So excited to share that I am judging Aquarius Magazine‘s Beauty Awards 2014 alongside the likes of Huda Kattan (Huda Beauty!), Max Factor’s Samira Olfat, hair guru Maria Dowling, blogger Najla Kaddour and the Aquarius Magazine beauty team. Make sure to pick up a copy of this month’s Aquarius magazine for a look into our favourite products, and don’t miss out on the supplement!

Mask: Glamglow Thirsty Mud mask

Glamglow really make some of the best masks, so when I heard about the Thirsty Mud launch, I had to get my hands on it. Hydrating, smells like coconuts and really gives your face a needed dewy glow. Perfect after travels and a long week. It’s one of those products I get really excited about applying because it smells good, and makes my skin feel even better.

Available at Sephora

Lips: Smith’s Rosebud salve 

I’m one of those girls that fall for the cult products. I recently got my hands on the Rosebud salve that I ordered from luxola.com – the balm is made out of essential oils, and works on the lips as well as dry skin. It really is one of the best lip balms around – feels luxurious on the lips. I like also using it on my knees, elbows as well as on burns.

Available at Luxola.com

Cleanser: Eve Lom Morning time cleanser

Hydrated skin = a natural facial glow. I’m in love with Eve Lom products… I’ve been using this Eve Lom cleanser only when it needs a pick me up as it hydrates the skin instantly – I never feel like I need a moisturiser after using this – just a serum. The cleanser which has a balm texture, feels lovely on the skin is also quite easy to clean off, even though it’s quite a rich cleanser.

Body Oil: L’Occitane Supple Skin Oil

I love anything almond in beauty products (food too…) Sweet almond, almond oil – you name it. I have been using this for a few years now, nothing new at all but one to definitely keep in your bathroom. I personally like applying this after a bath or shower as it really feels lovely on slight wet and soft skin. In addition to hydrating the skin, the ingredients nourish the body, it feels smoother and skin becomes firmer over time.

Body Mist: Sephora Moisturizing & Comforting water

There’s nothing better than a body mist on hand when about to leave the house. I’m loving this one by Sephora, which smells amazing, hydrates the skin, and gives off a hydrated glow. Feels like a treat on the skin, and doesn’t feel greasy at all!

I’m always on the look out for great boutique fitness studios around the world – Most of the ones I call my favourites are located in cities like New York, LA, Montreal, and London… but this one is in Dubai. A local start up by two good friends, this is definitely one to check out. 

Where: Cluster H, Concorde Tower at JLT, Dubai.

What: Possibly the most chic fitness studio in Dubai with innovative fitness classes you might not find in other studios around the city.

Type of workout: They have a range of niche fitness classes like Booty Barre (a fun barre class with great music!), Pole dancing (a challenging workout – Karla, the instructor is a gem!), Zumba, Moksha Yoga (Warm yoga from Montreal, the 75 minutes class is a great one to try. The heat panels warm up the skin in Moksha instead of the full space like Bikram does) and Pilates. They are also looking into starting aerial yoga soon!

The Studio: The chic eco friendly, minimal style studio with brick walls was founded by friends, Hoda and Siham. They both studied in Montreal and felt like there was a gap for fitness studios back home in Dubai. (FYI – both ladies are perfect ambassadors for the brand – their bodies are insane.) The studio is small, reminds me of the ones in New York but you really have everything you need – changing rooms, lockers, towels and toilets next door.

Amenities: Towels, mats and water.

Parking: At the moment, parking there is no problem because the two buildings in cluster H are still under construction.

Recommended Instructors: All the instructors I’ve had classes with were attentive, sweet, helpful and passionate. It really makes all the difference…

Rates: AED80 per class or AED950 for one month unlimited classes minus pole dancing.

Pros :

-It could easily be one of the most beautiful studios I’ve seen – clean, minimal, and touches of wood with brick walls.

-The range of quality classes – every single class was actually a good class, and you left with an impactful workout.

-They have a sweat board, where your photo gets taken post class on a polaroid and gets pinned on that board. The more sweat, the better. Hello motivation.

-First studio in Dubai to offer Moksha yoga (gentler heat than Bikram)

Cons:

-If you’re in downtown, location might not work in your favour.

Contact: http://www.sweatshop-studios.com

Soothe tired feet… with a Holistic Foot Massage at B/Attitude Spa at Grosvenor House

Firstly, I will start to say how impressed I was with B/Attitude – I lost an iPhone accessory in my towel robe (Life of a blogger…) but thanks to the lovely ladies at the spa, I ended up getting it back a day later. Now, back to the fantastic treatment I recently visited the Grosvenor House spa for. Summer means walking around a whole lot, which ends up with swollen feet due to the heat & humidity. As much as I find myself wanting to book a regular back massage for those tired shoulders, a good reflexology session goes a long way. Pampering yourself at a spa instead of a nail salon for a foot massage is perfect for setting the mood to get pampered and spoilt. I went for the Holistic Foot massage at B/Attitude Spa (Tower 2) with the lovely, Kani (so, so sweet.) The treatment commenced with a foot soak before moving on to the treatment. When you book a 90 minute massage, you are able to choose whether you’d like the whole 90 to be a foot massage or use an hour for the foot massage and add a scalp or back massage for the rest of the 30. Due to tired shoulders, I decided to start with a 30 minute back massage using fruit oil before moving to the foot massage for the last 60. Customized to your chosen pressure, the foot massage is done with a foot cream. You know a good foot massage when the whole body goes into relax mode. Not to mention, B/Attitude is beautiful and makes you feel like you’re at a resort spa rather than the Marina!

Recommended therapist: Kani & Costs AED470

www.battitudespa-dubai.com

Try an Organic Hair Treatment with O’right at Lily Pond Spa

Having coloured hair, I need to invest into regular hair treatments to keep it looking at its’ best. I’ve been hearing about organic haircare brand, O’right so I decided to get my hands on products as well as trying a Salon treatment – there’s something lovely about having hair treatments at a salon. O’right is a Taiwanese organic haircare brand (it’s around 97 to 100 percent organic, which is amazing) so I headed to Lily Pond Spa (their Barsha branch) for the Sunflower treatment (works well with chemically dry hair – they have different kinds depending on the type of your hair). There is one thing I usually dislike in organic products – which is the scent but luckily, this has got to be the best smelling hair treatment I’ve ever done. The treatment started with a Bamboo shampoo and conditioner followed by the scalp massaged with the towel after getting towel dried. An essence was then sprayed onto the hair (an essence is a concentrated oil) before being massaged into the hair (love a head massage…). Once that was done, the actual treatment – mine was the Sunflower treatment- was then applied to the strands of the hair, and pushed down into the cuticles of the hair. Rather than using their steamer, my hair was covered in plastic and had a hot towel on the head for 5 minutes before being washed again and blow dried. My hair felt ultra smooth, bouncy, soft and hydrated – not to mention my hair colour was brighter and smelt SO good.

Recommended stylist: Farida and the cost of the treatment was AED350

http://www.oright.com.tw/en/

Try a new form of Lash extensions… Russian Layering lashes at Sisters beauty lounge

I’m having a bit of a lash bug at the moment – once you get lash extensions, you open up a new beauty addiction (only when you get a good one of course.) I’m very specific about salons when getting lashes applied because you don’t want a bad treatment affecting your natural lashes in the long run. I’ve been hearing about ‘Russian layering’, which Sisters beauty lounge recently introduced to the salon – you get to choose between 3 kinds of extensions. The Russian layering technique by Lash Perfect has come from Russia, and allows you to have multi-lashes on one lash – usually, the technique is one lash per lash – but because of the super fine lashes, Russian layering allows therapists to add more than one to one – hence giving you a high impact look with more volume without it feeling heavy. I had my lashes done at the Village Mall branch with Sara within their private treatment rooms (Getting your lashes done in a private room on a comfortable bed makes all the difference as you’re there for quite some time). This one took around 1.5-2 hours – the treatment from a consumer’s point of view was the same process as other lash extensions – eyes closed whilst getting lashes put on (it’s best to go when you’re incredibly tired so you can sleep through it – double win.) – The procedure was easy, my only concern is I found that several lashes to a natural lash is trickier to maintain – I found myself having to brush them a lot more than usual and a lot would fall out regularly – but no doubt, it gave off a beautiful finish and I barely wore any eye make up during my holidays thanks to Russian Layering.

I had a bit of an issue with my lashes going sideways, so the lovely ladies at Sisters booked me in for them to fix it with Vanessa at The Dubai Mall branch.

Recommended therapists: Vanessa (The Dubai Mall), and Pamela (Mall of the Emirates)

The technique costs AED750 and re-fills every two weeks at AED300.

www.sistersbeautylounge.com

Plump up your hair… with Kevin Murphy’s Plumping treatment at Beauty Spot Salon in Jumeirah

One of my ultimate hair care brands, hailing from Australia – Kevin Murphy have just launched their Plumping range. (Their pink range which is made for plumping and thickening hair.) I booked in for a hair treatment at Beauty Spot salon in Jumeirah. The plumping line is sulphate free, and includes the eyelash thickening technology to thicken the hair as well as containing a combination of Tripeptides, Plant extracts and Oleanolic acid from the Hemsleya root. Ingredients like sugar cane, nettle and Ginger root extract improve circulation. My hair was washed twice with the wash shampoo that exfoliates the scalp, rinsed with the best long 10-15 minutes massage using the conditioner rinse and ended with sprays of the Body Mass treatment spray on wet hair. They really take care of you at the salon, I had one of the best head massages as well as a foot massage simultaneously during the treatment. There’s something about Kevin Murphy products that make your hair smell SO good, as well as light and fresh. A huge fan. Hello Thick hair!

Recommended stylist: Howeida

The range costs AED455, with the plumping wash, plumping rinse and body mass and the treatment costs between AED280-350.

Get a Thai Massage… at Crowne Plaza Hotel’s Spa, Dubai

Crowne Plaza don’t exactly have a spa but they have a few treatment rooms inside their fitness centre. When I booked in for a Thai massage at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, I didn’t expect too much. I was incredibly impressed to say the least – super clean (cleaner than a few actual spas and super clean for a fitness centre), with little treatment rooms within a spa section in the fitness centre. A Thai massage is great for deep muscle massages as well as stretching – the treatment was straight to the point and incredibly effective. The Thai massage was a little different to the ones I’m used to as this one included body oil, but I highly recommend it for a no fuss deep stretch massage.

Cost: AED400 for 60 minutes

Recommended therapist: Piyatida

Website

Try the brand new… Essie Gel polish at N Bar.

I was so so excited to hear Essie launched their own range of gel polish – and Essie never launch anything less than perfection! Obviously, I had to go and try it out for myself. I headed to N bar, they were one of the first to launch it in the region – to their Emirates Towers branch to be exact. After getting the nails filed, cuticles excess sorted, a prep nail cleanse is applied followed by the base and 3 coats of polish, before finished with a topcoat. Everything is Essie branded from the gel machines to the polish. The whole treatment was super quick, the finish was incredibly shiny & STAYED shiny – my only pointers were the lack of colours, and only wish if the names were exactly the same as the normal polish (Essie gel polish names are completely different to the normal manicures).  Perfect for travels and busy schedules – I had mine done for my two week family vacation to Cannes, and the only thing I got was a tiny chip on the last few days – which is amazing as I would have no polish on if I stuck to a normal mani. Recommended therapists at N Bar Emirates towers – Gemma and Grace. PS Unlike other gel treatments, Essie gel contains Keratin so you’re not harming your nails but rather adding hydration and strength. According to therapists at numerous salons, Essie is a little harder to remove compared to other ones but personally I’d be choosing Essie gel over Gelish and Shellac.

A manicure costs AED140 and the pedicure costs AED150

www.nbaruae.com

I’ve stopped keeping tabs on all the salons popping up in the city but then again we have such a large beauty culture that these salons never get empty… Plus It’s always nice to to walk in and get an appointment so I’m not complaining. Before heading to the South of France, I wanted to brighten up my ombre and get a trim – fresh hair for the Summer so I decided to check out brand new salon, SLaM. I fell in love… hence the fact that it deserved a feature all to itself.

Where: Al Quoz. This really is Dubai’s new cool area. I’ve been heading to Al Quoz a little more than usual – for the shoot studios, Bounce, Shampooch dog grooming, Tom & Serg – and now found a new reason.

The Salon: Felt like something from New York City. Industrial, loft style, and spacious… I loved it.

Service: No attitude here, high quality service from every person at the salon from creative director to assistants.

Hair brands: Matrix Biolage and Redken – Creative Director, Rachael said they were adding one more to the roster – I suggested Oribe, Kevin Murphy… can’t wait to hear which one they end up adding.

Chairs & Shower beds: The best. Flat shower bed, the comfiest. Wish more salons had this.

Entertainment: They have a range of magazines including UK ones.

Wi-Fi: Yes, but it was quite weak so wasn’t able to connect to it.

Atmosphere: Relaxed and quiet – thanks to the spacious set up.

What else is on the menu: Waxing, nails and Rejuvenol Keratin to remove the frizz and straighten the hair making for an easier blow dry. They also have hair treatments from Biolage that are paraben free for restructuring and conditioning.  SLaM has a very eco-friendly policy using paraben free products and biodegradable Easydry towels. 

What I loved: 

In addition to all the others I’ve mentioned…

-The staff – Rachael, who has worked in Dubai for years before starting SLaM was super lovely, not to mention incredibly talented. Fawzia, the assistant was not only sweet and hilarious – she gives the best head massages (you must book in for a hair treatment just for her massages!)

The process: I came in for a trim, ombre top up, and a Hydra hair treatment (hair hydration) – which included a steam post treatment followed by a mask and the best massage – It all ended with a blow dry and curls.

Results: My hair was hydrated, fresh, and bright – I loved the colour Rachael gave me – bright, yet not brassy at all. My only pointer is that I wish the Balayage blended a little better.

Cost: SLaM, has a personalised approach to hairdressing and aim to cater to each client’s individual needs. Costs for all colour services depend on the client’s hair length and thickness, but as a general guide for the full treatment including ombré colour, hair treatment and a cut and blow dry,  would cost between AED800 and AED1,000.

I spoke to Meabh Maguire, one of the co-founders of SLaM…

-What is behind the name ’SLaM’? The name for our salon SLaM is derived from the surnames of the four co-owners, Rachael Stevenson, Sara Lootah, Therese McQuaid and Meabh Maguire

-How does SLaM differ to the other Salons around town? SLaM is a boutique hair and beauty salon; we cater to our customers’ needs on an individual basis and like to give every single customer the care and attention they deserve. We are a one stop shop for busy ladies looking for quality hairdressing and beauty treatments; we have carefully selected some of the UAE’s best hair stylists to ensure whether you want classic highlights or an edgy crop we have it covered. Pre-opening, we spent a long time designing the salon’s urban look and feel with the assistance of award winning; Irish Architect Declan Scullion to ensure our clients would feel relaxed and comfortable in our unique space.  Consultation and listening to our customer’s requirements is a huge part of our process, from the moment the customer walks in the door until the moment they leave we want them to feel we are really listening to them!   We also have a heavy focus on the environment using biodegradable Easydry towels as well as paraben free treatments and shampoos. 

-What hair trends are we looking at for the next season? Whilst there is a very natural focus on hair at the moment, ombré is not going anywhere! As we approach autumn we will start to see this reflected in hair colour, rich browns, warm copper and deep purple tones.

slam.ae

This week, we speak to Roberta Benteler,Founder and Managing Director of Avenue 32 about her beauty routine, her love for Jo Malone, Kerastase and her beauty addresses.

-Beauty products I swear by

I love Dermalogica products, especially the ultra-calming serum and the skin hydrating mask. I also love Kiehl’s Lavender relaxing bath and Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom Body Cream.

-What’s in my make up bag 

Bare Minerals foundation and Concealer, Chanel bronzer, Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara, YSL Touche Eclat, Bobby Brown Brow Kit, Mac Make up brushes, Mac Creamcup Lipstick from the Creamsheen range, YSL Shocking liquid eyeliner

-Vitamin supplements

Omega 3, Magnesium and Vitamin D

-Perfect detox juice mix

Anything with Ginger

-Favorite healthy dish

I love just a grilled Sea Bass with some Rosemary, Lemon and Sea Salt and grilled vegetables or Spinach

-Facialist/Dermatologist

I swear by my facialist Jaqueline Parker who works with Environ and Dermalogica products and has literally transformed my skin. She is also amazing at eyebrow shaping and tinting etc.

Jaqueline Parker Clinic : 02070001903

-Fitness routine

I run or go to the gym at least 3 times a week and also keep a horse in Richmond Park which I try and ride at least 3 times a week

-Skin/Body treatments 

I love having my facial and eyebrows done with Jaqueline. I also love a good deep tissue massage when I have time and Manicure/Pedicure at Marcella’s Nails on Holland Road W8

-Hair Miracle

I swear by Kerastase Bain de Force range. I colour my hair regularly and Kerastase definitely works best for me. I try and do a hair mask (Age recharge) at least once a week as well.

-Signature fragrance

Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger

In addition to the intimate dinner I hosted for my friends at sho cho, I also celebrated with a class at one of my favorite fitness studios, Flywheel (imagine a 45 minute indoor cycling, lights out – with the best music.) The class was taught by lead instructor, Paul and was decorated with balloons and birthday signs (two birthdays in a year, love it.) Thank you to all my friends and readers who came out to support on this special day!

On the playlist: Rnb and Hiphop – Sage the Gemini’s Gas Pedal, Rihanna and John Legend to name a few.

The class ended with snacks by Right bite such as White Tea peach ice team, cucumber cooler with ginger, sweet and spicy nuts and energy balls (which were made out of chocolate, goji, coconut and sesame date balls.) yum.

We also had to take a post workout selfie. naturally.

As the sun is still blazing in Dubai, this month I asked my skin guru – Rebecca Treston at Euromed clinic on the effects of the sun… everything from how to tan safely all the way to how we can get rid of existing sun damage. 

It’s understandable—basking in the sun is one of the best parts of living in the sun-drenched Middle East. But putting yourself at risk for skin cancer and premature aging is a thought that is anything but relaxing.

The desire for the sun-kissed look is an outlook shared by many thanks to the Bronzed Goddesses that frequent the pages of beauty magazines.  But it is important to remember that there is a difference between a healthy glow and over-tanning.

When exposed to high UV levels, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, which triggers the production of melanin, the natural pigment that gives a person their skin color and protects them from the sun. In a study conducted at Brown University in the US, researchers found that the production of melanin starts within a couple of hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation instead of a couple of days as previously thought by scientists and overexposure to sunlight can cause physical changes on your skin such as wrinkles, freckles, age spots, and texture changes. There are a couple of steps however that you can take to ensure that you achieve as safe and healthy a tan as possible.

To achieve the best possible tan outdoors, you must exfoliate before sun exposure. The act of exfoliation removes the dead cells from the uppermost layer of the skin and allows for fresh skin to appear. The less build-up of dead skin cells, the more shallow your layer of skin will be, which will make your tan last longer. The removal of dead skin will also allow you to tan more easily because your tan will appear and fade evenly.

Contrary to the beliefs of many tanning enthusiasts, you can still tan with sunscreen, and it’s better that you do. In fact, sun protection factor (SPF) extends the time you can spend in the sun without suffering additional skin damage. Higher SPF numbers therefore provide better protection against ultraviolet B “burning rays” (UVB) rays, though not UVA protection. Sunscreens that are labelled “broad-spectrum” can provide protection against both UVB and UVA rays, but a standard system for measuring UVA ray protection has yet to exist.

Naturally fair skin has low amounts of melanin, which can leave the skin vulnerable to the sun’s carcinogenic UV and cause lobster-red burns on your skin without an appropriate SPF. For those with darker skin, melanin can provide the equivalent of SPF 13.4 compared to 3.4 in white skin. An ounce of sunscreen should be enough to cover your whole body.  Remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go in the sun, reapply 15 to 30 minutes after you have been exposed to the sun, and only reapply if you have done any activity where your sunscreen could have been removed. Remember, the earlier you apply your sunscreen once you’re exposed, the less damage UV rays will do to your skin. UV strength is greatest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during sunny summer days so avoid tanning during these times.  The skin around your eyes, including your eyes themselves, are delicate to UV rays and failure to take proper care can result in the development of eye diseases like cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and eye cancers.

To get a healthy and glowing tan, do not overexpose your skin to UV rays. It is best to tan gradually by dividing your time under the sun evenly to reduce sunburn. The best way to get a healthy summer glow is to tan in small doses. Half an hour to an hour under the sun a day will allow your body to produce adequate melanin to aid you the next time you tan.

If in the past you have overdone the sun, you may have several telltale signs of sun damage such as pigmentation, freckles and sun spots. Thankfully there is a host of aesthetics treatments including peels, lasers and my personal favourite for treating sun damage -IPL photo rejuvenation – that can reverse this damage and leave you with a more youthful look.

-RELAX: Try the Ultimate Foot Luxury
with The Sole Lounge Ultimate Luxury Foot Therapy at Margaret Dabbs Sole Lounge.
There’s no better luxury session than the result of Happy Feet! I recently booked in at London’s Margaret Dabbs Sole Lounge in Dubai within Level shoe district for their Ultimate Luxury Foot therapy… yes it’s exactly like it sounds. The most expensive treatment on their menu, but one that really does last you a while (you probably don’t need it more than twice a year). The whole treatment is done on dry skin – safer and better results. Simone (who you must make sure you ask for), moved from the UK to help start up Margaret Dabbs in Dubai is quite possibly the sweetest, and most professional podiatrist around. The advantage with getting a pedicure at the lounge is the fact that it’s a medical one – you still get the cosmetic results however it’s done as a medical treatment. The 70 minutes of goodness includes everything you get with a pedicure and much more – a Callus treatment, lymphatic massage, Scalpel (to remove dead skin and around the nails with their Burrs) followed by a hygiene cream balm to soften and a tea tree exfoliant. It really is the ultimate luxury – you also get oxygen therapy during the session (which Michael Jackson used to do regularly) for 10-15 mins whilst you get the massage. The treatment works perfectly with a luxury manicure (ask for Viktoria). The treatment costs AED785
I picked up top Podiatrist Sonia’s tips during the treatment to share with all of you and here goes…
-Use the Margaret Dabbs serum to strengthen nails, it’s like milk for the nails
-Take Calcium tablets for nail breakage
-Don’t cut nails too short as you don’t want to be exposing the nail bed.
-Use their Superior foot file with compressed crystal technology.
-Only scrub before showers
-Always wear socks on flights to avoid your feet from swelling up.

-FITNESS: Color Run 2014
Super excited that the Color Run is back in Dubai for 2014! Last year’s run was one of my favourite run events we’ve had in the city for quite some time. If you’re not familiar with the concept, you get painted a different colour of coloured powder paint (from Red, pink, yellow and blue) after each km of the 5 that you have run. The event takes place at Dubai Autodrome on November 29th and I suggest you register asap as the deadline ends on October 15th. I’ve obviously got my race ready to go… time to practice running 5k.

-WELLNESS: Healthy Take out at Kcal
Kcal have recently added new dishes to their menu, so I decided to try it out. They have a range of choices from starters, salads, wraps, burgers, to shakes and desserts. A perfect way to eat healthier at the office (my driver wasn’t the sharpest!) but I suggest you try out the grilled chicken with honey mustard sauce with a side of whole wheat pasta for a healthy yet filling lunch dish.
www.kcalhealthyfastfood.com

-BEAUTY: Get your hands on the limited edition Michael Kors beauty range.
Michael Kors beauty (colour collection) is coming to Dubai! There’s one catch… the limited edition collection will only be available between October 1st-October 15th – so you don’t have that much time. The colour collection comes in 3 different colour assortments – each to represent each of the Kors woman’s moods – Sporty, Stylish and Glam. The packaging is very Michael Kors – using the branding he uses on his fashion range with gold luxe exteriors. The sporty range is all around the citrus scent, the Stylish is around Amber and Glam is around Jasmine. Personally, I’m a fan of the sporty range, which includes a peachy nude lipstick and blush-toned nude gloss but the other two are just as lovely – Stylish is all around the reds where as glam is a little deeper with berry and plum hues. I also really love the bronzing powder, which works an all over bronzer to warm up the skin. If there are two products you have to buy, they would have to be the bronzing powder in Beam and the nude Diva lipstick. Check the collection out at Sephora stores.

-HELP: Support Breast Cancer with Nail Art at The Nail Spa
I always look forward to The Nail Spa’s October Breast cancer nail arts. Not only can you get a manicure you need, proceeds go to a Breast cancer charity – you also get a cute feminine touch of nail art. Last year, they went for an ombre pink and this year, I was given a few choices of nail art. I went for the pink candy cane on all my nails. The Breast cancer mani includes the signature cleaning, filing, and cuticle work (ask if they could use their Heaven vanilla pod cream for the massage, it smells amazing.) Tuyet at The Dubai Mall branch was great and fast!

-WEEKEND PLAN: Jump Boxx
Dubai is all about trends – we’ve had a cupcake trend, cronut trend, gourmet trend and now there’s a trampoline trend. Let’s face it – there’s a whole side to Dubai that don’t find Al Quoz very easy to get to and for my readers that live on the Deira and Mirdiff side, here’s a weekend plan for you.. Jump Boxx – a trampoline space at Uptown Mirdiff Mall. AED69 per hour – free jumping, a dodge ball section as well as a jumping pit. For the mommies, they have a party zone that is the perfect plan to get all the kids having a blast in one area. Personally, I felt like the space catered to younger children rather than the older crowd but definitely worth checking out.
www.jump-boxx.com

I recently spoke about Fitness & Fashion on Dubai EYE. Everything from the fitness trends, where to work out, where to buy fitness clothes to collaborations like Stella McCartney for Adidas to the recent Rita Ora one. I’ve been getting a lot of questions from people on where to find cute sportswear clothes and recommended studios around the city, so make sure to stay tuned to my fitness wear guide and my fitness choice features on the hottest workouts in town.

For the full talk on Dubai EYE, click here.

Moisturizer: Dr Hauschka Rose day cream

For a face moisturiser, this is an investment but I highly recommend it for women that have sensitive skin yet still want something rich. I like this more during the cooler months, when my skin needs major hydration. Make up artist, Gucci Westman likes using it on all her models backstage to give them radiant skin before applying make up. It includes ingredients such as Shea butter, rose petal wax and avocado oil to protect and add moisture, and marshmallow to soothe redness.

CC Cream: YSL Forever Light Creator CC Creme

This Summer, all I’ve been wearing is CC cream, and especially loving this one by YSL in addition to my other favourite by Bourjous. I love how it instantly lights up the face – all I needed was a swipe of bronzer and a lip balm and I was good to go. Light weight with a sun protection of SPF 35 – perfect for day. It also is a colour corrector with decent coverage that adds radiance. I love the one in ‘Apricot’.

Elixir: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery concentrate

This cult product from Kiehl’s is a lightweight oil – an elixir of pure essential oils and botanicals that helps restore and replenish the skin whilst you’re sleeping. You only need to apply a bit on the skin at night and the face feels incredibly hydrated by morning, not to mention the lavender scent being a great way to relax your nerves as well as a deep sleep. (PS it It has won the ‘Best night treatment’ title numerously)

Tinted Moisturiser: Jouer luminizing moisture tint

I’ve only recently started using Jouer products and love their moisture tint – having won an Allure award, that’s no surprise. Incredibly lightweight and oil-free, it feels like nothing on the skin yet helps even out perfections giving you coverage as well as a dewy finish thanks to the ingredients of antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Ginseng, Gingko Biloba leaf extract. To top it off, it also protects you from the sun with SPF20.

Glow Booster: Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster

This would have to be one of the most awaited beauty products in the year, and I love all things Clarins so couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. A tiny bottle filled with oil that can be mixed with any lotion, face cream, sunscreen… you name it to give you a bronzed glow. No need to update your regular beauty products as this booster turns them into Summer products!

Serum: Philosophy Time in a bottle Daily Age Defying serum

If you suffer from scars on the face and want to avoid future ones – there has been a lot of buzz around this Philosphy serum, which is packed with Vitamin C. Quite pricy, but this shake to activate skincare product includes enzymes and Vitamin C that helps restore damaged skin before it becomes visible on the skin.

Try an Organic facial… at Dermalase Clinic.
Personally, I always have mixed feelings on organic treatments – do they work just as well as normal treatments? If I’m going to spend more and get less results, I’d rather go for a normal treatment. I will honestly say with the Organic facial at Dermalase, this is not the case. I recently booked in for an organic peel at Dermalase Clinic on Beach Road with Najla. The facial started like any other facial – by cleansing the skin and exfoliating (using Active enzymes so you feel it working on the skin by the tingles!), steaming followed by minor extractions. Moving onto the peak of the facial – the AFT laser was used on the face which is mostly for Anti-aging and rejuvenation, but if you’re in your 20’s like myself – it’s a great way to brighten up your skin and give it a glow. The Organic peel was then applied and massaged on the skin (It doesn’t smell good and slightly burns) but it truly makes a difference. My skin was incredibly sensitive for the first two days – it felt like I had glass under my skin so washing and applying make up was painful but by the second day, the redness went down and I was left with a beautiful glow, my skin cleared out and my face felt fresh. Just make sure to keep hydrating your skin with moisturisers and use sunblock during the week.
The full facial is done using Nimue products, it doesn’t come cheap at all but I definitely recommend you get this done if you really want a super effective facial. Price upon request.

Nourish your hair with a Hair Botox treatment… at Vivandi Hair Spa
No better place to nourish your hair than at the hair spa. I recently booked in for a Hair Botox treatment (Botox spelt as B.TOXX – it’s different to the other hair botox treatments I’ve done) This is just like a hair treatment that lasts for a month rather than a treatment to remove frizz for several months. It adds life to hair, brightens hair colour and repairs damaged hair. The treatment started with two washes using the botox shampoo to prep the hair, followed by the treatment massaged into the hair. I then had cling wrap around my head whilst sitting under the steamer for 20 mins in order for the treatment to seep through the hair cuticles. It ended with a scalp massage (the best part!) and was washed out before being blow dried. I didn’t find it very intensive for coloured hair, but a great way to nourish dull hair before a big event.
The treatment costs AED300 for any hair length.

Try a new nail art… Ciate’s Shell Manicure
I love how Ciate come out with new nail art concepts quite regularly. They recently launched their shell manicure, which is little shell-like stones that are applied to the nails post polish. I visited The Doll House Salon at Dubai ladies club to try it out for myself. A full house at the salon on a Thursday morning, the treatment included a full manicure – file, cuticles, and a mini massage. You are given a choice between three different kind of box themes – a purple one, a pink one and a white cream one. I went for the lavender purple one. The manicure didn’t last for too long so I highly recommend it as more of an occasion manicure.

Release stress… with a Talise Therapeutic treatment at Talise Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
When I have a tough week, or have been traveling back to back, I tend to book in for great full body massages. I recently booked in for a Talise Therapeutic treatment (a brand new one on the menu) at one of my favourite spas in town – Talise @ Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. A custom designed massage, therapists use a special warming oil of Mint, basil and sweet almond to not only increase blood flow to your tension spots, but to also improve metabolic balance. The spa is one of the most beautiful spaces in the city and is quite large being two floors – the 60 minute massage also included a mint mask on tension areas to melt the muscles. It’s quite strong, but it really helps remove all the knots due to any anxiety or stress. At AED395, this is definitely one to introduce to your regular treatments or even gift your mom or a close friend.
Recommended therapist: Peem

Get a pit stop facial…by Yllume & Foreo at Harvey Nichols
I’ve been using the Foreo Luna for some time now, a silicone cleanser brush that cleans with sonic pulses (8,000 pulses per minute to be exact). It’s one of those products that intensify your cleansing regime by going deeper than the skin’s surface in order to help smooth wrinkles too. I haven’t tried Yllume before, an all natural Japanese brand made out of white tomatoes, so it was great to try out the products first hand using the foreo with the lovely, Marie. The 45 minute treatment started with a cleanser using two foreos, followed by a toner, and a mask that is not completely removed – and ended with a light moisturiser. In between, I was treated to a Décolleté and hand massage. The facial doesn’t include extractions, but a great on the go facial for radiance & glow. Good news for you… the facial is complimentary to Harvey Nichols customers who have bought the products or are interested in buying them.

Get pampered Asian style… with the Asian Fusion massage @ So Spa Sofitel Downtown
I recently booked in for the Asian fusion massage at the new Sofitel in Downtown’s modern well equipped, So Spa. They have a 60 and 90 minute option, I went for the hour and is a great relaxing treatment with a twist. If you get aromatherapy massages, it’s nice to mix it up. After being greeted with an orange and carrot juice and a towel, I was taken to the room for a foot soak and exfoliating foot scrub. The massage uses 3 cultures – the Chinese massage for the tense muscles on the back, the Malaysian method on the abdomen followed by the Indian massage on the foot’s reflex pressure points. One of the highlights of this massage for me, would have to be the use of balm instead of oil – which intensively hydrates the skin and keeps you moisturised the whole day – it also feels lovely, and smells beautifully so you don’t even want to remove it.
Recommended therapist: Lilli
AED475 for an hour

I recently interviewed top Arabic actress and singer, Nicole Saba on her trip to Dubai for the Splash fashion show. Saba is the new face of their campaign to cater to the Middle Eastern consumer. I sat down and spoke to her on her role with Splash, what she would do in her other life and why she doesn’t use a stylist… 

How does it feel to be working with Splash?

I love it..I feel like I’m with my family. They’re very cool people..I love them. We click actually..and I’m so excited.

Is that what pulled you to working with them?

No..I didn’t know them from the beginning..but I loved the idea because I have a passion for fashion to begin with. So when they offered me to be their ambassador, I was excited!

Splash is known to be one of the biggest high strict retailers..you get great things for great prices..so do you personally like shopping highs and lows?

No it doesn’t matter, I don’t think you have to have very expensive pieces to look stylish. There are people obsessed with big brands because they are expensive… I dislike that.

So it’s not about the brand?

No..not at all..just something that fits you..shows the best part from your body and is good quality, then go for it. The red dress that I was wearing in the TV ad, it just fits me like a glove and is very affordable.

How would you define your style? How would you describe it?

My style..I’m casual person, trendy and it depends on the occasion I have. You have to give every occasion it’s perfect outfit.  I don’t follow the trends.. I have to wear what fits me well.

Exactly.

This is my advice for every women, just wear what suits you, what makes you more comfortable..not what’s in fashion…

Do you work with a stylist?

No. I style my self

Ok amazing..

Yes..I love it..specially in my last video clip..I styled myself. If I wasn’t an artist I would be a fashion designer.. Maybe I will give Splash my own designs… ha!

You should!.. A collaboration with Nicole Saba (laughs) Moving on to beauty..what are your beauty essentials? 

Things that are important to me are beauty sleep..to eat well..especially because we work under strong lightings for long hours.. so it is very hectic.. you need to sleep well.. you need to drink a lot of water..I believe the way you take care of yourself from the inside, shows on the outside.

Other than your project with Splash..Is there anything you’re working on at the moment?

Yes, we are starting to work on a TV series for Ramadan for next Ramadan..I released my new audio single a few days ago..so I’m happy with the feedback ..and of course, being a mother at the same time!

As someone who swears by laser hair removal, we are exposed to a lot more choices with the increase in lasers within different clinics around the city. This month, I asked my skin guru, Rebecca Treston at Euromed Clinic on the differences and how to find the right laser for your skin.

Laser Hair Removal (LHR) has come a long way since the first laser for hair removal received FDA clearance in the mid 1990s. Nowadays, up to ninety percent of patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to five sessions, making it the ultimate hair removal treatment.

Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, underarm, bikini line, as well as other areas. The benefits of LHR are numerous. First of all, lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute; while larger areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.

LHR works by targeting hair follicles in their active growing phase. Hairs that are in the other stages will not be affected by the laser. This is partly why a course of treatments is necessary and why top-up treatments are sometimes advisable every few years.

Older generation lasers were slow, very painful and worked only on individuals with very dark hair and very light skin. Now there are varieties of laser hair removal specially designed for different skin tones and hair types. It usually takes a series of treatments such as a course of six or eight for permanent hair removal, but the good news is that there is a treatment available that can ensure almost everyone, irrespective of hair type or skin tone, can showcase hair-free, perfectly smooth skin.  Not every clinic uses the same machine and laser to treat your skin. There are different machines available with varying capabilities, such as Cynsoure Elite, Candela Gentlelase and the Soprano Ice. There are also a number of different lasers available, including alexandrite and Nd:YAG, which have different wavelengths suitable for different types of skin and hair. No single laser is ideal for every individual. Depending on your skin and hair colour, some lasers will be more effective than others so before you choose a practitioner it is vital to find out which machine they use and whether it is suited to your skin and hair type.  The most commonly used lasers are:

·         Alexandrite Laser

* The fastest hair removal laser

* Large spot size (up to 18mm) and high repetition rate

* Can rapidly treat large body areas – an entire back can be treated in less than 30 minutes

* Suitable for patients with fair to olive complexions

·         Diode Laser

* Longer wavelength allows deep penetration into the skin and safety for darker skin types

* Not effective for lighter and finer hair

* Smaller spot size, which results in longer treatment time

* The longer treatment time necessary for diode laser hair removal may result in greater expense and increased discomfort

·         Nd:YAG laser

* Can be used on all skin types, including tanned skin

* Large spot sizes and fast repetition rates allow large areas to be treated quickly

* Provides less effective treatment for fine and light hairs than some other hair removal lasers

There are two things to remember, however. First of all, unfortunately laser hair removal does not work on light, grey or red hairs because of the melanin in the skin. Secondly, some clinics, medispas and beauty salons don’t use lasers for hair removal treatments, they use intense pulse light (IPL) which is far less effective at getting rid of unwanted hair so if possible, choose laser treatments rather than IPL.

The best laser on the market currently is the Cynosure Elite, as it has a dual wavelenghth – Nd:Yag  for darker and deeper follicles plus the alexandrite for lighter and more shallow hairs – allowing individuals with different complexions to be treated.

Crucially, before you choose your practitioner, do your research to ensure that they are extremely proficient in LHR treatments and that they yield fantastic results. Beware of anywhere willing to forego a patch test as it is an important way to determine your suitability for the treatment.

Finally, if you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. That’s because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment,  as sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.

A good ballerina bun is a hairstyle staple that every girl should master, not to mention is one of the biggest trends for this season. It’s a classic look that can be dressed down at the weekend, but is neat enough for the office and demure enough for an evening event.

Wearing a sweater & handbag by Manish Arora, available at S*uce boutique. Make up by Joy, Pastels Salon Jumeirah branch.

What you will need:

Bumble and Bumble Firm Hold Hairspray

Bobby Pins

A Hair Band

EIDEAL Brush

eCURLER Large Barrel Curling Tong

Step 1: Curl It Under

I start by taking a few moments to quickly detangle my hair before using my Large Barreled eCURLER to tuck under the ends. I love that this curler comes in a super-large size that grips lots of hair! I mainly use this size to curl my ends under or create a bouncy finish for a big blow-dry!

Tip: As my hair is straight, I find that curling the ends under makes it a lot easier to tuck any stray hairs back into the bun. When your hair is straight, it tends to stick out more and can be difficult to style into an updo. Those of you with wavy or curly hair can skip this step if you wish.

Step 2: Secure in a Pony

Next, I flip my hair over and use my EIDEAL Brush to smooth everything into a ponytail on top of my head, securing it with an elastic hair band.

Step 3: Tease into Shape

For a big voluminous bun, I use my EIDEAL Brush to lightly tease my hair, working from my roots to the ends. Once I’m happy with the volume I gently brush the teased hair to smooth it out.  The aim is to create the illusion of volume whilst maintaining a smooth texture.

Step 4: Wrap it Around

Now I wrap my hair around the base of my ponytail in a clockwise direction to create the bun shape.

Tip: Some people like to twist the hair before wrapping it around, this is down to personal preference but I tend to skip the twisting stage as this creates a smoother and neater finish.

Step 5: Pull into Position

Now that I’ve created the basic ballerina bun shape, I can adjust the width and volume using my fingers to pull the bun into position. Once the shape is perfected I secure it with bobby pins along the base of the bun.

Tip: I like to cross my bobby pins over one another as this really locks them in place.

Step 6: Spray to Completion

To complete the style, I spray my hair all over with a firm hold hairspray and use my EIDEAL Brush to smooth down any fly-aways.

I’ve hunted down the best manicures around the city, and broken it down for you on the process, cost and recommended therapists. Where are your favourite places to get manicures? Check out the last edition here

Where? Ricci Capricci salon at Conrad Hotel, Dubai.

Distinctive methods: They do a nail soak, followed by cuticle work and a manicure whilst being on a massage chair!

Nail polish: Essie, a large selection!

Cost: AED77

Recommended therapist: Emily

Overall nail results: 8.5/10

Where? Nstyle (they have several branches around the UAE – my favourites are Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall)

Distinctive methods: Soak, filing, and cuticles whilst movies are playing at the salon (Entertainment plus).

Nail polish: They have their own Nstyle manicure brand as well as a small selection of Vinylux.

Cost: AED75

Recommended therapist: Mhel

Overall nail results: 7/10

Extras:

-Nstyle have a caller system. I’m not its biggest fan as it takes long but super organised.

-I prefer using the CND Vinylux to their Nstyle manicure – the colours are fab but each nail chipped on the same day.

Where? The Nail Place at the Dubai International Financial towers in Downtown.

Distinctive methods: File, soak, cuticles, and scrub followed by a short massage.

Nail polish: Essie and Gelish

Cost: AED75

Recommended therapist: Hazel

Overall nail results: 7.5/10

Extras:

-Loved the clean, white interiors with a touch of bright pink.

-Not many magazines, but they have a TV with movies for entertainment – Miss Congeniality was showing!

Where? Essentials Salon in Jumeirah (opposite ParknShop)

Distinctive methods: I did a pedicure, which included a foot soak, scrub, and cuticle work before the polish.

Nail polish: Orly, CND, Shellac and Smart Polish gel

Cost: AED65

Recommended therapist: Alone

Overall nail results: 8.5/10

Where? SLaM, Al Quoz

Distinctive methods: Slam specialise in hair – primarily hair colour so nails are not something they push but I feel like they should as I left with one of the best manicures! The manicure included the usual soak, cuticles, filing with a scrub using a delicious Milk & Honey sea salt scrub.

Nail polish: Essie, Kinetics and Shellac.

Cost: AED70

Recommended therapist: Mary

Overall nail results: 9/10

Extras:

-If you have any extra time, Fawzia gives the best head and shoulder massages (perfect addition to a pampering treatment!)

Charlotte Dellal, the woman behind the shoe brand, Charlotte Olympia was recently down in Dubai to celebrate her new store opening at Mall of the Emirates. I was lucky enough to get the chance to sit down and talk to her… Down to Earth, talented and looks like a pin up doll, we spoke about the Middle East, the importance of comfort in shoes and her favourite London hotspots.

This season, I had to get my hands on the Anna May Wong sandals from the Shanghai Express collection (Charlotte was wearing them when I interviewed her!)

How does it feel to be in Dubai? I just heard that the last time you were here was 13 years ago?

Yes I was here 13 years ago.. Now it’s completely different..all those buildings..lot of things obviously has changed.

How important was it for you to open up a store here in Dubai?

It is pretty important..we focus on the states and this year I’ve been to Hong Kong, and now we are here in Dubai! When the opportunity comes to a right moment, we do it. It’s so exciting having a store here.

Honestly it looks great and I heard you’re going there right after the interview for the first time! Any plans for other stores in the Gulf?

I have many plans but I just opened my first one, slowly but surely. It is a good start to have a presence in Middle East.

You can always tell when someone is wearing a Charlotte Olympia shoe but each season is completely different. What inspires you and how do you come about a collection?

Several things inspire me. The last few collections that inspired me starts mainly with a place. The full Shanghai express was inspired by China. It’s about having an outside perspective and also being so romantic when you see it. Shanghai express is a more glamorous, a bit richer with colors, tassels, patterns, designs and when we go to Mexico, flowers, colors, and festivity! It is inspirational, taking beautiful elements from places in transition to the designs.

Is it comfort or design for you when creating a shoe?

Both, because it is not one more than the other. I design shoes to be worn and at the same time I like to design things that look good – fashion pieces, I love them to look beautiful off and when they’re worn.

Do you have a favourite from the collection? 

I shouldn’t say this but yes! I love my Chinese Lantern bag and fan bag.

So do you tend to style yourself around the shoes or around the clothes?

It depends on my outfits, I always go for something classic with a standout piece. I want to wear outfits that can be accessorized more than once..I dress from the feet up!

What are you currently working on?

I just launched a leather goods collection, which is exciting!

Are those out yet?

Yes they are going to be out, and to be launched next week on my website and in my stores.

Lastly, What are your favourite London hot spots?

I love the Royal Institute of British Architects – a beautiful building in W1 Central London, an Art deco building with beautiful ceilings (I once showed there!) a secret, yet not so secret place. Another place I love is, Dock kitchen near my house, Ladbroke Grove. It started up as a pop up but because the food was so good, and everyone loved it – it became permanent. The menu changes every week! I go there every day…

I like Golborne Road – just on top of Portobello. I like Portobello Market but I just can’t do it anymore – so many people! Golborne have a lot of antique stores, the odd vintage store and nice cafes. (They just have odd opening hours!)

Where: The latest hip area in Dubai… Al Quoz, Dubai.

What: Trampoline park that just launched their fitness classes, genius!

Type of workout: Low impact, one hour trampoline workout, includes warm ups, stretching, bum drops, and squats. The class starts with a warm up around the trampoline park’s space. Most of the class is cardio based, and the rest is focused on the core.

What it helps: to get a high cardio workout, keeping your heart rate up. You’re also working on your core strength through out the workout to keep your balance.

The Studio: Bounce in Al Quoz

Changing rooms: They don’t have changing rooms, just toilets and cubbies.

Amenities: You have to bring your own towel, water and trainers. (They sell water for AED5)

Parking: They have their own dedicated parking right outside.

Recommended Instructors: Boxy (he’s the main instructor, hilarious and really helpful). Each class has Boxy and additional helping instructors.

Pro’s :

-The atmosphere is fun and hilarious with a little bit of bootcamp thrown in.

-The classes are in the morning, but bouncing for an hour really wakes you up and adds a lot of energy to the rest of your day. The adrenaline keeps you on a high all day!

-If you get bored easily, this is one to try. It’s definitely a high calorie burner.

-A low impact workout, so you don’t end up hurting your bones and joints as much as other workouts.

Cons:

-It’s not a workout you can do everyday – the classes only take place 2-3 times a week with a 6am and 9am option.

Cost: AED120/session

Contact

Primer: Dolce & Gabbana Sheer radiance makeup base

Getting sun kissed skin requires a radiant base, so I suggest you use a radiance primer like this one by Dolce & Gabbana. Radiance enhancing and Illuminating, the product is infused with extracts of gold silk sericin and Italian olive oil. Perfect under your foundation and gives the face a fresh and smooth texture.

Bronzer: NARS bronzer in Laguna

A cult product by NARS, which is now available in Dubai. The bronzer in Laguna is high in pigment with shimmer and can also be used for contouring. Available at Paris Gallery

Bronzing powder: Mary Kay Bronzing powder

An affordable bronzing powder option is mineral based brand, Mary Kay. They come in light-medium and medium-dark shades with a slight shimmer for the perfect sun-kissed look.

Blush: Clinique Blushing powder in aglow

If you’re looking for something natural with shades like bronze and peach and some subtle shimmer – this is one to check out. Slightly in between a bronzer and blush for a healthy glow, ‘aglow’ really says it all. Not to mention, it’s by dermatology brand, Clinique.

Drugstore buy: Boots No.7 Perfectly Bronzed Mosaic bronzer

For a drugstore buy, I love this bronzer by No.7 at boots – you can really customise your colour depending on how strong you want your bronze, as well as getting a dash of blush all in one.

Brown Smokey: Sephora Colorful 5 Pale to rich taupe

Over the past year, I’ve only been wearing neutrals and brown smokey shades instead of blacks and greys, because it gives a warmer look to my skin tone. I end up buying large palettes by Urban Decay and Smashbox to use the perfect browns. I recently got my hands on this palette by Sephora that I love. Five eyeshadows featuring nudes to dark browns in order to lighten up or intensify your look. A great travel beauty pick too.

Brown smokey eye: Clarins Colours of Brazil Eye Quartet & liner palette

If you love a beautiful brown smokey, you should check out this palette from Clarins. A limited edition from the brand, so I suggest you get your hands on it asap. 4 mineral pigmented shades, that give a gorgeous warm brown smokey eye as well as a gorgeous royal blue eyeliner

-Get a lash lift… with Rebecca at SLaM

Over the past year, I’ve tried several different lash extensions at different salons by a range of brands. I recently booked in for a half set with Beccy at SLaM – a favourite and one of the coolest looking salons in Dubai. Let’s just say if you’re looking for a quick lash lift with no irritation, this is the place I’d recommend. Beccy, who is incredibly sweet uses the brand Lash Perfect (Sisters beauty lounge are avid users of the brand) in a private room at the salon. She has a range of different lengths, and I went for a more natural, yet glam look with the lashes this time. I was done within a span of an hour, and was really impressed that the glue fumes (which usually irritate my eyes, because they’re sensitive) didn’t bother me at all. In terms of costs, it really depends if you want half a set or a full set, but they’re pretty affordable compared to other salons.

-Get a lunch time skin fix… with a Milk Peel at Beverly Hills Aesthetic & Medical Centre

Don’t you love treatments that are effective, yet are quick? Peels are amazing, just make sure to not overdo it at all (I think once a month or every two months is more than enough, or the skin does end up being very sensitive!) I booked in to try out the Milk Peel at the newly opened Beverly Hills Aesthetic & Medical Centre based on Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah. It’s not actually made out of milk extracts, but looks milky hence the name and is made for skin that doesn’t need intensive treatment – but rather a pick me up to even out the skin and add radiance. After my face was cleansed with a glycolic acid cleanser to prep the skin by laser specialist, Fatima – the peel was applied on to the skin for only two minutes before getting wiped off. It was then finished off with a vitamin cream which includes sunscreen. My skin was definitely glowing, and felt soft due to the exfoliation.

Note to clinic: Please add a map or add yourself to google maps. It’s on the main road, yet still got lost!

-Get a glossy polish… with an Essie gel manicure at The Nail Spa

I’ve recently mentioned how excited I was for Essie gel to launch in salons – It is probably my favourite gel polish on the market at the moment. I love Essie colours, and love the fact that Essie waited to perfect their formula before launching. Glossier than other brands, made in your favourite shades – I’m looking forward to them expanding the collection with more colours. If you’re looking for a spot to try it out, you can always count on The Nail Spa, one of my ultimate favourites in the city. I recently got it done at their Mercato Mall branch for my trip to Sri Lanka. With all the jungle visits and moving around, they were still salon ready by the time I got back.

Recommended therapist: Ivy

-Switch off… with Anantara’s signature massage

The Anantara Hotel on the Palm is one of the most impressive hotels we have at the moment. It’s the perfect staycation option because of the fact that it feels like Bali as soon as you step foot on the resort. I recently booked in for their signature massage at the spa, which is meant to be relaxing and increase your energy line. As soon as I arrived (the spa was quite full for a weekday morning), I was greeted with a piece of watermelon, a cold towel and berry juice before being taken inside to change and head to my treatment room. You get to slightly customise your massage, as you have the option of drawing the curtains for a dim setting or keeping them open with some natural light – and a view of their lagoons as well as the choice of music – I went with the sound of oceans. Before going for my aromatic massage with spice oil and almond extracts, I got an aromatic milk soak on the feet. The massage was lovely – relaxing, and not too intense. Post treatment, I was served dates and ginger tea. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a little switch off during the week.

Recommended therapist: Johna

-Cure Jetlag… with the Jetlag Massage at The Palace Hotel’s Spa

I’ve visited The Palace Hotel in Downtown (attached to Souk Al Bahar) quite a few times, but never tried their spa before. I booked in for a Jetlag massage (perfect for regular travellers like me) – It’s a great invigorating massage which is relaxing, yet attracts energy at the same time. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted to celery juice and a towel (I felt like they didn’t have enough staff though, the receptionist had to juggle between a few clients), I was then taken to the changing room to change into my disposable underwear and Arabian royal slippers for my 50 minute massage. The spa uses the brand, Aromatherapy Associates for the treatment, and was given a choice between a few oils as well as a say on the music to make it bespoke and right for me individually. The massage was incredibly relaxing – plus points for one of the comfiest spa beds in town! The treatment ended with their tea of the day, which was white apricot tea and a side of dates.

Recommended therapist: Cheryl