Social media usage is pervasive in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the majority of residents active on multiple platforms daily. For successful marketing campaigns, leveraging social media is essential, and social media influencers have become a driving force for growth. These creators use authentic content and strong community ties to spark conversation, shape trends and influence buying decisions. Here are 25 of the top UAE influencers who are dominating the online scene—and how to partner with them the smart way.
What Makes a “Top” UAE Influencer Today
- Audience relevance in the UAE and wider GCC (language, culture, platform mix).
- Content quality and consistency (storytelling, production values, brand safety).
- Engagement quality, not just follower counts (saves, shares, comments, watch time).
- Proven collaborations with brands and measurable campaign outcomes.
- Compliance awareness (clear ad disclosures and, where applicable, NMC licensing).
25 Top UAE Influencers (By Niche)
1) Huda Kattan — Beauty
Huda Kattan is a renowned social media influencer in the Middle East with a staggering following across platforms. Her focus on beauty and makeup content has earned her immense popularity. As the founder of Huda Beauty, a Dubai-based cosmetics brand, Huda shares skincare routines, makeup tips and messages of self-love with her followers.
- Niche: Beauty, entrepreneurship
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
- Audience highlights: Beauty-first women in the GCC and globally
- Good for: Product launches, tutorials, integrated brand storytelling
- Notable: Founder of global brand Huda Beauty
- Estimated rates: Premium/enterprise; pricing on request
Tip: For product launches, build a layered plan—exclusive first look, tutorial, and post-launch review with clear usage rights for paid amplification.
2) Joelle Mardinian — Beauty & Entrepreneurship
Joelle Mardinian is a versatile influencer known for her roles as a TV host, entrepreneur and makeup artist. With a substantial audience on Instagram and YouTube, Joelle is a prominent figure in the UAE. Her makeup tutorials and beauty advice, coupled with her role as the founder of the Joelle Group beauty empire, make her an inspiration to thousands of women across the region.
- Niche: Beauty, personal care, entrepreneurship
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, YouTube
- Audience highlights: Arabic-speaking beauty enthusiasts
- Good for: Clinic/derma partnerships, beauty routines, premium lifestyle
- Estimated rates: Macro-level; pricing on request
Tip: Use Arabic-first creative and subtitles for mixed-language audiences to boost completion rates and saves.
3) Taim Alfalasi — Lifestyle, Travel & Food
With a communication degree from Zayed University, Taim Alfalasi has earned a reputation as one of the most influential Instagrammers in the UAE. Her travel, lifestyle and food content has built an engaged community. She also hosts an online radio talk show popular across the Arab world, frequently spotlighting travel destinations, gourmet restaurants and fashion.
- Niche: Travel, lifestyle, food
- Based in: UAE
- Primary platforms: Instagram, Snapchat
- Audience highlights: GCC women, travel and dining enthusiasts
- Good for: Destination features, F&B launches, day-in-the-life integrations
- Estimated rates: Upper mid-tier to macro
Tip: For hospitality collabs, pair in-stay stories with a post-stay carousel review for stronger consideration and bookings.
4) Abdulaziz Baz (Bin Baz) — Comedy & Everyday Life
Known for his humor and pranks, Abdulaziz Baz—also known as Bin Baz—is a beloved influencer with a large regional audience. His funny, friendly nature has attracted sponsorships across automotive, tech and fragrance categories. His entertaining videos and images offer a unique, relatable glimpse into life in the UAE.
- Niche: Comedy, lifestyle
- Based in: UAE
- Primary platforms: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok
- Audience highlights: Youthful GCC audience with high share rates
- Good for: Short-form comedy integrations and challenge formats
- Estimated rates: Macro-level
Tip: Keep briefs flexible—concept freedom typically drives better performance with comedy creators.
5) Mo Vlogs — Supercars & Lifestyle
Mohamed Beiraghdary, popularly known as Mo Vlogs, is famous for lifestyle and luxury car vlogs. Dubai’s supercar scene is the backdrop for his energetic content that attracts millions of views on YouTube and strong engagement on Instagram.
- Niche: Automotive, lifestyle
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: YouTube, Instagram
- Audience highlights: Automotive enthusiasts, UAE and global
- Good for: Car launches, luxury lifestyle, tech and gaming tie-ins
- Estimated rates: Macro to mega (long-form video packages)
Tip: Bundle hero video plus YouTube Shorts and IG Reels to maximize reach and frequency across touchpoints.
6) HH Sheikh Hamdan (Fazza) — Leadership, Adventure & Lifestyle
Dubai’s Crown Prince shares glimpses of adventure, nature, sports and civic pride that resonate far beyond the UAE. His posts regularly set the tone for what’s trending locally.
- Niche: Lifestyle, adventure, civic engagement
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram
- Audience highlights: UAE residents and global admirers of Dubai
- Good for: Public interest initiatives, tourism amplification
- Estimated rates: Not a commercial influencer; brand collabs are atypical
Tip: Align with citywide initiatives and public service campaigns rather than commercial asks.
7) Supercar Blondie (Alex Hirschi) — Automotive
One of the world’s biggest automotive creators, Dubai-based Supercar Blondie spotlights rare cars and cutting-edge mobility tech with accessible, high-energy storytelling.
- Niche: Automotive, tech, luxury
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
- Audience highlights: Global auto fans and early tech adopters
- Good for: Vehicle reveals, brand documentaries, innovation showcases
- Estimated rates: Mega tier
Tip: Plan far in advance; her calendar fills quickly around global auto shows and launches.
8) Karen Wazen — Fashion & Family Lifestyle
Dubai-based fashion entrepreneur Karen Wazen blends high-fashion aesthetics with approachable family content. Her eyewear brand and luxury partnerships make her a go-to for style-led campaigns.
- Niche: Fashion, beauty, family
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, TikTok
- Audience highlights: Fashion-forward GCC women
- Good for: Luxury fashion, beauty launches, family-friendly lifestyle
- Estimated rates: Macro/mega
Tip: Co-create capsule edits or styling challenges to drive saves and DMs.
9) Anas Bukhash — Entrepreneurship & Interviews
Known for ABtalks, Anas conducts candid interviews with public figures, exploring life beyond headlines. He’s also a respected entrepreneur and speaker.
- Niche: Interviews, entrepreneurship, motivation
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: YouTube, Instagram, Podcast platforms
- Audience highlights: MENA professionals and culture enthusiasts
- Good for: Branded content series, leadership messaging, CSR
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Sponsor a themed mini-series aligning with your brand’s purpose or social impact.
10) Khalid Al Ameri — Family & Culture
Khalid shares warm, humorous and thoughtful stories about family and Emirati culture, often alongside his wife and kids. His videos routinely rack up strong shares across the GCC.
- Niche: Family, culture, social commentary
- Based in: Abu Dhabi/Dubai
- Primary platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram
- Audience highlights: Family-focused GCC viewers
- Good for: Family products, education, travel and purpose-led campaigns
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Aim for universal themes—kindness, learning, togetherness—to spark cross-border sharing.
11) Salama Mohamed — Skin Positivity & Wellness
Emirati entrepreneur and founder of Peacefull, Salama champions skin positivity and wellness with honest, relatable content.
- Niche: Skincare, wellness, entrepreneurship
- Based in: UAE
- Primary platforms: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
- Audience highlights: Millennial and Gen Z women
- Good for: Skincare education, wellness routines, founder stories
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Structure multi-part routines (AM/PM/Weekends) to encourage return visits and saves.
12) Rashed Belhasa (MoneyKicks) — Youth Lifestyle & Sneakers
Rashed built a massive following through sneaker culture, celebrity collabs and Dubai lifestyle vlogs, appealing strongly to Gen Z.
- Niche: Streetwear, lifestyle, cars
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat
- Audience highlights: Youth fashion and sneaker fans
- Good for: Streetwear drops, youth-oriented launches
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Pair a limited-edition drop with meet-up moments to convert hype into sales.
13) Kris Fade — Entertainment & Radio
Radio host and TV personality Kris Fade connects brands to Dubai’s energetic entertainment scene with humor and high-frequency visibility.
- Niche: Entertainment, lifestyle
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, radio integrations, events
- Audience highlights: UAE commuters and expat communities
- Good for: Event amplification, contests, high-reach activations
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Synchronize on-air moments with Reels and Stories for same-day momentum.
14) Naomi D’Souza — Food & Lifestyle
Naomi is a trusted voice on Dubai’s dining scene, mixing honest reviews with lifestyle tips and data-driven breakdowns.
- Niche: Food, F&B strategy, lifestyle
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, TikTok, blog
- Audience highlights: Foodies and F&B professionals
- Good for: Restaurant launches, menu highlights, foodie itineraries
- Estimated rates: Mid to macro
Tip: Include clear redemption mechanics (codes/links) to attribute bookings and orders.
15) Mthayel Al Ali — Fashion & Modest Style
Emirati creator Mthayel blends modern silhouettes with modest styling, inspiring a loyal fashion community.
- Niche: Fashion, modest wear
- Based in: UAE
- Primary platforms: Instagram, TikTok
- Audience highlights: GCC women seeking modest fashion ideas
- Good for: Fashion edits, styling reels, capsule drops
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Provide early access to collections to secure authentic “first look” content.
16) Mahmoud Sidani (Mr Moudz) — Men’s Fashion
One of the region’s leading men’s fashion voices, Mr Moudz pairs elevated taste with commercial savvy across luxury and contemporary brands.
- Niche: Menswear, fashion weeks
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, Snapchat
- Audience highlights: Fashion-conscious men in MENA
- Good for: Tailoring, accessories, grooming
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Anchor campaigns around fashion weeks and travel to tap organic demand spikes.
17) Max of Arabia — Culture & Arabic Content
Max creates Arabic and bilingual content celebrating GCC culture and language, earning strong resonance with local audiences.
- Niche: Culture, lifestyle, Arabic-first content
- Based in: UAE
- Primary platforms: Instagram, YouTube
- Audience highlights: Arabic-speaking youth and families
- Good for: Cultural storytelling, tourism, language-led campaigns
- Estimated rates: Mid to macro
Tip: Invest in dialect-specific scripts and culturally aligned humor.
18) Sam Chui — Aviation & Travel
One of the world’s most recognized aviation creators, Sam produces premium trip reports and behind-the-scenes airline content, with strong UAE roots.
- Niche: Aviation, premium travel
- Based in: UAE/global
- Primary platforms: YouTube, Instagram, blog
- Audience highlights: Frequent flyers, aviation enthusiasts
- Good for: Airline launches, airport experiences, premium credit cards
- Estimated rates: Macro/mega (video packages)
Tip: Align with aircraft milestones and route inaugurals for built-in interest.
19) EMKWAN — Tech & Gadgets
Abu Dhabi–based EMKWAN reviews smartphones, wearables and EVs with a trusted, long-running presence in the UAE tech scene.
- Niche: Consumer tech, EVs
- Based in: Abu Dhabi
- Primary platforms: YouTube, Instagram
- Audience highlights: Tech-savvy UAE residents
- Good for: Launch reviews, comparisons, long-term tests
- Estimated rates: Mid to macro
Tip: Offer extended testing and timely embargo lifts to land in launch-day roundups.
20) Ola Farahat — Fashion & Luxury
Ola’s refined aesthetic and luxury partnerships make her a staple at regional fashion events and brand launches.
- Niche: Luxury fashion, beauty
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, TikTok
- Audience highlights: GCC luxury shoppers
- Good for: Beauty launches, high-fashion edits
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Co-develop lookbooks with shoppable tags to streamline conversion.
21) Haifa Beseisso (Fly With Haifa) — Travel & Social Impact
Haifa combines travel storytelling with cultural exchange and social topics, delivering engaging, meaningful narratives.
- Niche: Travel, purpose-led content
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
- Audience highlights: Young travelers and culturally curious viewers
- Good for: Tourism boards, airlines, impact campaigns
- Estimated rates: Mid to macro
Tip: Build itineraries around human stories, not just landmarks, to drive shares.
22) Ghaith (Qalby Etmaan) — Philanthropy & Human Stories
Known for anonymous, heartfelt giving and social uplift, Ghaith’s series inspires generosity at scale across the Arab world.
- Niche: Philanthropy, human interest
- Based in: UAE
- Primary platforms: YouTube, TV, social
- Audience highlights: Broad GCC families and youth
- Good for: CSR partnerships, charitable initiatives
- Estimated rates: Not a standard commercial collaborator
Tip: Engage through foundations and verified NGOs; prioritize impact over impressions.
23) Nas Daily (Nuseir Yassin) — Short-Form Storytelling
With a Dubai hub, Nas Daily popularized one-minute stories that spotlight people, places and ideas, alongside creator education initiatives.
- Niche: Storytelling, education
- Based in: Dubai/global
- Primary platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
- Audience highlights: Global, diverse, curiosity-driven
- Good for: Edutainment, brand purpose, tourism
- Estimated rates: Macro/mega
Tip: Use a single, sharp message and strong hooks in the first three seconds.
24) Chef Izu Ani — Culinary & Hospitality
Chef Izu is behind several beloved Dubai restaurants, sharing approachable recipes, behind-the-pass moments and hospitality life.
- Niche: Culinary, restaurants, lifestyle
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, YouTube
- Audience highlights: Food lovers, UAE diners
- Good for: Ingredient spotlights, kitchen takeovers, restaurant PR
- Estimated rates: Mid to macro
Tip: Pair chef-led reels with limited-time menus to convert views into bookings.
25) Jessica Kahawaty — Fashion & Impact
Model, entrepreneur and humanitarian, Jessica blends high-fashion glamour with cause-driven initiatives from her Dubai base.
- Niche: Fashion, beauty, social impact
- Based in: Dubai
- Primary platforms: Instagram, TikTok
- Audience highlights: Luxury consumers and socially aware audiences
- Good for: Beauty/fashion launches with a purpose-led angle
- Estimated rates: Macro
Tip: Tie product stories to transparent impact metrics to deepen brand affinity.
How to Choose the Right UAE Influencer
Vetting Checklist
- Define your goal: awareness, consideration, sign-ups, sales or footfall.
- Audience fit: UAE/GCC share, age/gender split, language and interests.
- Content quality: storytelling, editing, brand safety and tone.
- Engagement health: authentic comments, saves, shares, watch time.
- Performance proof: past case studies, link clicks, promo code data.
- Cross-platform reach: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat in the UAE.
- Compliance: NMC licensing for paid ads where applicable; clear disclosures.
- Brand conflicts: recent competitors and exclusivity windows.
- Usage rights: organic only or paid ads/whitelisting and duration.
- Logistics: timeline, deliverables, revisions, privacy and approval flow.
Budgeting: Typical Influencer Rate Ranges in the UAE
- Nano (1k–10k followers): AED 400–1,800 (US$100–500) per post/reel.
- Micro (10k–100k): AED 1,800–7,500 (US$500–2,000), higher for video.
- Mid-tier (100k–500k): AED 7,500–37,000 (US$2,000–10,000).
- Macro (500k–1M+): AED 37,000–185,000 (US$10,000–50,000+).
- Mega/celebrity: Custom pricing; often multi-deliverable packages.
What increases cost: short lead times, Ramadan/National Day demand, exclusivity (especially GCC-wide), usage rights, paid amplification, complex shoots and travel.
UAE Compliance and Best Practice
- NMC e-media license: Paid influencer advertising in the UAE generally requires the creator or the managing agency to hold the appropriate license.
- Ad disclosure: Clearly label paid content and gifted items in Arabic and/or English (for example: Paid Partnership, Ad, Gifted), following platform tools where available.
- Claims: Substantiate performance, health or financial claims; keep records.
- Privacy and permissions: Secure filming permissions in malls/hotels and protect minors’ identities where needed.
Plan Around the UAE Cultural Calendar
- Ramadan and Eid: Family, food, reflection and giving are central themes; plan earlier approvals and sunset-friendly shoot times.
- Back to School (Aug–Sep): Education, family budgeting, routines.
- UAE National Day (Dec 2): High demand; local pride, culture and travel.
- Peak tourism (Oct–Apr): Travel, hospitality and outdoor lifestyle content.
Measure What Matters
- Awareness: Reach, unique viewers, VTR (view-through rate), CPM.
- Engagement: Saves, shares, comments quality, completion rates.
- Traffic & Sales: UTM clicks, promo code redemptions, store visits.
- Brand lift: Surveys or social listening for sentiment and recall.
Outreach and Brief Essentials
Creator Outreach Template (Short)
Subject: Partnership with [Brand] for [Campaign/Launch]
Hi [Name], we love your [specific content]. We’re launching [product/campaign] in the UAE and think your audience would enjoy [value/benefit]. Proposed deliverables: [e.g., 1 Reel + 3 Stories + link sticker], timeline: [dates], key messages: [bullets], budget range: [AED X–Y], usage: [organic only/paid for 3 months]. If this interests you, we’d love to share a detailed brief and hear your creative ideas. Shukran!
Conclusion
These UAE influencers are making a significant impact on social media and have become influential figures in the marketing world. Collaborating with the right creators can amplify your brand’s reach and increase engagement with your target audience. As social media continues to play a pivotal role in marketing, partnering with credible and authentic influencers—while staying compliant and data-driven—will strengthen your campaigns and drive real results.
