Review: Gold Facial at the Kaya Skin Care Clinic

Have you ever had a gold facial? I'm talking 24K gold serums, creams and masks applied to your face in the most decadent manner so that you literally GLOW from the inside out. Apparently, gold can repair sun damage, lighten complexion, improve blood circulation and accelerate cell renewal. It is not just pretty to wear! 

A few days ago, I tried out the GOLD RADIANCE facial at Kaya Skin Care Clinic and was quite impressed by the results. 

The products used in the facial are all by ORO GOLD 

First, my face was cleansed and then lightly exfoliated using a microdermabrasion machine. My therapist then removed blackheads using an extractor but with no steam (ouch!). A 24K Vitamin C Booster Serum was then massaged into to my face followed by a heavenly facial and eye massage using 24k creams. Finally, a 24k gold and collagen mask was applied to my face. This was meant to infuse my skin with the energizing and antioxidant properties of gold to enhance my youth and elasticity of my skin. 

The end result? Super smooth and clearer skin for days afterwards.

 I have been glowing ever since!

About the KAYA SKIN CARE CLINIC

The branch I visited at Abu Dhabi Mall has a very 'clinical' feel 

with its corridor of treatment rooms which are very basic, clean and plain

Kaya Skin Care Clinic is the largest chain of skincare clinics in the Middle East. They have 19 branches across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The best part about them? They are mostly located in convenient locations like shopping malls with tons of parking. Each client is considered unique and receives customized treatment. You first meet with a dermatologist to decide on the best course of treatment for your concern before booking any of their services. Then trained therapists take over to give you the best possible results. 

Click here to learn more about the Kaya Skin Care Clinic

Have you ever tried a 24K gold facial?

Zuma Abu Dhabi

Last week I visited the newly opened Zuma Restaurant on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Originally a contemporary Japanese restaurant from London, it is now a very popular chain with eight restaurants around the world. One of the most successful of these restaurants is the Zuma at DIFC in Dubai, which has won countless awards since its opening in 2009. 

While it was incredible difficult to get a reservation, the one week wait was definitely worth it. Located in a glass box opposite the Rosewood Hotel, the restaurant stretches over two storeys. Once you enter, you go down a glass elevator and find a large open dining space with a restaurant, bar, lounge, sushi bar and robata grill. Unlike most of the new restaurants in Abu Dhabi, Zuma was PACKED with people and had a very nice vibe with live music from their DJ. Almost every single table was occupied and this was on a Monday!!

The food is beyond yummy and the staff is very friendly and well trained. I highly recommend you try it! I am definitely going back! :)

(www.hoteliermiddleeast.com)

The restaurant follows the Izakaya style of dining where dishes are quite small and made for sharing. Everything is mouth-watering! 

Left to Right: Black Cod (HIGHLY reccomended!), Jumbo Tiger Prawn, Beef Tenderloin

Keep space for this chocolate souffle- OMG! 

The restaurant is quite big, has a nice vibe and was VERY full- you can sit on the dinner tables, at the sushi bar, robata grill, at the bar or in the lounge area

ZUMA is located right opposite the entrance of the Rosewood Hotel in a glass box structure

Visit their Facebook Page HERE for more details 

Have you dined at Zuma Abu Dhabi yet? How did you like it? 

Lancome Miracle Air de Teint Foundation

I don't use liquid foundation- I usually hate their coverage and find they look cake-y and un-natural. I especially it hate when I greet a person with kisses on their cheeks and feel the texture of their foundation. I prefer to use tinted moisturizer and bronzing powder instead.

Having said that, I decided to try Lancome's brand new weightless foundation a few days ago, Miracle Air De Teint and it's like nothing I have ever tried before.  I'm seriously OBSESSED! My skin looked and felt so good afterwards that even my husband told me he loved my makeup that day! 

The foundation is more like a BB cream and skin perfecter. It feels light as air, has a matte finish and left my skin feeling super silky and soft. Best of all it gave me a 'glow' and an air-brushed nude finish.

It comes in 12 different shades so you will definitely find one to match your skin tone

(Source: beautyscene.net)

How to Apply: The foundation is very fluid and easy to blend. It is best to put one or two drops onto your hand and then apply with your fingers to your face. Brushes or sponges will soak up the liquid so don't use them. I personally like my skin to look quite tanned so I put bronzing powder on top but you don't really need it for a more natural look. 

Make-up artist Alex Babsky shows how to do a 'No Makeup look' 

using Lancome Miracle Air de Teint 

If your skin only needs light coverage, then this is the product for you. If you are looking for a heavier foundation to cover un-even skin then I would choose another foundation with more coverage. 

Have you tried the Miracle Air De Teint? What did you think? 

Supermarket Chic at the Chanel show

Karl Lagerfeld is known for staging some of the coolest runway shows each season. They are never simple and always leave an impression for all of us to talk about for days afterwards! For the Autumn/winter 2014 collection in Paris yesterday, he transformed the runway into a CHANEL SUPERMARKET! Complete with Chanel groceries and trolleys. What a way to glamorize an everyday concept and make it oh so chic! How I wish I was there :(

Karl Lagerfeld created a supermarket where everything was CHANEL-ized

The Chanel supermarket was fully stocked with Chanel products

Clockwise from top Left: Chanel sweets, Doormats, water, and a huge Cheese section

An appetizing fresh vegetable stand, Chanel Spaghetti, chic rubber gloves and Chanel Eggs

As they walked down the runway, the models shopped the isles in super cool trainers 

The It bag of next season?

Tweed and chain mini shopping baskets of course!

Anna Dello Russo preparing to shop the isles

How can we ever shop in a regular supermarket from now on?!

(Source for all photos: www.graziadaily.co.uk)

Tulip Festival at Marc by Marc Jacobs

Last week I attended the Tulip Festival at Marc by Marc Jacobs at Abu Dhabi Mall. The event showcased the new Fall Winter collection which is covered in colourful Tulips. It was a lot of fun with a caricaturist who drew our faces on a Marc Jacobs Tulip Dress, a tulip planting station, a photo booth with props, and yummy catering. 

 I planted my own tulip at the Tulip Planting station - lets hope it grows! 

 I loved how the collection was covered in colourful tulips - everything was fun and very wearable. The tops, dresses, sweaters, and pants can very easily be incorporated into your daily wardrobe.

Exactly what you'd expect of Marc by Marc Jacobs!

 The main piece in the collection - a purple silk coat covered in tulips 

Even the yummy chocolate truffles we took home had tulips drawn on them! 

FLIPSTERS: Stylish Foldable Slippers

One of my MOST embarrassing moments is hobbling out of my nail parlour wearing disposable paper slippers. It never ceases to be mortifying! It happens when I find enough free time to get a pedicure during the day but my shoes have covered toes. Not very pedicure-friendly but no time to go back home and change! 

Luckily, I have discovered a very stylish solution which EVERY woman should know about! FLIPSTERS (Link Here) - foldable slippers which fit into almost every handbag. Invented in Australia by two law students, they are now sold in the U.A.E. Each colour has a matching case which can be taken anywhere and everywhere. They are waterproof, machine washable, durable, and very light. 

The straps are made of silk so there is no risk of blisters

Choose from 9 different shades in four sizes (XS, S, M, L)

Flipsters also sells Coco Flats which are foldable ballerinas. They are available in 6 colors & are perfect when you want to change out of your heels at a wedding, while walking outdoors, or shopping.   

Click HERE to buy Flipsters or Coco Flats

I recommend you get them in many different colours to suit all your outfits!

Butter Cookies - the MOST delicious cookies EVER

For the past few months, my Instagram Account (@MySmallObsessions) has been flooded with pictures of delicious cookies from Butter Dessert Salon. Every single tag line is something along the lines of 'YUM', 'DELICIOUS', 'OMG' etc. I decided that I absolutely HAD to try them and share my review with you :)

I contacted the owner Fatma (a lovely person btw!) and ordered a box of cookies. I swear, I have never tasted a more DELICIOUS cookie! She sent me their Nutella Sea Salt Cookie which is filled with real gooey nutella and sprinkled in salt to offbeat the sweat Nutella taste. The result is pure PERFECTION! I shared the box with a few of my chocoholic friends and we ALL had the same expression on our faces!

This cookie dosen't only look good, it tastes DIVINE!

If you love Nutella, you simply MUST try these cookies! And then secretly thank me when your mouth is full and you are thinking 'OMG I'm in Heaven!!!'

Butter Dessert Salon is located in Dubai and all orders are delivered. They only deliver to Dubai. 

Email butterdubai@gmail.com or call 04-2038513 for orders.

ENJOY!!!

REISS: The Brand on my Radar!

At the beginning of this month, I was invited to an event for the clothing brand REISS. It was held at a chalet at the Kempinski Mall of the Emirates overlooking the ski slope. What a stunning setting and PERFECT location to showcase a Fall/Winter Collection! I must admit that I have never bought anything from REISS and it is not one of the my preferred brands. Well, I couldn't be MORE wrong!

The view from the Chalet was breathtaking - I felt like I was on a real ski slope! 

Their collection this season consists of super wearable clothes. Beautiful party dresses that are suitable for every occasion, amazing pieces for the working businesswoman who wants to stand out, lots of separates that complete a wardrobe and really cool accessories. I could see myself wearing more than half of the collection! REISS is definitely on my radar when I want to revamp my wardrobe.

Below are just a few of the pieces I liked in their collection. I especially loved the leather, the prints and the accessories. Each piece has that extra something special to make it stand out. 

 

This clutch is my favourite accessory in the whole collection. Love it!

CLICK HERE for the Stores near you 

Do you like the new REISS Fall/Winter collection??

Koi Restaurant at the St Regis Saadiyat - A Review

It's always exciting when a new and Fabulous restaurant opens in Abu Dhabi. The newest one is Koi Restaurant, a Japanese fusion franchise straight from Los Angeles. It is located at the St Regis Hotel in Saadiyat Island and is a definite MUST GO! For once, I found a restaurant with good food that was PACKED and had a very fun and vibrant vibe. In Abu dhabi! There was not one empty seat in the place. Now that's quite impressive :)

The decor of the restaurant is very modern Japanese with wooden walls and floors, a full-grass wall separating the bar area from the restaurant, a sushi bar, and really cool ceilings and columns. While the atmosphere is quite serene, the blaring music gives the restaurant a great ambiance. 

The Lounge area was just as full as the restaurant with a lit bar along one wall and low tables.

Quite a few of the people were having dinner here as well as drinks

Now onto the important part ... THE FOOD!!

The starters are absolutely mouthwatering & are made to share!

Clockwise from top left: Salmon with truffles, Yellowtail with jalapenos, spinach & mushroom salad, seaweed salad (Yum!)

My favourite dishes were the sticky rice with spicy tuna, grilled eggplant & lobster tacos 

The Lobster Tacos are so good you won't want to share! 

Unfortunately, the sushi menu is very basic with the simplest of options

Everything we ordered had no taste - The salmon, tuna, crab & yellowtail all tasted bland

To make up for the bland sushi, we over-ordered dessert!

Clockwise from top left: Ice cream sundae, creme bruler, chocolate sauce & brownies, fresh Mochi ice cream.

Everything was delicious with the Mochi being my favourite!

I absolutely loved KOI and highly recommend that you have dinner there! While the sushi isn't so great, the starters are yummy and the vibe is very Dubai-like. It is nice to find a new restaurant in Abu Dhabi which isn't deserted for a change! 

There is a very extensive main dishes menu which looked appetizing. I am definitely trying it next time! :)

The restaurant is PACKED so make sure you book! 

02- 678 3334 

Have you tried KOI at the St Regis?

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse - The WONDER oil!

In my summer interviews this year, Nadine Kanso, designer of Bil Arabi jewellery, swore by Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse to keep her summer skin silky. (For a recap, read Nadine Kanso's interview here). I decided to try it out for myself and OMG I'm OBSESSED!!!

It is a multipurpose oil which can be used on your face, hair, skin, cuticles, and basically anywhere that needs it! It is a dry oil so isn't oily AT ALL and absorbs really fast into your skin. The best part about it is the smell - it leaves a subtle scent that disappears after an hour or so. This oil can be used ANYWHERE and at ANYTIME. I LOVE IT! 

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse OR has golden particles that give your skin a light shimmer

Perfect for after the beach on tanned skin!

What makes it so great? Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse contains plant oils and Vitamin E which nourish, repair and soften anything you put it on. 

How to use it:

Face: Add a spritz of the oil with your daily moisturizer and apply it to your skin

Legs: Apply in upward movements to your legs for a 'silk stocking' effect. It will make your legs look more toned (who doesn't want that?!)

Skin: Smooth it all over your body after your shower to moisturize your skin. It only takes a minute or two to dry. 

Hair: For a natural wavy effect, spray a little into your palm on dry hair and scrunch your hair with it. You can also smooth 2 drops into your hair to eliminate frizz

Relax: To relax, pour a few drops into your bubble bath to nourish your skin and give it a faint scent

I HIGHLY recommend this multipurpose oil - it's truly amazing :)

Learn more about Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse HERE