São Paulo – Brazil Cosmetics, a hair cosmetics company out of Praia Grande, São Paulo which specializes in straightening products, is opening an international office in Dubai, UAE by next June. In business for seven years, the company got its start by selling to Egypt – which remains its primary market. Presently, it supplies all Arab countries, which account for a combined 75% of Brazil Cosmetics’ exports.
ANBA interviewed CEO Paulo Amorim (pictured above, on the right, with his representative in Iraq). He said the office will open during the week in which he’ll attend Beautyworld Middle East, a trade show running from May 31 to June 2 in Dubai. He’s also planning to get space at the Dubai free zone to stock up product for shipping across the region.
“Through the office we intend to greatly increase our sales in the Arab world. We’ll have space for meetings, an inventory for prompt delivery, everything to make doing business easier and to find more clients across the region,” said Amorim.
The company has twelve proprietary brands, among them Amazon Flowers and Ipanema Biorestore, and it also makes on-demand private label product for clients.
Amorim has been in the cosmetics industry for over twelve years now. When the opportunity to export came up, he set up Brazil Cosmetics. “We went straight into exports. An opportunity presented itself in Egypt and our product was really successful, so people in other Arab countries sought us up. Currently, we ship to all Arab counties, but Egypt, Iraq and Libya are our primary markets,” he said. Brazil Cosmetics sells 5-6 tons of hair product to Arab countries each month, and 1.5 ton of that ships to Egypt.
A year ago, the company began selling domestically, but 90% of output gets shipped to the Arab world, Europe, South America, United States, Canada and Australia.
The company’s flagship product is its Amazon Flowers organic straightening protein. “It’s our best-seller. It ships to Egypt and to all of the Arab countries. It’s completely formaldehyde-free, like all our products. We do not use animal products and everything’s organic,” said Amorim. Apart from straighteners, the company’s range includes hair treatment items, shampoo, hair dye, hair bleach, hydrating mask, hair repair products, etc.
A native of São Paulo, São Paulo, Amorim chose to work out of Praia Grande because it’s nearer the Port of Santos. He also says there are plans for a cargo airport in nearby Praia Grande. “It should be done in 10 to 12 years’ time, and we want to get a warehouse there. We’re already applying, because the competition is going to be fierce,” said Amorim.
According to him, the plant is strategically located to enable quick exports. “I don’t just care about the sale itself; I’m also concerned with having a quick export process. Arabs like their product to come in fast, and I try to do that to the best of my ability.”
Brazil Cosmetics will join Beautyworld Middle East at the stand of the Brazilian Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Industry Association (Abihpec), in the Hair Pavilion. Next up, it will host workshops in Oman and attend a beauty industry show in Italy – the show was due March but has been postponed. In September, it will be in the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce stand at Beautyworld Saudi Arabia.
“I believe our products sell so much because they’re organic and they’re from Brazil. Arab women like their hair long, straight and healthy, and we’re unlike the other countries making hair straightening cosmetics, because they use artificial ingredients and lots of chemicals. It might even straighten your hair, but it’s not good for your health,” said Amorim.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
