Billed as “a must-have addition to your nightly routine”, when Kim Kardashian launched the Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap in July, the product sold out within 24 hours, going viral in the process.
Sold as part of her Skims shapewear empire, Kardashian took to social media to extol the virtues of the face wrap, saying: “It just snatches your little chinny chin chin”.
Hinting that she might have anticipated a backlash, comments on the social media post were switched off. But of course, that didn’t stop discourse from breaking out on the internet, with essays and think pieces discussing this latest evolution in non-invasive beauty treatment.
“Kim Kardashian’s involvement changes everything,” Lucie Vallee, therapist and body image content creator, tells The National.
“When someone with her massive platform endorses a product, it moves from a niche trend to more mainstream," she explains. Someone of her status glorifying a product changes the conversation due to a "credibility gap", she adds.
"Kim has access to the world's best plastic surgeons, dermatologists and cosmetic procedures. Her facial structure is the result of expensive treatments most people can't afford. Yet she's selling a $48 fabric wrap as if that's her secret to a ‘snatched’ jawline.”
For Vallee, the face wrap embodies the "exhausting" expectation of women to constantly optimise. "The idea that we now need to wear beauty devices while sleeping represents a fundamental shift in how beauty standards operate."
It may have garnered viral attention, but the Skims Sculpt Face Wrap isn't the first of its kind.
What is face shapewear and where did it originate?
In medicine, tight bandaging and compression garments have long been used post-surgery to aid recovery after essential and aesthetic treatments.
“In the medical field, compression garments have been known to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling, providing extra comfort,” says Dr Dragana Spica, celebrity plastic surgeon at Aesthetics by King’s College Hospital London Dubai.
“Post-surgery, recovery and comfort is of utmost priority. Wearing a compression garment after surgery is essential for optimal recovery with safety and care. It helps reduce swelling and bruising, improve blood circulation and healing and to minimise the risk of skin irregularities. Compression garments protect surgical work, support healing and contribute to achieving the best possible post-surgical results.”
In the beauty world, tight facial wrapping began trending late last year when influencers began sharing their “morning shed” routine, whereby they removed on camera all the beauty aids and products they wear overnight, such as hair wraps, plus face, lip and eye masks. Vallee adds that the practice has been especially popular in "Korean beauty culture and on social media platforms like TikTok".
What is face shapewear meant to achieve?
The latest Skims product is described as a “face innovation” that is “made with signature sculpting fabric and infused with collagen yarns for ultra-soft jaw support".
But what does that mean in terms of supposed results for consumers?
“‘Sculpting fabric’ sounds impressive, but it’s really just a fancy way of saying ‘stretchy compression material’ like spandex or similar fabrics that squeeze and lift,” says Dr Vikesh Vij, plastic surgeon at Kaya Skin Clinic. “As for the collagen-infused yarns, I’m sceptical. Collagen molecules are simply too big to actually get into your skin through fabric contact.”
Dr Spica adds: “The collagen-infused fibres primarily affect the superficial layers of the skin, offering a smoother look and feel. Collagen from the fabric does not penetrate deeply into the skin, so the benefits are mostly cosmetic and temporary.”
Some brands go beyond promises to tighten and define the chin and jawline area, linking their face-shaping products to aiding lymphatic drainage, the process by which the body’s lymphatic system removes excess fluid and waste from tissue, supporting immune function and reducing swelling.
“Gentle, manual techniques such as massage, hydration, movement and proper breathing support this natural process,” says Dr Najam U Saqib, specialist dermatologist at RAK Hospital. “These types of face wraps would only offer temporary support, not real stimulation. Some compression may offer a short-lived de-puffing effect by encouraging fluid movement, but this effect is fleeting and limited to superficial changes.”
“If the wrap is too tight or worn improperly, it could actually impede lymphatic flow and circulation, undermining its intended effect," says Dr Saqib.
Can face shapewear alter your jawline?
Experts are agreed that face shapewear only offers a fleeting and temporary change to the shape of the face or to the appearance of skin tightness.
“No, nightly wear won’t create lasting changes to skin tightness or jaw definition,” says Dr Vij. “Skin elasticity is determined by internal factors like collagen, elastin and underlying facial structure – not external compression.”
He explains that, because the forces that cause jowls and jawlines to lose definition over time, such as natural ageing, collagen breakdown and facial volume loss, are external, there is little that surface compression can address. "Think of it like wearing tight socks, you get temporary indentations, but your leg shape doesn't permanently change. Real improvement requires procedures that address underlying tissue structure, not surface pressure," says Dr Viji.
Dr Saqib, meanwhile, warns of downsides to wearing a such a product night after night. “Tight compression may lead to skin irritation, pressure marks, disrupted circulation and even jaw-posture issues or joint misalignment, especially for temporomandibular joint sufferers. There are no clinical studies or robust scientific backing for these.”
Medical observations aside, the effects of face shapewear, which is predominantly marketed at women, from a body image perspective are harder to ascertain.
Vallee, who posts content to her 27,000 followers about body confidence, speaks to the pressure such gadgets add to women online. “The message is clear – your resting face isn't good enough. Your sleep time is wasted unless you use it for improvement. Your natural jawline is a problem that needs a machine to fix it. The negative reaction shows many women are seeing this pattern for what it is – an endless, profitable cycle designed to keep them always unhappy with bodies that are actually perfectly normal.”
What are the best ways to define the jawline and tighten jowls?
For those seeking a more defined jawline or who are unhappy with their jowl or neck area, non-invasive procedures such as lasering may provide the results that facial shapewear cannot.
“It can vary from case to case, and not all jawline enhancements require surgery,” says Dr Spica. “With the right combination of aesthetic treatments, a defined jawline can be achieved with a minimum downtime. However, for more pronounced or specific cases, surgical options such as a facelift, neck lift and/or liposuction may be necessary to deliver the desired results.”
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
1st Test July 26-30 in Galle
2nd Test August 3-7 in Colombo
3rd Test August 12-16 in Pallekele
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Other key dates
-
Finals draw: December 2
-
Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
HOW TO WATCH
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TikTok: @thenationalnews
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
