Mayassem Tamim’s soaps use compelling chemistry of Saudi fragrances
“I think I’m living the best years of my life,” retiree Mayassem Tamim tells Arab News. “I was very happy with the work I did, but it was time to start a new chapter in my life.”
Tamim is talking about her luxury handmade soap brand, Mayassem, which she launched in 2018. Her products are created from natural ingredients sourced in the Kingdom, including extravirgin olive oil from Al-Jouf, camel milk from Janadriyah, honey from Baha, and dates from Qassim.
“My hope is these soaps are going to help establish someporary thing in Saudi Arabia that is considered pure to the region. It doesn’t have to be just my soaps, it can be an industry that is localized,” she says. “We’re doing everything new in Saudi Arabia. Why not this?”
She thinks of her soaps as mini canvases, each with a blend of non-toxic coloring inspired by their ingredients. The Bliss bar for example, made with Zamzam water and lavender fragrance, is crafted to resemble the Kaaba. The Tamr bar reflects the palette of the Saudi Arabia landscape as it features oud, saffron and turmeric fragrance, date paste, and camel milk. “I know they’re soaps and not paintings, but sometimes that’s the feeling for me,” she says. “I was very sad at the loss of my cousin, Rana — which in Arabic means song — so for one of my soaps I decided to go with blue colors and called it Celestial Melody. Sometimes it’s that simple.” The soaps come in floral, fruity, woody, citrus, or unscented options. Tamim also crafts limited-edition soaps, including an 18-box drop featuring bars encrusted with crystals such as lapis lazuli and black onyx. Her products have been featured in shops at Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale and Diriyah’s ContemArts Biennale, various homegrown market locations, and pop-up stores.
“People can buy soap 10 times cheaper at the supermarket,” Tamim says. “If I’m not offering them something that adds to the moisturization, that is organic, that does not harm them, and remains beautiful as long as they’re using it, I might as well not (bother).”
With all her products being hand-crafted, Tamim is also promoting the talents of local craftsmen and women.
“Whether they’re making soap, embroidery, or painting, artisans bring out the identity of a country,” she says.