Makeup key trends in Middle Eastern Beauty 2025 and the most Influential Middle Eastern Makeup Artist to look out for  

By: Leean Ayre.

Beauty products and skincare products are becoming more and more popular due to the digital influence of this generation. Digital engagement has profoundly shaped beauty trends. The young demographic is highly active on platforms like Youtube, TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat etc. where influencers showcase their makeup tutorials, skincare tips and product reviews.

This season is all about embracing warmth, sophistication and natural elegance. The most populous makeup colours  at the moment are peaches, nudes, bronzes and soft mochas. One culture that I really admire for their beautiful makeup styles is the Middle Eastern Arab women. Arab women like to emphasise the eyes which are considered the focal point of beauty in many middle eastern cultures.

 Beauty is defined differently across the region. For example, UAE women consider themselves trendsetters while KSA women’s main focus is the eyes, Kuwaiti women follow trends on social media that are most relevant to them individually and are more concerned than other countries about the condition of their skin. The fact is the Middle Eastern women like to use bold colours on the eyes for example metallics – golds and silvers. Deep black winged eyeliner and false eyelashes. 

Given modest dress customs in the middle east, eye makeup holds an important routine since the eyes are often the most visible part of the face. Many middle eastern women emphasise them with bold dramatic eyeliner, richly pigmented eyeshadow and volumising mascara.

Some key trends in Middle Eastern Beauty

1.  Halal beauty products

Halal cosmetics exclude alcohol, animal derivatives and other ingredients non-compliant with islamic law. Halal certification gains more trust over vegan and cruelty free products. The demand for Halal products has influenced international brands to adapt for the middle eastern market.

2. Strobe Skin

Also known as pearl skin, the look is characterized by an iridescent mother of pearl, luminous sheen on the skin.  

Example of an evening look with the strobe skin trend.

3.Foundations

Because of the high temperatures and humidity in the middle east, long lasting mattifying, high coverage foundations are the most popular in the market.

Some examples of full coverage mattifying foundations.

Six Influential Middle Eastern Makeup Artist to look out for in 2025 :  

• Nadia Teyah

Makeup done by Nadia Teyah 

Nadia is a Palestinian American makeup artist  based in Brooklyn US, and is celebrated for her versatile and artistry looks.

• Yasmin Istanbouli 

Makeup done by Yasmin Istanbouli

Yasmin is a Los Angeles based makeup artist born in Saudi Arabia, her makeup style ranges from edgy and avant-garde to luminous soft glam.

•  Waad Altarki  

Makeup done by Waad Altarki

Waad is a Riyodh based makeup artist and is a huge internet celebrity with 2.9 million followers.

•  Nor Bo Awadh

Makeup done by Nor Bo Awadh

Nor Bo Awadh is a Saudi makeup artist,actress, activist and media personality with her own makeup brand and over 4 million followers on social media.    

5.   Masooma Hashim

Makeup done by Masooma Hashim 

Masooma is a Bahraini makeup artist and is known for her timeless elegant looks.

6. Aya Abdelhamid

Makeup done by Aya Abdelhamid.

Crowned as Charlotte Tilbury’s middle east artist of the year and known for her red carpet looks.

    Perfume

Perfume from the middle eastern countries are a big seller, the most popular scents being  Amber, Oud, Musk and woody scents. 

There is something undeniably alluring about the rich, woody notes of Oud perfumes.Often referred to as “liquid gold,” Oud perfumes have been revered for centuries due to their unique and captivating aroma.