Let’s get one thing straight: in Dubai, the ultimate flex isn’t just what you get done – it’s who you get it from. Enter Dr Richard Devine, the London-based artist whose calendar is one of the city’s most coveted slots. His clients don’t want to look ‘done’; they want to look like the best, most rested versions of themselves. End of story.
Flitting between his sleek London clinic and Dubai’s Cornerstone and BROWZ, he’s mastered the art of the global glow. His credentials read like a wish list: Yale, Harley Street, and a philosophy where less is always more.
So, what’s the secret to looking impeccably yourself, just subtly better? He reveals the treatment he thinks is wildly overrated, the non-negotiable in every client’s routine, and the products he’s obsessed with. We sat down with the man making over-filled faces a thing of the past to get the lowdown. Listen in.
Cosmo ME: What made you choose to be an aesthetic doctor, and what’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned?
Richard: I was originally training to become an orthopaedic surgeon. I loved how surgery could dramatically change someone’s life. For example, seeing a patient who’s wheelchair-bound, replacing a hip, and asking them to walk the very next day. That kind of transformation is extraordinary.
Aesthetic medicine offers a different, but equally powerful, transformation. With subtle treatments, you can restore confidence and self-esteem, and the ripple effect on a person’s social and professional life is profound. That impact is what truly surprised me and what convinced me this was the right path.
Cosmo ME: What’s the biggest misconception clients walk in with?
Richard: That filler always looks fake. The truth is far simpler. Bad filler always looks fake and, unfortunately, there’s quite a lot of bad work out there! When filler is done poorly, it’s obvious, and often dreadful. Good filler, on the other hand, is discreet. Done conservatively and with real artistry, no one should ever know you’ve had anything done. They’ll just tell you that you look rested, fresh… or suspiciously well.
Cosmo ME: Share a career “pinch me” moment.
Richard: I’m not easily star-struck, so celebrity patients don’t really faze me. They’re also often very normal and nice. A recent moment that comes to mind was the launch of my London clinic last year. An enormous amount of thought went into creating a space that felt elegant, contemporary, and genuinely unlike anything else in the UK. Seeing journalists walk through the doors, experience it, and then share such positive feedback was incredibly rewarding. It was a reminder that something that exists only as an idea can become a reality.
Cosmo ME: What’s your ultimate ‘holy grail’ treatment?
Richard: Without a doubt, this has to be BBL/MOXI. I’m always sceptical about devices and new technologies, but this one genuinely delivers. The results are remarkable. It can be used to treat pigmentation, redness, fine lines, and even acne. My patients absolutely love it.
For anyone serious about maintaining their skin in peak condition, this is a treatment I wholeheartedly stand behind.
Cosmo ME: Name 3 non-negotiable products you can’t live without…
Richard: Firstly, Clarins Double Serum is absolutely non-negotiable for me. I use it every single day without fail. It gives me a healthy radiant glow and keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day. The first time I used it, several people told me I looked “fresh.” Including my mother, who still considers it her parental duty to assess my face for signs of neglect [laughs]. If a product passes a mother’s inspection, you know it’s doing something right.
Next would be Medik8 Crystal Retinal. When it comes to anti-ageing, retinoids are the holy grail. Retinol, retinal, and tretinoin are the most powerful ingredients we have for keeping skin youthful, healthy, and refined. Retinol is the gentlest, tretinoin the most potent. But for me, tretinoin can be a bit too harsh, so I’m inconsistent with it.
I prefer using retinal as it’s more powerful than retinol, works faster, and delivers superior anti-ageing benefits with far less irritation. I love the Medik8 one as they make consistency effortless. They have six progressive strengths or levels, and with each level, the retinal potency increases. This allows you to optimise the potency whilst avoiding irritation. And like anything, consistency is what achieves results!
Finally, A product I will buy forever is the Giorgio Armani Privé Noir Kogane. I have many perfumes but this has to be one of my favourites. This fragrance is more of a statement. Dark, warm, with golden spices and a touch of smokiness. Something resinous and addictive that lingers just long enough to make people lean in a little closer. It smells expensive in the most effortless way. The kind of scent that suggests you make excellent life choices. I wear it day or night!
Cosmo ME: What’s one trend you’d never spend your dirhams on?
Richard: Thread lifts. They’re expensive, the results are short-lived, and they can lead to some difficult complications. In my opinion, they are a complete waste of money and there are several other treatments that perform better. One to avoid.
Cosmo ME: Spill: What’s your personal skincare splurge and save?
Richard: Save on moisturisers. Many are beautifully packaged, promising patented technologies and miracle peptides. In reality, a simple, well formulated moisturiser used consistently will do an excellent job of protecting and supporting your skin barrier.
Splurge on active ingredients like retinoids (retinal or retinol). They actually slow the ageing process and improve skin health over time. Those are worth investing in.
Cosmo ME: If you could ban one beauty myth on social media, what would it be?
Richard: There are several contenders, but lip-taping may be the most ridiculous. This is the idea that medical tape can prevent lip filler migration or hold a lifted shape after treatment. It’s complete nonsense. Migration is prevented through good technique, appropriate product choice, and sensible volumes – not sticky tape!
Cosmo ME: Beyond the clinic, what’s your ultimate personal “unwind and recharge” ritual that keeps you looking and feeling your absolute best?
Richard: I love sports and fitness. The ultimate way to clear my head and escape is by going on a long bike ride with some good music followed by a sauna. If I can squeeze in a deep tissue massage the same day, I feel like a new man!
Cosmo ME: Give us the scoop! What’s the next big thing on your radar that you’re obsessed with?
Richard: We’re seeing a clear shift with patients. Many are moving away from fillers towards regenerative treatments like lasers, biostimulators, and similar technologies. The motivation is understandable, they want natural results without looking overfilled.
Cosmo ME: Some of these treatments are excellent. Many, however, overpromise and underdeliver whilst some even lack any scientific evidence at all.
Richard: Over the next year or two, I believe patients will realise that regenerative treatments can’t replace filler. There’s currently nothing that restores volume, contours, and defines structure the way filler does. I suspect we’ll see a return to filler, but only in the hands of highly specialised practitioners who can deliver truly undetectable results.
Cosmo ME: If you weren’t an aesthetic doctor, what would your dream job be?
Richard: It would have to be a professional sportsman. I’ve always loved competition and pushing my limits. If we are really dreaming? I’d be a Formula 1 driver. The intensity, the focus, the sheer speed… It’s the ultimate test of skill and focus.