PURE Spa & Beauty Blog

Gift Idea Spotlight

Struggling to find a gift this Christmas? Whether it’s loved ones or co-workers, we’ve all been there. Not only is it difficult to find the time to shop, but the same questions go round and round your mind: “Will she like it?” “Will he get the most out of this?” “Is this the right brand for me?”

Well, we’re going out on a tinsel-covered limb and giving a simple answer to each of those questions: “Yes”. It’s simple, just like the way we’re hoping to make your gifting this Christmas. With that in mind, we’ve put together some fantastic packages — what’s more, we’re tailoring them for the special people in your life.

Perfect Partner — The PURE Spa Experience (£70)

Girlfriends, boyfriends and everything in between… they’re hard to buy for, right? People are particular and fickle at times, so why not give them a gift that leaves the big choices up to them?

We recommend the PURE Spa Experience for anyone and everyone. It is a fully personalised spa experience, allowing your recipient to choose a 60 minute treatment in consultation with our therapists.

There’s no going wrong!

Wonderful Wife — The Works (£95)

I’m talking to all the gentlemen out there that need to treat ‘the wife’: there is a high chance you will not get the right gift, but she will smile and love you anyway. You tried! And the thought really does count.

But why not try and succeed (and score many a brownie point) with The Works package! This includes: a PURE manicure, pedicure, facial and massage for an all-over body treat. It’s a no-brainer, genius.

Busy Mums — Face & Body Sensation (£75)

Juggling a hectic home life and paying the bills, mothers often seem invincible. She has taken care of you since day 1, and we’ve got the perfect way for you to give her something back. For all the busy mothers out there, we’ve designed the perfect treat — the Face & Body Sensation package.

This includes a hot stone massage and Elemis spa facial. Even super mums need a little bit of recovery and me-time! You know it. We know it. Here’s to mums everywhere!

Devoted Dads — Time Out for Men

Just think of all the times your dear ol’ daddio has come to your rescue. “I’m not a taxi service” and “you’ll have to learn to do this yourself some day” quips are aplenty, but you know deep down he’s a softy.

We also recommend giving some Time Out For Men to all the devoted dads out there. Get him in fighting-form with a deep-tissue back massage and Elemis booster facial. And if he argues back, remind him that David Beckham doesn’t go a day without his ‘products’!

Guest Blog | Yin and Yang — Massage and Fitness

Yin and Yang — Massage and Fitness
Written by: Gavin Corlos-Moreton, founder of Street Gym UK.

In Chinese philosophy, the concept of Yin and Yang is used to describe the interlinking forces in our lives. With one force, there is always another equally important one – each linked, each affecting one another.

Whilst usually applied to Chinese medicine, there are lessons to take from this in our Western cultures. Though spa and exercise are opposites in several ways, the two are linked by the importance of their results.

Let’s talk about spa therapy for a moment – particularly the benefits of massage. The action of pumping the muscle triggers your body’s neurotransmitters to fire, releasing endorphins (happy chemicals). It also encourages blood-circulation, promoting recovery. This mental and physical stimulation results in calmness, focus and happiness. It is about stillness and renewal.

Now, fitness training has a totally different path – it focuses on action and growth. Once the body has warmed up, you must more intensity until it reaches its ‘anaerobic zone’. This is the point of fitness progression that we call a ‘peak’ and it’s this that will release the most endorphins.

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On this journey of aerobic (movement) and anaerobic (intense movement), the body circulates blood and oxygen in the same way a massage would – more so, if you push yourself. Once the training comes to a conclusion, you will immediately feel the sense of achievement and excitement (adrenaline), then the feeling of happiness (endorphins).

This is where you say “I really hated that, but I feel great. I definitely want to do that again!” The adrenalin wears off, but the endorphins remain long after a hot shower, food and rest. The results are the same as the massage: relaxation, calmness, hyper focus and happiness – long after the ‘treatment’ itself.

As personal trainer for Street Gym UK, I see so many differences between what I offer and what PURE offer – in fact, they’re opposites. But like Yin and Yang, they have so much in common and work hand-in-hand. The more you use your muscles, the more beneficial a massage will be; the converse is also true. The uniting goal is maximum effect on your health and well-being.

Your Gifts, Your Way — Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas Made Easy – Your Gifts, Your Way

“Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way…
Oh what fun it is to shop
With it’s Your Gifts, Your Way – Hey!”

Okay, okay, we’ll stop. We admit, that was lame, but with December here, the Christmas spirit is well and truly in the air. Treating your loved ones is on the top of everyone’s minds — and at PURE, we have more offers than any other time of year to help you find the perfect gift. And remember: a trip to PURE is one of the most innocent of self-indulgences! Your well-being also matters.

Now, we all love the festive season. There’s cinnamon-flavoured everythings, sparkling lights and more excuses for a wee nightcap than any other time of year. However, this also marks the bittersweet coming of the holiday shopping season.

You know the scene: A sea of sore-footed people on the high street, completing the annual Christmas gifts hunt. But with PURE Spa & Beauty, you can avoid the crowds altogether and shop Your Gifts, Your Way. We’re on a mission to make this Christmas your easiest one yet! Who doesn’t like to be pampered?

Christmas Gift Guide Image

We have gifts for everyone – busy mums and devoted dads, perfect partners and workaholics that need some R&R. Click on the front cover (right) to flick through our Christmas gift guide, or pick one up at any of our salons across Scotland. Alternatively, visit our Christmas Gifts section on our webshop and buy early!

We’ve got full-day spa experiences and cosy afternoon tea sessions for two, in addition to our mani-pedi and massage standards. Or if you’re more of a beauty buff, check out our selection of leading brands: Elemis, Leighton Denny and REN.

So, when you ask yourself “What would so-and-so like for Christmas this year?”, know we’ve got your back!

The Science of Shellac

You’ve heard it everywhere. You’ve seen people wearing it. You’ve perhaps… questioned how to pronounce it. Yes, we’re talking about Shellac nail polish. If you’ve never had your nails brought to life with a bit of long-lasting sparkle, then read on — it’s definitely worth knowing the science of Shellac.

Shellac nail polish(sometimes referred to as gel nail polish) is your knight-in-shining-armour when it comes to nail art. It gives you a chip-free coating that can last up to two weeks. It can last even longer than that, though by then your nail growth will show.

So How Does it Work?

First, let’s talk about how it differs from ‘traditional’ nail polish.

The polish itself is similar to acrylic nail polishes, in that the liquid is made out of a polymer of several chemicals merging together in a colour-festival of beauty meeting science. It’s thicker than traditional nail polish, immediately giving it more resistance to daily wear-and-tear. Shellac is free of formaldehyde and other damaging chemicals — our clients actually say that their nails feel healthier with the Shellac on!

After the coat is applied, it is then ‘cured’ with a UV light. This adds even more strength to your now-shield-like nails, whilst drying them instantly. Don’t be scared by the UV light, though. You’re probably exposed to more total UV rays during your trip to and from your session than you are during the process.

It’s easy to apply, and easy to take off – each lasting roughly 10 minutes. Isn’t it refreshing to know that your nails won’t chip off in less time than it took to paint them?

The Therapist Touch…

Avoid DIY Shellac kits with home UV lamps… the last thing you want is indestructable clumps all over your home or body! This is particularly referring to the removal process: your nails must be stripped with acetone remover for a full five minutes, then gently removed using a wooden scraper.

Our therapists are not your average-Joes (or Joannas). All of our staff at PURE have been specially trained to administer a Shellac manicure or pedicure to the highest possible standards. That isn’t an empty statement — there is a science to it. The timing has to be right, followed by the correct professional-use UV equipment to ‘cure’/dry your nails to last until you get bored of your colour.

Overall, the process can leave nails feeling dehydrated once the Shellac is removed. This is also why we would always recommend perfectly PURE mani-pedi treatments. Our therapists can recommend the correct hydrating product for you — i.e. Leighton Denny’s Slick Tips Nail & Cuticle Oil or Best Defence Nail and Hand Cream.

To test-drive your first Shellac nails (or top-up your coat), why not invest in a Shellac treatment? Get your hands or nails (or both) sparkling in no time. Alternatively, look in the ‘Nails‘ category for other nail-tastic offers!

The Hidden Benefits of Massages

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What are the Hidden Benefits of Massages?

In our modern lifestyles, the benefits of age-old massage techniques have become even more valuable. This isn’t necessarily because we’re getting more physical – our aches and pains don’t always come from heavy lifting or over-exertion. No, sitting at a desk can sometimes be even more detrimental to your health.

Whether you’re a busy parent, modern professional or a student, we all have responsibilities that weigh heavy on our heart and mind. Everyone experiences the symptoms of stress: fatigue, stiff shoulders, muscle strain, aches and even the flu.

If you find that stress affects you, don’t feel weak. Did you know that almost 20% of take a sick day solely because of stress? Or that 10% of people have resigned from their job solely because of anxiety? (Source: NSAW/ISMA)

One of the most effective ways of relieving the physical and psychological symptoms of stress is through specialist massages. At PURE we perform all specialist massage styles: Swedish, hot stone, Thai bundle, Indian head and deep-tissue.

The kneading of muscles and joints releases tension from stress and pain… but it also has some hidden benefits:

Improves blood circulation, supplying more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. This improves skin condition and digestive health.
Helps your immunity by increasing the number of white blood cells and stimulates the flow of lymph, which defends the body.
Relieves sleep disorders.
Encourages endorphin (happy hormone) release, which dulls sensation of pain and promotes a feeling of well-being.
Relieves migraines.

Even just a 15 minute massage can improve your professional and personal life. Many workplaces even provide their staff with weekly massages, recognising the effect it can have on productivity and overall staff welfare.

Ask your employer if they are signed up for PURE Spa for Business scheme, designed to aid staff welfare and reward hard-working employees (amongst many other perks!)