I didn’t go into April with any big expectations, but I definitely had a feeling of wanting things to settle. After everything that happened in March, I think I was just craving some kind of calm. I wanted to get back into a routine properly, feel less on edge, and just feel like I could go about my day without that constant underlying tension. A tension that I didn’t realize was so bad until I stopped.

I also had that usual mindset of wanting to be productive again. When things feel a bit unsettled, everything kind of gets pushed slightly out of place, so I was hoping April would be the month where I got back on top of everything. Back into filming consistently, feeling organized, getting ahead with work rather than constantly catching up.

At the same time, I didn’t fully know how realistic that was going to be. I think there was a part of me that was still a bit in that mindset from March where you’re just taking things day by day. So it wasn’t like I had a clear plan of “this is exactly how the month is going to go,” it was more that I just hoped it would feel easier.

I also knew I had my London trip coming up mid April, which I was really looking forward to. More than anything, I think I was just excited to have a change of environment and get some proper rest. I didn’t realize how much I needed that until I started thinking about it.

So overall, I think my expectation was just a calmer, more normal month. Nothing major, just feeling like myself again.

I already had this trip booked to London mid April (which I booked before the war started) and I was really looking forward to it. I think more than anything I just wanted to reset my nervous system a bit and actually sleep properly. But then Bobby decided to book us a last-minute Easter weekend to London because my family were all off work, and I think it reached a point where we were both mentally drained so couldn’t really wait until mid April. We kept the mid April trip in place and this was basically a last minute impromptu trip.

That Easter weekend ended up being one of the best. It was just full of laughter, good food, and that kind of time where you’re not really doing anything major but it feels like everything. It reminded me how much I needed that kind of break without even realizing it. There was so much chocolate! I think one of the small rooms at my sister’s place is full of easter eggs. The food was great though. The boys took charge of the roast and the rest of us ate!

When I got back to Dubai, I had just under two weeks before heading back to London again for my original trip. So those two weeks were intense. I was filming non-stop for YouTube, editing, trying to get ahead, just fully in work mode.

Then I went back to London and spent the weekend at my mum and dad’s house, and honestly it was one of my favorite weekends. One of my sisters (Anita) stayed over, my brother Raj was coming in and out because he had plans, and even though nothing big happened, it felt really special. We spent a day in Windsor just walking around, stopping for food, ice cream, cafés, nothing planned, just being together. My other sister Raveena was in New York for work so she missed out lol.

The evenings were my favorite part. We turned the TV off, put our phones down, and just cooked, ate, talked, laughed, and had a drink. It sounds simple, but it’s those moments that stay with you. I don’t really share much about my family online, but they’re a huge part of me, and being with them like that just felt really grounding and exactly what I needed.

After that, I stayed at Raveena’s house for the rest of the week as soon as she got back from New York. My brother stayed with me, and Anita had to go back to her flat in London for work, so it was a bit of a split trip, but we always make it work.

I don’t know what it was, but as soon as I got to London, I was exhausted. Like fully exhausted. I couldn’t shake it. I was just tired all the time, even when I wasn’t doing much. The first couple of days at Raveena’s were of me setting up my laptop to work while she was at work but I don’t think I actually did much. I was shattered. I think it was the come down from the war. Mix in a bit of Perimenopause and you have a complete mess. We’ll dive into Perimenopause more next time!

I don’t think I realized how mentally tired I was from the war and how my body was reacting to relaxing. You don’t realize that you’re constantly on edge and your nervous system is shot. Near the last couple of days of my trip I started to feel normal again and realized how much I needed the break. I managed to catch up with work and do exactly what I planned to do.

Coming back to Dubai, things strangely felt more normal again. I don’t know if it’s just perspective shifting or things genuinely settling, but I’m not questioning it. It feels good, and I’m just going with it.

I did actually think about cancelling my second London trip since I had just been there for Easter. Bobby was in Kenya at the time, so part of me thought what’s the point of going again. But I’m so glad I didn’t cancel. I got more time with my family, made more memories, and it just ended up being one of those trips that meant more than I expected.

I also finally got my nanoblading top-up booked in. Actually, I didn’t even book it myself. My brow tech Arti saw my brows on a reel and basically told me to come in. I had been putting it off because of the whole aftercare situation where you can’t wet them or sweat for about 10 days, which is just inconvenient for me…especially with working out. But I needed the push.

I didn’t realize how much I needed it until she did them. I LOVE them. The only part I was trying to avoid is the healing phase because they look super dark at first, so just a warning, if you see me on YouTube or Instagram looking slightly more brow heavy than usual, that’s why.

I also had my long overdue Botox appointment. This month felt like a self maintenance month. I have my botox done twice a year and it works much better for me this way rather than more frequently. I also had my teeth cleaning which I kind of dread but also so glad once it’s done.

This month has been a bit inconsistent, mainly because of the travel. It sounds simple to just go to the gym wherever you are, but it’s not always that straightforward when you’re dealing with jet lag and not having access to a proper setup.

I did what I could at my sister’s home gym, but it definitely wasn’t my usual routine. Being so exhausted in London didn’t help either because I just didn’t have the energy for it. But once I got back home, I started easing back into it and I know I’ll be fully back on track now.

I don’t actually have a rant this month. Which feels quite nice to say. I think I’m just feeling really grateful for my family and everything in my life right now. That’s where my head is at, and I’m happy to leave it there.

I bought a jigsaw, which feels very on brand for my family at this point. There’s always one on the breakfast table at my Raveena’s house and I forgot how therapeutic it is. So now I’ve got one at home.

I also bought another pair of balloon pants. I got a black pair last year and wore them so much, so I picked up a dark brown pair as well.

And I bought a pair of wedge thong sandals that I’m obsessed with. They look really good with capri pants, which I’ve been wearing a lot more of lately.

I keep coming back to the idea of cutting my hair into a pixie and I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not. A few months ago I had a bixie, which is kind of that in-between length - a hybrid of a bob and pixie, and I really liked it. It felt fresh, it was easy to manage, and it just felt a bit different.

Now that it’s grown back into more of a bob, I feel like I want to go shorter again, but this time properly commit to it. The only thing holding me back is that moment after you’ve done it where you think…have I just made a mistake? I know how much I liked the shorter style before, but a full pixie is still a bit of a jump.

At the same time, I also feel like hair grows, and I’d rather try it than keep thinking about it. So I’m kind of on the fence right now. I need opinions because I know once I decide, I’ll just do it….so I need your thoughts below!

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I’m still on the hunt for a windbreaker and I can’t decide what direction to go in. I keep going back to the Saint Laurent one because it just looks really good and I know I’d love it, but then I have to be realistic with myself and ask how often I’d actually wear it. It’s one of those pieces that feels like a nice to have rather than something I’d reach for all the time.

Then there’s the COS one, which feels a lot more practical. It’s still nice, still feels put together, but it’s something I could throw on without overthinking it. I think I’m leaning more towards that kind of purchase at the moment, things that fit into my day-to-day rather than things that feel like a moment but don’t get worn enough. I need to go and try it on properly before I decide.

I’ve been loving the Rare Beauty True to Myself foundation. The coverage is really good, but it still looks like skin, which is exactly what I want right now.

The Medicube collagen night wrapping mask has also been so good. You wake up and your skin just looks better, smoother, more hydrated, just overall healthier.

I’m also loving blush at the moment. The Benefit Playtint blush is really good, it gives that soft, diffused look on the skin.

The Rhode caramelized banana peptide lip treatment is another favorite, and the Rhode Barrier Butter has been really helping my skin, especially using tretinoin regularly.

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I randomly downloaded The Cleaning Lady onto my iPad for the flights, not expecting much, just something to pass the time, and I ended up watching a whole season on one flight. It’s actually really good, but not in a way where you need to sit and fully focus on every detail.

It’s the kind of show you can watch while you’re doing something else, which I’ve realized I actually prefer at the moment. After everything being quite full on recently, I don’t always want something intense that I have to concentrate on. I just want something easy that still keeps me interested. I call this ‘background tv’.

April ended up being very different to what I expected, but in a good way. I think I went into it wanting calm and routine, and while I didn’t fully get that in the way I imagined, I got something else that I probably needed more.

Spending that time with my family reminded me how important those moments are and more importantly….how lucky I am that we all enjoy each other’s company. It’s easy to get caught up in work, routines, and everything else, but those slower, more present moments are what actually stay with you. It also made me realize how much I needed a bit of a reset, even if I didn’t fully recognize it at the time.

Coming back home to Dubai and feeling that sense of normality again has been so nice. I don’t take that for granted anymore. Even small things feeling normal again feels like a big shift compared to how things felt before.

Going into next month, I think my focus is just getting back into a proper rhythm. Being consistent with work, getting back into my routine properly, and just feeling more settled day to day. Nothing extreme, just that steady, balanced feeling again, which I think is what I’ve been wanting this whole time.

Until next month…

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It sounds ridiculous….but that’s the whole point.

If you saw that in a supermarket, you’d laugh and walk straight past it (well, most of us would). You wouldn’t even consider buying it. But when it comes to beauty, we accept this kind of thing all the time without really thinking about it. We see certain words, certain packaging, certain branding, and it feels more premium, more effective, more worth the price.

And most of the time, it has nothing to do with the actual ingredients.

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That’s what this campaign is calling out. The idea that pricing in beauty is often driven by perception rather than what’s actually inside the product. The branding, the language, the way something is positioned can increase the price massively, even if the formula itself doesn’t justify it.

I think what’s interesting is that this isn’t new. This has always been the case, and I think a lot of us know it, yet turn a blind eye. But the way they’ve explained it makes it very hard to ignore. When you compare it to something as basic as food, it becomes obvious how much we’re influenced by presentation.

If someone told you that banana had been clinically developed to enhance energy levels and overall vitality, it sounds like something different, even though it’s not. And that’s exactly how a lot of beauty is marketed.

This doesn’t mean expensive products are bad or that everything affordable is better. It just means price isn’t always the best indicator of quality. There are expensive products that are worth it, and there are others where you’re paying more for how it looks and how it’s positioned than what it actually does.

I think this is why more people are starting to question what they’re buying. You don’t automatically assume something is better just because it’s more expensive. You start looking at ingredients, at what the product is actually meant to do, and whether it fits into your routine.

The Ordinary has always positioned itself around that idea. Keeping things simple, focusing on ingredients, and stripping away the extra layers that make products feel more luxury than they actually are.

What this campaign does well is take something that could feel quite technical and make it very easy to understand. You don’t need to know anything about formulations to get the point. You just look at it and think…why would I pay that for something so basic? And then you start applying that same thinking to beauty.

I think the bigger takeaway isn’t that you should stop buying certain products. It’s just about being more aware. Understanding what you’re actually paying for, and not getting pulled in by words that sound good but don’t really mean much.

Once you see it like that, it becomes much easier to decide what’s actually worth it for you and what isn’t. Some food for thought.

The biggest shift I’ve noticed is that heavy, overly matte, or very full coverage formulas tend to work against you rather than for you. They can sit in lines, cling to dryness, and make the skin look flatter than it actually is. What tends to work better is foundation that moves with the skin, has a bit of flexibility to it, and gives some life back into the face rather than masking it.

These are the five that genuinely work, depending on what you’re looking for.

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In your 20s, most of your approach to beauty is based on trying things out. You follow trends, you buy what everyone is talking about, you layer products because you’ve seen someone else do it, and you don’t always question whether any of it actually suits you. Your skin can handle it, so you don’t always notice when something isn’t quite right. If a product doesn’t work, you move on quickly, and your routine ends up being a bit all over the place without you really realizing it.

In your 40s, that changes without you even trying. You become much more aware of your own skin, your own face, and what actually works for you. You stop looking at beauty as something you need to constantly change and start treating it as something you refine. That shift makes everything more effective, because you’re no longer guessing.

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You might start feeling more tired than usual, more irritable, more anxious, more puffy, more flat, less like yourself, and still be told things like…it’s just your age. And yes, age can play a part. But sometimes your hormones are actually off, and your body is trying to tell you that something has shifted.

The difficult part is that hormone changes don’t always show up in one obvious way. They can affect your sleep, your mood, your weight, your skin, your digestion, your energy, your periods, your focus, your libido, your appetite, and even how well you cope with normal daily life. And get this…it’s so spread out that it’s hard to even figure out if something is changing. A lot of women spend months or even years feeling not quite right without realizing that hormones may be the reason for a lot of it.

Once you’re in your 40s, it’s common for hormone patterns to start changing, even if you’re still having periods and even if your cycle looks fairly regular. This was the case for me. Perimenopause can begin years before menopause itself, and for a lot of women, this is when they start noticing that things feel different.

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And it’s frustrating, because it doesn’t make sense. You know you have options. You know you’ve bought things you like. Some of them are new, some are expensive, some you were excited about when you got them. But in that moment when you’re starting at your wardrobe, none of it feels right.

I’ve been there so many times, and it’s not because we actually don’t have anything to wear. It’s usually because we’ve lost sight of how to put things together in a way that feels easy.

I can only speak for myself…I’m not a stylist and don’t claim to know how to solve all your style dilemmas. But what I do know…is my own style dilemmas, and maybe while I figure out my own, it can help you too. A lot of the time, the problem starts with how we look at our wardrobe.

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Once it looks muddy, it can drag the whole face down.

The good news is that bronzer usually doesn’t look muddy because you’re bad at makeup. Most of the time, it can be fixed with a few tweaks, such as the shade, placement, formula, or how much product you’re using.

One of the biggest mistakes is using a bronzer that’s too cool or too grey-toned for what you’re actually trying to achieve. Bronzer is meant to create warmth, which is why it should have some life to it. If your bronzer looks flat, ashy, or like a stripe of dirt…the tone is probably wrong.

A good bronzer should look like your skin has naturally picked up some sun. It should add warmth without looking orange, but it also shouldn’t be so cool that it starts dulling the skin. That’s the balance you’re trying to find.

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Prada Beauty touch cream-to-powder soft blur longwear blush

Prada entering blush properly is a big moment, and they’ve gone straight into a hybrid formula rather than something traditional.

This is a cream-to-powder blush, which means it starts off with that soft, blendable cream texture and then sets down into a soft matte powder finish. The idea behind this type of formula is that you get the ease and flexibility of a cream when applying it, but the longevity and grip of a powder once it’s on the skin.

What stands out is the finish. It’s not dewy and it’s not flat matte either. It sits somewhere in the middle with a blurred, soft-focus effect that smooths the look of the skin rather than highlighting texture. It’s designed to look like a natural flush, but with a slightly diffused edge so it doesn’t look overly precise or heavy.

The formula is buildable, so it can be worn very sheer or layered up for more impact, and it’s designed to melt into the skin rather than sit on top of it. It’s also long-wearing, with up to 12-hour wear without needing to be set.

Another thing worth noting is how versatile this type of formula is. Cream-to-powder textures tend to work well across different skin types because they don’t stay tacky like creams, but they also don’t cling in the way some powders can. It’s also designed to be used beyond just the cheeks…lips and even eyes, which fits into that more minimal, multi-use approach to makeup.

Overall, this feels like Prada focusing on texture and finish rather than just pigment, which is very on brand for them.

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Anastasia Beverly Hills archibrow pencil

Anastasia has always been known for brows, so any new brow product from them is worth paying attention to.

The Archibrow pencil is designed to give a more structured but still natural brow. It sits somewhere between a traditional pencil and a more precise micro-pencil, depending on the version. The focus here is on control, being able to define the shape of the brow while still mimicking the look of natural hair.

The texture of Anastasia brow pencils tends to be slightly waxy rather than overly creamy, and that’s intentional. A waxier formula gives better grip on the skin and brow hairs, which helps the product stay in place and prevents it from smudging throughout the day.

What this kind of pencil does well is create structure. It’s ideal for shaping the brow, defining the arch, and filling in areas where there’s more sparseness, without the brow looking blocky or overdrawn.

Compared to pens or gels, pencils like this are more controlled. You can build gradually, adjust the shape, and keep everything looking soft. The finish is usually matte, which makes it look more realistic against natural brow hair.

This type of product is less about trend and more about consistency. It’s about getting a reliable, defined brow that still looks like your own.

Laura Mercier ultra blur translucent loose setting powder in Mint

Laura Mercier powders have always been known for setting makeup well, but this new shade in the Ultra Blur version is clearly focused on finish rather than just longevity.

The key difference here is the shade. The mint shade isn’t there to add color in the traditional sense, but to subtly neutralize redness and brighten the complexion. Mint tones are often used to counteract redness in the skin, so this version is targeting people who want a more even-looking base without adding extra layers of coverage.

The formula itself is lightweight and finely milled, which is what you want from a powder like this. Heavier powders can sit on the skin and make texture more obvious, whereas finely milled powders tend to melt in and create that soft-focus effect.

My thoughts…

These launches all point in a similar direction, which is interesting. There’s a clear focus on texture, finish, and how products sit on the skin, rather than just coverage or pigment. Blurred finishes, hybrid formulas, and products that work with the skin rather than sitting heavily on top of it are becoming more of a priority.

A lot of concealers look great for the first five minutes, then suddenly start doing the absolute most by lunchtime. Creasing, clinging to dryness, making the under-eye look heavier, or somehow managing to look both dry and shiny at the same time.

And the truth is, once you’re in your 40s, a good concealer isn’t just about coverage anymore. It has to work a little harder…it has to do a few things at once. It needs to brighten without looking obvious, smooth without going flat, blend easily without needing loads of work, and most importantly, it has to still look good a few hours later.

These are the five I think genuinely do that.

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I’ve been through phases of this myself, and I’ve tried a lot. Some things consistently, some things all at once, some things on their own just to see what was actually doing something. And if I’m honest, a lot of it didn’t make much of a difference…but some things did.

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What I’ve realized is that hair fall is rarely about one single product fixing everything. It’s usually a combination of small, consistent changes that start to add up over time. And it takes patience. That’s the part no one really talks about. You don’t use something for a week and suddenly see a difference. You have to stick with it long enough for your hair cycle to respond.

For me, the biggest shift came when I stopped jumping from one thing to another and started being consistent.

I focused on supporting my hair from the inside as well as the outside. That made a huge difference. Hair health is very connected to what’s going on internally…stress levels, nutrition, hormones. You can use the best products in the world, but if your body isn’t supported, you won’t see the full benefit.

At the same time, I paid attention to how I was treating my hair day to day. Things like how tightly I was tying it, how often I was heat styling, even how I was brushing it. Small habits you don’t think about can contribute more than you realize.

Healthy hair starts at the scalp, and if that’s not in a good place, growth becomes harder. Keeping the scalp clean, balanced, and not overloaded with heavy product made a noticeable difference over time. Not instantly, but gradually it did make a differnence.

Another thing I noticed is that shedding can come in waves. There were moments where I thought something wasn’t working because I was still seeing hair fall, but then a few weeks later I’d notice less shedding and more regrowth. You have to give it time to stabilize.

The products I’m sharing alongside this are the ones that actually made a difference for me. Not overnight, not dramatically, but consistently. They supported growth, reduced shedding, and most importantly, helped my hair feel stronger and healthier. I wasn’t using all of it at once but I realized that one serum worked more than another but it didn’t mean one didn’t work..it just meant that I clearly needed the stronger one.

If you’re going through it, just know you’re not the only one. It’s more common than people talk about, and it is something you can improve with the right approach.

It just takes consistency and a bit of patience.

You’ve probably stood in front of a mirror, looked at your skin and thought…am I warm? cool? neutral? Why does nothing seem to match properly? Why does one foundation look great in-store and completely off when I’m outside?

And then you start second guessing everything, because the closer you look, the more confused you become.

The issue is that most advice around undertone is either too vague or just not practical. If your skin tone sits somewhere in between undertones…which most people’s does, then it can feel even harder.

So let’s break it down properly, in a way that actually makes sense.

What undertone actually is

Your undertone is the subtle color that sits underneath your skin.

It doesn’t change with tanning, redness, breakouts, or surface color. It stays the same.

That’s why you can have fair skin with a warm undertone, or deeper skin with a cool undertone. Undertone is separate from how light or dark your skin is.

There are three main categories:

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You start applying your foundation and your heart drops…you start to see what resembles the residue from a school eraser when you start rubbing out pencil on paper. Your makeup is pilling. It’s incredibly hard to fix once it’s already happened. I’m sorry to say the fix comes from fixing your application.

Pilling is basically product sitting on top of product and not properly absorbing or binding to the skin. Instead of melting in, everything starts to roll and separate. Once you understand why it happens, it’s actually very easy to avoid.

1. Too much product build up

This is the most common reason. When you layer multiple skincare products… serums, moisturizers, SPF, and then go in with primer and foundation on top, you end up with too much sitting on the surface. The skin can only absorb so much. The rest just sits there waiting to move.

How to fix it: Use less. You don’t need as much as you think. Focus on one good serum, a suitable moisturizer, and SPF. Let your skin actually absorb what you’re applying instead of overloading it.

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This is where people get it wrong. They buy a random magnesium supplement thinking they’re all the same, then wonder why it doesn’t work or just ends up upsetting their stomach.

The truth is that the type of magnesium matters more than the dose. Some forms are well absorbed and support things like sleep and nervous system balance, while others are much cheaper and mostly used for digestion or as laxatives.

Once you understand the difference, it becomes much easier to choose the right one.

Why magnesium matters in the first place

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 processes in the body. It plays a role in muscle relaxation, energy production, blood sugar balance, nerve function, sleep quality, and hormone regulation.

The problem is that many people are mildly deficient without realizing it. Modern diets, stress, caffeine, alcohol, and even intense exercise can all deplete magnesium levels.

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The truth is, makeup transfer usually happens for a few simple reasons. Either the base hasn’t properly set, the formula is too emollient for your skin type, or there’s too much product sitting on the surface of the skin. Once fabric touches it, it lifts straight off.

The good news is that it’s actually very easy to prevent once you understand what’s causing it.

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Start with lighter layers

One of the biggest reasons makeup transfers is simply because there’s too much of it sitting on the skin. When base products are layered heavily, they don’t fully settle or bind to the skin.

Instead of applying one thick layer of foundation, apply thin layers and build only where you actually need coverage. This allows the product to meld into the skin instead of sitting on top of it.

A thinner layer always transfers less.

Choose formulas that set properly

Some foundations are naturally more emollient or dewy, which can look beautiful but also makes them more likely to transfer. If you find your base moving around easily, look for formulas that are described as long-wear, soft matte, or natural matte.

These types of formulas tend to grip the skin better and are less likely to move when fabric touches them.

It doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice glow, but it does mean choosing formulas that balance hydration with staying power.

Set the areas that touch clothing

You don’t necessarily need to powder your whole face, but the areas that come into contact with clothes should always be lightly set.

The jawline, the sides of the face, and under the chin are the most common transfer points. A light dusting of a finely milled setting powder in these areas can make a big difference.

You’re not trying to mattify the face completely. You’re simply locking the product in place where friction happens.

Press your base into the skin

Application technique also plays a role. If foundation is simply swept across the skin with a brush and left there, it’s more likely to move.

Pressing the product into the skin using a sponge or dense brush helps the foundation bind better. This step makes the base look more natural, but it also improves longevity and reduces transfer.

Think of it as pushing the product into the skin rather than letting it sit on top.

Finish with a setting spray

A good setting spray can make a noticeable difference in how makeup wears throughout the day. Once your base is finished, misting a setting spray over the skin helps fuse the layers together and reduce movement.

It acts almost like a seal, keeping the makeup from lifting when something touches your face.

Get dressed before finishing your makeup

This might sound obvious, but it’s one of the simplest solutions. If you’re wearing something that goes over your head, get dressed before finishing your base.

You can do your skincare, eye makeup, and lips first, then apply foundation after you’re already dressed. That way you completely remove the risk of transfer onto the neckline.

It’s a small habit that saves a lot of frustration.

Give your makeup a moment to settle

Makeup also needs a few minutes to settle into the skin. If you apply your base and immediately put on a scarf, coat, or high-neck top, the product hasn’t had time to set.

Let your makeup sit for five minutes before leaving the house. This gives the formulas time to bind to the skin properly.

Makeup that’s had time to settle is much less likely to move.

I see this all the time. It’s not about whether you suit eyeliner. It’s about how you’re applying it and the style you choose.

Here are the common mistakes that shrink the eye…and what to do instead.

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I went into March expecting it to be productive. I had momentum from February, I was excited about my fitness because I’m finally seeing real results, and I had a brand trip I was really looking forward to.

At the end of February, Dior invited me to London for the UK launch with Peter Philips for their newly reformulated foundation. I was genuinely so excited. Flights were booked, I’d already started planning content, thinking about outfits, everything.

I thought March was going to be one of those months where everything just flows.

It didn’t go anything like that.

On 28th February, everything changed.

Living in Dubai, we became collateral damage from what was happening between the US, Israel and Iran. The UAE defence forces and government have been incredible. Truly incredible. The level of protection we’ve witnessed has been something I don’t think you fully understand until you experience it.

But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been scary.

The sounds are unsettling. You hear things before you even see them. You feel it in your body. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel fear, because I have. My heart has been up and down depending on what’s happening around us.

At the same time, I also knew we were protected. And that’s the strange part. Both feelings exist together. You can feel fear and still feel safe. It took a few days for that trust to settle in properly. At first, it’s shock. Then it’s awareness. Then you start to understand how quickly things are being handled and you start to trust it.

The first week was the hardest. After that, it became something you learn to live around. Not normal, because there is nothing normal about it, but something your mind starts to process differently.

This month has taught me a lot….

Community is underrated. The way people here have checked in, supported each other, stayed connected…it’s been incredible. It also shows you very clearly who shows up and who doesn’t. That part has been eye-opening.

I’ve never experienced anything like this before. But strangely, it’s made me feel even more connected to Dubai. I’ve never really been patriotic, if I’m honest. Not even towards the UK but I don’t think that’s very surprising. But this has made me feel a deeper sense of gratitude and loyalty to this country. My home.

I knew Dubai was my place years ago when I first visited, before the Burj Khalifa was even built. I always knew I’d end up here. And now I know it was the right decision. I know that sounds weird considering what we’re going through but let me explain…

The leadership here puts people first. You don’t feel like an outsider. You don’t feel like an expat. You feel like you belong.

I had people messaging me at the start saying, “get a flight home asap!” And I remember thinking, this is my home. I don’t see the UK as home. I was born there, yes, but this is where my life is, and this is why my heart is.

I’ve appreciated the people who have checked in on us. I think when you you’re a content creator and still posting on Instagram, people assume everything must be fine. Like, “she’s still online so she must be okay.” But what a lot of people don’t understand is that life doesn’t just stop here. We can’t just sit in worry all day. Keeping some sense of normality is what helps us get through it.

That also doesn’t mean you’re okay all the time. It just means you’re trying.

And through all of this, I keep thinking about people in other countries who live like this constantly, and worse. It’s broadened my perspective so much.

I’m glad I kept going.

I’m glad I didn’t just stop everything and sit in fear, because it’s pretty easy to do that. I’m glad I carried on working, carried on with daily life, even on the days where I questioned what the point of anything was.

Because there were definitely days like that. When you don’t know what’s coming next, it’s hard to plan. It’s hard to think long-term. Everything becomes very day-by-day…literally!

But showing up, even in small ways, matters. And I’m still trying to do that.

The first week, I didn’t go to the gym at all. I was too anxious. I couldn’t focus, and it just didn’t feel right. Also because I had randome thoughts of worst case scenario’s…like something happening whilst I was in the gym and me being stuck with weights on top of me. You can laugh…I’m laughing even writing it out. But it was the kind of crazy stuff going through my head.

But over time, I went back to the gym. And fitness has actually helped me more than I expected. It gives me a sense of routine. It clears my mind. It makes things feel normal again, even if it’s just for an hour.

It sounds strange to say you “get used to it,” but in a way, your body adapts. Not to the situation itself, but to managing your response to it. And the gym has been a big part of that for me.

I’m honestly so fed up with the UK media and the way they talk about the UAE. It’s not even surprising anymore, but it is frustrating to read and watch, especially when you’re actually here living it.

The headlines are always the same tone. Negative, exaggerated, designed to provoke a reaction rather than reflect reality. And it’s not just about this situation…it’s a pattern. We’ve seen it before with other people and situations they’ve covered. It’s like they rely on creating a narrative rather than reporting what’s actually happening.

What really got me this time was seeing claims that people living here are being paid to say positive things about Dubai.

Do they genuinely think that in the middle of what’s been happening, with missiles and drones being intercepted above us, people are sitting here thinking, “let me take a paid job to pretend I feel safe”? It doesn’t even make sense.

The reality is, people here are speaking from their own experience. And my experience is that I feel protected. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. That doesn’t mean there’s no fear…of course there is. But both things can exist at the same time, and I think that’s what people outside don’t understand.

There’s also this constant need to paint Dubai in a certain way, like there must be something wrong with it if people are happy here. As if it’s not possible for a place to actually offer safety, opportunity, and a good quality of life.

This country has given people more than most places do. And I don’t just mean financially. I mean in terms of mindset, opportunity, and the way it makes you feel. It makes you believe you can actually build something for yourself. It makes you feel like you’re part of something, not just passing through and competing.

Even simple things like kids playing outside safely, people spending real time together, not everything revolving around alcohol or surface-level socialising…it’s a different way of living. And once you experience that, it’s very hard to look at things the same way again.

So when I see the UK media constantly trying to tear that down or question it, it just feels tired. It feels like they’ve already decided what they want the story to be, and they’re going to stick to it regardless of reality.

And the truth is, people who live here don’t need to be told how to feel about it.

We’re already living it.

My purchases this month have been very different.

We’ve been spending more time at home, so I bought a new book…Verity by Colleen Hoover. It’ll be my first book from her, so I’m looking forward to finally getting back into my “book of the month” routine.

I also bought a Lego set. But it’s actually been such a good way to switch off. Something simple, something to focus on that has nothing to do with what’s going on.

My diet hasn’t been great this month. There’s definitely been some emotional eating. Baking has been my way of coping, which is great for my mental health but not ideal for my health in general. That said, it’s not completely off track. I’m not eating junk…it’s more that I haven’t been as structured with my protein and routine as I usually am. I’m starting to bring that back in now.

One thing I keep thinking about is how situations like this always come back to power and ego, and how it’s never the people making those decisions who feel it the way ordinary people do.

It’s innocent people who live through it. People going about their normal lives, working, raising families, trying to build something for themselves, and then suddenly everything around them changes because of decisions they had no part in.

It’s a strange feeling to sit with. You realize how much of the world is shaped by people you’ll never meet, making decisions you have no control over, yet you’re the one living the impact of it in real time. And again, I can’t stress this enough…there are people in a far worse situation in places like Gaza, Lebanon, and many more places.

And it does make you question things in a grounded way. Why does it always come down to this? Why does it always end up affecting the people who are just trying to live their lives?

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I think I’m going to get another Lego set, maybe even a board game….or maybe a jigsaw puzzle.

At this point, anything that helps you disconnect for a bit is worth it. If you have any recommendations, let me know.

I’ve been loving the Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick. It’s just easy. It blends well, looks natural, and works quickly, which is what I need right now.

The new Dior Forever reformulated foundation is also incredible. The finish is exactly what I want, skin-like, fresh, but still long-wearing. It looks flawless without feeling heavy and it stays put throughout the day.

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I’ve actually watched quite a lot this month.

Bridgerton got me through the first week. It was the kind of easy, comforting watch I needed.

I’m also watching Paradise, which I’m really enjoying.

And Madison, the new Taylor Sheridan show, is so good. Definitely a must watch.

So, March didn’t go how I expected it to.

But it’s been one of those months that shifts something in you. It’s made me more aware, more grateful, and more present. It’s shown me what matters, who matters, and what I can actually handle when I have to.

Right now, it’s still about taking things one day at a time. That hasn’t changed.

But I’m still here. Still showing up. Still trying.

Until next month…

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When you’re younger, it’s so easy to believe that the glow up is all about how you look. Better skin, better makeup, better hair, a better wardrobe, maybe even just feeling more put together than you used to. And don’t get me wrong, I do think a lot of women look better in their 40s than they did in their 20s…I know it’s true for me. I actually think that’s very common. But I don’t think it’s because they’ve suddenly cracked some beauty code. I think it’s because by this point, a lot of us know ourselves better.

You stop trying to be every version of yourself all at once. You stop dressing for who you think you should be. You stop copying things just because they looked good on someone else. You start understanding what actually suits you, what feels like you, what works for your life, and what was never really meant for you in the first place. That alone changes a lot.

But if I’m being honest, the biggest glow up I’ve experienced in my 40s has had very little to do with beauty.

It’s been the internal stuff. It’s been learning what drains me and actually taking it seriously. It’s been becoming more aware of what doesn’t feel right, and not brushing past it the way I maybe would have years ago. It’s been understanding that peace, energy, and emotional stability are not nice to have things, they’re actually a huge part of quality of life.

I think when you’re younger, you tolerate a lot more than you realize. More people, more noise, more pressure, more situations that don’t really suit you. You say yes when you mean no…I’m still working on that part! You keep friendships out of history or guilt. You over explain yourself. You try to keep everyone comfortable even if it comes at your own expense. And because it becomes so normal, you don’t even always realize how much of yourself you’re giving away in the process. Before you know it, you’re someone that’s not really you.

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Then somewhere along the way, that starts to shift. You begin to realize that not everything deserves access to you. Not every invitation needs a yes. Not every friendship needs to be carried forever. Not every opportunity is actually aligned. And not every version of success is worth chasing if it comes at the cost of your peace.

That, to me, has been the real glow up. It’s not just that I’ve become more selective. It’s that I’ve become more honest. More honest about what I like, what I don’t, what I need, what I’ve outgrown, and what I no longer want to make excuses for.

And I actually think that changes the way you look too.

You can always tell when someone is more settled in themselves. There’s a calmness to them. They’re not trying so hard. They’re not forcing everything. They’re not chasing every room, every trend, every person, every bit of outside validation. They just seem more comfortable in their own skin. And to me, that kind of confidence is so much more attractive than trying to look younger.

I also think your 40s make you more aware of time in a very real way. Not in a scary way, but in a clarifying way. You start to realize your energy is valuable. Your time is valuable. Your attention is valuable. And once you really understand that, you naturally become more protective over what gets access to you.

That can look like smaller things too. It can look like not wanting to spend your evenings doing things you don’t enjoy. It can look like not forcing yourself into social situations that leave you drained. It can look like pulling away from people who bring stress into your life. It can look like finally admitting that some things you used to tolerate are no longer worth it.

That kind of self awareness is such a gift, and I don’t think people talk about it enough when they talk about getting older.

Because yes, beauty evolves. Style evolves. Your face changes. Your skin changes. Of course all of that is part of it. But I really do think the women who seem to glow the most in their 40s are often the ones who have become more themselves, not less. The ones who have stopped performing. The ones who have become more grounded. The ones who are no longer trying to live a life that looks right from the outside if it doesn’t actually feel right on the inside.

And that’s probably why your 40s can feel so unexpectedly powerful. Because by this point, you start to understand that the real glow up was never just about appearance. It was about becoming more solid in yourself. More selective. More honest. More peaceful. More aware of what actually matters.

And once that starts happening, everything else tends to fall into place a lot more naturally.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot recently. About why so many of us are still here, and why the answer feels so obvious to those of us who live here, but so confusing to people on the outside.

It comes down to one thing….this is home. But it’s a bit more complex.

Unless you’ve built a real life here, it’s very hard to explain to someone. Because from the outside, people still talk about Dubai like it’s somewhere people pass through, like it’s temporary and we’re coming ‘home’ after a few years. Somewhere people come to ‘make money’ or ‘have an influencer lifestyle’ and then eventually move on. But for so many of us, that’s not the reality at all.

Dubai is full of people from all over the world. Different backgrounds, religions, cultures and different reasons for coming here in the first place. Some people came here for work, some for opportunity, some for safety, some for a fresh start, some because they wanted a better life for their children. And a lot of people came thinking it would just be for a few years, and then before they knew it, they built an entire life here.

I think that’s part of what makes this place so unique. So many of us arrived here from completely different parts of the world, but the thing we all have in common is that we came here to build something. I’m not just talking about careers or businesses…but actual lives. Real lives. The kind of lives made up of routines, friendships, favorite places, support systems, pets, habits, comfort, familiarity, and all the small things that slowly make somewhere feel like yours. Like it was tailor made for you.

That’s why when people say things like ‘why don’t you just leave?’ it doesn’t land in the way they think it does. Because in my head, I’m thinking…leave and go where?! Back to where I was born? Back to a country I don’t even feel emotionally connected to anymore? Back to a place where my actual day-to-day life no longer exists? Back to somewhere that isn’t my home?

This is home.

That’s the part I think people who don’t live here don’t really understand. Home isn’t always where you’re from. Sometimes it’s the place that has held the biggest part of your adult life. The place where you’ve grown the most, changed the most, and become the most yourself..or even become the best version of yourself. The place where you’ve built your routines, your relationships, your work, your comfort, your future.

And Dubai has been that for so many of us.

It’s also a place that changes you in ways that are hard to explain until you’ve lived here for a while. Your mindset shifts completely.

When you live somewhere that places such a strong emphasis on safety, respect, ambition, discipline, family, order, and community, it starts to affect you too. You begin to move through life differently and adopt those traits for your own life. You stop taking certain things for granted. You become more aware of how valuable peace actually is. You start to realize how much your environment affects the kind of person you become.

And I think that’s one of the biggest reasons so many people feel more emotionally connected to this place than they ever expected to feel.

I think for a lot of us, this country has given us a version of life we didn’t fully have before…I don’t even think we knew it existed. I’m talking about the way life feels here. It feels calmer, safer, more hopeful, and more stable. It feels like a place where your effort has an actual outcome…where your life doesn’t constantly feel like it’s being chipped away at by stress, negativity or disorder.

I genuinely feel that this matters more than people realize, and it also teaches you things.

Living here quietly educates you. The culture here, the morals, values, the way the country is led…it all teaches you something if you’re paying attention.

It teaches you that leadership matters. It teaches you that when a country genuinely prioritizes the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the people living in it, you feel it in your daily life…it filters down. It teaches you that peace is not something to take lightly. It teaches you that family, community, respect and order are not ‘old fashioned’ values, they’re actually the things that hold life together.

And over time, that starts to influence the way you think and live too. You become more appreciative, more respectful, more aware of what really matters. You start valuing things differently, and you stop being impressed by chaos disguised as freedom. You stop thinking stress is normal, and you stop glorifying dysfunction.

And I think for a lot of people like me, the shift is huge, especially those of us who came from countries where things frequently felt negative, unstable, unsafe or just emotionally draining.

When you live somewhere that feels aligned with the kind of life you actually want, it’s pretty hard to unsee that. And I think that’s why this time has made a lot of us feel even more connected to Dubai, not less.

Because when something unsettling happens, you really see the true character of a place. You see how it responds, You see what the leadership does, You see how people treat one another and you see how the community shows up.

And that’s something I’ve really felt here, and appreciate more now than I ever have.

You feel how connected people actually are. You see how quickly people start checking in on each other, messaging, updating, making sure everyone is okay. You realize how many people here have become chosen family to one another. That’s a very real part of Dubai life that doesn’t get enough credit.

I think when so many people live away from where they were born, community becomes more intentional. You don’t always have family around the corner, so friendships become much deeper. People become your support system in a very real way. And I think that’s another reason why people here feel so emotionally tied to this place, because so much of the life we’ve built here is deeply personal.

Theres the woman who moved here alone and built a business from scratch. The family who came here for a better quality of life. The couple who thought they’d stay for two years and are now ten years in. The person who left a version of life behind that no longer felt right and found something better here. The couple that moved here to prioritize each other. The person who wants to earn more money to send back home. The family who came here with savings, lost it all and built it back up again. There is someone from every walk of life here trying to make a better life.

That is the real Dubai.

Not the version people post when they’re here for three days. Not the weekend millionaires who live paycheck to paycheck, living only for the weekend brunches. Not the version people mock from the outside because they don’t understand it. The real version is much quieter than that, but much more meaningful.

It’s in the routine, the familiarity, the order, the comfort, and the ambition. The way this city holds your life together without demanding that it constantly be chaotic still amazes me. It’s a place that gives you room to build. It makes you feel like maybe life can actually be good without always being so hard at the same time.

And maybe that’s another reason why so many of us have stayed. We’re not pretending things haven’t felt unsettling. Of course it’s been unsettling. Of course we feel fear…we’re human! Even when you have full faith in the UAE defence forces, you’re still human. Your mind still reacts. We’re not disconnected from reality. But when you love where you live, when you trust the place you call home, and when a country has shown you over time that it really does follow through on taking care of its people, your instinct isn’t to run. It’s to support the place and people supporting us. It’s a sense of protection you feel for your home.

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I’m pretty sure you’ve gathered by now…we truly love this country. Because despite everything, most of us are still here and have no real intention of leaving unless we’re physically forced to. And that says a lot.

I can pretty much guarantee that for the past month, like me…most people living in the UAE haven’t been sleeping properly. You hear a sound and pause for a second. Was that thunder, the trash truck, or was that something else? You notice the night more than you used to, because everything feels louder, more unsettling, and somehow heavier after dark.

Your priorities also shift very quickly. Things that felt important a few weeks ago suddenly feel completely irrelevant. Petty worries, minor stress, all the things that usually take up a bit of space in your mind, they just don’t hit the same when your nervous system is focused on safety, calm, and the people you love. And even with all of that, people are staying put. Still getting up, still working, still trying to keep life moving, because when somewhere really feels like home, your instinct is to hold onto it…not run from it.

This is the version of Dubai I wish more people knew about.

So I thought I’d start sharing a simple beauty update every now and again with products that have recently caught my attention. Not everything will be perfect, but these are the ones worth talking about right now.

Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm

This one is interesting because it sits somewhere between makeup, complexion and sculpting. The Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm is essentially a soft matte balm that gives a very diffused finish to the skin. It blurs texture and softens the look of pores, which makes the skin look smoother without looking heavy.

What I really like about it is that you can play with the shade depth. If you pick a slightly deeper tone than your skin, it works beautifully for sculpting and adding subtle dimension to the face. It doesn’t look like traditional contour. Instead, it gives a soft shadow effect that blends into the skin very naturally…think, effortless contour.

The finish is velvety but still skin-like. It’s not chalky and it doesn’t sit on top of the skin the way some matte products do. I’ve found it works best when applied lightly and blended well, especially around the cheekbones or temples where you want gentle shaping rather than obvious contour.

Dior Forever Skin Wear Foundation

Dior has reformulated the Forever Skin Wear Foundation and I have to say, I absolutely love the new version.

The first thing I noticed is how skin-like it looks. It gives coverage, but it doesn’t look like coverage. The finish sits in that perfect place where your skin still looks like skin, just smoother, more even and a little more refined. That’s exactly what I look for in a foundation, especially now.

The longevity is also excellent. Once it’s on, it really stays on. It holds up through the day without separating or breaking apart, and it doesn’t start looking heavy as the hours go by. That’s something I always pay attention to because a foundation can look great for the first two hours but then completely change later in the day.

This one stays consistent. It wears well, it looks natural, and it gives that polished finish without feeling like you’re wearing a mask.

Saie Beauty SuperSuede Radiant Baked Bronzer

Saie launched their SuperSuede Radiant Baked Bronzer and the texture is beautiful. It has that baked formula that gives you a soft glow without looking glittery or overly shiny.

The finish is radiant in a very subtle way. It adds warmth and dimension to the face but still looks refined. I like bronzers that enhance the skin rather than sitting on top of it, and this one blends easily and melts into the complexion.

The only downside I’ve noticed is that there’s quite a bit of product fallout when your brush hits the pan. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s something you’ll notice when you first start using it. Once it’s on the skin though, it performs really nicely and gives that soft bronzed look without looking muddy.

Ilia Beauty Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss

Ilia’s Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss is exactly what the name suggests. It’s a very comfortable, hydrating gloss that gives a glassy finish without feeling thick or sticky.

The texture is what makes it stand out. It feels more like a lip treatment than a traditional gloss. Your lips feel moisturized while wearing it rather than coated in something heavy. That makes it easy to reapply through the day without your lips feeling overloaded.

The shine is beautiful but still wearable. It catches the light nicely without looking overly glossy, which means it works just as well over a lip liner as it does on its own.

If you like the idea of a gloss that gives shine but still feels nourishing on the lips, this one does exactly that.

These are the products that have stood out to me recently. Some of them I already know will become staples, and some I’m still continuing to test. Either way, it’s always interesting to see how formulas evolve and what brands are bringing out next. Have you tried anything new? Let me know in the comments!

It’s this slow, steady shift in what you tolerate, what you want, how you spend your time, and who gets access to you.

For a lot of women, 40 is when the noise starts to drop. You still have responsibilities, you still have goals, you still care. But you stop living like everyone else’s opinion is your top priority.

You stop performing for the world

In your 20s and 30s, there can be a lot of pressure to be on. To be agreeable, fun, available, and to be impressive. To basically be the version of yourself that goes down well in a room.

After 40, you start realizing how exhausting that is…because you’ve lived enough life to know that approval is a moving target. You just never seem to get it. You can do everything right and still not be liked by certain people. You start asking yourself simple questions…Do I even like this person’s taste? Do we even like the same things? Do I even like this person?! Because if you don’t…why are you trying to win their approval?

And that’s when you feel this shift that you’re not trying to be liked by everyone anymore. You’re trying to be true to yourself.

Your time starts to feel expensive

I don’t mean expensive like money…I mean limited.

Even if you’re someone who loves socializing, you start becoming more selective. You don’t want to spend your evening making small talk with people you wouldn’t call.

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