Gold Coast cosmeceutical brand, Skin O2, is celebrating the anniversary of its launch into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a whirlwind (and star-studded) visit to Dubai.
A proud Aussie brand, Skin O2 is taking eight Gold Coast beauties along for the ride as part of its Skin O2 beauty crew, including The Voice Australia finalist Natasha Lockhart, makeup artist Claire Howell and former Miss Universe Australia Taylor Curry.
The girls will celebrate the launch of Skin O2’s new matte liquid lipstick and Gold Spice makeup illuminators—which were inspired by the beauty of the Arabian Desert—at the beautiful Bab Al Sham hotel, and will be representing the Sunshine State throughout the visit by wearing Queensland brands Studio Minc and Embellished Kaftans.
“Our October trip to Dubai is to celebrate our international success and strong partnership with Cherish Cosmetics as our Middle East and North Africa distributor,” says Skin O2 managing director, Alison Atia.
She credits Trade Investment Queensland and the Gold Coast City Council Business Development Unit with helping her expand Skin O2 internationally, and says the UAE market is eager for Australian product.
“With a multitude of high-end and luxury brands in the market, customers in the UAE are becoming choosier; this in turn has meant that premium niche brands are doing very well,” she says. “The market is growing to accommodate more of these brands.
“This is why our proudly Australian doctor’s formula brand is in such demand within this market. Dubai has the perfect intersection of buyers and media from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and provides the world’s best showcase for unique quality brands.”
For Atia the highlight of the trip will be attending the Emirates Woman Woman of the Year awards at the fabulous Palazzo Versace hotel, which the brand is sponsoring. It’s also a chance for Skin O2 to celebrate its number one Australian online stockist, Gemma Walker of Rejuvenate Me, by taking her along.
“Gemma is one of our inspirational stories as an anorexia survivor,” says Atia. “We will celebrate Gemma’s remarkable recovery and showcase her success as she expands and launches her Skin O2 beauty business and travels abroad for the first time.”
For those of us who sadly have to stay at home, a young videographer from the Gold Coast, Freja Bergenholtz, will be around to capture all the magic of the trip.