A Day of Bliss at The Spa, Address Boulevard, Dubai

Two years ago, I learnt the importance of a full body massage the hard way. I woke up one morning with back pain that felt like I had several needles punctured into my skin. While I used to experience back pain on and off, the discomfort would subside in 72 hours or so. However, that morning was different and I had to reach out for mild pain-killer.

When my friend invited me to tag along with her for a facial, I reluctantly took the opportunity to book a half body massage. Post a number of queries from the therapist, she got down to 'unlocking' my knots which she said were evident in my shoulder blade area. For the next 24 hours, my upper back was sore however, I realized that I didn't wake up with the regular discomfort. Moreover, I felt a sort of ease when stretching. It's because of that moment in time that I now go in for full body massages once every month. And once in a blue moon, I book two sessions- the first being mid-month and another, during the end of month. 

When I visited The Spa at the Address Boulevard, my expectations were high. I'm happy to say that The Spa checked off all the right boxes.

#TRESMakeover: A Beauty & Style Session With TRESemme

I quite love sessions with the beauty and haircare industry thought leaders. You know you are going to walk out of that session empowered with tricks of the trade and secrets that make you go, "Why didn't I think of that?".

It's always enlightening to listen to experts converse about how a particular trend initiated on the global runways, would work in the region or how you could emulate Victoria Beckham's gorgeous choppier bob and still look glam despite not having her cheekbones. Haircare expert, TRESemme launched the #TRESMakeover campaign, showcased some beautiful hairstyles that can be easily replicated for occasions and invited me to be part of a session to witness a live makeover. Hairstylist Georges El Mendelek, fashion designer Alanoud Badr and makeup artist Sarah Al Wadaani dished out some interesting tricks and trends.

Have you ever used a hair mask and witnessed that it weighs down your hair? How about trying to put on false eyelashes? I have to raise my hand because I can't put on falsies. I just can't, no matter how much I try. Kudos to the girls who actually apply it in seconds!

The Key To Beautiful Skin With Bioderma

I'm so grateful to the Bioderma team who developed the famed Sensibio H2O. They've made makeup removal a breeze. It's also one of my travel essentials and I always have a bottle sitting on my makeup table. The French brand plays host to several skincare gems and every product I used/use delivers what it claims. From cleansers to sunscreens and everything in between, Bioderma never disappoints.

It's one of the few French brands I blindly trust, truly love and one that impresses me time and time again. Bioderma took the brilliant initiative to set up a Skin Academy and impart all the secrets to beautiful skin. It almost sounds like a secret society made for beauty enthusiasts! At the Academy, we were made aware of how our skin is affected by extreme temperatures, exposure to the harsh sun and tricks of the trade when it comes to maintaining beautiful, supple skin.

Double Cleansing Method: I Tried It and Here's Why You Should Too

I know it's a chore. After a long day at work (or a night of partying), you return home and don't have the patience to remove the gunk of makeup off your face. You reach out for a face wipe, use it and hit the sack. Next day you wake up, apply makeup and the vicious cycle continues.

I say vicious because those wet wipes don't quite take off makeup and sunscreen completely. Yes, they will wipe your face clean but it isn't completely clean. Face wipes can use irritation (since you are rubbing the skin and I've read that there are added preservatives in wipes to prolong the shelf life). Even though the companies manufacturing the wet wipes state you don't necessarily require a secondary cleanser, the fact is you do.

Throughout the day, our skin tends to be a target for pollutants and grime. You can't use wipes and claim your skin is clean. When you spot a zit or two or dull skin tone, it all goes back to how to maintain the health of your skin (that includes your diet, as well). I've learnt it the hard way. I used to reach out for a face wipe as well.

Reviewed: Palmer's Moisture Repair Raw Shea Hair Care Range

If you've lived in Dubai long enough, you will agree when I say the summer just keeps getting harsher and harsher. The heat is unforgiving and it becomes unbearable to walk outside for 10 mins without breaking into a sweat that will pretty much stain the back of your shirt.

The heat plays havoc on the skin, hair and health. We are advised to apply sunscreen, stay indoors and be wary of the symptoms of a heat stroke. Watermelon juice becomes a favorite of mine when the summer season arrives. And super moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter for skin is a staple in my skincare routine.

So when Palmer's sent across their Moisture Repair hair care range, the words Shea Butter stuck out like the brightest crayon.

The Ordinary: A Brand I'm Really Excited To Try And Here's Why

Like every other girl, I'm inundated with beauty products everyday- be it in magazines, launches, in-store, word of mouth, editorial reviews and the likes. And being a beauty blogger has its perks. We get delivered products every now and then (provided it fits our blog portfolio). I've managed to discover a handful of products that I have purchased and re-purchased because they deliver on what they claim.

Having said that, there's one brand that actually caught my attention and made me want to buy it after reading the first 3 reviews. I did go on to read several other reviews on the brand's website and watch videos on YouTube. The more I read, the more I was convinced this would become a firm favorite once I placed my order. Then I read an interview with the person who created the brand, Brandon Truaxe. He talked about why we end up paying so much for skincare products (when we really shouldn't), highlighted the key ingredients in several of his products and the price point, among other things. That interview sealed the deal for me. 

 The Ordinary originates from Canada (parent company is Deciem) and by the end of this post, you will realize it's nothing close to ordinary. 

Marlay Creme Raparatrice: An Ultra Hydrating Hand & Foot Cream

It's quite common for women to pay attention to the face when it comes to skincare and ignore the areas where the signs of ageing show up quickly- the neck and hands. We also tend to ignore taking care of the feet unless we have an appointment at the nail salon. 

The weather tends to play havoc on our skin and there's no getting around dry/chapped skin, especially in the summer season unless you take time to pamper it. And by pampering, I don't necessarily refer to the spa. Super moisturizing ingredients are key when it comes to dry skin and with several brands narrowing down their main ingredients to shea butter and the likes, pampering the skin takes a few seconds. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again- I genuinely love beauty products from France. Having used (I still do) several luxury Parisienne beauty/skincare products, I can vouch for their effectiveness. It's not only the luxe brands that do the job well but also others, namely this new brand I discovered- Marlay Cosmetics. 

Parisienne Beauty With Arcancil

When I paid a visit to Paris, France sometime ago, I noticed the Parisienne girls had barely any makeup on during the day. They walked about with their flawless porcelain skin whilst holding what looked like spring water sealed in a bottle. Their hair was something Rapunzel would be proud of; it wasn't voluminous or long but short and well maintained.

The girls there know how to take care of their skin and don't really have complex routines when it comes to beauty. Whilst browsing a well known skincare brand, I spoke to one of the attendants and the conversation careened into beauty routine; she told me that glam for the French girls meant a bit of mascara, perhaps "some color on the cheeks and lips". 

France is a country that is credible when it comes to the beauty industry. The French churn out innovations in beauty that pretty much make most girls (including myself) want to buy it in an instant. I started using a Parisienne skincare brand a couple of years ago and have never looked back. The products are A+, deliver on everything they claim and while the price is on the higher end, it is worth every penny. Even the brand's beauty segment is beyond brilliant. From there on, I tried a handful of other Parisienne brands and loved them. There's not one that has failed me. Hence, I blindly trust skin and beauty care from France. 

So when another Parisienne brand popped on the my desk, I was excited to try them. 

Summer Skin and Hair Ready With Palmer's

Some people are night owls and others are early birds. Some bask in the glory of the summer's glistening sun while others wait patiently for the breeze of the winter season. I'm the latter and I really can't stand the harsh, unforgiving heat that the summer season brings to the country. I speak for more than a handful when I say the season is unbearable. Hey, if you keep a tube of sunscreen or forgot a chocolate bar in your parked car for about 15mins, you can kiss both of them goodbye.

It's not just lotions or the food the heat plays havoc on. It's skin and hair too. Girls will relate to this when I say, Hello Summer, Hello Frizz. Or hair takes the brunt of the heat and no matter how gorgeous blow dried hair looks once you step out of the salon, a short walk to the parking lot is frizz guaranteed. Let's talk about how nutritionists/doctors advise us to drink more water in the season. I still end up with patches of dry skin (it aggravates in the winter, but I'm cool with that season).

So, when Palmer's sent across a summer ready kit I was quite intrigued by one particular product.

The Launch of Namshi's SpringSummer '17 Collection

If you live in the GCC and aren't aware of Namshi.com, then you've been living under a rock. Having said that, I love Namshi. It's one of those online shopping websites that can do no wrong (atleast in my books). They are hassle and drama free, stock some of the best local and international brands (hello Topshop!) and have free (prompt) delivery + returns. Can they get any better than that?

Yes, they can and they did with the launch of their Spring/Summer '17 collection. Did I mention how much I love Namshi? I want almost everything from the new round of clothing, accessories and shoes. I love how they have incorporated some of the (intimidating) trends straight off the catwalk and made it easy to wear. I don't know who their styling team is. They do such a good job, it makes me want to impulse buy.

Summer is usually the time I tend to spring clean and buy a few pieces here and there. And Namshi makes it so much easier. Whether it's the beach or a dinner gathering, the online shopping site has you covered. From pastel tops to bright bottoms and everything in between, here's a look at the funky (and elegant) SS'17 collection. Also, find out how you can get a 10% discount off your order.

Review: Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Oud Satin Mood

I love oud. And it's not because I live in a country where oud and oud based fragrances are the epitome of local Arab households when it comes to scents. In the UAE, oud has taken a rather interesting turn. While we have local perfumeries that create classic oud fragrances, established global brands have studied and understood our love for oud thereby, developing their own versions.

Oud is beautiful and luxurious. It gives off a wonderful and pleasing fragrance. For some, it is overwhelming and immediately disregarded. For the rest (like me), it is one of the most unique ingredients in a fragrance. Having said that, I buy only a few oud fragrances as opposed to the collection of oriental/woody fragrances I own. And I don't really deviate from the local brands that develop my favorite oud fragrances. Having said that, there's one particular French perfumerie that blew me away with their oud fragrance.

Launch of Max Factor Academy in Dubai

Max Factor is one of those brands that have, over the years upped their game. They've collaborated with celebrities across the globe, partnered with other brands (Disney for Star Wars, anyone?) and launched some exceptionally wonderful products. To top it all, they've released some grogeous looks which are easy to get done in the luxury of your home.

If you struggle with makeup or are looking to become a certified makeup artist, you will definitely want to consider Max Factor. Read on to find out why.

Summer Beauty Picks

On a daily basis, we are all inundated with beauty products and recommendations from magazine editors, friends, bloggers and the likes. It can get overwhelming especially for me. Let's face it, there are atleast 4 new beauty products launched every day. And each of them are marketed so well that you want to head straight to either Bloomingdale's or Sephora to buy it. I know, I know...I shouldn't give in, considering I'm in the media industry.

Nonetheless, there are a few that when discovered tend to gain brownie points either immediately or after a couple of uses. They either end up becoming a summer or winter favorites. I tend to change my skincare and beauty routine in the summer. I don't usually use heavy moisturizers or foundations and tend to skip products that aren't necessarily made for the summer.

Having said that, here's a round up of a few products I've discovered (and love) that are apt for the unforgiving summer season.

Reviewed: Palmer's Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balms

You know, there are certain brands that do so well when they develop products particularly for the summer? They either end up as limited edition or permanently due to the surge in demand. While I dislike the summer season (hello, burnt skin and uncomfortable temperatures), I always look forward to the new products devised for the summer. And I'm grateful that I haven't come across any disappointing ones (at least, I don't remember them if I have).

I'm a firm believer of sunscreen and because my skin burns easily (not a pleasant sight or feeling), I tend to slap on sunscreen that contains SPF 100 or 50. The days that I do forget sunscreen are the days I tend to scurry for shade when walking outdoors.

Having said that, I've discovered yet another interesting product that doesn't disappoint. Palmer's Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balms may look like the run of the mill balms, but they aren't.

Nailed It At The White Room Spa, Dubai

While I have my go-to nail salon, every now and then I deviate from it and visit other salons. I usually tend to discover either new services (chrome nails in certain salons before every other salon started to offer them) or new products. In Dubai, there's a funky new salon popping up every now and then and some of them certainly have an edge over the others.

One such example is that of The White Room Spa. This quaint salon offers the expected beauty services with a handful of special offers thrown in every now and then. How many times have you gone into a salon, shown the picture and walked out with the hairstyle you wanted?

Beach Essentials for Dubai's Summer

Tuesday this week, my cousin who lives in Milan, Italy messaged me with a rather interesting message.

"I'm cominnnnggg to Dubaaaai!"

It was pretty cool as we started to quickly message each other with what needs to be added and or excluded on her itinerary. And then she threw in something I'm not a fan of: "I also want to spend my mornings on the beach...". There was a mention of brunch (I love those, by the way) but everything she said post the beach message made me frown. 

I'm not a fan of beaches or the harsh sun. I love lounging at resorts that boast of pristine blue water swimming pools but I definitely prefer a shaded one. I grudgingly agreed to my cousin's beach request but not before telling her to bring a beach umbrella (not sure how she plans on getting that!). My beach essentials are pretty much full-blown protection, from sunscreens to hats and everything in between. My skin burns easily and I don't look forward to burnt skin and the corresponding peeling that accompanies it. So, I whipped up my beach essentials. 

Reviewed: Bioderma's latest, Photoderm Nude Touch

For several people, summer means frolicking on the beach and having a fantastic time. For me, it's the complete opposite. When you live in a city like Dubai, you begin to detest the unbearable heat. Walk 2 mins in the parking lot towards your car, and you will end up with a sweaty back and frizzy hair. The heat has no mercy. If you've forgotten a chocolate bar in the car, you can take the now liquid chocolate and discard it.

The summer season plays havoc with skin, hair, health, food and everything you can think of. There are only a few reasons why I like summer such as ice-cream, embellished flip flops/sliders, dining indoors and having iced tea.

One of the core reasons I don't quite enjoy the summer season is due to the fact that my skin burns easily. It's not a pleasant feeling or sight and the sting of the sun rays becomes unbearable. You'd find multiple tubes of sunscreen at home and in my handbag. I religiously apply sunscreen and always buy Bioderma's Photoderm Max SPF 100. I trust the brand because the first product I bought lived up to its claims (the famous Sensibio H20) and then I went on to purchase a handful of others. It's one of the few brands that did not disappoint. Hence, when I was invited to the launch of their latest product, Photoderm Nude Touch, I was quite intrigued.

All Glammed Up With Glamazle.com

One of the things I absolutely love about online beauty stores is the fact that they manage to acquire certain cosmetics and skincare/haircare brands that aren't available in the UAE yet. I spend a chunk of my monthly savings on online shopping (be it clothes or cosmetics or accessories) and it's because they have something unique to offer. And I doubt I will shy away from the trend of purchasing online- it's quick and you can return products you aren't happy with.

Performance aside, I also tend to buy beauty products because of the packaging. One look at Giorgio Armani's sleek casing or Tom Ford's luxe lipsticks is enough to make me buy them, but never use them (weird, I know). How about Diptyque? Among other things, I love the brand for it's minimalist designs.  

I think I speak on everyone's behalf when I say buying beauty products online can get a bit tricky. Consider foundation, for example- this is where you have to swatch the product on your skin in order to ensure you buy the right shade. Lipsticks can get challenging as well. There's one brand I am itching to try and discovered it about 2 years ago. The ever so popular Colour Pop Cosmetics. Because this brand isn't available in the UAE, I watched countless videos on YouTube and read blog posts in order to narrow down which matte lipsticks (about 90% of my lip colors are matte) and eye shadows would best suit me. After months of deliberation, I finally decided to place my order during a sale weekend (the brand has these every now and then). I placed my order and every 24 hours, logged onto the delivery site to check on the status. For 15 days straight, my package was still marked as being at the "facility of origin". I finally lost patience and cancelled my order. I never got to try the brand and their wonderful lip colors. 

That was until I discovered local online beauty store, Glamazle.com stocked the brand! I was ecstatic and had stars in my eyes. During their second birthday celebration, they displayed quite a few brands that I had no idea were stocked locally. I was pleasantly surprised (and impressed).

Reviewed: Palmer's His & Her's Cocoa Butter Body Lotions

In an industry that is saturated with beauty products, there are only a few that become firm favorites and make it to the list of re-purchases. There are some that I love in an instance and others take a while to grow on me. One such brand that had the instant love effect is Palmer's. While the first product was a body lotion (discovered through Glambox), the product that caught my attention was their face oil. I loved the consistency and how my skin felt after using it.

From then on, I went on to try their variations of body lotions (Coconut and Olive Oil are my favorite!) and was quite impressed by the brand and the overall performance of each product. For Valentine's Day, Palmer's sent across a his and her version of their classic Cocoa Butter body lotion. While I have used the lotion previously (it is one of the most hydrating lotions I've used), I was quite intrigued by the version developed for men.

Reviewed: Fillerina Plus Night Cream

Every weekly magazine features atleast one article on flawless skin and how to achieve it. There are various ways including tapping into cosmetology. After all, isn't flawless skin on top of everyone's wishlist?

When you live in a cosmopolitan city such as Dubai, you have more than a handful of options to choose from- you either shell out AED 955 for a cream that works its magic while you blissfully sleep or you can step into the doctor's office for perfect skin. Let's talk about the latter. If I could get a penny for everytime I opened a magazine and saw a full page picture of a model with super smooth skin, I'd have built my own skyscraper. Editors across the city always introduce us to new skincare products especially anti-ageing. Because, let's face it- we all want to turn back the clock. I know of girls in their early 20s (my cousin sis for one) who has a very annoying horizontal line on her forehead. It's not that visible but when she points it out, you can see it staring back at you.

It's unfortunate that some individuals develop these skin 'flaws' earlier on. So when I attended the launch of the Swiss brand, Labo Suisse's Fillerina Plus launch, the annoying wrinkle came to mind. I was quite intrigued as the overall reviews I read were quite positive.