It’s safe to say that 2020 has brought with it many challenges for both employees and employers. Unexpected twists and turns along with the months of lockdown introduced a vein of uncertainty throughout the year and for those who were furloughed or working from home, a whole new routine and way of life to adapt to.
As we approach Christmas, it’s time to think about ways to reward and say thank you to our hard-working teams who have worked tirelessly this year to adjust to the ‘new normal’ both in and out of the workplace.
We all know that working from home has caused everyone a bit of extra stress. Finding a balance between juggling work with the chaos of home life and childcare as well as finding suitable spaces in the home to call “the office” may have let workers feeling a little out of balance, not to mention the aches pains caused by sitting behind a makeshift desk (that kitchen chair definitely doesn’t provide the same support as the one in the office!)
Results from a recent study by The UK’s largest Healthcare Charity revealed over 80% of the nation felt that working from home has negatively affected their mental health with many people admitting that, this year it has been especially difficult to find a work/life balance.”
It’s time to say thanks to those employees who have worked tirelessly over the past few months. What better way to say thanks than with some time away from that hectic schedule- time to zone out, recover and feel valued.
The benefits certainly don’t end there! With staff going into the new year feeling appreciated, you could see some encouraging results on productivity and complacency within teams. The Monday-Tuesday slog could be replaced with a week-long motivated workforce!
That’s where we come in. Our fresh, new corporate bulk buy scheme allows you to show your employees their value without breaking the bank yourself. Our scheme allows your staff to choose a treatment that suits their needs the most- perhaps that office chair has resulted in some nagging back pain- they could opt for our tension relieving and de-stressing deep tissue massage. Or, for some, a maskne targeting facial might be more appealing.
With our new Corporate scheme you can choose gift cards loaded with specific amounts of time for your employees to choose freely!
Purchase bundles of our treatment time gift cards for your employees, the more you buy the more you save!
Email [email protected] if you wish to receive more information on our pricing structure or to make a purchase.
For the majority of office workers around the nation, day-to-day routines have significantly changed as of late. Daily, rush hour commutes have been exchanged for a walk through the hall to whichever room the makeshift home office has been set up in and tight work clothes have magically transformed into snug hoodies (of course we all have our go to zoom blouse at hand to change into for those unscheduled, virtual meetings).
While escaping the dreaded commute has given us the gift of more free time to spend doing the things we love or picking up new hobbies or just simply spending time with family- it has come with a few drawbacks. The pressure of combining work activities with home environments can impact us both mentally, physically and professionally. Increased distractions can have detrimental effects on productivity, less time doing physical activity throughout the day and inadequate, temporary desk spaces are leaving us with more muscle pain than ever and spending our days cooped up in the same room has proven to be a catalyst for major breakouts.
Here are some easy and realistic steps you can take to help increase your overall health whilst working from home:
Creating a very clear division between your working environment and your personal space is key.
The best way to increase productivity is to ensure that the space that you are completing your work can be in no way associated with somewhere that you relax. This means that working from the bedroom should be off bounds (if you do have to work from your bedroom then opt for a space in the room you rarely use- definitely do not set up for the day whilst in bed).
Other tips here include:
Despite the urge- do not reach for that TV remote. You wouldn’t watch ‘Come Dine with Me’ in the office, so why do it just because you are home? Try to enforce the same level of professionalism as you would in your office environment.
While it is tempting to work from your pyjamas, it’s a known fact that showering and putting on a fresh set of clothes will help switch on your brain and set you up for the day. You might not need to don that business suit every morning- but soft trousers and a t-shirt might make you feel ready to take the day by storm.
Go to a different room to eat your lunch- this will create a bit more of a refreshing, break-time atmosphere and allow your brain to zap straight back into work mode easily when you return to your desk.
Set your office space as out of bounds from anyone else in the house- if they want to speak to you they should knock and wait outside.
Being cooped up in the house all day makes it harder to get those vital 10,000 steps. Maybe you have found yourself going to the gym less since it’s no longer easy to nip in on your way home from work; or maybe you’ve been savouring that morning lie in now that you no longer have a peak time train to rush for.
Try waking up at the time you normally would if you were going to the office. You can use that extra hour to go for a run, do some yoga or maybe a home workout. It’s a great way to wake up your mind and body and start your day the right way.
Don’t let your diet slip into unhealthy patterns just because you don’t need to do the weekly meal prep each Sunday anymore. It might be easy to reach for those instant noodles sometimes but a healthy balanced diet is key for keeping your mind active. Make sure to plan your meals weekly and eat food rich in nutrients and plenty fruity snacks to keep you going throughout the day. Running on coffee alone never got anyone anywhere.
Try to get up and walk around for at least 5 minutes each hour. Sitting down all day can cause our muscles to ache and our posture to fall flat- the leading cause of back pain and the dreaded ‘tech-neck’. Try to treat yourself to a massage at least once a month to help ease the tension in your back caused by sitting at a desk most days- your body and mind will thank you for it.
If you feel like your back has been aching, take ten minutes to do some stretches. Youtube is full of handy guides on how to stretch out your body and improve your posture. Another good tip is to pop a pillow on your chair for extra back support.
Be sure to spend time outside each day- an afternoon or evening walk is so beneficial for clearing your mind and your skin.
It’s important to incorporate a skincare regime into your day. Just ten minutes each morning and night of giving your skin some care and attention will help prevent those breakouts and keep skin bright and healthy even while sitting behind a computer.
Most importantly, be sure to look after your own health during this time. Get eight hours of sleep per night, talk to friends and family regularly and remind yourself that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and life as we know it will resume as normal before we know it.
Got any of your own tips and tricks for getting through the day whilst working from home? Why not share them in the comments section to help others.
What a strange 6 months! The COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK just as I arrived home from South Africa in March, halting my season in Europe before it even got started. The 11 weeks of strict lockdown was the longest I’ve gone without playing golf, and as I live in a one bedroom flat in Edinburgh, it was certainly a challenge to avoid boredom! I managed to stay as active as possible, going on long walks exploring every route surrounding my flat, doing workouts inside, as well as joining Strava and running more than I have ever before. It kept me busy, and like most other people I also made a fair few banana breads and kept in touch with family and friends over zoom calls and weekly quiz nights!
From the start of June when golf courses opened again, I played nearly every day, making up for lost time and getting prepared for whenever my season might start again. Most weeks events were cancelled or postponed and I did wonder if we would start competing at all this year. I was therefore very welcome to hear that there was a new Tartan Tour starting up in Scotland, a mixed tour playing alongside the men for equal prize money. The first event was at Carnoustie, an Open Championship venue and I finished 33rd and 3rd placed out of the women. Since then I’ve played two other events on the Tartan Tour, and although it’s been difficult to beat the men, I’ve loved competing in Scotland and very grateful for the opportunities set up by Paul Lawrie.
As restrictions were eased at home, and Pure Spa reopened, I was sooo happy to come in for a full body massage and pamper session! It was amazing and my body felt so relaxed afterwards! As I’m golfing and training most days, it really helps my body to recover and to feel mentally refreshed.
In the last couple of weeks the Ladies European Tour Access Series has started which has been fantastic. My first event was in Switzerland and despite a poor first round, I played well in round 2 to make the cut, and I finished 34th after 54 holes. It was very strange to be back, with lots of new protocols in place due to COVID-19. We have to receive a negative test before travelling and then we are in a strict tournament bubble, only being allowed to go to the golf course and the official hotel. There is very little socialising with other players and no contact like handshakes or hugs are allowed. We have daily health checks and so far no one has tested positive for Covid-19 (touch wood this continues).
Despite the new normal, I’ve loved being back playing and getting the buzz from competing. We are really lucky to be able to return to work, and it’s due to the hard work of the tour and the sponsors making it possible for us to earn a living again.
This week I’ve been in Prague in the Czech Republic, and I recorded my best ever finish on the LETAS, coming 3rd with a total of 6 under par. I played great all week and really enjoyed being in contention on the final day. Hopefully more of this to come as I’m now back in Switzerland for the next event. I’ve being feeling pretty tired after a busy few weeks and lots of 6am flights so I’m now trying to recover over the weekend whilst quarantining in the hotel. I’ll definitely be in need of a massage at Pure Spa Newhaven once I’m home post-quarantine!
This season is very short with only another two events left in October. Hopefully they both go ahead as things are changing every week. For now I’m just happy to be back doing what I love and hopefully there’s plenty more birdies out there for me this week!
We spend our whole lives getting to know ourselves as individuals. Knowing what makes you tick both inside and out- your mind, body, likes, dislikes and everything that comes with it is a key factor in life and something that we never stop studying and perfecting… but did you ever stop to take the time to get to know your skin?
Each and every one of us has a different skin type, some people’s might remain the same for their whole life and others can find it to be ever changing. Skin type is usually determined by genetics, however there are a whole range of factors that can cause it to change over time- such as age, sun exposure, mental health, diet and a whole bunch of environmental factors.
Skin flow chart
We have put together a full-proof skin type guide to help you get to know your skin type and make sure you give your skin the best treatment you possibly can. After all, it’s with you for life!
If you’ve not done it already, scroll up and take some time to do our skin-type quiz, this will help indicate what your skin type might be.
Now you’ve found out what your skin type might be, lets delve a little further into what that means.
Maybe a little self-explanatory but a dry-skin type means that your skin is likely to be lacking in moisture, a little flaky and tight around the face with pores being barely visible. People with dry skin are often likely to have more defined fine lines on the skin and are prone to suffering from dullness and sensitivity. This dullness is often due to an excess amount of dead skin cells on the surface of the face.
Things to avoid:
Sun exposure
Hot showers.
Exfoliating products with salicylic or glycolic acid
Any products containing detergents, sulphates and anything with fragrance
Too much caffeine
Fake tan on face
How to help dry skin:
Opt for a moisturising cream rather than a gel or lotion. This will provide your skin with much deeper and long-lasting hydration. Moisturize morning and night for best results.
Drink plenty of water also, moisturising your skin will not be beneficial unless you ensure that your body is hydrated also. 8 glasses of water per day is the recommended amount.
Steer clear of heavy foundations and invest in a good tinted moisturiser or BB cream instead. Your skin will thank you.
Wear lip balm to keep lips hydrated
Introduce a mild, oil based facial cleanser and hyaluronic acid serum into your daily skincare regime.
Be sure to exfoliate a couple times a week, this can help remove dead skin cells and improve the overall texture of the skin. Chemical exfoliation using AHAs is recommended as it is a little less intrusive than using a facial scrub.
Make sure you incorporate a decent spf into your everyday skincare, this is vital to protect your skin from pesky sun exposure and prevent ageing and fine lines.
Product Recommendations:
Elemis Hydra-Boost Day cream – This super-nourishing, anti-oxidant rich day cream helps provide continuous hydration and moisturisation to leave skin feeling nourished, smooth and supple.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Cleanser– Stimulates the skin’s natural cell renewal cycle, smoothing and refining whilst gently sloughing away dead skin cells which dull the complexion.
IMAGE Total Pure Hyaluronic Filler– This concentrated topical filler contains six different forms of hyaluronic acid and boosts both instant and time released hydration. Fill in fine lines without an injection.
If you have an oily skin type you might recognise some of the following issues:
Skin appearing shiny or greasy
Waking up with a thick layer of sebum (thick layer of buildup on the skin) in the morning and this often reoccurring throughout the way
Enlarged, visible pores
Skin prone to blackheads, spots and blemishes
Likely to suffer from acne or other bacterial infections
Nodding your head to all of these? Still not sure whether or not oily if your type? Take a tissue, blot it on your forehead and if there is any residue then it’s likely you’re in the right place.
As your skin secretes more than enough natural oil, hydration really isn’t your issue, so what does it mean to have oily skin? Unfortunately, It means that our skin can often get slightly congested. We are significantly more prone to breakouts and find it hard to find skincare products that feel light on our skin.
Skin Myth : People with oily skin shouldn’t use facial oils or oil-based cleanser
False. In fact, using oil-based skincare products can actually be beneficial in aiding in the replenishment of your skin’s natural oils, in turn keeping oil levels balanced and preventing breakouts.
Things to avoid:
Heavy moisturisers- opt for something lightweight instead.
Greasy or fatty food. Eating a diet rich in nutrients can help tackle oily skin.
Thick, oil-based makeup.
How to Look After Oily Skin
Cleanse the face regularly, we recommend cleansing once in the morning and opting for a double cleanse at night- first with an oil-based cleanser and then again with a gel or foam cleanser.
Use a toner after cleansing to help dry out the skin and wash away any excess dirt
Use a facial oil rich in linoleic acid, good examples of this are Ylang Ylang, Lavender or Jojoba oil.
Gently pat your face dry after washing
Opt for a clay based facial mask as these are good for oil absorption, however, be sure to use them sparingly as overuse can cause the skin to dry out. Make sure you moisturise afterwards.
If wearing makeup, opt for water-based products and make sure that all make-up is thoroughly cleansed off each night to avoid clogged pores.
·Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask –This soothing clay mask incorporates clarifying and soothing Rosemary, Thyme and Lavender Essential Oils blended with Kaolin to purify dull, blemished and congested complexions.
· PURE Skincare Regulate & Clear Facial Oil – Treat oily or blemished skin with this skin balancing dry oil moisturiser with regulating Ylang Ylang and purifying orange and lavender. Active oil balancing moisturiser enriched with GLA and antioxidant protection.
Combination skin is the most common of all skin types, this usually consists of skin that is oily in places and dry in others, with skin texture and conditions changing between the cheeks and t-zone. People with combination skin may find that their skin changes depending on external/environmental factors. Most commonly, combination skin consists of an oily t-zone with dryer patches on the cheeks, however this can vary. Combination skin is also likely to present fairly large, open pores in some areas and visible blemishes.
People with combination skin often have a slightly more thorough skincare routine as they have to cater for both the dryer parts of the face as well as the oil-based zones.
Things to avoid:
Over exfoliation- it’s important to keep the skin’s PH balance correct to even out the skin texture, so do not use too many exfoliation products. We recommend opting for a chemical exfoliant with AHA and using it no more than 2 times per week.
Touching your face- the hands carry a lot of hidden dirt and germs, this will only cause build up and blocked pores.
Using too many skincare products- less is always more! Certain skincare products can actually cause extra sebum build up and, in turn, excess oil and moisture on the face. It is important to make informed skincare choices and make sure that all products you use compliment each other. Make sure that when you are buying skincare products they are made specifically for combination skin (these are often labelled as balancing).
How to Look after Combination skin:
Keep your body hydrated both inside and out. Make sure you are consuming 2 litres of water per day and using a good moisturiser. Moisturising lotion or gel creams often work best for combination skin- you can always use a slightly heavier cream on areas that have considerable dryness.
Be sure to use an alcohol-free toner. This will combat any dryness whilst still mattifying that oily t-zone.
Use a custom multi-mask once per week, applying a hydrating and brightening mask to dry areas and a purifying clay mask to oily areas this is a great method for addressing the skin’s specific concerns and can be completely personalised to your needs.
Use an oil free SPF
Remember to cleanse make-up off thoroughly, especially around the hairline to avoid extra oil build-up and clogged pores.
Elemis Superfood Facial Oil – This vegan friendly 100% natural facial oil delivers power packed nutrients to nourish and hydrate. Skin will appear healthier looking, glowing and radiant.
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel – Natural fruit enzymes of exfoliating Papaya and calming Pineapple will gently smooth and clarify the complexion without use of harsh exfoliants.
Suffer from frequent breakouts, irritation or broken skin? It’s likely that you have a sensitive skin-type. This is due to a breakdown of the skin barrier. Skin may go through bouts of both oiliness and dryness and this can be ever-changing depending on environmental factors, most commonly weather and also stress levels. Skin can commonly look red and is often irritate and sore. People with sensitive skin are most likely to suffer from skin conditions from acne to rosacea and often have skin allergies.
Things to avoid:
Anything with fragrance or harsh chemicals– this is super important. Fragrance skincare is likely to aggravate the skin and cause more problems. Stick to all things natural, the less ingredients the better. It’s important to remember that certain essential oils can also be irritating to sensitive skin.
Over-exfoliating, especially with broken skin. When skin is broken, minimal product should be applied to this and anything that is applied should be doctor approved. For sensitive skin in general it is important to exfoliate a maximum of 1 time per week and ensure that a gentle exfoliant is used. Do not use manual exfoliating brushes or rough exfoliating creams. We recommend an oatmeal based exfoliating mask or gentle Salicylic Acid.
Tips for Sensitive skin:
Be sure to incorporate a high number spf into your morning skincare to protect your skin against harmful UV rays.
Make sure to gently dab face with a towel or pat dry with clean hands after cleansing, do not rub the skin vigorously as this can aggravate skin.
Only use fragrance free skincare and opt for light, everyday makeup such as tinted moisturiser or BB cream that will provide the skin with more oxygen flow.
If a skincare product causes any irritation to your skin stop using it immediately. It might be a good idea to take a look at the ingredients list to help identify ingredients that don’t agree with your skin.
Product Recommendations:
IMAGE Hydrating Enzyme Mask – This gently exfoliating hydrating masque infused with Vitamin C sloughs away build-up of dead skin cells while infusing the skin with essential antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Provides continuous hydration for hours after application.
Elemis SOS Recovery Cream – A rich restoring cream for dry, irritated, sore or hormonal skin. A quick application of Elemis SOS Emergency Cream acts as an intense soothing and hydrating boost for dry, damaged or sunburnt skin.
Myroo Gentle Cleaner – This gentle cleanser is fragrance free and gently cleanses without stripping the skin, removing grease and even waterproof makeup whilst repairing the skin’s natural barrier and maintaining natural moisture.
A revolution is taking place in the salon industry. For the month of September salon owners, managers and therapists from across the UK are coming together to offer customers the chance to ease into their post-lock-down beauty regimes. With minimal government support, the salon industry has really had to rely on its own initiative and drive to get customers back through our doors after the tough lock-down months. Luckily, our industry is loaded with strong and powerful minds who cannot be disparaged. When we announced our Treat Out To Help Out scheme at the end of August, offering customers a£10 deduction on services over £50 throughout the month of September, the response from the rest of the beauty industry was so overwhelming that we made the decision to open this out to the wider community by sharing graphics, logos, window stickers and more to any salons who wished to join in on offering customers this wonderful discount.
We know that lockdown has been tight on our purse-strings and many of us have found ourselves in the difficult position of having to sacrifice some luxuries. With the world slowly beginning to turn again and phased re-openings of our favourite bars, stores, restaurants and of course, salons, we want to make sure that our beloved customers didn’t have to miss out on the routine visit that we know they look forward to month after month. Whether it’s for that monthly stress-relieving massage or for that rejuvenating facial to inject a glow back into the skin, we know that a visit to the spa means more to our clients than just their appearance- it’s a little moment of ‘me time’ that is deeply treasured.
We are sure that by now everyone is all too familiar with the UK Government’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ Scheme, offering the hospitality industry the opportunity to discount their meals up to a certain value by 50% with government subsidies. The initiative was widely successful in bringing the British public back into their favourite food spots and, for the first time in a long time, our bars and restaurants were filled with happy, smiling faces once again. Figures show that Eat Out To Help Out brought in business to pubs and restaurants around 64 million times, in fact, it was hailed as indispensable in getting the industry back up on its feet and protecting the 1.8 million jobs within the hospitality sector.
What about the 250,000* jobs and counting that the beauty industry provides the UK? We believe that giving customers some support to get back through salon doors is equally as important as any other industry. That is why we have decided to introduce the Treat Out to Help Out Scheme to give our customers a helping hand back to their regular spa and beauty routine. A range of graphics, including logos and stickers, can be found on our linkedin and here. We are very happy to share these with any other salons who wish to join the initiative with us.
Here’s everything you need to know about the scheme:
Treat Out To Help Out offers customers the opportunity to save £10 on any treatment over £50. This can be any of the spa or beauty services we offer in our salons, so long as they are over £50 and is not available to use on multiple treatments.
The scheme is available for all appointments on a Monday-Wednesday throughout the month of September.
It is available to use in conjunction with any of our other current offers, for example, our current Buy One Get One Half Price offer, this ensures that our customers can really maximise their savings and get real value on their spend.
This scheme is not government backed and is completely independently run by us and any other salons that wish to join in. This does mean that we will not receive any pay-outs from the government to subsidise any loss in revenue, however we feel that the importance of allowing our clients a fair chance to return is of utmost importance given the current climate.
The Beauty industry has taken a significant knock over the last few months and although we have seen limited support from the UK Government in comparison to the support given to the food and drinks industry, our industry is formidable and will be back and thriving in no time. The power we have as a collective is stronger than we could have ever imagined and we could not be more humbled and proud of the hundreds of salons and counting UK wide who have took part in #TreatOutToHelpOut as well as the incredible amount of press coverage the scheme has received from the likes of The Sunday Times,The Herald, Spa Business,The Edinburgh Reporter and Professional Beauty.
So, what are you waiting for? Book that facial and get your beauty regime back on track!
