5 Shine Secrets to Let Your Inner Star Shine Bright

May 13, 2013Leave a comment

Jamal Hammadi – Co-creator of Sunsilk Shine & Strength Range

Jamal Hammadi, Sunsilk Shine & Strength co-creator and stylist to the stars, believes natural hair products create natural glow for that superstar look and feel. So when your big break comes along, whether it’s a job interview or a trip abroad, you can ditch sweaty palms and let your inner light shine bright with a few of Jamal’s shine secrets. Because when you feel like a superstar, you are one….check out some awesome tips from Jamal below:

Secret #1. Keep It Real

Oils are a natural part of our hair’s make-up, so they’re the obvious nourishing ingredient to infuse hair with radiant shine. Products with natural ingredients such as argan, almond and camellia oil are extremely beneficial for the growth of healthy hair. Tea tree oil can also help maintain the balance of your hair’s natural oils.

TIP: For fabulously soft hair, this recipe is a great and natural DIY alternative: blend egg white, cucumber and a few spoons of coconut oil in a mixer, apply on hair and leave for 40 minutes, then wash out. You’ll love how soft your hair feels!

Secret #2. Keep It Simple

Less is more! Go back to basics as much as possible – avoid hair gels and limit how much you use hair spray. Be careful not to over-colour when dying, as this can rob hair of its natural shine and texture. Using a hot iron to straighten is also better than chemical straightening, which can weaken hair due to chemicals used in the process.

TIP: If you brush your hair before sleep, use a wooden comb to untangle knots rather than a normal plastic one, as these lead to hair breakage. Wooden combs can activate the hair’s natural oil secretion, which lends moisture to the hair. And remember to be gentle when drying your hair after cleaning – rough treatment damages cuticles and roots.

Secret #3. It’s All About Moisture

Moisture is so important for bouncy, thick and shiny hair. But everything we do to our hair depletes moisture: using the wrong shampoo, blow-drying, colouring or straightening.

TIP: Just remember, lack of moisture is curable – you can replenish your natural hair texture with moisturisers and nutrients. You should also rinse with cold water after washing, because this seals the hair cuticles, locking in moisture and shine. And don’t forget to oil your hair every now and then, ensuring to oil the ends as well – argan oil is perfect.

Secret #4. Shea Butter for Sheer Beauty

One of my favourite natural ingredients is shea butter. It provides the perfect amount of nutrients to add that natural sheen. It also protects your hair from the sun and contains vitamins A and E, which are beneficial for dry and sun exposed skin and hair.

TIP: Vitamin A smoothes and has hydrating properties, while vitamin E is vital for luscious shine and is found in foods such as avocados, berries and nuts. It improves scalp circulation and helps decrease greyness.

Secret #5. Love Your Body, Love The Look

Each strand has to be healthy from the inside to glow with its full brilliance. To achieve this, you need to nourish each hair individually. But you also need a positive attitude and a well-balanced diet!

TIP: Fish and fish oils are key for healthy hair. You can keep your locks nourished with lots of water, vegetables and foods rich in fatty acids such as salmon and beans – and make sure you up your iron intake. You should eat lots of good proteins and vegetables. Iron will give hair a fantastic shine!

I would certainly like Jamal to be my stylist for my next big event 🙂

Another shoe party at Vince Camuto

May 13, 2013Leave a comment

My shoe fetish just turned a notch higher as Vince Camuto transitional 2013 brings three new trends, each with an emphasis on ornate detailing, mixed media, jeweled embellishments as well as exotic fabrications.

I realise that after the hassle of looking for a 4 bedroom villa (which the man of the house insists needs an extra room for my shoes) should keep me away from retail therapy but one look at the shoes was enough to melt my heart. I’m sure I could convert the garage into a walk in shoe closet. Western Frontier, Deco Nouveau and Star-Studded Event, each with its own attention to fabrication, ornamentation and modern silhouette, respectively; offer complimentary collections that pay homage to beauty of history in art and craftsmanship.

Western Frontier is the most classic of the transitional collection trends, featuring cut-out, western scalloping, embellished overlays, horse-shoe buckles, starburst studs and ornate harnesses. For day, standout styles include assorted ankle boots with a western flair in Egyptian blue, true black, smoke taupe, or tie dye, in multi snake or tonal print snake featuring embroidery detail to reflect the craftsmanship of the artisans of the Southwest.

Evening shoes transition seamlessly; including mid-height open toed sandals in soft calf or tonal snake print leather in black, brown or beachwood, saddle.

Star-Studded Event is a more decorated collection, rich in detail, featuring all-over micro beaded leather prints and mini-studded embellishment. Standout styles include, for day, teal, bamboo and black loafers in luxe true suede and evening styles include ecru, smoke taupe and black vintage goat and true suede open toed booties with ornate beads and studs. Low-heeled woven scalloped suede sandals in a toasted brown exude a rustic glamour that are both comfortable and enviable.

Deco Nouveau, the most sophisticated trend of the season, offers more feminine silhouettes, including styles such as pointed toe sling-back and mirror metallic multi-strapped low-heeled sandals, both in steel leather, for day. For evening, a new single-sold pump silhouette, with a slender high-heel, in purple jewel and red wine true suede, is both refreshingly sleek and fashion-forward. Deco-diamond strappy high-heeled sandals in steel and black mirror metallic and exotic snake, as well as satin and metallic jeweled caged ankle strap evening sandals, are inspired by modern architecture and construction.

I reckon I need to start looking for that ace real estate agent who can find me that perfect villa with a walk in shoe closet. Know anyone???

All images are copyrighted to Vince Camuto :).

Sotheby’s celebrate Doha auction success in Qatar

April 24, 2013Leave a comment

Sotheby’s Doha auction in progress

Today is an awesome day in London…apart from the fact that I brought sunshine to the city like I always do when I step out of the plane, I will see my first Sotheby’s auction in progress in London this afternoon – Arts of the Islamic World.

More will come later on this as the auction I will go and see covers Middle Eastern and Turkish Art so it deserves a full new dedicated blog.

Meanwhile the auction in Doha, (Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Doha auction) achieved the strong total of $15,199,750, solidly between the pre-sale expectations of $11.1/16.1 million, establishing the highest price for an auction of Contemporary Art in the Middle East region.

I saw some of the pieces that are in Doha now at an exclusive VIP preview that was held at the Royal Mirage in Dubai…they were really nice and I met lots of interesting people. It would have been great to see the auction in Doha as it was very successful.

The sale was 89.1% sold by lot. Records were set for nine artists, including a record for a living Arab artist. The top lot of sale was Donald Judd’s Untitled (Bernstein 90-01), which sold – after an extended bidding battle among four people – for $3,525,000.

Rising Down, set an auction record for Ethiopian-born artist Julie Mehretu titled when it achieved the strong price of $3,077,000*, over its high estimate of $3 million, after competition from four bidders.

Four bidders competed for a commanding installation work by Minimalist artist Donald Judd, Untitled (Bernstein 90-01), dating from 1990, which achieved $3,525,000 against a high estimate of $3.5 million. Judd was one of the leading pioneers of new sculptural forms and concepts within America during the latter half of the twentieth century and this work shows his brilliantly imaginative mind at the very pinnacle of its creative powers.

Four bidders competed for a work of monumental scale by Chant Avedissian, Icons of the Nile, which set a record for a living Arab artist when it fetched $1,565,000 (est. $1/1.5 million). Created in 2010, this gouache, stencil and acrylic paint on cardboard, in one hundred and twenty parts, is the largest piece the artist has created to date. It presents a mosaic of Egyptian culture that retraces the country’s past through nostalgic imagery and iconographical motifs.

Prominent among the group of works sold was a supreme series of paintings by the influential Iranian artist Mohammed Ehsai, entitled ‘Eshgh’ or ‘Love’ and dated 2012, which fetched $437,000 (est. $300/400,000, pictured left). His distinctive style is shown at its best in the ‘Eshgh’ series, which blends traditional calligraphic techniques with modern graphics.

Suspended Together fetched the remarkable sum of $329,000 (est. $100/150,000), achieving an auction record for the artist. Magnificent in scale and epic in conception, Suspended Together is one of the most important and celebrated works of Manal Al Dowayan’s career to date and the first of her installation works to appear at auction. Utterly elegiac in its beauty, the work has a distinguished exhibition history, having been displayed at major international shows, such as Edge of Arabia in Dubai and The Future of a Promise at the 54th Venice Biennale (both in 2011).

A myriad of snow white porcelain doves hover in the air, the wings and body of each bird stamped with an exact reproduction of the permission document a Saudi woman needs from their male guardian to travel.

Ya’illahi (Dear Lord), one of the most important paintings ever to come to auction by Ayman Baalbaki, achieved a record for the artist when it reached a final sum of $377,000 (est. $100/150,000). Depicting the shrouded face of a lone, heroic figure gazing up to the skies, the powerfully charged work explores the acute tension and ambiguity within the kaffiyeh, an everyday garment.

The highly desirable portrait by Mahmoud Said, Profil, dating from 1950, attracted competition from no fewer than five bidders and achieving $125,000, many multiples of its high estimate of $50,000.

Seeing how successful the Doha sale was, I am excited to see the London auction which fits in perfectly with my trip…..for me, although it was a dream to see a Sotheby’s auction, what is nice is that I get to see an auction that covers a subject I love – Middle Eastern and Turkish Art or Arts of the Islamic World.

I just can’t wait to see the pieces that are from the sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries, especially the art of the Indian Deccan dated 1684.

The most efficient vehicle – Learn about bicycles at Bahrain Science Centre

April 18, 2013Leave a comment

During April and May 2013 the Bahrain Science Centre part of the Ministry of Social Development in Bahrain is celebrating the theme ‘Machines & Mechanisms’. One of its displays and activities during these theme months is on the most efficient vehicle ever invented, the bicycle.

The bicycle display demonstrates why the bicycle is so efficient due to its ergonomic design that uses the human body as a source of power, its light weight, streamlining, reduced rolling resistance on the road and reduced friction resistance in the chain and sprockets.

Furthermore, the rider is seated and does not have to support his/her weight, and the reciprocal cycling action allows one leg to recover while the other leg is pushing. Bicycles also have gears that provide mechanical advantage when riding uphill or against the wind, and can free-wheel downhill without any use of energy.

The display also emphasizes that the bicycle is the most environmentally friendly form of transport as it reduces air pollution, does not produce greenhouse gases and therefore reduces our carbon footprint. It also reduces noise levels, consumes fewer resources to make and use, and uses less space than cars and therefore reduces traffic congestion. Bicycles also facilitate healthy exercise and promote a healthy outdoor life style.

The discussion and workshops around the display will focus on the design of the mechanics of the bicycle and should be of interest to people of all age groups.

Don’t miss the display, discussions, debates and workshops on the bicycle in the Bahrain Science Centre during April and May 2013.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

Uchiwa fan brings memories

April 18, 2013Leave a comment

For the third time in 2 years, I am preparing to move home – lock, stock and barrel. It’s not a fun task packing stuff of a huge 4 bedroom villa and its amazing what you find when you delve through myriads of books and knick knacks that no family member wants to part with.

After facing 3 huge piles of paperwork on my living room table, I decided this evening to get rid of some display items (it’s now a joke between Eric and Tash that the pile grows bigger instead of smaller despite me spending hours in the evenings de-cluttering while being distracted with the computer, TV, phone calls etc)

After much rummaging, tearing of pages and throwing candles etc, I came across a Uchiwa fan, which always reminds me of Japanese elegance and tradition.

These fans are cherished by the people of Japan, not just to cool down but for getting shade and in my case, it was used as decoration – that is until my last house move. I received it from a dear University mate who had taken me under her wings when I first visited KL.

The Uchiwa fans from Edo, first made in the 18^th century are crafted by taking Japanese ‘washi’ paper cut in ovals and placed on a finely sliced bamboo frame. The woodblock printing technique was then used by the craftsmen to decorate the fans artistically…. I wish I was good in art so I could do something creative like that.

Common subjects used in the artwork often included pretty women, kabuki performers, scenic nature/gardens etc, depending on what was in fashion.

While I am still not happy about having to relocate thousands of books from libraries at every corner of the villa, its fun coming across some nice objects collected over the last twenty years of extensive travel and visiting cultural and heritage exhibitions.

Now all I need to do to find an equally huge villa that has a spare room for my shoes, books and collectibles … does anyone know a really cool real estate agent with lots of patience to put up with diva demands?

Week of Chemistry’ at the Bahrain Science Centre

April 17, 2013Leave a comment

Detlef presenting a chemistry show

During the week of 22^nd to 25^th April 2013, the Bahrain Science Centre, part of Ministry of Social Development, will be featuring an intensive week of chemistry shows, discussions and debates.

World famous science educator, Detlef Basel from the Cape Town Science Centre in South Africa will present nine, one-hour ‘Hooked on Science’ chemistry shows throughout the week.

Detlef has over 40 years experience doing science shows and has performed on television and in front of huge live audiences. He is an expert at creating big (but safe) bangs, whizzes and pops and will enthrall you with his mastery of simple chemical elements, many of which can be found in your kitchen cupboard.

The ‘Hooked on Science’ shows are suitable for all age groups and will be presented during the mornings for school groups and during the afternoons and evenings for families. Visit the Science Centre’s website for more details.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

MTE Studios currently manages and operates the Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com. For information on the weekly programmes at the Bahrain Science Centre, please contact Amna Aldoseri at amna@mtestudios.com.

As long as it works….

April 17, 2013Leave a comment

Being a woman may be complicated but it is the very contradictory nature of the female that makes us interesting…or dare I say alluring. Today I’ve come to terms with being at odds with everything and celebrating my womanhood. In the process, I have also come to the conclusion that:

…it’s ok to have a chocolate binge during PMS – in fact, for the sanity of all around it’s highly recommended

…if i have put a warning sign not to cross my path if you value your life during PMS, heed it or be man or woman enough to face the consequences

…its normal to wake up being annoyed with the man because of a fight you had in a dream – he must have done something to cause that fight in the first place

…hitting the snooze button 3 times in the morning is acceptable behaviour and if it doesn’t work the fourth time, the team have a duty to call at 8am and be the personal alarm clock – every hour diva spends at work after all is valued at top dollar

…its human to scream on top of your voice during a brazilian. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a reptile!

…domestic work does not fit into the job scope of a diva. Somebody has to do something about it soon or be ready to face a chaotic home environment!

…diets are bogus if it does not accommodate a healthy dose of Belgian chocolates. You only live once and deprivation is not a word that exists in a diva dictionary.

…carrying 60 to 75 pairs of shoes in the car boot on an overloaded shoe rack is a life saver. It’s in the diva code in fact to ensure another 120 pairs remain on standby for the shoe rotation every 2 months.

…seeing a billboard of Fazza early morning on SZR can really lift up the spirits and set the tone for a great day. Alternatively, there is always the upbeat tunes of Amr Diab if it does not work out with Fazza

…Dancing is good for the soul – Belly Dancing and oriental beats are the best

… it’s ok to rant when the world does not keep up with Dubai and you have to put up with mediocre service when travelling. It’s normal to breath a sigh of relief when your feet touches the UAE soil 🙂

…its awesome to get an adrenaline kick on the race tracks as distraction because some idiot spoilt your mood/broke your heart/sent u meaningless bbms or texts/didn’t tell you were god’s gift to mankind etc…you get my drift!

…blame the scales if it tips towards the bigger numbers because of the sinful chocolate cake from Paul’s – then do a 60’s number on the twister to sweat it off

…send people who annoy you to Timbuktu in your mind. Always works!

People deal with stuff differently but as long as it works…who cares!

House of Chic debuts in Dubai

March 23, 2013Leave a comment

It’s a crazy Saturday – in between the Art Show, Fashion shows and the Horse Show, little diva and I will be spending some time witnessing the debut of the first House Of Chic Asian Fashion Pop-Up Store concept today.

The Los Angeles based House Of Chic, was launched in the USA by two young ladies – Jinali Sutariya and Heena Surani – as a pop-up store with great success and fanfare. Now these two enterprising fashionistas are bringing this novel concept to Dubai for the first time. Included in the line-up are several well-known and emerging fashion designers and accessory brands.

Scheduled to take place at The Palace Downtown, Dubai, our very own uber charming socialite, Jawaher tells us of the impressive and extensive designer line-up who are:

Nikhil Thampi

Gauri & Nainika

Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna

Shashank & Prajwal

Geisha Designs by Paras & Shalini

Darshi Adani

Payal Singhal

Alpana Neeraj

Nimirta Lalwani

Poonam Bhagat

Alka Vora

Surily Goel

Hemant & Nandita

Am:Pm

Pia Pauro

Dolly J

Shivan & Narresh

Komal Sood

Rahul Mishra

Kavita Vanita

Kiran Uttam Ghosh

Farhana Zahedi

Accessories

Malleka

Janavi

Just Jewelry

House of Chic

The event is being conceptualised and executed by Unimonde Experiences so it is bound to be smashing. Don’t miss out!

Zandonai’s Francesca Da Rimini @MeydanIMAX

March 22, 2013Leave a comment

Its been weeks since Tasha and I went to see the a MET Opera production….it was Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda so news that another MET production is coming to IMAX was music to our ears. This time it’s Zandonai’s ‘Francesca Da Rimini’. The good thing is that both Tash and I don’t know the storyline or have read any reviews so this will be a total surprise and what’s great is that we will once see it on the biggest screen in Dubai at Meydan Imax. I reckon the best thing I’ve done since I met Afsana is get registered for updates via email on what’s happening at IMAX….I keep getting their latest schedules and my viewing pleasure has improved ten-fold.

The next MET Opera is at 7pm on the 25th of March. It’s perfect timing as I usually leave the office at Media City at 6pm and arrive at Meydan IMAX just in time to meet Tash, buy popcorn and see the show…plus indulge in their amazing oreo cake that is sinfully delicious and takes you to heaven for the evening.

As I keep talking endlessly about how much I enjoy the MET shows, ticket costs for everyone who makes a booking and say’s ‘Fijianchick’ get AED 50/- off their tickets. So…if you like opera and like to see the show, mention my blog and get the tickets for AED100/- instead of AED150/-. Enjoy!

The A 250 Sport: The hottest hatch in town

March 21, 2013Leave a comment

Mercedes is back in the good books of diva…after their big foray into 6×6 (I really think they should stay out of this segment and stick to their awesome luxury cars), I got news via Bassam that with the new A 250 Sport, Mercedes-Benz has entered an entirely new segment in the Middle East in the luxury compact segment.

I was cynical at first (especially after getting over the 6×6 news)…. it’s just not very ‘Mercedes’ but then I was converted when I saw the images – it certainly looks like a powerful, sporty and luxuriously designed hot hatch that will excite and enthrall the region’s aspirational go-getters of the next-cool-things.

I can only comment on the tech specs and the looks for now because I have not driven the car so my opinion on this is purely from a perspective of someone who loves cars and can comment on the looks and power based on previous experience. It is apparently a powerful four-cylinder, two-litre turbocharged engine that produces a roaring 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque, thundering a market that demands success to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds….cool aye!

Like most Mercs, it comes with GCC standard specifications and is fully loaded compared to the international market, including a very sporty interior design with red stitching, designo red seat belts, red framed SLS AMG style air vents, comfortable sport seats, aggressive exterior look with diamond grille, red brake callipers, 18” five spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in high sheen black finish and headlamps with red marker rings.

For safety, the standard specification includes, amongst other things, the radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system. Smiles will broaden when learning that ownership of a car sporting the unmistakable status of the sparkling three-pointed star starts at just USD$37,000 GCC wide. GCC options in addition to the standard specification include Xenon Lights, Active Parking Assist, and a Light Sight Package (Interior Ambient Lighting).

Launched with the tagline ‘Drive yourself’, the arrival of the A 250 Sport to the region aims to turn the luxury small car segment on its head and marks a new direction for Mercedes-Benz in the region.

In summary…the car has good looks, performance, prestige and attitude, at a price point that makes attainability of the brand a reality for those that may consider owning a Mercedes-Benz as ‘something they want but sometime in the future’.

Globalista Extraordinaire

TEEN lifestyle in the UAE, SPAIN, UK and FIJI ISLANDS

Category: Lifestyle features