Nighttime Skincare Routine

I've been getting quite a few compliments on my skin lately and those are just the best kind of compliments, am I right? Tell anyone their skin looks great and you're in!

I've been painstakingly following a strict skincare routine over the last few months, so it's good to know that it's paying off. My skin was acting up in all sorts of ways and these products have been helping me nurse it back to health.

It's pretty basic stuff, I have kept it short and simple because that's the only way I can make sure I do it every night and not laze out of it. Keep in mind, I have combination skin which is quite prone to acne and pigmentation.

So here goes: presenting my current nighttime skincare routine! 

Step 1 - Cleanser

I start off my trusty Bioderma Sensibio H20 Cleanser. What timing - I just finished my previous bottle a few days ago and this landed up in my Bioderma Glambox this month! 

I like this cleanser a lot - it's good with sensitive skin, does a great job with makeup removal and the big plus is that it's not at all sticky. My only qualm with this product is that sometimes if you're wearing heavy eye makeup, it takes a little longer to get everything off completely but it gets the job done!

Available in all pharmacies across the UAE. AED 35 for 100 ml.

I also found it online here.

Step 2 - Toner

I follow that up with Herbline Essentials Cucumber and Rose Water Skin Tonic. Doesn't the product already just sound so wonderful? I'm in love with quite a few of their products but let's talk about this one for now.

This tonic is so soothing, it's like a mini-spa for your face at the end of the day. It's 100% natural, smells delicious and cools down your skin beautifully. Love, love, love.

Available in all pharmacies across the UAE. AED 105 for 120 ml.

I also found in online here.

Step 3 - Serum

Step 3 is the one and only Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I know I'm probably way late to this party but seriously.. what is this magical elixir? I put a few drops of this on my face at night and I wake up with my skin in a good mood. This serum is super hydrating and so thus I usually skip the moisturizing step (if you noticed)

It has solved so many of my problems - pigmentation, scars, dullness - you name it. It's a one stop shop for for anyone looking to repair their skin. I have the 50ml bottle at the mo which will easily last me five months as you really to use only a few drops every night. So if you're a little iffy about the price tag, remember that it's going to last you A WHILE.

Available in Kiehl's stores in Dubai Mall & Mercato, Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales. 

AED 321 for 50 ml.

Step 4 - Eye cream

So, until recently, I didn't understand what the big deal was behind using an eye cream. Doesn't your moisturizer cover your under-eye needs or whatever? But as always, you read one too many beauty blogs (story of my life) and there I was buying the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.

And of course, it works! The cream is quite thick with a slight green tinge (owing to the avocado) and it takes a while for it to absorb into the skin. So, allot absorption time if you plan to wear this during the day. 

You feel a burst of coolness under your eyes the minute you put it on which is a welcome surprise and overall, the skin under my eyes is now nicely hydrated and also brightened up, thanks to this one. Note that it is recommended for younger age groups as it doesn't have any anti-aging properties. 

Available in Kiehl's stores in Dubai Mall & Mercato, Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales. 

AED 150 for 28 ml.

And then I go to sleep! Let me know your night time routine and if there are any other awesome products you recommend.

Mona xo

Pub Quiz Roundup

I'm a BIG BIG (BIG) fan of pub quizzes. What's not to love - it's the perfect marriage of fun + competition + food & drinks, all of which are totally up my alley.

If you're not familiar with the pub quiz concept - JUST GO TO ONE ALREADY! :) Okay alright, this is how it works - your willing friends/family and you head to one of these places on a quiz night, get some food & drinks, answer some trivia, get into some friendly competitive arguments (or more), have fun and if you're good - win some prizes!

I've been to my share of pub quizzes in Dubai and thought I'd share some of my favorites. For the love of quizzes, here we go!

Sundays - The Stables 

This has to be one of the harder quizzes I've been to but nevertheless, entertaining! They give out prizes each round such as dinner or a bottle of wine etc and a final cash prize as well. You also get to keep Winston LeQuiz (the dinosaur mascot) with you if you win any round. If that's not enough for you to try this quiz, I don't know what is.

The Stables, Sheikh Zayed Road
Free entry. 7.30 PM onwards. 

Other quizzes on Sunday night: Girders at JA Ocean View Hotel, 7.30 PM onwards.

Mondays - McGettigans DWTC

Fun quiz - you can win brunch vouchers every week and take part in the finale quiz every month to win an iPad. They have some interesting rounds which they keep switching up - we once had a 'where in the world' round in which we were presented with names of airports and had to guess the country to which it belonged, proved more challenging that you would imagine it to be!

McGettigans, Dubai World Trade Centre
Free entry. 8 PM onwards. 

Other quizzes on Monday night: Carters at Wafi Pyramids or UBK at Movenpick JLT, both 8 PM onwards

Tuesdays - Fibber Magee's

This is my favorite-st quiz of them all - great atmospherem the quiz itself is so much fun and one of the easier ones in town. Apart from the usual rounds such as general knowledge and music, they also have a round where you have to guess movie posters and a craft round where either you are presented with clay or some sort of art supplies and have to make something related to a theme.

Some of our 'interesting' attempts at the craft round - themes were St. Patricks and gifts for Obama

An all around good time and it's ladies night on Tuesday, so ladies get 3 drink coupons for the night! It gets quite busy, so it's a good idea to get there before 7.30 PM to get a table.

Fibber Magee's, Sheikh Zayed Road
Free entry. 8.30 PM onwards.

Other quizzes on Tuesday night: McGettigans JLT, 8 PM onwards

Wednesday - The Underground

Hosted by Danny C and Ross MacDonald from Radio 1, this quiz is a toughie. The time we were there, it was quite sports heavy and we ended up crashing and burning quite a bit. However, it is the quiz for those who like a challenge and some great prizes such as brunch and more up for grabs!

The Underground, Al Habtoor Grand
Free entry. 8 PM onwards.

Other quizzes on Wednesday: Double Decker at Al Murooj Rotana, 8 PM onwards

And that brings me to the end of this roundup. So if you're looking to do something different on a weekday than just go to the movies or the mall, head down to one of these and have some fun. If you are a fellow pub quizzer, let me know if there's any I should try out!

Mona xo