A Dubai company is making waves for bringing creative and customisable tattoos to the UAE. But, unlike traditional tattoos, there’s nothing written in stone with this brand of body art.
Le Inka, which launched in 2019, specialises in Jagua tattoos, made using the extract of genipa americana or jagua, a fruit commonly found in parts of South America.
For a look at some of its designs, check out the photo gallery above.
The gel formula is vegan, plant-based and organic, and can be applied on the skin with the use of a stencil. The result is similar to that of a henna tattoo, except the application time is shorter – half an hour to an hour – while the final design stays on for one to three weeks, depending on the wearer.
We are Muslims and would not be doing this if it wasn't allowed
For husband and wife founders Ishrath and Safa Hasmin, the idea to launch Le Inka came naturally, as Safa was already a well-known henna artist, and the founder of UAE's first online henna store.
“We used to get a lot of requests for black henna, however if you actually look into it, we discovered that black henna is dangerous as it’s mixed with harmful chemicals.
"So we started looking for natural, organic and harmless alternatives to black henna and that’s when we discovered jagua ink,” says Ishrath.
When he saw the final outcome of the design, he realised it didn’t have to be restricted to women. “I knew these would be a hit with men and women as tattoos,” he says.
Le Inka currently sells more than 300 stencils that customers can buy along with a bottle of the ink. A single 50ml bottle should allow a customer to reapply their stencil design 10 to 20 times – although that vastly depends on the size of the stencil, according to Ishrath.
The temporary nature of the tattoo also allows customers to get more experimental with their designs. As wearers don't need to worry about their body art ageing badly, some of the brand’s most popular stencils are quirky, funny or related to specific events or situations.
“We are constantly releasing new options or stencils to our customers," says Ishrath. "Ones to do with Mother’s Day, Eid and even breast cancer awareness have been really popular.
“We even launched Covid-19-themed stencils that did really well as they injected a little positivity and humour during a difficult time."
Arabic calligraphy and pets names are also popular options, he says.
The biggest selling point of having a temporary tattoo is the individuality it offers, he says. This is why Le Inka also offers customers a great degree of customisation. Those confident enough to do so can also buy a bottle of the ink and draw their own design onto their body themselves with a nozzle.
Those not comfortable going freehand – or are looking for something they can create consistently with little effort – can also send a design to the brand so they create a custom stencil. This option is becoming increasingly more popular, says Ishrath.
“Usually people go in for a standard design for their first or second try. But by their third tattoo, they want something that's unique to them.”
At the moment, 70 per cent of their business comes from the UAE, although Saudi Arabia is the next biggest market. Le Inka ships worldwide and has sold more than 55,000 tattoos to 15-plus countries, including Oman, the UK, US and Germany.
It’s not all been smooth sailing, though, as there are still misconceptions about what they’re trying to do. Permanent tattoos are forbidden in Islam, and so sometimes their products are seen with an air of suspicion.
“We’ve had customers ask us and we tell them we are Muslims ourselves and would not be doing this if it wasn’t allowed,” says Ishrath. “We know the sensitivities that revolve around the topic. But there is no use of needles, no danger of infection and no pain with these tattoos – after all, they are not permanent.”
In creating this niche brand, the pair have tapped into a new market for those who have always been interested in tattoos but put off by their permanence. “It’s becoming trendier these days, especially with millennials. People just want ways to express themselves.”
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Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
MATCH INFO
Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE
Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
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- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
What is a robo-adviser?
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Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
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"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
RESULT
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal: Aubameyang (13')
Chelsea: Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
