Get a Hair Detox… with a Clay mask at Maria Dowling.

If you ever read an article or asked some Dubai insiders on top hair salons in Dubai, Maria Dowling will definitely be in the top three. Believe it or not, I’ve never actually been to the salon nor have I met Maria before so I was super excited to come in for my first visit. As I can’t colour my hair due to my contract with Pantene (Maria is the queen of hair colour – she even has a service called colour correction.) So Maria suggested I go for a hair detox – with her Ritual Hair and Scalp clay – which is also called the hair and scalp facial developed by Maria herself two years ago. The treatment is used to detox hair from stress, over-styling and styling product overload. After washing your hair sans shampoo and conditioner, the clay was applied to the hair (it smells fresh and natural) and then I was given the most relaxing scalp massage to let the treatment infuse into the hair and scalp. The revitalising mask which is made out of powerful ingredients (clay, sesame oil, argan oil, lemongrass oil, vitamin B5, honey, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, Bergamot oil and Peppermint oil) was left on the hair for 20 minutes. The treatment is all natural, and Maria recommends it being done on the hair as a treatment once a month. My hair felt intensely cleansed and with great volume on the scalp – felt so good… made my blow-dry last a good two days too.

Ps parking is slightly difficult, but they have spaces within the next building.

 

A Therapeutic facial… with a Nimue Therapeutic facial at De La Mer Day Spa, Dubai.

Ever had one of those days that you wanted a relaxing treatment but not on the body? This is when a relaxing facial comes in handy. I recently dropped by to De La Mer Day Spa for a Nimue facial. As my skin didn’t need a deep cleanse, I went for the therapeutic one. Nimue, a scientific Skincare brand from South Africa is popular among facials. My therapist, Tukta checked my skin to tailor the facial to my skin’s needs. Throughout the treatment, my skin was gently cleansed, a steamer was used to open my pores before enzyme exfoliation and finished off with a cooling mask. The face and neck was also massaged, which left me feeling pampered. My skin felt fresh, hydrated, and was glowing.

Cure Jetlag… with a Jetlag massage at the Ritz Hotel, Dubai. 

As a regular traveler, including a recent trip to Toronto and back – Jetlag is something I deal with regularly. There’s nothing like a jet lag massage booked in your schedule right after arriving back home. I recently dropped by the Ritz Hotel (the beach side)’s new spa for a 60 minute Jet lag massage. The session itself incorporate different massage styles using lavender oil to soothe and relax. I definitely recommend you get this pampering session in the evening because it really makes you want to just get into bed for a long night of sleep due to how soothing it is. I highly recommend the therapist, Pinky – she’s amazing.

Enrich your skin… with the Body Enrichment treatment at The Address Dubai Mall spa.

Feel like your skin feels super dry due to traveling or just Dubai’s humidity to AC weather? I strongly recommend The Address Hotel Dubai Mall Spa’s Body Enrichment treatment. A 90 mins enriching body treatment by the Aromatherapy Associates brand. As soon as I arrived, I was welcomed with a cold towel and glass of fresh Celery juice, before being taken to the Restore room (they have names for each one of their rooms.) The Enrich range is the top luxury one from Aromatherapy Associates range, and made into a pampering treatment. The treatment started off with a full body scrub which included coffee and jojoba before being asked to take a shower to apply the rich serum on the skin followed by the oil and body butter on the body whilst getting a scalp massage, and a deep hydrating mask on the hands and feet. My therapist, Bles was super sweet, so amazing and helpful – highly recommended.

 

Delay Ageing… with The Original Beauty Facial at The Address Hotel Spa Dubai Mall

With facials, you’ve got to choose what you’re going for before you book in. Do you want a deep cleansing with extraction? A relaxing treatment? or a Quick pick me up? I recently tried the Original Beauty Facial at the Address Hotel Spa Dubai Mall. The facial was made an an intensive anti-ageing treatment to help with elasticity as well as prevent wrinkles. They mentioned the massage includes a deep cleansing, yet I didn’t feel like my skin was squeaky clean with extractions but rather just soft (from the peel) as well as completely relaxed as my therapist was continuously massaging my face. A face massage is not only a great relaxation method, it also boosts circulation which gives your face a much needed flush. A collagen mask was then applied on the face – definitely one to go for if you would like a relaxing spa facial as well as a skin flush. The treatment is 75 mins and costs AED650.

Recommended therapist: Anne

Go Indian… with a Ayurvedic massage at Kempinski Hotel Spa, The Palm

I’m a massage junkie, so I’m constantly checking out different massages and treatments at spas. This month, I checked out Kempinski Hotel on the Palm’s Spa, Cinq Mondes and booked myself in for the Ayurvedic massage – a 60 mins Indian massage that was developed thousands of years ago in India, and is looked at as a Medical treatment. The massage consists of Fast and slow movements, starting with the front of your body moving to your back including a scalp massage – in a different order of your typical massage. I especially loved the fact that Warm sesame oil is used – which has a light and subtle scent, and doesn’t come on too oily so i was able to head to a meeting right after. Kempinski The Palm’s Spa have come out with an offer where you can use their gym and facilities if you book in for a treatment.

The massage costs AED500, and ask for Amita.