Pictures by Muhammad Mustafa Khan, Chief Photographer, EmiratesReporter.com
Dubai, UAE – 6 October 2026: Beautyworld Dubai opened its landmark 30th edition today at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together leading names from the international beauty industry for three days of business, innovation, fragrance, makeup, hair and live artistry.
The opening day gave visitors and industry professionals a glimpse of the conversations shaping the beauty sector, with market insights, investment discussions, fragrance trends and live demonstrations taking centre stage across the show floor.
A closer look at the GCC beauty market
One of the key conversations of Day One focused on the changing beauty landscape across the Gulf.
BeautyMatter Founder and CEO Kelly Kovack took to the Next in Beauty stage to discuss findings from the GCC in Focus report, produced by BeautyMatter and commissioned by Beautyworld Dubai.
The research offered a fresh perspective on the region, particularly the growing differences between the Saudi Arabian and UAE beauty markets. The discussion highlighted why the two markets can no longer simply be viewed as one GCC market and why brands need a more focused understanding of local consumers.
Investment and luxury retail were also among the major themes of the conference.
The session Global Dealmakers: Inside Beauty’s New Investment Playbook brought investors together to discuss where funding is moving and what makes a beauty brand attractive in a more selective investment environment.
Meanwhile, Mia Collins, Head of Beauty at Harrods, shared insights into the changing world of luxury beauty retail and the expectations of today’s increasingly discerning customers.
“There is no shortage of opportunities to buy. What we do at Harrods is enrich the client with something that transcends the transaction,” said Collins.
The Middle East’s growing fragrance influence
Fragrance took another prominent position on the first day, with the Next in Fragrance programme examining the changing global scent market and the Middle East’s growing influence.
The Global Fragrance Power Map, powered by the Fragrance Creators Association, looked at where fragrance growth is taking place globally. Farah K. Ahmed, President and CEO of the Fragrance Creators Association, highlighted the increasingly important connection between the UAE and the US fragrance markets.
She pointed to the strong performance of UAE fragrance houses on US TikTok Shop, noting that Lattafa, Armaf and Afnan were among the top selling fragrance brands on the platform this year.
Ahmed also described the Middle East as more than an important consumer market, highlighting the region’s growing role as a source of fragrance knowledge, creativity and new ideas.
The programme also featured Aurélien Guichard, Master Perfumer at Takasago and Founder of Matière Première, who discussed his journey in niche perfumery and the growing influence of Middle Eastern consumers and fragrance culture on the wider global industry.
Guichard noted that consumers in the region have developed a particularly intuitive relationship with fragrance, including the practice of combining different scents and ingredients to create individual expressions.
Global beauty artists take the stage
Beyond the business discussions, live artistry remained one of the biggest attractions of Day One.
At The Makeup Studio, internationally recognised makeup artist and Founder of m.ph, Mary Phillips, presented a masterclass showcasing her skin-first approach and signature underpainting technique.
Phillips later joined the Next in Beauty stage for a conversation about her career and the changing role of beauty artistry, moderated by Olivia Phillips, Founder of The Desk and Editor at Large at Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.
Speaking about her approach to makeup, Mary Phillips said she focuses on enhancing the natural structure of the face rather than changing it.
Earlier in the day, celebrity makeup artist Aya Abdelhamid presented a masterclass focused on modern red-carpet glamour, taking audiences through skin preparation, complexion and the finishing touches required for a look that works both in person and on camera.
The Makeup Studio also featured Mariam Khairallah, M.A.C Global Senior Artist, who shared professional techniques and the brand’s latest innovations.
Abdelhamid highlighted the particular demands of television, film and red-carpet makeup, explaining that artists need to balance how makeup appears across different settings and lighting conditions.
Hair artistry adds to the live action
The beautyLIVE stage brought another international name to the show floor, with celebrity hairstylist and colourist Dimitris Giannetos demonstrating his signature work.
With more than a decade of international experience, Giannetos focused not only on technical skill but also on the importance of understanding the personality of the individual behind a look.
For Giannetos, successful beauty artistry goes beyond technique. It is about developing an idea, executing it effectively and creating a look that gives the client confidence.
Dubai once again becomes a global beauty meeting point
The first day of Beautyworld Dubai’s 30th edition demonstrated the breadth of an industry that now extends far beyond traditional beauty products.
From changing GCC consumer behaviour and investment trends to fragrance innovation, luxury retail, makeup artistry and professional hair, the event is providing a platform for the global beauty community to meet, exchange ideas and explore the opportunities emerging from the region.
With two more days of the event ahead, Beautyworld Dubai continues to position Dubai as an important meeting point for the international beauty and personal care industry.
