When moving to the UAE permanently, once you’ve ticked off the big things you need to sort out, such as house, job and a school for the children, a little further down the line thoughts will turn to personal care.
Those coming to the region with its heat and humidity may take some time getting used to it, and may find that skin and hair care needs changing to adapt to the different environment.
“People tend to underestimate the climate’s effect on their hair,” says London-based celebrity hairstylist Limoz Logli, who recently opened his first salon in Dubai.
“One of the simplest things? Brushing. It sounds basic, but many stop brushing their hair properly – especially after being outdoors or swimming. Another is conditioning. The hair dries out faster here, but people often stick to their old routines. You need to nourish differently in this heat,” he adds.
To get the best of your mane after moving, be wary of these other haircare mistakes easy to make it hot and humid climates.
Not adapting to the change in environment
Environmental factors can have a big impact on hair quality and conditions, especially when moving to the UAE from countries with a completely different climate.
Levels of air pollution and quality, sun exposure, water type and humidity can all affect hair in different ways, from causing dryness and brittleness, to causing colour to fade faster.
“The water is different in the UAE, especially compared to Europe so most people will experience a degree of hair loss when they first move here, but this will settle down if you take care of your hair and have a good haircare routine,” says Maria Dowling, founder of mariadowling Salon Dubai.
“There is also more stress placed on the hair here because of the lifestyle we live. We tend to dress up more here and so hair is being styled more frequently. In addition, we spend time at the beach or in swimming pools, so it is vital to do treatments and use products that protect the hair from these external stressors.”
Air pollutants can clog follicles causing scalp irritation, while UV rays damage the hair’s protein structure. If you’re in and out of swimming pools, chlorine strips the hair of its natural oils.
Not countering the effects of humidity
Unless you’re very lucky with your locks, many people’s hair suffers from the wide-ranging effects of the humidity in the UAE.
“Humidity exposes what the hair is lacking,” says Logli. “The more moisture your hair has, the less it craves from the air. So rather than battling frizz with heavy styling, focus on hydrating properly – masks, leave-in conditioners and gentle finishes. The right moisture balance will always outperform any frizz serum.”
Failure to counter the effects of humidity, whether through using products or adopting different styles or styling techniques can lead to the hair becoming weaker due to the repeated cycle of hair swelling from moisture absorption then shrinking.
High levels of humidity can stimulate the scalp to produce more natural oil, called sebum, leading to a greasy scalp and duller-looking hair.
“Consider investing in a hair Botox treatment in advance of travelling,” says Dowling. “When drying the hair, use a microfibre towel carefully to limit friction and use anti-frizz product ranges and leave in conditioners.”
Not considering the impact of sun and sea
The sun’s rays often get bad press when it comes to their effect on hair, skin and more, but that doesn’t mean avoiding them altogether, as a certain amount of exposure can work wonders for hair health.
“The sun isn’t always the villain,” says Logli. “In fact, natural hair can respond beautifully to sunlight. It adds warmth, softens texture, and can even enhance natural highlights.”
A certain amount of sunlight supports hair health by boosting Vitamin D production to strengthen hair follicles and promotes growth. Overexposure on the other hand can damage hair proteins and pigment, causing dryness, frizz and breakage. Wearing a scarf or hat, especially during the hottest times of the day, as well as investing in a hair and scalp SPF will add layers of protection.
“To counteract hair dryness and brittleness, it can be helpful to use a clarifying shampoo once a week to help combat chlorine build-up and hair discolouration,” says Kristen Ciofu, director of product development at hair and skin company Hask.
“It’s also important to use a hydrating conditioner or hair mask to add hydration back into dry and thirsty strands and to use products with protein if one is experiencing brittleness and breakage from chlorine and saltwater exposure.”
Too much saltwater can dry the hair leading to brittleness, but as with sunlight, a little exposure is unlikely to cause much harm.
“Saltwater can be beautiful for the hair,” says Logli. “It’s a natural cleanser – it gives texture, volume and a bit of grit. But it also dries out the hair, so you must rehydrate. A good mask after the beach is essential.”
Not caring for coloured hair
Colour-treated hair requires additional care when moving to a new country with a different climate. In the UAE, UV rays can break down the hair dye molecules, leading to fading and brassy tones. The heat can also dry out hair, damaging its cuticle to reduce shine and increase frizz.
“The sun can lift tone quickly, often pulling unwanted red or orange undertones,” says Logli.
“Many clients reach for SPF without realising that some sunscreens – especially those containing benzophenone – can interact with hair dye, resulting in brassiness or uneven colour shifts.”
A dip in the pool, whether at home in your garden or at the beach club is a big part of UAE life, but too much chlorine can have a detrimental effect on coloured hair. Experts suggest wearing a swimming cap and rinsing hair immediately after.
“If you cannot avoid getting your hair wet, then wet it before you go into the pool,” says Dowling. “That way, the cuticle will be full and unable to absorb any chlorine. After you have been in the pool, use a treatment to restore the hair’s health and counteract any negative effects of the pool.”
Many people also find they wash their hair more in a warmer climate. Ciofu suggests “the use of dry shampoo or oil-balancing scalp products may help reduce washes.”
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
PRISCILLA
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How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
Overview
Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
PFA Premier League team of 2018-19
Allison (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
Blonde
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The%20specs
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
High profile Al Shabab attacks
- 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
- 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
- 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
- 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
- 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
- 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.
UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.