Featured in Khaleej Times — Lavanya Vikram UAE Influencer Journey
Being featured in Khaleej Times was one of those moments where everything I have worked for suddenly felt real. Khaleej Times is not just any publication — it is one of the most respected and widely read newspapers in the UAE, with a readership that spans the entire Gulf region and beyond. When they decided to tell my story, it felt like a stamp of validation for every late night, every risk, and every moment I wondered if I was on the right path.
The article focused on how I am disrupting Dubai's beauty industry through Blush N Curls, my 100% chemical-free salon chain. But my journey as a Dubai influencer and entrepreneur is much deeper than a single feature. Let me share the full story behind the headline.
From Health Crisis to Dubai Salon Brand
Most people do not know that my journey into the beauty industry started with a personal health crisis. Years ago, I lost my voice due to prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals commonly used in salons. That experience changed everything. It opened my eyes to the toxic reality behind many of the beauty treatments millions of women undergo regularly without a second thought.
Instead of walking away from the industry, I decided to fix it. In 2016, I founded Blush N Curls in Al Qusais, Dubai — a ladies salon built on one non-negotiable principle: every single product we use must be 100% ammonia-free and chemical-free. No exceptions, no compromises. That was radical for Dubai at the time, and honestly, many people told me it would not work.
Today, Blush N Curls has grown into a Dubai salon brand with three branches across Al Qusais, Al Barsha, and Mankhool. We serve thousands of clients every month, and our commitment to clean beauty has only gotten stronger. The Khaleej Times feature captured this journey beautifully — from the personal pain that started it all to the thriving business it has become.
What the Khaleej Times Feature Covered
The Khaleej Times article took a deep dive into several aspects of my work that I am particularly proud of:
The clean beauty mission — How Blush N Curls is challenging an industry that has normalised toxic chemicals by proving that ammonia-free, organic products can deliver results that are just as good, if not better, than their chemical-laden counterparts.
Building a business in Dubai — The realities of launching and scaling a salon brand in one of the most competitive markets in the world. Dubai does not reward mediocrity, and surviving here for nearly a decade means you are doing something right.
The influencer-entrepreneur dual identity — How being a Dubai influencer with over a million followers on Instagram actually strengthens the business, and vice versa. Most people see these as separate careers. For me, they are completely intertwined.
Women's empowerment — My advocacy for women's health in the beauty industry and my belief that women deserve to know exactly what is being applied to their hair and skin. Transparency is not a luxury — it should be the standard.
Why Press Coverage Matters for a UAE Lifestyle Blogger
Some people might wonder why press features matter when you already have a million followers on Instagram. The truth is, they serve completely different purposes. Social media gives you reach and community. Press coverage gives you credibility and permanence.
When a publication like Khaleej Times — which has been a trusted news source in the UAE for over 40 years — decides to feature your story, it tells people that your work has substance beyond the Instagram grid. It tells brands that you are a serious professional. It tells potential clients that Blush N Curls is not just another salon with a good marketing strategy — it is a business built on genuine values.
As a UAE lifestyle blogger and content creator, I have learned that the combination of social media presence and traditional media coverage creates a credibility loop that is incredibly powerful. Press features drive people to your Instagram. Your Instagram community amplifies the press coverage. And together, they build a personal brand that is much more than the sum of its parts.
The Awards That Followed
The Khaleej Times feature was part of a broader wave of recognition that I am deeply grateful for. Being named among the Global 50 Women by Filmfare Middle East and Khaleej Times was a milestone I never expected when I first started posting about beauty tips on Instagram. Some of the other recognitions that have shaped my journey:
— Filmfare Most Influential Women 2025 — Standing alongside women I have admired for years at the Filmfare ceremony was surreal. This award recognised not just my content, but my entrepreneurship and advocacy work.
— Style Icon Influencer 2024 (106.2 Big FM Dubai) — An award that celebrates the intersection of fashion, beauty, and authentic personal style.
— Travel Influencer Award 2024 (106.2 Big FM Dubai) — Recognition for my travel content, which has always been about sharing genuine experiences rather than just pretty pictures.
— Champion in Wellness 2021 (WTF Global) — This one is close to my heart because wellness is not just content for me — it is how I live my life.
— Young Entrepreneur with a Mission 2020 (SHE Awards) — Validation that building a clean beauty brand from scratch was worth every challenge.
What Being a Dubai Influencer Really Means
Dubai is unlike any other city for content creators. The competition is fierce, the audience is sophisticated, and the standards are incredibly high. Being a Dubai influencer is not just about having followers — it is about consistently delivering value to an audience that has endless options for where to spend their attention.
What has kept me relevant for over a decade in this market is authenticity. I only promote products and services I genuinely use and believe in. I share the real side of entrepreneurship — the struggles, the failures, and the wins. And I never forget that my audience is made up of real people with real lives, not just numbers on a screen.
My content spans beauty, travel, food, technology, automotive, and wellness because that is genuinely how I live. Life in Dubai is multidimensional, and my audience appreciates that I do not box myself into a single niche. A woman who follows me for hair care tips might also discover her next favourite restaurant or travel destination. That crossover is what makes my community special.
The Road Ahead
The Khaleej Times feature was a milestone, but it is not the destination. Blush N Curls continues to grow, and I am exploring new locations and services that align with our clean beauty philosophy. On the content side, I am investing in longer-form storytelling, educational content about clean beauty, and mentoring aspiring creators and entrepreneurs in the UAE.
My mission has always been the same: prove that you can build a successful Dubai salon brand without compromising on health, grow a genuine audience as a UAE lifestyle blogger without buying followers, and inspire other women to pursue their passions fearlessly.
If you want to read the original feature, you can find it on Khaleej Times here. And if my story resonates with you, I would love to connect — find me on Instagram @lavanyavikram_ or explore my collaboration page for brand partnerships.
Here is to the next chapter.
