Caroline Brooks is an Afro-Latina divorcee and mum of one. She’s originally from Newton, Massachusetts, and has called Dubai home for the last 11 years. How exactly did this girl from the Boston suburbs find herself residing halfway around the world?
Turns out, Caroline Brooks aka Caroline DXB is a force to be reckoned with. Here’s why…
Came for love
In her university days, Caroline laughs as she shares that her “family thought she was partying a little too hard.” She goes on to tell us that to cut down her partying ways, her parents sent her to New York City for an internship. She describes how their well-intentioned decision was a catalyst for even more socialising as she “ended up becoming friends with the woman she interned for and partied and shopped her way through The Big Apple.” One fateful night, at Cipriani in Manhattan, Caroline met her future husband, who was living in Dubai at the time.
Caroline ended up traveling and then moving to Dubai after a whirlwind engagement. A year later they married. While the marriage didn’t last, she ended up with the greatest gift, her son. Caroline never finished university but tells us she has “no regrets. My future was still bright.”
A born hustler
Caroline points out that people often think she’s a kept woman or that she got a big payout from her ex-husband. She didn’t. After divorcing, she was left with nothing and had to work her way back up the ladder. She says that “people often think things are handed to her based on her luxe lifestyle Instagram account.” However, behind the scenes, Caroline hustles. Hard.
In addition to being the executive director of a real estate brokerage firm in Dubai, this passionate businesswoman is opening up her own salon and spa that has its fingers on the pulse of what’s currently trending in the United States. She exclusively tells Cosmo Middle East that her “American-style salon will have an urban and modern vibe that Dubai hasn’t seen yet.” She’s especially excited about this project because it’s based on all her ideas, hard work, and she’s done it on her own. She emphasises, there are no partners, it’s fully hers.
A mixed beauty bag
Caroline’s fave beauty products? We *had* to know. Turns out this beauty has some seriously luxe taste. Her skincare routine usually involves products from La Mer and La Prairie. She tells us her favourite “cost-efficient brand is Clinique. It agrees with my skin.” If she could only have one makeup brand in her cosmetic bag, she’d go for Chanel, although she confesses, she’s a die-hard MAC pressed powder fan. Caroline also loves Bio-Oil and says she suffered from stretch marks post-pregnancy – it legit changed her skin.
In addition to the skincare products, Caroline tells us she’s also focused on what she puts into her body. She’s a self-confessed big-time water drinker as well as a collagen consumer.
When we asked Caroline what three words describe her, she states “assertive, loyal, and emotional.” Ironically, Caroline points out that when she asked a friend of hers what three characteristics she’d choose, her friend described her as loyal as well. In case you’re wondering, the other two were resilient and motivational. Ngl, we totes agree.
One thing she says she could work on? Caroline laughs as she says, “talk less, listen more,” apparently it’ll get her into a lot less trouble.
On rejection
Caroline’s a big believer in what’s meant to be will find its way to you. She tells us that “rejection never discourages me because I love where I am now…if you’re driven enough and know exactly what you want, you’ll get it.”
Caroline DXB certainly has big things coming her way. We’re here for it.