{
  "id": 12113556,
  "title": "Arab beauty isn't following trends anymore, it's setting them",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/arab-beauty-isnt-following-trends-anymore-its-setting-them",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T08:33:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/friday/arab-beauty-isnt-following-trends-anymore-its-setting-them-1.500698689"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Arab beauty has long held a distinct identity, with features like defined brows, full lips, and prominent cheekbones celebrated for centuries. These attributes have consistently been appreciated across the region, despite Western beauty standards seeking to marginalize them. Practicality has always been a central aspect of Arab beauty needs, given the region's hot and dry climates, which necessitate moisture and hydration. The diversity within Arab beauty itself, ranging from light complexions to melanin-rich skin, has always ensured a rich tapestry of looks, rather than a single defining aesthetic.\n\nHowever, the way women in the Arab world engage with beauty is evolving subtly. The conversation is shifting from merely focusing on how a product looks, to its practicality in terms of wearability, skin feel, and functionality in daily life. While elaborate routines still hold their place, there's a burgeoning desire for products that seamlessly transition between everyday use and more refined applications. This shift is encapsulated in ARMAF Beauté's approach to makeup. Instead of merely expanding shade ranges to ensure inclusivity, the brand examines how the same product can be adapted for various uses. A bold eyeliner might serve as the focal point of one look or a subtle definition in another. Similarly, a bright lipstick could be a statement for one individual and part of a routine for another.\n\nThis nuanced evolution signifies a broader transformation in regional beauty dynamics. The Gulf, particularly the UAE, is increasingly participating in setting trends, rather than merely adopting them from Western hubs like London, Paris, Seoul, or New York. Social reforms and heightened digital connectivity have propelled this shift, positioning the region as a key influencer of global beauty trends. For homegrown brands, this presents an opportunity to create products tailored to the unique preferences of the diverse beauty audience in the Gulf, rather than merely adapting ideas from abroad. This could mark a new phase for A-Beauty, moving away from a singular definition of Arab beauty towards more adaptable, thoughtful, and personalized products.\n\nFor ARMAF Beauté, this evolution means creating beauty solutions that align with the way women in the region live. It's about beauty that integrates effortlessly into women's daily lives, rather than imposing a specific beauty ideal upon them.",
  "summary": "Arab beauty has always had a strong identity of its own. Defined brows and eyes, full lips, prominent cheekbones - these aren't fleeting looks; they're features that have been celebrated across the region for generations, long before the rest of the world caught up. What was once dismissed by a Western-centric beauty standard is now the aesthetic much of the world is chasing. The region's beauty…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}