If your beauty bag is due an update, start here.
From complexion products that hold up through long days to scalp oils, sidr serums, lip tints and body treatments worth working into your weekly routine, Middle Eastern beauty has plenty of finds that deserve a permanent spot on the shelf.
These are the brands — and the products — we’d add to cart first.
MAKEUP
Moonglaze, Saudi Arabia
Founded by Saudi makeup artist Yara AlNamlah, Moonglaze is built around the dewy, fresh makeup look she is known for herself. The range includes PHASES! Blush Sticks, SHEERS! Highlighter Sticks and MOODS! Water Lip Tints, alongside bronzers and lip liners. After launching at Selfridges London in 2024, Moonglaze became the first Saudi beauty brand to launch at Sephora Middle East in February 2026.
What we’d try: PHASES! Blush Stick or MOODS! Water Lip Tint.
Asteri Beauty, Saudi Arabia
Founded by Sara Al Rashed, Asteri Beauty creates makeup designed for the Saudi climate, with formulas developed to hold up against heat, humidity, dryness and long days. Its range covers complexion, eyes, lips and cheeks, with products such as the Let It Rain Waterproof Pressed Powder and Desert Mist Setting Spray among its standouts.
What we’d try: Let It Rain Waterproof Pressed Powder.
LEQA Cosmetics, UAE
LEQA Cosmetics is a UAE beauty brand with an edited range of colour cosmetics. Its Essentials Collection includes three long-wear matte nude liquid lipsticks, while the wider line also includes products such as the Motherhood Eyeshadow Palette.
What we’d try: LEQA Essentials Liquid Lipstick.
SKINCARE
AÏZA, UAE
Founded in Dubai, AÏZA builds its skincare and beauty range around ingredients familiar across the region, including dates, saffron, qahwa, black seed, rosewater and frankincense. Products such as the Iced Qahwa Eye Cream, Cloud Burst Hydra-Jelly Face Mist and Sukkar Rush Lip Treatment give those ingredients a modern, easy-to-use format.
What we’d try: Cloud Burst Hydra-Jelly Face Mist.
MARIAM EM, UAE
Founded in Abu Dhabi by Mariam Almazrouei, MARIAM EM centres its formulas around sidr, using the ingredient across a tightly edited skincare range. Its current products include the Balance & Soothe Face Serum and Eyelash & Brow Serum, with haircare also forming part of the brand’s growing focus.
What we’d try: Balance & Soothe Face Serum.
SAAF Skin, UAE
Founded by Katral-Nada Hassan and Nabaa Alatrakchi, SAAF Skin is a UAE-based botanical skincare brand built around concentrated plant oils and simple daily rituals. Frankincense is a key ingredient across the range, alongside myrrh, prickly pear and rosewater, with products including the Golden Dew Face Oil, Golden Dew Eye Roller and Rose Dew Face Mist.
What we’d try: Golden Dew Face Oil.
MZN Bodycare, Saudi Arabia
Founded by Muzon Ashgar, MZN Bodycare creates Saudi-made body products using ingredients including date-seed oil, Damask rose, pomegranate and moringa. The range covers body oils, butters, scrubs, soaps and lip care, making it an easy place to look if your routine could use more attention below the neck.
What we’d try: a date-seed body oil.
HAIRCARE
Gaudia Beauty, Saudi Arabia
Gaudia Beauty is a Saudi haircare brand focused on scalp health and the hair concerns that come with living in the Gulf. Its formulas use ingredients including dates and sidr, with products such as the Nourish Boost Oil and Balance Boost Oildesigned for different scalp needs rather than a one-formula-fits-all approach.
What we’d try: whichever oil actually matches your scalp type.
Zaphira Nature, UAE
Founded in the UAE by Hanane Bouchouicha-Sykora, Zaphira Nature creates haircare for wavy, curly and coily textures, with Gulf heat and humidity in mind. The range includes a Curl Cleanser, Hydrating Detangling Conditioner, Curl Defining Cream, Curl Activating Jelly and Curl Gloss Serum for building a full wash-day routine.
What we’d try: Curl Defining Cream.
SNDR, Saudi Arabia
Founded by Saudi creator Abeer Sinder, SNDR is a haircare brand designed around natural textures, from waves and curls to coils and kinks. The range focuses on moisture, conditioning and everyday hair health, with products for both adults and children.
What we’d try: SNDR Hair Conditioner.
