Beauty Archives - Undefined Declarations

UD Review: Elemis Facial

Introduction

Since I’ve always had super sensitive skin, I almost never get a facial done! I prefer to stick to a basic cleaning and exfoliating routine. While using mostly pharmaceutical or dermatologist-tested skin products. Therefore, the Elemis facial was my first facial treatment in as long as I can remember! I’m glad that I went for it though. Unlike my fears, my skin felt soft and supple after the treatment and there was no sign of irritation or sensitivity whatsoever 🙂

How long is the treatment?

The treatment starts with a skin consultation with the therapist. This takes around 15 minutes to complete. A skin analysis machine is used to check your skin’s type according to some variables. A printed report will show you the ratios of different skin elements such as spots, wrinkles, texture, pores, UV spots and porphyrins.

According to the analysis, the therapist will recommend a facial for your skin type, as well as the matching products from the Elemis range. All facials are priced at 120 AED regardless of the type. The therapist recommended the “Purify & Shine Fix” for my skin since I suffer from combination blemish-prone skin.

The facial treatment time is 30 minutes. Making the total time for the consultation and treatment at 45 minutes.

What products are used?

The therapist explained to me that Elemis skin products are designed for all skin types, apart from a few exceptions.

The therapist started the treatment by removing my eye make-up and then using a facial cleanser. This was followed by the use of a toner, an exfoliating product, a mask to purify the skin, an eye treatment gel, and lastly a moisturizing cream.

A soothing arms and shoulder massage adds to the relaxation element of the facial and completes the pampering experience.

Elemis Skin Products are Designed for All Skin Types

Note: As most of you would agree, going to a facial is similar to going for a massage treatment. You do it in your own time, when you want to be pampered and take some time off to relax. Well, I made the mistake of booking my treatment on a day when I was also planning to visit an outdoor market in the area to take pictures for a photography University exercise. Since I wanted to be able to take pictures before the sun sets, I squeezed in the facial appointment that same afternoon. This resulted in a very stressed-out version of myself, who was trying to get through with the facial as early as possible so I could take some shots in the daylight.

The fact that the therapist at the Bloomingdale’s Elemis counter took her sweet time to do everything didn’t help much! However, I must say that I did manage to get to the market on time and I was able to snap some good pictures prior to sunset.

I just wanted to mention the fact that the therapist does her work in a very peaceful and relaxed manner. So the Elemis facial is a good option if you want to feel pampered and rejuvenated. It’s definitely not the destination for an express type of facial, where you go in and out of the treatment room at the same pace of a city lifestyle.

Elemis is where time slows down to make way for a more relaxed and blissful approach to life. Where the only thing that matters is you and your essential beauty needs.

Result:

My skin felt extremely soft and supple, like a baby’s skin! and there was no sign of irritation or redness at all!

Facial Name: Elemis Expert Touch

Cost: 120 AED

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/ElemisMiddleEast

Elemis Counter at Bloomingdale's Dubai Mall — Elemis Counter at Bloomingdale’s Dubai Mall

Personal Makeup Artist Course at The Annex Institute Dubai

I don’t want to sound like a drama queen, but when I was growing up, I always tended to do things at a later stage than my friends. Starting and learning how to put on makeup was no exception! I guess my mind was always preoccupied with other life-changing decisions…like mapping out and working on my next plan to get more personal space and freedom. For example, in the summer before I left Saudi to go study in London, I was busy communicating with London College of Fashion to enroll at a course there, preparing and sending my documents, taking the IELTS test, deciding on accommodation options and other legal matters.

Makeup was always something in the back of my head. I had the basic products and I knew how to use them at beginner level I would say. I had no idea how to do an evening look or blend different eye shadow colors to make a cool effect. My personal concept of makeup began and ended with mascara and a tinted lip balm 🙂

If you were following my blog lately, you might have read my post on the Annex Institute; a brand new creative school based in Downtown Dubai. The school offers various creative courses covering hair, Makeup, film and photography.

I was lucky to attend a ‘Personal Makeup Artist‘ course at the school. Where I finally got the opportunity to make use of my Smokey Eyes kit that I had bought over the summer and never got a chance to test out since I have no clue as to how to achieve the look!

During the day course, Chief Creative Officer and Makeup Artist Aqeel Al Nasser used me as a model for a highly elegant and sultry brown Smokey Eyes look. While applying the makeup, Aqeel explained every step that he did with high precision and detail. I must admit that I learned so many makeup tricks that I wasn’t previously aware of like:

The correct way to apply and blend eye shadow and blusher powder.
How to avoid the smudged mascara look (that I’m famous for sporting).
Essential contouring and highlighting techniques.
The correct way to apply eye liner.
The types of brushes to use for each product.
As much as I hate to admit this, but I was introduced to gel liner for the first time 😀

Aqeel even went on to explain to us the right way to clean our makeup brushes, which after trying out myself, I couldn’t imagine how increasingly efficient and effective it was! It makes your life so much easier, that you wonder how you would previously spend hours washing brushes in the sink with liquid soap and water! Or maybe that was just me being lost in my own world of life-changing missions and not knowing about this basic tip 🙂

Whether you are an expert in makeup application and evening looks or are a basic makeup user like me (who only owns a total of 4 brushes), the super friendly team at the Annex Institute will help you progress to the next level of your learning curve…their courses are certified by Internationally acclaimed organizations and institutions. With their many hair and makeup courses, they can accommodate to all levels and skills. Just drop them a line and they will offer you a course based on your requirements and interests.

Being the tom boyish girl that I am, I am now looking forward to taking my next course at the Annex: Creative Business Course. It’s a three-day Introductory business course to help you start your own creative business.

But before that, I must finish reading my Blog Inc. book…and I need to make time for the course once my University term ends or at the beginning of my next semester 🙂

Yes, despite being a Diva, I also have a very masculine and career-oriented side to me that you can’t ever hide 🙂

Now that I know how to put my own makeup in a professional way, it’s your turn to learn the essential tips and tricks of makeup and beauty. Check out the Annex Institute’s web site and follow them on Facebook!

Web Site: http://www.annex.ae/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/annexdxb

P.S. Do follow the Annex’s Facebook Page, as they regularly post useful and interesting hair and makeup tips on a daily basis! I’m a fan and I can say that I’ve learned a good number of tricks from that page 🙂

Dubai Beauty Center Review: Machka Beauty & Body Designs

I was delighted to accept an invite from May Khazal, Managing Partner at Machka Beauty & Body Designs and I was ecstatic after my experience at this top of the line beauty center.

When I asked May about what makes Machka unique from other beauty salons in the city, she said: “We want the client to feel like she is pampered and can do everything at one place. We offer superior quality while having competitive prices.”

May also explained to me how Machka’s concept is not just that of a beauty salon. “The salon is only part of the concept.” she said.

I personally believe that the strength of this high quality beauty center lies in its ability to act as a fitness center, beauty salon and spa all in one.

This proves highly convenient for Dubai’s fast-paced lifestyle, where one can’t afford to make several visits to different centers and spas to get their services done.

Machka has these main departments:

Hypoxi (slimming technique using special equipment).
Hair and Nail Services.
Facials.
A wide range of Body Treatments.
Other services (Waxing, Threading, Tinting & Bleaching).
Bridal and Makeup.

Why Machka

Another feature about this high standard beauty center is the superior levels of hygiene and excellent maintenance of the facilities. The center shines and smells of cleanliness and freshness, the decor is contemporary and inviting and the interiors are brand new and well-maintained. Anyone visiting the center can see the attention to detail and care given to every aspect of the place. I was truly impressed by how neat and clean the place looked.

Marrakech Moroccan Bath

The therapist doing the Moroccan Bath at Machka is undoubtedly one of the best in town. She is originally from Morocco and has a complete understanding of the treatment and products used. She also takes her time and does an authentic bath treatment in a highly professional way.

The Moroccan Bath at Machka takes from one hour to two hours depending on the type chosen by the client.

The steps taken during the Moroccan Bath include:

The hair is shampooed and a hair mask is applied. Then the hair is wrapped to retain the moisture.
A mixture containing Moroccan soap and Henna is applied all over the body.
The body is rinsed.
The whole body is scrubbed with a special Moroccan Loofah. The feet are also scrubbed using a foot scrub.
A combination of mud and herbs mixture is applied to the body and face.
After each application, the client gets to sit in the steam for 15 minutes.
After applying the mud mixture, the body is wrapped in a plastic wrapper.
The body and face are rinsed.
As a final step, the body is rinsed with a special water mixed with rose water, oils and natural herbs.
Rose water oil is applied on the face.

Benefits of the Moroccan Bath:

Removes dead skin cells.
Improves blood circulation.
Invigorates and refreshes the body.
Reduces stress.
Enhances the overall well-being and mood.
Relaxes the body and tired soul.
Proven to effectively aid in slimming the body.
Tones the body.
Regenerates the skin.

Results:

Shiny skin
Fairer skin tone
Brighter complexion
healthy, natural glow
Relaxed, less stressed self

What distinguishes the Moroccan Bath from other body treatments is that it uses all-natural ingredients which help detox the body and take it to its natural and original state. It’s also greatly useful for sensitive skin. And since I have extremely sensitive skin, I can say that the treatment worked wonders for my body and my skin had no reaction whatsoever to any of the products used.

Thai Massage

After my Moroccan Bath treatment, I got to relax and unwind with a Thai massage done by a professionally certified Thai therapist.

The massage was highly rejuvenating, the ambiance was truly relaxing and I left the treatment room feeling chilled with a sense of unmatched calm and peacefulness.

As the therapist has a total of 10 years of experience in the field, she is an expert in relieving tension from the muscles and focuses on problem areas with high professionalism.

Price

The Moroccan Bath treatment is priced at AED 200, while the Marrakech (special) Moroccan Bath treatment is priced at AED 350.

Contact

Check out Machka’s Website for a list of their extensive treatments and services. And don’t forget to check out their Facebook Page too!

Until next time, Have a wonderfully pampered time 🙂

Treatment Room at Machka Beauty Center Dubai

Hair and Nail Care at Machka Beauty Center

Dubai Creative School Recommendation: The Annex Institute

Being a creative professional, I always found it so challenging to learn the right skills and tricks to make it in the creative world. Growing up and living in Saudi for most of my life hasn’t helped much either. Since there aren’t many opportunities to work in a creative industry or explore your creative potential and flair. That’s why I had to move all the way to London to take a course in a creative field.

Today though, you can find a highly professional and high-standard school for all your creative passions right here in Dubai! The Annex Institute is a new inspiring school in the heart of Dubai that trains creative individuals on beauty, hair, makeup, photography and film!

All of The Annex Institute‘s courses are certified by the KHDA and are vocational courses that will help you gain all the knowledge and skills that you need to start the creative career of your choice.

The Annex is the only creative school in Dubai that offers essential Basic Health and Safety courses for salons and salon professionals.

Me Checking out the school on the Girls' Day In Event! — Me Checking out the school on the Girls’ Day In Event!

Head of Hair Education at The Annex Institute; Yessenia Cano

Professional Hair Educator Yessenia Cano

Head of Hair Education and LA native Yessenia Cano has worked with Hollywood celebrities as a hair stylist as part of her extensive and unique portfolio! Someone with Beverly Hills experience in Dubai? Only at The Annex!

The Annex use the most professional hair and beauty products

Stay tuned to the blog for my next exciting post about The Annex! Where I get to take a Personal Makeup Artist course at the school with the highly talented Chief Creative Officer and Makeup Artist – Aqeel Al Nasser and flaunt a glamorous and contemporary brown smokey eyes look!

In the meantime, check out the school’s web site and Facebook Page and get inspired with the coolest creative school in town!