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Jan 24, 2024

Who are the UAE influencers of 2024? Meet the 5 top Emirati creators

In a region where the glamour of the Middle East meets the digital realm, the United Arab Emirates boasts a stellar line-up of influencers making waves across the globe. From beauty gurus to modest fashion entrepreneurs, these social media stars have transcended borders and captivated millions. Let’s dive into the fabulous world of the top 5 UAE content creators who are redefining the game.

 

Huda Kattan: Your ‘Big Beauty Sister’ Behind the Phenomenal Huda Beauty Empire

With an impressive following of nearly 4 million on Instagram, where she is affectionately known as Huda and proudly refers to herself as ‘Your Big Beauty Sister,’ Huda Kattan transcends the realms of a mere makeup artist and blogger. Armed with a staggering fortune of around $550 million, she is a true entrepreneur and a formidable force in the beauty industry.

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Un post condiviso da HUDA BEAUTY (@hudabeauty)

Raised in the US but proudly embracing her Iraqi roots, the 40-year-old makeup maestro currently resides in Dubai. In 2013, alongside her sister, she established the cosmetics powerhouse, Huda Beauty, naming it after the blog she had launched three years prior.

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Huda Beauty’s Instagram account now boasts an impressive 54 million followers, including top models Naomi Campbell, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, and Natalia Vodianova, along with fashion luminaries such as Carine Roitfeld, Victoria Beckham, and actress Sofia Vergara.

A visionary with a creative spirit and a solid business background, Kattan pursued a finance major at the University of Michigan–Dearborn before embarking on her beauty career. Starting with makeup courses in Los Angeles and achieving success through her tutorials, she has earned her place in Forbes’ ranking of the richest women in America.

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Adored by celebrities like Eva Longoria and Nicole Richie, Kattan’s label Huda Beauty made a splash with its debut product – a line of false eyelashes released through Sephora, famously worn by none other than Kim Kardashian.

More than just a beauty influencer, Huda Kattan is an icon who has left an indelible mark on the beauty landscape, captivating the hearts of both celebrities and everyday makeup enthusiasts worldwide.

 

Rawan Bin Hussain: The Brooke Shields of Kuwait 

Internationally recognised as ‘the Brooke Shields of Kuwait’ for her captivating blue eyes and defined dark eyebrows that enhance her gaze, Rawan Bin Hussain is a model, beauty, and fashion influencer. With 7.9 million followers on Instagram, the 27-year-old Kuwaiti native currently divides her time between Dubai and London.  

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Un post condiviso da Rawan Bin Hussain (@rawan)

Renowned for her role as a contributing editor at Velvet magazine, this social media sensation forged her online presence while studying in Los Angeles, swiftly garnering popularity and attracting collaborations with international fashion and luxury brands. Within a few years, she ascended to the position of brand ambassador for Middle Eastern markets, representing prestigious names such as Maybelline New York, Gucci, Lancôme, and Charlotte Tilbury.

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In 2021, she ventured into the realm of music, launching several songs to diversify her creative portfolio.

 

Taim AlFalasi: Dubai’s Online Media Star with a Cross-Platform Following from Instagram to YouTube

Born in Dubai, Taim AlFalasi stands out as one of the top social media influencers in the UAE. With 4.7 million followers on Instagram and 580k subscribers on YouTube, she has earned recognition from Arabian Business, securing a position among the 100 most powerful Arabs under 40. 

Possessing a Bachelor’s degree in visual communications, AlFalasi showcased her multimedia expertise during her college years by publishing an online entertainment magazine. Her videos gained viral status, amassing over a million views on YouTube. Additionally, she initiated an online radio show, rated as the most played program in the Arab region on spreader.com. 

Recent accomplishments include consecutive roles in the production team of the Dubai Film Festival for two years, as well as active participation in various exhibitions and festivals.

In addition to her presence on Instagram and YouTube, AlFalasi extends her digital influence to platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat. Her cross-platform success reflects in her recognition as one of the Most Influential Young Leaders in 2023.

 

Dalal AlDoub: Kuwait’s Fashion Maven on a Mission to Empower Women 

With a formidable 3.1 million followers on Instagram, Dalal AlDoub stands as one of the most prominent figures in the Middle East for fashion and beauty. Residing in Kuwait, she serves as the spokesperson for various luxury perfume and makeup brands, engaging with her audience through Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube channels.

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Un post condiviso da Dalal AlDoub 🕊 (@dalalid)

Her online journey commenced in 2012 with the launch of her blog, Dalalid, where she shared her daily personal style and makeup tips, swiftly establishing herself as a influencer in the region. In her own words, AlDoub’s primary objective is “to empower women in the Middle East.”

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In recent times, she has ventured into entrepreneurship, founding her own perfume company, Dalalid, dedicated to “the exploration and creation of holistic beauty.” In the realm of fashion, AlDoub champions a blend of traditional style with the latest trends in modest fashion.

 

Melanie Elturk: Modest Fashion’s Entrepreneurial Luminary

Meet Melanie Elturk, influencer and entrepreneur, and the visionary founder and CEO of Haute Hijab, a hijab fashion brand with 335k followers. Born and raised in America, Elturk, besides curating and selling exquisite hijabs globally, dedicates herself to creating tutorials tailored for the so-called ‘hijabistas,’ a fusion of ‘hijab’ and ‘fashionistas.’

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Since its inception in 2010, Elturk’s venture has been a catalyst in revolutionising the wardrobe of Muslim women. According to her, the body should be covered in simple and modest clothing, maintaining modesty. However, she challenges the conventional notion that abayas and hijabs must solely be black or white; she introduces vibrant colours, glamorous prints, and seamlessly combines them with typical Western fashion items.

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Embarking on her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 23 after completing law school, Melanie Elturk identified a gap in the market for stylish, high-quality hijabs. Today, Haute Hijab stands as one of the most sought-after hijab fashion brands, celebrated for its extensive range of colors, patterns, and styles, as featured in renowned publications like Marie Claire. Melanie Elturk is undeniably a beacon of inspiration in the world of modest fashion.

 

 

Clementina Bianchi
Editor