By Sophie Beresiner

Every shoot trip involves a failsafe in-flight beauty kit. This must combat my fear of flying, from two different angles to make doubly sure - Origins Peace of Mind for the outside, Bach Rescue Remedy for the inside. The best Holistic Silk eye mask I've ever found, stuffed with Lavender to calm me all over again, and obligatory cashmere socks for a dose of extreme comfort. Personalised lip balm is optional.

One seven hour flight later and I've swapped furry snow-proof hat to House of Holland sunnies. Team ELLE Beauty has arrived in Dubai to shoot our Spring and Summer stories in guaranteed sunshine and some of the most competitively awesome skyscrapers we've ever seen. Although these do not factor into the shoot plans, they make the view from our very lovely Fairmont Hotel (OK, we know we're bragging), on The Palm no less (yep, even more) all the more exciting.

It is winter here, which I'm glad of because 100% summer humidity, Dubai regulation long trousers, covered shoulders, with my frizz-prone hair do not a pretty picture make. Which is what we're in the business of here, so on to the Recce. The team and I travel from hotel pool to hotel pool trying to find the perfect location for our Body story, occasionally sampling local delicacies such as raw lamb - yes really - while gawping at the price of one glass of wine.

The time difference is a killer and the schedule is very tight and very busy, so its a forced early night, ready for an exceptionally early call time tomorrow. Destination; The Desert. Meeting place; The hotel lobby, where we'll finally be joined by our wonderful make up artist Val Garland, and hope the transport van has reclining seats, since the drive is a 2.5 hour whopper and we'll be leaving at 5am. In the mean time I can't help but be delighted by the hotel bathroom offerings. Beauty directors still get excited by these things. Putting the fresh set in our wash bags every morning for the duration of the stay counts as market research you know...

Till tomorrow.