If you’re living anywhere else in the world, you’d be waiting for Autumn to start to pull out your warmer outfits, like cozzy sweaters and stockings, as you say goodbye to beach season. But in the UAE and other Gulf countries, residents wait for September for the weather to cool down a bit to pull out their swimming trunks and picnic baskets to enjoy the great outdoors.
That being said, if you happen to be one of those residents, you’ll have a different checklist of items to carry in your bag or purse during the fall than someone who lives in Europe. So, before you head out, ensure these fall essentials are in your bag!
1. Sunscreen
Believe it or not, you will need sunblock in the fall more than you need it in the summer. Considering that you will be spending much more time outdoors in the sun, whether you’re going for a picnic, a stroll in the park, or a beach day (all activities that you would have avoided in the burning summer of the UAE), you will need to protect your skin from the dangerous sunrays.
Exposure to direct sunlight is known to be the number one cause of premature aging. Additionally, sun damage can lead to permanent problems that will become harder to fix in the long run. Keep a bottle of sunblock or sun-protecting lotion on you no matter where you are going, and don’t forget to re-apply throughout the day. If swimming, pat your face dry and re-apply after every swim.
Revel Beaute Sun Block Lotion SPF 30 – 200ml
This sunblock lotion by Revel is lightweight with an invisible finish, making it suitable for everyday wear. It is also hydrating and can be worn under makeup.
2. Lip Balm
Lip balm is essential all year round, especially during the dryer fall weather. Keep it on you for re-application during the day to keep your lips looking plum and soft.
Cetaphil Protective Lip Balm SPF 50
I highly recommend Cetaphil’s no-nonsense lip balm. Its lightweight formula is non-sticky and comfortable to wear. It also has SPF 50+, which protects your lips from the sun.
3. Hand Cream
I don’t know if you’re noticing a theme here thus far, but keeping yourself moisturized is essential. This includes your face, lips, and hands. Trust me, if carrying around your lotion bottle and moisturizing your entire body throughout the day was feasible, I would have recommended you do that, too.
Unfortunately, it’s not. But making sure your hands are always smooth and moisturized is feasible. This is why keeping a hand cream on you is essential.
EO Laboratorie Organic Deep Nourishing Hand Cream/Mask
This deep, nourishing hand cream does the job and smells good. It also gets bonus points for having fall-themed packaging.
4. Fall-Themed Fragrance
You cannot leave the house without perfume, no matter the season. A seasonal fragrance for fall will help set the mood for the season. Especially for those living in the UAE, while you might not be able to enjoy true fall weather to the fullest, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get in that fall spirit, and scents can help you do just that.
Vanilla and Patchouli are two notes that come to mind when I think of fall. They give a warm and cozy feeling, like a warm hug or a freshly baked cake. Keep in mind that fall is not yet winter, especially in the Gulf region. Therefore, while we opt for slightly warmer fragrances, we don’t want to go to the further extreme of the spectrum. This is why my favorite fall fragrance is this unisex perfume by Yves Saint Laurent.
YSL Tuxedo For Unisex EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yves Saint Laurent |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Chypre |
| Notes | Top Notes: Violet Leaf, Coriander, and Bergamot Middle Notes: Rose, Black Pepper, and Lily-of-the-Valley Base Notes: Patchouli, Ambergris, and Bourbon Vanilla |
| Release year | 2015 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Juliette Karagueuzoglou |
Tuxedo by YSL is a warm, comforting luxury fragrance ideal for Dubai’s autumn. The opening of violet leaf, coriander, and bergamot is fresh and spicy. The heart is a combination of rose, black pepper, and lily-of-the-valley, which adds softness to the perfume. When the scent dries down, you are left with a base of patchouli, ambergris, and a boozy Bourbon vanilla.
While Tuxedo would make an excellent fall signature fragrance, not everyone wants a 1,000 AED perfume for everyday wear. Worry not. Here is another option for an ideal fall perfume that won’t break your bank.
Holy Oud Le Rose EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Holy Oud |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Floral |
| Notes | Top Notes: Apple and Plum Middle Notes: Jasmine and Rose Base Notes: Patchouli, Dry Amber, Vanilla, and Musk |
| Release year | – |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Holy Oud |
Le Rose by Holy Oud is a unisex, long-lasting perfume. It opens with luscious notes of apple and plum, the heart is composed of soft jasmine and romantic rose notes, and the base is irresistible and warm with notes of patchouli, amber, vanilla, and musk.
This warm and soft perfume is ideal for everyday autumn wear and is reasonably priced. So before heading out, make sure it’s in your bag.
5. A Warm Scarf
Yes, the UAE doesn’t get extremely cold, even in fall and winter. But it does get slightly chilly, especially at night. This is why you should keep a scarf on hand to warm up when you feel that cool autumn breeze. This gorgeous blue and camel scarf by Next is stylish, fits the fall theme, and will keep you warm.
Other items you must always keep in your bag include tissues, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes for hygiene purposes. You should also always keep a power bank if your phone runs out of battery. You never know when there’s an emergency and need to use your phone.
V Perfumes has nearly everything you need for all seasons. Visit the website and get your essentials while they’re in stock.
