More stories

  • in

    This annual shopping extravaganza returns to Dubai this weekend

    As the month of December is often associated with gifting due to the nature of the season, there’s no better time to splurge on gifts for your loved ones while you also treat yourself before the end of this year.
    With another much-awaited sale just on the horizon, the Dubai Shopping Festival is back this weekend from December 17 up until January 30, 2021.

    From major deals, art installations, concerts and an opportunity to win some tempting prizes, there’s enough in the pipeline for you to enjoy for the next six weeks.
    The Box at Burj Park on December 17 and 18, will also host a cosy market area where visitors can enjoy live performances from renowned musicians, relish food trucks and shop for exclusive pieces from a variety of small businesses.

    There will be a host of pop-up markets at various locations including Last Exit Al Khawaneej and Al Seef as well as events at Burj Park, Nakheel Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City Mall and community markets around the city.
    In addition, all social distancing measures and safety precautions must be adhered to as usual. Details regarding the daily rooster of activities will be updated closer to the date with exciting activations such as fireworks displays and drone activities to keep you entertained during the DSF.
    For more information head to visitdubai.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Instagram @ounass More

  • in

    The Two Products I Swear by to Calm My Hyperpigmentation and Acne Scars

    Raise your hand if you think that acne scars and dark spots—AKA hyperpigmentation—are harder to treat than that pesky pimple. Since my high school years, I’ve read article after article that touted the perfect acne scar and dark spot treatments (that would accommodate my sensitive skin, of course). I made sure to make room in my budget for what I hoped would be the holy grail to treating my scars and dark spots, but they still claimed residence on my skin. Beginning in mid-March of this year, another pesky, bright-red acne scar developed under my chin after a several week-long battle with an unwanted pimple. I used the extra time at home to experiment with new products, such as a niacinamide serum and retinol, to treat my newfound acne scar. Instead of fading the scar, these products made matters worse. Red splotches developed all over my cheeks, which I took as a sign to stop experimenting. 

    The cream that’s like magic
    Once June rolled around, I decided to find new solutions to treat the then three month-old acne scar, so I reached for a sample I had of Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment. This color-correcting cream is seriously magic thanks to its hero ingredient, centella asiatica, an active ingredient anecdotally known for its calming properties. While it didn’t make the scar disappear, it hid the redness temporarily. Before applying my concealer, I swept this green-tinted cream on my red scar, ensuring that the color corrector blended seamlessly into my skin. The cream can also be applied to red spots and dark spots solo. I personally love to swipe a bit of this cream on my problem spots as the last step of my nighttime skin care routine. By morning, the spots are not as red as they were the day before, but this effect is only temporary. If you’re a tosser and turner though, I would not recommend putting this cream on at night as it can turn your pillow green.
    One tub of this cream can last a long time. At $18 a tub, it’s a great value, given that it will last for several months. I graduated from my sample to a 0.5 ounce tub in August, and I’m not even close to being empty. Since discovering this scar-covering cream, I regularly use it as a base for my makeup or as a nighttime spot treatment. Now, my worries about my scars showing are a thing of the past.

    The scar-fading serum of my dreams
    Besides the color-correcting cream being the closest thing I’ve found to magic, it wasn’t until I got my hands on Topicals’ Faded gel serum in August that my under-the-chin acne scar went away for good. The Topicals line was developed by founders who had skin considered less than perfect according to what was shown in movies and on TV, so I had a good feeling that Faded would be the remedy for all my scars and dark spots. After I consistently applied the gel on my face for two nights, it was gone! Even after the scar went away, I made sure to apply the gel at the recommended rate of 2-3 times a week. However, my skin did develop some pimples on my forehead and cheeks. These were expected, given that the packaging warned of skin purging, which is a result of irritation caused by the acids in the serum’s formula. I do think that $36 for this serum is relatively pricey, but every penny is worth it. Acne scars can take weeks or months to fade away, but in my experience, this serum got to the heart of the problem in a matter of days. Just like the color correcting cream, this serum can last for months, making the investment all the more worth your buck. 

    Getting rid of the scars acne makes is far more challenging than popping that pimple. However, with Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment and Topicals’ Faded serum, I feel in control of my skin and am empowered with the confidence that I can achieve a clear, glowing complexion.  More

  • in

    Can laser treatments replace Botox? A Dubai-based skin expert weighs in

    With skincare being an ever-evolving space in the beauty industry, laser treatments have gained extreme momentum and popularity in recent years.
    More and more are opting for the less-invasive laser treatments rather than going under the knife and are even turning to such treatments instead of Botox and fillers. However, it begs the question – can laser treatments really replace Botox and other popular skincare treatments?

    Emirates Woman sought the advice of the amazing skincare expert Rebecca Treston at Dubai London Clinic, who has been the go-to skincare guru for the past 20 years in Dubai. With more than 50 certifications in laser technologies, she’s definitely the person to go to about all thing laser treatments.
    “Since I started working as an aesthetician, I have worked hard to gain a reputation for not only curating the best technologies available on the market but for my expertise at manipulating energies to deliver unrivalled treatment results,” Treston tells EW. “My protocols offer unrivalled treatment outcomes thanks to the way in which I combine and layer energies to work synergistically.”

    Treston explains that her “protocols address even the most challenging skincare and body concerns, such as pigment, laxity, texture, excess isolated fat, and more, with uncompromising treatment standards and results”.
    So, can lasers replace Botox and going under the knife? See what Treston has to say below.
    Talk us through your career.
    After several years in the UK beauty industry, I relocated to Dubai in 1999 where I worked at various clinics. Earlier this year, I joined Dubai London Clinic, a group that has been synonymous with exceptional service and care for more than 30 years. In the past 20 years, I have become Dubai’s go-to skin expert for energy-based transformative skincare treatments. Boasting more than fifty certifications in laser technologies, I am certified to practice in both the UAE and UK, and I am globally recognised as a pioneer in my field, regularly featured as an expert commentator in beauty bibles.
    I work with the latest cutting-edge technology to develop protocols that harness different energies – namely laser, radiofrequency, sound and light – and ensure they work in complement to deliver brilliant results to treat a myriad of challenging skincare and body concerns; and ultimately push the boundaries of what is possible to achieve with an aesthetics treatment. Working under DLC’s umbrella and in partnership with its network of doctors, I and my team of expert practitioners offer all my carefully curated protocols at a refurbished and state-of-the-art clinic at DLC’s Al Thanya branch.
    How popular laser treatments have become in the last few years?
    Laser treatments are very popular due to the fantastic results and that they give. Also, they are cost-effective rove and have little to no downtime. Laser treatments help to maintain the function and structure of the skin – no amount of plastic surgery or injectables can give you radiant healthy skin. To ensure the healthiest possible skin, you need to work on the dermal and subdermal levels to address any issues and also to stimulate collagen and elastin, which will ultimately trigger rejuvenation and decelerate the ageing process.
    How many different laser treatments are there?
    There are lots of different laser treatments on the market today but not all laser treatments are created equal. It is important to ensure that you do your research to find not only a technology that will combat your skincare concerns but an aesthetician who can use and manipulate this technology to ensure the delivery of the treatments to the highest possible standard, which will yield the best possible results.
    In my clinic, thanks to my relationship with those at the forefront of the industry, I often work closely with manufacturers on newly developed and emerging technologies, and they use my own parameters as their gold-standard. These relationships have allowed me to trial and manipulate new technologies long before they are available on the commercial market, ensuring her clients always benefit from the latest technology.

    Why do you recommend the use of lasers so much?
    Laser treatments help to maintain the function and structure of the skin – no amount of plastic surgery or injectables can give you radiant healthy skin. To ensure the healthiest possible skin, you need to work on the dermal and subdermal levels to address any issues and also to stimulate collagen and elastin, which will ultimately trigger rejuvenation and decelerate the ageing process.
    Is there a laser treatment that can give you similar results to Botox?
    No laser is going to give the exact result you would achieve with an injectable, however with the range of energy-based treatments you can maintain younger-looking skin that is free from the signs of ageing, especially lines and wrinkles but also laxity. For instance, Ultherapy uses safe, time-tested ultrasound energy to lift and tighten the skin naturally—without surgery or downtime. While Ultherapy relies on ultrasound therapy to deliver its collagen-boosting treatment, it also incorporates traditional ultrasound imaging, which allows practitioners to see the layers of tissue they are treating, ensuring the treatment energy is delivered to where it will be most beneficial. Ultherapy is acclaimed as a lunchtime treatment, meaning it requires no downtime, only takes 45-60 minutes and leaves you looking younger and more refreshed without a scalpel in sight!
    Can you talk us through the Fotona 4D treatment?
    You had the Fotona 4D treatment. This brilliant treatment offers the chance for all skin types to experience facial rejuvenation without any of the negative impacts of surgery. Fotona’s Nd:YAG and Er:YAG wavelengths work together to enable four different modes of lifting procedure.
    The first step of the 4D Facelift is a unique procedure called Smoothliftin®. The entire inner surface of the cheeks and lips are treated with non-ablative Er:YAG laser, for tightening, volumizing and restoring collagen starting from the inside out. This reduces depth of the nasolabial and melomental folds (The lines from nose to lips, and lips to chin), and helps restore lip volume.
    The second step uses the Nd:YAG laser in Fotona’s Frac3® modality. This enables the treatment of specific, deeper imperfections, as well as restoring a youthful texture.
    The third step uses the Nd:YAG laser in Fotona’s PIANO® mode. Controlled deep tissue heating is maintained for a period of time. This promotes tightening and restoration of collagen and elasticity in the dermis and deeper tissues.
    Finally, the skin surface is lightly treated with the Er:YAG laser in Superficial® mode, to provide a smooth, fresh surface and smooth out skin surface irregularities.
    What are they meant to do for the skin?
    The goal is to restore the skin to its normal, more youthful-appearing contours. The look achieved by the 4D procedure is more natural than that of a surgical facelift, as there is no tugging or stretching of the facial features, so this treatment can be used on anyone who has some visible signs of aging.
    A healthy skin should be healthy skin is one that has a smooth texture and is free of chronic inflammation and disease such as acne and rosacea. It should be well hydrated and have no pigmentation or vascular concerns. It should be firm and have no real lines or enlarged pores. The 4D works on all these aspects. This treatment is ideal for anyone who is worried who wants an effective anti-aging treatment. For some people, the signs of aging come when they are in their late 20s, while others might not experience sagging or wrinkling until the late 30s or early 40s. But the treatment can be used on anyone aged in their mid-20s to anyone in their mid-70s.

    What should you be mindful of when undergoing laser treatments?
    It is vital to have a thorough consultation before embarking on any treatment to assess your skin type and condition. During this, the aesthetician will go through patient’s medical history, as well as what medication they are taking. Once this has been done, a bespoke programme can be devised to take into account what you want to achieve and what your priorities are for your skin.
    Generally, everyone is good candidate for laser treatments, provided the aesthetician delivering them knows what he/she is doing so that there will not be any adverse reaction. Laser treatments should not be performed on someone with a suntan and patients who have skin type 6 need to have more precautions built into their treatment plan to ensure that there will be a brilliant outcome without any negative impact.
    To make an appointment with Rebecca Treston visit dubailondonclinic.com or call 800 352.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied/Instagram More

  • in

    A new clinic is opening in Dubai which is said to ‘reverse human ageing’

    With everything exciting in the pipeline for 2021, the world’s first “reverse human ageing” clinic is all set to open in Dubai early next year.
    The new clinic, which is set to be located in JLT, is said to reverse biological human ageing using advance technology and science.

    With over a decade of research and trials, the Aviv Clinic will be the first of its kind with pioneering medical data to adapt this protocol.
    Using the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), the process reverses the key markers of ageing including telomeres.

    Pioneering medical science clinic using world’s first proven protocol to reverse human aging to open in #Dubai https://t.co/V8TAoorA3P pic.twitter.com/9Pbfl1AaKk
    — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 8, 2020

    The additional benefits of this treatment are that the process could help reduce your risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
    The project is led by world-renowned physician Prof. Shai Efrati and his team at the medical research institute Sagol School of Neuroscience at Shamir Medical Center in Israel.
    [embedded content]
    The highly personalised treatment combines HBOT therapy neuroscience with physiology research to ensure a younger-looking you.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature image: Twitter @Dubaimediaoffice  More

  • in

    Work & Play – EW’s December cover star Haya Jarrar

    December’s – ‘The Party Issue’ – Download Now
    The Gift Guide – Download Now 
    Words & Creative Direction: Amy SessionsPhotography: Greg AdamskiProduction: Kelli MaddockHair & Makeup Ania PoniatowskaFashion Assistant: Sarah JosephLocation: With special thanks to Nyx at Gaia DIFC
    Founder & Creative Director of Romani, Haya Jarrar creates unconventional pieces with a touch of the rebellious. Is she on our guestlist? Absolutely.
    What do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?

    I check my emails the minute I wake up and respond to all of them before getting out of bed. Then I begin my morning skincare routine and have breakfast before I hit the gym.
    Do you feel more drawn to the creative or the business side?
    Definitely the creative side. I didn’t even know what an income statement is until I started Romani.
    How did you know it was the right time to launch your own brand and what were the stepping-stones to that point?

    You know in life, there’s never really the “right time”. It’s always been my dream to start my own label, so I just went for it. Studying fashion design in university and working in the industry after graduating helped me gain experience and insight which I used to start my own brand with my own identity.

    What has been the biggest hurdle since launching the brand and how did you overcome this?
    Starting as a very young girl in this very big industry was very challenging for me in the beginning. It was a struggle in every single aspect (finding the right suppliers, creating the right designs that represent me, promoting my brand and making sure I’m doing the right thing). With time, you learn that every successful person in any industry has to struggle a bit before finding their way.
    Do you have any mentors or guides and how does this help navigate the right path throughout life and your career?
    My inspiration and motivation in life is the person I aspire to be in the future. I try to work really hard on myself every day and try so hard to improve myself because everything you want in life and strive to achieve is already within you; you just need to carve your way in.
    What do you look for in terms of hiring your own team?
    It’s important for me to be surrounded by a team that understands my vision. That’s the most important thing. I also value a team that is hard working and that has something to bring to the table.
    How has this year impacted the industry both positively and negatively?
    Negatively, as a brand we’ve struggled in terms of production and missing fashion weeks and not being able to showcase our collections and connect with our customers and having to put things aside for a while and delaying production. Positively, it gave us the time and space to sit back, relax and breathe. It made us realize that we were constantly rushing before. Now, we are not rushing anymore.
    How do you approach scaling the business and what works in terms of client retention?
    I want to scale my business by going into more retails stores and I want to also expand to other areas (other than fashion) through Romani. We will be making this reveal very soon!

    There’s a rebelliousness and unconventionality to the pieces you create – was this part of the brand DNA from the outset?
    Yes. Usually, from what I see, a lot of designers base their designs on what buyers are looking for or what is the norm in the region. For me, I wanted to create designs that represent my identity and me from the beginning.
    Which pieces are your best sellers and do you notice differing trends globally in terms of sales?
    The Sylphina jacket. It’s very dear to my heart since it’s the first piece I ever created for Romani. And luckily, it is our most popular piece.
    How has social media affected the luxury industry and which platform has been most useful?
    It enabled us to become closer to our customers and helped us understand them more. Instagram has been the most useful by far.
    Do you have any pre-bedtime rituals?
    Recently, I got into meditation. And it works so much better for me at night than in the morning. Also, I really enjoy a nice walk to clear my mind right before bedtime.
    If you were not on your current career path, which other role would you have chosen career-wise?
    I believe I was born to create. If not fashion design, then definitely interior and furniture design.
    This is ‘The Party Issue’, where and how will you be celebrating this season?
    I think I will be somewhere cold, cosy and Christmassy with my husband and family.
    What should you gift the host when attending a dinner?
    A candle is always a good idea.
    What’s your secret to surviving party season and still looking flawless?
    Lots of water, exercise, vitamins and a healthy routine.
    What is your go-to party outfit?
    Either a Romani dress or Romani suit. You can never go wrong with a Romani suit.
    What is on your wishlist this festive season?
    Bottega Veneta boots, an Alexander McQueen knit…
    December’s – ‘The Party Issue’ – Download Now
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

  • in

    12 accounts you should be following on Instagram for party season inspo

    December’s – ‘The Party Issue’ – Download Now
    A curated list of who to #follow this month.
    Rene Caovilla@renecaovilla

    Dressing women from the feet up since the 1950s with beautifully designed creations. Rene Caovilla crafts pieces of art with an emphasis on heritage and quality.
    Valentino@maisonvalentino

    From strict tailoring to flowing dresses and separates, Valentino continues to dazzle for FW20.
    Retrofete@retrofete

    Founded by Ohad Seroya and Aviad Klin, Retrofete is known for its party season-appropriate sequin dresses.
    Haya Jarrar@hayajarrar

    Founder and Creative Director of Romani, Haya Jarrar bring a rebellious edge to her ready-to-wear label.
    Laura Bailey@laurabaileylondon

    Modal, writer, cultural ambassador for the British Fashion Council and brand ambassador for Chanel, Bailey has a honed eye for style.
    Jo Malone@jomalonelondon

    Unexpected combinations of ingredients made British lifestyle brand Jo Malone famous for its elegant yet playful fragrances.
    Gilda Ambrosio@gildaambrosio

    Gilda Ambrosio co-founded The Attico alongside long time friend Giorgia Tordini, adding an edge to classic glamour.
    BYFAR@byfar
    Taking reference from the ’90s this brand is sustainable as well as fun.
    Camille Charriere@camillecharriere

    Journalist and Broadcaster, Camille Charrier delivers her own sense of half British / half Parisian style.
    Fiona Leahy@fionaleahydesign

    Bringing dream dinners to life, Fiona Leahy creates incredible tablescapes for royalty and rock royalty alike.
    Alighieri@alighieri_jewellery
    Founded by Rosh Mahtani, Alighieri offers jewellery collections inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, where each piece corresponds to one of the poet’s 100 works.
    The Arts Club Dubai@theartsclubdubai

    The Arts Club is one of the most luxurious and famous private members’ clubs in the world. The London-based club is now happily opening its doors in Dubai’s DIFC.
    December’s – ‘The Party Issue’ – Download Now
    The Gift Guide – Download Now 
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More