The Big Beauti-List: 9 Things To Do This May

The Rundown
Set along the coastline at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Pause Together is designed as a shared spa experience that extends far beyond the treatment room. Available Monday to Friday, guests can choose between two 60-minute massages or holistic facials, enhanced by a complimentary Fans of MO treatment addition, before spending the day across the resort’s wellness spaces, including the spa, fitness centre, pool and private beach.

Priced at AED 1,250 per couple on weekdays and AED 1,450 on weekends, the experience offers a full-day reset in a calm, ocean-facing setting. Treatments can be extended to 90 minutes for an additional AED 300 per couple, making it an easy way to turn a simple appointment into a slower, more considered day.

Why We Love It
A proper pause, designed to be shared at one of our favourite spas in the region.

Beautilist Tips
Book midweek for the lower rate.
Extend to 90 minutes if you can, it’s worth it!
Stay for the full day, that’s where the value sits.

Details
Dates: Until Sunday 31st May 2026
Location: Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Price: AED 1,250 per couple (weekdays), AED 1,450 (weekends)

The Rundown
From Thursday 1st and now extended to Sunday 31st May, Dubai Restaurant Week returns with over 125 restaurants offering curated set menus at accessible prices. Spanning neighbourhood favourites and some of the city’s most sought-after tables, it’s a rare moment to explore more of Dubai’s dining scene without the usual commitment.

With menus starting from AED 125, it’s designed for everything from long lunches to midweek dinners. Whether you’re discovering somewhere new or revisiting a favourite, this is one of the easiest ways to experience the city, for less.

Why We Love It
A chance to try the places you’ve been meaning to book, without overthinking it.

Beautilist Tips
Book early, the best tables go quickly.
Opt for lunch for better availability.
Use it to discover somewhere new.

Details
Dates: Thursday 1st May to Saturday 17th May 2026
Location: Across Dubai
Price: Set menus from AED 125

The Rundown
Now open again in Dubai Design District, L’ÉCOLE School of Jewellery Arts welcomes you into the world of high jewellery through a series of immersive courses, talks, and workshops. Spanning art history, gemstones, and savoir-faire, the programme is designed for all levels, moving from the symbolism of jewels to hands-on techniques like wax carving, gemstone identification, and gouaché painting.

Across May, highlights include talismans and amulets, the craft behind engagement rings, and the step-by-step making of a jewel. Each session offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how jewellery is imagined and brought to life, with a parallel programme of free online talks exploring gemstones through art and science for those looking to ease in.

Why We Love It
It’s one of the few places where you can move from admiring jewellery to truly understanding it — with purpose behind it too, as proceeds support youth education through Dubai Cares.

Beautilist Tips
Book early. Many sessions fill quickly.
Start with an introductory or art history class if you’re new.
Pair one hands-on workshop with an online talk for a fuller experience.

Details
Dates: Throughout May 2026
Location: Dubai Design District (d3)
Price: AED 800 (courses), AED 400 (intro sessions), free online talks

The Rundown
After years as a quiet word-of-mouth favourite, Snob Salon has reopened in a new, expanded space that feels like a natural evolution of the brand. Founded by beauty editor turned entrepreneur Haneen Odeh, the salon has always been rooted in quality and experience, with this new location bringing that vision fully to life.

Now twice the size, the villa-style space introduces a softer, more considered approach to beauty, with dedicated hammam rooms, a massage suite and a terrace designed for post-treatment unwinding. It moves beyond a traditional salon into something more holistic, where the focus is not just on the service itself, but how you feel when you leave.

Why We Love It
A homegrown brand that has grown with intention, not noise.

Beautilist Tips
Book ahead. Loyal clients fill the calendar quickly.
Try the hammam for a full reset.
Stay after your treatment. The space is designed for it.

Details
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai
Status: Now Open

The Rundown
Constanze continues her somatic work in Dubai with two key sessions this May, centred on breath, movement and nervous system regulation. The focus is simple. Create safety in the body, let the breath move naturally, and allow space for what’s been held to soften.

On Sunday, 17th May, at Bodyhack, BreathPlay™: Becoming is a more focused, breath-led session. On Saturday, 30th May at Keyani Wellness, Freeze to Flow: The Glow Edition, co-led with Angela, expands into a four-hour experience combining fascial release, intuitive movement and a full moon ceremony. Both offer a steady, grounded reset.

Why We Love It
Quiet, intelligent work that meets you where you are.

Beautilist Tips
Book early to secure early bird pricing.
Choose based on depth. Breath-led or full-body.
Give yourself time after to land back into the space.

Details
Dates: Sunday 17th & Saturday 30th May 2026
Locations: Bodyhack, Meyan Mall and Keyani Wellness, Al Manara
Price: Early bird from AED 235 (Freeze to Flow), varies per session

The Rundown
Returning for its 20th year, Art Dubai presents a special edition at Madinat Jumeirah, bringing together galleries, artists and institutions from across the region and beyond. Spanning contemporary, modern and digital practices, the fair reflects both its history and the evolving cultural landscape of the UAE, with a strong focus on regional voices alongside international perspectives.

Alongside gallery presentations, the programme includes large-scale installations, performances, talks and screenings, created in collaboration with leading institutions such as Art Jameel, Alserkal Avenue and the Sharjah Art Foundation. Designed as an open and accessible platform, the fair invites visitors to move through the space at their own pace, discovering new work and ideas throughout the weekend.

Why We Love It
A rare moment where the region’s creative scene comes together in one place.

Beautilist Tips
Go early in the day for a calmer experience.
Allow time beyond the galleries for talks and installations.
Plan more than one visit if you can.

Details
Dates: Thursday 15th May to Saturday 17th May 2026 (Preview: Wednesday 14th May, by invitation)
Location: Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Price: Free entry

The Rundown
Returning for its fourth edition, Cocktail Week at ICD Brookfield Place brings together some of the city’s most sought-after venues for a week of mixology, masterclasses and curated experiences. Participating spots include Bar des Prés, Il Gattopardo, La Niña, Lulu & The Beanstalk, Josette and The Guild, each offering bespoke menus and special programming throughout the week.

An AED 85 ticket includes one complimentary drink at a venue of your choice, along with a wristband unlocking access to discounted cocktail menus and select workshops. Highlights include a Negroni masterclass at Il Gattopardo, a guest shift at The Guild, and a cocktail pairing experience at Lulu & The Beanstalk, making it an easy way to explore the space in a more social, considered way.

Why We Love It
A polished, low-commitment way to tap into the city’s cocktail scene.

Beautilist Tips
Book early for masterclasses, spaces are limited.
Start with your complimentary drink, then explore.
Plan a route across venues to make the most of it.

Details
Dates: Monday 11th May to Sunday 17th May 2026
Location: ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC
Price: AED 85 (includes one drink and wristband access)

The Rundown
At Novikov Café Dubai, a limited-edition tropical dessert lands with a little extra. For two weeks only, guests can order the Gold Apple creation, layered with coconut, mango, passion fruit and vanilla, designed to be light, fresh and easy to share.

Each order also comes with a scratch card, unlocking a range of beauty rewards from Gold Apple, from curated samples to exclusive offers, adding a playful element to the experience. It’s the kind of stop you make mid-shop, or the reason you head to the mall in the first place.

Why We Love It
A sweet stop with a built-in beauty bonus.

Beautilist Tips
Order one each. It’s lighter than it looks.
Don’t forget the scratch card.

Details
Dates: Thursday 1st May to Wednesday 14th May 2026
Location: Dubai Mall, Fashion Avenue
Price: AED 65

The Rundown
Set against the coastline of Snoopy Island, Return to Wonder is a two-day immersive retreat designed as a pause from the pace of everyday life. Blending movement, breathwork, sound healing and time in nature, the experience unfolds between sea and mountain — from sunrise hikes in the Hajar range to slower moments by the water. Hosted at Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort, the natural setting shapes the rhythm of the weekend, with direct beach access and uninterrupted views throughout.

Co-hosted by Julien Khoury, Dr Tamara Ghazi and Zeina El Dana, the programme moves between structured sessions and open time, including breathwork, sound journeys, cold water immersion and communal dining — offering both physical challenge and space to reset. It’s less about switching off and more about returning to a clearer, more grounded state.

Why We Love It
It taps into what people actually need right now: less stimulation, more clarity. The combination of sea, mountains and a structured nervous system work makes it feel both grounded and expansive.

Beautilist Tips
Pack layers for early morning hikes and evening beach sessions.
Lean into the full schedule—the real shift happens when you commit.

Details
Date: Friday 8th to Sunday 10th May 2026
Location: Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort, overlooking Snoopy Island
Price: From AED 1,950 per person