Life

There is nothing like a milestone to inspire a bit of introspection.

As luck would have it, every year I have a pair of them that land hand in hand. My birthday and the last day of the year are one and the same. So yes…I can always find a party to mark the occasion. But on a more profound level, I use the first few days of January to both take stock and write out goals for the new year.

I have found that writing out what you want can be a very powerful act. It grounds dreams in the real world, and it can help clarify what is important. Top on that list for me this year is health – mind, body and soul. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Emirates Woman is kicking 2026 off with a wellness issue. In fact, the health and wellness of women has, for generations, been sorely underexamined or talked about openly. This is why in this issue ,we take on a few topics that don’t get the wider attention they deserve. From understanding the impact of the menstrual cycle on a woman’s life (page 58) and the challenges of the “fourth trimester” of pregnancy (page 64) to just how crucial lots of sleep and a balanced circadian rhythm is for a woman’s wellbeing (page 60) – let’s get those conversations started. But beside the more deep think articles in this issue, we also have features designed to inspire. Like that of our cover star Jess Hunt, who, in just 5 years, has turned REFY – the beauty company she co-founded – into a global phenomenon. In the When Less Is More cover story (page 26), Hunt talks about entering her “founder era” as she launches her brand in the Middle East. Then there is our interview with Delphine Bellini, the always insightful CEO of Schiaparelli (page 38). And we have Dr Maya Shahsavari giving us the scoop on the latest trends in tweakments (page 80).

So start this year by remembering to “put the oxygen mask on yourself first”. It’s time to get educated about your personal health and wellbeing. You’re no good to anyone, until you are good to yourself.

Enjoy the issue.

Jessica’s to-do list:

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Photography: Greg Adamski