Kutemwa is the Zambian word for ‘Love’. What does a self-love day look like for you?
A self-love day for me would include getting up early and having my morning quiet time and journaling session with a cup of coffee; having a good, healthy, home cooked meal; getting some exercise at the gym or doing a fitness class; then doing some self-care like getting a manicure and pedicure, or going to the hair salon or a spa.
For me, self-love is all about having time to relax and do things that make me feel happy and healthy.
Why was it important to you to create a brand that included women of colour?
When I first moved to England in 2016, I noticed the beauty industry wasn’t inclusive of deeper skin tones when it came to product creation and advertising. I would walk into stores and I didn’t see enough representation of women that looked like me. From then, I decided I would like to be a part of that change. I noticed that the skin concerns of women of colour have been overlooked in the beauty industry within the UK. So, it became my goal to build a product range that focuses on providing skincare solutions for women of colour.
Tell us about your background and how you got into skin care?
I discovered my love for beauty during my teen years. I would spend hours watching popular beauty YouTubers like Patricia Bright, Jennie Jenkins, Aliyah Jay, Jackie Aina and many more.
I learnt a lot about makeup and skincare online, then I enrolled into a short beauty course. From there, I kickstarted my makeup artistry business while I was attending university. During my time as a makeup artist, my clients would share with me their skin concerns or insecurities and they would want me to cover up with makeup. This is when I identified the problem that these women were facing: they didn’t have a good solution to their skin concerns, so they didn’t feel confident in their skin.
I decided to focus on the core issue and thoroughly research into skincare for women of colour, which led me to designing my current product range. My goal is to help my customers feel confident and love their skin.
Besides products, what other things can we do to ensure healthy, radiant skin?
It is important to have a good diet of healthy food and drink lots of water. Nutrient-rich foods result in healthy skin, while on the other hand, eating greasy junk food regularly can cause you to breakout.
Secondly, general clean habits like washing your makeup brushes and changing your bedding weekly will reduce the potential of breakouts, because your skin will face less exposure to dirt and bacteria.
Lastly, keep an eye on any slight lifestyle changes. Skin can be very sensitive. So, a new environment, food or clothing item could cause a reaction to your skin. It is important to make a note of what your skin likes and does not like over time.
Skincare products aside, incorporating these points into my lifestyle has definitely improved my skin health and has resulted in clear, glowing skin.
Is “good skin” all about genetics or can it be remedied by having a good skin routine?
Genetics, in some cases have an impact on skin. But this isn’t always the case. I have met people who are the only ones in their family that experience mild or severe acne, eczema and other skin conditions.
What I have learnt is the importance of finding the correct solutions and maintenance. I have had customers with great skin tell me they used to have severe acne but were able to find the correct products that led them to smooth glowing skin. Even my customers who have smooth, unproblematic skin still use my product range to maintain their skin and give it extra radiance.
Having a good skincare routine can do wonders for your skin. It is all about trialling products and curating the routine that works best for you. I always suggest seeking advice from a dermatologist, too.
What the benefits of using traditional African botanical ingredients in our beauty regimes?
African botanicals possess immense skin nutrients. Looking back on African history and culture, women adorned themselves with lotions, butters, and essential oils to nourish their skin and to protect themselves from the scorching heat and dry winds of the desert. In Africa, our skincare regimes are based on ingredients handed down from generation to generation – from our grandmothers to our mothers to our daughters – incorporating powerful ingredients sourced from different corners of the continent.
The rich history of African botanicals shows how reliable and effective they have been, so they can be very beneficial to our skin today.
Hyperpigmentation is a common concern. What tips and products do you recommend to clear dark spots?
Hyperpigmentation often is caused by trauma to the skin that leaves a dark mark. My first tip would be to prevent causing hyperpigmentation. When you have a spot, instead of poking and popping it, causing trauma to your skin, use spot control products to get rid of it. I use my Hydrating Face Tonic; it contains aloe vera and witch hazel which eradicate spots. It also contains hydrating rose water and vitamin E, which will condition and balance your skin so you do not get more spots (spots are often caused by excess oils on skin).
My second tip is to use a treatment/serum which has the right active ingredients that will clear the hyperpigmentation. I experienced hyperpigmentation on my forehead and cheeks, but I was able to clear it by incorporating vitamin C into my skincare routine. I use my Radiance ACE Serum every morning. It contains vitamin C for brightening and evening skin tone, as well as vitamin A and E which support skin cell turnover and repair.
Lastly, wear sunscreen daily to avoid hyperpigmentation or further darkening of already existing hyperpigmentation. Prevention is better than cure!
What myths about black skin irk you the most?
That black people don’t need to wear sunscreen. I know our melanin protects us from the sun. But in cases where you are exposed to the sun for a prolonged period it is necessary to have extra protection. This is to avoid having an uneven skin tone and getting sun burnt. I have experienced both – and trust me, it is not pleasant.
For budget skin care, what product should be prioritised and why?
I would say the top two skincare must haves are, firstly, a great gentle cleanser or wash that will keep your skin fresh and pores unclogged without stripping your skin. Secondly, a light weight moisturiser or cream that nourishes your skin and locks in moisture throughout the day.
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