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

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. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Beauty Studio will also house new-to-the-region brands. Ourian’s MDO aside, here are eight to seek out: 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. A South Korean beauty brand known for its superfood skin ingredients, such as its popular black rice serum. 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”. An ayurvedic brand that looks to ingredients such as saffron, lotus flower, sesame seeds and turmeric. A cruelty-free British brand that has products for the face, body, hair and eye area. An American cosmetics company known for its award-winning lip vinyls, mascara and highlighter. An inclusive make-up brand founded by breast cancer survivor Cashmere Nicole. A vegan fragrance house from Paris, known for its complex notes and layering techniques. 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 .

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