The Regional Beauty Brands To Have On Your Radar
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
@GISOU
Gisou
Best For: Nourishing Haircare
Founder: Negin Mirsalehi
Gisou by Negin Mirsalehi is a brand that’s driven by a deep-rooted passion for honeybees and haircare. Founder Negin is an active beekeeper, and hails from a long line of Iranian beekeepers going back six generations – so it’s this understanding, couple with her passion for beauty, that led to the birth of Gisou. Now offering a range of products for hair, face and body, including the already-cult Honey Infused Hair Oil – we love the Hair Mask, Serum and Conditioner, all of which are enriched with Mirsalehi family honey to nurture and hydrate hair. Make sure you give the nourishing Lip Oil, Face Oil and Beauty Balm a go, too.
Visit Gisou.com
Yaskin Natural
Best For: Natural Skincare
Founder: Yasmeen Khalil
Yaskin Natural founder, Yasmeen Khalil, spent two decades working in the corporate world before her experience of diverse cultures revealed the shortcomings of mainstream skincare. With many products seemingly laden with chemicals and toxins, she recognised the need for an alternative approach, so set out to create her own skincare line that drew on the wisdom of centuries-old remedies and natural ingredients. Now committed to using plant-based, proven ingredients in its formulas – which are also devoid of parabens and harmful chemicals – Yaskin prioritises safety and efficacy, while also focusing on anti-ageing. The Revitalizing Day Cream, and Intensive Night Cream, for example, both contain Yaskin’s BM3 PhytoativTM Complex – a high potency lipid blend that reduces photoaging and adds a youthful glow back into your complexion. Meanwhile, the fast absorbing Rebalancing Skin Oil and Skin Perfecting Serum will deliver smoothing and plumping effects with regular use.
Visit YaskinNatural.com
@YASKINNATURAL
CTZN Cosmetics
Best For: All-Inclusive Make-Up
Founders: Aleena, Aleezeh & Naseeha Khan
LA-born but now resident in Dubai, South Asian Khan sisters launched inclusive beauty brand CTZN for everyone – but especially those hailing from South Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds. Having noticed a lack of representation of these communities in global beauty campaigns, product development and leadership roles, they’ve made it their mission to empower consumers worldwide, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or skin type. True to this goal, the brand now offers up a small collection of products, each available in multiple shades, including the Nudiversal double-ended lip product (available in 25 colours) and the foolproof Eye Elements sticks. There’s even a collection of red lipsticks – Code Red – that are designed to suit every skin tone.
Visit CTZNCosmetics.com
Shiffa
Best For: Pregnancy-Safe Skincare & Body Care
Founder: Dr. Lamees
Shiffa offers highly-effective skincare and body care that’s safe to use during pregnancy – and everything started with the Pregnancy Body Oil, which has since become a brand bestseller. As the sole luxury organic skincare brand created by a medical expert, Shiffa marries potent organic ingredients with advanced skincare science in its formulas. Each product features the unique Healing Essence™, a blend of active ingredients in therapeutic concentrations that are designed to nurture the skin from within. We also recommend you try the Healing Balm – which contains a secret blend of 15 healing plants to leave skin feeling hydrated and glowing – as well as the Brightening Ampoules which promise to flood skin cells with nutrients and promote skin fibroblast proliferation for fewer visible fine lines and wrinkles.
Visit Sephora.ae
@SHIFFABEAUTY
Asteri
Best For: High-Performance Make-Up
Founder: Sara Al Rashed
Sara Al Rashed is the brains behind beauty brand, Asteri, whose smart formulas are engineered to meet the region's high expectations when it comes to high-performance make-up. Vegan, microplastic- and cruelty-free, the company also has a commitment to becoming B Corp certified. Product-wise, everything is designed to protect the skin against environmental aggressors, essentially making them ‘desert proof’. We suggest starting with the Aura Radiant Concealer and Foundation, but the Arabian Sun Bronzer, Maha Eyeshadow Palette, mascara and Legacy Lipstick all come highly recommended, too.
Visit AsteriBeauty.com
By Mina Al Sheikhly
Best For: Flawless Brows & Lashes
Founder: Mina Al Sheikhly
Mina Al Sheikhly’s eponymous beauty brand is dedicated to brows and lashes. The host of MBC Iraq's Beit Beauty television show, she started by creating the perfect mascara (produced and packaged in Italy) before expanding the line to include brow tints and waterproof top coats. Giving the illusion of thick, full lashes without the need for falsies or extensions, the Curved & Layered Mascara is where everyone should start, while the Resin waterproof topcoat ensures there won’t be any product fallout.
Visit ByMinaAlSheikhly.com
@BYMINAALSHEIKHLY
Peacefull
Best For: Effective Halal Skincare
Founder: Salama Mohamed
UAE-based Salama Mohamed is known for making fun viral videos – but she’s also used her loyal online following and interest in skincare to launch her own range, Peacefull. A vitiligo sufferer, she’s spent years researching and formulating effective skincare products that are halal, backed by Korean science and tailored to the Middle East consumer. The product line now spans a full skincare regime – from a Mugwort clay cleanser and peptide eye cream through to an oat kernel skin essence full of vitamin A and E, as well as a purifying toner and glow inducing moisturiser.
Visit Peacefull.com
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