Lifestyle

Gorgeous Hair, no more a Tedious Affair with Rafi Kouyoumjian

Published

5 years ago

October 19, 2019

Can hairstyling be exciting? For many of us, the regular trip to the salon can be a tedious task, something we have to get out of the way to make us look presentable. Hardly anything we look forward to. But to some, specifically, those who have taken it as their life’s work, it is a passion.

Count Rafi Kouyoumjian among them. The Kuwait-born son of Armenian parents and a resident of Abu Dhabi openly calls hairstyling an art-form. For the owner of Beauty Spot in the city’s Anantara Hotel and top-ranked hairstylist in the United Arab Emirates, hair isn’t merely a job.

Kouyoumjian emphasizes each visit with him being quick and efficient with customers while they are in the chair, but that’s not the end of the story. He also emphasizes the need for the entire experience to be a rewarding one, and for the end result to be one that excites the person wearing it.

“Hair design is an art,” he says. “People who do what I do, and do it as well as I do, we’re magicians. And it’s fun. When you find something fun, you’re going to be good at it; you’re going to enjoy listening to women and making them look and feel beautiful.”

Koyoumjian finds his work fun and sees it as art. A look at his Instagram reveals this. Nine out of ten posts are videos showing what he can do with a customer’s hair. And with over eighteen thousand followers, it would appear that people value what he has to teach and show the world about hair.

“When I say that I’m one of the best hair designers in the UAE, it’s not just me bragging,” he says. “I see it as a responsibility. I see it as a way to show there are those of us out there who take hairstyling seriously and make it into an art-form.”

Lifestyle

Crafting a Greener Glow: Alternative Therapies’ Sustainable Skincare Revolution

Published

3 days ago

December 25, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo Credit: Alternative Therapies

Byline: Avery Lim

Photo Credit: Alternative Therapies

Sustainability is an ongoing theme in a world that finally answers the environment’s call to action. From toning down single-use plastics to making subtle yet powerful lifestyle changes, modern society means business when it comes to the green revolution.

The skincare industry, in particular, is pitching in by resorting to clean beauty. From Greece to the Netherlands, Amalia Pavlidou stumbled upon a revelation. As she browsed rows of natural products, the idea for Alternative Therapies began to take shape—a skincare line rooted in nature, yet forward-thinking in science.

The Evolution of a Conscious Skincare Movement

As consumers demand more transparency in their beauty routines, the natural and vegan skincare market is booming. Alternative Therapies finds itself at the heart of this eco-conscious shift.

“When we started, it was not just about creating products—it was about driving a movement that would help put the world on track toward healing,” says Amalia Pavlidou. “I wanted to prove that luxury and sustainability can coexist without canceling each other out.”

This philosophy shines through in every detail, from the company’s recyclable glass packaging to its commitment to avoiding harmful chemicals like parabens and sulfates. One of the flagship products, the vitamin C serum, is a true reflection of this concept, blending 2% natural Vitamin C, ferulic acid, and sea-buckthorn to deliver both radiant skin and a clean conscience.

Alternative Therapies, once a small player, has utilized this trend, entering the competitive U.S. market this year. “There is a deep-rooted connection between nature and self-care in Greek culture,” explains Pavlidou. “We are bringing that tradition to the global stage, blending it with progressive science.”

The Rise of Eco-Beauty

Amalia Pavlidou’s plan for progress in the industry—one where luxury does not compromise ethics—has attracted a growing community of supporters. As Alternative Therapies expands its presence in the U.S., it remains grounded in its mission to redefine beauty standards.

“When I started this, I was hoping to do more than simply build a business—I wanted to build a legacy,” reflects Pavlidou. “Apart from looking good, beauty should be about feeling good and doing good.”

Now the question is not whether the beauty industry will embrace sustainability—it is how quickly it can catch up with pioneers like Alternative Therapies taking the reins. With its commitment to changing the world with mild ingredients, the brand is crafting a greener glow, lighting the way for a more conscious industry. To that effect, it is evident that luxury and beauty can be synonymous.