Looking for beauty products to add to your ever-evolving collection? Look no further. The UAE is home to several brands that offer a wide range of products to keep your hair, skin, and makeup in check this summer – and beyond. Here, we share our picks of the 10 best products by locally based brands.
KJ Serums Triology Fresh Vitamin C Serum
Kathryn Jones established her business following a longstanding career in the UK under the biopharmaceutical sector. With her thorough background and passion for skincare, she launched KJ Serums to bring effective products to the market using unique ingredients and special formulations. The Triology Day serum is packed with amazing ingredients such as pure L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, all proven to combat ageing, damage from UV rays, and hyperpigmentation.
Launched by makeup artist and award-winning beauty blogger Huda Kattan, Huda Beauty has cemented itself as one of the world’s most popular makeup brands today. Hailed as “a filter in a bottle”, the brand’s liquid foundation has become a staple in every makeup enthusiast’s kit. It offers 24-hour coverage, a luminous finish, and a fragrance-free formulation.
Specially formulated with UAE residents in mind, Shirley Conlon Organics produces luxury skincare products that perfectly adapt to heat and humidity. The brand’s signature Rose Hip Oil is a weightless blend of botanicals and antioxidants that promotes anti-ageing, reduces the appearance of scars, and repairs the skin from sun damage, effectively giving the skin a healthy natural glow.
Aiming to inspire makeup junkies with her unique approach to beauty, founder Nina Ubhi started her brand with the mission to create products that enhance natural features. Part of The Classic Collection, the false lashes in Poppy give the eyes a soft and natural look without weighing the lids down.
Professional makeup artist and founder Natasha Zaki launched Glossy Makeup in response to the market’s lack of beautiful, yet affordable beauty products. The Ombre Brush Collection is specifically designed to aid its users in creating a flawless makeup look. It’s also completely vegan and shed-free!
Rooted in founder Mouna Abassy’s Moroccan heritage, IZIL aims to showcase the beauty rituals perfected by Moroccan women for centuries through its bespoke products. The Nutritive Oil is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish dry and dull hair, keeping it soft and shiny throughout the day.
Founded by sisters Huda and Mona Kattan, Kayali fragrances are inspired by the rich culture and sophistication of the Middle East. The Citrus | 08 puts a twist on your typical fragrance, combining Italian bergamot, pink grapefruit, rose centifolia, musk, and oakmoss for its key notes. It’s the perfect scent for those who want to emulate casual elegance and youthful freshness.
Shiffa started when Dr. Lamees created the brand’s famous Pregnancy Body Oil out of personal necessity. Today, the brand takes pride in being the only luxury organic skincare brand established by a doctor expert in healing science. The Sweetness Body Polish gently exfoliates the skin, effectively giving it a soft and refined texture. On top of that, the luxurious oils infused in this body polish hydrate and nourish the skin for a healthy, youthful glow.
Brand founder and managing director Aly Rahimtoola launched the brand in hopes of providing the market with beauty products that make the skin look good and feel good. Formulated with 95% natural ingredients, the Himalayan Micellar Water provides the skin a thorough cleanse without stripping it of its natural oils and hydration. If you have sensitive skin, you might just want to check out this award-winning product.
Priya Judge and Gayatri Sagar have always been committed to providing “cruelty-free beauty with a purpose”. They firmly believe in using ingredients that promote natural beauty, and it is highly evident through their product releases. The Boss Babe Face Mist is a versatile addition to any skincare routine as it can even out skin texture and reduce skin irritation without the use of fragrance, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
How To Do Gua Sha Facial Massage Using Tools To Look Younger
Gentle, upward strokes
We wanted to share something that would help you relax a bit and indulge in some self-care at home. Let’s Gua Sha!
WHAT IS GUA SHA?
Gua Sha is an ancient technique used by Chinese practitioners to heal the skin. Back in the day, this technique was used quite vigorously for the whole body too. But, with time it has evolved into the modern Gua Sha technique which is very gentle on the skin and effective. This skincare routine gives astounding results by reducing the puffiness under your eyes, chiselling those cheekbones and giving you that perfect jawline along with a radiant glow on your face. And for all these wonderful things you just need one skincare tool: The Gua Sha.
WATCH THE VIDEO: GUA SHA FACIAL MASSAGE TUTORIAL
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET STARTED?
A Gua Sha tool is a small flat crystal that is usually made up of either jade or rose quartz. These crystals have healing properties. An ideal Gua Sha tool should have at least two angles – a curved longer edge for targeting different parts of the face and neck and a V-shaped or a U-shaped edge for massaging eyebrows and under eyes. You can do some research and choose the one that you feel is right for you. Here are a couple of our favourite Gua Sha tools:
GUA SHA TOOL
Before getting started with your Gua Sha facial massage, you will also need a hydrating spray, and a face oil or a facial serum (you can totally replace the oil with a moisturiser too). You can start prepping your skin by cleansing and washing your face and neck. Then, on a clean and freshly washed face and neck, spray a hydrating spray generously. Here are a few hydrating sprays The Gaggler team has tried and tested:
HYDRATING SPRAYS
Facial Spray With Aloe, Sage And Orange Blossom, 8 Oz, PRP AED 79, available at glamazle.com
Cactus Flower And Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist, PRP AED 80, available at bloomingdales.com
After your skin has absorbed all that goodness, you need to apply an eye cream under your eyes and gently massage by lightly tapping and pressing it into your skin with the help of your ring finger. Using your ring finger is important here because it puts the least amount of pressure on the sensitive skin under your eyes. Here is one of our favourite eye creams:
EYE CREAM
Ultra-Hydrating Energy-Boosting Cream, PRP AED 149, available at sephora.ae
Now, you are going to take some facial oil or serum (or a moisturiser based on your preference) and start pressing that into your skin. Use upward motions while massaging as it will help in uplifting your skin, reducing wrinkles and toning your face evenly. The lubrication and hydration will help the Gua Sha tool glide on your skin smoothly and it will also avoid tugging and scraping your facial skin. This is important to avoid scratches and face burns. There are quite a few options for face oils and serums you can try for this application:
FACE OIL
Travel C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, PRP AED 161.98, available at revolve.com
Skin Care Oil, All Skin Types, 25 ml, PRP AED 22.64, available at firstcry.ae
Fabulous Face Oil, 25ml, PRP AED 225, available at bloomingdales.ae
The most important thing to remember when starting to use the Gua Sha technique is to use upward and outward motions to massage the skin. The speed should be slow and mindful. Also, you can repeat the movement for 3 to 5 times before moving on to the next part of your face. As recommended, practising the technique daily by incorporating it in your morning skin care routine or your night-time skin care regime will help you see visible results in a short amount of time. Of course, you can do it twice or thrice a week too if your time is limited, visible results will take longer.
Hold the tool with your dominant hand and use the other hand to hold your skin for better support and also for monitoring the pull on the skin. Make sure you don’t tug or scrape your skin too much. Use light to medium pressure. You can get a little firm on the jawline, the chin and the neck. The tool should be placed almost flat against your skin. The lower the angle between the tool and your skin, the better it is. Let’s get started!
We are going to start with the neck first. Place your two fingers on your sternum between your collar bones. Then, use the long edge of the tool and start from the centre of your neck and move the tool firmly in an upward and outward motion towards the chin and wiggle it when you hit the bone. Now, place your fingers on your shoulder and using the long edge of the tool massage the side of your neck by scraping in an upward and outward fashion. When you hit the bone, just give the tool a wiggle. Repeat the same for the other side of the neck. You’ll feel the tension in your muscles getting released.
Now, place two fingers on the centre of your chin and scrape the notched edge of the tool against your skin in an upwards and outwards manner following your jawline. When the tool reaches near your ear, wiggle it a bit. Use the same steps for the other side too.
Now, place two fingers on the centre of your upper lip line and using the long curved edge of the tool tuck it under your nose and sweep the tool upwards across your cheek until it touches the side of your face and then give it a wiggle. Moving further, place two fingers on one side of your nose and stroke the long side of the tool at an angle in an upward fashion, starting from the side of the nose across your cheeks to the edge of your face and when you touch the bone on the edge of your face, wiggle the tool to massage. Perform the same by following your cheek bone to sculpt. Repeat the same pattern for the other side.
Now, place your middle finger below the inner corner of the eye and use the notched edge to softly massage the under-eye area. Start from the inner corner of the eye where your finger is placed and then follow the socket bone and move the tool upwards gently at an angle until it reaches your hairline and then wiggle it. Moving ahead, place two fingers in the centre between your two eyebrows. Now, using that as a starting point, trace the eyebrows using the tool. When you reach the end of the eyebrow, tilt the tool upwards at an angle towards the hairline and when it reaches the hairline give it a wiggle. Perform the exact same process for the other side too.
Now, keeping the fingers at the same place in the centre between your eyebrows, using the longer edge of the tool, end with a few upward strokes on the forehead towards the hairline. When you reach the hairline, give the tool a wiggle and you’re done!
You’ll feel that your skin feels soft and plump now, your cheeks look a bit uplifted, your eyes look more open and you’re glowing from within! By incorporating Gua Sha facial massage 2-3 times a week, if not daily, you will start to see and feel a visible positive difference in your skin.
Frequently Questions
What is the disadvantage of Gua Sha?
Gua Sha, while generally safe and beneficial, has a few potential disadvantages to be aware of. Let’s begin with potential skin irritation. Excessive or aggressive scraping may lead to skin irritation, redness, or bruising. Some skin types are sensitive to touch and may need the use of gentle pressure. In this case, it’s best to avoid applying too much force. Breakouts and acne flare-ups is another outcome you may not want. Fact is, Gua Sha may aggravate active acne or sensitive skin, potentially causing breakouts or flare-ups. This brings us to the possibility of broken capillaries. Improper technique or excessive pressure can also lead to broken capillaries, especially in delicate facial areas such as around the eyes. Allergic reactions is another possibility in case of excessive scrubbing. Some folks may have allergic reactions to the oils or products used during Gua Sha. Patch testing and using hypoallergenic products can help minimize this risk. It all boils down to misuse or improper technique. As you can see from the above, using Gua Sha without proper knowledge may lead to ineffective results or potential harm. It’s advisable to learn the correct technique from a trained practitioner or trusted source. Always apply gentle pressure, and monitor your skin’s reaction throughout the process.
How often should you use Gua Sha on your face?
Gua Sha is ideally used on the face 2-3 times a week. This frequency allows the skin to recover. It also prevents overstimulation which may cause harmful side effects. It’s important to strike a balance between benefiting from Gua Sha’s effects and giving your skin enough time to rest and rejuvenate between sessions.
What should my weekly Gua Sha routine look like?
A weekly Gua Sha routine can be incorporated into your skincare regimen to enhance its benefits. Here’s a suggested weekly routine:
2-3 times a week: Perform a full Gua Sha facial session with the right technique. We recommend that you spend 5-10 minutes on your face, using gentle pressure.
Daily maintenance: On the days when you’re not performing a full Gua Sha session, you can still incorporate some light Gua Sha techniques as part of your daily skincare routine. This can be done by using the tool to gently massage your face for a few minutes, focusing on areas where tension tends to accumulate, like the jawline, temples, and forehead. This helps to promote circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Assess skin sensitivity and adjust: Skin can have mood swings too! It’s all about observation of your skin before getting into the session. Pay attention to how your skin responds to the Gua Sha sessions. If you notice any irritation or sensitivity, reduce the frequency to once a week or try using lighter pressure. Sometimes less is more when it comes to Gua Sha. It’s important to adapt the routine to suit your unique skin needs.
Combine with skincare products: Applying a facial oil or serum before using Gua Sha can provide lubrication and enhance the benefits. Choose products suited to your skin type and preferences. Gua Sha can help massage these products into the skin, improving their absorption.
Regular cleaning of the tool: Clean your Gua Sha tool after each use, following the instruction manual that comes along or using a mild soap or cleanser. This ensures hygiene and prolongs the life of the tool.
Is it OK to use Gua Sha every day?
It is safe. But, there are some pretty important factors to consider when you want to incorporate this technique into your daily life. While some people may benefit from daily Gua Sha sessions, others might find it too stimulating for their skin. Bottom line: Daily Gua Sha sessions may be too much for your skin to handle. It’s best to start with 2-3 sessions per week and gradually increase the frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Also consider if you have an active breakout, sunburn, or other skin conditions. Then, it’s advisable to avoid Gua Sha until your skin has healed. Gua Sha involves massage and pressure, which can potentially aggravate certain skin conditions. We find that daily Gua Sha sessions could be time-consuming, from a schedule perspective, especially if you’re following a full routine. We also recommend that you pay attention to how your skin responds to daily Gua Sha. If you notice any signs of irritation, redness, or discomfort, it’s a sign to reduce the frequency or adjust the pressure. Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s important to listen and adapt to your skin’s needs.
You can start with a few times a week and gradually increase the frequency as long as your skin shows positive results and does not become irritated. Ultimately, it’s best to experiment and find what works best for your skin.
Pro tip for a great Gua Sha Ambience
Let’s talk about candle lit tranquility. Using candles while practicing Gua Sha can enhance the overall experience and create a soothing environment. The soft glow and flickering light of candles can help create a calming ambiance, promoting relaxation and mindfulness during your Gua Sha session. Additionally, our intention setting candles can contribute to the sensory experience by filling the air with pleasant aromas, further enhancing relaxation and promoting a spa-like atmosphere. Just make sure to place the candles in a safe and stable location, away from any flammable items, and never leave them unattended. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere as you indulge in your Gua Sha self-care routine.
The Gaggler team is passionate about finding and sharing great products with our readers. We take pride in researching and testing products to find the best of the best, and we only recommend things that we love and think you will, too.
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