There is a moment in every beauty lover’s childhood that stays with them: watching a mother prepare for an evening out, the quiet ritual of it, the flash of red lipstick catching the light. For the founder of MAAKE Beauty, that memory became a brand.
MAAKE — pronounced like the Arabic word ma’aki, meaning “with you” — is a modern luxury beauty house born in Dubai, and it wears its origin story on its sleeve. The founder created the brand in tribute to his late mother, whose bright red lipstick and boundless warmth shaped his idea of what beauty should be: not a mask, but a form of presence, dignity, and care. The house slogan, “Always with you,” is a promise carried over from a son’s words to his mother.
A House Built on Story, Not Just Formula
In a market crowded with trend-chasing launches, MAAKE positions itself differently. Every product, the brand says, “begins with a philosophy, not a formula.” The result is a tightly curated universe spanning makeup, skincare — which the house calls Dermacare — and, most recently, fragrance.
The brand’s aesthetic borrows from the rhythm of Dubai itself: tradition meeting modernity, stillness alongside momentum. Clean formulations and professional-grade performance are the stated pillars, with products designed to serve both working makeup artists and everyday wearers.
There is a thread Lebanese readers may recognise, too: fashion-industry makeup artist Carlos Abou Faycal has collaborated with the house, curating looks that blend fashion-forward polish with soft, wearable aesthetics.
What to Try First
The complexion wardrobe. The Skin to Skin Foundation (AED 152, about $41) comes in shades from Ivory to Amber, and pairs with the Stay Real Sculpting Concealer (AED 97) — a favourite for its sculpt-and-cover double duty. The Mascara 22/11 (AED 132) and Blush Mono (AED 127) in shades like Galah and Sweet Love round out the face.
The lips. This is where MAAKE’s playful side shows. The Kissproof Liquid Matte (AED 99) comes in shades named Candy, Darling, Desire, and Savage; the Velvet Matte Lipstick (AED 107) offers Beijo and Crazy For You; and the Sensual Gloss (AED 87) delivers that glassy finish in Lychee, Spicy, and Sunset. For shine seekers, there are also the Infinity Moisture Shine (AED 112) and Metallic Shine (AED 109) lipsticks.
The Dermacare cabinet. The skincare offering is organised into distinct lines: Caviar (the luxury anchor, with an Eye Lifting Serum at AED 579 and a Daily Repair Serum at AED 617), 4X Hyaluronic for hydration, 24K Gold for glow, Taboha Africa, and the aptly named Instantaneous.
The fragrances. MAAKE’s first perfume collection treats scent as “a memory in motion.” Each fragrance — Sweet Love, Belle Aura, Vento d’Amore, L’Éclat du Soir — comes as an Eau de Parfum (AED 250) or a lighter All Over Body Spray (AED 137), with bundles at AED 399 for those who want both.
The Verdict
MAAKE Beauty is that rare Gulf-born brand that leads with emotion rather than opulence. The price point sits comfortably in the accessible-luxury bracket, the shade naming is charming, and the mother-and-son origin story gives the whole house a warmth that most beauty marketing can only imitate. For Lebanese beauty lovers who like their glamour with a story — and a little Arabic soul — MAAKE is one to watch.
MAAKE Beauty ships from Dubai and is available at maakebeauty.com.
