The beauty and skincare industry has long flourished in the Middle East and is today filled with a wealth of vibrant regional talent – the most famous of which is, of course, Huda Beauty, founded by sisters Huda and Mona Kattan, who together have built a billion-dollar empire that is popular the world over.
But what of the other talents in the region? In the Middle East, we are lucky to be surrounded by home-grown beauty and skincare companies that lean on centuries of traditional know-how, or focus on bringing chemical or cruelty-free products to market.
So if you want to be au fait with the offerings of Hoiisa, the vegan products of By Noussou and the solid science behind Shiffa, here's The National's round up of 10 Arab beauty companies that should be on your radar for 2021.
Odist
This UAE company specialises in high-end and cruelty-free make-up brushes. Created using high-performance vegan fibres, each brush has been engineered for specific roles and formulas, and is backed with a two-year warranty. In addition to being cruelty-free, for every purchase, Odist donates Dh10 to Gold Standard, an organisation that runs more than 1,800 projects in 80 countries to help alleviate poverty and support struggling communities.
Hoiisa
Launched in 2019 by managing partner Mouna Azirar, Hoiisa is centred on delivering clean, sustainable beauty in the UAE. With 18 years spent working in the luxury fashion world (including at Burberry), Azirar became focused on chemical-free, sustainable beauty products when pregnant with her first child. Since then, she has studied extensively and, when she moved to the UAE with her family, took the opportunity to help found Hoiisa.
Dedicated to sourcing clean products and brands from around the world, Hoiisa has a wide range on offer, including hand-poured soy candles by Maisey, natural deodorants from Salt & Stone, as well as products from Grown Alchemist and Salt by Hendrix.
KJ Serums
Kathryn Jones is the woman behind the country's only made-to-order skincare company. Removing obscure chemicals from recipes, these hand-blended serums instead use as few ingredients as possible without compromising effective skincare. Bestsellers include: the Triology Day serum, packed with vitamins C and E, and ferulic acid, which help to reduce signs of ageing and UV damage; and HA-ppy Face serum, made with vegan hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin. The company also offers monthly subscription deals, with fresh products delivered directly to your door.
The Dubai Dolls
This is another brand offering cruelty-free products. Its high-end cosmetics have been developed in the UAE, and include the likes of the Forever Dubai lip shines, a matte-finish collection that comes with charming names such as Marina, The Palm and, of course, The Burj. The company has also made a pledge to support education for girls, with 2 per cent of profits from sales going towards providing nutritious meals to help keep disadvantaged girls at school.
Izil Beauty
This natural skincare brand, founded by Mouna Abbassy in Dubai, draws inspiration from traditional Moroccan remedies. The products are handmade in Morocco, providing work for Berber women, and use only natural ingredients such as argan oil and ghassoul clay. With her focus on being chemical-free and sustainable, Abbassy was named the regional winner for the Cartier Women's Initiative Award in 2015, and was listed in Forbes Middle East’s Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands last year.
By Noussou
This vegan and cruelty-free skincare range from Dubai was created by Iraqi-Canadian sisters Sarah and Nora Al-Musili. Unable to find solutions for adult acne, the pair set out to create their own. Working closely with industry experts, the result is a range of vegan, chemical-free and natural products that help you gain cleaner, healthier skin. The additive-free range includes the Daily Glow Collection and the Acne Fighting Collection for targeted help. It also stocks the latest must-have, the gua-sha skin scraper.
Kitmate
This ingenious company has tackled a major issue for make-up artists living in the Middle East – how to stop products melting in the intense heat. Created by professional make-up artists Katharina Brennan and Melanie Meyer to help preserve their own kits, the result is a series of bags and zip pouches that keep make-up cool, thanks to double-wall insulation and clever chiller packs.
Though it is aimed at professionals who travel extensively and often work outside in extreme temperatures, the collection is also popular with make-up lovers in the UAE. More recently, the company has begun offering environmentally conscious products, including sustainable and eco-friendly bamboo mascara wands.
Pinky Goat
This award-winning false eyelashes company was founded in Dubai by Maha Morley-Kirk and Elle Hardy. It offers an impressive array of product – from individual lashes to extreme volume styles – many completely vegan and made from either 3D silk, human hair or faux mink. Made to be reused (up to 10 times), the designs all come with Arabic names, such as the Abrar (made from human hair), the Ghady vegan lashes, Arwa faux mink lashes and Noura, made of silk.
KeraHealth
Fay Afghahi, former managing editor at Elle Arab World, and her husband, have developed a series of hair vitamins and topical treatments to help combat hair loss. The combination of hard water and hot summer months in the UAE can contribute to hair loss. Working with a laboratory in France, the Afghahis created a formula rich in l-cysteine, a non-essential amino acid required to make the protein keratin, the building block of hair and nails. First launched for men, the range now includes different supplements and topical products that have been proven to reduce hair loss.
Shiffa
Already world-famous, this beauty and skincare line was developed by Emirati doctor Lamees Hamdan after searching for products during her pregnancy. Realising there was a gap, she set out to create her Pregnancy Body Oil, made with borage seed and packed with gamma-Linolenic acid.
Prized for its ability to help fight cell damage, GLA can also soothe and calm skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. Another bestseller is the Aromatic Facial Cleanser which contains plant hyssop, a natural antiseptic that's great for dry skin. Used by high-end spas across the world, this range is well-deserving of its reputation for excellence.
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
More on Coronavirus in France
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions