What's in Heavy Rotation Since Moving to Dubai

It's been a little while since I posted anything beauty-related, but I wanted to share a few products I'm loving right now.

For me, beauty isn't just about what I put on my skin — it's also about what I eat day to day and how I move my body. I try to steer clear of heavily processed foods and love blueberries, walnuts, oily fish, leafy greens, and the odd square of dark chocolate — foods that are full of antioxidants and good fats. On the movement side, I like to keep things varied — a few gym sessions, pilates when I want to slow things down, plus walking and the odd run to clear my head. I really believe all of that is the groundwork for glowy skin and feeling good in your body. But alongside that, I'm always curious and on the hunt for products that actually deliver results — things that fit easily into my routine and make me feel good. My skin around my face and neck can be a little sensitive, so heavy exfoliants and fragranced skincare have never worked for me, and I've steered clear of both for a long time.

Moving to Dubai added a new layer to all of this. Between the AC running constantly, the sharp contrast between indoor and outdoor temperatures, and water that can be genuinely harsh on skin and hair, my usual approach needed a bit of rethinking. Honestly, before I even moved, almost every video or post I came across flagged the same thing — that the water here is hard on skin and hair, and the swing between the heat outside and the AC indoors doesn't help either. So I arrived already expecting it, trying to be prepared. Some of the picks below were chosen specifically with hydration in mind; others are combinations I've discovered more recently that work perfectly for that bronzed, summer makeup look.

TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner
Over the last couple of months I've become genuinely curious about K-beauty, and this is a product my skin has been loving. It's so calming — it smooths and soothes every time, I use it morning and night, and my skin properly drinks it up.

TIRTIR Ceramic Milk Ampoule Moisturizing & Nourishing Serum
If you're after that glass-skin finish, this is the one to try. It's from the same TIRTIR range, and I'll definitely be exploring more of it — used alongside the Milk Skin Toner, it leaves my skin feeling soothed, hydrated and noticeably brighter — and, it sits beautifully underneath makeup.

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm
I absolutely love this lip balm. It’s sheer, glossy and gives that effortless, your-lips-but-better look.

Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Another Hourglass product I've been loving is the Veil Hydrating Skin Tint. It gives the most beautiful luminous finish,. what I love is that it still looks like skin, not makeup.. Paired with the rest of my routine, it gives me that light, fresh, a-little-bronzed-a-little-glowy finish that's become my go to day to day.

YSL Lovenude Kiss Shaper Lip Liner — Shade 102, Tan Line
I've been pairing this with the Hourglass balm above, and honestly it's the perfect combo.

Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer
The last product I've been reaching for every morning is the Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer. I love the natural, luminous texture of this one — it behaves a little like a soft bronzer, but what I really get from it is a genuinely nice bronzed glow that gives my face a touch more dimension.

So there you have it: these are my current favourite products, at least for now — the ones that have earned their place through the heat, the humidity and the constant AC. I'm still figuring out what my skin really loves in Dubai, and I'm sure this list will change as the seasons do. If you've got a product you swear by in a climate like this, or a K-beauty discovery you think I might love, I'd really like to hear about it. And if you fancy following along as things evolve, the newsletter is the best place to catch what's next — from beauty and food to life in Dubai. Subscribe below.

TIRTIR Ceramic Milk Ampoule Moisturizing & Nourishing Serum

TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm

Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint

Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer

YSL Lovenude Kiss Shaper Lip Liner — Shade 102, Tan Line