KHAMSA chats with the haircare visionary Dina Shaban
Dina Shaban, the visionary founder of haircare brand Dinaïa, is passionate about transforming the haircare landscape for the Arab community. As a Dubai-based entrepreneur, she was inspired by her struggles with hair health in the harsh climate of the region. This experience led her to create a brand that addresses the specific needs of Arab hair, combining clean, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients with the wisdom of tradition and modern science.
KHAMSA sits down with Dina to talk about her early personal and professional journey towards becoming an entrepreneur and starting Dinaïa! As Dina shares her experiences, ideas and her passion for wellbeing, she reflects the commendable passion, resilience and positivity that is an inspiration for entrepreneurs and young individuals alike.
١. Dina Shaban, you are the founder of Dinaïa. How were you inspired to embark on this venture?
“The inspiration to launch Dinaïa came during lockdown while I was in between jobs, recovering from a painful ankle injury, with a lot of time on my hands. My hair and skin had suffered from Dubai’s dry climate and harsh water, and I was desperate for natural remedies. This deep frustration pushed me to explore natural remedies, where I delved into online tutorials, became obsessed with clean ingredients, and discovered the transformative power of natural oils.
“Amidst all this, I recalled childhood memories of using Al Jadayel hair oil by Abdul Samad Al Qurashi (a Saudi brand). While it effectively nourished my hair, the oil was heavy, had a strong scent, and its red colour would always stain my clothes. This inspired me to create my own natural, lightweight dye-free oil that serves as a pre-shampoo treatment and could also be confidently worn throughout the day with a pleasant scent. I enrolled in a haircare course, conducted surveys to understand better the diverse hair types and needs in the region, and collaborated with hair & skin experts and formulators in the UK.”
“Dinaïa was born out of a desire to fill a gap in the market— offering clean, effective hair & skin products specifically tailored to the needs of Arab women while honouring the rich traditions of our heritage.”
٢. Could you tell us some unique properties of Arab hair type that warrant a specific type of care?
“Arab hair is pretty diverse, ranging from wavy and curly to thick and coiled textures, and it requires specific care due to its unique properties.”
“One of the most distinct features of Arab hair is:
a) Its tendency to be dense and have porous strands. This mean means they absorb moisture easily, but also lose it just as quickly, leading to dryness and frizz, especially in harsh climates like the Middle East.
b) The natural wave or curl pattern found in many Arab women’s hair, makes it more brittle and prone to breakage, which can be challenging to manage in environments with high humidity or dry heat.
c) Frequent exposure to the sun, coupled with hard water that’s common in the region, can exacerbate issues like brittleness, breakage, and dullness.
“Arab women use hot tools frequently to straighten and style their hair, which can further exacerbate dryness and split ends. Many also opt for keratin treatments that, while initially smoothing, can be extremely damaging in the long run. Experimenting with dyeing and highlighting is common, but if not handled with care, it can lead to significant damage.
“To cater to these unique needs, haircare products must be deeply nourishing, lightweight, and hydrating without weighing the hair down or causing buildup. Ingredients like desert date oil, fig seed oil and argan oil, which are deeply rooted in the region’s natural resources are ideal for delivering the right balance of moisture, protection, and care that Arab hair requires.”
٣. Haircare is a practice that is very important in life. What are the easily avoidable mistakes you see people making while taking care of their hair?
“One of the most common mistakes people make is over-washing or underwashing their hair. While it’s essential to keep your scalp clean, washing too frequently can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Others may wait too long before washing, and this can cause buildup which can eventually clog your pores and lead to hair fall. The solution is pretty straightforward, wash your hair once it starts looking and feeling oily/ greasy.. When it starts to smell oily, it means you’ve waited too long!
a) It’s important to use the correct shampoo for your hair. If your hair is fine and tends to get oily quickly, opt for clarifying shampoos, and if it’s dry/damaged then opt for repairing shampoos that include protein & natural oils in them. It’s important to find a balance that works for your hair type and lifestyle, which might mean washing less often and using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.
b) Another mistake is skipping the use of a heat protectant when styling. Exposing hair to high temperatures without protection can cause significant damage over time, leading to split ends, breakage, and a loss of natural shine. Even if you don’t use hot tools often, a heat protectant is vital when spending time outdoors in the sun, especially in regions with intense UV exposure.
c) Many people overlook the importance of regular trims. While it might seem counterintuitive to cut your hair when trying to grow it out, trimming the ends every few months prevents split ends from going up the hair shaft, keeping your hair healthier and allowing it to grow longer and stronger over time.
٤. Many haircare brands offer quick fixes, but at the cost of long-term hair health. How does Dinaïa ensure that its products provide both immediate results and long-lasting benefits?
“At Dinaïa, our ethos revolves around the belief that true beauty comes from within, and that applies to hair health as well. We reject the idea of quick fixes that can lead to long-term damage, opting instead for formulations that nourish and protect hair from the inside out. Our products are designed to provide immediate results—like increased shine, smoother texture, and enhanced manageability—while also delivering long-lasting benefits that support overall hair & skin health.
“For instance, our Nourish Hair Oil offers instant hydration and frizz control, but it’s also packed with vitamins and fatty acids that strengthen the hair over time, improving elasticity and reducing breakage and split ends.
“Similarly, our Nourish Skin Oil combines the hydrating benefits of olive squalane and watermelon seed oil, both known for their deep moisturizing and antioxidant properties. While the oil immediately enhances skin suppleness and provides an instant glow, its long-term use helps improve skin elasticity and combats environmental stressors that can lead to premature ageing.
“We achieve this balance by carefully selecting ingredients that are effective and gentle yet non-toxic. We make sure to steer away from harsh chemicals, silicones, and other synthetic ingredients that create a temporary illusion of healthy hair but ultimately lead to buildup and damage. This commitment to clean beauty ensures that our products deliver both immediate effectiveness and enduring results, aligning with our ethos of holistic care and empowerment.”
٥. With a strong commitment to clean, vegan, and cruelty-free principles, what challenges did you face in sourcing ingredients and ensuring the quality of your products?
“Sourcing ingredients that align with our clean, vegan, and cruelty-free principles has certainly been challenging for us. One of the biggest hurdles has been finding high-quality, sustainable alternatives to commonly used ingredients like silicones, which are often relied upon for their smoothing and detangling properties, but are not eco-friendly.
“As mentioned earlier, instead of using silicones which can be damaging to aquatic systems, we opted for desert date oil, which not only offers similar benefits, but is also lightweight, sustainable, and deeply nourishing. However, sourcing such ingredients requires thorough research and a commitment to working with suppliers who share our values. This often means higher costs and longer lead times, but we believe it’s worth it to ensure that our products are as kind to the planet as they are to your hair and skin. Another challenge has been ensuring that our formulations meet our high standards of efficacy without compromising on our ethical commitments. This has involved extensive testing and collaboration with expert formulators, particularly in the UK, to develop products that deliver on their promises while remaining true to our clean beauty ethos.”
٦. As a female entrepreneur in the beauty industry, what advice would you give to other women looking to start their own business?
“Starting your own business is an incredibly personal journey, and I think the first piece of advice I’d give is to really believe in yourself and your vision. There were moments when I doubted myself, especially being in a space that’s traditionally been dominated by men, but I learned that trusting your instincts is key.”
“Your unique perspective as a woman is an asset, and it’s so important to stay true to that, even when faced with challenges.”
“I also can’t stress enough the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. Whether it’s friends, family, mentors, or peers, having a supportive network has been invaluable to me. These are the people who will encourage you when you feel lost and help you see the bigger picture.
“Resilience and adaptability are also crucial. I’ve faced setbacks, and there were times when things didn’t go according to plan. It’s easy to feel discouraged, but I’ve come to see those challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to take risks, and remember that every failure is one step closer to success. Lastly, I believe in building something that truly means something to you. For me, it was about creating a brand that resonates with Arab women and honours our heritage. Trends will always come and go, but if you stay authentic and focus on what truly matters to you, your brand will naturally connect with people. It might take longer, but in the end, it’s that authenticity and organic growth that will build a strong foundation for long-term success.”
٨. Lastly, what do you see Dinaïa achieving in the future?
“Looking ahead, I see Dinaïa growing into a trusted and credible brand across the Middle East and beyond, becoming the go-to destination for haircare that truly understands and caters to the unique needs of Arab women. We plan to expand our product range, introducing new formulations that address a wider variety of hair concerns while staying true to our clean, vegan, and cruelty-free principles. Beyond product development, our goal is to continue fostering a strong sense of community among our customers.
“We envision Dinaïa as more than just a brand—it’s a platform for empowerment, education, and connection. By sharing valuable content, offering expert advice, and creating spaces for dialogue, we aim to support ourcommunity in their holistic wellness journeys. Ultimately, our vision is to make a positive impact on the lives of Arab women by providing high-quality, culturally relevant beauty solutions that celebrate their natural beauty and honour their heritage. We’re committed to growing sustainably, with a focus on long-term success.”
