From Baghdad’s sandy dunes to Malé’s bright ocean, 786 Cosmetics takes inspiration from everywhere. So why not take a tour with us and discover more about your favorite nail polishes? You’ll learn more about these locations and our nail polish inspiration. So, without further ado, our first stop: The Middle East Countries!
Baghdad, Iraq
The Middle East has some of the most incredible landscapes and cities in the world. Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, is no exception. Now the second-largest city in West Asia, this sandy city founded the 8th century. Baghdad housed several key academic institutions, which earned its reputation as the “Centre of Learning.”
The city was the largest in the Middle Ages for quite some time. But in the 13th century, the Mongol Empire destroyed it. In contemporary times, Baghdad often faced severe infrastructure damage due to invasion and war. There has been substantial loss of cultural and historical artifacts due to the war. But some are still left standing. The Al-Khulafa Mosque is a historic landmark in Baghdad and for good reason. It dates back to 908 CE! Our Baghdad nail polish has taken inspiration from this structure and is a sandy color.
Doha, Qatar
Our rich, warm-toned polish perfectly embodies its namesake, the capital of Qatar. This city located on the coast of the Persian Gulf is the economic center of the richest country in the world.
It has hosted many sporting events, including the 2006 Asian Games, the 2011 Pan Arab Games, and most of the games at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Along with sports, the city is big on art as well. The Museum of Islamic Art houses the largest collection of Islamic art in the world, including textiles, ceramics, and manuscripts. Doha also has a man-made island known simply as The Pearl. While a neighborhood for the mega-rich, anyone can take a stroll along the beautiful boardwalk there.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi is the capital and second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates. The city sits on an island in the Persian Gulf. Due to its rapid development and urbanization, the city has transformed into a large and advanced metropolis.
The inspiration for our polish comes from the extraordinary Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The mosque is a marvel of contemporary Islamic architecture. It takes its inspiration from Arab, Moorish, and Persian design. This mosque can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers and is the biggest mosque in the country. The place dazzles with its pure white exterior reflected in pools of water. It goes without saying that we had to create a color after this beautiful mosque.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
We’ve reached our last city: Dubai. This city, located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf is the most populous in the United Arab Emirates. Of course, we can’t talk about Dubai without talking about what the city is most known for: its glitz and glamour. The city is best known for its luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and lively night scene.
The color inspiration for Dubai? The Gold Souk, of course. It’s a maze of covered walkways home to hundreds of retailers offering jewelry made from gold, silver, diamonds, and more. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations and is a must-see, even if you don’t intend on buying anything.