What to expect at Abu Dhabi Beauty Week: from make-up tutorials to new skincare brands

Expect pop-ups and masterclasses from names such as Gucci, YSL, Fenty and Redken, plus new-to-the-region brands such as Haru Haru Wonder, Ranavat and Kevyn Aucoin Beauty

Beauty brand Kevyn Aucoin, which was founded by the late celebrity make-up artist, will bring its cosmetics line to Abu Dhabi Beauty Week

The capital is gearing up to host a plethora of beauty brands and experts during Abu Dhabi Beauty Week, which runs from February 4 to 14.

The inaugural event is organised by Retail Abu Dhabi, part of the emirate’s Department of Culture and Tourism.

From masterclasses to pop-ups by new-to-the-region brands, here are the skincare, haircare and make-up proceedings you can be a part of at Yas Mall and online.

Beauty tutorials and talks

A series of masterclasses and talks, held at Yas Mall's Beauty Studio, provide access to regional and international experts. Here are seven to sign up for:

Graphic eyes by Guerlain

Details: Thursday, February 4, 2pm to 3pm, and 4pm to 5pm

Daniel Hamdan, Guerlain’s international make-up artist, will provide insights on the latest make-up trends for the spring / summer season, and show you how to master graphic eyeliner, ideal for date night.

Non-transfer make-up with YSL

Details: Thursday, February 4, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and 8pm to 9pm

Iman Boutari, YSL’s senior regional make-up artist, will provide tips and tricks on how to create a long-lasting flawless complexion, and recommend products for different skin types. All attendees will receive a gift from YSL.

In conversation with Kim Kardashian’s dermatologist

Details: Friday, February 5, 2pm to 3pm

Aesthetic MD and celebrity dermatologist Simon Ourian will talk about his skincare line, MDO, which is launching exclusively at Abu Dhabi Beauty Week. This is a virtual talk.

As radiant as Rihanna with Fenty

Details: Friday, February 5, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and 8pm to 9pm

Meg Newall, Fenty Beauty’s head of make-up artistry, will host a step-by-step tutorial on layering liquids, choosing the right foundation, and manipulating make-up to take you from day to night.

Hairstyling tips with Redken

Details: Sunday, February 7, 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Kelly Scott, a Redken international artist, will share easy ways to give your mane more volume, as well as how to create a beachy look and a messy wave, so you never have a bad hair day even on a Zoom call.

Find the perfect nude lipstick with CTZN Cosmetics

Details: Monday, February 8, 4pm to 5pm

The brand’s co-founder, Naseeha Khan, will help participants find the perfect nude lipstick for their complexion from the brand’s 25 shades. Khan will personally shade-match each participant, and demonstrate how to combine a lip liner and lipstick for a fuller pout. Go home with a free Nudiversal lip duo.

Day and night looks from Gucci

Details: Wednesday, February 10, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and 8pm to 9pm

Nikita Sharma, Gucci’s make-up training manager, will demonstrate two looks while also dishing out quick make-up hacks.

Brow masterclass

Details: Friday, February 12, 4pm to 5pm

Discover tips and tricks on brow grooming using Benefit’s signature brow-mapping technique and learn how best to fill in your eyebrows.

Click here for the full line-up of masterclasses and panel discussions. Registration is essential at retailabudhabi.ae and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, and restricted to six people for in-person classes.

Pop-ups

The Beauty Studio will also house new-to-the-region brands. Ourian’s MDO aside, here are eight to seek out:

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty

Browse or buy foundations, primers, concealers, contouring products, eye make-up and more from the label founded by the late celebrity make-up artist Kevyn Aucoin.

Haru Haru Wonder

A South Korean beauty brand known for its superfood skin ingredients, such as its popular black rice serum.

Ilia Beauty

Another K-beauty name that focuses on clean beauty, based on the principle that “not every natural ingredient is good for the skin, nor is every synthetic bad”.

Ranavat

An ayurvedic brand that looks to ingredients such as saffron, lotus flower, sesame seeds and turmeric.

Amly

A cruelty-free British brand that has products for the face, body, hair and eye area.

Stila

An American cosmetics company known for its award-winning lip vinyls, mascara and highlighter.

Beauty Bakerie

An inclusive make-up brand founded by breast cancer survivor Cashmere Nicole.

Solinotes

A vegan fragrance house from Paris, known for its complex notes and layering techniques.

The ADWB Retreat

The event also includes a three-day beauty and wellness retreat at Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. This self-care getaway offers a chance to recharge with a little help from celebrity instructors, mindful eating menus, exercise sessions and restorative meditation.

There are five packages, including: a flexibility session with Mar Violinha on Thursday, February 11, from 6pm to 7pm, priced at Dh160; a HIIT session with Nike Run Club coach and ambassador Manal Rostom, followed by breakfast on Friday, February 12, from 7am to 10am, for Dh260; a boxing class with Sara Al Sayegh, followed by breakfast on Saturday, February 13, from 7am to 10am, for Dh260.

Packages can be booked at retailabudhabi.ae.