NATURE’S OWN

Jayne Green sits down and talks to Samia Alsaleh, the lovely winner of our Special Contribution to the Beauty and Wellness Industry about Organique and Sa by Samia.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and where it all began.

I was in love with art and wanted to study it but my parents wanted me to study Business and Banking at University as it was in demand. I graduated in 2008 the year of the financial crisis therefore it wasn’t easy to find a job. Obviously this had a big impact on me emotionally as I was at home seemingly with no purpose. Then my Aunt asked me to spend some time in her Salon. I had expected to be the manager but in fact I was the stock keeper. She told me that I needed to count the stock –how many shampoos are on the shelves, this kind of thing. She stressed that if you want to learn the business then you start from the beginning. I was promoted to shop assistant and eventually I went to study at two academies to become a makeup artist. Once I had the accreditation, I became the manager in the salon. After this I worked as an accountant but felt like a caged bird unable to explore my creative side. I knew that I must start my own business and that opening a salon with a good friend was the way forward. This salon was the first to launch raw products infused into organic treatments to their customers. I decided that I wanted to create a business based solely around Organic products and at this time I was taking a massive risk as Organic wasn’t as highly prized as it is today. My husband and my parents supported me and I was able to found Organique. My Father helped in every area. He even helped me to paint the make up room and the rest of the family were also so heavily involved. I then devoted myself to producing home made products for every treatment. People would ask to buy the products but at that time I was unable to sell the products we used. After the government challenged me about using my own products I realised that after only 6 months I needed to create my own range. I flew to

Istanbul and took my herbs and asked a manufacturer to produce my range of products. I feel blessed and so happy that this range has been a success and so many people have bought my products. How did you choose the ingredients and create your formulas used throughout your range of products and treatments? My inspiration was undoubtedly a collective of my Mother, Grandmother and my Aunty. They gave me so much valuable advice about the traditional herbs and the processes through which I needed to go to produce these formulas. Every time I travel to the Far East, Bali, Thailand and India I spend so much time investigating the properties behind their herbs and spices. I want to learn how to maximise the benefits of every ingredient. Especially the oils which are complex and need to be treated accordingly. I have the problem that some ladies mix organic and herbal treatments which are both very strong but don’t necessarily complement one another. I then decided to focus on using Social Media to inform clients and prospective clients about the safest treatments to use. I feel that I have to find out about ach and every ingredient and brand in order to know if I can support it and inform my clients about it.

Us ladies in The Middle East suffer greatly from the elements. What would you recommend from your line to treat this?

I noticed that most ladies have hand creams in their bags and suffer from dehydration - whether that be skin or hair it is evident in a big way throughout The Middle East. I decided that my focus must be to replenish and therefore so many of my products are infused with Shea Butter - I’m obsessed about its hydrating properties. In addition I push our clients to use protection such as sun block or products which coat and protect. Educating our clients and providing informative advice is very important to counter the effects of the sun as well as providing the ultimate treatment. We look after our clients throughout the whole process and recommend a series of treatments and products which will both sustain and maintain said benefits.

How does it make you feel when you are doing Bridal MakeUp and you are part of such a special day?

The ‘Wow’ moment is when you zip up the dress for the client at the end of the whole process. It is a very happy ending for me. The trust that the Bride puts in me is beyond explanation. This sense of trust brings out the best in a makeup artist as it means that the Bride is a canvas for us - there’s a lot of trust there. Many of my customers send me pictures of their special day and of their babies which is phenomenal. We remember every bride by name.

What plans do you have for the next five years?

What I hope is that I can create an oasis where we are free from mobile technology and social media and encourage clients to read books and magazines rather than looking at their phones throughout the process. We need the ladies to be with us and to enjoy the moment as opposed to succumbing to distractions. They need to detox from the pressures of the modern world. No children, no social media just relaxation and indulging yourselves.

People are also asking for new products and additions to the ranges and therefore I want to bring more lines for the customers. We will also be rolling out the lines to other therapists and salons and so we have great expectations for what the next few years might bring.

@organiquesa / @sa.by.samia