Fragrant Notes

Nishrat Nazeen, Founder and Curator of Aromas Fiji

The pandemic has inspired people all around the world to focus more on being clean, hygienic and healthy and this vision has led many around the world to invest in inspiring projects and products that focus on keeping everyone around cleaner and safer. Aromas Fiji was initiated by Nishrat Nazeen, a PR Professional based in Nadi, Fiji Islands during the pandemic to encourage people to use more soap and relax with fragrant candles and ultimately embrace a lifestyle that focuses on wellbeing.

In a candid interview, Nishrat tells us more about her new venture and the debut collection of soaps and candles from Aromas Fiji.

Tell us a bit about Aromas Fiji?

Aromas Fiji is a homegrown organic halal certified soaps and soy candle brand. Our aim is to bring colour and fragrance into your home with our collection of handcrafted natural and organic soaps and candles made with high quality plant and botanical oils.

What inspired you to take on this project?

Our industry depends on marketing and PR budgets, both affected by the pandemic as these are the first budgets to be slashed by companies. The down time prompted me to look into other sources of income.

Aromas Fiji was hence conceptualized based on my love for fragrant smells that elevate the stay at home experience, especially during the pandemic when I was mainly staying at home and working remotely. Realizing that there was a gap in the market for halal certified skin care and home deco products, I ventured into learning about aromas, their calming effect on the body, mind and soul and with the encouragement of family members, Aromas Fiji was born.

Are the soaps and candles made in Fiji and

Our products are all made naturally in Fiji and our soaps are hand mixed, hand poured, hand cut, and packaged individually.  Our carefully curated product line includes luxury scented candles and soaps that are natural, environmentally friendly and made to elevate the spirits of users as well as enrich the homes they inhabit. The products are thoughtfully planned from the brand and product design to colours and scents and packaged exquisitely for home use or for gifting. 

Apart from soaps, you also make candles. What do you use to make these?

Aromas Fiji candles are made of long-lasting soya wax and comes with high quality cotton wicks ensuring you have the best quality natural product made without comprising on the environment. We use essential oils and aromas in the candles that help to wind down and boost your well-being especially in the evenings when a peaceful sleep routine is welcomed by all members of the family.

And how are the soaps made?

Aromas Fiji soaps are made of all-natural products that are long-lasting, paraben-free, sustainably made and environmentally friendly.  Suitable for the whole family, the soap lather offers a luxurious cleansing experience that hydrates and nourishes the body, leaving the skin clean, soft, moisturized and fresh.

What is your favourite in the debut collection of Aromas Fiji?

From the debut range I love the traditionally crafted soaps with massaging nodules as I find it makes the at-home cleansing ritual worthy of a spa. Made with aromatic essential oil, the massage nodules pamper the body and elevates the senses with specially formulated ingredients known for nourishing properties.

Which ingredients do you love working with?

My favourite ingredients for the soaps and candles are Moringa, Goats Milk, Aloe Vera, Oranges, Charcoal, Sandalwood, Frangipani, Lemon Grass, Marygold, Citronella, Japanese Honeysuckle, Amber, Musk and Vanilla.

Women’s World Car of The Year Reveals 2021 Category Winners

Shereen Shabnam

After a year of testing cars, the jury of the Women’s World Car of the Year are pleased to announce the winners in each of nine categories. These vehicles represent excellence in their segments based on safety, comfort, technology, and value for the money.

As a Motoring Jury based in the UAE, I was able to test the nominated cars easily as we were less affected with lockdowns during the year. This is the eleventh year for WWCOTY, a team of fifty motoring journalists from 38 countries spanning five continents. It is the only jury in the automotive world composed exclusively of women.

This year’s new voting methodology started with choosing the three best models in each category before narrowing those picks down to the individual winners. Eligible vehicles were launched between January and December 2020. As in previous years, votes were certified by the independent auditor Grant Thornton New Zealand.

This year, voting was more complicated due to the pandemic, which limited each juror’s ability to drive. Despite the challenges, jurors made an extra effort to get behind the wheel of these vehicles to evaluate them in time for voting.

One more round of voting remains. Jurors will now choose the Best Car of the Year from among the nine category winners. The results will be announced on March 8, International Women’s Day.

 2021 Women’s World Car of the Year Category Winners

BEST URBAN CARBEST FAMILY CARBEST LUXURY CAR
Peugeot 208Skoda OctaviaLexus LC500 Cabrio
BEST SPORT CARBEST URBAN SUVBEST MEDIUM SUV
Ferrari F8 SpiderPeugeot 2008Land Rover Defender
BEST LARGE SUVBEST 4X4 & PICK UPBEST EV
Kia SorentoFord F-150Honda e

Women’s World Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world composed exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist, Sandy Myhre, in 2009. She is currently Honorary President while Marta García serves as Executive President.

The objective of the awards is to choose the best cars of the year. These are not ‘women’s cars’ because there is no such thing. Instead, cars are chosen based on the principles that guide all consumers including safety, quality, price, design, driving dynamics, and environmental impact.

Ferretti Yachts 1000 Launched: The Largest Ever Built By The Shipyard

The new flagship hits the water in Cattolica, the first unit is for a French owner

Space for onboard comfort and wellbeing; space for timeless design and ‘Made in Italy’ craftsmanship. The first Ferretti Yachts 1000, the shipyard’s first 100% wide-body vessel, has been launched in Cattolica for a French owner.

The launch represents the culmination of a design process driven by the quest for perfection: extraordinary investments in Research and Development, thousands of hours  of naval design, long-term mould prototyping at the Plug  & Mould  factory in Forlì, and the equally long and delicate construction phase at the Cattolica shipyard. The result is a remarkable new flagship made up of talent and technology, the ability to innovate and craftsmanship.

Majestic, versatile and suited to all markets, Ferretti Yachts 1000 reshapes space and changes the whole approach to life on board with unprecedented design solutions and an interior mood in Classic style, featuring soft, balanced colour tones and subtle contrasts. At the heart of the project is the idea of unparalleled comfort and wellbeing in both outdoor and indoor areas, where quintessential ‘Made in Italy’ taste prevails. The suavely understated design, featuring clean lines and sophisticated materials, conveys a sense of refined luxury and is the ideal interpretation of the values expressed by the “Just Like Home” claim:   comfort, Italian style, timeless design and  craftsmanship.

While only just unveiled, Ferretti Yachts 1000 looks set to be a huge success and the first three units have already been sold.

“The new flagship is an exciting choral work permeated by the flair, vision and passion of so many skilled and talented people who represent the winning factor for Ferretti Yachts. To them all I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks for how they have completed an extraordinary project like Ferretti Yachts  1000 in such a complicated year,” commented Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi. “This fantastic yacht really is a beautiful private island on which to imagine your future, in contact with the sea and the finest ‘Made in Italy’ marine expertise.”

Ferretti Yachts 1000 is the result of collaboration between the Product Strategy Committee led by Mr. Piero Ferrari, the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, architect Filippo Salvetti for the exteriors and Ideaeitalia for the new interior concept.

Azraq Volunteer Members Remove 137.9KG of Debris From Lulu Island

Four of Azraq’s volunteer members, ventured out to Lulu Island in Abu Dhabi yesterday to undertake a clean up from the seabed and around the island itself, removing 137.9kg of debris, mainly plastic water bottles and fishing debris.

This initiative was undertaken with its newest partner, The Captain’s Club which provided a boat and captain for the activity. 

Aside from ocean clean ups, Azraq will utilize the partnership to expand on its coral reef survey program in Abu Dhabi, with an eye on Dubai also.

Natalie Banks, Founder of Azraq, stated that the partnership with The Captain’s Club came at the perfect time, through a connection from one of Azraq’s members and partly fulfilled a long-time dream of the conservationist, to have regular access to boats for water activities.

“We have long had a dream of having access to a boat in order to undertake additional marine conservation activities, so the team at The Captain’s Club absolutely made our wishes come true when they agreed to partner with us” Ms Banks said.

“There is a great deal of debris on the sea floor which I see regularly as a scuba diving instructor, and in order to conserve and protect our local waterways, we need to not only look at stopping the debris from entering the waterways, but assist to remove it also.”

Azraq has a long history of beach cleans, which the team will continue to do wherever possible, even when having to accommodate to social distancing regulations. Nonetheless, the ocean cleans are proving to offer greater reward for effort, with larger amounts of debris found.

“Organising the removal of debris from the seabed requires a great deal of organization and logistics, and we could not be happier with the support that The Captain’s Club provides us,” Ms Banks said.

“In addition to The Captain’s Club, we are extremely grateful for the support from the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Tadweer which sent a boat to Lulu Island to collect the debris afterwards.”

The clean ups are being undertaken by approved members. Anyone interested in joining Azraq is encouraged to do so by visiting their website or by sending an email to admin@azraqme.org

The Face Oil by Augustinus Bader is finally here

Ultra-lightweight, fast-absorbing with effects that are long-lasting

The newest member of Augustinus Bader’s luxurious skincare range is finally in the UAE. The Face Oil is here to help support with skin hydration and moisture retention throughout the day. Designed for everyday use, The Face Oil is light-weight, which doesn’t leave any greasy residue, won’t clog any pores, and is allergen-free, without any harsh ingredients. Richly nourishing, it’s comprised of cold-pressed oils and Professor Augustinus Bader’s famously patented TFC8® technology, which delivers essential nutrients directly to skin cells, where they’re quickly absorbed.

“We wanted to offer our customers the option between a rich cream, a light cream, and now, an oil, so they can select the texture that works best for their facial skincare routine. Each of these offerings contains our specialized compound TFC8®, which transport natural mechanisms for skin repair. As long as you have one product with TFC8®, you will see results”

  • Professor Augustinus Bader

The Face Oil enhances facial skin wellness overall. From boosting cellular renewal to minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, it adjusts to the skin, and provides an array of unique solutions, all for a strong, renewed and evenly-toned complexion. The Face Oil combines Augustinus Bader’s innovative skincare technology with some of mother nature’s most potent ingredients that have been prized for centuries for their healing capabilities.

It contains:

  1. TFC8®: A complex of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and synthesized molecules naturally found in skin, which guides key nutrients and powerful natural ingredients to the skin cells, creating an optimal environment for the cellular renewal.
  2. Babassu Oil: A vitamin-rich seed oil that helps enhance the skin’s natural defenses against environmental aggression and water loss.
  3. Argan Oil: This cold-pressed seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids including linoleic acid (omega-6), supports the skin’s ability to restore its hydrolipidic film and prevents trans-epidermal water loss.
  4. Hazelnut Oil: Sourced from southwestern France, it is a nourishing oil that’s high in omega fatty acid content and supports improved moisture retention.
  5. Karanja Oil: Rich in flavonoids, this oil supports skin’s defense  against  the  damaging  effects of environmental aggressors and helps prevent premature aging. It also delivers soothing, antimicrobial  properties.
  6. Pomegranate Seed Extract: This anti-aging, antioxidant-rich oil optimizes the skin’s self-renewal mechanism, supports improved elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles thanks to more than 60% punicic acid and linolenic acid.

The benefits:

  • Hydrates and soothes the skin, giving it a youthful, radiant glow.
  • Offers antioxidant and environmental protection.
  • Gives skin a supple, smoothened appearance.
  • Softens appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improves hyper pigmentation.
  • Evens tone and texture.

Augustinus Bader’s promise is that you don’t need to use the entire range, or even multiple products from Bader family to see skin improvement – the power lies in using one product consistently. Just like all Augustinus Bader products that are filled to the brim with the most-nourishing ingredients, The Face Oil in and of itself is effective and will produce results.

The Face Oil (30ml) retails at AED 974 (including VAT) and is available exclusively in store at Harvey Nichols – Dubai and Bloomingdales Middle East, and online at Ounass.com and Bloomingdales.ae

Elevate Your Style with the Latest Hijab Collection from Kashkha

There are many ways of wearing a Hijab (headscarf). Be inspired by Kashkha’s latest range of Hijabs that is available online (www.kashkha.com and in-stores) in an array of colours and fabrics to help you coordinate your headwrap with your outfit.

According to the Kashkha Management, “Distinguished by high quality tailoring, stunning designs and fabulous fabrics, each Kashkha Hijab is adorned with a signature rhinestone logo in the corner. Embodying the spirit of beauty and gracefulness, there is something for everyone in our collections, ranging from classics to best sellers.”

The Kashkha stylists have put together five great looks that require minimal effort and are ideal for any occasion.

  1. Classic: Those with long hair can tie their lengths into a no-fuss updo before draping the Hijab over the head. Wrap the Hijab around your face, keeping one side longer. Cross the longer end over the shorter end and secure at the top with a pin or magnet.
  • Voluminous: To achieve this chic look, wrap the Hijab around your face keeping one side longer and securing the shorter end under your chin. Roll the longer part over the head for a layered look and secure from the side with a pin or magnet.
  • Twisted Turban: To get the Twisted Turban look, place the hijab at the back of your neck with the ends in front. Cross the two ends over each other, then twist them one more time so the end you started with is in the same hand. Tug tightly and secure at the nape of your neck. You may even go for the pre-twisted Hijabs from Kashkha that are super easy to wear.
  • Over the Shoulder: For a glamorous vibe, fold the Hijab and wrap it over your head before letting the other longer end hang over the shoulder. Having the Hijab fall down the shoulder means you look stylish from all angles.
  • Tucked In: Embrace this sophisticated look which takes only a few minutes to do. Wrap the Hijab around your face, keeping one side slightly longer than the other before tucking at the nape.

The bold and the beautiful!

How Saudi Label Leem is Redefining what it means to dress as an Arab Woman

In its original form, the modest fashion industry was a grassroots movement borne out of a growing generation of young women wanting to celebrate their identity. Since then the sector has expanded beyond traditional elements such as the hijab to include loose-fitting and less revealing clothing. And while many brands world-wide are beginning to situp and take notice of the needs of Arab Women there is still far to go and an urge to encourage those brands not to dictate the modest “rules” of dressing. 

Saudi label Leem celebrates the significant strides made by women in the region, celebrating them rather than their decision to dress modestly or not. What does this mean for Arab women? Leem is dramatically altering the landscape of contemporary design for the region, and indeed women worldwide, creating trend-led pieces that can be worn throughout the season and allow its wearer to take a more traditional approach, for example, an abaya or jalabiya, or a more modern take on modest dressing through the likes of free-flowing kaftans, maxi skirts and dresses, the timeless trench, tailored power suits with fluid, ambiguous layers, all distinguished by their sleek structure and elegant lines. However, it doesn’t stop there, why can’t that maxi dress, that modestly drapes the silhouette brushing the ankles and wrists, be pulled down to an off the shoulder piece when a woman feels comfortable? It can, and it should! We should celebrate, applaud and not dictate the boundaries of dressing, and rather design without preconceived notions of what modest fashion is or indeed should be.

As a brand Leem is not about defining the boundaries of modest fashion but rather supplying the modern Arab woman with a wardrobe that suits her, the occasion, and the ‘feeling’ of the day. Leem’s vision is to redefine modest wear with global appeal. Specialising in essential staples with an air of luxe that form the building blocks of any modest wardrobe, Leem’s stylish silhouettes carefully mark the intersection of conservative fit and modern flair, elevating the fashion quotient of its all-inclusive clientele-base, whether they choose to conceal for culture or as a personal preference of style. 

LA MARQUISE STEPS INTO SPRING WITH NEW HOOPS COLLECTION

Elevate your spring style with a symphony of hoop pairings

Get your spring wardrobe  ready with the launch of the new La Marquise Hoopscollection, the perfect accessory this spring. With sunny days, sundresses and sun shades on the horizon, add some shine to your outfit with La Marquise delicate jewels.

For Spring 2021, La Marquise is showcasing their elegant spin on the trendy hoops with a symphony of hoops with playful placements that are reminiscent of the sunshine of the glorious spring season.

Elevate your classic pieces with a cool twist with the Hoop Collection that you can wear all day. Dress up or down your La Marquise with a pair of classic Hoops during the day or charm hoops paired with delicate studs made of ruby or emerald gemstones at night. Up your ear game with stand-out petite or medium-sized golden hoops with a miniature diamond. With layering in mind, the Hoops Collection is diverse with endless possibilities.

The collection allows you to mix varying diamond shapes to create a classy look. Switch up your style eye-catching round diamond hoops and dazzling studs with a single gemstone. The most captivating look is playing with various silhouettes by pairing gold and diamond hoops with vibrant emerald stud earrings.

Using its customised approach, jewellery brand La Marquise Hoops collection offers a unique selection of pieces to complement your spring wardrobe.

Shop the collection online at lamarquisejewellery.com and on the Personal Shopper WhatsApp at +971 52 453 4551.

Product Details

Price: AED 900 – AED 18,000

Metal: 18K Solid Gold – Rose Gold, Yellow Gold and White Gold

Stones: Diamonds, Precious stones – Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire

Customers can shop the full collection in store at Mall Of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall, City Centre Mirdif and other boutiques across the GCC. The collection is also available online at: www.lamarquisejewellery.com and on WhatsApp at +971 52 453 4551.

Kickstart the New Year with Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails with Medcoll & Amphis!

We all dream of healthy hair, skin and nails and adding heavy creams and using topical products can help us achieve this result to some extent. That being said, we all know that beauty starts from the inside and in order to achieve the best results and maximise the overall health of our body, it’s advisable to combine our daily skincare, hair care and nail care regimen with reliable beauty supplements that will give our bodies the vitamins and nutrients that it needs. So, if improving your overall health and beauty is one of your New Year’s resolutions, here are two of the most effective beauty supplements in the market to help you achieve the hair, skin and nails of your dreams!

Amphis Hair & Nail Nutrients (AED 399 available from leading pharmacies in the UAE ) – Oral Liquid Sachets with Keratin Sea Mineral Complex™ 

Ampis contains specially selected species of sea-based plant packs, with each one of these extremely palatable sachets offering keratin-boosting nutrients that cannot be found in land dwelling plants. The nutrient-rich marine mineral base offers a powerful dose of calcium, iodine, magnesium, potassium and other phytonutrients to promote the growth of strong nails and lustrous hair. Amphis is sugar free, gluten free, paraben free, shellfish free, not tested on animals and certified for Halal & Kosher consumers.

Medcoll Bio (AED 299 available from leading pharmacies in the UAE) – 60 Oral Capsules for a one month supply

Medcoll is a powerful anti-aging supplement that consists of a certified patent complex which combines marine amino acid collagen pre-cursors that helps activate your body to create its own collagen. The potent supplement includes hyaluronic acid required by the body for the formation of collagen (collagen synthesis), and HA, along with a high load of anti-oxidants. It also contains a high dosage of vitamin C and helps protect collagen and elastin fibres from degradation and other potent anti-aging natural compounds.