Who would have thought there would be quite so many lotions, potions, treatments and techniques out there to keep you in tip top condition from head to toe? Not us, that’s for sure. But in the pursuit of finding 26 different ways to beautify ourselves, we stumbled across all manner of weird and wonderful treatments. Gold facials, ice rooms, chocolate wraps, orange peel pastes and more. We’ve tried them all, and now we look awesome, so why not go ahead and do the same?
Aromatherapymassage
What could be better than a simple aromatherapy massage? You can get all the knots and stresses pummelled out of you, before skipping back to the office feeling light and refreshed – and smelling delicious. As one of the more popular massage treatments, you’ll find it on the majority of the city’s spa menus, but if your aching muscles are craving a thorough working over, head to Hiltonia Spa. The therapists will make sure no knot escapes, while the lavender fragrance is soothing and not too overpowering.
Dhs355 for one hour. Hiltonia Health Club & Spa (02 508 0487).
Bodywrap
Body wraps come in all varieties – from toning and firming to cellulite-busting seaweed treatments or those that leave your skin soft and moisturised. However, if you want a bit of decadence, you’d do well to sample Chi Spa’s Chocolate Indulgence. The treatment starts with a foot scrub, before you’re led into the tranquil spa room. The therapist then uses long smooth strokes and light pressure to massage a smooth, delicious-smelling chocolate oil into your skin. This is followed by a brown sugar scrub before you’re wrapped up and given a scalp massage and face mask while the chocolate is left to work in. Finally, a quick shower to rinse off the gloop and you’ll be left with firm, glowing skin. According to the therapist, the chocolate helps to detoxify the body and pores, improves circulation, tones the skin and even plumps out wrinkles. You’ll leave the spa with a radiant glow and super-soft skin that smells absolutely delicious. One word of advice, however: don’t visit on an empty stomach – trying to steal a taste would be considered a faux pas.
Dhs650 for one hour. Chi The Spa, Shangri-La (02 509 8900).
Cut
When all you need is a decent, straight up haircut, you need a hairdresser who knows what they’re doing. We’ve tried and tested salons across the city, and one of our favourites is Hairworks. This fast and efficient salon offers a variety of hair treatments alongside the usual cuts and colours, but if you’re going for the chop, rest assured you’ll be in the hands of professionals. Whether you want something new and funky or a sleek and classic cut, the stylists will happily oblige, and you’ll leave feeling like a million dirhams.
Cut and blow-dry from Dhs230. Hairworks, Spinney’s Khalidiyah (02 681 6678).
Deeptissuemassage
Given that deep tissue massages are generally recommended for sportsmen, athletes and other members of the physically active community, we were a tad concerned when we dropped into the achingly serene Zen The Spa for our latest session of prodding and poking. Would the masseuse’s hands – used to soothing the aches and pains of footballers and gym nuts – scythe straight through our wafer-thin layers of muscle and turn our body into a bruised and broken mess? Thankfully not. Although our therapist certainly set about her work more robustly than usual, the pressure was never overbearing; her palms and knuckles sought out the problem areas (our thighs and desk-hardened shoulders) and steam-rolled the knots with minimal discomfort. The bit where she unceremoniously stretched our arms and legs (by grabbing each in turn and giving them a good hard yank) was the only real moment of forcefulness, but we must admit that we strolled out to our morning taxi the next day feeling decidedly limber. For those who find a regular rub-down leaves them wanting, then this one-hour package ought to hit the spot – whether you’ve built up a sweat beforehand or not.
Dhs400 per hour. Zen The Spa, Beach Rotana (02 697 9333).
Extensions
Amisque is a tiny salon in the Tourist Club Area that specialises in Great Lengths hair extensions, and is gradually becoming the go-to place for women who don’t want to trek to Dubai for their hair extensions upkeep.
Prices on request. Amisque, Vision Hotel Apartments (02 699 2699).
Facials
We don’t know if it’s the size, serenity or smiley staff that make a trip to Zayna Spa feel like you’ve left the country for a mini holiday. Whatever it is, it’s quickly becoming one of our favourite places to get a little TLC at the moment. The staff here specialises in facials, and while you’ll find everything from anti-ageing rituals to caviar treatments, the simple Deep Pore Purifying Facial seems to sort us out whether we’re knackered, spotty, sunburnt, dehydrated, or just not looking pretty. The process starts with a quick footbath, before you climb on to the treatment table. Then it’s an extravaganza of exfoliation, cleansing, steaming, squeezing and massaging for the next hour, until you’re gently invited to look in the mirror, to see lovely clean, fresh skin. As an extra treat, each session at Zayna ends with a trip to the relaxation room, where you’re given a stack of magazines, fresh papaya juice and fruit to snack on and left to your own devices until you’re ready to get out there and face the world again.
Dhs450 Zayna Spa, Grand Millennium Hotel Al Wahda (02 443 9999).
Gold
We’re not exactly sure how big a role gold plays in the rejuvenation of your skin, but you can’t argue with the indulgence factor. Those who are in the market for the ultimate beauty treatment would do well to sample the gold facial at Sisters Lounge. According to the therapist, the gold used is packed with minerals and antioxidants that give your skin a youthful glow. The treatment is thoroughly relaxing and will make you feel like royalty, comprising a scrub using organic products, followed by cleansing, toning, a pore steam, lymph drainage massage and a 10-minute cold steam before the gold is even applied. Once your face has been thoroughly gilded, a serum is applied to break it down so the minerals can be absorbed by the skin. After that, the gold is sponged off with a warm cloth and your skin is moisturised. Expect to step out of the salon with super-clean, baby-soft skin and a renewed sense of your own importance.
Dhs2,000. Sisters Lounge, Khalifa Bin Shakhbout Street (02 222 2502).
Hotstonemassage
Paris Gallery’s enormous Serenity Spa is a world away from the dusty hustle and bustle of the city, so where better to enjoy a soothing hot stone massage? First, warm oil is applied to your back, shoulders and legs, before the therapist begins work on your tired muscles. The smooth stones are delightfully hot to the point of almost scorching, but the therapist glides them over your skin fast enough to melt away any tension without any discomfort. Then it’s time to turn over. A cluster of stones is placed under the small of your back, dissolving the day’s stresses, while the therapist gets to work on your legs and arms. This is a massage for those who really have relaxation in mind (we almost nodded off during our treatment), so try not to go too early in the day. Opt for an evening treatment, and you’ll get the best night’s sleep of your life.
Dhs450. Serenity Spa, Paris Gallery (02 667 8880).
Iceroom
Warmth opens your pores, while cold closes them – so if there’s anywhere on this planet that’s crying out for an ice room, it’s Abu Dhabi. Desert dwellers may find their skin takes a battering thanks to dust, smoke and scorching heat (not to mention all that desalinated water), but a stint in Emirates Palace’s ice room could be just the remedy. To gain access, you must first book in for the royal hammam treatment (the things you do for a clear complexion). Once you’ve been scrubbed, steamed, covered in mineral mud and then rinsed clean, the ice room is the perfect closer for some truly pampered skin. Settle on to the heated bench in this softly lit room, which comes complete with a frozen wall on one side and a crushed ice dispenser on the other, where mounds of frosty chips spill out on to the floor. Plunge your hands in for the ultimate cooling experience, or simply sit and sip hot ginger tea while the chill in the air closes your pores and makes your skin glow.
Dhs812 for 75 minutes. Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar, www.emiratespalace.com (02 690 9000).
Joboba
Invest in a small bottle of jojoba oil for a quick fix to balance your skin’s oil production. It’s also anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, so is great for sensitive skin.
Available at Abela Superstore, Khalidiyah (02 6674675).
Keratin
Taking two to three hours, a Keratin hair treatment might take an evening out of your life (and a weekend if you count the time that you can’t get your hair wet for 72 hours after the treatment). It also puts quite a dent in your bank balance. But is it worth it? Unequivocally, yes. Keratin is the protein that makes up most of your hair, and what this treatment does is infuse more of it into your hair cuticles. This gives your hair extra weight, making it smoother, shinier and silkier. (Or as a friend told us after we’d had it done, ‘Like that old Timotei shampoo advert’). If you have curly, frizzy locks, or Abu Dhabi’s humidity sends your hair wild, this treatment can save you hours of blow-drying and straightening, and you won’t need lots of extra products to keep flyaway strands in check. The treatment doesn’t get rid of curls, but it does relax and soften them. The effect lasts for around three months, and grows out gradually, so you won’t be left with frazzled ends that need cutting off, as is the result after some of the harsher chemical treatments on the market. Our keratin treatment was done beautifully at Hairworks. After a quick wash, the Keratin complex was smoothed on to our hair and left for half an hour, then two stylists used straightening irons to smooth out every kink and curl in our hair, until it was poker straight, managing the whole operation in about two hours – very quick time for a treatment such as this. Both were very knowledgeable about the treatment and had plenty of advice and tips to offer about making the effects last as long as possible. We left the salon flicking our hair like a happy, prize-winning pony.
From Dhs1,500 up. Hairworks, Spinney’s (02 681 6678).
LaserHairremoval
While science-fiction has given lasers a bad rep, the truth is that a super-focused beam of light is sometimes just the ticket for dealing with your bodily woes. One of few places in the city that’ll give you a drop-in session, Silkor will zap pretty much any follicle you tell them to, with beard-shaping for men and under-arm hair-removal for women among the most popular treatments. However, while single sessions aren’t too pricey (around Dhs1,000, depending on the area treated), bear in mind that you’ll need to head back for several follow-up sessions to get rid of the fuzz for good. While the cost can mount up, then, the pain of the treatment is at least not too bad – imagine someone firing a big elastic band at your skin repeatedly and you’ve got a good idea of how it feels. If anything, the resulting whiff of burning hair is more off-putting.
Price around Dhs1,000 per session. Silkor Laser Hair Removal. Sheikh Zayed 1st Street, next to BMW showroom, Al Khalidiyah, www.silkor.com (02 681 6070).
Makeup
Need a little help avoiding the drag queen/goth/bimbo look? Lina Hussein, make-up artist extraordinaire is here to help. She’s running workshops on September 16 and 17 this month to teach you everything you need to know about making the most of your cosmetics. The fee is Dhs850, and the sessions are being held at the Holiday Inn, from noon-5pm.
For private lessons, contact Lina on 050 937 6640 or visit www.linasmakeup.com.
Nails
There are a million and one places to get a basic manicure in Abu Dhabi – we’re sure you already have your favourite. But if you’re after something a bit more special, opt for a Minx manicure at Color Me Spa. Using ultra-shiny metallic stickers rather than conventional polish, they’ll leave your nails looking blingin’.
Dhs20 per finger, or Dhs180 for a full manicure. Color Me Spa (02 556 4557).
OrangePeelFacial
Here’s a little cheap DIY tip for anyone suffering from oily skin. Peel two large oranges. Leave them out in the sun to dry, then grind them into a fine powder. Mix with a little milk or water until you have a thick paste, then apply it to your skin. Leave for 30 minutes and your skin will feel soft and look perfectly shine-free.
Perfume
Nothing conjures up the image of Arabia more than the smell of the region’s fragrances – heavy oils of oud, rose or amber to name a few. Stop by one of the traditional perfume stores, such as Abdul Samad Al Qurashi, if you want friendly staff to help you choose a scent that suits you.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 644 4102).
Qi
By applying stimulation to certain points on the body, acupuncture frees the flow of your qi (or body’s energy) to cure all manner of illnesses from sluggishness to pain and disease.
Prices on request. Gulf Chinese Medical Centre (02 634 3538).
Reflexology
So much more than just a simple foot massage, the idea behind reflexology is that each part of the foot (or hand) corresponds to a part of the body – for example, the big toe is the head, beneath it is the heart, the side of the foot is the spine, while the centre of the sole corresponds to the stomach and intestines. Therapists apply pressure using a variety of techniques to treat any problems in those areas through the foot. While we can’t vouch for the science behind this ancient treatment, if you’re interested in trying it out, we’d recommend Le Méridien’s Eden spa. A cooling gel is applied to soothe the feet and legs, before the friendly and knowledgeable therapist gets to work, adjusting the pressure to suit you. Each area of the foot is worked on thoroughly, and the corresponding organs and body parts are explained (not surprisingly, the areas that represented our back and shoulders were the most tender). You’ll leave the spa feeling light, refreshed and renewed.
Dhs330 for 50 minutes. Eden spa, Le Méridien (02 697 4354).
Swedishmassage
As well as dirt cheap flat-packed furniture and improbably beautiful women, the Swedes are also to thank for the world’s most popular style of massage. Based around long, smooth strokes that soothe muscular pain and improve circulation, you’ll find a Swedish massage on the menu in practically every spa in town. For a particularly blissful experience, book yourself in for a full-body session at Zen.
Dhs400 for one hour. Zen The Spa, Beach Rotana (02 697 9333).
Turkishbath
Turkish baths, or Hammams, are extremely trendy in the capital right now. Tips & Toes offer particularly good value with a scrub and steam session at their new Khalifa spa villas.
Dhs200 for Hammam Ritual. Tips & Toes, Khalifa City A (02 557 2255).
UVrays
We can’t imagine they do a roaring trade, given that Abu Dhabi is probably one of the sunniest cities in the world. But if you do want to hit up a tan booth on a rare, overcast day, The Beauty Spot has
the goods.
Dhs10 for one minute. The Beauty Spot (02 681 8817).
Vichy Shower
One of the perks of booking yourself in for a body treatment at Emirates Palace’s Anantara Spa, is that you get to use their Vichy showers – there is one in each treatment suite. For the uninitiated, you basically get to lie down while jets of water are blasted over your body. Bliss.
Anantara Spa, Emirates Palace (02 690 9000).
Waxing
Few grooming sessions are as unpleasant as a wax, but in a city of pools and beaches, it’s a sad necessity for most of us. There’s no avoiding the pain, but if you want the experience to be cheap, swift and effective, you can’t do much better than the Tips & Toes Khaleej Al Arabi branch.
Tips & Toes, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 445 8834).
Xtremelashes
Falsies don’t have to look like dead daddy long legs these days. For top quality fluttery lashes, ask for Xtreme lashes at Helen Ladies Beauty Salon. They are single synthetic strands of eyelashes applied one by one to your own lashes for a natural effect.
Helen Ladies Beauty Salon (02 677 7423).
YlangYlang
This essential oil is renowned for its relaxing, soothing properties. Add a few drops to your bath if you need to unwind.
Available at Abela Superstore, Khalidiyah (02 6674675).
Zzzzz
Want brighter eyes, clearer skin, a quicker metabolism, healthy hair and nails and a better mood? Well with all due respect to the spas and salons we’re so fond of, the truth is that having a little nap is the best – and definitely the cheapest – beautifier there is. Night all!
