From Lashes to K-Beauty: Haneen Alsaify’s Beauty Entrepreneurship

Haneen Alsaify, a beauty enthusiast and problem-solver, found her way into beauty entrepreneurship by addressing her own beauty dilemmas. Living in Doha, she loved the look of false lashes but disliked the messy and sticky glue used to apply them. Determined to find a better solution, she discovered magnetic lashes – a rising trend known for its ease of use and painless removal, while still providing a striking look. However, she wanted a simpler option that required less of an application learning curve.This led her to create her product, By Haneen Alsaify lashes, packaged with two parts per eye, each embedded with its own magnet. The magnets hold the silk lashes close to the lid, resulting in naturally fluttery and voluminous lashes that last all day without the need for glue. The lashes quickly gained popularity, becoming a word-of-mouth success among Doha’s It Girl set.Alsaify’s ingenuity did not stop with lashes; she also sought to address another beauty puzzle – the lack of Korean beauty products in Qatar. Having experienced the benefits of a K-beauty routine during her time as a chemical engineering student in the US, she was disappointed to find that these products were not readily available upon her return to Doha. Recognizing the potential of K-beauty in the Arab market, she decided to introduce her favorite Korean brands to Qatari women.Starting as a small skincare distributor, Alsaify eventually expanded her venture to Be Cosy (becosystore.com), a digital boutique specializing in curated beauty finds and comfortable loungewear. The boutique became a go-to destination for Qatari shoppers, especially during the pandemic. Be Cosy stocks cult favorites from Asia, such as Dr. Jart, CosRX, Laneige, Banila, and Dear, Klairs, alongside its own line of gua sha and other beauty tools. Personalized skincare consultations on the website help clients find products tailored to their specific needs, a service that Alsaify believes is essential for introducing K-beauty newcomers to the genre.Alsaify’s deep understanding of her regional clients’ skincare needs, especially in the challenging weather conditions of Qatar, has been crucial to her success. The humid climate, high temperatures, and strong sun necessitate effective skincare routines, and her selection of modern formulas with natural ingredients resonates well with the women in the region.Looking to the future, Haneen Alsaify is expanding her in-house brand to include an eye serum with a K-beauty-inspired anti-aging formula for hydration. This upcoming launch is just the beginning of fresh and innovative ideas to come from her thriving beauty empire.As a young female entrepreneur in Qatar, Alsaify’s journey has been marked by tenacity, innovation, and a commitment to bringing new and beneficial beauty solutions to her customers. Her ability to solve her own beauty challenges and identify market gaps has catapulted her into the forefront of the beauty industry in Qatar and beyond. With her passion for beauty and business acumen, she is poised to make even greater waves in the world of conscious beauty and K-beauty.