Health and beauty

If you are serious about a makeover, getting a good cut is half your battle won. I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into Station Ten Beauty Salon, a bright and cheery salon tucked inside the Ramada Plaza hotel. One look at my frizzy and dull (with lots of gray strands) and it was enough for Tanya Lobo, the owner, to decide what I needed – a radically different colour and a short, really short style.

Roger Al Achkar and Tony Saad, the two hair experts were soon at work, with Tony in particular deciding to go all experimental. Out went the unruly layers and in came symmetry. Tony then decided on giving me low lights to give my hair a whole new texture. His advice was simple: keep your skin, eye colour and shape of the face in mind while deciding on a hair colour. Finally, the base – a combination of four shades between brown and dark blonde, ash and ash brown was applied. After this, the colouring cream was used, to give the hair the perfect ash shade and a bit of shine.

THE RESULT

A dramatic change with gleaming highlights and smart cut that brings out the shades perfectly. The personal attention was the added bonus.

MAINTAINENCE

The key to maintain treated hair is to constantly check if your mane has gone dry or the ends are broken. Applying a good shampoo and mask is a must. Most importantly, get a professional deep conditioning treatment with your hairstylist

Beauty enthusiasts around Dubai are in for a real treat. One of the regions most awaited beauty event is just around the corner, and we’re obviously super excited. The Beauty Pop DXB happening from April 19th – 21st at the Dubai Design District will see the coming together of beauty experts enlightening audiences with fun masterclasses and discussions to update you on current beauty trends.

Among the many reputed names, the line-up includes celebrity skin expert Nurse Jamie, celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin and hair colourist Tracey Cunningham, Dubai’s very own Huda Beauty, celebrity makeup artist Bassam Fattouh and beauty bloggers Camila Coelho, Desi Perkins and Marianna Hewitt.

We got some lovely tips from three beauty experts from different fields, letting you in on absolutely everything you need to know about hair, skin care and make up. Here it is:

Beauty influencer and celebrity hairstylist, Justine Marjan’s client list includes the Kardashians, Olivia Culpo, Chrissy Teigen, Lily Aldridge, Jenna Dewan Tatum among others. Here is her list of must-dos for shiny hair.

1. Use volumizing products to prep hair before blow-drying with your GHD air blow-dryer like Tresemme Mousse and OUAI Volume Mist.
2. Apply Tresemme Hairspray to dry hair before styling with hot tools for added hold.
3. Hold your GHD iron on the hair until you can feel that the hair has heated through.
4. Try subtle highlights or balayage to the hair to add depth and dimension.
5. Invest in a great haircut that brings out your hair texture and frames the face.
6. Try pre-shampoo treatment oils like Leonor Greyl before washing for added shine.

SKIN-TILLIATING: NURSE JAMIE’S TIPS FOR FLAWLESS SKIN

Celebrity skincare expert and registered Nurse, Jaime is one of the top beauty professionals worldwide. She has also worked as consultant to some of the top spas around the world and boasts of a long list of celebrity clientele. She lists three products that guarantee smooth,  beautiful skin

1. UpLift Beauty Roller: I developed this roller with the intention of mirroring the massage techniques used in my signature facials.
2. Beauty Bear Age Delay Pillow:  Poor sleep position is the number 3 cause of premature aging (No. 1 is UV damage and No. 2 is smoking).  Don't sleep on a wrinkle maker - aka a traditional pillow. Use satin only and - like my Beauty Bear - a shape that will help you train to back sleep - or at least keeps the opening for your face so that the most delicate areas around the eyes, cheeks and neck do not form permanent wrinkles.
3. Beauty Stamp:  The Beauty Stamp may very well be the best investment anyone can make. A small pad features a cross section of micro needles in a grid that helps with micro exfoliation and opens channels for product delivery and efficacy.

SHINE LIKE A STAR: MARY PHILLIPS’ MAKE-UP TIPS

She is the person global beauty icons like Kendall Jenner, Gwen Stefani, Hailee Steinfeld and others go to when they want to glam. Mary Phillips’ tips on how to glow with make-up.

1. Don't overdo it with heavy or dark shadow as this can make beautifully almond eyes look closed off and small.
2. Use a lash curler to open the eye and apply mascara immediately to keep them open.
3. Avoid attempting to create too much of an eyelid crease as it can look obvious and fake.
4. Many Asian women have a lot of yellow undertones in their skin, so look for a foundation that matches these tones.
5. Try a brow powder instead of a brow pencil to fill in sparse hair as this can look softer and more natural.
6. Learn to correctly contour the angles of the face to add believable looking dimension.
7. Find a fantastic red lipstick and rock it! A great red looks stunning on beautiful Asian skin.

So ladies – that time is upon us again: the scorching UAE heat! We can look forward to shorter working hours, longer days and some much needed retail therapy with great discounts at the Dubai Summer Surprises! Of course when it comes to our skin, the summer presents a whole array of new challenges. From our skin tones going a shade darker thanks to days in the sun, to an exasperated search for the perfect sweat-proof mascara.

To bail you out, I’m proud to present my secrets on how to get (and keep) the perfect skin from the sunny morning to the cool evenings.

They say the perfect painting starts with an even canvas – so the first step of any flawless finish is to start with an even and hydrated palette by moisturizing your skin. This should always be your first step, before any colour goes onto your skin. In the winter – a heavy coverage facial moisturizer helps fight against dry and fatigued skin. In the summer – you’ll want to swap out your usual moisturizer for a light-weight and oil-free formula. To skip an extra step, look for one with an SPF that will act as a barrier between your skin and the sun. I love Clinique’s Pep-Start HydroRush Moisturizer! It has the perfect light-weight formula with an added touch of SPF 20 for that extra boost.

Ask Yourself How Much Coverage You Really Need?

Ladies – real talk. Today we start our looks with a corrector and by the time we’re done we’ve packed on everything from liquids, powders, glow kits and a highlighter for extra pizzaz! The real question with dealing with the summer sun is to ask yourself how much coverage do you really need? (Or how little can you get away with!) In the winter it’s no holding back – but in the summer take your routine and see what you can omit while still getting the same results.

- For those already flawless – congratulations! You’ll need the least amount of packing on. We suggest doing a creamy concealer followed by a tinted sunscreen. My favorite is the XL Anthelios by LaRoche-Posay which comes in a powerful SPF 50! Finish with a translucent powder like the one by Laura Mercier which helps to mattify your face and keep the oils at bay.

- For those who need a little boost – In my experience this is where most of us are. Start again with a creamy concealer (skip the corrector during the summer because it will just give you that added step). If you can get away with it – swap your regular foundation for a BB-cream. If the coverage is still not enough, opt for a light-weight breathable foundation with a matte-finish. Everyone’s favorite skincare brand The Ordinary Company makes an incredible serum foundation that is affordable and gives you a super natural skin-like finish. Top with a translucent or matte loose powder to keep everything in place.

- For those that need the heavy lifting – alright so these are the ladies who have the real challenge. What I tell all my clients is to start working with your skin and not against it and above all else develop a skincare regimen that works for you. Start with your normal routine and in lieu of your normal foundation – opt for a mattifying waterproof formula that is oil-free.  Mac’s Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation and Mat Velvet+ by Makeup Forever both give you an incredible matte-finish that stays in place and can build-up to full-coverage if you need it! These foundations are water-resistant and oil-free meaning they can stand up to the Dubai sun without making you feel like you’ve caked on an entire bottle of foundation. Soft, easy yet resilient. Finish with a light loose-powder to keep it all in place. If you’re a contouring-girl, skip the glow kit for a lightweight highlighter or bronzer to give you definition without taking over

Did We Mention Sunscreen?

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies! The one age-defying secret I can give you is use sunscreen. No matter how light or deep your skin tone, us desi girls need sunscreen! The higher SPF the better. To make the steps easier, especially in the summer, always opt for bb creams or foundations and powders that have an SPF component. All the great brands now come with them and anything with an SPF of 20 (or higher) is ideal. Finish your flawless summer look with a makeup setting spray that not only keeps everything in place – it gives you the much needed protection you require. Our favorites are the Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF and the LaRoche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Mist. Both contain an SPF of 50 and while you won’t feel it there, you will notice your skin less tired from the summer sun. For best results, keep a bottle in your purse and spray every 3 hours.

Above all else – remember to have fun! Summer is a time where your body naturally perspires as a means of cooling yourself down. Over applying products, especially the wrong ones, will only cause you to block your pores that could lead to breakouts. Take care of your skin by hydrating and protecting yourself from the sun and letting your skin breathe in the fresh air.

I try and get in at least 2 hours of training every day. Pilates works on lengthening my muscles and increasing my flexibility while improving my posture. So I stay loyal to that. I play tennis regularly for an hour every day. A mixture of pilates and cardio works best for me. I sometimes switch this up with weight training just to increase my strength and definition and keep monotony away. Treadmills are a no-no. I’m more of an outdoors person. Currently I’m learning competitive ballroom dancing and that takes care of my cardio as I dance for three hours. And I love it. 

I am a fan of squats and lunges for the glutes, side leg raises for the outer thigh, plank, side plank, sit ups for the core, push ups for the back and chest, and tricep dips for the triceps. All these done with about 20 repetitions and sets of three each will work up a sweat and make you feel good. I would also skip. But be mindful of your posture.

Wheat is something I completely stay away from. It does not agree with me. I replace my sugar with jaggery and refined salt with rock salt. I also try to consume as less salt as I can. Canned foods, processed food or anything that comes in a packet, I don’t touch. Aerated drinks should be avoided at all costs.

I believe in consuming foods that actually work for your body. In my case, a high protein diet helps when I’m training a lot but a clean vegetarian diet helps keep me lean. Don’t shy away from unsalted butter or ghee. These are good fats and required for our bodies.
Eating everything in moderation combined with a good workout routine will give you the best results.

Starving yourself does not work! You do not lose weight by depriving your body of food. On the contrary, eating at regular intervals is what you need to do to increase your metabolism.

Ever looked up at the hairstylist clueless when asked of what style you wanted? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there more than once in our lives. Picking out the right style is absolutely essential as it’s something you really don’t want to regret in the future, plus it takes forever to grow back to where you started off!

What’s most essential while picking out a style that’ll suit you, is being aware of the shape of your face. Here are different hairstyles that’ll suit different faces. We’ve also listen the best products to use to maintain that style and shine. So wave goodbye to that clueless encounters and have your look picked out before you head to the hairdresser.

An oval face cut, is very popular among masses and is highly desired within beauty circles. It is said to be the most versatile shape, making choosing a haircut less tricky.  An oval face is longer than it is wide with not much definition around the cheekbones and a slightly wider forehead than chin.

How to style your hair: A centre parting on the crown of the head is a great look for the oval shape as it keeps the face symmetrical. Adding texture using layers and waves, gives the shape definition, thus preventing the face from looking too long. For an extra something, you can add volume to the hair, by using a good stronghold hairspray or salt spray to give it that extra texture. Also, while you style your mane, giving it all that volume, don’t forget to use a heat protectant like the TRESemmé heat defence spray which will protect your hair from any damage.

Square shaped faces are the ones where the sides of the face are straight and it will be nearly as wide as it is long. The jaw line is generally more defined, with only a minimal curve. This kind of shape, requires haircuts, styles and makeup that will help soften the strong angles.

How to style your hair: Wavy ends (starting from the ears down) are a perfect style for a square shaped face. It helps divert attention from the sharp jawline. Start by using a good conditioner on your hair, like the TRESemmé keratin smooth conditioner (our favourite). This will ensure smooth silky locks! Style it by using a large round brush to smoothen the hair, then spritz on a wave spray to fix the style in place. A tousled look is also great for this kind of shape. You can achieve this style by grazing your fingers through the hair with a styling cream to emphasise layers and soften angles.

Favourite form of fitness?
As they say, sleep is very important for being fit. So I would say I would say sleep is the most essential part of our fitness regimen.

Daily Fitness Routine
I do a mixture of lot of things, variation is the key. I don't really stick to one workout form, I mix it up with pilates, cardio and kick boxing which gives me an equal balance throughout the week.

Diet Plan From Breakfast till Dinner
I always skip my breakfast, I know that everyone says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but I don't have my breakfast. I have two meals in a day - lunch and dinner, it's actually not even like a dinner, it's supper. Also, I don’t delay my dinner beyond  8pm. When I have to prepare for a role, I go on a no-carbs diet. On a day-to-day basis I eat 'ghar ka khana' , I am not a 'bahar ka khana' (outside food) person, I stick to my home cooked food.