Shopaholics Dubai

A couple of months ago, before DSF started, I was looking for a new wallet to buy and spotted the then new Tory Burch Robinson collection. I then fell in love with the purple wallet. I've never bought a designer wallet before, and I wanted this one to be my first. The story of behind the purchase, however, got me thinking about future designer purchases. More after the jump.

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Contrary to popular belief, shopping is not only about buying clothes, shoes and make-up, and neither is this blog. Whilst I love buying shoes and bags (and new nail polish colours), what I love even more is buying gadgets and apps; I'm a techie at heart.

I've invested a significant amount into my iTunes account, and mostly on apps (I've made ocassional purchase of music from up & coming artists without a record label that deserve my money). There are plenty of awesome free apps available (some of my faves are Instagram, Flipboard, Evernote and MyFitnessPal), but there are some apps that are really worth buying because the free stuff doesn't cut it. I've bought my share of silly apps (like Voices and Aging Booth), but this list is made up of apps that I bought and have been using frequently for a while now (some longer than others). Check them out after the jump!

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I went to Global Village a few weeks ago; I hadn't gone in a couple of years so I wanted to check out the different country pavilions for anything out there worth buying. Even thought it's more or less the same stuff as previous years, a shopaholic always manages to find something to buy! Check out my finds and buys after the jump!

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[Neelofer and Nagham] We signed up for Glambox Middle East and here's what we thought of January's arrival.

(For product verdicts, scroll all the way down)

The Anticipation

[Neelofer] When I heard about Glambox being launched in this region, I was ecstatic. The concept of a beauty products filled box at a fixed price is huge in the US and Europe. So when I knew about a local version, I immediately signed up for a subscription and told all my friends (who also signed up). I, along with others had to wait for over a month (I signed up in the first week of Dec).

[Nagham] I was excited about the idea of getting a surprise gift every month- I shouldn't have to wait for someone to give me presents, right? Also, I'd heard good things about similar programs abroad, and with Neelofer's encouragement, I decided to sign up too.

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Click here to download:

review-our-first-glambox-fudrbpqHexsbGvzavGcq.zip (7.28 MB)

The Arrival

[Neelofer] When I finally received it (the wait was agonizing, I tell you) it was a bit disappointing. And I'll tell you why. The US/Europe versions of the 'samples' are full sized  products- not one or two but all products that you receive are of full size. So with that expectation when I opened my Glambox, I was taken aback with the miniature versions of the products save for one lipstick. Prior to subscribing, I read on Glambox ME's site that the products are generously sized/deluxe samples. Perhaps, I expected too much? Or perhaps I got used to the US version?

[Nagham] I was getting impatient with delivery too, but it was nice of Glambox to have it hand-delivered to me by one of the company's investers. Nonetheless, I was kind of surprised at the sizes too. When I read 'deluxe' samples, I thought they would be similar in size to the Clinique stuff I get whenever I buy my cleansers, but instead they turned out to be the same size as testers you can get from the store. I can understand how the perfume came in that size though- it is a very expensive one.

[Neelofer] I was disappointed further when I found out that the lipstick was damaged- there was a proper dent caused by a fingernail and a dash of a thumb print on it (see pics). I'm not using it anyway because I don't like the color (not a pink color fan) but to receive a damaged piece is a bit too much, don't you think? I did alert Glambox on this and they apologized but did not offer to replace (as their website states). Also, they are quite helpful in answering your queries and following up (thanks Marc).

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Click here to download:

review-our-first-glambox-nirBJnwywxgAxbrsxldz.zip (424 KB)

Unboxing January's Glambox- product verdicts

The products that were in the box were:

1. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Peony 
2. (bonus product) Elizabeth Arden All Gone Makeup Remover
3. Kiehl's Creme De Corps
4. Lancome's Visionnaire Skin Corrector
5. Mon Parfum by M Micallef

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review-our-first-glambox-HwyBjfzaEpcsojpwtqJm.zip (8.2 MB)

[Neelofer] So out of all the products, I like the Elizabeth Arden's All Gone Eye and Lip Makeup Remover. Anything from eyeliner to eye shadows comes off easily, so there's no rubbing and tugging the eye area.

[Nagham] I have a Clinique oil-based eye make-up remove that's similar to the Elizabeth Arden one, that is a lot more effective, so I wouldn't really buy this in the future. (Note: I didn't buy the Clinique one either- it was a deluxe sample). I will always go with Olay's make-up remover because that's what my mum's been using for over 13 years and she looks gorgeous.

The lipstick is lovely but the colour tends to fade (trade-off for the moisturising element); I'd rather get it in lip gloss or tinted lip balm form instead.

The perfume is amazing and I would totally buy it. It's exquisite! This one would be the one I'd get out of all the products.

Predictions for the next Glambox:

[Neelofer] I have a hunch that the next Glambox will have a hair colorant in it- if Glambox is reading this, please don't include it in my box! I would like something else instead.

[Nagham] I +1 Neelofer on that one! I hope a coloured eye liner or mascara pops up. I love trying new ones out.

I made a few trips to the malls during DSF, and to be honest, I didn't find much worth buying or covering on the blog. All the shops had a sale, and the discounted stuff wasn't anything special or worth buying- I actually tended to drift towards the new collections. Also, I'll never understand why women feel the need to toss sale items around like they're junk- sale or no sale, please treat clothes right! 

Aside from a couple of rings from Accessorize, I managed to come out with two pairs of shoes that I have had on my list of things to buy for a while now. And I found both in the unlikeliest of places- more on that after the jump!

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Just got this fab alert in the email. Aura B has a sale on the 13th and 14th of Jan, 2012 where you get 20% off. Enter the code: JAN1320P at checkout. They also have things for men and the house.

I've always had my heart set on this Kahramana necklace. Nagham- what's your pick?

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sale-aura-b-disuFqlwfDnvymIHjspz.zip (64 KB)

Mark your calendars. Zadig & Voltaire are clearing out on 5th and 6th Jan for the new stock, which means you can stock up on those pieces you have been eyeing without breaking the bank.

Zadig & Voltaire is available at Galeries La Fayette and also have a stand alone store in the Fashion Avenue both located in Dubai Mall.

We'll be there. Will you?