The Powder Room Journal
Ingredients explained, routines analysed, and the questions our community are asking
The Powder Room Journal
Meet The Founder - Majeed Hemmat Co-Founder Holifrog
The next in line of our Meet-The-Founder lifestyle edits we asked Holifrog Co-CEO and Co-Founder Majeed Hemmat to answer..... Name: Majeed Hemmat Profession: Owner | Co-Founder of HOLIFROG Skincare Daily Fashion Staple: Black Pima Cotton T-Shirt by C-IN2, Black Sweats by Sunspel and White Adidas Daily Beauty Staple: Water, Green Tea, Amino Acids Cleanser , Vitamin C & AHA Serums & SPF AM ritual: Shasta AHA Acid Wash or Tashmoo Cleanser depending on my mood, followed by Sunnyside C Glow Serum & Galilee Antioxidant Dewy drop which I mix together and finish off with Grand and SPF 30 PM wind down: Shut the computer off 45 min before bed, Wash with Superior Omega Gel wash, following Halo AHA+BHA Evening Serum and Grand Amino Cushion Cream Something that helps you stay in a positive mindset: How lucky I am to have such loving supporting family & friends! A life changing realization that you’ve had: We all need a break and time for ourselves, life is too short. What inspired you to start Holifrog: It was the evolution of my career as the past 12 years I have helped build the global retail landscape for some of the biggest names in the clean beauty sector so it was it was only time for myself to build my own and learned what to do and not to do from those I worked with. Advice to younger self: Never give up and don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t succeed. Learn from your mistakes. Top three Instagram accounts: @holifrog, @michelleobama, @goodnews_movement Go-to stress remedy: GOOD FOOD is always is the best stress remedy, soothes the soul and I like to eat, A LOT Skincare you can't live without: All of it! Cleanser ( HoliFrog’s Superior & Tashmoo) , Hydration Serum ( HoliFrog’s Galilee Serum), Vitamin C Serum ( HoliFrog’s Sunnyside C Glow Serum) , Moisturizer ( Grand Cream) and Acid Serum ( HoliFrog’s Halo Serum) Top three meals out: Steak is always #1, love a good Rib Eye or Filet Mignon, Mediterranean cuisine and Italian
Hot-Girl Summer 2022 Beauty Trends To Get Ready For!
Summer 2022 is round the corner and we’ve collated the hottest beauty trends to get you in the loop! Luscious Lips Soft, smooth and juicy... The ultimate accessory this summer is the perfect glossy pout and it requires a little more care than a standard lip gloss. Sun exposure, travel, dehydration and some cosmetic ingredients can often dry out your lips. By introducing a lip exfoliator 2-3 times a week to remove uneven texture and following up with a lip mask can keep lips smooth and hydrated. If your daytime lipsticks/gloss don’t already contain SPF, it’s a good idea to keep an SPF balm on hand to apply first and reapply as necessary throughout the day. Natural Dewy Skin The secret is to start from the base and build upwards for the ultimate long-lasting dewy look all day. Beginning with a balancing cleanser topped up with some Vitamin C powder for a gentle buffer and glow. Following with a hydrating antioxidant serum to penetrate the deep layers before applying a non-greasy brightening moisturiser. For additional antioxidant boost add a nutrient-dense face oil, making sure to top off with a broad spectrum SPF for the day time. Glazed Donut Makeup Think Hailey Bieber and all things sweetly glazed... Glowing, plump with a sheen natural finish, it’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup look. The key to the glaze is to layer your no-makeup makeup in the right order. After fully prepping with skincare, we recommend starting with a silicone-free radiance priming serum followed by a natural-look skin tint for light coverage. For glazed cheek-bones look no further than a functional liquid highlighter and a soft-touch highlighting powder for a t-zone finish. Pink, Pink, Pink! We’re talking Pink lips and cheeks but not just any pink! Think glossy strawberry hues and varied shades of rose. Pink is THE summer season colour! When going for a glossy sheen lip look with buildable colour go for a liquid lip balm or for a more natural gloss try out a tinted lip oil. For that semi-matt finish you want to make sure you have some hydration in there so opting for a tinted hydrating balm that has buildable colour is a great option. For the ultimate pink cheek you can go full matt with a pigmented cream-based colour or keep it glossy and sheen with a nourishing stick blush. The Ultimate Eyeliner We are talking all things winged and black. From experimental asymmetric shapes to the classic cat eye, black liner is back. While the smokey eye will always be hailed as an all-time favourite, Summer 2022 bringing back the flick. First step is the ultimate base, an eye primer to keep oils at bay followed by a nude eyeshadow to set the lid. When creating these beautiful summer eyeliner shapes sticking with a liquid eye liner is a must. Follow through with black as night mascara, keeping the eyelashes simple so the eyeliner can be the main attraction. Body boosters Summer bodies on the go! Whether it’s in the privacy of your own back garden or lounging on the beaches of Greece, smooth healthy skin is on the horizon. The perfect pairing of Jasmine scented body polish to exfoliate and anti-inflammatory hydrating antioxidant body wash to keep your skin well-fed. Topping it off up with the delectable scent of sandalwood body glow oil for glossy sealed in moisture to give you the ultimate glowing summer skin.
Meet The Founder - Tiffany Scott CEO & Co-Founder RÓEN Beauty
The first in our line-up of Meet-The-Founder lifestyle edits we asked RÓEN Beauty CEO and Co-Founder Tiffany Scott to answer..... Who are you:Tiffany Thurston Scott, Founder and CEO of Ròen Beauty! Daily Fashion Staple: I don't have a daily fashion staple, but I do wear my Stella McCartney Elyse Platform Sneakers often. They’re incredibly comfortable and stylish, and I always get compliments on them. Daily Beauty Staple: I can't live without the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I have long lashes but they fall so easily and the only eyelash curler that works for me is the Shu Uemura. AM ritual: The first thing I do when I wake up is make myself a glass of warm lemon water. I’m not a morning person and lemon water helps wake me wake up and gets me going. It's also incredibly good for your system first thing in the morning, it’s detoxifying and is great for keeping your body alkaline which is good for so many things, your heart, liver, and hormonal balance.If I don’t have early a.m. calls, I like to get my workout in straight away. When I’m in LA it’s a hike or a yoga class and when I'm in Utah it’s out my back door for a hike or snow skiing. PM wind down: Warm bath andMeditation for 10 minutes.Something that helps you stay in a positive mindset:Deep Breathing...when I’m feeling overwhelmed, which occurs semi regularly running a company with so many moving parts. I do 4 deep breaths in and out. Breathing techniques have been proven to reset the mind and body and it is really helpful when I’m feeling stress and anxiety. A life changing realisation that you’ve had: I am a perfectionist and I have a tendency to want to get everything accomplished perfectly. Through Róen I have learned the value of patience and that creating innovative, high-performing products takes a lot of time. When I'm developing a product, it could take me 5 times going back and forth with the chemists and labs or it could take me more than 20 times and over a year which was the case with our Cake mascara. But it was worth the time, effort and patience because it won the coveted Glamour Award for Best Mascara and it was a good lesson for me to learn. What inspired you to start RÓEN Beauty: The inspiration of Róen came from my obsession of luxe, glamorous beauty products, I'm a huge fan of many gorgeous, iconic brands. I also have a passion for health and wellness, that I developed growing up in Utah, where I was surrounded by beauty and nature and learned the importance of preserving the environment that surrounded me. When I moved to Los Angeles for my formal education, I fell in love with the glamour and beauty so prevalent in that culture and it inspired me to create a beauty line that was clean, luxe and glamorous, my favourite things!I had an "aha moment" that encouraged me to launch RÓEN after I kept getting irritations and styes in my eye and my dermatologist deducted it was the eye makeup I was using. This prompted me to research the actual ingredients in the makeup I was wearing and I was appalled to learn how harmful the ingredients were. I was putting these toxic ingredients near my eye and on my skin which really freaked me out. This moment was pivotal in my creation of the RÓEN. Advice to younger self: Nobody is perfect, embrace your imperfections, those can be the most interesting and beautiful part about yourself. Top three Instagram accounts: @gwynethpaltrow, I love her philosophy on life and clean beauty, @hungvanngo, he is an innovative incredible makeup artist, and @francismallmann, he is an inventive unique chef who is unlike any chef I have ever seen. Go-to stress remedy: Meditation and deep breathing. Skincare you can't live without: Ròen Elixir Restorative Face Oil; I’m constantly on the go and don’t have time for a long skincare routine. The Elixir Face Oil has all of the nutrients your skin needs built in to one product and has the benefit of giving your skin an outward glow. I put it on generously before I go to bed and in the morning after I shower, I mix it in to my favourite foundation and apply, it gives my skin the nutrients it craves and an instant radiant boost. Top three meals out: I’m a foodie, so I love my nights out. My favourite restaurants in LA are Wolfgang Pucks new restaurant Mirois, it’s really incredible Chinese Fusion and has fabulous rooftop views of LA and Giorgi Baldi which is an old school family Italian restaurant with amazing branzino and pastas. When I'm in Miami I love Stubborn Seed, it's run by Chef Jeremy Ford who studied under Jean-Georges, his food is a modern take on French cuisine and it is spectacular!
The Sun & Skin Factor - Skin Cancer Awareness Month
With summer poking its sunny head round the corner it's a good time to brush up on some sun and skin facts. With May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, there's no time like the present to get informed and implement safe practice while being sunny side. Who doesn't love a sun-kissed glow we ask! However with that sun-kissed glow comes harmful UVA/UVB rays which not only accelerates skin ageing but also alter the skins DNA which can lead to serious precancerous and cancerous lesions. SPF can be a pesky process while sunbathing and spending time outdoors, however, it is necessary to proactively protect your skin to keep it looking young, healthy and keep skin cancer risk at bay. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can negatively affect the skin. It could cause premature ageing, sunburn, and precancerous and cancerous lesions. UVA may cause accelerated skin ageing and pigmentation, while UVB can cause sunburn and can cause your DNA strands to break. SPF works by two methods, either by blocking the sun's rays with an opaque coating on the skin (physical sunscreens), or by causing a chemical reaction so that the UV rays are absorbed and transmuted into another type of energy (chemical sunscreens).SPF numbers can be confusion so let's put it this way - the higher the SPF number means the greater amount of protection you’ll get. SPF numbers vary which tell you the level of protection you can expect. Low-protection is considered anything with an SPF below 15, medium-protection ranges from SPF 15 to 29 an an SPF between 30 and 49 offers high-protection. With SPF50 being the highest, it is considered to block out 99% of UV. While there are other contributing factors, it's important to take additional precautions which we've narrowed down for you so you can both enjoy the sun and be safe! Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that covers UVA/UVB, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are considered broad-spectrum and preferable for pregnancy. Apply your sunscreen before you throw on your cute swimwear, preferably 30min before sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours as the sun can dry it off and especially if you sweat, remembering to apply equally and evenly. While applying water-resistant sunscreen which is highly recommended for pool and beach days, you would need to reapply sunscreen after every contact with the water. Staying in the shade during peak hours normally between 10am-2pm, in countries where the summer days are long this extends to 4pm. Wear a large brimmed hat that covers sensitive and easy-to-burn areas such as your face, ears and neck. About 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate the clouds and the snow while sand and water can reflect the sun's rays. So don't be fooled and keep applying that sunscreen! We understand that not all sunscreens are created equal. It can be hard to find a trusted brand that offers genuine broad-spectrum protection that allows you to be safe in the sun but that is also non-sticky, won't leave a thick white cast or clog your pores! We've rounded up the best SPF's for you here at Powder Beauty.
Keep Calm and Ramadan On....
With the Holy Month of Ramadan reaching it’s half way point, it’s a good time to reflect on we’ve been feeling over the last couple weeks and to set some intentions for the remaining period. Fasting not just a spiritual detox but also a cleanse of the body and emotions. With modern-day lifestyles we can often find ourselves out of balance and Ramadan is the perfect opportunity for a reset! Common detox symptoms can include anything from mood swings, hunger pangs, intense cravings, fatigue and brain fog. This is the body’s way of telling us that it is cleansing, repairing and regenerating. Scientifically fasting for 30 consecutive days has the below proven benefits: Boost cognitive performance. Protect from obesity and associated chronic diseases. Reduce inflammation. Improve overall fitness. Support weight loss. Decrease the risk of metabolic diseases. There are ways in which we can support ourselves through the month of Ramadan to keep a beautiful balance for our mind, body and spirit. Keeping our eating habits healthy, our glucose levels stable and not overeating all contribute to a calmer state. Here we’ve listed our top tips and tricks! Breaking The Fast Hydration is key when breaking the fast. Starting off with a large glass of warm water (ideally 500ml), adding a squeeze of fresh lemon/lime for additional hydration and a pinch of Himalayan Salt for a mini dose of minerals. Taking your time to sip your drink to allow your stomach to begin its functioning. Prayer & Meditation The period of prayer and meditation right after breaking the fast is a great time to allow the digestion system to wake up to get ready for the meal ahead. There’s no rush! Take your time, allow your body and mind the time to reflect on the fasting day past and how you felt throughout the day. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect to yourself. Eating Iftar When it comes to eating your first meal after a long day of fasting it’s always beneficial to start small and slow. Its proven that consuming a liquid dish first allows the body to accommodate the intake of foods for the night ahead without being overloaded. This could look like a bowl of broth (Vegetable or bone broth), green juice or protein shake, all which are full of nutrients. After which if you still feel hungry you can go straight for the main dishes keeping in mind not to overeat. The night is young and there is plenty of time to have your main meal slightly later! If you do choose to eat a big meal straight away, it’s always good to start off with veggies/salads first to keep those glucose levels in check. (Fried and sugary foods are best avoided) The Rest Of The Night & Suhoor Eating every so often throughout the night can impact our digestive systems and the body’s ability to keep balanced in it’s regeneration process. Try to keep a generous gap between your Iftar and Suhoor meals to give the body the opportunity to rest and digest. This will allow for better absorption of nutrients, keep your bowels moving effectively and healthier sleep patterns. Focus on hydrating! Often we feel hungry when in actual fact we are thirsty! For Suhoor try to have your meal at least 2hrs before going back to sleep, keeping the meal light and easy digestible but also energy balancing for the day ahead. Exercise Keeping active during Ramadan is a great way to balance the mind and body. Gentle exercises such as Pilates, Yoga and Walking are great for keeping the body active without over straining. Supplements Supplement are a great way to support the body through the fasting month. Taking them at night with your meal is the best way to ensure optimal absorption and also not irritate your gut lining. Some of our top picks to keep the body and mind balanced as well as support you looking and feeling amazing can be found here.
Skin Story - Celebrating Inspirational Women In The Region For International Women's Day
The third in our feature of women empowering women and change within the region, we sat down with two sisters, Rashi and Nidhi, the brains and beauties behind UAE-born clean beauty brand Skin Story. Rashi and Nidhi. created Skin Story for women of colour, starting from scratch and ensuring their products are vegan, sustainable, eco-friendly and fragrance-free. Here they are revolutionising the regional beauty market... Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your background... Like many stories, ours was born out of need. We’re two sisters with two different skin types, who had no real access to beauty products that suited us. I, Rashi have sensitive skin and found it challenging to find chemical-free cosmetics that don’t cause me allergies. Nidhi, my sister has great skin but found it almost impossible to find the right shade and product for her skin colour. Our story is one that women can understand, and can relate to. My Background has predominantly been in the fashion world, as a buyer and my sister comes from a jewellery background, being a gemologist. We both come from very different backgrounds but our interest in beauty has always been at the forefront of it all. What brought you two together?Both of us are very passionate about beauty and helping others, We both understand the pain-points in the beauty industry as we are living examples. This is what made us want to make a change in the industry. What made you get into clean beauty?It comes from our own personal need. We both have our own skin and make up related issues. We understand there is a gap in the market regarding clean beauty and feel like it is not so widely available in this region. We wanted to create awareness and a great product proving that make up can be clean and still “do what it says it does”. What restrictions did you face in the regional clean beauty market?I think the biggest issue was that we found that we needed to educate the customers about clean beauty first before buying into clean beauty. The fact that clean beauty is relatively new here in this region means that we need to create awareness first so the customer understands the benefits of clean beauty. What was the big push that created Skin Story?I think it was when we travelled to London and came across a clean beauty store. We knew that was the goal and eventually wanting to create something similar in this region. How did you find the creative and start-up process in the region?To be honest it was quite hard to meet likeminded people in this region. Recently there have been many more companies and people who have gotten into the start up life so subsequently have met the right people and people who are in similar industries but a few years ago when we started off, it was extremely difficult. What do you think about the current mindset towards clean beauty and how do you see things changing... I think as mentioned before, clean beauty is still a relatively new concept so I think it will take time for customers to actually understand it. Recently, more people have been buying into the clean beauty lifestyle. Any big plans for Skin Story you want to share with us... We want to expand our product base and have simple clean make up solutions for all women. We also are wanting to make Skin Story a global brand and we intend on being an international clean beauty brand. You can follow Skin Story on IG @skinstoryme & shop their range at Powder Beauty here.
Maryam Fattahi Salaam - Celebrating Inspirational Regional Women For International Women's Day
The second in our feature of women empowering women and change within the region, we sat down with the fitness entrepreneur and inspirational Maryam Fattahi Salam for International Women's Day. Maryam is a Dubai-based entrepreneur, lawyer and founder of cult studio Physique57, and an integral part of women's community in Dubai. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.I am a fitness enthusiast, Berkeley graduate and attorney, and my most cherished role, mom of 3 boys. I was born to Iranian parents in the United Arab Emirates and left to United States at the age of 17. It was during my years in New York City that I was exposed to the wonders of Physique 57, an internationally renowned fitness company that encourages health and wellbeing with a signature blend of fun and empowerment at its core. Walking out of my first class, I felt a sense of obligation to bring the life-changing workout to Dubai. When I moved back to Dubai in 2010, I saw there was a need that wasn’t being met in the Dubai fitness market, so I had to create what I was looking for. It was fun, safe, effective, and dynamic. And to me, women in this country needed access. Physique57 was one of the pioneering studios that kickstarted women's fitness in Dubai. How transformational has it been for the Dubai women's community over the years? When I launched Physique 57 Dubai in the summer of 2013, boutique fitness wasn’t even a thing in the Middle East. There were the big-box gyms and postage-stamp-sized yoga and pilates studios. But the in-between was missing. Fitness and fun didn't exist hand-in-hand, and we definitely changed that. With the Covid restrictions implemented in 2020, how did you adapt the business to keep it going? 2020 forced everyone, at some point or another, to deal with some pretty heavy stuff. The boiling points came in at different stages for everyone. On a personal level, the first thing that came through was the value of stillness. On a professional level, we had to evolve and protect our success by getting creative about ways to generate revenue and keep clients engaged. 2020 for every business—no matter where and no matter what the offering—I was the year of the pivot. It was a year of open-mindedness and trying new things. We launched a daily schedule of live-stream classes that saw women maximising their self-care time from home via our virtual Zoom studio. Ultimately, every business will go through vulnerable and fragile times. Having a solid product or service that people love, in and of itself, will never be enough. At Physique 57, we stuck together to keep unleashing the unlimited potential of our bodies knowing that in doing so, we would unleash the unlimited potential of our lives, too. It sounds like it was challenging yet it flourished, what gave you the motivation to persevere?My sister Negin was the epitome of strength, courage, and beauty. Throughout her thirteen year battle with breast cancer - while raising four children and running a business empire (Negin is the visionary and pioneer who founded N.Bar, 1847, and JetSet) - she remained a vision for how strange and amazing the journey of life is. Infinite beauty and joy, immeasurable painful experiences. Negin never ran away from the challenges of life, hers being a rollercoaster journey. My sister was initially given a prognosis of six months to live, and she defied all odds. She taught me to fall apart, make mistakes, fail, and be disappointed, albeit only for a short period of time. She fought the fiercest battle, and she will be my motivator in life and business forever and a day. Would you say you've had a strong community of women behind you? I have, without a single doubt, the most incredible community of awe-inspiring women behind me and behind Physique 57. Women who believe in self-love and in feeling strong, seen, and worthwhile. Women who believe that giving ourselves 57 minutes can change the course of our day and our lives. There’s nothing that is as gratifying as knowing we are a collective group of women who believe we have the power to make each day extraordinary. What's your take on how a woman's physical health can greatly affect her overall health?The idea of bringing Physique 57 to the UAE stemmed from my genuine experiences as a new mom at the age of 25 while digesting the news that my 31 year old sister had been diagnosed with Stage 4 BC. Making a happy, healthy home for my loved ones became a priority and nothing came close to how the classes made me feel. I credit the technique with getting my mental and physical strength to their very best. I often tell clients that if you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. Setting aside mini physical and mental breaks throughout the day are essentials in my calendar. If I am not fiercely protective of my alone time, I burn out. It’s happened more than once, and my family and I didn’t like what happened. I’ve since made a promise to us all that I will never forgo my me-time. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be fancy or cost a lot. Slow down, swim in the sea, get on a yoga mat and follow YouTube videos. Connect to nature, soak up the sun, feel the earth beneath your feet. Spend time alone, journal, get to know yourself. Selfish would be burning myself out and being unable to be there for my family. Self-care is selfless. What is your perspective on clean conscious beauty and how does it fit in with general health and wellbeing? I’ve always strived for a healthy lifestyle, though it wasn’t until about 6 years ago when I really dove into the world of conscious beauty. Our skin is our largest organ and we absorb about 60% of what we put on it, so it is just as important as eating well and staying active. I take a common sense approach to beauty. Sustainability is very important to me, and I find testing on animals unnecessary. Bottom line - it’s as much about companies doing “good” for the planet as it is about the elimination of “bad” ingredients. How do you juggle being a mother, a wife, running a household and an independent business with multiple locations?Being a mom, businesswoman and taking care of myself is a never-ending juggling act. I don’t believe I manage my time perfectly, nor do I have an ideal work-life balance. A decade and a half later (my eldest turns 14 in June), I am still learning the art of disconnecting and being present. When I am with my boys, I try not to think about work. When I am at work, I stay focused on what’s going on right there. When I am with my husband, he is my priority. It is difficult not to think of all the things you could do better at - work, home, friends, family - when you’re on call 100% of the time. Know what you are good at, and know what you aren't good at. Delegate where you can… that would be cooking for me! Taking into account all the challenges you've faced, what is your take on what it is to be a modern woman in today's world and what is your take on how to create positive change? Being a woman in today’s world is magical. Every single one of us has a story and a journey. My late sister, Negin, would always tell me we have choices about creating joy. Not in the absence of struggle, but to gain the strength to deal with it. In her words, she had been dealt the cards she had and she would play the heck out of them. And those words are enough to carry me through this life… Lastly, what's your golden nugget advice to anyone going through the motions of uncertainty in starting and growing their own business?I would tell them to stop looking for motivation. This moment is all we have. Life is short. If you still have breath in your lungs, you can hit the refresh button and start again, and again, and again. Fear kills hope, it paralyses you. Make decisions that nobody but you might ever understand, and don’t look back. You can find more information on Maryam on her personal IG @mfsmaryam & the amazing Physique57 Studio Dubai @physique57dubai
Marriam Mossali - Celebrating Inspirational Regional Women For International Women's Day
The first in our feature of women empowering women and change within the region, we sat down with the inspirational boss lady Marriam Mossali for International Women's Day. Marriam is a Saudi Arabian entrepreneur and founder, running Saudi's leading Luxury Consultancy Niche Arabia, author and architect behind Saudi's first female driven platform Under The Abaya, to name a few of her many businesses, and Business of Fashion's 50 Most Influential Women in KSA. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marriam Mossalli 🇸🇦 مريم مصلي (@marriam.mossalli) Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do... My Name is Marriam Mossalli. I’m the founder of Niche Arabia as well as the instigator behind UNDER THE ABAYA, one of the first female empowerment platforms within Saudi Arabia, as well as Saudi Style Council not-for-profit initiative that helps connect local creatives with international business opportunities. I would say that am a serial entrepreneur ever since I can remember when I was selling pumpkin shells at the beach or friendship bracelets at recess at elementary school. I've always been a serial entrepreneur. Under The Abaya is your non-profit, can you give us a summary and tell us how it's been a game changer for Saudi culture.. It’s a not-for-profit platform that helps empower Saudi women through having them be able to control their own narrative whether it’s through the media including social media. The idea here is to have the woman herself tell her story from her perspective because I think for way too long we have been relying on Western media to tell it for us and that’s where we get these inconsistencies and these misconceptions around the enigmatic Saudi female. I definitely think it's been a game-changer. We launched in 2018. We were one of the firsts to do this. We were told that our title was too controversial, women aren’t ready, that they would only be very superficially involved, that it was still considered taboo to put yourself out there. I think we really helped changed that within Saudi along with different government initiatives and leadership that have supported this movement. What ignited your passion to change the narrative of women in the region... I have always been an advocate of having someone tell their own story and so throughout my career, whether it has been as a features editor for the largest Arab newspaper in the Middle East or through my company, Niche Arabia, that has always been my mission. I often tell people that there was this instance that I think was like the last straw that precipitated and really motivated me to push forward. This was when I went to do a series of talks in LA, it was about female entrepreneurs in Saudi and yet every time I would get on stage to speak, I was still bombarded with those stereotypical questions, “How come you’re not covered head to toe?”, “Why you’re not wearing Niqab?” these things that you would think we have dispelled through just modern times and globalization but they were still existing and pervasive in 2016 and so for me that was really a motivator to say, “Hey you know what, the only one who is going to correct these things are us, Saudi women, we need to control that narrative. Hence the UNDER THE ABAYA book was born and we launched that in February 2018. What are the biggest milestones for you on this journey.. I would say the biggest milestones are always when we see our work in action. During the first edition, we were able to provide five women with academic scholarships to pursue their passion in photography and this year we worked on having various jobs opportunities given, as well as buying shelf-space and reserving it for young entrepreneurs wanting to test out their products. I think it is always seeing the fruits of our intuitive and how it actually applied to those women. How do you approach the challenges and resistance in the region that comes with your work... I have to say that in the beginning, it wasn’t so much the challenges within the Kingdom. It was really how do we get the attention of the Western media and so under this guise of Fashion as Saudi’s first street-style book, we really able to actually create a platform for Saudi women and allow them to be these stars of their own story. Then within the Kingdom, as I mentioned earlier, we were told that things were taboo and I think in Saudi it’s always about really pushing the envelope and once people see that it’s not so scary then it’s so easy for them to do and follow suit and that’s one of the risks you take as a leader is that, yes, you might fall flat on your face but there are times when you can just really launch and take-off, those are really rewarding times and I think that we were lucky, again, to have such support from people like Princess Reema Bint Bandar from the beginning as well as our amazing sponsors Cadillac for the first issue and Lux Arabia for the second. What is your vision for women in the region... My vision for the women in the region is really just to normalize our participation in the economy and in sports and in every other industry where it’s still kind of considered taboo. I think that oftentimes we always get the West like looking at this clickbait of, “Oh, first Saudi female…” and I am done! The “first” shouldn’t be something anymore, it should be the best. We should be striving to compete globally with other women around the world, whether it’s entrepreneurship or sports, or cooking, whatever it is. The idea here is that it’s no longer about being this phenomenon of, “Oh my God, the first-ever” but rather really being the best. Can you tell us a little about your other projects... Sure! I think for us, one of the biggest exciting things that we are doing is that on March 8th to 12th, we are launching the biggest female empowerment event to happen in the region which is a 6000-passenger cruise that will take us along the Red Sea up the coast all the way up to Aqaba, Jordan and the entire itinerary and theme is female-centric utilizing over 500 women that have been featured in our 1st and 2nd book and platform, from Yoga sessions to moonlight sound baths, to fitness classes on the deck, to fashion shows - utilizing real women from all different shapes and sizes and colour. That’s, kind of, what we’re doing and I am so excited to have that happening to celebrate our five years of female empowerment within Saudi Arabia. You are also a wife and mother, could you give us some insight into how you juggle it all... A lot of help. I definitely have a lot of support from family and my team on the ground and I think that’s what is required, is that you just make balance and make sure that you are not neglecting any of those things. Which why I often see my son tagging along at every single event and now it’s biting me, now it’s definitely biting me in the butt because now I can’t leave him at all but it’s a lesson learned for the second one. I’m going to let her be a lot more independent, I think. You've been an advocate of Conscious (clean) beauty pretty much since the beginning, how do you feel about it now and it's future in the region... In fact, we often talk about what we would ingest and what we put in our body and we forget what we put on top of it in terms of the products that are being absorbed through our pores and so for me they kind of go hand in hand. If you're gonna talk about organic then you need to talk about clean beauty and I think that, you know, coming from the Middle East specially, these types holistic, clean procedures or beauty regimes has been really, kind of, with us since the beginning. Its been something very endemic in this region. A lot of them, whether it’s cupping or anything you see Goop basically has been appropriated, I feel, from the Middle East and so I think that it’s amazing that finally we’re having our influencers and our KOLs speaking up more about it and really advocating a healthier cleaner future for ourselves and for our kids. I mean, it’s funny, I grew up very Westernized - eating fruit roll-ups and lucky charms and all of things that I’m sure are not great for you and it wasn’t until moving back to Saudi that, I was like, you know, I had fruit for breakfast, I’ve my avocado toast, those type of things versus those pre-packaged sugars and I would tell you same thing goes for my beauty products. I would use things like Clinique thinking that, “oh, because this person has a lab coat at the cosmetic counter - must be something good for you,” you fall for the marketing and I think that nowadays we are more conscious consumers and we look more into what are purchasing and what we are putting inside and outside our bodies. Could you tell us your favourite Powder picks... My favourite picks for Powder, definitely French Girl bath salts and I would tell you also to choose a face oil, I also use Salt & Stone, Moon Juice Plump Jelly and Rahua oil for my hair. Lastly, so many of us doubt our own capability, what's your best advice to all the women on the first step to fulfilling their potential... I would tell you that it’s okay to be scared and that’s completely normal. If it wasn’t scary, would it be exciting? Would it be fun? Leverage that, use that to motivate you to push forward. If something has already been done, that’s boring. I think that one of the things that I always try to tell my team is that, think big and really go for the stars because you never know when something is going to pan out. Again, I started UNDER THE ABAYA just thinking I’m going to create this cool book, non-profit, help some girls go to college which, Alhamdillah, we did. We were able to get five academic scholarships but I never ever anticipated it to be this platform that it has evolved into. We're now buying shelf-space at stories for young entrepreneurs, we're providing opportunities, jobs for fresh graduates, we are connecting women with real job opportunities. These are all things that evolved from a small vision and it continues to evolve and now we are celebrating five years so, that’s differently my advice.You can find more information on Marriam's exciting projects on IG @marriam.mossali
Making The Switch - Dubai based Trainer & Coach Claudine Foong Talks Clean Beauty
Claudine Foong is a Dubai-based Strength & Movement Trainer, Well-being coach, previous Pro-Athlete, wife and mother. We sat down with Claudine to talk all things beauty, how and why she made the switch to conscious clean brands. Tell us a little bit about yourself Hi! My name is Claudine Foong and I’m a mother of two amazing little humans. I’m also a former touring golf professional, but my focus over the last 12 years has been directed towards training others to become stronger, move better and live their life with more vitality. How did you get into clean beauty? Health and wellness have always been at the forefront of my life. As a former professional golf athlete, I am very mindful in how I treat my body. As the largest organ, our skin absorbs everything we apply to it. I began researching the ingredients in the sunscreen I was using on a daily basis, as I spent several hours each day playing and practicing in the sun. I then looked into personal care products I was using which resulted in switching to cleaner alternatives. Makeup was a little more challenging to find products that were both clean and performed well. However, fully committing myself to clean beauty became an easy decision after discovering I was pregnant with my first child. I haven’t looked back since and I couldn’t be happier. How did you find the transition process here in the region? I’ve been living in Dubai for nearly 9 years and until recently, found it challenging to find what I was looking for when it came to clean beauty. That is until I discovered, Powder Beauty. Instead of stocking up on makeup when I visit home in Canada every year, I’ve now found a local brand that not only meets, but exceeds, my clean beauty expectations. What are other lifestyle changes you have made to support yourself? We are a family of foodies and for us, food and culture go hand-in-hand. always aim to eat as clean as possible by limiting gluten, dairy and processed foods and sugars. I still leave room for an indulgent meal every now and then! I’m also active and exercise regularly. What are your top 3 tips you could give yourself if you could go back in time?1. Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water per day. 2. Go to bed before 10pm. 3. Meditation and breath work are just as important as movement and clean eating. What does clean beauty and healthy living mean to you? How do they go hand in hand? Clean Beauty and healthy living absolutely go hand-in-hand. Most of us understand the importance of exercise and eating well. We don’t realise that a lot of the beauty products out there are unsafe, full of toxins, allergens and endocrine disruptors. As mentioned earlier, our skin absorbs everything we put on it. It’s vital that we take the time to look at the ingredients listed on our beauty products, so we can make the most informed decisions for our body. What is your advice to anyone in the region interested in making the swap or looking for more information? My advice for anyone wanting to swap and look for more information, is to do some research on what products you’re currently using in your beauty regimen. Powder Beauty provides some excellent clean beauty alternatives over conventional brands. Lastly, what are your favourite must have Powder Beauty buys and why? Roen Beauty CAKE Mascara - I have looked for and tried out countless clean mascaras. This is the last product I swapped over because nothing seemed to compare to what I loved, until I tried this mascara. ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 - for someone who rarely wears foundation, I love this skin tint because it looks and feels like you have nothing on. You can find Claudine on IG here @claudinefoong
Give the Gift Of Conscious Beauty This Valentine's
The month of love is upon us! While we believe in love every day of the year, there is no better reason than to celebrate extra love than the month of February! Whether you are looking for someone special, a bestie or a little treat for yourself, we've rounded up a selection of the perfect Valentine's gifts. Holistic Silk Anti-Ageing Silk Eye Mask Filled with real lavender to invoke calm and a deep relaxing slumber which in turn boosts energy levels the next day. With a weightless feel and soft velvet ties for an adaptable, non-restrictive fit we promise you it will become a staple in your bedtime routine.Codex Beauty Bia Pamper Kit Codex Pamper Kit is a go-to simple but luxurious gift, suitable for treating anyone on your list (or even just for yourself)! Featuring a patented, bio-active blend of Irish plant extracts inspired by traditional Herbal medicine, the Bia line is designed to not only moisturise skin but create a protective, water retaining film.Malin+Goetz Dark Rum CandleChannel warm, exotic and seductive vibes with this best-selling candle which captures the essence of long days spent in the tropical sun and late summer nights with friends. With 60 hour burn time of natural wax, you can keep relighting this handmade full-bodied scented candle. French Girl Lumière Shimmer Moonlight Pearl Body OilThis buildable body oil highlights your skin with a just a hint of shimmer while deeply nourishing and restoring the skin. This beautifully packaged treat is also our go-to choice for a gift that’s guaranteed to be appreciated and loved.KNC Beauty Lip Mask (Box of 5)This 20-minute transformative lip mask hydrates, smooths and softens lips for a perfectly plump pout - no needles required. Ideal as a primer before applying lipstick too, especially a matte formula. Valentine's lips commence!Holistic Silk Limited Edition Lavender Make Up Bag Blue Waves Silk BrocadeAdd a touch of glamour to your daily essentials with this beautifully crafted, Lavender-scented makeup bag. A gorgeous gift of love for yourself or a loved one.French Girl Jasmine Sea Polish Smoothing TreatmentSensual and feminine, this lush body polish is the perfect skin smoother year-round. Instantly carrying your senses to a Provençale spa day, the FRENCH GIRL Jasmin Sea Polish is a Valentine's must-have.Holistic Silk Velvet Jade Hot Water Bottle Perfect for keep you or that special someone warm on those chilly lonely nights away or to snuggle up to together on the couch watching your favourite film. Additional benefits of soothing common ailments such as stomach, back and neck ache. A luxurious self-care investment. Slip Silk Eye Mask BlackThe perfect partner to your Slip Silk Pillowcase, the Slip Silk Sleep Mask guarantees luxurious bedtime pampering night after night or can be used for a bit of extra fun. Give the gift that keeps giving to yourself (and your loved ones)!ILIA Beauty Meet The MinisSometime's the perfect gift comes in the smallest packages. A thoughtful and wonderful start to going clean beauty with the cult global brand ILIA. Achieve a fresh, natural look with ILIA’s best-sellers. Shop the full range of Powder Beauty Lifestyle and Gift edit here....Also be sure to check out our curated Men's selection here for that special guy!
Pure-Fect Make-Up Brushes for a Clear Conscience
Let’s face it, makeup brushes are far more effective than fingers. Further, we have come a long way since those days we used makeup brushes that came with the makeup. While there might still be some serial offenders, the majority of folk roaming the streets with streaky looking makeup are a thing of the past. The right brush can disperse product more evenly and smoothly across the skin. So having the right brush matters. And we are not talking about one brush for all and not just any kind of brush. We know, it’s a bit of a drag to spend money on makeup tools instead of actual makeup (we feel your pain) but it’s worth it. And trust us, your skin will thank you. With so many types of brushes, how do you find the best brush for your needs?First step: Determine what makeup you intend to use it. If you are into powder or creamy eyeshadows, then eyeshadow makeup brushes are just what you need. If you would like your foundation to be buttery-smooth, then a suitable foundation brush is the product of choice for that seamless, polished coverage. Secondly, think about the purpose. Do you want to use a makeup brush for blending? If so, you should pick a fluffier type of brush as it will diffuse whatever pigment powder you are using and automatically makes you look like you know what you are doing. On the other hand, if you are looking to add more coverage with streak-free precision, then a flat type of brush surface is best. Faux bristles or Natural, how do you choose?Synthetic all the way! Why wouldn’t one go for a truly cruelty-free alternative given there are so many unbelievably soft ones out there? Not only is synthetic more affordable, it is also better for your skin. The fibers are easier to clean and sanitize than animal hair makeup brushes which are likely to collect bacteria. With huge advancements in technology, faux bristles will not only stand the test of time but are antimicrobial. Also, it’s 2022 and just as we have banished fur and non-cruelty-free beauty and skincare products, the same must be done when it comes to investing in quality tools. For the animal lovers, it is also extremely difficult to know if natural makeup brushes are made in a cruelty-free way. Due to a lack of regulation or animal welfare laws in countries where many of these products are manufactured, only a small number of brands can trace the origins of the materials back to a source. So, think about the goats, boars, and squirrels! Think of their sad faces.Also, from a purely practical point of view, if you have sensitivity or allergies to some animals or animal hair this type of makeup brush is a no-no. Did we mention that these types of brushes also shed over time, from application and cleaning? Not pleasant... Makeup brush hackWhen applying foundation, start by putting a bit of the product on the back of your hand and then dip the brush to get the most of your precious products. This will give you control to use as little or as much of the product as you like. Makeup brushes have a way of eating up your product so this will help you to avoid wastage. A win-win solution for all. Shop our premier pro vegan brushes by RÓEN Beauty here exclusive to Powder Beauty!
What are ‘active’ ingredients in your skincare?
When you hear about ‘actives’ in skincare it is usually a reference to products which include a key ingredient that is scientifically is proven to ensure visible improvement in skin’s texture, clarity, and brightness. Whilst all the ingredients in a skincare formulation (should) have a purpose in one way or another, the ‘active’ ingredient is the one that achieves the desired results targeting a specific skincare issue. Here we break down the most common actives found in non-prescription skincare, and what they do: Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) Alpha Hydroxy Acid’s (AHA’s) are derived from various plants that gently removes dead skin cells by breaking down the bonds between the cells and the fresh new skin underneath. AHA’s are humectant which means that they attract moisture to the skin and will exfoliate without drying. AHAs are primarily used for improving signs of fine lines, dry skin and an uneven skin tones. AHAs commonly used in skincare formulations include glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids which are suitable for use on sensitive skin. Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) Beta Hydroxy Acid’s (BHAs) are a group of chemical exfoliants that are anti-inflammatory and oil-attracting. They cut through pore-clogging oils and clear blackheads, minimise large pores, and calm the skin. Salicylic acid and betaine salicylate are popular BHAs used to treat acne because they are anti-inflammatory and help minimise wrinkles and brighten the skin. BHAs are recommended for those who have acne-prone sensitive skin. Vitamin C Vitamin C is powerful antioxidant which helps protect against harmful free radicals by neutralising them. Vitamin C is known for its firming and brightening benefits and its ability to reduce the appearance of age spots and sun-damage related hyperpigmentation. This incredible vitamin also helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors and sun damage. Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic Acid has the capacity to retain water and help regulate your skin’s moisture levels. It keeps your skin balanced and hydrated while strengthening the skins resilience to restore volume and fullness. Suitable for all skin types. Retinols Retinols work to rejuvenate the skin, speeding up the natural exfoliation cycle and signalling new cells to the skin’s surface. Retinol also promotes collagen production and has the ability to improve the overall quality and appearance of the skin including evening skin tone, smoothing wrinkles and refining the appearance of pores. Ceramides Ceramides are lipids naturally found in your skin. They form part of the skin’s natural barrier which helps protect against environmental stressors. Ceramides support moisture retention and repair to boost your skin’s suppleness as well as reducing fine lines ad wrinkles. Niacinamide Niacinamide, a form of niacin also known as Vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient which works to visibly reduce the appearance of large pores, regulate oil production, resurface and brighten the skin’s surface. It also boosts your skin’s ability to retain moisture while increasing the effectiveness of ceramides. Shop our edit of products with Active Ingredients here.