The winners of the Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 were announced during a classy ceremony held at The Grand Hyatt Dubai, on October 31st! Take a closer look at the winners in the categories Lifetime Achievement Award, Niche Fragrance of the Year, Popular Fragrance of the Year, and Perfumer of the Year! 

The Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 ceremony took place on the second day of the Beautyworld Middle East Dubai fair, and it was glamorous!

Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 entrance

With a record 540 entries in all categories, shortlisted down to finalists in 16 categories including  Hair Product of the Year, Conscious Brand of the Year, and Niche Fragrance of the Year, an expert panel of judges assessed entries to award winners at the gala celebration, hosted by UAE TV personality, Katie Overy.

Upon arrival at The Grand Hyatt Dubai, I immediately ran into lovely Nathalie Feisthauer (Master Perfumer / LAB Scent) who was one of the judges, and managed to mingle a bit before the ceremony. And what a ceremony it was! A celebration of people, products, and innovation! It was a gala night indeed, including entertainment – and food.

Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 Grand Hotel Hyatt Dinner

Let’s take a closer look at the Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 Winners in Perfume Categories, which dominated the evening. You can find the full list of all the winners on the Beautyworld Middle East website.

Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 – Niche Fragrance of the Year 

Finalists were: Maison Rebatchi with Vanille Riviera and Myrrhe and Musc, Maison Crivelli with Hibiscus Mahajad, Begim with Magic Valley, Lor Group with Oud Latte, and the winner is:

Myrrhe and Musc by Maison Rebatchi!

Maison Rebatchi Winner Myrrhe and Musc Perfume Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023

Myrrhe and Musc is a fine perfume created by Ilias Ermenidis, musky-silky and smooth, with notes of Pink Pepper, Juniper, Myrrh of course, Incense, Patchouli, and Musks (available as 100, 50, and 10 ml  EdP). 

Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023  – Popular Fragrance of the Year

Finalists were: Ajmal Perfumes with Song of Oud, Afnan Perfumes with 9PM-Black, Al Khadlaj Perfumes with Hareem Al Sultan Gold Perfume Oil (which was my favorite), Laverne with Miss Laverne, and Kayali Fragrances with Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 (very interesting). The winner is:

Song of Oudh by Ajmal Perfumes!

Song of Oudh perfume

This fragrance, launched in 2023 is an Amber-Floral EdP with notes of Bergamot, Apple and Ginger, Jasmine, Orris, Lily of the Valley, Amber, Musk, and Patchouli. It might seem strange to not see Oudh listed as a note, but Song of Oudh is actually escaping from the oud cliche, and putting the accent on citrusy, fruity, and spicy elements.

Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 – Perfumer of the Year

Finalists were:

Dominique Moellhausen / Moellhausen SpA, Belén Garcia / Eurofragrance, Faizal Changampally / V Perfumes, Laura Vera / Chemarome and Michelle Moellhausen / Moellhausen SpA. The winner is:

Dominique Moellhausen / Moellhausen SpA!

Perfumer of the Year Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 Dubai Dominique Moellhausen

Furthermore, KAYALI Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 / by Huda Beauty was the winner of the Media Campaign of the Year category, but the most touching moment was when Ali Asgar Fakhruddin, Founder and Chairman of Sterling Perfumes (UAE) was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award! Mr. Fakhruddin’s speech was so gentle, humble, and heartwarming! 40 years in the Industry, that’s something!

Lifetime acheivement Award Ali Asgar Fakhruddin

Sterling Perfumes Industries won two additional Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2023 – for Luxury Packaging of the Year for their OROS The Inventor, and their own outlet Perfume Palace – named Independent Retailer of the Year.  This was definitely a Sterling night!

If you are wondering about the signature scent of the fair, the winner among participating houses CFF, Cosmo International Fragrances, CPL Aromas, Iberchem, EMSA, Eurofragrance, Luzi, Parfessence, Keva, IPRA, SFA Neroli, Parfex, Ravetllatt Aromatics, is the fragrance named Golden Light by Jean-François Thizon, Perfumer at Parfex! 

The scent that captured the soul of Beautyworld Middle East 2023 is refreshing and cozy, featuring notes of mandarin and lily of the valley, patchouli, musk, sandalwood, and vanilla. Thizon was presented with his award by Benoit Vittet, Head of Perfumery at Jean Niel Sas, the winner of the 2022 edition of the competition.

Thizon said, as reported by Beautyworld Middle East 2023:  “I am so proud to be honored with the award of ‘Signature Scent’ for Beautyworld Middle East. This is my first perfumery award and I am very grateful for the recognition”. On his signature scent creation, he continued: “When I think of Dubai I think of Golden Light, and this is the definition of this fragrance. It illustrates what ‘ Golden Light’ is to me in the Middle East, and that is the mixture of musk, amber and white flowers.

I created a personal and intimate balance of the three of those scents, adding vanilla to make a delicious, long-lasting fragrance.” It makes perfect sense!

I was really surprised by the voting process! All visitors could test the competing perfumes during all three days of the fair, and in quite an innovative way:

Voting process for the signature scent of Beautyworld Middle east 2023

AirParfum technology made it possible to complete the blind- and speed-smelling and voting process quickly and easily. The booth was placed in a central position of the Quintessence hall, dedicated to niche perfumery, and since I’ve spent a lot of time there it was interesting to observe people vote.

The whole process was automated, including poofs of perfume coming out from the middle of a neon ring, and after smelling it, you were supposed to cast your vote in terms of like/dislike/neutral – and there were 15 perfumes to smell.

I only wish that these fragrances were also presented physically – I might have voted differently had I tested them on my skin. Or on blotters. I just like to think about perfumes I’m giving a vote, give them time and my skin, and that’s why I went to the AirParfume booth – not twice, but three times before voting.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! You shine.

Beautyworld Middle east Awards 2023 all winners
All the Award winners and Beautyworld Middle East 2023 representatives

Golden Light, indeed! Dubai is fascinating, the fair was exceptional, and my another report shall follow soon!

The Plum Girl
Elena Cvjetkovic
Photos: Elena Cvjetkovic, Beautyworld Middle East Dubai 2023
Disclaimer: The Plum Girl Perfume Site is an official Media Partner with Beautyworld Middle East

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