Bella Hadid Attends the Launch of Ulta Beauty in Kuwait

The Palestinian-American supermodel Bella Hadid made waves as she attended the grand opening of Ulta Beauty’s first Middle East storefront, held at The Avenues Mall in Kuwait City on Friday, 7 November.

Ulta Beauty, renowned for blending prestige and mass-market cosmetics under one roof, partnered with retail giant Alshaya Group for its regional expansion. The Kuwait City store spans approximately 15,000 square feet and features over 300 beauty brands—including some making their Middle East brick-and-mortar debut such as Polite Society, KIKO Milano and Hadid’s own fragrance line Ôrəbella.

At the launch event, Bella Hadid arrived alongside her father, real-estate developer Mohamed Hadid, generating major buzz on social media. She posted behind-the-scenes photos preparing for the event and holding her fragrance line with the caption: “Ôrəbella is finally in Kuwait.” 

There was a large crowd gathered at The Avenues Mall, waiting for the supermodel. When Hadid arrived, she took pictures with fans and took part in the opening ceremony of Ulta Beauty. 

What sets this Ulta Beauty debut apart is its heavy emphasis on an experiential retail model often described as “beautytainment.” The store features interactive beauty zones, live demonstrations, private facial rooms, nail bars, and a heightened focus on fragrances—a category with particular appeal in the Gulf region.

According to industry commentary, the Middle East is one of the fastest-growing beauty markets globally. Ulta’s leadership noted that Kuwaiti consumers spend more per household income on beauty products than in many Western markets, making the region a strategic priority. 

For Bella Hadid, the event also underscores her evolution from supermodel to beauty entrepreneur. Her brand Ôrəbella earned Ulta’s “Conscious Brand of the Year” accolade earlier in 2025, recognizing its clean ingredients, sustainable packaging and inclusive ethos.

The inauguration of Ulta Beauty in Kuwait is just the beginning—locations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are already in the pipeline, indicating a rapid regional expansion. For beauty lovers in the Middle East, this signifies access to a broader selection of global brands and immersive retail experiences.