Beauty
Dubai-based fashion entrepreneur Rahil Hesan shares her morning to evening beauty routine.
Talk us through your morning routine.
My mornings begin with intention and calmness. I wake up for a morning prayer, after my prayer, I do yoga and start with deep breathing to ground myself. I drink warm water with lemon to hydrate and detox. Then
I go into my skincare ritual – gentle cleanser, a vitamin C serum, a cooling jade roller, and of course SPF. I keep my makeup minimal for the day: tinted moisturiser, brow gel, a bit of blush, and lip balm. Then I get dressed into something that makes me feel empowered – often, in one of my own designs.
How does your evening routine differ?
Evenings are more about winding down and repair. I double cleanse to remove every trace of the day, follow with a retinol serum or a nourishing oil, and sometimes a mask depending on my skin’s needs. I light a candle, journal for a few minutes, and disconnect from screens at least 30 minutes before bed. It’s my time to slow down and reflect.
What are your go-to skincare products?
I’m loyal to products that blend science and nature. Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum is my holy grail. I also love Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream and La Mer’s Eye Concentrate. For cleansing, I alternate between Elemis and Tata Harper depending on my skin’s mood.
Are you a fan of masks?
Absolutely. I consider them my skin’s little reset button. I use a clarifying clay mask once a week, and on days when I need hydration or glow, I opt for a sheet mask infused with collagen or rose essence.
How would you describe your approach to makeup?
Refined, feminine, and clean. I love enhancing natural features with a dewy finish, defined brows, soft matte lips, and extension of my mood, some days I’m a soft rose, and others, a power red.
What can always be found in your makeup bag?
A tinted lip balm in a dusty rose shade, a travel-sized highlighter, a brow brush, and a skin mist with neroli water. Also – a small handwritten quote I carry for strength. Beauty comes from within, and I like to be reminded of that.
Which fragrances are your current favourites?
Fragrance is my invisible armour. I’m deeply drawn to Bouquet from YSL, it’s opulent yet poetic. On lighter days, I wear Chanel Chance, and for evenings, Bvlgari-Le Gemme Yasep and Tom Ford Fabulous. They each tell a different story – just like every woman does.
Talk us through your hair routine.
I treat my hair like fabric – delicate, luxurious, and worthy of care. I cleanse with sulfate-free products, use a rosemary and mint scalp treatment weekly, and massage in argon oil to maintain shine. Most days, I wear it in soft waves or a polished low bun – timeless and elegant.
What is the most unusual item in your makeup bag?
A small rose quartz gua sha. it’s both functional and symbolic. It de-puffs, sculpts, and reminds me to breathe. Beauty isn’t just about how you look, it’s about how you feel in your own skin.
This is The Summer Escape Issue – where are you travelling to this summer and what’s in your beauty kit?
This summer, I’m escapingto the Italian coast. Positano and Capri, a dreamy contrast of sun, salt, and slow living. My beauty kit is tailored: mineral SPF, aloe-infused mist, tinted moisturiser, silk scrunchies, waterproof mascara, and a coral lip stain. Also, always a signature scent that lingers in the air like a memory.
The Hero Buys
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