Redefining Beauty: How Black Flamingo Beauty Blends Tradition with Innovation
The beauty and skincare industry has changed significantly in recent years, with a growing demand for natural, sustainable, and ethically sourced products. Consumers are paying closer attention to ingredient lists, preferring formulations free from harsh chemicals, synthetic additives, and artificial fragrances. Instead, they are turning to time-tested remedies that have been used for generations in different cultures around the world.
This shift is not just about skincare, it is also about reconnecting with traditional knowledge and making beauty more inclusive. As more people seek transparency and authenticity in their skincare routines, brands that emphasize sustainability, cultural heritage, and skin health are gaining attention. This movement is shaping the future of beauty, proving that innovation does not always mean creating something new, it can also mean rediscovering and honoring what has worked for generations.
One entrepreneur who has embraced this shift is Mariam Abdillahi, the co-founder of Black
Flamingo Beauty.
Mariam Abdillahi and her sister, Mona Gulaid, grew up surrounded by the rituals of skincare, deeply embedded in their Somali heritage. Their mother introduced them to time-honored beauty traditions, instilling in them a love for self-care. While Mona experimented with natural
remedies, Mariam kept an eye on emerging trends. This shared passion, combined with their
personal experiences and professional expertise, led them to create Black Flamingo Beauty, abrand that blends cultural wisdom with modern skincare needs.
Black Flamingo Beauty: A Fusion of Heritage, Ethics, and Innovation
Launched in the UAE in 2022, Black Flamingo Beauty quickly gained recognition for its highly effective products and commitment to natural, ethically sourced ingredients. The brand’s flagship collection is centered around qasil, a powerful plant-based cleanser derived from the Gob tree, traditionally used in Somali skincare. By sourcing qasil directly from Somaliland, Mariam and Mona not only ensure the highest quality for their products but also support local communities and sustainable farming practices.
Mariam drew on years of experience in global branding and corporate communications, to launch and build Black Flamingo Beauty into a powerful brand that has been showcased in Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Emirates Woman, and Entrepreneur Magazine.
Now based in the UK, Mariam is continuing to build and expand the brand’s footprint across the globe. As an active member of the British Beauty Council, she has also been instrumental in bringing more visibility to diverse entrepreneurs in the industry. She played a key role in organizing Wales’ first-ever British Beauty Week event, furthering Black Flamingo Beauty’s mission to celebrate and uplift underrepresented voices in the beauty space.
As the brand grows, Mariam remains committed to creating high-quality, natural African skincare solutions that are good for people and the planet. Skincare that blends the power of African botanicals, age-old skin care routines and scientific innovation.
A Modern Approach to Natural Skincare
Since its launch in Dubai in 2022, Black Flamingo Beauty has stood out in the crowded beauty market by combining traditional African skincare wisdom with modern formulations. The brand’s all-natural product line includes face masks, cleansers, and treatments that incorporate powerful African botanicals, free from synthetic additives, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Each product is formulated to provide effective skincare without compromising on natural purity.
The brand has quickly gained recognition, receiving praise from beauty experts and features in major publications like Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Emirates Woman, and Entrepreneur Magazine and its emphasis on clean beauty and cultural authenticity has clearly resonated with consumers.
Expanding Influence and Advocacy
The beauty industry’s shift toward natural, sustainable, and ethically sourced products reflects a growing desire for transparency and cultural authenticity.
Mariam Abdillahi’s Black Flamingo Beauty is a prime example of this movement, blending traditional Somali skin care practices with modern science to create clean formulations. As the brand continues to grow, so too will its range of natural African products, catering to consumers who are becoming ever more conscious of what they put on their skin.
Mariam’s vision, however, goes beyond skincare, she is also advocating for diversity and inclusion in the beauty space, supporting underrepresented voices and empowering communities through her work.
Through the British Beauty Council and Eagle Labs Black Founders Accelerator, Mariam is helping to highlight the challenges and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in the UK and is committed to uplifting others while expanding the reach of her brand.
As Black Flamingo Beauty continues to grow, combining tradition and innovation that cares for people and planet, it is helping to redefine the narrative of African-inspired skincare on a global scale.
