Rozabee – The Art of Being and Doing

Anousha Vakani, our wonderful contributor who has a way with words, has written some of my favourite articles on Jeddah Blog. For this latest blog post, she sits down with life coach Rozana Al-Banawi, to talk about her practice and her thoughts on art, beauty and humans.

“I am Rozana Al-Banawi and life is only beginning. Growing up as a teenager, I was curious about ‘change’, and about how our relationship with it is a love/hate one. Life is about change and I assumed as a young girl that it is a given that we all want to improve ourselves for the better, that change is part of our DNA. Little did I know back then that I would be an expert in change and transformation. I like to see my work as an experience that you co-create what you want for yourself. The most fulfilling image is seeing my clients embarking on the first steps of change and transformation, like a caterpillar getting ready to become a cocoon and inevitably a butterfly. Once a client starts that process, there is no turning back.”

What is Rozabee?

Rozana’s practice is aptly named ‘Rozabee’ as a play on both her name and the beauty of being and doing at once. The connotations of her chosen name are more beautifully explained on the homepage of her website, with a note from her and a quoted poem by Khalil Gibran to sum it up. I decided to connect with Rozana and explore her thoughts on art, beauty and humans.

We talked about some important things: about art, beauty, relationships, books and life in general and I thought it would be best to quote her thoughts on each topic, as an insight into her as a person and her philosophy as a life coach.

Rozana’s take on art and beauty:

“God, Allah Almighty, has created a beautiful world for us; beautiful oceans with beautiful sea creatures, of all shapes and colors, of different kinds and species. We find all kinds of purposes within each of them. God created art from day one; we, human beings, are pieces of art, in our exterior and interior worlds. And by art I mean more than the tangible parts. I look at the synchronicity of our lives, the connections that take place and our relationships with almost everything around us (our homes, people, mother earth and our inner selves). It is so intricately simple and sophisticatedly multifaceted.”

On people, connections and relationships:

“With every human being I work with, I see a part of myself in them, whether it’s in the way of thinking, a specific phrase they use, a certain vulnerability they are choosing to show, or a dream that they strive to make happen. I always connect to that. No matter what it is, our inner worlds are very similar. It is like we are the same prototypes.

I also like to look at archetypes with clients, and explore inner energies. We have access to a huge reservoir inside of us, and we only know a little chunk of it. Once we are curious about that world of resources, we find whatever we need: certain energy, a unique vibe or a different voice – we will find it there. All we have to do is create a channel to access it, and by channel I mean the tools that enable us access: such as holding a beginner’s mind, a curious being and a loving graceful soul.

I asked for her favorite quote, and this is what she had to say:

‘I believe that in every stage in our lives, we connect with one quote more than another. For now, I love the quotes that my clients come up with in our sessions. Sometimes they blurt out the wisest things, and that inspires me. When that happens, I usually ask: “Did you hear what you just said?”’

Rozana’s favourite books:

“Same with quotes, when I was a young girl, Anne Frank’s Diary was the ‘wow’ book. Then it was Malcolm X. When I started grad school, ‘Broken Open’ helped me grieve some heavy losses that I had to come to terms with. Later, reading Eckart Tolle’s ‘A New Earth’ made me aware of my ego for the first time in a very conscious way and that opened doors for my inner child healing. After that, Brene Brown’s ‘Daring Greatly’ started me off on the process of vulnerability and wholeheartedness, and led to my leadership work that I did last year. Now, I am in love with Reinventing Organization’s ‘human consciousness movement’ by Frederick Laloux. Next, I want to immerse myself in ‘Rising Strong’ by Brene Brown, I have a feeling it will create something new for me.”

I summed up with a time capsule question and asked her what she would tell herself ten years from now: “ten years from now?! Gosh, that is a stretch since I am working on living the present moment and being here now. So this is the first thing I would tell myself then. Also, to keep slowing down. If I haven’t had the guts to get that book published or that TV show aired, then I would tell myself: do it now – what have you got to lose? Nothing. My kids are old, I am happy with my life, so just do it for the fun of the process, and mostly for the long term impact that it will bring to the world.”

Rozana can be contacted through her website, email, Instagram or Twitter.

Have You Heard of ‘Liquid Gold’? This could be your Secret Weapon.

Our latest beauty writer, the blogger behind Beauty Chronicles was born in Jeddah. She is a business graduate and has been blogging about makeup, skincare, beauty, fitness and lifeystyle on her blog for almost a year. We are happy to announce that she’ll be writing for Jeddah Blog regularly on beauty-related issues. Make sure to subscribe to the blog to receive automatic updates in your inbox.

In her first guest post, she writes about a hot new product called Argan oil. You’ll not only be amazed to hear about the benefits of Argan oil, but she goes further by telling us where it is available. If you’ve tried Argan oil or have a question for her, do leave a comment at the end of this blog post.

In recent years, an incredible oil called Argan oil has become such a hot commodity that New York Times termed it as “liquid gold”. After its recent popularity, Argan oil has been subjected to numerous researches, and proven studies show that the benefits of this honey-coloured oil with hazelnut flavor is quite impressive.

Pure Argan oil is made from the kernels of nuts from argan trees. Generally argan oil comes in two grades: Culinary and cosmetic. The culinary version tastes like a smokier sesame oil and is exceptionally good for internal organs. The cosmetic grade offers benefit to the largest organ of human body, the skin.

The oil’s amazing curative properties have been revered for centuries. Pure argan oil if taken internally, has been shown to fight cancer, cardiovascular diseases and many inflammatory disorders. When applied externally, it can heal from scars to infections, from hair frizz to stretch marks.

Let us take a closer look at how this liquid gold proves to be a miracle worker from beauty to health.

Benefits for Skin, Hair, and Nails

Pure Argan oil’s proven and observed benefits for hair, skin, and nails are extensive .It is also called a dry oil because it gets easily absorbed, and it regulates the pH balance of the skin, which in turn protects against sun exposure. It also reduces skin inflammation, and it controls and reverses skin disorders such as eczema. It can heal from scars to infections, from hair frizz to stretch marks. By restoring the skin’s hydro-lipid layer – the layer of skin responsible for softening, nourishing and protecting skin – argan oil is an exceptional skin tonic.

Here are a few more amazing benefits of argan oil relating to different skin types, hair and nails benefits.

Dry Skin

It nourishes and moisturizes dry, scaly, flaky skin and protects against infection. Mix a few drops in your moisturizer or apply directly twice a day to soften the skin and keep dryness at bay.

Oily Skin

Argan oil is very moisturizing yet it also great for healing. For oily skin, it can regulate sebum production to keep the skin’s natural oils at a healthy level. With regular use, the skin will no longer feel too oily. Mix a few drops of argan oil into your favorite toner, and a few spritz of it will give you the benefits without being too oily.

Irritated/Itchy Skin

Argan oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It can protect the skin from allergens that may cause itchiness, and it can also heal up any blemishes and inflammations. Mix a few drops of Argan oil with chamomile cream and apply to relieve itchy skin.

Acne

Yes, it can also be used for acne control! When used in moderation it can control the overproduction of sebum which causes acne, and soothes down the inflammation caused by acne. And guess what? It can also heal those ugly acne scars if you are dealing with post acne pits. Mix in a few drops of this wonder oil with Aloe Vera gel and massage it into the skin. You will feel refreshed while the oil also does its work. Just be sure not to go overboard for oil application. Once a day is sufficient.

Ageing

Argan oil is perhaps highly acclaimed for its anti-ageing and rejuvenating properties. It stimulates renewal of skin cells, defends the skin against free radical damage, cell degeneration and dryness, and it also boosts elasticity while smoothing wrinkles and lines. Mix a few drops of argan oil with honey and apply for 20 minutes and wash off with warm water. It’s a great anti-wrinkle mask. And massage a few drops of oil once a day, to keep the skin wrinkle free.

Sun Damage

The antioxidant rich oil and special compounds called triterpenoids in the oil protect the skin from UV light and restores skin.

Eczema and Psoriasis

Argan oil is also very beneficial for treating eczema; it helps to alleviate symptoms related to eczema, addresses allergies that trigger eczema. It also helps to deal with inflammatory symptoms related to psoriasis.

Hair

Argan oil also has amazing hair restorative properties, it is highly beneficial from improving everything from split ends to dandruff. It can repair damaged hair. Argan oil moisturizes instantly, and prevents split ends while restoring shine. It is an amazing frizz tamer. Create a mixture with one parts of argan oil with two parts of olive and castor oil, use twice a week and see your hair getting thicker, healthier and shinier. Create an easy leave in frizz tamer by mixing a few drops of argan oil with water and store in a water bottle; a few spritz on wet hair works as a great leave in and frizz tamer.

Scalp protector

It keeps the scalp in healthy condition and well nourished. It can also combat dandruff, keeps the roots of hairs hydrated and protected.

Nails:

Keeps nails strong and healthy and restores natural shine while easily resolving brittle nail problems. Strengthens nails and cuticles

Health Benefits of Argan Oil

Now, let’s take a look at the health benefits of Argan oil.

• Argan oil being high in anti-oxidants especially Vit E and made up of around 80 percent unsaturated fatty acids, is particularly effective as an anti-inflammatory agent. When taken orally it helps to decrease inflammation throughout the body.
• Argan oil also acts as a heart promoting agent, it helps to lower down cholesterol and it also aids to stimulate circulation.
• Researches show that argan oil can also help to relive arthiritc and rheumatic conditions, because it dramatically boosts the blood flow. And it is very effective in easing the arthritic pains.
• Argan oil can stabilize blood sugar. It helps to treat diabetes and hypertension. Argan oil is able to fight insulin resistance, it can also prevent obesity related health issues and it also aids in lowering blood pressure.
• Argan oil is made up of a unique combination of two rare plant sterols (schottenol and spinasterol)which is not found in any other oil. The combination of these sterols has shown results to stop malignant cancer cells from spreading.
• Argan oil increases the production of pepsin (the protein that stimulates digestion)in the stomach which aids the digestive process, culinary grade argan oil encourages a healthy digestive system.

HOW TO USE ARGAN OIL

As a food source, the oil is delicious. In Morocco, it is eaten with bread, couscous, salads, and more. You can also try making “Amlou,” – the Moroccan equivalent of peanut butter. Simply grind roasted almonds into pure Argan oil and enjoy the rich taste of this healthy alternative to your favorite nut spread. You can consume up to 1-2 tablespoons of argan oil each day in order to take advantage of its therapeutic or preventative properties.

Many cosmetic companies feature argan oil as a primary ingredient in creams, lotions, shampoos and facial masks, but pure argan oil used alone is also a wonderful option.

In case you have any nut allergies, test argan oil before using. There have been a few cases where it has caused an allergic reaction. You can always test the oil on the inside of your arm to make sure that you do not react to it, and ingest a small amount for oral intake to check reaction and if you are nut allergic its better to avoid taking it internally.

PURCHASING ARGAN OIL

Raw argan oil can have an unpleasant “nutty” flavor, but you can purchase refined argan oil that has undergone a steam process to “deodorize” the oil. The oil slathers on thick, but absorbs quickly, leaving skin soft, smooth and supple..

Now, this is the most important part of the whole page. It is really important to get actual high-quality oil. Unfortunately, there are many companies/vendors who take advantage of consumers by replacing argan oil (in part or in whole) with low quality based oils and create a cheaper version with more quantity. Be careful, cheaper versions will not have the benefits of argan oil. Rather than skimp on quality, it would be better to simply skip argan oil as a whole.

A low-quality oil will not give you the same oil benefits as it will not have the same concentration of nutrients. You get what you pay for. It is definitely worth it to be wary and read labels carefully. When selecting argan oil, look for the percentage of argan oil that is present, and whether it has been cold-pressed. Stay away from unknown random options.

A few of the good options for argan oil are

1. Josie Maran Argan oil. This is 100% argan oil available at Limited Editions, Sephora website.
2. Acure argan oil. 100% argan oil available at soap.com, they ship internationally.
3. Now Foods Argan oil, available at iherbs.com, they ship internationally.
4. Life-flo Pure Argan Oil, available at soap.com , they ship internationally.
5. The Body Shop Wild argan oil, available at Body Shop outlets.
6. Ogx Smooth Hydration Argan Oil & Shea Butter Moisture Restore Weightless Oil. This is a mixture oil and not pure. It is not very promising compared to pure oil, but it is the least expensive version to try. Available at Nazih stores in KSA and at soap.com. International shipping.

Beauty Chronicles is a Saudi-based blog about beauty, health and market/sale updates.

The 411 on Inglot O2M: Is It Halal? Find out what Jeddah Blog thinks

Inglot breathable nail polishes have hit the stores. Muslim women of all ages have been waiting with bated breath to be able to wear nail polish whenever they like. For those unaware of ablution conditions for Muslims, and are wondering what all the fuss is about, let me explain.

Muslims pray five times a day, and the prerequisite to prayer is performing wudu, or ablution. One of the conditions of the ablution is for the water to touch every small part of the body being washed. This includes the nails. A regular nail polish obstructs the flow of water to the nails. Hence, many Muslim women choose not to use nail polish on a regular basis.

Meeting the Experts behind JeddaDerm 2013 and their Top Tips for Healthy Skin

Jeddah International Dermatology & Cosmetics Conference” initiative was started in 2007 and over the last seven years we have witnessed the meeting grow and evolve every year in its scientific and academic values. Each year big names and great scientific minds from the local and international dermatological & aesthetic medical arena come together sharing cutting edge dermatological treatments and advances.

Guest blogger and dermatologist Dr. Shazia Ali met up with some of the top dermatologists this year to bring to you the highlights of the 7^th international JeddaDerm conference, and as a bonus, quizzed them on valuable skincare advice. She shares her findings with us at Jeddah Blog.

Dr. Ali A. Al-Raddadi on the organizing committee shared his feelings on how the annual meet is progressing, “We are very proud of our JeddaDerm initiative and we are constantly trying to improve the scientific program, ensuring attendance of internationally renowned speakers who are the masters in their field and can add value to the knowledge of our attendees. We are also constantly trying to improve the exhibition standards in terms of product and material representations. Our target is ultimately to be the best of the best.”

Our target is ultimately to be the best of the best.

Dr. Ali Alraddadi also shared a social responsibility message; “One of the key objectives of this conference is to constantly improve the quality and caliber of knowledge of our local dermatological society hence, providing top notch dermatological care to our people.”

We are constantly trying to raise the bar, improving the scientific content, picking the best speakers from around the world and providing our attendees an exclusive experience.

Dr. Magdi R. Abdulghani  sharing his organizational experience said, “The secret behind our steady success and growth is attention to micro-details. Organizing and managing a scientific conference is a mega mammoth project. We put a lot of hard work and diligent planning behind our scientific endeavour, JeddaDerm. We are constantly trying to raise the bar, improving the scientific content, picking the best speakers from around the world and providing our attendees an exclusive experience.

Our key philosophy is to listen to, and learn from, all mistakes big or small, and avoid them happening again. We encourage our speakers and great scientific minds to give us negative feedback so we can fix loopholes and come stronger and brighter next year – it’s a growing process. We are very proud that we have been successful in creating a niche platform in the whole of the Middle East. We are being recognized as one of the best scientific conferences in the region where great scientific minds can exchange ideas, learn, and grow to add value to our community.”

Our key philosophy is to listen to, and learn from, all mistakes big or small, and avoid them happening again.

Reflecting on the attendees, Dr. Sameer Zimmo enthuses, “We are extremely proud of the fact that we have been able to give the dermatologists in Jeddah an international level platform to share scientific data. This year we have witnessed a large increase of attendees from Saudi Arabia. Around 55 workshops were successfully organized for practical teaching and demonstration purposes.”

Don’t run after TV or media hype and instead, educate yourself about your skin and aesthetic care.

Reflecting on the growth of JeddaDerm from its inception, Dr. Zimmo expressed great pride and said, “It’s amazing to watch our baby grow and blossom. The organizing committee is always striving hard to update and improve the scientific content of the conference. We select the best speakers from all over the world. Just to quote some examples, we have had renowned and top notch dermatologists from UK, USA, Germany, Italy, Denmark, France, etc. participate and contribute in JeddaDerm during the last few years.”

And now we bring some valuable skincare advice to you from the experts.

Dr. Ali A. Al-Raddadi: “When you are looking for skincare advice, make sure you pick your doctor very carefully. Do your homework, search online, and educate yourself before you do any treatments. Be very careful when you are thinking about using skin lightening and bleaching products. Stay clear of cortisone and hydroquinone based creams which can leave you with serious side effects with long-term use.”

Educate yourself about your skin and aesthetic care. Choose your doctors and treatment options carefully. Be safe!

Talking about the rise of complications reported to dermatology clinics Dr. Ali Alraddadi advises us, to make sure we pick safe products and safe treatment choices.  He stressed on self-education, “Ask safety questions to avoid unsafe creams and risky treatments”.

Dr. Magdi R. Abdulghani: “My sincere advice ladies is: don’t run after TV or media hype and instead, educate yourself about your skin and aesthetic care. It is incumbent to know what you want before you decide on any aesthetic treatments. Choose your doctors and treatment options carefully. Be safe!”

My advice to all the ladies who want to look young and beautiful for years to come is simple: Avoid smoking, practice safe sun exposure and don’t tan!

Dr. Sameer Zimmo: “Smoking and prolonged sun exposure are the main enemies of skin. Unfortunately, we are seeing the rise of smoking among females in the Middle East region. My advice to all the ladies who want to look young and beautiful for years to come is simple: Avoid smoking, practice safe sun exposure and don’t tan! By practicing these healthy skin habits you will have beautiful skin forever”.

Dr. Shazia Ali: “Ladies I give you a three-step skincare plan: Protect, Prevent and Nourish:

1. Protect: Adopt healthy lifestyle, diet and habits. Protect yourself from the sun!!! Use broad-spectrum UVA & B sunscreen.
2. Prevent: To be able to properly take care of your skin learn about your skin type. Educate yourself about what’s out there and choose safe products suitable for your skin type.
3. Nourish: To look bright and fresh skin needs moisture; pick a product suitable for your skin-type. Nourish your skin with tried and tested antioxidants: Vitamin A, C, E, Q10, and peptides.

Top Makeup Tips from Bee

We’ve been very busy at the blog lately with recent competitions, activities and courses. We have also been getting lots of positive feedback from our readers. One Jeddah Blog subscriber Saadia Fatima, wrote in to us recently with a very practical question for Bee, adviser to all lost souls in this modern metropolis. Here is what she said:

Hi Bee,

I’m a 15 year old girl and I am no beauty geek. However, last few days I have given make up a stand and wanted to check out a few products on myself.

I have Indian skin. I’m not fair. And I was looking for some products to start with. Coming to the point, could you suggest me some products which would fit into my budget of 250-300 SR.

I will prefer only branded products such as Bourjois Paris, L’Oreal Paris, Sephora, Avon, Dior and Maybelline. Also, note that foundation and compact powder is a must for me.

I just need a simple, elegant and edgy look. I live in Jeddah, so if you give me references to the shopping malls where I should shop I’ll be very thankful.

Please reply me at the earliest possible.

Lots of good wishes.

With Anticipation,

Saadia

About Bee

Bee is a 30 something mother, wife, corporate consultant and a bona fide prodigy in the art of shelling out unnecessary, unsolicited and often useless advice. The kind people at her office actually pay her for doing this on an hourly daily basis and she returns the kindness by making them lose sleep over random pointless issues. She currently lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with her very sane husband (he takes after his mother) and her two not very sane children (they too take after their mother). Her own personal hell would be to have nothing to do with no-one paying her for pretending to have nothing to do.

Dear Saadia,

I like to describe myself as: “Classy, Sassy and a bit smart-Assy”

But I have a dirty little secret. I am classy in a cheap kindda way. Not cheap as in a penny-pincher, but I am a sucker for a good deal and when it comes to make-up, there are many good and budget friendly swaps to be had in Jeddah.

In response to your query, I will give you a breakdown of makeup products with their cost and sourcing details for my own daily look. I personally am a huge fan of the ‘no-makeup makeup look’. I mean, if you look like you are wearing tons of make-up, it defeats the whole purpose of makeup, n’est-ce pas?

So here goes, behold the makeup secrets of the great Bee:

The first think I recommend is that you splurge on the foundation, and the one I found works best for daily wear is MAC. It keeps the skin looking neat and non-blotchy throughout a long day of much head-banging and hand-wringing stress. This is not to say that you cannot find the same quality in cheaper brands (see below for other great options) but I have personally found MAC to work wonders on my own brown, tired and often sleep-deprived skin. The foundation will take a big chunk out of your budget, but since we are going for a simple look, you will have enough to spend on other stuff.

Another must-have item is the translucent powder to fix the foundation. You said you will need a compact, but let me tell you that when you use a good foundation and a good fixing powder, all you will need is a little dab of powder on your nose during the day and you will continue to look impeccable. Compacts on the other hand can make you look cakey as the day goes on. And the NYX powder is so affordable, you can keep one in your purse too for touch-ups.

Here is a breakdown of stuff I use on a daily basis, and people in my office wrongly assume that I am naturally gorgeous 😉

PRODUCT	SAVE	SPLURGE
Foundation	Bourjois Healthy Mix FoundationSAR 85Centre Point	MAC Select SPF 15FoundationSAR 150 MAC Stores in Red Sea Mall and Tahlia Mall
Translucent powder	NYX Loose powder in Soft BeigeSAR 70Centre Point	MAC Mineralize Skin Finish PowderSAR 150+MAC Stores in Red Sea Mall and Tahlia Mall
Eyeliner	Maybelline Eye Studio Long lasting Eyeliner gel ORRevlon ColorStay Eyeliner PencilSAR 60-75 Citimax and Center Point stores	MAC Fluid LineSAR 150MAC Stores in Red Sea Mall and Tahlia Mall
Blush	Rimmel Blush in 131 Madeira(great for Asian Indian Skin tones) ORMaybelline Dream Mousse cream blush in Rose PetalSAR 30- 45 Citimax and Center Point stores	Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder BlusherSAR 150-180Paris Gallery
Mascara	Maybelline Great Lash MascaraSAR 75Citimax and Center Point stores	Maybelline makes the best mascaras so I don’t suggest splurging on these.
Lip Colour	Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in 630 Velvet Beige ORRevlon colorstay Lip-gloss almost all shades are great ORMaxFactor Color Elixir Lipstick in SAR 40-60 Citimax and Center Point stores Centre Point	Estée Lauder Classic Color Lipstick in Caffe Latte (a great nude/ brown shade)SAR 200+Paris Gallery

I hope this helps you take the first tentative steps into the world of makeup. Take it from me, experimenting is half the fun, so please take my recommendations as a guide only and get products you feel complement your own looks. You can also check out What Not To Do While Shopping for Makeup in Jeddah for more details on how to get the most out of your makeup shopping experience in Jeddah.

Good luck!

Bee

CREAM – Meet the Style Specialists

As irresistible and luscious as its name, CREAM is a pleasure that is hard to resist. This exclusive outlet has well-established itself among fashionistas as a concept store – a  very selective, high-end lifestyle boutique that focuses on modernity and femininity.

CREAM specializes in style and is constantly in touch with the very latest catwalk designs. They are trendsetters, rather than followers of fashion. Jeddah Blog was lucky enough to score an exclusive interview with Dana Malhas, the driving force behind CREAM and we were able to delve a little into the idea behind setting up her own boutique, and what it is that inspires her.

What was the inspiration behind CREAM? Can you describe your journey towards setting up your own boutique?

When I graduated from the American University in Beirut and moved back to Jeddah, I noticed that there was a huge gap in the market for “up and coming designers”, the market was saturated with either high end brands like Gucci, Burberry, Armani..etc or low-end Brands like Zara, Bershka, Top Shop & so on. There was nothing in-between. I was 22 years old at that time, and like most girls, I was obsessed with fashion and everything related to it, especially styling & buying! So I decided to turn my passion into a business. I wanted to open a boutique where I can buy everything I like as I travel the world, style it the way I want, and fill in this gap in the market. I wanted to bring to Jeddah a lifestyle store where up and coming designers from all around the world meet, a boutique that has everything a girl needs, a place that has talented designers regardless of their age or nationality.. and CREAM Boutique in Beirut was the best candidate for that as it was my personal favourite boutique to shop in when I travel. So I brought it to Jeddah, expanded it majorly, started discovering new designers, and turned it into my fashion heaven. The best part is that I buy for my store, like I buy for my closet!

Vibrant Green mini-Clutch

Beautylicious: Makeup Tips for Eid

Eid is just around the corner, which means EID PARTIES. In Jeddah people generally celebrate for 3 days. In this month’s Beautylicious, Nilo Haq gives us some simple tips and tricks to keep you looking beautiful on some of the most important days of the year.

Eid Morning Generally families get together and have a feast after Eid prayers. Morning is all about pretty and natural so light makeup should do the trick. Dramatic and overdone makeup with dark tones ends up looking rather harsh for the occasion.

• Its Eid…you are going to be eating. To make your lipstick last longer; fill in the entire lip with a neutral pencil before applying colour.
• During the day skip mascara on the lower lashes entirely – it can end up looking too dramatic
• For the most natural looking eyeliner use a powder liner, which is highly pigmented and apply with a liner brush or an angle brush.
• Go for matte neutral toned eye shadows for your day look and save your shimmery ones for the evening.
• For a glowing sheen, apply a pink blush then blend a drop of liquid highlighter onto the cheeks.
• For extra natural looking skin, try a tinted moisturizer. Since its lightweight, it won’t cover up dark spots, blemishes or redness BUT it will even out skin tone.

Ms. Q. goes to Laylaty

Massages are always considered to be a luxurious treat. What few people know is that in the Far East, massages have in fact been used for generations as a medical therapy for illness. In the current day, we see spas and massage centers opening up, big and small, all around the world. Saudi Arabia, the land of sand, as well the biggest market for cosmetic sales, is not to be left behind. Women here are well-attuned to the latest releases and advancements in the beauty industry.

A woman will always welcome a massage which promises to take away all the aches and sores, and Ms. Q. is no different. She recently purchased a deal for a Hot Stone Massage from Cobone; a website for introducing city-specific deals. The massage was offered by Laylaty Beauty Centre, located in the Khalidiyya District of Jeddah.

Manna Hair Salon

Your hairdresser is almost your best friend. She sees you when you are not at your best, she hides your imperfections and highlights the positives. A good hairdresser knows your hair better than you do, and once you find ‘the one’ you won’t want to experiment with any others. There are a few great hair salons in Jeddah, and Manna Center in Rawdah is considered to be one of them. Our mystery shopper visits the salon and reports back on her experience.

After visiting the Manna Hairdressing Salon last year, and coming away with such a great haircut, I was determined to go back again this week. I knew I would be well taken care of, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the amazing new salon they have constructed and I was blown away by the sheer professionalism and outstanding customer service being given in Manna.

Not only was I lucky to find Nawal, the same lady who expertly cut my hair last time (and did an amazing job yet again), but from the first moment I walked into the salon I began to feel pampered and relaxed. Once you check in at reception, your abaaya is taken and you are handed a white coat to wear on top of your regular clothes. You then walk past glass trickling water giving a wonderful cooling effect in this hot weather, and pass by the most interesting innovation I’ve seen recently – a cafe within the salon! It makes absolute perfect sense and I wonder why I haven’t seen anything like it before. A trip to the salon usually requires a certain period of waiting, and what a perfect way to fill the time, than with coffee, cupcakes, croissants or sandwiches. Even better if you’re spending time there with friends. It’s also quite common here to be waiting for a family member or a driver to collect you from the salon, but this time was not difficult to pass in their lovely environment.

So after waiting for the colour to sink in, you are taken to the sink to have your hair washed – pretty normal, right? Well, not in this salon ! You take a seat next to the sink and instead of having to awkwardly tip your head back to be washed, the seat lifts you up and back so that you are pretty much horizontal and very comfortable. The icing on the cake is that the chair you are sitting in is a massage chair. So all the while the ladies are checking the colour, giving it 5 minutes more, shampooing your hair you are receiving this spectacular massage from lower to upper back. Just when you think it can’t get any better, the shampoo lady gives you the most relaxing scalp massage with hair conditioner washing away any tiredness or tension from your day.

It goes without saying that Nawal gave me a clean and efficient cut in no time. After paying the cashier, your receipt and white coat is exchanged with the abaaya lady, who returns your abaaya, leaving you free to head home after a most relaxing and pampered evening.

Manna is situation on Aba Al Khail Street in Rawdah District. Travelling West on Rawdah St. turn right after the Danube, take a u-turn and then a second-right turning. Expect to pay around SR150 for a haircut, SR300-400 on highlights. Complete beauty treatments available eg manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, party and bridal makeup.

Phone: 012 6066627 –  6066628 – 6061917

Opening timings: 10am-10pm

Location: Aba al Khail Street, Al Khalidiyah District.

Ms. Q at Cameela Center

Even though quality shouldn’t come at a high price tag, yet this is the exact impression most of us hold. Especially the impression that beauty doesn’t come cheap….. or so we are led to believe. Ms. Q. takes a risk by purchasing a Cobone during Beauty Week and reports back to us at Jeddah Blog.

Having been one of the early members, but not so much an active purchaser of Cobone®, I was both excited and sceptical at the launch of their ‘Beauty Week’. I was cautious because a low price usually means harsh service and low quality product usage. This is especially true of salons which are still new to the market and are stooping to offer discounted services. But read on to find out how I ended up eating my own words and had a complete change of heart!

   

Ask Bee: What NOT to do While Shopping for Make-up in Jeddah

For the fairer sex, make-up shopping can be a bit of a dilemma in Jeddah for several reasons. There are no female sales persons, there isn’t a culture of giving out make-up samples, and generally customer service isn’t top notch. Add a ‘yet’ to all that. All these factors could lead to a situation where you end up deciding against your better judgment.  Our last query for Ask Bee was about make-up shopping. We told you that randomness isn’t a problem with Bee, and she’s tried her hand at everything from belly-dancing to website designing and everything in between. Turns out she has been struggling with make-up and make-up shopping issues herself.  In her dictionary, for this chapter, the pitfalls to avoid are more important than the rules to follow.  She is happy to share her list here, so that you can learn from her mistakes, and avoid walking around like the bride of Frankenstein like she did.

If you have any questions for Bee, send us a message at team.jeddah.blog@gmail.com with the title Ask Bee.

About Bee

Bee is a 30 something mother, wife, corporate consultant and a bona fide prodigy in the art of shelling out unnecessary, unsolicited and often useless advice. The kind people at her office actually pay her for doing this on an hourly daily basis and she returns the kindness by making them lose sleep over random pointless issues. She currently lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with her very sane husband (he takes after his mother) and her two not very sane children (they too take after their mother). Her own personal hell would be to have nothing to do with no-one paying her for pretending to have nothing to do. 

“Now my next frustration is about make-up. I still haven’t got it in my system to apply make-up except for special occasions. Now that I am in my early 30’s and I am applying for work, I would like to have a decent make-up kit (& more or less learn how to use it.. haha). In my home country, you just need to go to the department store and ask for a demo or consultation so you’ll know which ones works for you. Here there are no girls to do that for you and you just rely on samples dabbed on your hand. 😦
Do you know of make-up stores which have this service? Or has an all female staff here in Jeddah?”  Make-up Newbie

Even though I consider myself a veritable authority in all things Jeddah (or life in general), makeup is one area where till about one year ago I was ermm…not quite an authority. So what did I do? Did I go around looking like the bride of Frankenstein? Yes, and no. According to my last estimate, I have spent about 2,500 riyals on a total of 17 useless make-up products. I still have half-used bottles with me if anyone is interested. What these products gave me was a mix of pimples, burn marks (true story) and a lot of unnecessary attention from random people on the street. In order to save you from the same nightmare that I went through before I became make-up savvy, I am giving below my list of things NOT to do while shopping for makeup in Jeddah.

                  

 

Create your own Bible for make-up shopping. once you master the do’s and, more importantly, the don’t’s, the whole experience can turn out to be not just joyful but very productive.

1. DO NOT listen to the salesman: The last time I did that, he sold me an overpriced bottle of foundation that made me look like a cross between a sunburned transvestite and a plastic surgery victim. The sales man is there to do his job, but you are smart. DO NOT follow him no matter how persuasive he is, and  make your own logical decisions.

1. DO NOT buy on a whim: sometimes when you enter a store, you see a gorgeous-looking woman staring at you from a poster, beckoning you to buy that magic potion which will make you look as photo-shopped as her. DON’T buy that stuff. She looks so great with a clever mix of graphic, forgiving camera angles, lighting and a dozen other products.

 
Keep your sense of reality intact when buying make-up. That thing on the wall is a poster. It is not real. Repeat that to yourself. A lot more than a simple product purchase went into the dazzling look of the model.  Just because the two things are physically close to each other, it doesn’t mean there is a logical connection between the two. Although they’re trying hard to dupe you into believing so.

1. DO NOT buy without trying: Since Jeddah is this weird place that does not offer samples of makeup products; I have created a hack to get over this limitation. All you need to do is to leave your inhibitions at home and bring a pill container with you. Yes, those plastic pill containers with days of the week printed on top. These are great for taking small amounts of makeup especially foundation from makeup counters. Instead of squeezing out a drop on your fingertips, put 2 (or 4) in your container and write the brand and shade on the section. You can get at least 7 different samples that you can try at home and decide which one works best with your skin and lifestyle.

 
Unlikely saviours? Think practical, think effective, and work your way around obstacles. So what if make-up samples don’t exist here (yet)? Why not put empty pill containers to good use?

1. DO NOT believe the packaging: The packaging is meant to MAKE you buy that uber expensive item. Be smart; don’t fall for this age-old trick.

1. DO NOT try on your hand:  Makeup of any kind especially foundation, blushers and lipsticks don’t look the same when you put them on your hand. Carry a pack of wipes (to wipe the item and your face after usage) with you and try every item on your face to know how it will work with your complexion. Foundation is best matched when applied on your jaw line toward your chin and cheek. If it blends well there and looks like second skin, that is the right shade for you.

  
  
Whatever our mothers and their mothers might have believed about trying make-up on the hand, it’s useless. The face. That’s where the action is going to be, and that’s where you should be trying on your foundation shades. 

1. DO NOT buy without reading reviews: This is my holy grail of makeup tips. I have made a commitment to myself to not spend a single penny unless I know how other people feel about it. For real people reviews, the following two sites are the best:  Makeup Alley and Makeup and Beauty Blog (mostly MAC product reviews but a great site for newbies too).

1. DO NOT buy without knowing how to use it: I have a few pots of stuff that have their names in French (or Greek, I don’t really know the difference) and I have no clue what to do with them. I bought them because they looked pretty and I hoped they would make me look pretty too…if only I knew how to use them. Get my drift? Watch these two amazing women that I have learnt a lot from and you will have most of your questions answered. And if these two don’t use it, don’t bother buying it.

Let the gurus guide you: When someone is wiser than you, just concede it. These two women know more about make-up than most of us ever will, so just take their word for it.

If you would like to read past columns of Ask Bee, simply Google her or click on the ‘Ask Bee’ tag in the right-hand column of Jeddah Blog.

Beauty Secrets from Around the Globe

From rock solid Dominican nails to shiny Japanese hair to the radiant complexions of Asian Brides different cultures bring different beauty secrets. Each country has its own ancient beauty secrets so let’s learn from them to also achieve these beautiful looks. Here are some of the world’s best all natural beauty tips.

Brazil

Some of the most beautiful international models come from Brazil.   Along with their bronze bodies they all seem to have long beautiful legs.  What is their secret?  Mixing together handfuls of sand and water on their legs helps to stimulate their skin and lighten the look of cellulite.  In Jeddah, we have the beautiful Red Sea, but as an alternative you can use sea-salts.

Egypt

When we think of Egypt one person whom definitely comes to mind is the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra.  She is known throughout the world for her flawless complexion and beauty.  Even when we think of the “cat eye” eyeliner we think of her.  One of the goddess best beauty secrets is the honey and milk wrap, which is still commonly found in Spas all over the world.  The rich lactic acid in milk helps to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin where as honey helps to maintain moisture.  For a radiant glowing complexion like the Queen of the Nile pour two cups of powdered milk and a cup of honey into your steaming bath and enjoy a relaxing soak.

India

Indian brides to be use this ancient remedy to brighten their skin before their big day.  Mixing one tablespoon of turmeric powder with half a cup of full fat yogurt helps the skin to glow while also preventing stretch marks.   You don’t have to be a bride to do this one, use it weekly to vamp up your skin.

Japan

Ever wonder why Japanese women have such beautiful shiny hair? Ever heard of NJB Cold-Pressed Japanese Camellia Seed Oil?  The Camellia japonica tree obtains the worlds best camellia oil it is golden in color and has been used for centuries in Japan to make hair sleek and healthy.  Apply it to generously all over your hair and leave it for a couple hours.  Wash and check out the beautiful results.

Dominican Republic

 Don’t you hate it when one of your nails breaks?  Women here don’t need to run to the nail salon when one of their nails breaks.  Instead they mix a few cloves of chopped garlic with clear nail polish.  Results rock solid nails.

Italy
Italians are Italians after all they are the inventors of PIZZA! Italians are known for their delicious meals and for using those ingredients to enhance their beauty.  Ever heard of a ROMAN Facial? Women are known to apply full fat plain yogurt on their faces then put tomatoes on top(avoid your lips & eyes).  The yogurt moisturizes the skin and the tomatoes smooth redness, takes down irritation and leaves the skin feeling impeccable.

Hawaii

Beautiful warm weather, beaches, volcanoes palm trees and are some of the things that come to mind when we think of Hawaii.  Heat definitely has an impact on hair and skin, so what’s their secret for beautiful skin and long silky hair? Hawaiians are known to use coconut oil on their skin and in their hair.  Coconut oil has been found to contain a special chemical known as lauric acid, which has many benefits.  When used in the hair it creates shine and also helps to alleviate dandruff and dry scalps. When applied on your body especially on the face, it heals dry skin and chapped areas and best of all and prevents and eliminates the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

What are some of your country’s beauty secrets?

Now on to one of our most popular sections; FAQs with Nilo:

 

“I have very dry skin and when I put on my foundation my skin always looks flakey.  I have tried everything but don’t know what to do.  How can I take care of my dry skin and could you please tell me what a proper skin care regimen is?” – Dry and Flakey

Dear Dry and Flakey

I’ve read and also believe in the phrase “before you make up you must take care”. Dry skin can be difficult to take care of, but there are solutions.  Firstly, you must make sure your skin is not ‘dehydrated’ by ensuring that you drink 8-10 glasses of non-carbonated, caffeine free drinks a day (ideally water).  Choosing the right products is very important to care for your skin.  When choosing skin care products make sure you choose a cleansing milk to wash your face with instead of regular face washes.  Cleansing milk help to retain the moisture in your skin as it cleanses away impurities.   Another important step is exfoliation.  You must exfoliate with a gentle face scrub twice a week to take away dead skin and flakes.  And lastly choose a good moisturizer.  For dry skin, go for a cream instead of a lotion for that added injection of moisture.

A good skin care regimen consists of:  Cleansing, toning, moisturizing and protecting (Sunscreen).  Use a good day and night cream and get a professional facial every 3 months.  Also, remember to exfoliate twice a week.

Nilo

“I have terrible stretchmarks on my buttock region as I had gained weight in the past but lost it very quickly. People have been advising me to use Cocoa butter but I feel it’s just used to prevent stretch marks. Summer’s around the corner and the beach is inevitable. Please help before anyone else notices them in the sun.  Thank you:)” – Stretchmarks in the Sun

 

Dear Stretchmarks in the Sun,

Dealing with stretch marks is not fun.  In order to treat them firstly you must start early.  When they are red, purple, pink or brown (depending on your skin type) and become white/silver its much harder to make them less visible.  You are using the right product: Cocoa butter.  Massage the area with cocoa butter three to four times a day.  Also try applying a self-tanner.  It will help to make the marks less obvious.  Remember to exfoliate your skin before you apply the self tanner for optimum results.  There are also many tropical treatments available.  Depends totally on your specific condition on what will work.  Wheat germ oil, Glycolic acid (need to see a dermatologist for it), vitamin C supplements or try Vitamin C serum to apply externally. You could consider laser treatment.  Results depend on each case but it can be expensive.  For some natural remedies try applying aloe vera OR rubbing raw honey with a warm cloth.

Nilo

 

“I love Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson’s lips.  Everywhere I look seems that big lips are really in.  I have small lips, what can I do to make them look bigger without cosmetic surgery?”  – Yearning for Big Lips

Dear Yearning for Big Lips,

This is a very common issue that a lot of women face.  It’s not impossible to change some of your features without cosmetic surgery.   To give the illusion of bigger lips pat some foundation all over your lips to mute them out.  Then line your lips with a lip liner slightly above your lip line.  Do not go overboard with this because it will end up looking really fake.  Then fill in your lips with the matching lip color.   There are also many lip plumping products available now. These products use ingredients that slightly irritate the lips, which then temporarily inflates them.   Use lipsticks that are creamy or even better frosted.  The texture in the lipstick gives the illusion of bigger lips.  Everyone has different features love what you have and focus on your best assets.

Nilo

 

“Hi!  I am experiencing hair fall for the last six months.  I have visited dermatologists as well but it’s not working out at all.  Now I am left with very little hair.  What can I do?  Please recommend some good treatment.” – Falling Hair

Dear Falling Hair,

Hairfall is something all women face.  There are many treatments available, which claim miracles.  Some work some don’t.  Hair loss can happen for many reasons.  It could be in your genes, after pregnancy, hormones, stress, change of weather and water.  Remember it is completely normal to lose hair.  Most people lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair each day.  On the days when you wash your hair, people can lose up to 250 strands but it doesn’t mean you should stop washing your hair that hair will eventually fall out anyways.

Some medication can cause hair loss. This kind of hair loss gets better when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, medicines used for gout, high blood pressure or heart problems, vitamin A (if taken too much), birth control pills and antidepressants.  If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine.   Understanding and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Balancing a hormone imbalance may also stop the hair fall.  The specific treatment for hair loss depends on the condition.  If the hair loss is temporary, most likely the solution will be to wait and the hair will grow back on its own.

To determine what is the best treatment for your particular hair loss case you should see a doctor.  One natural treatment, which I have personally used, is Morrocan oil.  It is become very popular all over North America and is commonly found in Salons.  It has made my hair thicker, shinier and relieves any split ends.  Try it!

Nilo

Beautylicious: Putting Your Best Face Forward

In this month’s Beautylicious blog post, Nilo Haq tackles the sensitive issue of skincare, do’s and don’ts for great-looking skin and answers questions sent in by our readers

Life comes with its joys and sorrows, adding to it its stresses, making it impossible to always put your best face forward. Maybe you were up studying late and slept with your face buried in books or you barely slept because your baby was cranky throughout the night. Sometimes, you may not be able to sleep a wink.  But regardless of what the cause is, when you face yourself in the mirror the next morning you may see the wicked witch of the west and you’re not likely to be very amused.

On days like these you may face unattractive skin issues like dark under eye circles, nasty break outs or   even a ghostly overall dullness.  Don’t feel alone because you are not the only woman in the world who goes through dilemmas like these.  Take it in with a stride and know you will be okay tomorrow.  For now concentrate on damage control.  A refreshing nap or a soothing, long, warm shower can do wonders for your skin. Exercising in the morning will not only make yourself feel energized, but will also help bring some color back into your face.  Mull over a quick exfoliation or a homemade facemask.  Even putting cold cucumbers over your eyes helps to make you feel relaxed and takes down under eye puffiness.

Then of course there is always makeup.  Look for help from your old friends: foundation and concealer, but remember not to wear too much makeup, or your disguise will be noticed.  Instead try a little peach blush or a few strokes of bronzer to add a warm glow to your face.

It’s important to face the facts.  Your body’s largest organ is your skin, a thin layer between you and the outside world.  It protects you from smoke, pollution and the sun. Still, we take it for granted – especially the skin on our face.  It needs care. Start on the inside, with a suitable diet and exercise.  Stay away from too much of the sun, and altogether from cigarettes, sheesha and stress.  You only have one face, take care of it!

Here are some dos and don’ts for how to care for your skin and some ways to keep it healthy and ‘glowing’.

Do’s

√      Always wear sunscreen

√      Steer clear of untested products

√     Sleep well. The skin repairs itself while you’re sleeping, which is tied to having good skin

√     See a dermatologist annually

√   Use a night cream that is heavier than your day moisturizer

√   Exfoliate at least twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells

√   Keep hydrated, by drinking at least around 8-10 glasses of non-caffeinated liquid daily

√   Pay attention to your skin, notices changes and adjust your skin care regime
accordingly – invest in your skin

√   Get a professional deep cleaning facial twice a year (when the seasons change)

√   Green Tea – a wrinkle fighting antioxidant and a stimulant

√    Chamomile Tea – soothing and you placing the tea pad on your eyelids will help
reduce puffiness

Don’ts

x   Smoke – the second major cause of wrinkles after sun exposure.  It also slows down wound recovery and stains the skin.

x   Sunbathe (fake it with self tanners)

x   Stay up late

x   Eat a lot of Sugars

The 1, 2 & 3 of basic skin care:

Clean. Moisturize. Protect. They work as a package.

Readers have been sending in lots of questions to Beautylicious. Below are some of the questions answered by Nilo.

“At work I have excessive use of computers and I also regularly wear glasses. How can I get rid of dark circles or the dark rings due to wearing glasses especially when I would like to wear contact lenses?” – Fed up of Dark Circles

Dear Fed up of Dark Circles,

Excessive use of computers and wearing glasses are not the cause of dark under eye circles.  They just become a lot more noticeable when you wear contact lenses.  Firstly, try getting glasses that have a bottom rim. That way it helps to not make the circles as obvious.

A balanced diet, adequate sleep and a good exercise routine can make a huge difference to your skin.  Try to avoid persistent eye rubbing and make sure you are not dehydrated.  Sometimes we get stuck with under eye circles due to our genes, aging or our bone structure. So consider a cosmetic solution by getting a good pink under-toned concealer and dab on a little every morning.

For a more permanent solution, hop over to your favorite pharmacy and get an under eye cream with Retinol K.  It is slightly expensive but is totally worth it.

Nilo.
“My hair is curly and lately it has become very frizzy. I can’t manage to style because no matter what I do, it just looks too frizzy. How can I tame my hair” – Curly and Frizzy

Dear Curly and Frizzy,

It is very important to invest in good products.  L’oreal Professional has an excellent line of professional hair products which can help almost any hair situation.

To start off with, use a gentle shampoo and a good nourishing conditioner to help with the dry tips but won’t weigh down your hair.  Try using a wide toothed comb to take out any tangles then flip your damp hair over and scrunch in some mousse.  This helps to give curly hair more shine and bounce while enhancing each curl.  You won’t even have to blow dry!

Stay away from any heat styling tools to prevent any further damage to your hair.  Get regular deep conditioning masks or treatments done to your hair to keep it looking and feeling healthy.

Nilo.

“I have very sensitive skin. Every time I wax, my skin breaks out into a rash and gets irritated. The rash remains for a couple days after waxing and looks terrible! How can I treat this?” – Sensitive waxer

Dear Sensitive Waxer,

Dermatologists always recommend you take an antihistaminic tablet such as levocetrizine before waxing to avoid such rashes.  Use calamine lotion immediately after waxing to sooth the skin.

Never use wax that is more than a month old as it could be infected and hence cause boils.  The wax should be properly stored with adequate hygiene. You should always use disposable cellophane strips for waxing.  Apply a retinol-based cream on the marks before you sleep.  This will lighten the marks over a period of time.  If the problem continues you should consider some permanent hair removal methods such as laser.

Nilo.