The first week of September and summer continues in the UAE with its powerful sun, high temperatures, humidity, and AC running all day, every day. I have been scanning and testing new power-packed haircare products, and I did complete a beautiful line-up.
Compared to last year, this summer, I have been traveling more across the UAE, soaking up the sun at the beach and spending time at the rooftop swimming pools, being more active outside, and exposing myself to the environmental conditions.
✔️ About my hair type and other problems, I wrote a little text here.
✔️ I am very diligent about my hair treatment tablets. It’s a routine I have had for over 20 years, and I wrote about hair treatments here.
I don’t use hairstyling products like foams, gel, wax, or firming or holding hairsprays packed with chemicals that promise to keep your hair in a particular style for 12 hours.
I follow one religion: I wash it, I treat it, I towel-dry it, I comb it, and I move on.
I don’t have a hair dryer. I don’t have styling tools. The last time I used a dryer was more than ten years ago.
I’m all about the after-shower or the in-shower treatments, rinse-off or leave-in, masks, and oils.
I target healthy hair and scalp and aim for ethical brands that align with my values and principles regarding the environment, ingredients, and animal testing. 🐰
Yes, I am sometimes on a budget, and even if I opt for a not-so-expensive or famous brand, I have to make sure this brand respects my terms & conditions 🙌🏻
A Power-Packed Haircare Line-Up
It’s my second summer in the UAE, and these were the best power-packed haircare products (well, almost all the best) that I had in my haircare routine at the beach, at the pool, in the shower, in my house, in the hotels:
💫 Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oil
💫 Hair by Sam McKnight Deeper Love
💫 Nashi Argan Beauty Treatment
💫 Sun Bum Heat Protector
💫 Aveda Thickening Tonic
💫 Briogeo Superfoods avocado+kiwi 3-in-1 Leave-in Spray, and the Blossom&Bloom ginseng+biotin Volumizing Spray
Power-packed haircare product no 1: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oil
Before anything, it smells AMAZING! Using Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oil in the UAE weather is beneficial due to the unique challenges that the climate in the United Arab Emirates presents for haircare.
The hot and arid climate leads to dry and brittle hair. Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oil contains ingredients like essential oils and shea butter that provide deep hydration to combat the drying effects of the desert climate. This oil keeps your hair soft, manageable, and moisturized.
The intense sunlight in the UAE is harsh on my weak hair, causing damage, color fading, and moisture loss. The antioxidants in this oil help protect my hair from UV radiation and environmental stressors, preserving its health and vibrancy. While the UAE is generally dry, coastal areas experience higher humidity levels. Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oils silicone-based ingredients, such as cyclopentasiloxane and dimethiconol, create a protective barrier that helps control frizz even in humid conditions. Water is harsh and contains minerals that negatively affect the hair. Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oils nourishing ingredients help counteract the potential damage from hard water. Whether enjoying the beach, exploring the city, or spending time in air-conditioned spaces, this oil’s versatility makes it suitable for different situations. You can use it as a pre-styling heat protectant, a post-styling finishing touch, or an overnight treatment to combat the many challenges posed by the UAE’s diverse environments. The fragrance, with bergamot, lychee, and jasmine notes, provides a soothing and refreshing experience. This oil has made my haircare routine a luxurious experience ✨🦄
Choosing this product means investing in a brand with a track record of delivering outstanding results. Oribe is well-respected and known for its commitment to using premium ingredients and producing effective haircare products. This brand has been in my haircare routine for less than two years, and I’m already obsessed with it.
In the UAE, you can order Oribe products online from Bloomingdale’s Amazon or oribe.com. I also found some Oribe products at Bloomingdale’s in The Dubai Mall.
My top favorite haircare brands so far are
🤍Oribe
🤍John Masters Organics
🤍The Virtue Labs
🤍 Sachajuan
🤍Kevin Murphy Hair
I cannot make up my mind; all of them are my number one when it comes to the best shampoos in the world, and the best shampoos and conditioners a brand can deliver; I use them in turn depending on the season, mood or need.
Power-packed haircare product no 2: Hair by Sam McKnight Deeper Love
Hair by Sam McKnight is a new brand entering my haircare routine this year. I have started using this brand and the amazing Deeper Love Intensive Treatment Mask this summer.
Google will tell you Sam McKnight is a legendary hairstylist who has worked with Kate Moss, Princess Diana, and Madonna. I will say to you that the Deeper Love treatment is designed to help you effortlessly achieve salon-quality hair in the comfort of your own home.
This is a rinse-off mask I use after I have washed my hair with shampoo. Sometimes, I use conditioner before applying the mask, and sometimes, I don’t; either way, this mask has made my hair feel thicker and stronger, leaving a fantastic, long-lasting fragrance to spoil you. The treatment formulation with antioxidants and proteins, such as hydrolyzed wheat and soy protein, shields the hair from environmental stressors, including pollution and dust common in urban areas of the UAE. The Deeper Love treatment is an outstanding solution for hair exposed to harsh water and UV rays.
I could not find it in stores across the UAE, but it is available online; amazon.ae, cultbeauty.com, or sammcknight.com.
Power-packed haircare product no 3: Nashi Argan Beauty Treatment instant hydrating styling mask
My best friend went on a city break in Italy and returned with the most incredible souvenir: the Nashi Argan Beauty Treatment instant hydrating styling mask.
Another newbie in my haircare routine this year, Nashi Argan, is an Italian brand focusing on 100% certified organic Argan and Linseed oil.
The day after I washed my hair, I’d always find it naturally curling, regardless of the shampoo, conditioner, or treatments I used. I’ve been looking for a styling product that could straighten my hair with minimal damage. Enter the hydrating styling mask, which infuses my hair with richness and a delightful fragrance and does an excellent job of taming my curls and transforming them into sleek, shiny locks that I absolutely adore. I had no idea I needed Argan and Linseed oil until I sprayed a little of this Nashi Argan Beauty Treatment instant hydrating styling mask on my hair. Adding just a spritz of this miracle power-packed haircare product to my towel-dry hair, and I am ready to take on the Middle East. 🧖🏻♀️
I could not find it in stores across UAE, but it is available online at amazon.ae or nashiargan.com.
Power-packed haircare product no 4: Sun Bum Heat Protector
Newbie, again. Even though I don’t use styling hot brushes or hair dryers, I go to the beach every weekend, and I live in the UAE where I expose my hair to high temperatures and AC environments daily.
I found Sun Bum Heat Protector on cultbeauty.com while looking for sun protection for my hair.
Sun Bum Heat Protector does a great job rescuing my hair from the damaging effects of high temperatures and UV rays. Enriched with natural oils and fruit extracts, this product keeps my hair hydrated, smooth, and resilient. Sun Bum Heat Protector is perfect for all hair types.
I apply it along the length of my hair and insist on my ends. It does not weigh my hair down after application, and the delightful, exotic fragrance absolutely fits the Dubai scene. It absorbs fast into the hair and does not feel or look greasy.
If you plan a beach destination vacation in Ras Al Khaimah, exploring Dubai on foot, enjoying a coffee on a terrace in Abu Dhabi, or lounging by the rooftop pool in Sharjah, you need to apply the Sun Bum Heat Protector on your ends. 😎
It’s vegan and cruelty-free. It’s a game-changer for me. 🐰
Check out the provenance.org Directory for the brand’s impact.
Power-packed haircare product no 5: Aveda Thickening Tonic
I found Aveda’s Invati Advanced range on cultbeauty.com and used the exfoliating shampoo light, the thickening conditioner, thickening foam, and the Thickening Tonic for six months in 2021. Now and then, I return to this range, and this summer I have been traveling with the Thickening Tonic in my luggage because every great hairstyle begins with a strong foundation, and that’s precisely what this Tonic offers.
Aveda is renowned for its commitment to harnessing the power of nature to create high-performance haircare products. Aveda Thickening Tonic is no exception, offering a blend of botanical ingredients that work together to elevate your hair to new heights. With ingredients like soy protein, wheat protein, and lecithin, this product strengthens and repairs your hair, reducing breakage and improving overall hair health. Despite its volumizing effects, Aveda Thickening Tonic does not weigh my hair down, leaving it feeling light and natural. It is a styling spray you need to use to get volume fast with high-quality ingredients. It’s vegan and cruelty-free. 🐰
Check out the provenance.org Directory for the brand’s impact.
👀 Aveda is present in the Middle East. It has a dedicated website for the region; all products are available in stores across UAE and online; there is an Aveda hair salon inside Bloomingdale’s store in The Dubai Mall. 💪🏻
Power-packed haircare product no 6: Briogeo Superfoods avocado+kiwi 3-in-1 Leave-in Spray and the Blossom&Bloom ginseng+biotin Volumizing Spray
As a dedicated advocate for ethical and effective haircare, I’m always eager to try new products that align with my values and deliver remarkable results. However, sometimes, despite my high hopes, not every product lives up to my expectations. While I have a deep appreciation for Briogeo as a brand, these particular products left me feeling less than impressed.
Check out the provenance.org Directory for the brand’s impact.
Briogeo Superfoods Avocado+Kiwi 3-in-1 Leave-In Spray, falling short of expectations. Upon reading about the Briogeo Superfoods Avocado+Kiwi 3-in-1 Leave-In Spray, I was excited to add it to my haircare routine. One of the most striking issues I encountered was its fragrance. While it boasts the natural goodness of avocado and kiwi, the scent is overpowering, and to put it frankly, it smells like I have a salad on my head. It is far from the delightful fragrance experience I usually associate with haircare products. This leave-in spray left my hair feeling greasy and weighed down. In a climate as challenging as the UAE, where humidity levels are high, having greasy hair is the last thing anyone wants to deal with. It simply didn’t live up to the expectations I had for a leave-in conditioner. Briogeo Superfoods Avocado+Kiwi 3-in-1 Leave-In Spray may work well for some, but it was far from the ideal product for my haircare needs. The overwhelming scent and greasy aftermath left me with an experience that fell short of my expectations. When it comes to haircare products, finding the right fit is personal, and unfortunately, this particular product didn’t quite hit the mark for me. 💆🏻♀️
I had high hopes for the Briogeo Blossom&Bloom Ginseng+Biotin Volumizing Spray. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver the volume and thickness it claimed to provide. Despite the presence of ginseng and biotin, my hair appeared limp and lacked the bounce I anticipated. The spray’s lightweight formula seemed unable to lift my roots, leaving them looking lifeless. Additionally, I found that the product didn’t hold up well throughout the day, and I often had to reapply it to achieve any semblance of volume.
As a consumer who values performance and ethical standards, it’s important to acknowledge when a product falls short of expectations.
The search for the holy grail continues. With each power-packed haircare product I try, I gain valuable insights about what my hair truly needs. As the sun continues to shine relentlessly in the beautiful UAE, my research for the perfect haircare routine persists. I’m armed with curiosity and patience to keep my beauty routine up-to-date and my hair healthy, no matter where the day takes me.
This summer in the UAE, I welcomed three new power-packed additions to my haircare routine: Hair by Sam McKnight, Nashi Argan, and Sun Bum. While they’ve brought their unique experiences and benefits to my haircare routine steps, they’ve also taught me the importance of being present when choosing the right products for my hair.
Not every product or brand will be a perfect fit, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s all part of the fun.
The Founder
If you are an expat in the Middle East facing skin concerns and want to share your story, send us a message at contact@routine11.com
*Disclosure: I received no compensation for this review. This is solely based on my personal experience and assessment.
