Our top five best finds at Dubai’s Beauty­world Middle East exhibition

Everything from a wellness spa pod, to cake slices for soap and special effects make-up demonstrations are on display at this year's Beautyworld Middle East.

Make Up Artist Arash Fard makes up a model using complete special effects at the make-up designory stand at the Beautyworld trade show held at Dubai World Trade Center. Antonie Robertson / The NationalShow less

Have you ever wished that skincare products could double up as a haircare range for easy travel? It’s possible. How about bringing block soaps back into fashion by making them delectable enough to take a bite out of? It’s happening. And what about a spa date in a pod after a hard day’s work in the comfort of your home? That’s on the market, too.

Nothing seems too far-fetched at the three-day Beauty­world Middle East exhibition at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which ends on 29 May. We scoured the sprawling halls lined with traders from countries including the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, India and (for the first time) Turkey, to find the most eye-catching products and services on display this year.

1 Is that a spa in your living room?

We were told a spa pod was used by astronauts in orbit in 1988. The portable spa has all the ingredients to become a major hit with those looking for a hassle-free at-home option for relaxation.

The US-based company Sybaritic, producers of medical spa technologies, has just launched the Redfuzion Jet Pod, equipped with a CD player and a Jacuzzi system. Once you lie inside the horizontal capsule, head exposed, sprinklers from the top and bottom help optimise the use of water during a bath, while rubber balls underneath you vibrate for a massaging effect. You can control the temperature through taps, as in a regular shower.

The newer versions of the spa pod can also be filled with Himalayan salt for a salt cave experience. These pods are also environmentally friendly as they use only one-tenth of the water a regular shower would use. Such advanced technology will set you back Dh100,000.

2 Soap cakes good enough to eat

Shape your product to look like a cake and you’ve got everyone’s attention. LeSoie’s range of Mon Savon soaps brought in the queries, many wondering whether they could taste the Heavenly Chocolate Soap Pie, Apple Dream Soap Cake and Christmas Soap Pie. The Belgian artist Dominiek Blommaert makes the cake designs and his wife shapes them using original oils, coconut oil, flowery fragrances and glycerine, laced with chocolate and apple, blueberry and other fruits. The soaps – they look like cake slices, cupcakes and muffins – are available at Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi and are priced between Dh10 and Dh50. They will also be available at the World Trade Center Mall in the capital from June.

3 Wake up and smell the coffee

The Italian brand That’so is looking to cash in on coffee with its Beauty Espresso tanning range. It asks: “Are you Espresso, Latte or Cappuccino?” The espresso shade gives an ultra-tan effect, the latte darkens the skin just a few shades and the cappuccino will provide a sun-kissed tan effect. The non-transferable product lasts for five days and list the anti-ageing ingredient matrixyl, aloe vera and sugarcane extracts among its ingredients. The pack, including an applicator machine, costs about Dh7,500.

4 For skin and hair alike

Travel light with a two-in-one product from the US-based Chi Biosilk range to hydrate the skin and hair. The products contain silk protein, which helps repair damaged hair shafts and make them smooth. The non-oily products can also be used for a day and night skincare routine on the body and face, replenishing it with 17 amino acids, boosting the pH level. The company has also introduced its Farouk haircare range, which includes powdered pearl and white truffle extracts.

If a hair straightener is always on your travel checklist, why not look for something small and trendy? Amika hair-stylers earn brownie points just for the pop of colour on them. The abstract designs and splashes of paint on the Mighty Mini Ceramic Styler make it an attractive handbag must-have. The styler comes in an equally vibrant jacket envelope for a non-messy suitcase essential. The mini-styler comes in three designs and is available at various malls for Dh250.

5 Mad about make-up

We first mistook the Mud: Make-up Designory booth to be a green room for cosplay hopefuls. Make-up artists working with the LA studio and brand were displaying their skills on anyone who volunteered for dramatic special effects make-up. Mud began as a make-up school in 1997 and then diversified into producing its own range of products. It plans on bringing its cosmetics and a satellite studio to the UAE soon.

Also at Beautyworld were 22 nail artists participating in the annual competition held by the nail ­enamel brand OPI. Professionals from across the country competed in the manicure, soak-off gel, sculpting gel, sculpting liquid and powder and nail art categories.

• Beautyworld Middle East finishes on 29 May. It runs from 10am to 6pm. Visit www.beautyworldme.com for more information