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.

كيف تحمين شعرك في الصيف

ميريام غيفادو تقدم أهم عشرة نصائح للحصول على شعر صحي وجميل:

تقدّم خبيرة الشعر وصاحبة المنتجات المعروفة ميريام غيفادو أهم عشر نصائح للاهتمام بشعرنا خلال العطلات:

1.       تعتبر الشمس في هذه المنطقة قوية في أشهر الصيف، ضعي المواد الفعالة للحماية من الشمس، ابتعدي عن المنتجات التي تحتوي على كحول لأنها تزيد من جفاف الشعر وتقصّفه.

2.       احمي جلدة رأسك من الشمس: ان تعرض فروة الرأس للشمس قد يؤدي الى الجفاف وضعف وتقشير الجلدة وعلى المدى البعيد تكون النتائج الغير مستحبة من فقدان الشعر وغيرها من أمراض فروة الرأس همّك الكبير.

3.       خلال أشهر الشتاء يخسر الشعر الكثير من الترطيب بسبب الهواء الجاف، لذا من ضروري أن تستخدي كريمات الترطيب الأكثر سماكة لأنها تحافظ على الترطيب الطبيعي الموجود في شعرك وتعززه. حتى الشعر الزيتي يحتاج الى الترطيب ولكن بطريقة متوازنة.

4.       اذا كان شعرك من النوع المجعد، اختاري أنواع الشامبو وكريمات الترطيب المناسبة التي تمنع تكسر الشعر وفقدانه للترطيب المطلوب، وذلك لأنه من المعروف أن الشعر المجعد يميل أكثر الى الجفاف. كما أن هذه الطريقة تضمن لمعان صحي لشعرك وتمنحه شكل جذّاب.  

5.       اذا كان شعرك من النوع المصبوغ اختاري ما يناسبه من شامبو وملطف خاص بالشعر الملون. يحافظ الشعر على لونه لمدة أطول اذا كان صحياً اكثر؛ ان الشعر الضعيف والجاف يخسر لونه أسرع. يساعد السيروم أيضاً على حفظ الترطيب.

6.        دللي شعرك كما تدللين جسدك؛ استخدمي أقنعة الشعر الغنية بالبروتيين والفيتامينات التي تساعد على اعادة بناء الكيراتين المتقصف في جذور الشعر.

هذا السيروم يقاوم حرارة الآلات الكهربائية مثل مجفف الشعر ويحمي الشعر من جذوره 

7.        حاولي أن تخففي من استخدام مجفف الشعر الكهربائي، لا تستخدميه في كل مرة تغسلي فيها شعرك فقد تساعد هذه الأدوات مثل مملّس الشعر الكهربائي ومموجه على جعل الشعر أضعف ومتكسر. حين تقومين بتنشيف الشعر بالمجفف الكهربائي اقلبي شعرك حتى تصل الحرارة الى داخل الشعرة وليس الشعرة من الخارج وتذكري أن تستخدمي السيروم بعد غسيل الشعر وقبل تجفيفه لأنه يحميك من الحرارة وفقدان الترطيب.

8.       قومي بقص أطراف شعرك على الدوام لكي تحافظي على صحته وتتجنبي الأطراف المقصفة والجافة.

9.       احرصي على احتواء مادة الأوميغا والأحماض الدهنية الأساسية في غذائك وتتواجد هذه المواد في السمك، والسلمون، والتونا والمكسرات. أذا كان جسمك لا يأخذ كفايته من هذه المواد عن طريق الغذاء فاحرصي على تناول الفيتامينات المتعددة الغنية بالأوميغا وذلك لزيادة امتصاص جسمك لهذه المادة.

10.   خففي التوتر والضغوطات من حياتك قدر الامكان لأنها تؤثر مباشرة على الشعر والبشرة.

هذا المنتج يضفي لمعان صحي لاشراقة مميزة هذا الصيف

من الضروري أن تستخدمي ما يحمي شعرك نت أشعة الشمس الضارة