The art of henna might be practised all over the globe and has become a popular tourist souvenir, but what seems as a temporary decoration can actually have hidden ingredients that could potentially be damaging to the skin.
An avid henna artist since the age of eight, Safa Munafer was on a mission to make organic henna readily available to everyone after noticing salons using henna made with unnecessary chemicals.
She decided to create her own organic mix of accredited ingredients and launched Dubai Henna. Quickly gaining attention for her products and mesmerising approach to henna – she is known to be the only supplier of premium waterproof White Henna and Organic Jagua (black) Henna in the Middle East – she has brought the spotlight back to this temporary form of body art.
View this post on Instagram
What was your favourite subject at school?
Drawing, sketching and painting.
What was your first job?
I have never worked for anyone and my first venture too was as a freelance henna artist started at the age of eight – I did my cousin’s bridal henna. Although I was very amateur at that time, I am blessed to have someone trust me to do henna on their big day.
What inspired you to launch Dubai Henna?
Having lived half of my life with henna, I always had a dream to serve the artistic community with authentic products. Soon after I moved to Dubai, I came across a lot of salons using chemically fabricated henna for their clients. They used to add unsafe hidden ingredients such as gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, benzene, and PPD (paraphenylenediamine) to make the henna develop colour quicker and darker. It is very difficult to find pure body art supplies, so I decided to give the best one-stop shop to buy all henna related products in one place. We have gone through comprehensive lab tests and received all necessary certificates and approvals for our products prior to the launch of dubaihenna.com. Thereby, promising the artistic community of a one-stop-shop for your authentic and innovative henna products in the market.
What are the key elements of your role?
My main task is strategy planning, setting out long term goals, creating new organic formulas, meeting new prospects, performing demonstrations, and designing new stencils. Although I do get involved in bits and pieces of every other part of the process, my partner and our team are well equipped to take off the rest.
View this post on Instagram
Talk us through your daily routine.
My day starts very early with a cup of Dolce Gusto Café Au Lait, ironing, and breakfast for my husband. He leaves to work a little early and while he is driving to work, we speak over the phone for a brief day planning and then I head to my office too.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
I believe that every individual is talented in their own ways. There will always be something in them, which they need to find out and work very hard to achieve heights. Persistence is key. Be curious, creative, and never ever give up. Start small and build up your level by setting small milestones.
Which fashion brands can we find in your work wardrobe?
I rarely buy clothes from outside. I have been blessed with my mum, who is an unknown but very talented designer. Majority of my dresses are designed and stitched by her from home.
View this post on Instagram
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Focus on one thing is what my husband advised me. I like creative arts and wanted to do many things together such as henna, oil paint, acrylic paint, but he advised me to only focus on one thing and try to give your 100 per cent on that thing which you believe will bring you success.
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
Time management. This was always a problem for me switching different roles as wife, mother, and entrepreneur. I usually try as much as possible to have schedules prepared two weeks ahead and break it down into small daily tasks.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram
