Relaxation time at Angsana Spa: The Address Montgomerie, Emirates Hills

Last week I had my first Dubai spa experience and let me tell you, it was amazing. And thanks to my beautiful new Dubai buddy and her entertainer app, we got two 90 minute massages for the price of one; what better way to spend your Saturday afternoon.

We headed to the Angsana Spa at The Address Montgomerie in Emirates Hills. The super sleek door that slides open reveals a tranquil Asian inspired spa area and a wave of calm instantly washed over me upon stepping over the threshold.

A super refreshing ice cold berry water was waiting for us and we had 5 mins to soak up the soft lighting and warm and cosy decor. And then the relaxation began. We stepped inside a cosy little couples room and two fantastic massage therapists with their fragrant oils set to work soothing our muscles and massaging out our stress.

90 minutes of stretching and massaging later, neither of us were snoring but both of us were almost speechless, in a stress free state of relaxation. And we ended our time with a little more relaxation in the silent area (we were not very silent though) with ginger tea, dried fruits and water. The whole experience was amazing and the therapists at Angsana Spa were excellent. I would totally recommend the spa for its quality of service and ambience and would have no hesitation in revisiting (sooner rather than later preferably). 

And the cost, well everyone says Dubai is expensive but even without the buy one get one free voucher I don't know anywhere in London you could get the same quality and length of massage for just £80!  

Beauty: Bahama Mama Bronzer

I talked before about bronzers and my struggles with them and their incessant need to include shimmer. You may think, why does it matter anyway, but for a girl living in a sunshine infused city, a bronzer is a very important part of life. Ok maybe not life but certainly my make up bag. 

And for anyone else who is in the market for a shimmer free, brown hued bronzer, theBalm Bahama Mama is going to be your new best friend. Touted as a caribbean getaway contained in a compact, I would have to agree. 

After a few weeks of using this bronzer, I think I love it even more than the Benefit Hoola or the NYX Bronzer for many reasons. It's matte, it's shimmer free and has a dense pigment without being heavy. It's soft brown shade glides effortlessly across my cheekbones and gives that just-off-the-beach glow I always strive for. And it is paraben free. 

I ordered this little compact from feelunique and had a friend bring it out to Dubai for me and at just £13.50 which makes it a winner in my eyes. I had never used any of theBalm's products before, but I am certainly tempted now. I might have to see how feelunique's international delivery holds up in the UAE. 

Nutrogena pink grapefruit moisturiser

This little pink tube of creamy goodness has been my saviour ever since I touched down in Dubai. Anyone who has holiday'd in a hot and humid country will know the problems that come with the weather; frizzy hair, oily skin etc. But managing the climate and your beauty routine whilst on holiday is very different from managing everyday life and the climate. Walking to the metro station, walking the dog, going to work, going for dinner; everything is affected by the climate and my skin is no different. 

I embraced the climate quickly and came to terms with the fact that a back sweat patch is the norm in Dubai; seriously, you won't be alone. But in an effort to manage my already oily skin, I enlisted the help of this Nutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Moisturiser. 

In the never ending battle against sliding make-up, this stuff is a great start. It has a light texture and absorbs into the skin really well and the grapefruit gives the cream a zesty smell and a refreshing feeling when applied. And for an oil-free moisturiser, it is surprisingly hydrating; my skin feels soft and nourished and looks healthier than it has done in recent months. 

The best thing about this cream is it doesn't clog my pores; living in Dubai with an oil-prone complexion and wearing make-up everyday quickly leads to clogged pores and skin problems. But it's microclear technology works hard behind the scenes to keep skin looking clear and smooth and after a months use, I can report very few skin breakouts. 

Teamed with the the Nutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Facial wash, this is the perfect duo for combatting oily skin. 

navigating summer fashion

Sure I studied fashion writing but I have been so removed from "fashion" for so long that I feel like I have lost that part of me. And I am ok with that, except it is when it comes to clothes I feel a little out of my depth. I really need to channel my inner stylist because this summer, my wardrobe has been thrown into disarray and getting dressed has become such a chore. If I could do everything in my grey marl maxi dress I would. 

I think the heat and humidity in Dubai threw me off track after 2 months in London. I have resigned myself to being forever hot and sweaty, but taking things like fabric into account when shopping has never been my forte and my love for grey is being seriously challenged with the sweat patch situation. 

I want my summer style to be a blur of denim, crisp white vests, breton stipe t-shirts, tan accessories (including legs) satchels, sunglasses and cute summer dresses. Instead I feel like my style has hit a brick wall where nothing but black skinny jeans, sandals and shirts get through. 

I want to embrace colour and inject pattern into my wardrobe but I am yet to work up the courage to engage in shopping for either. What I have done is browse pinterest to source inspiration for when I finally brave the sweaty walk to the metro station and try not to get lost in Dubai Mall whilst searching for additions to my wardrobe. But as you can, it seems i'm not even brave enough to embrace colour on pinterest!

Beauty: keeping frizz at bay with Herbal Essence and John Frieda

When you move to a new country you will find that certain areas of your life have to adapt to your new surroundings. This extends to your beauty routine. Dubai is notoriously hot and humid and it definitely took a few days to get over the extreme change in climate, especially for my hair! But after a month, I have found a great combination of products (nothing pricey or fancy) that are really helping to keep the frizz at bay. 

First things first, if you're going to fight frizz, you need a powerful shampoo and conditioner duo. Crammed with pink lilly and Asian silk extract, the Herbal Essences Silky Straight collection not only smells amazing, but has worked wonders for my hair. I have been using both the shampoo and conditioner for a little over a month and my hair is noticeably straighter and the frizz situation post-wash is more manageable. I've also noticed my hair isn't as dry (a miracle considering the sun and chlorine that have been pounding my tresses since I arrived) so this is duo is adding much needed moisture and nourishment to my mane. 

When my hair is still wet, I spritz a little protecting spray to keep from damaging my hair (too much) and this VO5 has quickly become a favourite of mine. I was using a Pantene heat protection spray and then a lovely friend gifted me with this VO5 Heat Protect Styling Spray and the rest is history. The smell compliments the shampoo and it isn't heavy nor does it leave a crispy feeling to my hair. The VO5 styling spray offers great protection from my daily straightening, with my locks staying shiny and even looking healthy despite the new climate. 

The Frizz Ease Touch Up Cream by John Frieda has been a favourite of mine for a long time. Despite the light texture, it offers great control and it's packed with avocado oil which seems to calm my hair and add a shiny appearance to my otherwise dry locks. A little goes a long way and there is no long lasting sticky feel; a brush through at the end of the day and almost all cream residue has gone. And it stands up to evening humidity pretty well, with just a few fly-aways by the end of a night on a sweaty roof terrace. Not bad going for a high-street/supermarket product with a modest price tag. 

While I have tried and tested these products on my wavy, frizzy and sometimes curly hair, on those evenings when the humidity reaches 80% nothing will help fight the frizz! Unless you can pull off a baseball cap. 

Beauty: Garnier Oil Beauty Collection

I fell in love with the Garnier Oil Beauty collection at first smell. It's rich nutty scent, a mix of macadamia and almond oil, is softened somewhat by a touch of rose oil, which combined, exudes luxury and turns my little bathroom into an at-home spa for a few minutes every day. 

Gifted to me by a wonderful friend who raided her beauty cupboard at work, the nourishing lotion and nourishing scrub are perfect partners in crime. My skin has been battered over the last few months what with some severe climate changes, a lot of sun and a bit of stress and these two have worked wonders are reviving my moisture levels. 

The Oil-Infused nourishing scrub has a great texture; it has the perfect balance of scrubbing particles and thick creamy wash which means my skin feels like new without being irritated. I think the oil really adds that much needed moisture that other scrubs sometimes miss.

The nourishing lotion is thick and creamy and glides onto your skin effortlessly. The best bit is it soaks in rather fast and doesn't leave a heavy residue on your skin like other rich lotions do, and because of the creamy consistency, a little goes a long way. I also love that handy pump action bottle which makes application a breeze. 

I have never really been a fan of Garnier body moisturisers; I often found their consistency to be gelish and a little sticky and the smells were never that appealing to me. But this collection has won a place on my bathroom shelf. If your looking for a rich, intense moisturising lotion this is definitely worth a try. 

Beauty: NYX Bronzer in Medium

I am a girl who loves a bronzer. A blush is fine, but those pinky shades don't do much for my complexion and I struggle to find an affordable, shimmer free, peach blush. If it is one thing I hate in my make up bag, it is a shimmer blush or bronzer. Shimmer was reserved for my teens when sparkles in eyeliner and nail varnish were used in abundance.

Now I am all grown up and less experimental with my make up (code for safe), a sparkle free bronzer is what does it for me. And even they are hard to come by. My holy grail of bronzing is Benefit Hoola box; the mere thought of that little maroon box, with it's soft bristled, turquoise handled brush warms my face. When the bank balance didn't stretch to Benefit I found Rimmel Sunshimmer Bronzing Compact in Medium Matte worked a treat. 

Now there is a newbie in my make up bag; gifted to me by a lovely friend who raided her beauty cupboard at work, the NYX Bronzer in Medium is my new best friend. It's deep tones mean a liberal swish gives the perfect golden glow. And it's strong pigment means a little goes a long way. 

Plus it is a matte bronzer, with zero shimmer and as we discovered shimmer is my enemy. It's £8 price tag puts it in the middle of Rimmel Sunshimmer and the Benefit Hoola and is definitely worth the modest cost. An item I will certainly be purchasing once mine has run out, if I could only find a stockist in Dubai!

Tanning with Garnier Ambre Solaire & ROC

Dubai is probably one of the best sunburn prevention tools ever; I say that because it is too hot to stay in the sun long enough to get a tan, let alone get burnt!

Although thanks to my Mediterranean heritage, my skin soaks up any little bit of sun you give it. Yeh actually I have no Mediterranean family blood lines whatsoever; I am an adopted Cypriot through virtue of the boyfriend but that is where it ends. In fact my ancestors were Irish, so this olive skin I have been graced with is a big mystery to me. 

Regardless of my olive skin, I know I can burn, there have been some nightmarish occasions when the sun got the better of me. So moving here, where it is impossible to escape the sun, I knew I had to have some smart protection to call on. Hence the little selection of sun-care above. 

I never used to bother with a separate suncream for my face and would slap on the contents of any old bottle. But with my oily/combination complexion getting more unmanageable, most of the usual suncream's just clogged up my pores and then dripped off my sweaty face. Not an attractive look.

I think in the last year, I also became a lot more aware about sun damage to my face and I want to help my future self maintain a somewhat youthful appearance, so I introduced a factor 50 into my sun-care routine. The ROC Soleil Protexion tube is perfect carry-a-long size, doesn't have a thick or gloopy consistency and doesn't have an overpowering smell. Despite the factor 50 SPF, I still get a bit of colour, with a few freckles popping out across my nose, but no burn. Which means I am safe in the knowledge that I am protecting myself fully.

Garnier Ambre Solaire is a brand I remember my Mum slapping on us as kids and while I don't remember it having the slightly weird smell, my bottle has, it has done a great job at protecting me. Although the Garnier doesn't seem to like the humidity much and it is pretty difficult to get it rubbed in when it's a little sweaty, but I guess any suncream would struggle. And I haved noticed the odd white streaky patch on my skin appearing post-swim. Aside from that, it has protected me well and that is all that matters really isn't it! 

Now,  the Piz Buin Aftersun was stolen from my friends bathroom; she was leaving Dubai for 2 months for England and I figured she wouldn't need aftersun as much as me, so it left her apartment in my handbag and now graces my bathroom shelf.

I have never bought any Piz Buin products but I think I will be trialling their suncream options once the Garnier bottle runs out. I have fallen in love with it for a couple of reasons; the consistency of the cream is thick and nourishing without being sticky, it soaks into your skin well and the Tanimel accelerates my tan without even trying. What's not love. 

Any suggestions for sun-care with a nice fragrance please let me know; I want to smell like a tropical island while I soak up some sun. 

Flower Power: Adidas Originals x Farm Gazelle Trainers

About 6 months ago, I saw a picture on instagram; a preview of the Adidas Originals x Farm women's Gazelle trainers that were to be released in time for summer and I got excited. At this point you should know that I have never been a trainer person and it is only in recent years that I have not only come to understand the trainer, but enjoy it for its style and above all, comfort!

The exclusive collaboration brings together two formidable fashion brands; combining Adidas Originals iconic silhouettes and history with Farm's eye-catching signature prints,  has resulted in a pretty explosive collection. With a range of feminine and fashion forward pieces, exotic prints and a bright, punchy colour palette, the collection screams hot, tropical summer.

The collaboration is one of several which see Adidas continuing to push the boundaries of sports apparel and blur the lines between functional sportswear and fashion forward street-wear. A second Farm collection is about to be released into stores, there was recently a collection with Topshop and for AW/14 a collection with Mary Katrantzou is on the cards.

The 1970's classic Adidas shoe, the Gazelle has had a strong and vibrant make-over and although all four prints caught my eye, the green tropical flower print, with flashes of purple and orange and those lime yellow accent stripes, made my heart skip a little beat.

One of the comfiest trainers I have ever worn and now one of the most feminine, they look perfect with denim shorts and a classic white t-shirt; because when you have shoes like that, you should let them do the talking. Accessorising with a bit of a tan is optional.

The full Adidas Originals x Farm collection shorts, tracksuit, t-shirt and tank top.

This first phase will soon make way for the second drop of the Adidas Originals x Farm collection, which will continue the tropical theme with four more exotic prints in bright purple, red and a whole rainbow of colours! Check out the adidas website for the full collection. 

Review: Nadia Beauty Style Salon, Sheikh Zayed Road

I have never been a high maintenance type of girl no matter what the boyfriend will tell you. But getting my nails done is becoming more and more of an essential. I've spent years filing, caring for and painting my nails myself and the result is a mediocre manicure that chips within a few days. And if it is one thing I hate it's chipped nails. So a little Shellac manicure here and there makes me a happy girl. 

Being a newbie in the city, I enlisted the help of  my best friend (who just so happens to be living the Dubai life too), and two of her friends, who scooped me up and took me for my first Dubai salon experience.

Nadia Beauty Style Salon was our home for the afternoon; located just off Sheikh Zayed Road and a few minutes walk from the World Trade Centre Metro, it is easily accessible for those who drive and those, like me, who don't. Stepping off the escalator on the mezzanine floor of Sama Tower, you're welcomed by a clean and bright reception space and some very happy looking receptionists who got us all booked in within a second. My deliberations over nail colour however, lasted much longer! Ten minutes later I settled on a summery muted orange, called Tangerine Dream, to compliment my new found golden glow.  

The salon is white and modern, without feeling clinical, with splashes of purple running throughout, which reminded me of lavender, have a soothing, relaxing effect on the eyes and body. The nail area of the salon is large and spacious and the leather armchair moulded around my body as soon as I sat down. A coffee and glass of water were promptly laid down on the arm of my chair and after a quick discussion about the desired shape of my nails, we were off. 

Two gorgeous ladies got to work on my toes and fingers simultaneously and I had to do everything in my power to resist the sleep, as relaxation set in. They filed, buffed, scrubbed and got to work on my cuticles before slathering on layers of Shellac. All that was left once my nails were set was a little hand and foot message to make sure I was truly relaxed. 

As my first Dubai salon experience, I have nothing to compare it too, but in all honesty, the Nadia Beauty Style Salon staff were so kind and polite, the service and treatments were excellent and the space so relaxing, not to mention the convenient location, that I don't think I even want to try another salon. 

Thanks to one of the lovely new friends, who had a spare Groupon voucher, this whole experience cost just AED 79, which is about £13. And with almost monthly groupon deals, I think these girls afternoons could become a regular activity. 

beauty: paw paw by papaya gold

Paw Paw by Papaya Gold is a great multi-purpose balm that I feel is going to give Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream a run for her money.

The Elizabeth Arden is a miracle worker but sometimes I feel like the gloopy texture is a bit overwhelming on my skin. I love the healing properties of it but have been in pursuit of a multi-purpose balm that will give me moisture and nourishment without the greasy gloop. And on my return to London, a wonderful display in Boots caught my eye and the rest is history so to speak.

Papaya Gold's Paw Paw moisturizing balm is crammed full of Bio Active Manuka Honey 20+ which soothes and moisturises dry and irritated skin and lips. I have been using it on the dry skin on my hands, my lips, elbows and the sore patch of skin where my flip flops have been rubbing for the last few days. 

And I have to say I am rather impressed with this balm. It is thick enoug to feel moisturizing but not too thick that it leaves a heavy, greasy residue on your skin and it hasn't got any sort of overpowering smell, something I really dislike in skin products. 

And it is suitable for use on excema, psoriasis and dermatitis so it is definitely and all round product. It's available at boots for just £5.99 and was the perfect size to pop into my hand luggage to keep dry skin at bay on board my flight last week. 

Beauty: Loreal Skin Perfection Purifying Micellar Water

I mix and match my skincare but Loreal isn't a brand I have much experience with. Until now. The Loreal Skin Perfection Purifying Micellar Water was on offer in Boots a few weeks ago and my current Nivea cleanser was nearing the end of it's life, so it seemed like the perfect time to give it a try. 

After using the Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution and being wowed by its gentle but effective cleansing properties, I was a bit dubious about trying the new wave of Micellar waters that have emerged onto the high street shelves recently. The Bioderma is a great product, however the higher price tag and the poor availability of the product in London meant I didn't repurchase it. 

The Loreal Micellar is an affordable price at £4.99 and it has had great reviews within the beauty industry and from beauty bloggers alike, plus the fact that you can pop into Boots or the supermarket and pick it up made it a must try for me. 

The water is light and doesn't have any overpowering smell, something I hate in face cleansers. It is gentle, but I noticed that there were occasions where I had stingy eyes. I am not sure if this is because of the sensitive skin I have at the moment, or a little too much product on the cotton wool which flooded my eyes. However I was really impressed with the effectiveness of the water; it is a light liquid that seems to effortlessly remove mascara and all traces of make up, leaving my face feeling squeaky clean. 

After a month of use, the stinging eyes have subsided and the water is living up to it's expectations. Next on my list though is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing water which will be trialled as soon as the Loreal runs out. Let me know what you thought about the Loreal Skin Perfection Purifying Micellar Water and other suggestions for cleansing waters that give Bioderma a run for their money.  

Wedding Dresses at the V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is one of my favourite London haunts. And this year, the museum has outdone itself with a range of fantastic fashion and culture based exhibitions. 

Last week I went to see Wedding Dresses: 1775-2014, a vast exhibition with tracks the developments in bridal fashion and wedding culture since 1775 and the treatment of the white wedding dress by designers including Charles Frederick Worth, Norman Hartnell, John Galliano and Vera Wang. I could have spent hours in there and in fact I had to drag myself out after 3, simply because of an impending appointment at the UAE embassy. If it wasn't for that I would have stayed all afternoon. 

The exhibition is crammed with historical developments, information, multi media displays and of course, a great range of wedding dresses depicting the fashion trends in bridal wear, the influences of culture and royalty and celebrity wedding gowns. 

Today, brides of many faiths and nationalities wear white to celebrate their marriages, even in countries where it is not traditional to do so. The globalisation of fashion and the strength of the wedding industry have contributed to this phenomenon. The white wedding dress has become a universal symbol of the bride.

The exhibitions starts by noting the traditions of bridal wear in the 1800's when white was just one of the colours worn by brides. The everyday bride often opted for a coloured or patterned fabric which meant the dress could be worn again. I found that point quite interesting when you compare it today's brides; many of us place a huge importance on our dresses, which are more often than not, pushed to the back of the wardrobe once the wedding is over. This could indicate society's changing perceptions of consumption which are now more focused on the disposable. 

Brides had to cover their arms for a church wedding which is why dresses are seen with sleeves

Norman Hartnell, 1933

In the 1800's artificial pearls came into fashion and were added to the trimming of wedding dresses

White was fashionable in formalwear for women and this begun to cross over into bridal wear, with women's magazines of the time regularly publishing fashion plates showing white wedding dress and lace veils. These fashion plates, which later gave way to engravings and photographs was symbolic of the change in the way wedding fashion was being marketed between 1813 and 1925. Today weddings have become an industry in their own right and marketing has had to adapt to changes in technology and the way we consume to ensure brands get enough of the limelight. 

Charles James 1934 - plain silk satin dress with split train

Debenham & Freebody 1926

From the 1960s a wave of young British designers established in London. Rapid social change in the 1960s in Britain did not seem to impact wedding outfits which retained a degree of formality despite women's increasing economic political and sexual freedom.

The 1970's brought with them a new approach and many designers were taking their cue from the vogue for romantic dresses inspired by every era from the Victorian period to the 1940s. The trend escalated and by the 1980s designs were becoming more about fantasy than fashion, with Lady Diana's wedding dress from 1981, designed by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, being a perfect example of that. Women with more avante grade tastes were commissioning dresses from younger experimental designers who merged innovation and tradition without sacrificing romance.

dress coat and veil with rubber rose embroidery 1989

Between 1990 and 2000, designers like Vera Wang and Catherine Rayner translated tradition, capturing the glamour of a white wedding dress in a more contemporary style. Wedding dresses were becoming more body conscious at this time too, with strapless styles and bodices featuring heavily. 

Jasper Conran 1994

Catherine Rayner 1996

Wedding dresses today are influenced by so many factors; fashion, culture, beliefs, traditions and celebrity all play a part in the modern day wedding dress. Many designers know that despite volatile fashion markets, bridal fashion offers a sense of stability which is why many have branched out into this area. Dresses combine a mix of styles from the previous periods whether that be the patterns and colours like the early brides, simplicity of post war styling, fantasy, nostalgia and romance. 

Ian Stuart "Flower Bomb" dress 2011

John Galliano for Dior - Gwen Stefani's wedding dress 2002

Qui a le droit wedding dress, Christian Lacroix, 1993
 

Jenny Packham Rapunzel dress 2014

The exhibition runs until the 15th March 2015 and is a must see if you're in London. 

beauty: Witch Hazel BB Cream

Since I returned to London my skin has been playing up big time. I am not sure whether it the was plane air, the change in environment and water, change in diet or pollution, or all of the above, but my skin is not happy at the moment. I have blemishes, spots, patches of dry skin and an oily combination complexion, all of which are putting me through my paces. 

As such I decided a lighter base was needed to ensure my skin had some room to breathe without sacrificing coverage; I am not a fan of the bare face look on myself! So when I stumbled across the new Witch Hazel BB cream on offer in Sainsburys for a mere £2, I thought it was worth giving it a try. 

Witch hazel is a natural ingredient that works wonders for oily and blemish prone skin and has astringent properties which is perfect when you have a random spot outbreak. All of that teamed with UVA and UVB as well as SPF15 made me pretty happy with the little blue tube I took home. 

Overall the product is ok; it has no weird smells, it has good coverage and it's natural ingredients seem to be working wonders for my skin as my blemishes are slowly leaving my face. Another reason I wanted to trial this product is because I am looking for a base to take to Dubai with me that can cope in the heat, humidity and dusty climate. But unfortunately it wont be coming with me; the shade is too light and will not blend well once I am tanned and the consistency is a little thicker than I would want. 

However, for £2 and considering the fact that it has great natural ingredients to help fight oily skin problems, this is worth a try if it matches your skin tone.