Okhtein’s Mounaz Abdel Raouf On Bad Hair Day Secrets And Her Thoughts On Injectables
Discover the secrets of the co-founder’s beauty routine, as she lets us in on her go-to supermarket shampoo and the recipe for her homemade hair mask…
MAKE-UP & FRAGRANCE
Favourite make-up brand: YSL Beauty for all the bold colours and amazing quality.
Favourite foundation and concealer: I love Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Valencia (Dhs235) and their Radiant Creamy Concealer in Toffee (Dhs165) because it feels like I’m wearing nothing and my skin can breathe.
Go-to lip colour: Red because I love a statement lip. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick (Dhs195) in Rhythm Red is super-creamy and moisturising and gives me the bold look I’m after.
Mascara: Le Volume De Chanel (Dhs175) thickens without being clumpy.
Signature scent: Juliette Has a Gun Vanilla Vibes (Dhs553) transports me to the beach.
Juliette Has a Gun Vanilla Vibes, Dhs533, ounass.ae
HAIR
Go-to hairstylist: Issac Poleon, based in London. He has extensive experience, amazing skills and I can trust I’ll always get that cool look.
Hair schedule: I stick with my natural hair colour but change my style every time I go in for a cut. Treatments: I like to make all-natural hair-protein masks that involve whisking up one egg, a tablespoon of mayonnaise and a tablespoon of olive oil.
I’ll apply it to dry hair and leave on for 15-20 minutes. I always rinse off with cold water so the egg doesn’t smell and washes off easily.
Styling secret: Kérastase Resistance Sérum Thérapiste (Dhs226) smells amazing, it helps to repair damaged strands and my hair always feels soft after using it. Favourite products: OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Shampoo (6. Dhs35) has the most amazing coconut fragrance that I love. Bad hair day secret: I go with the wet-hair look.
Kérastase Resistance Sérum Thérapiste, Dhs226, sephora.ae
Off-duty hair: Wet bun, it’s easy and chic.
SKIN & BODY
Routine: Once a week I use SkinResource.MD Zinc and Sulphur mask (Dhs66) and two-to-three times per week I scrub with Sesderma Mandelac Scrub (Dhs71).
My daily routine is comprised of La Roche-Posay Effacler Gel Face Wash (Dhs55) followed by Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater (Dhs51), then I’ll apply Sesderma Hidraderm Trx Gel Cream (Dhs300), Sesderma Retises 1% Nutritive Cream (Dhs125) and Sesderma Hidraderm Hyal Facial Cream (Dhs150).
I’ll follow the same steps at night but will seal with a good leave-on mask.
Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater, Dhs100, amazon.ae
Go-to product for skin emergencies:
Vaseline: An old-school product which gives the best results.
Flight essentials: Beesline Lip Care (Dhs13).
Manicure: I go for nudes, usually Orly Nail Lacquer in Country Club Khaki (Dhs47) at Nour Nails by Nour Shehade with my sister.
Orly Nail Lacquer in Country Club Khaki, Dhs40, amazon.ae
Sun cream: Eucerin Sun Dry Touch SPF50 (Dhs88) sinks into my skin as soon as I apply it so it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing anything.
INTERVENTION
Attitude to injectables: If I feel I need them I will go for it – I’m pro doing whatever makes me happy.
Cosmetic dermatologist: Dr. Shadan Naji, the same as Aya.
DIET & FITNESS
Go-to-snack: Almonds. Breakfast: Greek yoghurt and granola or porridge oats with dates and bananas.
Favourite workout: I work out daily – either HIIT, Pilates or yoga.
Beverage: A great iced coffee with caramel sauce and lots of whipped cream.
From Harpers Bazaar Arabia July-August 2021 Issue