The venue:
As far as locations for a quick wash and blow-dry go, few are more luxurious than Posh by Feryal in Dubai’s Burj Al Arab. Posh by name and posh by nature, there’s something slightly thrilling about being waved through the security barriers to the luxury hotel and driving onto the private bridge that leads up to the iconic billowing-sail structure. Once inside, you’ll be treated to complimentary Arabic coffee and dates in the lobby before being guided up towards the 18th floor.
If you haven’t been to Burj Al Arab before, take your time and enjoy the surroundings. The atrium is something to behold with the bold primary colours of each duplex floor extending up as far as the eye can see. The salon itself is elegant and understated chic with a predominantly cream and gold interior. And as you would expect, there are opulent touches everywhere, not least with the large gold sculpture and replica gilded Burj Al Arab water fountain in the reception area.
The service:
I was booked in for a hair nourishing treatment at Posh and the products used, called Ruha, were ones I hadn’t come across before. The brand owes its name to Amazonian women who have long used a potent and restorative oil called rahua to thicken, strengthen and gloss their hair. In the 1990s, some tribeswomen shared their beauty secret with renowned New York stylist and colourist Fabian Lliguin, a native Ecuadorean of Quechua descent. Having seen the effect that rahua had on his client’s dry, damaged hair, Lliguin and his wife founded Amazon Beauty with Rahua became a best-selling brand. I can’t deny I was a tad sceptical about the product’s transformative powers as the deep-nourishing hair mask was being applied. However, after a thorough rinse, an amazing head massage and swift blow-dry, there was no denying how my hair was incredibly soft, completely tangle free and bouncy with elasticity. It was also very shiny, no doubt thanks to all the Omega 9 oils. Senior hairstylist Delphine Richard tonged my tresses into large curls for a bit of 1950s starlet glamour and finished by spritzing on some fabulously fruity holding spray by Show.
The verdict:
Booking in for a hair treatment at Posh is, of course, a treat but not wildly unaffordable when compared to other premium salons in Dubai. Spending some time in Burj Al Arab, unsurprisingly, also makes the overall experience a pretty special one. The free valet parking was a nice touch, as was the free Wi-Fi. Not to mention the mountain of shortbread cookies served with my spicy lemon and ginger tea.
If you do happen to book in for an appointment at the salon, remember to keep your eyes peeled. Staff who tended to me had also coiffed royals and a number of celebrities including Justin Beiber at the salon in recent years. Now that’s posh, wouldn’t you say?
Hair cuts and blow-dry's for women start from Dh395, and the use of Ruha products is an additional fixed price of Dh350. Booking is essential, call 04 301 7249 or visit www.poshbyferyal.com
The National was a guest of the salon
