In Dubai, Filipina cosmetologist Charmaine “Betty Arabia” Llerena is now a well-known name, attracting royalty and celebrities for her beauty services. But her story didn’t start out glamorous. When she first arrived in Dubai, Betty had to make do with just a shawarma and chai tea as her only meal of the day, budgeting tightly while she set out to build her career.
Betty’s determination led her to create something amazing—a two-day international beauty conference in Dubai, the first event of its kind ever organized by a Filipina. Taking seven months to set up, Betty’s event will bring in beauty experts from Asia, Europe, and beyond. The event will include a microblading competition, plus talks from world-renowned artists in permanent makeup, with about 150 experts confirmed to attend.
“It was a dream,” Betty shared, explaining how she tirelessly reached out to beauty professionals worldwide to make it happen. She described the feeling as “surreal,” especially since she once couldn’t afford to attend classes with these same experts.
Betty’s path hasn’t been easy. Moving to Dubai meant leaving her thriving business in the Philippines, facing financial struggles, and living in small partitioned rooms, common for many Filipinos in Dubai. She shared, “It wasn’t glamorous. I budgeted AED7 (about PHP100) for food and kept trying to get clients through calls and social media.”
Betty stayed positive, moving from one small space to another every few months until her business began to grow. Now, she’s not only earning, but also helping women boost their confidence through her beauty services. Her hard work and kindness have gained her a strong clientele, even among Dubai’s royal families, who treat her with VIP hospitality.
Today, Betty Arabia is making waves in Dubai’s competitive beauty industry. She feels her purpose isn’t just about making money but about giving people confidence and changing lives. Her journey, from a humble start to a star-studded international event, proves that with hard work and passion, dreams really do come true.
