Beauty shopping in Middle East
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Paris Gallery
The best branch of the UAE's most popular beauty chain stocks an enormous range of international perfumes and cosmetics, handbags and accessories. There's also a Comfort Zone spa, a Perfume Cocktail Bar where you can have your own perfumes mixed, and a chocolate, coffee shop and juice bar. Sales staff can be pushy but they give discounts, and regular promotions mean there's always something extra dropped into your shopping bag.
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Ajmal
The place for traditional Arabian attars (perfumes and essential oils), Ajmal custom blends its earthy scents and pours them into fancy gold or jewel-encrusted bottles. These aren’t fancy French colognes – they’re woody and pungent perfumes. Ask for ‘Rageeb’, a sandalwood-based scent (Dh200). Other branches are in Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall.
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Pixi
Sweden-born Petra Strand’s fab make-up line will have you done up and ready for the red-carpet in no time – even after a night on the town. Try the eye zone brightener, the flawless beauty primer and the sheer cheek gel, all prettily packaged, making lovely gifts or satisfying your pampering needs.
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Uzi Eli
An organic drink and medicine stall with an enthusiastic owner who will give you a spritz of citron treatment on your face whether you want it or not. His treatments are based on Yemenite traditional medicine and methods developed by the 12th-century Spanish doctor Rambam.
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Mikyajy
You feel like you’re walking into a candy gift-box at tiny Mikyajy, the Gulf’s home-grown make-up brand. Developed to suit the colouring of Middle Eastern women, it’s now also popular with foreigners who appreciate vibrant colours like turquoise and tangerine.
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New Souq
In the adjacent New Souq look out for Al-Haramain Perfumes. The elaborate bottles alone are temptation enough to enter the shop, and being daubed in exotic musk and ambergris is one of Arabia's great experiences.
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Amouage
It sells the most expensive (and exquisite) perfume in the world, produced from frankincense, musk and other exotic ingredients in premises near Rusayl. You'll find the ultimate Arabian gift here.
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Al-Joubaili Soap Factory
Noses are set twitching by the fragrant smells emanating from Al-Joubaili Soap Factory, ages old and still producing soaps the traditional way using olive oil and bay laurel.
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Khan as-Saboun
Exploring the old souqs is the best way to shop in Tripoli. For traditional handmade soap, head to Khan as-Saboun. Note that many shops in the souqs close on Friday.
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Ajmal
The place for traditional Arabian perfumes, Ajmal caters to well-heeled Emirati women. The fancy jewel-encrusted bottles are as impressive as the scents.
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Barber
For a total 'makeover', male travellers might fancy a trip to the barber, where for less than US$1 you'll get a closer-than-close shave and a hair snip.
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Spice Bazaar
The spice bazaar has a few shops still selling herbal remedies and natural perfumes.
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