The Ed.
Well-Known Member
Dubai is doing pretty damn well for itself lately. In real terms, it's the poor relation within the UAE. Without any real oil resources, Dubai has had to pull itself up by its bootstraps and figure out another way of bringing money into the country and tourism has done the job.
What it has also meant is that Dubai has become a hotbed for entrepreneurs, for people wanting to start up luxury brands and target those with the luxury money coming in for their holidays.
The latest brand to emerge from this sun-soaked coastal country is Shiffa. With a desire for high end products and a growing interest in natural skincare, Shiffa is poised for success.
Shift was founded by Dr. Lamees Hamdan in 2004, after discovering she couldn't find any skin care options following the birth of her first child that weren't jam-packed to the brim with chemicals. It's becoming a more and more common tale and one that Dr. Hamdan wanted to help solve.
So she whipped up her own pregnancy oil and the brand grew from there. Shiffa has found success in its native Middle East, in Asia, and here in the UK (at retailers like Selfridges and SpaceNK) and then at high-end spas worldwide. The brand launched in the U.S. last summer, and is available at spas and on its website.
The brand is born from an understanding of different needs the world over. Dr. Lamees (as she is known) was born in Dubai, raised n the US and received her medical degree in Dublin. She now has homes in both Dubai and LA.
"You have to understand that the locals make up only 11 to 15 percent of the population [of Dubai]. When you talk about Dubai, youre talking about a very multicultural environment," Dr. Lamees says. "I can empathize with a lot of cultures." Her products were influenced in many ways by the traditional Middle Eastern beauty regimen she grew up with.
Rosewater from Iran or Morocco as a facial tonic was very popular and it's something that has seen a resurgence amongst those dedicated to natural skincare. India also influenced the beauty routine of the Middle East introducing natural oils such as jasmine, sandalwood and coconut. Turmeric and henna played a large role as well along with home-made masks made from honey, yoghurt, lemon and almond oil. Put that alongside the Middle East's obsession with European brands such as Chanel and Dior and the whole inspiring mix has made for a pretty amazing line of natural products.
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
What it has also meant is that Dubai has become a hotbed for entrepreneurs, for people wanting to start up luxury brands and target those with the luxury money coming in for their holidays.
The latest brand to emerge from this sun-soaked coastal country is Shiffa. With a desire for high end products and a growing interest in natural skincare, Shiffa is poised for success.
Shift was founded by Dr. Lamees Hamdan in 2004, after discovering she couldn't find any skin care options following the birth of her first child that weren't jam-packed to the brim with chemicals. It's becoming a more and more common tale and one that Dr. Hamdan wanted to help solve.
So she whipped up her own pregnancy oil and the brand grew from there. Shiffa has found success in its native Middle East, in Asia, and here in the UK (at retailers like Selfridges and SpaceNK) and then at high-end spas worldwide. The brand launched in the U.S. last summer, and is available at spas and on its website.
The brand is born from an understanding of different needs the world over. Dr. Lamees (as she is known) was born in Dubai, raised n the US and received her medical degree in Dublin. She now has homes in both Dubai and LA.
"You have to understand that the locals make up only 11 to 15 percent of the population [of Dubai]. When you talk about Dubai, youre talking about a very multicultural environment," Dr. Lamees says. "I can empathize with a lot of cultures." Her products were influenced in many ways by the traditional Middle Eastern beauty regimen she grew up with.
Rosewater from Iran or Morocco as a facial tonic was very popular and it's something that has seen a resurgence amongst those dedicated to natural skincare. India also influenced the beauty routine of the Middle East introducing natural oils such as jasmine, sandalwood and coconut. Turmeric and henna played a large role as well along with home-made masks made from honey, yoghurt, lemon and almond oil. Put that alongside the Middle East's obsession with European brands such as Chanel and Dior and the whole inspiring mix has made for a pretty amazing line of natural products.
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
