The Powder Room Journal
Ingredients explained, routines analysed, and the questions our community are asking
The Powder Room Journal
How to care for combination skin throughout the year?
Combination skin can be particularly challenging as the seasons change, necessitating a flexible approach to skincare. What is combination skin? Characterized by an oily T-zone with enlarged pores and drier cheeks, combination skin requires a careful balancing act to address both moisture needs and oil control. Here’s how to adapt your skincare routine through the seasons to keep your skin looking its best. Spring and summer As temperatures rise, so does the production of sebum, particularly in the oily zones of combination skin. Switch to lighter moisturizers, such as gel-based formulas that provide hydration without adding extra oil. Incorporate a mattifying primer in the T-zone to control shine throughout the day. Sunscreen is crucial, and opting for an oil-free, broad-spectrum SPF can protect your skin without exacerbating oiliness. Exfoliation becomes even more important to prevent buildup in pores. Opt for gentle, chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid that target the T-zone without irritating drier areas. Fall and winter Drier weather can leave the cheek areas of combination skin feeling tight and parched. This is the time to layer hydrating serums under a richer moisturizer that can lock in moisture without overwhelming the T-zone. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that attract moisture to the skin without adding oil. Consider switching to a creamier cleanser that can remove impurities without stripping natural oils. A weekly hydrating sheet mask can help restore balance and comfort to dry areas without over-moisturizing oily patches. Year-round tips Regardless of the season, certain elements of your skincare routine should remain consistent. Always remove makeup before bed to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. Maintain a regular exfoliation schedule—about twice a week—to keep skin clear and receptive to products. Regularly assess your skin’s response to your current regimen; as your skin changes with the seasons, so too might its needs. Adjusting your skincare routine to suit the changing seasons can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can also be an opportunity to rejuvenate and refresh your complexion. By understanding the needs of combination skin and responding to seasonal changes, you can maintain a balanced, healthy glow all year round.
Movember Men’s Health Edition - In Conversation with Dr Fernando Porras
Dr Fernando Porras is a Functional Medicine practitioner at Yutopia clinic in Dubai that specialise in identifying the root causes of conditions and follow an evidence based therapeutic approach to treatments. Starting his career in primary care and preventive medicine, Dr Porras realised there were other ways of treating and preventing illness through a comprehensive approach to achieve optimal health and healing. Dr Porras practices on the foundation that “in order to achieve great health, we must first remove what is causing us harm.” Known for his famous requote of philosopher Hippocrates “Before you heal someone, ask him if he’s willing to give up the things that make him sick”, we sat down with Dr Porras to delve into Men’s health. Dr Porras please tell us a little bit about yourself.I’m a General Practitioner, I have studied and practiced medicine between Costa Rica and the United States. I first worked in primary care while deciding which medical specialty met my expectations. After some time, conventional medicine was not really suited for me. The consultation times were very short, treatments were only based on treating symptoms with medications that had several side effects and often left patients with more questions. Unfortunately, at the time, I was limited to the knowledge I had and did not have the answers to what was going on with their conditions. I started taking courses and reading books to learn about a more comprehensive approach called functional medicine. Could you tell us what is Functional Medicine?Functional medicine looks for the root cause of the problem and tackles it with changes in lifestyle habits and diet. It seeks a functional balance of the body without neglecting conventional medicine, which in many cases is essential. The idea of functional medicine is to have a person take control of their health, know their bodies and how to correct any imbalances in a proactive way. What is your professional approach to overall health?My approach is very individualised. I do not agree with sending unnecessary tests and treatments to just follow a protocol. The approach is based on changes in diet, gut health, sleep hygiene, stress management, type of physical activity, exercise and hormone balance. I believe it is better to use the best of both worlds, traditional and integrative medicine. I use state-of-the-art laboratory tests/treatments and I adapt these into a person's daily lifestyle, habits and traditions. What is the difference between men and women when it comes to taking care of health?Women tend to take more care of their health. They are instinctively always looking out for others. A significant number of women take care of their family, their home and work. They have less free time but they are more inclined to taking care of themselves. It is because of this and many other reasons that they tend to live longer. Men in general have more time to dedicate to themselves but they are not as attentive to notice changes in what is affecting their health. The vast majority do not think in prevention and postpone visiting the doctor. It’s in our nature to belittle the signs and symptoms that can later lead to major complications. We are more interested in treatments that lead to enhancing performance rather than prevention and self-care.What is the biggest health concern currently with men's health?One of the biggest concerns is the rapid rate of Metabolic problems. These are noted as being overweight or obese, high sugar, high blood pressure and fatty liver. These appear slowly and their accumulation leads to complications such as the appearance of chronic diseases, erectile dysfunction, low libido and heart attacks. Most of these conditions are preventable, that is why it is important to emphasize the need of spreading awareness. What are the risk factors of the above?The risk factors that commonly cause metabolic problems are A sedentary lifestyle - This includes people who spend most of their time sitting down, like a desk job in an office. Despite being active and exercising after work, all those hours spent sitting down are a risk factor similar to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Smoking - The toxic substances absorbed into the body cause chronic inflammation and can lead to cancer and chronic disease. Processed foods - high consumption can alter the intestinal flora and produce hormonal changes such as resistance to insulin. Little consumption of animal protein and fats - We have been misinformed into thinking that red meat and saturated fat from animal sources is bad and can lead to heart problems or cancer. Studies have already debunked this myth and we can now see how its normal consumption is needed for the production of hormones and muscle repair. Muscle is a protector of metabolic disease and brain health. When we lose muscle as we age, we tend to be frail and get sick a lot easier. This can be prevented by retaining as much muscle as we can even in old age. Low levels of vitamin D - This is mainly due to low exposure to the sun at recommended hours and low consumption of foods rich in vitamin D. Supplements are not absorbed very well due to bad quality or poor gut health. High consumption of industrial seed oils - The most commonly used are soybean, corn, rapeseed, cottonseed and safflower seed. They are toxic for the body and can take up to 8 years to be removed. Studies have shown that their over consumption are the main drivers of chronic diseases. Other causes can be toxins - from mold, pesticides, cleaning products and undiagnosed chronic infections. These can be found at home, at work and even exposed to on frequent travels. How vital is prevention when tackling risk factors?Prevention will always be vital. Identifying individual risk factors is important so people know how to address them. For example, not everyone is allergic or intolerant to gluten, but for people who are, avoiding or eliminating it from their diet, can have great health benefits. Prevention is key for stopping and reversing chronic disease. How often should men get health check-ups and what should they focus on?A normal check-up should be done once a year. You always want to rule out having any risk factors specially if you have a strong genetic predisposition because of family heritage. Your genes are not your destiny but they can provide lots of information of how your body behaves and what can trigger chronic disease.What are key signs/symptoms that men should pay attention to when it comes to their health?Fatigue - This is a symptom indicative of poor recovery, the body is having difficulty repairing itself, either due to lack of nutrients, hormonal imbalance or quality of sleep.Brain fog - This is described as the inability to think clearly and/or feeling overwhelmed when performing mental tasks. This can also be caused by exposure to toxins or due to poor recovery. Loss of muscle mass - Even though we have normalized that as we age, its common to gain weight and lose muscle, it is not normal. An increase of fat in the abdominal circumference with low muscle mass is a red flag for poor health and should be looked into. Low sexual performance or loss of libido - This has been one of the biggest concern for men. It was a problem that used to be related to old age but now it is starting to appear as early as age 30. Changes in your intestinal health - such as constipation or chronic diarrhea. Acid reflux, stomach bloating, and gas. All these increase the risk of colon or gastric cancer in the future. How important are nutrition and lifestyle factors when it comes to men's comprehensive health?About 80% of chronic diseases are due to changes in lifestyle and diet. Studies show that changes in nutrition and lifestyle have a direct impact on health. It is important to highlight that we are what we eat and the care we give to the body is reflected in the long term. There are lots studies now looking into lifespan and health-span. The general idea is to have men live longer, but that means that if we live more years, they also have to be high quality. A perfect balance between how much we eat, the quality of what we eat and how active we are during the day, it has shown to have the best results for longevity. How can we engage men more in the practice of self-care when it comes to their health?Education is always necessary. Making sure we can get the message across about the importance of awareness and prevention. The topics must be aimed at not normalising or minimising the warning signs and symptoms that could lead to a complication in the future. These should be exposed on platforms that are more commonly used by men, for example podcasts. These platforms are not exclusively for men but have shown to have a greater audience. A lot of men have benefited by tuning in to hear other men talk about strategies on how to improve their health. Men learn by listening to other men who have gone through a similar problem and can relate a lot more Can you share with us your top comprehensive recommendations for men to take better care of their health.- Cut out processed food, industrial seed oils and refined sugars as much as you can. - Exercise 5 times a week, preferably strength training and stretching. - Focus on a high health fat and protein diet. If you will eat carbs, have high quality carbs. - Avoid late dinners and snacking at night. - Start your day with water with a pinch of salt, 15-minute movement and immediate exposure to sunlight. It will help regulate your circadian rhythm. - Prioritise high quality sleep. Minimise your exposure to blue light 2 hours before going to sleep, use black out curtains and make your bed and room as comfortable as possible. - Test your grip strength in the morning. If you have a weak grip strength, you probably had poor sleep, and you should prioritise rest. - Manage stress with mediation and/or hobbies. - Laugh You can visit Dr Fernando Porras and Yutopia Clinic on Instagram or their website to learn more about Functional & Integrative Medicine.
Saudi National Day 🇸🇦 In Conversation with Nouf Alyousef
Say hello to Nouf Alyousef, Saudi Arabia’s rising star taking the fitness world by storm. Nouf is professionally and globally trained boxing coach, motivational coach and personal trainer. Full of drive and passion to empower women to find and embrace their own strength, Nouf is shining her light across the country with her holistic approach to health and fitness. We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Nouf to honour Saudi National Day and recognise the amazing development of skilled entrepreneurial women in the country. Q: Nouf, it's such a pleasure to chat with you. Please tell our readers about your journey to being one of the leading female figures in fitness for Saudi Arabia. A: The pleasure is mine. And thank you for choosing me to be part of this lovely interview. First of all, thank you for the compliment and I hope that my humble journey in the last five years till today has inspired women to work on themselves mentally and physically. Q: Could you share with us your struggles as a teenager and young adult that led you onto the path of fitness? A: As a teenager I was not active nor fit at that time, I did not have the awareness of what healthy food is and from where should I start. I struggled from obesity as a young adult until I reached 21yrs old here where the ‘Ahaaa’ moment happened. I promised myself that ‘Once I find the answer of how to be a healthy Individual, I want to pass my knowledge to other people” and the Coaching journey started there. Q: Your style of coaching involves training your clients physically but also mentally and emotionally. Could you share more on this approach and why it's important to look at all components of a person's health? A: Our mind is the controller of our behaviour as humans and if we can’t take care of our mental health, the physical would be hard to achieve. In my opinion, if you aim on targeting your mental first the physical will follow. For many years we neglected our mental health and we did not even look at it, blaming ourselves of being lazy, not organised, lacking motivation, not committed … etc without digging deeper internally. The pandemic back in 2020 revealed all the under table of people’s mental health and made them aware of that side. It takes a crisis sometimes to figure things out. Q: What drives your passion and keeps you motivated? A: Watching the development of my clients mentally and physical health throughout their journey makes me want to give more and inspires me to be a better coach each time. Their commitment to be better and strong regardless of their background is refreshing. Q: It's amazing to see the development of Saudi Arabia in all industries from fashion, technology and agriculture, what changes are happening in the Saudi fitness world? A: The Saudi Vision of 2030 is aiming to increase the number of individuals who are playing sport, promoting the physical and the social wellbeing along with raising awareness of the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. It opened the door for women to participate in all kinds of sport, being part of local and international competitions and creating their own sport clubs. I’m so proud of what my country achieved till today and all the historical hosted international Sport events that took place in my beloved country as Formula 1, Clash on the Dunes, DAKAR and Rage of the Red Sea … etc Saudi Arabia raised the bar. Q: On top of all the amazing stuff you already do, you've set up a new initiative called 'Project I', tell us all about it! A: Project I, it is a pop-up workshop that focuses on the mind & body. The goal behind creating this initiative is taking women out of the intimidated gym environment by building a mentally safer space for them, letting them be active at the same time and having the twist of art in it to release what is in the mind. The creative part is there which is what I’m personally always trying to have in my projects. Q: Could you share some advice for anyone who is looking to make a change in their overall fitness? A: Take it ‘One step at a time’ It’s a long journey with ups & downs. Q: Lastly, what's your motto currently in your life that you live by? A: Nothing is impossible as long as you are putting in the work.
In Conversation with Yasmin Al Mulla - Honouring Emirati Women's Day
Yasmin Al Mulla is an Emirati style icon, entrepreneur and creative driving force behind home-born contemporary ready-to-wear label YNM. A true humanitarian, Yasmin is a committed supporter of local UAE charities as well giving her time and proceeds from YNM to national goodwill initiatives. Yasmin is the epitome of the modern Emirati woman while remaining true to her culture and heritage, she has succeeded in bridging the gap between East and West. Representing the nation of the UAE, that embodies and has spearheaded empowerment and diversity for women in the region, Yasmin is truly inspiring and is setting a benchmark for other women in the process. Q: Yasmin, can we just say you are truly remarkable. You represent so much growth and diversity of women in the UAE. Tell us what drives you and what keeps this passion alive? A: Thank you so much for your kind words! My main three sources of motivation are divided into three categories, I owe it to all to my surrounding, community, and country! My biggest goal is to represent our beautiful UAE globally as I truly believe it’s the best way to pay back to my beloved country. Q: How do you see Emirati women represented now across the globe, do you feel the perspective has changed? A: No, to be very frank it’s not a new thing to witness the beautiful achievements of our incredible women. There have always been strong, independent, and successful Emirati women around us. Q: How have things changed over the years to create more independence and opportunities for Emirati women across different industries? A: As I just clarified, Emirati women have been pioneers in all fields ever since. We are privileged to grow up in a country where women are being supported and appreciated in all sectors, and industries. Today, we have Emirati Ambassadors, CEOs, Ministers, Entrepreneurs, and many other leading roles. They all represent our drive towards giving back, and they all take part in launching any new concept, sector or initiative. The UAE brings nothing but magnificent opportunities on daily bases. Q: What does it mean to you to be an Emirati woman in these current times? A: Being an Emirati woman means that you are strong, capable, worthy, and valuable in all forms. I am thankful for the priceless opportunities, overwhelming support, and perpetual privileges. Q: Where do you see the future of Emirati Women heading in the country and even the region? A: I am very proud of every single Emirati woman out there. They are all contributing in a way to represent this beautiful country in all sectors. I truly look forward to witnessing all her magnificent accomplishments — She is remarkable, extraordinary, and impressive today and forever Q: What is it about Emirati women that makes being cultural and modern look so seamless? A: The beauty that falls between cultural and modern looks is truly indescribable. From a personal perspective, I truly believe in connecting both elements to create your own style! And from a career side; my aim was and will always be to connect the beauty of my Emirati traditions with today’s mindset. Through my collaborations; my aim was and will always be to connect the beauty of the brands (brands we relate to, and grew up endorsing) to the legacy of the local community — Merging both cultures is a celebration by itself. Q: Lastly, you are stunning! Can you share your favourite beauty secrets with us? A: Thank you so much! Beauty starts within, as a long-term advocate of health and fitness I truly believe in “you are what you eat”! And I have maintained a plant bases, gluten, and refined-sugar-free diet for many years now, and that’s in addition to my workouts and strength training, yoga, and meditation. I do focus on nourishing, nutritious and wholesome food and I believe that consuming everything in moderation is key. In addition to the above, I am a huge skincare enthusiast, and huge wellness product lover! Read more, understand your needs, skin type, and body type. But to start correctly, drink lots of water, sleep 7+ hours a day, and never start your day without a proper sunscreen! Follow @yasminalmulla to stay up to date on all her aesthetically perfect posts and @ynmdubai for her ready-to-wear collection.
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
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!
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