What we’re loving: Lancaster’s Self Tan Beauty, Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser and more

Courtesy Obagi 360

Courtesy Clarins

Courtesy Shiseido

Courtesy Shiseido

Courtesy Kiehl’s

Courtesy Wow by Wojooh

The Arts&Life team bring you the products and services we have fallen in love with this month.

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Lancaster’s Self Tan Beauty

The fake-tan market is big business, but it seems like it’s been while since an effective new product hit our shelves. Lancaster appears to have struck gold with a cream called Self Tan Beauty that actually delivers on its promises: a natural colour minus the dreaded tiger stripes or stained extremities. The concept was alien to me but the results are quite brilliant. You simply apply the product to wet skin after showering, wait for about 60 seconds and rinse. After patting yourself dry, you’re safe to dress and will notice your skin has a healthy glow. There’s zero colour transfer onto clothes and no feeling of stickiness, as the residue has been washed away. Over the course of four to six hours, the colour deepens and you can reapply every day or just once a week, depending on the darkness you desire. The biggest selling points are that it saves time and is cost-effective. The shower gel is competitively priced when you consider that most other products can take 12 to 24 hours to fully dry and develop, it’s far preferable to wash, glow and go. It has also just launched a self-tan compact, available for Dh165.

• Dh115 from local pharmacies and perfumeries, and at www.lancaster-beauty.com

* Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

The problem that I have with many exfoliators is that they are far too abrasive for my sensitive skin. After exfoliating in the shower, I usually come out with a face that is sore and red. This cleanser from Obagi, however, is a lot gentler than other products on the market. It removes make-up, cleanses skin and also exfoliates, and I’ve found myself using it two or three times a week. It’s rare to find an effective three-in-one skincare cleanser like this, and I plan on buying a refill when it runs out.

• Dh180 from Obagi MedSpa. For more information, visit www.obagimedispa.com

* Hafsa Lodi

Clarins Super Restorative Hand Cream

As a writer by day and seamstress by night, I work with my hands frequently – but until recently, was very laid-back about keeping them moisturised. Now, I keep this Clarins hand cream on my desk and apply it twice a day. My skin feels noticeably softer and smoother as soon as I rub in just a pea-sized amount, and the feeling is addictive. I can’t help but rub my fingers afterwards, even an hour later, just to feel the difference. I also really like the scent – it’s not overbearing or nauseating like I’ve found some other hand creams to be – rather, it has a fresh and uplifting smell, with slightly sweet tinge.

• Dh219 and is available at Clarins counters

* Hafsa Lodi

Shiseido Bio Performance Glow Revival Cream

My grandmother swears by her Nivea cream and carries that little blue tub everywhere with her. Not having ever used thick, creamy moisturisers before, I was a bit sceptical at first but now I share a similar attachment to this Shiseido cream that my grandmother has with her Nivea. After cleansing my face, I lightly rub in some of the light-pink formula and my skin feels soft and hydrated, without looking greasy. After a few days of using it regularly, I also found that some of the slightly red areas on my face had faded, regaining my natural skin tone.

• Dh478 from Sephora stores or at www.shiseido.com

* Hafsa Lodi

Shiseido’s Synchro Skin

I’m a recent convert to pseudo-serum foundations rather than traditional thicker creams. My current product is Shiseido’s Synchro Skin lasting foundation, which is a cross between a liquid and a ­medium-coverage product. It’s incredibly light in texture and you’ll use a lot less of it than a conventional foundation to achieve the same velvety coverage. It’s oil-free and holds up well over an entire day without flaking or drying the skin. The product contains mother-of-thyme extract and St John’s Wort to help achieve a soft, dewy complexion that is protected against the elements. Just for good measure, Shiseido’s Synchro Skin is also a broad spectrum SPF20 foundation.

• Dh228 from leading department stores or online at www.shiseido.com

* Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane

Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque

Generally, face masks aren’t my thing, especially the overnight kind. The thought of going to sleep with sticky skin – and potentially waking up with icky globs on my pillow – is repulsive. Thankfully, this didn’t happen when I used this newly launched masque from Kiehl. I put on a visible layer, left it for five minutes and then pat-dried it with some tissue, as the instructions said, leaving on a thin layer. While my face was slightly stickier than normal, it didn’t affect my sleep, or leave any residue on my pillowcase. In the morning, my skin felt so invigorated that I didn’t feel like putting any make-up on. I’ll definitely be adding this masque to my weekly skincare regiment.

• Dh170 and is from Kiehl's stores and online at www.en.kiehls-me.com

* Hafsa Lodi

Wow by Wojooh emerald shimmer stick

Looking to cut your make-up application time in half? Then check out the latest range of velvety crayons from Wow by Wojooh. I’m loving the emerald shimmer stick, which lifts eyes for evening events. For daytime, the mocha-bronze version defines perfectly, minus the messiness of a liquid liner. The best features of the twist-up pens are that they take seconds to apply and are creaseproof and waterproof, which means they stay in place for as long as you desire with no need for touch-ups. In addition to framing your eyes, you can also apply the shadow-like shimmery colours all over your lids for more dramatic effect.

• Dh85, available exclusively at Wow by Wojooh across the country

* Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane