"Put oil in your hair." It's a statement Middle Eastern and South Asian girls are all too familiar with, as mothers and grandmothers advise frequent oiling to maintain thick and healthy locks. Some people are even told to use hair masks made from egg yolks. But the thought of having slick, greasy hair or smelling like your breakfast is far from appealing, so instead young women often opt for the latest trendy salon offerings, chemicals and all, to supplement their haircare routines.
"In the short-term, products that contain chemicals, such as sulphates, phthalates, parabens and silicones, can give great results instantly," says Kate Darling, founder of Dubai salon That Hair Tho. "But over time, you will see their true effects on your hair, such as hair loss, drying, breakage and colour change."
That Hair Tho, which is located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, is at the forefront of a haircare revolution here – one that stems from the worldwide movement towards eco-friendly, sustainable and even vegan alternatives to the chemically ridden, animal-tested formulas in the beauty industry. Inside the salon are walls of greenery, troll and My Little Pony figurines on show, and placards with slogans such as "your vibe attracts your tribe" on countertops. The salon also offers hair services for women who have suffered hair loss because of cancer treatment and has a fair price policy, which means they tell you the full cost before the treatment, with no hidden extras, so there are no shocks after.
Scroll through the gallery above to discover 8 haircare solutions that are packed with natural ingredients.
Darling says the salon uses eco-friendly products made from ingredients that are sourced ethically and packaged in biodegradable containers. "Non-sustainable hair products and toxic chemicals can run down our drains, and have detrimental effects on our marine life and the environment," she explains.
A study carried out last year by a team from the University of Colorado and University of California Berkeley found that shampoos can cause as much air pollution as cars, and washing your hair twice daily can leave a significant carbon footprint. This has led to the emergence of eco-friendly shampoo bars that come without the plastic packaging, alongside the call to wash your hair less frequently – and certainly not once in the morning and again that same evening.
In addition to the rise in demand for sustainability in the beauty world, veganism has also started to gain more traction globally, including in the UAE. "In the past year, there has been tremendous growth in veganism and you can now see a vegan options at almost every restaurant in Dubai," says Darling. "For a hair product to be certified as vegan, it means there are absolutely no animal products used in the ingredients and they are also free from animal testing. Sadly, despite other alternatives, many brands are still testing on animals."
So which ingredients are generally sustainable, animal-friendly and good for your hair? Similar to skincare, natural ingredients are also the key to eco-friendly haircare – and oils are re-emerging as the champions of the lot. A number of spas and salons across the UAE are increasingly offering oil-based treatments to customers, and many home-grown brands are also catering to this market.
"The Middle East has a rich history of home-made self-care products," says Tracey Devine, creative director at Glamour Hair Salon and global brand ambassador for Affinage, a haircare brand that has a line called Kitoko, which is formulated with plant extracts sourced from Africa. "It's nice to see natural ingredients slinking back into the region's beauty routines again. Humans have recognised the benefits of hair oil for centuries. Oils re-energise and revitalise our hair – they replace lost moisture caused by heat damage and over-processing, a common problem in the Middle Eastern summer."
Dubai haircare brand Vierro launched this year with a focus on targeting hair loss due to the effects of chlorinated or desalinated water. "The adverse effects of desalinated water on the hair and scalp in this region include dandruff, hair loss, and a significant calcium build-up on the surface of the scalp that hinders or stunts new hair growth," explains Nidhi Mehta, Vierro brand manager. "Hair oils are essential to rehydrate your hair. When your skin is oily, you still have to moisturise to maintain soft, plump hydrated skin – the same concept applies for hair."
Vierro offers a line of products called oil replacements, to give the hair nourishment and shine without making it look greasy. The brand's formulas are derived almost entirely from plants, using ingredients such as flaxseed oil, peppermint oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil and Moroccan argan oil, which is widely believed to be the most beneficial haircare ingredient.
Hair colourist Christophe Robin, who has a line of products to his name, has developed a hair-regenerating formula with the star ingredient of prickly pear oil, a beauty secret he discovered during a trip to Morocco. "The oil extracted from the seeds has wonderful benefits," he says. "Women in Morocco use it to heal and protect their skin from the sun; it's a very powerful antioxidant."
Robin says his focus has always been combining natural ingredients to create effective formulas. His hair products carry high concentrations of natural ingredients, starting with his first product, a moisturising oil with lavender, which was 97.6 per cent naturally formulated.
Meanwhile, his intense regenerating balm is 99 per cent natural, while a new cleansing volumising paste with pure rhassoul clay and rose extracts is 85 per cent natural.
Haircare enthusiasts may find it difficult to give up chemical products overnight, but the journey towards going au naturel can be gradual. Seeking out brands that aren't tested on animals, familiarising yourself with ingredients that are harmful to the environment and looking out for formulas that are almost entirely natural is a good place to start.
While proponents of ethical beauty say it's essential for leading a humane, responsible lifestyle, Devine says that to ultimately make the switch to natural or vegan products is a matter of personal preference. Still, the ethical beauty movement, haircare included, seems to be more than a passing trend.
“We all feel compelled to get back to basics nowadays; we have a real desire for simplicity,” says Robin. “The rise of DIY with 100 per cent natural beauty recipes in magazines and online is proof of that.
“We are all looking for healthy products that not only respect our bodies, but also the environment.”
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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Company%20profile
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
AT%20A%20GLANCE
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Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km