusable masks are a lot better for your skin than disposable masks that are made with synthetic materials. However, it’s essential to wash your masks after every single time you wear them. A used mask is full of dirt and bacteria, so putting it back on is going to make your skin worse. If you’re wearing a mask for a full day, try to change it halfway through.

You also need to be careful about what kind of laundry detergent you use, as fragrances and fabric softener can irritate your skin further.

Treat it like other acne

Although the initial cause is slightly different, you can treat maskne the same way you would any other kind of acne. To start, it’s important to understand your skin type so you can treat it in the best way.

Try to use mostly oil-free skin care products and avoid thick, heavy creams that are going to further clog your pores. The Elemis Hydra-Balance Day Cream is a good choice for balancing out your skin and reducing excess oil.

Eating a balanced diet without too much dairy and sugar can also make a difference to the skin for some people. It’s also important to avoid touching your face as much as possible and don’t be tempted to pick at any spots, it can end up making it a lot worse and even leave you with scarring.

If your maskne is still getting worse then it’s worth considering specific acne treatments. You can ask advice from a pharmacist but look for products that contain certain ingredients to help acne. In particular, Benzoyl peroxide can reduce the bacteria on your skin, retinoids help unclog pores and make skin less oily, and salicylic acid also unclogs pores and reduces inflammation.

A commonly prescribed treatment is Duac gel, which contains benzoyl peroxide, and clindamycin, an antibiotic ingredient. If you’re wondering how long does Duac take to work, don’t fret but be patient — it can be two or four weeks before you start to see your skin clearing up.

Before using it you should read up on how Duac works to get a complete understanding of whether it might be a good option for you. There are also lots of other prescription treatments you can try for persistent maskne, so it might take some time to find the best one for your skin.

Don’t stress your skin out

While it can be really tempting to use harsh products that dry out your skin or wash your face multiple times a day, this can actually make things worse. It can make your skin react more, and if your skin is too dry it can overcompensate and end up producing more oil, which causes more spots. Try to only wash your face once in the morning, once at night, and after you’ve done a workout or exercise.

While maskne can be frustrating, by following these steps, treating your skin well, and wearing clean masks you should be able to prevent further breakouts.