New York, London, Paris, Milan and...Dubai?

 

 

New York, London, Milan, Paris. For any self-respecting fashionista, the penny (or rather, Dirham) has already dropped. They are all eclectic, elegant cities that are synonymous with the world of fashion. Their history is cemented in thousands of books, their designers worshipped the world over, and the iconic trends will remain on high-streets and runways for many years to come. In short, their influence on the industry is timeless.

 

However, as the world we live in becomes one that is dominated by mass commercial travel and our travel plans become more ambitious every year, it seems no country is off limits for us to be inspired by when it comes to our wardrobe. The world is our oyster! Our grandparents may not have even had a passport, our parents may have been the pioneers for exotic adventures but we, today, seem to have become transient in our very nature. Of course, we all have a natural bond and love for our homelands, but we know that the opportunities to travel and sample other cultures are limitless.

 

Globalisation is all around us. It’s in our cuisine, home decor, on our TV’s, our art and literary choices and in our fashion. Many up and coming cities are on the cusp on joining the likes of London, Paris, and Milan when it comes to being fashion-forward cities of the world.  Our very own Dubai is perhaps one of the key burgeoning cities that must be mentioned.  Dubai can often be labelled as a conservative city, not a word that resonates with leaders in the fashion industry. However, while Dubai is a conservative city and one that upholds its strong customs and faith, it offers a unique opportunity to see how an influx of nationalities and a transient, ambitious youth movement has created an unexpected, yet deserving, fashion ‘it-crowd’.

 

 A fashion capital is a city which has a major influence on international fashion trends and as the undoubted fashion capital of The Middle East, Dubai certainly ticks that box. The sceptical side of me should also point out that it has been said many times that fashion in Dubai, in terms of real people, day to day, is actually quite boring. A trip down London’s Oxford Street, Manhattan’s 5^th Avenue and Champs-Élysées in Paris is a visionary feast for the eyes, full of colours, crazy looks, sky-high heels and make-up and hair to make you do a double-take. A trip to Dubai Mall or a walk along the Marina won’t give you that same shock value, but you will see impeccably dressed men and women, albeit with a little-less flesh on show. The Dubai-based designers taking the credit for some of these glamorous creations are making a name for themselves across the world thanks to their beautiful and elaborate abaya designs. Handmade fabrics in an array of colours and styles are being praised for their beauty around the world. In this year’s Spring and Summer catwalk shows, many fashion houses have already used Middle Eastern colours and prints to inspire their designs and it is not showing any sign of slowing down.

 

 So whilst Dubai might be lagging behind its crazy, eccentric fashion counterparts, its take on fashion is unique for that very reason. Within the dress code that exists, Dubai has managed to create a burgeoning fashion industry that is both modern and traditional. Fashion may have no limitations, but here in Dubai, it does. Local customs are honoured and respected but the dedication to look glamorous is so strong that Dubai is still able to draw attention to itself and its fashionistas. The fact remains however that Dubai is known for being brand-focused and all about having the must-have designers and looks. Having the on-trend brands and the money to buy them is worlds apart from other cities and their consistent need to push the fashion envelope and be daringly different. On-trend or trendsetter? Two very different looks, possibly the very dilemma limiting Dubai from reaching the dizzy heights of the fashion industry.

 

 

 

 

Best Dressed or Best Tressed? Is the Real Crowning Glory this Awards Season our Fave Celebs Hairdo?

 

Forget Christmas, Valentine’s Day and the one day that revolves around just us, our all-important birthday, the real highlight of the year is upon us, Awards Season! As our favourite celebrities sashay down numerous red carpets across the globe, it’s a feast for the eyes thanks to their gravity defying gowns and flawless make-up. However, the inevitable hot or not lists in the media are focusing more and more on another critical part of the process, the make or break hairstyle. With chameleon stars such as Rihanna, Katy Perry and Anna Hathaway opting for dramatic cuts and crazy styles, the ‘hairdo’ is now another way to accessorise your look and compliment the whole ensemble.

Much is documented of A-listers all round commitment to getting in tip top shape ahead of awards seasons. Out come the personal trainers, dermatologists and nutritionalists that travel with them at all times to drop those last few pounds but the preparation to achieve awe-inspiring locks is started just as early. Over styling leads to dry, brittle, tired-looking hair, so in the run up for the big night, every effort is made to ensure the hair is nourished, full and shining nearly as bright as those illusive statues.

Founder and Managing Director of Miriam Quevedo haircare, Miriam Quevedo believes that committing to using a high-quality shampoo and conditioner is the first step to maintaining healthy hair no matter what stresses life can throw at it. Discussing the distress and damage such heavy styling can have on hair, Miriam said: “For a plant to have strong, healthy leaves you have to feed the root. Maintaining great hair is no different, you need a high-performace product that penetrates the scalp to reach the root of the hair while also fighting the three causes of ageing and damage, the natural aging process, environmental damage from pollution, stress and heat styling as well as chemical damage from keratin treatments, dying, perming, curling and bleaching. Our hair should be treated in the same way we treat our skin.”

This year’s Best Actress Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain has become an icon thanks to her love of old-school 1950’s Hollywood glamour, with her pale skin and tumbling red hair. Anne Hathaway’s pixie cut has allowed her to shed her girl next door image whilst bag girl Rihanna uses her hair like a handbag, changing the colour and style almost daily thanks to a 24 hour stylist and love of weaves. One thing’s for sure, the 2013 awards season will make headlines, not just because of the household names picking up the prestigious awards but also thanks to our burgeoning obsession with celebrities real crowning glory, their luscious locks. Trying to emulate the iconic styles yourself? Best get your maintenance routine in full swing to off-set the damage thanks to all the hours you’ll spend at home trying to re-create them yourself. Well they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

 

Are Celebrity Fragrances Killing the Art Form of Perfumery?

In today’s society it seems we can’t escape celebrity culture. It’s no longer models gracing the covers of luxury magazines, it’s our favourite singers, actors and TV stars. Searching the market for a new phone, TV, holiday destination or family car? Chances are that one of your favourite celebs will be selling it you, dangling the carrot of a lifestyle just like theirs if you indulge in the latest must-have product they are endorsing.

The fragrance and perfume industry is a key area of the beauty world that has been hit by the same celeb-endorsing bug. Celebrity fragrances are now a lucrative business, everyone from Rihanna to Lady Gaga has released their own signature scent, with teen sensation One Direction recently announcing plans to launch their own sweet scent. The prestigious fragrance industry is seeing the market saturated with these scents, creating a new generation of consumers choosing their fragrance purely based on the image on the packaging and a targeted advertising campaign to tap into the millions of fans ‘on-trend’ celebs have. Seventy three celebrity scents were launched in 2012, I’m sure such an excessive number must be taking away from the art form of perfumery and the longevity many of the most prestigious, luxury brands pride themselves on having in the market.

Brad Pitt’s advert for Chanel was recently voted the worst advert of 2012, considering he was paid millions to star in the adverts, was his involvement really worth it to such an established brand as Chanel? Or was the perfume giant simply trying to keep up with the growing move towards celebrity endorsement? Call me cynical but I wonder how involved some of the celebrities are in the creation and design process. If we are forever bombarded by how busy such mega-stars are, how do they find the time to create their fragrances? Something which takes even the most experienced of perfumers months, sometimes even years, to finalise. The creation process is often an all-consuming development over an almost holistic and at all times, authentic journey for the most dedicated of perfumers. Worryingly, thirty-one of the top one hundred selling perfumes in 2012 were endorsed by a celebrity, leaving one to wonder if such entries really are the best products or simply supported by a marketing machine worthy enough to push such big-name brands.

A worrying development is that perhaps the face of the brand is now more important than what is actually in the bottle. The next generation of consumers are unfortunately so highly influenced by their favourite musicians and actors, that their choices in life are so easily guided by the likes of Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Beyonce. The small light at the end of the tunnel is that the average lifespan of a celebrity fragrance is just three years. Could this signal a change in the industry? Could some young consumers be taking more pride in choosing their scent and paying more attention to the work of the perfumer instead? Let’s hope so. Here at Mitonia, we represent many of the world’s most unique scents, bringing a variety of luxury, niche brands to our fans in the GCC. Brands such as LINARI, BOIS 1920, Ineke and Humiecki & Graef are created using the finest raw materials, resulting in a combination of superior quality and a high olfactory complexity. Individualism is key, leaving little room for celebrity endorsement by the latest pop star to reign supreme in the charts.

Let’s hope the sweet smell of success for niche fragrances continues to heighten and our celebrity-crazed culture takes note.

For more information on Mitonia visit: www.mitonia.ae

 

Perfumes and Emotions

It's a no secret that a perfume has a significant impact on our mood. It is recommended that when attending a business meeting to wear a perfume that empowers you; the scent of the perfume you're wearing can set the pace of the meeting and sends the right messages about your general demeanor.

Perfumes and emotions have always been linked together, usually emotions of love and desire are portrayed in perfumes TV commercials, however, is that it? Is that all the perfume can say? Humiecki & Graef is a niche luxury perfume brand that took this link to a new level and looked beyond the usual propaganda about perfumes and emotions. A wide range of human emotions that we all experience in our daily lives such as melancholy, joy, pride, and more are interpreted in H&G collection of perfumes. Enjoy this journey of emotions:

Skarb a fragrance about melancholia

Inspired by a deep Slavic soul, this perfume is melancholic, mystic, rough and yet tender. With a wooden cap and a woven textile ribbon

Notes include: Lovage, sensual muck, barley extract, incense, myrrh, roman chamomile, absinth. 

Geste a fragrance about intensity

Inspired by a mature woman who loves an adolescent, the perfume is as soft as the skin of a young adolescent, has the pureness of white shirts and the sweetness of fresh bread and the mystery of a mature love. With a porcelain cap and a woven textile ribbon

Notes include: Soft amber, musky, soft violet petals, soft fir resin

Eau Radieuse a fragrance about desire

It is a futuristic take on an Eau de Cologne. It is spherical, light and full of clarity and the longing for ease. It takes you to a fantastic world on an unknown planet. With a metal cap and translucent iridescent tape

Notes include: Green banana skin, fresh mandarin peel, fresh Italian lemon, fresh mint leaves, rhubarb juice, bamboo sap accord

Multiple Rouge a fragrance about extreme folly and fun

It is inspired by carefreeness and craziness. It has a fruity note like a futuristic wild strawberry somehow it reminds you of certain moments that make you forget the world around you. It makes you behave the way you always wanted to. With a high gloss, lacquered top and glossy red tape

Notes include: Cinnamon bark, frozen orange note, green pineapple, immortelle absolute, Vietnamese cilantro, green violet, peach kernel, freshness of ozonic and berries

Askew a fragrance about fury

It is inspired by the deconstruction and destruction of the classical perfume for men. It is full of fire and explosion, energy and vitality. With a silver coloured top and leather tape

Notes include: Birch tar, cardamom guatemala, soft leather, ginger, grapefruit, vétiver, egyptian mimosa

Clemency a fragrance about pride

A disassembled rose note lends the scent to the clear metallic aspect. The added warmth of the lime tree blossoms create an overall evocation of feminine stringency and reserve. Cold blooded, majestic, dignity. With a clay top and metallic tape

Notes include: Lime tree blossom, cassie absolute, wood notes, Spanish leather, milk

Bosque a fragrance about contentment.

The scent describes the feeling of being fully at one with the moment, immersed in all-encompassing relaxation. Being at one with yourself.

Notes include: Primrose notes symbolize both contentment and new beginnings their softness together with Narcise Absolute creates a subtle floral scent. The unusual combination of buffalo grass and musk notes is reminiscent of the smell of warm skin. Grapefruit, vetiver and saffron notes complete the sensual experience, conjuring the palette of glowing, warm yellow tones that give BOSQUE its radiant grace

Blask a fragrance about trust 

‘Blask’ is a polish word that means glow, brilliance, glory and glamour, the shine of the sun and the gleam of moonlight. The new H&G fragrance speaks of the warm radiance that comes from trust.

Notes include: Dry, savory tang of bay leaf oil together with the full, elegant body notes of rich red grapes and a woody walnut note to give a deep, solid sense of maturity and intimacy. Eclectic floral notes add a softer, playfully enticing touch along with the sweet smell of marron glace. 

The collection is available in the UAE here. 

How to Achieve Shiny Healthy Looking Hair

Quanita Talip

Our beauty expert, Quanita Talip-Samaai , brings you the ultimate guide for beautiful hair! All you need to know in order to achieve shiny healthy looking hair. 

Go through the tips and let us know if you have any more to add: 

1. A healthy lifestyle will mean healthier hair for you. Excessive stress, smoking, not exercising and not eating nutritiously are not healthy for your hair. Get your daily recommended allowances of vitamins A and E for shiny, healthy hair. Also, be sure you’re eating plenty of protein, which promotes hair growth. Eggs and nuts are excellent sources of protein. Get enough sleep and drink plenty of water to keep your hair hydrated from the inside out.
2. Wet your hair before entering a swimming pool so your hair will soak up fresh water instead of the chlorinated water or wear a swimming cap. Rinse hair immediately after swimming.
3. Allow hair to dry naturally as much as possible. To speed up the drying process, pat your hair dry with a towel and let the remaining moisture in your hair dry naturally.
4. When blow drying your hair use the hair dryer on a cooler setting as hot air can be damaging to your hair. Don't leave the hair dryer in one spot for more than a few seconds, keep it moving and at a good distance away from your hair. As you’re blow-drying your hair, direct the hair dryer's nozzle down the hair shafts as you hold each section of hair with a round brush.
5. Hair is most fragile when it is wet so avoid brushing when it's wet, or else it will cause breakage. Wait until your hair is almost completely dry before brushing it or use a wide-toothed comb while your conditioner is on to comb out any knots in your tresses.
6. To keep your brushes and combs clean, wash them weekly using soap or shampoo and allow to air- dry.
7. Buy shampoos & conditioners that match your hair type. Trial and error is the best way to find out what specific hair product is best for your hair.
8. Beware of hot water! It can dry out your hair and leave it dull. Instead, after shampooing and conditioning, rinse with cool water. It closes the cuticle and that allows light to reflect off the hair, producing lots of shine.
9. It is important to wash your hair regularly (approximately 2-3 times a week) as shampooing removes dirt, dead skin cells, hair oils and styling products. When washing your hair, rinse before shampooing to remove dust and dirt, then apply the shampoo onto your scalp and massage it gently with your fingertips working towards the ends. Once done ensure that you thoroughly rinse to remove any shampoo residue as it may dry out your scalp and attract dirt.
10. Use a conditioner after shampooing to moisturize your hair, give it extra protection, add shine, reduce static, and makes it easier to untangle. When conditioning your hair, spread conditioner evenly throughout your hair and leave it in for 2-3 minutes before rinsing out your hair.
11. Be gentle when shampooing and conditioning. Don't use excessive force rubbing your hair, remember hair is most vulnerable when wet.
12. Shine serums have been specially formulated to give frizzy or unruly hair a sleek sheen. These products moisturize your hair with a concentration of oils or silicone. To apply, use a pea-sized amount to start. Start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up, rubbing it into wet or dry hair with your hands. It’s important not to use too much serum, because it can weigh hair down.
13. Regular conditioners are great, but if you really want to pump up the shine, add a leave-in conditioning treatment to your routine.
14. Shiny hair is healthy hair — so don’t abuse it! Limit your hair’s exposure to harsh chemicals, like the chlorine in pools, relaxers, perming, straightening and colouring. 

For greater results and to find the right products for your hair, we suggest you browse in Miriam Quevedo profile here. 

Fun in the Sun

With the alarming numbers of skin cancers being diagnosed around the world, it is increasingly evident that everyone, regardless of age or race, needs protection from ultraviolet radiation.

Overexposure to sunlight is the underlying cause for harmful effects on the skin. Skin cancer can be prevented, as UV damage is mostly avoidable by using sunscreen on the skin and wearing protective clothing such as a hat and sunglasses. The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm, therefore sunbathing should be avoided during this time. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15+ liberally and re-apply every two hours, or after working out, swimming or playing outdoors.

Protection should begin as soon as a baby is born and continue throughout life. Babies and children should be kept out of direct sun light and should wear sun protective clothing. While most sunscreen can be used on infants, it is better to only use a sunblock with zinc and/or titanium dioxide. Apply the sunblock only on exposed skin such as hands and face and only when exposure is unavoidable.

Adolescents can be more difficult to convince to use sun protection, but it is equally important that they do. They should begin to check their skin for changes and colour of any moles or freckles. While skin cancers are still unusual in teenagers, more and more are being diagnosed. UV protection should be encouraged to everyone. Do not allow your teenagers to use tanning beds. Self-tanning lotions or spray-on tans at a salon may help a teen who wants a little colour to achieve that safely.

Adults should use UV protection daily. Skin cancers can be triggered at any time, and damaged skin from childhood exposure may be more vulnerable. Further, some damage can be reversed by using sun protection. Adults should routinely check their skin for changes and irregular shapes of moles or skin lesions.

Good to Try

Eve Taylor Solar Shield (50ml)

This is a broad spectrum moisturising solar shield with UVA, UVB and infra-red screening. A moisture rich blend of sunflower and cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid and natural silicones to seal in moisture and maintain elasticity; provide barrier support against daily irritants and free radicals.

Solar Shield provides UV protection from daily sun exposure that can trigger cell damage and visible signs of aging. Combining UVA and UVB protection filters with natural plant extracts to help defend and nourish skin.

Directions for use: Apply Solar Shield daily over moisturiser at least 15-20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply as needed.

In a Perfume Bottle

We have promised you in an earlier post that we will talk in more in depth on how temperatures can affect fragrances and hence why you should consider changing your perfume in the Summer. Read on to find out how best to handle your perfume bottle. 

Perfume is one of life's pleasures. If selected well and worn moderately, it definitely lends itself to creating an aura of both beauty and wellbeing for the wearer, whist at the same time pleasing the senses of those around. Perfumes, if stored correctly, can retain their unique quality for years. So what is the main enemy of perfume? – Temperature. Too much heat will affect the perfume negatively.

Temperature can affect not only the fragrance of the perfume, but also the colour of the precious liquid. Perfumes are manufactured in many colours including clear, gold and brown colours and this colouration is determined by the natural or synthetic ingredients used to make the fragrance. Heat can change the colour of a perfume making the colour darker, and often cloudy or opaque.

When it comes to the affects of heat on the fragrance, this can be more noticeable, especially if you bought the fragrance because you love the smell. Like the colour of a fragrance, the “scent” is also volatile, and can be subjected to change with heat. Excessive heat can change the “top notes” of a fragrance, these are the initial notes that are perceived in the moment that the fragrance is sprayed. The affects can range from make the notes sharper, more sour, or less recognizable to being none existent with extreme heat exposure. Finally excessive heat can often make a fragrance smell musty.

The two factors of heat that have a directly effect on perfume are the ambient temperature around the fragrance and of cause sunlight. Your precious fragrances should never be stored in excessively warm environments so bathrooms are a no-go, or be exposed to places with direct sunlight as this, for sure, will mean that your favourite perfume will disappoint you, and possibly those around you too.

Skin type has a direct effect on a fragrance. Natural moisture in the skin will help to retain the fragrance for longer, so people with dry skin will find that fragrances will not tend to last as long as those with more moist skin,  which is often the case in the summer as our skin becomes drier due to the rise in temperatures.

For men in SUMMER you might like to bear in mind that heat intensifies any fragrance and already heavy fragrances are often stronger in the summer. For this reason try lighter fragrances with more grassy or citrus notes as they work best in the summer, and heavier fragrances with musky or more woodsy notes, which are warmer, are better for the winter.