Q4 Survival Edition
We all know it, we dread it, and yet, like clockwork, it comes around faster than we’d like. Yes, we’re talking about Q4: the busiest, craziest time of year for just about everyone. Deadlines, campaigns, gift guides, and last-minute briefs take over, and suddenly everyone’s in need of clever story hooks, thoughtful gifting ideas, and mindful moments of pause. That’s why we’ve pulled together this round-up of homegrown, Dubai-born brands that keep us fuelled, inspired, and a little more balanced. So think of this as your Q4 toolkit: listicle-ready, media-friendly, and perfect for inspiration.
01 // THE RESET RITUAL
Brand: Glow Republic
For busy professionals, dreamers, and anyone needing a mindful pause
Candles, but make them clever. Glow Republic is a UAE-born, woman-led brand creating hand-poured soy candles right here in Dubai. With playful flavours (Coconut, Mango, Peach, Strawberry) meeting seasonal scents (Oud & Vanilla, Peppermint Mocha), each one is eco-friendly and clean-burning.
Not only this but every candle comes with a QR code linking to one of three guided meditations – Do Time (for mornings), Down Time (a pause between meetings), and Dream Time (to unwind before sleep). Calm in a jar, with a digital twist, and listicle-ready for gifting edits everywhere.
theglowrepublic.com & @glowrepublic
02 // THE CULINARY TOUCH
Brand: ARK Naturals
For those bringing soul and style into the kitchen
Entertaining season is here, and ARK Naturals brings the soulful warmth your table deserves. Every terracotta piece is handmade by village potters in India, preserving centuries-old craftsmanship while creating design that feels right at home in modern living. With each purchase, you support artisan livelihoods and bring heritage craft into your dining room. Ethical, timeless, and magazine-ready for conscious gifting edits, dining features, and festive homeware spreads.
www.arknaturals.ae & @arknaturalsuae
03 // THE PERFORMANCE FUEL
Brand: Gnuts from SQOON
For health-conscious movers and shakers
Forget neon bars with unpronounceable ingredients. Gnuts protein bars from SQOON (a niche wellness store curating high-quality, health-driven brands that make better choices simple and accessible) are EU-crafted and certified to the highest standards, delivering protein, fibre, and magnesium with zero palm fat. It’s clean energy for movers, shakers, and multitaskers who don’t have time for sugar crashes. Pack it in your tote, gym bag, or desk drawer for the kind of snack that belongs in healthy swaps, fitness features, and guilt-free gifting round-ups.
www.sqoon.co/collections/g-nuts & @sqoon.co
4 // THE HYDRATION HERO
Brand: oneshot
For the on-the-go professionals, fitness lovers, and anyone battling Dubai dryness
Created by two ex-McKinsey consultants tired of sugar-loaded hydration products, oneshot is hydration reimagined: natural ingredients, zero sugar, clean electrolytes, and a taste you’ll actually crave.
Backed by science (hydration improves focus by 25%), it keeps energy steady through travel, events, and marathon workdays. It’s Q4’s secret weapon in a sachet and a disruptor made for wellness features, fitness gear lists, and productivity-boosting gift guides.
05 // THE SKINCARE MOMENT
Brand: THY SKIN
For city dwellers in need of hydration and glow
Dubai skin has its own mood: parched from AC, flushed from desert heat, and weary from long days. The fix? THY SKIN’s sustainably made serums and creams, created in small, fresh batches with microbiome-friendly actives that hydrate, balance, and protect. A homegrown brand supporting women and the local UAE economy, it delivers skincare that actually understands city life. Functional, effective, and tailor-made for beauty desks, hydration hacks, and stocking stuffer features.
thy-skin.com & @natural_thyskin
06 // THE PERSONAL TOUCH
Brand: Gift Lane by Sabeena
For thoughtful gifting and personal keepsakes
Life’s too short for boring gifts. Founded by a busy mum of three (and former UK child protection social worker), Gift Lane by Sabeena blends creativity and humour into personalised keepsakes that actually mean something. From heartfelt to hilarious, every piece is handmade with a touch of mum-magic. Relatable, warm, and always personal, this brand shines in festive round-ups, family lifestyle features, and personalised gifting edits.
07 // THE FEMININE EXPERIENCE
Brand: The Feminine Goddess
For women reconnecting with their inner radiance
When Q4 leaves you stretched thin, The Feminine Goddess offers a soulful return to self. Its guided journal, The Art of Awakening Your Feminine Energy, is a 30-day practice in confidence, creativity, and joy. Part ritual, part reflection, part magic, it’s the kind of gift that nourishes long after the season ends. Editorially primed for self-care features, women’s wellness round-ups, and conscious gifting edits.
thefemininegoddess.com & @aniialavie
08 // THE HEALING TOUCH
Brand: Atelier TET
For mindful living and conscious style
Style with spirit and soul. For over five years, Atelier TET has designed kaftans, kimonos, jewellery, and Protection Stones that embody effortless elegance and conscious living. Each piece is made in small runs or one-of-a-kind, with genuine gemstones and premium textiles – never mass-produced. With sustainability at its core, Atelier TET favours responsible sourcing and limited batches to minimise waste. The result? Luxe with purpose and ready for slow fashion features, mindful gifting edits, and luxury lifestyle spreads.
09 // THE SWEET ESCAPE
Brand: Good Candy Co.
For kids, parents, and anyone craving guilt-free joy
Candy that loves you back. Founded by a mindful mum on a mission to make treats healthier, Good Candy Co. creates gummies made with six ingredients or less, sweetened naturally with dates, and coloured only with plants, fruits, and vegetables. Vegan, school-safe, and allergen-friendly, they’re crafted without refined sugar, additives, or guilt. Even better? The brand uses plastic-free packaging and gives back to children’s nutrition projects worldwide. Sweet, simple, sustainable, it is the cleanest candy you’ll ever meet, and an essential for healthy snacking round-ups, back-to-school edits, and family-friendly gifting guides.
buygoodcandy.com & @goodcandy.co
Stay tuned: the next NikNak Round-Up will be “Winter is Coming” – a curation of outdoor essentials and cool-weather heroes.
