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Tuesday Tip: When in Doubt, Wear Red

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TuesdayTip Header Tuesday Tip: When in Doubt, Wear Red

While everyone is talking about summer and upcoming holidays, it seems like life has suddenly gotten excessively busy on all fronts, especially work. On Thursday, after getting out of work late, I was running late for 2 back-to-back events thanks to Dubai’s resurgence in traffic.

I was so frazzled that I had to do a quick outfit change in the car before I headed out to dinner. Thankfully, I decided to pop into the restroom first to see what could be done to fake glamourous and hide the exhaustion. For me, I stick to my default beauty savior – a bright red lip.

Even without a fully “done-up” face, a red lip can look great. The trick is finding a red lip that best works for you. My top 3 favorites with swatches (!) are below to help you pick one:

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl

Nars Dragon Girl Red Lipstick Swatch Photo Tuesday Tip: When in Doubt, Wear Red

I love the easy pencil shape for on-the-go application and matte long-lasting formula.

Not available in stores in Dubai but multiple ways to order online

Illamasqua in Liable**

Illamsqua Liable Red Lipstick Swatch Photo Tuesday Tip: When in Doubt, Wear Red

The semi-matte formula makes this the best “pure” lipstick option.

** Confession, this tube weirdly has no label so this is my guess based on the swatches online.

Available at Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales Dubai

OCC Lip Tar in NSFW Swatch

OCC Lip Tar NSFW Red Lipstick Swatch Photo Tuesday Tip: When in Doubt, Wear Red

Bold and easily lasts 8+ hours. Best applied with a brush.

Not available in Dubai but online at OCC Makeup or in Sephora USA

Are you a believer in the power of red? What’s your favorite one? Share below in the comments.

5 Beauty Brands Dubai is Missing

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More than a blogger, I consider myself a professional shopper, which quite simply means I’m addicted to shopping and discovering new brands. I was lucky enough to have lived four years in the United States with a Sephora outlet never more than 10 minutes away from me.  Since moving back to Dubai, the makeup scene has definitely grown with Sephora expanding rapidly throughout the GCC and brands like Urban Decay and Laura Mercier opening shop here.

But a beauty junkie is never satisfied, so here are the 5 brands that I’m hoping will setup here very soon (nudge, nudge Al Tayer-Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales and Chalhoub Group-Sephora). Alternately, if you’re heading to the United States anytime soon, here are 5 beauty brands you need to check out!

Tarte

5 Beauty Brands Dubai is MissingFamous for their Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush, Tarte has some great skincare and makeup products with fancy ingredients like Maracuja oil. This brand understands cream formulas and their products are amazing for layering – use sheer for a natural look or layer up for some pop. If you’re a fan of Urban Decay, you’ll love Tarte.

Favorites: Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush; LipSurgence Lip Tint; EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener. Available @ Sephora USA

Hourglass

google.com images qtbn AN...UV3ZVLqtg 150x150 5 Beauty Brands Dubai is MissingThis high-end brand was one I discovered on Temptalia’s beauty blog. People love the Hourglass mineral veil primer and liquid lipsticks and some of their new products are earning rave reviews from beauty bloggers. Considering this is an extravagant brand with luxury packaging that rivals Tom Ford and Burberry, this would be loved locally.

Favorites: Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick; Ambient Lighting Powder; Film Noir Lash Laquer. Available @ Sephora USA

Clarisonic

google.com images qtbn AN...JlnZuhccq 150x150 5 Beauty Brands Dubai is MissingIn case you haven’t heard of this miracle facial brush, go read my review here of the Clarisonic Plus. I’ve been a convert for 3+ years and it’s one tool I can’t do without. Ladies in the GCC are missing out on the best way to cleanse.

Favorites: Clarisonic Plus; Clarisonic Mia2. Available @ Sephora USA, Amazon.com.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

occmakeup.com occlogo4 150x150 5 Beauty Brands Dubai is MissingThis indie brand is growing fast in the US where it is now officially available at Sephora outlets. Last summer, I made a special trip to the OCC East Village store and spend some quality time with their makeup artist. This is a 100% vegan brand for those who are ingredient conscious.

Favorites: Lip Tar; Cosmetic Glitters; Concealer. Available @ Sephora USA (Limited range), OCC.

Nars

google.com images qtbn AN...RkKTO2W9g 150x150 5 Beauty Brands Dubai is MissingNow this one is a funny/sad story. Until 2011(?), Nars was easily available in Dubai and for some reason they stopped selling their products since then. I unfortunately only discovered them AFTER they had left with the blushes and lip pencils being my favorite. We really need this brand back because it has amazing products throughout its collection.

Favorites: So many! Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil; Velvet Matte Lip Pencil; Blush; Illuminator. Available at Sephora USA, Amazon.com.