12 New Beauty Commandments

To create the perfect piece of art, one must start with a clean canvas. From Christopher Kane’s paredback beauty to Roksanda’s luminous skin, the only way to wear your base is with a fresh outlook. Opt for an airy foundation that provides second-skin coverage, which will protect you with added SPF.

Our ongoing pursuit for the perfect lashes might come to a close with the discovery of SVS Lashes. This revolutionary lash phenomenon sets the standard for speed, volume and style. Superfine extensions are applied using an innovative SVS isolation lash technique. The procedure takes around 45 minutes (less than half the time of regular eyelash extensions), and leaves you with long thick lashes for around 6-8 weeks.

Japanese beauty is giving Korean beauty a run for its money, and here’s why: The Japanese beauty scene is taking on a more minimalist philosophy. Focus is being directed at time-tested, all-natural, products such as adzuki and matcha, which (despite having been around for centuries) are revolutionising skincare. Preference is given to organic ingredients, which complements the Japanese woman’s longstanding interest in leading a holistic way of life. Matcha, for instance, contains catechins, a type of micronutrient, which acts as a powerful antioxidant and helps fight off free radicals in the skin, thus reducing signs of aging. Brands such as Shiseido, H20+ and Shiro all capitalise on Japanese ingredients that result in smoother, softer, more radiant, age-defying skin.

If you find your hair lacks movement or body, if your colour has a tendency to fade just a few weeks after a treatment, or if you find your highlights becoming brassy, hard water mineral build-up is most likely the culprit. A Malibu C Hair Detox pampering session is one of the newest treatments offered at Y-12 Salon in The Ritz Carlton, DIFC. This 100 per cent vegan miracle worker does wonders to breakdown mineral, product and environmental impurities from your hair and scalp. The region’s water can be especially harsh on your locks, so opt for the in-house treatment or the at-home solution to help breathe new life into your tresses.

Fragrances have that nostalgic power to transport us to another place or time, guided by our olfactory memories. What is already a personalised experience has just become even more special with the rise of customised scents. “People want to feel unique, they want to express their personality; they want to enjoy the rarest materials and reject the overly mainstream or marketed products,” says Benoît Verdier, co-founder of Ex Nihilo. “In the Middle East, we’ve met some of the most refined customers in the world and scents are a huge part of their culture.” Ideal for women who want to feel unique and indulge in the finer things, services such as the one offered by Ex Nihilo in Bloomingdale’s, or from brands such as Burberry, allow women to tailor-make their scent with the guided expertise of a highly-trained perfumer. “People in this region are very curious and open-minded to new exclusive experiences,” explains Benoît. At Burberry, the Bespoke range comes in a luxurious assortment of seven unique fragrances inspired by artistry, the elements and the great British outdoors. Each scent is available in a choice of one, two or three concentrations, with the added capability to customise the bottle’s exterior to whatever you fancy. “I think the Middle Eastern customer may have a higher preference for Antique Oak, Tudor Rose and Amber Heath,” indicates Francis Kurdjian, Burberry perfumer. But regardless of your preference in notes, this service will change the way you select your perfume.

One product topping many health trend lists for 2018 is ingestible collagen. “Collagen makes up most connective tissue, and over 90 per cent of young skin is made of collagen,” explains Dr. Sara Sibilla, head of research and development at Gold Collagen. But why a supplement over an injection? “The effect [of the injection] is localised to a particular area, usually in the face, and is not systemic, unlike when you take a collagen-based supplement that acts on the whole body and benefits your general well-being.” Other methods include collagen sprays, such as Carol Joy London’s, which is definitely worth considering, as the brand suggests that your skin’s collagen production declines at a rate of 1 per cent each year after the age of 30.

Rebecca Treston, founder of Rebecca Treston Aesthetics at Euromed Clinic Dubai, recommends Fotona’s cosmetic laser devices as the go-to treatment to kick-start your new year skin routine. Tailor-made to each individual, the treatment offers the flexibility to customise ingredients to target specific areas of concern. “Depending on what skin concerns the patient has, we can also provide suitable post-treatment homecare products including Vitamin C for antioxidants and brightening, Vitamin E for anti-aging, or Hyaluronic acid for skin moisture, which will prolong the treatment’s results and ensure the skin looks its absolute best.”

If the runways are anything to go by, one thing is for sure – colour is most definitely in. Brands such as YSL have championed colourful lashes with their Vinyl Couture Mascara in nine unique shades, ranging from emerald-green to vibrant-fuchsia. Other big-name brands supporting this trend include Dior and Chanel – the latter has unveiled its limited edition Le Volume De Chanel Mascara, and just in time for events season.

From burgundy to magenta and mauve to plum, rich purple shades are taking over our beauty counters with a plethora of new products on offer. Whether it be a subtle dusting of powdered-pigment from Charlotte Tilbury’s The Glamour Muse Eyeshadow Palette or Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour applied to the hands, a need for daring colour is high on our agenda.