THE BEAUTY ISSUE
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INDEX 31
38
Woman of the Issue Hair care by Elodie
94
Eminence Coiffure
106
Skincare by Wendu
53
Ben C.K.
Hair by Be
110
72
Tife Bella
Curly Hair Designs
114
Gina’s Hair Beauty
118
Perle Noire
124
Glo by Mo
129
Sutra by CC
132
76
83
89
93
V Kosmetik
6 Editor’s Pick
Vera’s Radiance
Ifrah Hassan
Clemy
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: SHOOT SENSEI MAKEUP: MICHAELA GONZALVO MODEL: CLEMENCE — LUXI MANAGEMENT
Hawie
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: SHOOT SENSEI MODEL: HAWIE
Ornella PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: SHOOT SENSEI MAKEUP: MICHAELA GONZALVO MODEL: ORNELLA
Eden PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: SHOOT SENSEI MAKEUP: MICHAELA GONZALVO MODEL: EDEN ANGIE’S AMTI MANAGEMENT
AMAH Magazine is a quarterly digital platform that promotes Afro-Caribbean diaspora in Canada. We believe in the creativity of our brothers and sisters who are willing to put their talent and business out there. We salute and respect their stories, determination, hard work, visions, and creativity.
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President CEO
Mr. Joseph WINTER BEAUTY ISSUE —
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‘‘
Women changed, they play different roles in the current of a day, all while keeping their femininity.”
I
n 2012, Erby Joseph asks his nose (perfume creator) to create a perfume that represents the modern woman.
Having understood this reality, Mr. Joseph created two fragrances: Reflet for daytime and l’Autre moi, for night time. One of the industry’s main problems is that it hasn’t evolved in the last few years; therefore, not keeping up with modern women’s reality. A contemporary woman is smart, a seductress, sophisticated, but mostly independent and self-ruling. Her perfume must reflect this reality.
follow erby joseph erbyj
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who are we ?
“
Parfum Joseph is a company in the cosmetics fragrance industry.
We are a start-up company with vision and ambition.”
DAYTIME 50 ML
GLASS BOTTLE
Floral, citrus, grapefruit: a perfect mix that will inspire freshness and happiness for you and those around you. You will feel like the sun is following.
follow parfumjoseph
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A
fter three years of developing the product, Les Parfums Joseph has launched his first two fragrances for women at the end of July 2017. Since the silent launch, the company had three billboards across Montreal, reached more than 650 000 people. The fragrance is now available only on parfumejoseph.com or by meeting the owner or one of his sales representatives. It was to create perfumes based on strong values. —We strongly believe in and support women empowerment. — As Montrealer’s, Canadians and North-Americans, we should have an iconic fragrance (like Chanel is to Paris) — We believe that we should « go back to the basics » of a perfume. A fragrance describes our personality, who we are and what we let off.
NIGHT TIME 50 ML
GLASS BOTTLE
Sensual amber, orchid and a few secret components that bring out the mystery of this fragrance. Unveil yourself and show your other side, be spontaneous and merry. Be free.
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Shoot Sensei
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: SHOOT SENSEI MAKEUP: MICHAELA GONZALVO
Shoot Sensei
JOGO JUICE by Faye Beverage produces healthy and tasty juice. Our main product is hibiscus juice. We use the hibiscus flowers and infuse it to make the juice. It is made with natural ingredients, no conservatives, no chemical products, everything is 100% natural. The red hibiscus juice is infused with mint leaves and the white one is mixed with natural pineapple juice. This juice is the most natural juice and has a lot of benefits for human body:
jogo juice
— Great source of Antioxidant — Excellent source of Energy — Excellent source of Vitamin C — Good for hypertension — Good for digestion — Good for weight loss (without sugar) — Replenishes body And a lot of others benefits.
It’s also recommended to drink it before and after workout. It’s excellent source of Antioxidants provides a powerful defense against attacking molecules called free radicals, which damage muscles through a chemical process called oxidation. Free radicals decrease the repair in cellular, muscle damage and inflammation. Antioxidants are commonly forgotten in the diet and are crucial to any athletes or active person’s diet.
follow Jogo Juice juicejogo info@fayebeverage.com www.jogojuice.ca
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Beauty Editorial team Editor in Chief Gloria Amah
Creative Directors Elisabeth Atchade
Managing Director Innocent Gbaguidi
Graphic Designer Termyl Yahouedeou
Contributors Wendu Elodie Ornella Kondo Coralie’s Closet
Photographer Shoot Sensei
Editors Femi Nassi Maya Ouattara Copy Editor Femi Nassi Makeup Artist Michaela Gonzalvo
amahmagazine.com info@amahmagazine.com This issue may not be reproduced, distributed, stored in retrieval system, or republished, in any form or in any means – by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise – without prior written permission by the editor in chief.
© 2019 AMAH MAGAZINE / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Dear Readers, F
rom the beginning of times, black beauty did not fit the criteria of beauty fixed by the white supremacist beauty industry. There was an intersection between whiteness and beauty. A beauty industry that tells you, you have to look a certain way. This saw the birth of the African American movement “Black is beautiful” in the 1960s. This movement is also a result of the Negritude movement which is a “rejection of cultural assimilation, of the notion that Black man is incapable of building civilization. In Negritude, the cultural supersedes the political» – Aimé Césaire. It is an artistic rebellion against colonialism, values, views and takedown of European imperialism, and superiority. It was a response to the colonizers. This ideology expanded to also respond to the white beauty industry and showing them that black men and women are beautiful.
This is also a salute to Black History Month and the entrepreneurs in this issue are our heroes and the AMAH Magazine team had an amazing time, interviewing and working with all of them. They are many more entrepreneurs and beauty artists all over Canada and we believe they deserve the recognition for the work they are doing not only for us today but for the generations to come. The AMAH Magazine team wishes the black community a happy Black History Month. Once again in our pursuit to only better ourselves and offer the best possible reading, and discovering time, we are presenting you with new contents and an improved overall look. We wish you a pleasant read and look forward to receiving your love and appreciation. Happy Reading!
Today, the beauty industry has shifted, most western brands are now making cosmetic products that are adequate for people of colours. However, a lot of small and local businesses have been at it, years before all the western brands. This issue is to honour, salute and appreciate the work of entrepreneurs in the beauty industry that is striking, innovating and putting the black community on an upper scale.
Gloria AMAH
Editor in Chief
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Woman of the Issue
Petrona Joseph “A force of inspiration to all”
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Petrona Joseph For this issue, we decided not only to recognize the journey of Petrona Jacqueline Joseph by making her
‘‘
the woman of the issue but also share her story with you so that it inspires you reading this.
Petrona Jacqueline Joseph, born in Trinidad, grew up in New York and moved to Montreal. She is a trilingual graduate from a linguistics program. Petrona is an Author, Blogger, and Cultural Influencer. Petrona has served the Community as a past VP of Marketing for Montreal Caribbean Fashion Week, an Honorary Delegate for the Film Festival Views of the World and has been brand ambassador for BMW Canada. Her adventure in the Fashion Industry of Montreal landed her collaboration with brands such as Rudsak, American Eagle and Harry Rosen. Petrona is one of the few black women to work with the mega shopping destination the Premium Outlets of Montreal, where again her marketing campaigns were of a success.
Her past segment on Breakfast Television has been one of the highest rated online television segments. She is also the blog curator of: “Slayedit Montreal” where she blogs about lifestyle, fashion and restaurants. Her audience has significantly increased and now has celebrities that demand to be featured from New York, Italy and Montreal. Petrona was also nominated as the Author and Anglo TV-Web Personality of the Year in 2017 by Gala Dynastie. If you are following her on Social Media, you would note that she constantly tries to encourage everyone. Petrona tries to help people discover themselves. She believes that what you are thinking is what you are creating. You need to train your mind to have hope, when you train your mind to see yourself in a better place, you will eventually get there. Life is unfair, you can have millions WINTER BEAUTY ISSUE —
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A lot of people do not know themselves, once you understand yourself, know yourself, love yourself, life becomes more beautiful”
PJ
of dollars and be lonely, you can be the best couple, but your husband is cheating on you, you could have the best kid and he is being bullied at school. You need to understand there is hope. Things can change. With her passion, energy, positive thinking and a great journey, no wonder she is our chosen woman of the issue and a force and motivation to us all. In the future, her goal is to be bi-coastal, Montreal – New York – California. “It is boring to stay in one place” she states.
‘‘You need to have hope. Train your mind to have hope. No matter your social class, shit happens to people, things knocks us down, a person has a choice to choose whether they are going to stay down.” — Petrona Joseph
follow Petrona J. Joseph iampetronajoseph_ joseph.jacqueline@gmail.com http://slayeditmontreal.com/
Quarter Century
LESSONS
OUT NOW W W W . L A U R A L U K E T A . C O M
I
n Quarter Century Lessons, Laura Luketa takes her readers on her journey to self-discovery and self-awareness. After the hardest year of her life, Laura is forced to confront her own brokenness and challenge the empty ideals of happiness and success that she had built her entire life. Yet, in the midst of adversity, Laura finds the courage to trust in God and in His process. Inspired by the everyday struggles of women everywhere, Laura explores topics of mental health, faith, self-esteem and recovering from broken relationships. She keeps readers engaged through insightful calls to action, and by challenging them to be introspective. QCL encourages, empowers and assures readers, that no matter the level of brokenness, lessons are to be learned and difficulties overcome.
The book is available for purchased on Amazon I Kindle
lauraluketa
https://www.youtube.com/lauraluketa
Laura Luketa
www.lauraluketa.com
TOP 5 SKINCARE
PRODUCTS FOR THE WINTER WINTER IS HERE! Do you have a Winter Skin care routine? If not, you should have one! I have learned over the years as a makeup artist and a beauty influencer, that great makeup application starts with a good base- which is good skin. So, skincare is no longer a second thought for me as it used to be in the past but a very important part of my day. Having a good skincare routine is so important regardless of the time of year. And even more so during these dryer, cooler months. Here are my top 5 skincare products for the winter.
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wenduisaac
Skincar Tips by Wendu
Skincare Tips by Wendu
BEAUTY INFLUENCER
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water If you are like me, you wear makeup and need to cleanse your skin thoroughly at the end of the day. Micellar water is a gentle pre-cleansing product that leaves your skin feeling soft and clean. This is my go-to cleansing product that completely melts away my makeup and removes dirt and gunk. To use I pour it onto a cotton round and swipe all over my face. As a proponent of double cleansing, I follow this product with a foamy cleanser, but this product is the perfect start to thoroughly cleaning my beat face. Garnier Micellar cleansing water is great for winter because it doesn’t leave my skin irritated and dry, so it’s great to be used on its own in my morning skincare routine.
Noxzema Anti-Blemish pads I started using this product since 2017 and it has been a staple in my routine since then. This is such a life changing product for me because the cooler months can be brutal to my skin and causes my skin to breakout- A LOT! Noxzema ultimate clear anti-blemish pads is an acne treatment with salicylic acid. My skin is prone to acne even though I have combination skin, which is a little bit weird, but what can I do? I use the pads every day to combat pimple breakouts, clear my pores and blackheads. I love how my skin feels smooth and refreshed after using it. It is a winter staple because it reverses every damage that the dry weather can have on my skin.
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Mario Badescu Facial Spray Not long ago…aka sometime last year lol, I incorporated toners into my skincare regimen and OMG- the difference it makes is incredible. I particularly like this brand because it is not only affordable but brings back moisture to your skin that excessive cleansing may have removed. Why are toners important? Well think of your skin like a sponge.
Ayele & Co Sunflower Sweet Serum
A sponge needs to be wet or damp before it can take any product, the water lets the sponge absorb whatever is put on it afterwards.
Here’s what you should know about serums, you should use them, if
The same goes for your skin. The toner moisturizes your skin and
you aren’t already. No really. They are suitable for any skin type and
makes it ready to absorb whatever treatments (oils and serums)
you can be sure to find one suited to your skin that addresses your skin
you use afterwards.
concern. Best of all, they are more potent than using just moisturizers as they have more concentrated ingredients that your skin loves.
The Mario Badescu facial spray is my favorite toner at the moment because it revives dehydrated skin with a dewy glow, leaves my
Why is the Sunflower Sweets Serum one of my favorite skincare
skin radiant anytime and I use it as a pick-me-up on the go. I also
products? Because it only contains natural ingredients which are not
love that is so versatile- I use it to set my makeup which gives me
harmful to your skin and body. It contains Vitamin E oil that protects
a dewy finish.
the skin from sun damage; tea tree oil that heals acne and reduces inflammation, and turmeric oil root that curbs acne and improves skin elasticity; and jojoba seed oil. It is great for acne-prone skin as it clears acne, and leaves my skin glowing, radiant, smooth and supple. It is great for winter as it gives my skin healthy hydration and more moisture. It is also great to layer other products as it enhances the performance of other products.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask One of the most annoying effects winter has on my skin is dry flaky lips and I found the perfect solution for it. Laneige lip sleeping mask, though a new product in my skincare regimen, has easily become a favorite. It is a moisture boosting hydrating mask that works overnight to nourish and soften my lips while I sleep. Its ingredients, including Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid, all work together to moisturize and exfoliate my lips. I absolutely love how I feel when I wake up with smooth lips, knowing I can conquer the day. These 5 products are the products you will find in my skincare arsenal come winter or summer because they are absolutely amazing.
T
he natural lipstick by OHSOGOOD leaves your lips glowing with Colour intensity. Castor oil, argan oil and organic raspberry seed oil provide these lipsticks with their creamy texture and ensure pleasant and light-weight application. Lips become wonderfully soft, are cared for and well nourished. Our unique colour intensity, protects the lips and has antioxidant properties. The result: fuller, more expressive lips and intense colour! 1-without parabens, silicone & synthetic fragrances 2-100% of the total ingredients are of natural origin 3-50% of the total ingredients stem from controlled organic farming Join our society!!!
follow ohsogood lipstick ohsogood_lipstick ohsogoodlipstick@yahoo.com
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Synopsis Ottawa Uncensored is an online bilingual show that aims to discuss various sensible, societal topics that are either considered taboo or that are not frequently discussed within our community. Every week we welcome our cast; which is comprised of various young adults, with various personalities, identities, cultural background and views. The show takes place in an informal setting to allow our participants to be able to freely express their opinion on these issues without fear of being silenced or judged. Our goal and mission is to create a platform that enables our cast and the viewers to freely express themselves and show our community that although Ottawa is a small city, it is one that is comprised of various identities whose voices need to be heard. Ottawa Uncensored est une émission bilingue en ligne qui vise à discuter de divers sujets socioculturels qui sont vus comme tabous ou qui ne sont pas fréquemment discutés dans notre communauté. Chaque semaine, nous accueillons notre équipe composée de divers jeunes adultes, avec diverses personnalités, identités, origines culturels et opinions. Le tournage se déroule dans un cadre informel pour permettre à nos participants de partager librement leur opinion sur ces sujets sans craindre d’être réduits au silence ou jugés. Notre but et notre mission sont de créer une plateforme qui permet à nos participants et nos auditeurs de s’exprimer librement et de montrer à notre communauté que même si Ottawa est une petite ville, elle est composée de diverses identités dont les voix ont besoin d’être entendues.
follow Ouncensored ottawauncensored YouTube Channel
PHOTOGRAPHY: BEN CREATIVE DIRECTION HAIR: LOLA ATTA MAKEUP: TAMSEN RA MODEL: MILLY @DULC
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N C.K. N: BEN C.K. & LOLA ATTA
AE CEDO MODELS MANAGEMENT
DRAWING / ILLUSTRATION: ANAYA ARTS
E
xtroverted introvert are the words that best describe Fiona Khaemba, the woman behind Anaya Arts. However, once her alter ego comes out and she is in Anaya mode, she is unrecognizable! Originally from Kenya, Fiona was raised in the Ivory Coast from the age of five, graduated high school in the UK, completed her undergraduate studies in Communications and French in Montreal, then followed by a post graduate in Human Resources in Toronto. After many adventures and soul searching in between, she now currently lives in Ottawa. Being African and growing up in the 90’s, art was not always encouraged. The Internet and social media were not the entrepreneurial platforms that they have become today. Once she got over trying to accomplish what society expected of her, Fiona started drawing again in 2015 after a 10-year hiatus. She eventually acknowledged that this was not time wasted, but a lesson learned. She had jumped one hurdle and was drawing again. However, it was her form of meditation and tranquility and nothing more, as she was drawing for her eyes only. She didn’t think her doodles were good enough to be described as art, thus creating a challenge within herself. She pushed through and managed to jump a second hurdle by choosing to make her work public, thanks to the persistent push and encouragement from her mother and close friends. She created a separate Instagram account and thus Anaya, her alter ego, was born and has been a nonstop journey since then.
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“Create Art, no matter what the art form is: visual arts, writing, singing, dancing, styling, beautifying, building... The world needs more of your unique touch!”
Having grown up in the Ivory Coast, she has always been drawn to anything West African. Not only is Anaya (pronounced uh-nah-yuh) a beautiful name, but it comes from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria and means ‘look up to God’. Her art speaks for itself as everyone from different walks of life and backgrounds have been drawn to her pieces. “What my eyes see as an artist is very different from what another person sees from the other side, from their perspective.”
fresh perspective and an open mind. The abstract faces and her minimal use of color followed. Having been natural for almost 10 years, those random shapes became her interpretation of our different hair textures, curls, coils and kinks.
In the near future, she hopes her full-time job can be centered around the arts so that she can be motivated, inspired and encouraged as an artist. She hopes to fully dedicate her time and energy to her brand and to make an Representation matters, so it has been heart-warming for impact on people’s lives on a much bigger scale. Fiona to witness the excitement of young black girls that can relate to her drawings. It has been humbling to watch adult Anaya arts prints, greeting cards and all relevant women of all races envision her art pieces in their homes information can be found on her website (see below). with excitement. It has been refreshing to see men that are T-shirts are also available through pre-order, so always be just as intrigued and appreciative of the black beauty and on the lookout for when the opportunity to order arises. hair [designs] that are being portrayed. People’s reactions She strives to have something for everyone, from wall art, have been her most satisfying moment; from the looks on to wearable art, to shareable art too. For local orders within their faces, to their words of encouragement and praise. Ottawa, Fiona can deliver as she always loves meeting her clients and showing her appreciation for their support. Fiona’s work as a whole can be described as unique — by Gloria Amah minimalist black art. The word that would best describe her journey in 2018 is “validation”. 2018 has been filled with reminders that her fears and mind blocks were unnecessary, and her only competition all along was with herself. The road is still long with her confidence as an artist, but when people who don’t owe her anything take the time to acknowledge and support her art, that means the world to her over and over again. Her inner child is forever smiling!
follow Fiona’s signature hair design came to life in 2012. She was at work doodling random shapes in her notebook, which eventually took form. 3 years later, she came across that same notebook and re-visited the whole concept with a
anaya.arts www.anayaarts.ca info@anayaarts.ca
naya
If there is anything to alter from the past 6 months, it would have to be when this all began. She would embrace her passion much sooner by stepping out of her comfort zone and defying the societal norms without hesitation. BUT, her mental and emotional state had to be aligned first. God’s timing is best.
“It takes passion, courage and digging deep to finally bring out the hidden gems that we block, ignore and internalize.”
Ben C.K. M
ontreal based visual artist specialized in Beauty, Fashion and Portrait Photography: rings a bell? Well, his name is Ben, born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where he lived for 17 years. Ben then moved to France and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Marketing. After working few years in Paris, he decided to move to North America. He lived in the U.S. for a short time and later moved to Montreal.
“Make your image stand from the crowd. Because every time I shoot, I only have a goal: Engage the viewer.”
Around the age of 12, his mother bought a camera just before some vacations in NYC and he had been immediately attracted to it. It was her camera, but he did not let anyone touch it during the whole time they spent there. However, after the vacations ended, he lost his interest until seven years ago after returning from a trip to Vietnam and being very frustrated by the pictures he took. He then decided to learn how to take better pictures and 07 years later, is still learning. His vision is a perpetual work in progress. Among his greatest achievements is the photoshoot of one of his favorite tennis players, Martina Hingis, for the Spring/Summer 2017 campaign of Tonic Active. Ben used to watch her on TV and had the pleasure to have her in front of his camera. Ben services can be booked by anyone who needs to tell a story with an image. Whether it is an aspiring model, a brand, or simply a person in need of a portrait. The location doesn’t matter either, as he can be booked for anywhere on the globe as long as the flight ticket is paid. For the future, Ben hopes he will be alive and shooting because only God knows what will happen tomorrow. — by Gloria Amah
“If I knew how to draw, I would probably never be into photography. I see it as a way to make images I have in my mind come to life.”
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bencksphoto
Bencks Photography
bencks.com
bencksphoto
bencksphoto
ben@bencks.com
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PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. MAKEUP: JESSICA ABOUWAKED HAIR: NADIA ABOUWAKED MODEL: AYÉ @DULCEDO MODELS PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. MAKEUP: ELLA MORAN MODEL: DAVINA @DULCEDO MODELS MANAGEMENT
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. MAKEUP/HAIR: EMILY M.A.H MODEL: NAOMY @MONTAGE MODELS
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. MAKEUP: ANNE-BERTHE LAROCHELLE & STÉPHANIE ODIA HAIR: CRISTAL HAN & MÉLISSA GENE WARDROBE STYLIST: LOLA ATTA MODELS: BIBI BREBY, TIFENY MOREIRA & HONEY BENJAMIN
PHOTOGRAPHY: BEN C.K. CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. & LOLA ATTA HAIR: LOLA ATTA MAKEUP: TAMSEN RAE MODEL: MILLY @DULCEDO MODELS
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. MAKEUP/HAIR: MARIKA D’AUTEUIL MODEL: GABRIELLE PARADIS @DULCEDO MODELS
PHOTOGRAPHY & ART DIRECTION: BEN C.K. MAKEUP: THRECIA JOY HAIR: STEPH MIRAMONTES MODEL: DJAMILLA @NEXT MODELS CANADA
PHOTOGRAPHY: BEN C.K. CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. & LOLA ATTA MAKEUP: HIBA DHIB HAIR: LOLA ATTA WARDROBE STYLIST: GABRIELLE P. ALLEN MODEL: PATRICIA GAGUI
what’s in my bag ?
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PHOTO CREDIT: @CASSIEEVENHEN
Wondered what Ornella Kondo puts in her bags ?
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PHOTO CREDIT: @NOELLAKONDO
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I currently/always have the following in my bag :
PHOTO CREDIT: @CASSIEEVENHEN
Bag from
Wallet – ID’s, cash etc.
TOPSHOP CANADA
Business cards – Always be prepared and you never know who you might meet. iPhone + charger + portable charger – Although my iPhone battery hasn’t started acting up yet, I always make sure to bring the chargers if anyone I’m with needs it!
PHOTO CREDIT: @CASSIEEVENHEN
Lip stick or Vaseline – Got to keep my lips moisturized lol. House keys Gum – Keep my breath fresh.
Bag from
Bag from ALDO
‘‘
I always try to pack & carry light, unless I’m shooting content or doing other things that requires me to carry other things.
PHOTO CREDIT: @VANNIEBEE_
JACLYN DESANGES
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What is your makeup go to ?
coraliescloset
anthoniamakeup
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Makeup Crushs
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makeupbydibawssette
ayshaharun
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kinja.beauty
Cosmetics
Tife Bella
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‘‘
Bringing your inner diva to life”
E
sosa Uddoh is a London born and Lagos raised entrepreneur. She studied at the University of Toronto where she just graduated with a major in Media Studies and a double minor in Women & Gender Studies and Studio Art. She is the founder of Tife Bella, a beauty brand that currently specializes in mineral and natural makeup. Esosa, who always have a million and one ideas running in her mind, started her adventure as an entrepreneur when her interest in makeup increased. It was in fact during this period that she finally managed to wear lashes by herself, a task that wasn’t always easy and that she was never able to do without the help of her friends. Because of her belief that one should try to turn their interests and passions into something profitable, she then decided to follow her idea and make the dream come true. That was in early 2017. For the next couple of months, she focused on the research and planning aspects of constructing her business. She then started building her brand by creating its social media pages and website in August 2017. She later had her first photo shoot in February 2018 and officially launched Tife Bella a few weeks later. Since her first name is Esosa, and a lot of people call her Sosa, she initially wanted to call her business Sosa Beauty. This name (Sosa) was however quite common and already in use by many other beauty accounts on Instagram. Also, people would often think of Chief Keef after hearing Sosa. So, she decided to switch to something innovative that had a personal touch. After several attempts at manipulating Esosa/Sosa in order to find something she liked, she eventually moved onto her middle name, Boluwatife. In the end, she settled with Tife Bella once she realized that neither Tife Beauty nor Tife Belle, though including some form of the word beauty/beautiful, sounded right.
Facebook page (TifeBella). One can also contact Esosa directly for orders, as she not only has her own mobile POS but often carries a couple of products to sell on the go or show to potential customers. The moment she received her first order from a stranger was one of great fulfillment. She often received orders from her friends and family, but it’s never easy to know if their purchase is out of support or of genuine appreciation for her products. Therefore, having a stranger appreciating her work and sending her a positive review made her pleased and proud. The one thing she would have altered if given the chance would be the financial requirements of running her business. Though people often say that it takes money to make money, there is never enough specifics. In the coming years, she hopes to have expanded Tife Bella to include products other than mineral and natural makeup. She expects to also have affordable yet highquality accessories for her customers. Lastly, she desires to start her own digital media company, unless she takes over her mother’s, and make a name for herself in the brand management industry. She could not end this interview without stating how grateful she is to her mother whose help and support are both valuable and vital to her journey as an entrepreneur. — by Femi Nassi
follow tifebella I e_uddoh tifebellasocial I e_uddoh TifeBella
Tife Bella, in the words of its creator, is for “the young Black woman who has just fallen in love with herself and wants to express herself through both her clothes and makeup”. Their products can be purchased on her website, www.tifebella.com, as well as through their
e_uddoh www.tifebella.com tifebella.sup@gmail.com
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‘‘
Follement Belle”
V
ickie Joseph and Varda Etienne are the owners behind V Kosmetik. Vickie is from Haitian origins, studied in the fashion business. She also founded Nu.i by Vickie, a fashion line that caters to the influential everyday woman, opened 2 boutiques: one in Laval and the other one downtown Montreal, an online boutique, wholesale to different stores throughout Canada, United States. Vickie participated in various fashion weeks, appeared in various magazines such as ELLE, CLIN D’OEIL, FLARE ETC. She co-founded with her husband in 2012 an incubator in St-Michel named Groupe 3737 to help minorities entrepreneurs create and grow their businesses through specific programs, mentorship, transferring knowledge through philanthropy is part of our mission. Giving back to ensure wealth creation and opening doors for future generations. Vickie received various prizes for her entrepreneur skills and social engagement, co-sponsor Vues d’Afrique alongside Ben Marc Diendere. She served on different boards of directors and does conference about women in business, in fact she recently just launched a new program Femmepreneure to help women from minorities succeed in their businesses and life.
Varda Etienne, is a public TV personality, an actress and writer she is of Haitian origins as well. She has a major in communication and appeared in various TV shows such as Deux Filles le matin, Sucré salé, Par ici la sortie, Musique Plus, Save by the belles, lance et Compte, Nouvelle Generation, and does a lot of conferences regarding Mental illness, she wrote Maudite Folle, Ma belle-mère chérie, Les Hauts et les Bas d’une Famille reconstituée, Femme de gangster. In 2014 Varda Etienne thought about the idea of launching a new cosmetic line for women of colour which was missing a lot from the market. After several fails of trying to find her foundation while on set, she got fed up and her husband told her «why don’t you start your own makeup line?». From that moment the idea came to life and she was looking for investors and someone to manage the business. She approached Vickie and her husband Frantz Saintellemy, to invest and manage it. That’s how they started V Kosmetik, a cosmetic that caters women from 18-60 of all skin tones.
They started the operations of V Kosmetik in September 2016, by working on the business plan, a strategy plan, a financial plan doing a full study of the market to know exactly where they would position themselves, what would be the target audience, what message to use, how to deal with our manufacturer to create the product and negotiate the best price, research of a sales team, a marketing team to translate our vision and message well, and finally with a lot of back and forth from Toronto we chose the direction of the products, the colours, the bi-polar names of each product, created look books, presentation documents for our sales forces. The first contract they got was with the pharmacies. Starting with less inventory. They wanted to see V kosmetik across Africa, Europe, Asia, the United States and bring more products to life, create a specific foundation application for women of colours.
follow v_kosmetik V Kosmetik
“We are 2 black women building this beautiful business to also demonstrate to women that together we can accomplish big things and dream big, and to finally contribute to the growth of our economy, create jobs and have more women preparing young girls to become leaders and get their level of confidence higher. What we are doing has a very powerful message to it.” You can buy them online www.vkosmetik.com, or pharmacies such as Brunet, Uniprix, Jean-Coutu, Familiprix and Proxim, Achaia Select.
www.vkosmetik.com info@vkosmetik.com
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GAMME COMPLÈTE DE PRODUITS HAUT DE GAMME CRÉÉS ET DÉVELOPPÉS AU CANADA: HYPOALLERGÉNIQUES, INODORES, NON-COMÉDOGÈNES, SANS PARABEN ET NON TESTÉS SUR LES ANIMAUX. MAINTENANT DISPONIBLE
Follement Belle WWW.VKOSMETIK.COM #LAMARQUEDE TOUTES LES TEINTES
Follement Belle MAINTENANT DISPONIBLE
GAMME COMPLÈTE DE PRODUITS HAUT DE GAMME
CRÉÉS ET DÉVELOPPÉS AU CANADA, HYPOALLERGÉNIQUES, INODORES, NON-COMÉDOGÈNES SANS PARABEN ET NON TESTÉS SUR LES ANIMAUX.
WWW.VKOSMETIK.COM #LAMARQUEDE TOUTES LES TEINTES
Our mission is to help you showcase YOUR beauty. “We love ourselves and we love what we were blessed with, therefore we celebrate who we are’’ We believe that all shades of black are beautiful; we want to put you on the SPOTLIGHT We noticed that there was a lack of products that caters to the melanin, therefore we created a complete makeup line, and our goal is that you can find in in a pharmacy in your neighborhood. Our products are carefully selected to meet your expectation; we’re offering you high quality, and highly pigmented product! They are hypoallergenic; non comedogenic with a wide selection of colour that will definitely suits all of your beauty needs. You can find them in certain participating Uniprix and Jean Coutu. All of our pharmacies locations are listed in our website at www.nagicosmetics.com where you can also shop, we ship worldwide.
“Exhibit your beauty, be unapologetic about who you are.�
6 Editor''s Pick
PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION: BEN C.K. MAKEUP: ELMY TRIEU WARDROBE STYLIST: GABRIELLE P. ALLEN MODEL: DJAMILLA @NEXT CANADA
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1 Nagi Hydrating Cream
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Skin care is important in your beauty routine, and especially your hydrating lotion, cream or gel. This cream is a great plus to your skincare. With its 5 oils, exotic mango and Shea butter mix, this cream increase skins elasticity and ease dryness. Check out: nagicosmetics.com to purchase it.
This mask is literally life chang use it as a daily lip balm. It is ju with the softest baby lips and m the morning or whenever you p You can purchase it in any Se (now available in vanilla and gra
4 Drama Kween Matte Lipstick by VKosmetik Yeah! Who does not love a red lip? My personality changes once I apply that red lipstick on. It is matte and matches perfectly dark skin tones. You need to try it for yourself because no words are good enough to qualify my love for this Drama kween lipstick (and I love the name). PS: they have 53 foundation shades!!! I mean? Yes (support black kweens!) Get it at: vkosmetik.com
Arrosa Liquid Velvet Matte Li
I love this lipstick color for the tones with some shimmer thus So, if you want to switch mood red lipstick. I highly recommen Get it at: orchidcosmetics.com Remember: drink a lot of water. we forget to eat or take care of
3
2 Diba by Dibawssette Cushion Foundation
ging. I love it so much that I ust perfect and will leave you most kissable (wink wink) in put it on. ephora store or their website apefruit)
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ipstick Orchid Cosmetics
e winter season. It has berry s, the perfect summer color. ds from the glosses, nudes, or nd and love this lipstick.
Sometimes we get so busy that ourselves. Stay HYDRATED!
This medium to full coverage cushion foundation is my goto for an everyday make up look or the non-makeup makeup look. Diba cushion foundations are targeted to dark skin tones with 09 shades. So, you’re covered QUEEN! Get it at: dibawssette.com
6 KAD Beauty Bar Caramel Shortcake highlighter Yes! We are finishing off this list with one of my favourite highlighters. Yes, reward yourself with a good glow sis! This caramel shortcake highlighter is good for your everyday look and also that night look. And of course, perfect for darker skin tones. Checkout their products on their Instagram page: kadbeautybar
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orn and raised in Canada, and of Ghanaian background, Janine-Vera is the founder and creator of Vera’s Radiance, a skin, beauty, and personal care business. She is 28 years old and currently lives in the Greater Toronto Area. She is the holder of a degree in Applied Economics and Psychology from Carleton University. During her university years, Vera discovered the importance of discipline, commitment, and hard work. Following her graduation, she got accepted into a career development program with a top investment firm where she learned the about and how of becoming a career woman. After achieving all her financial industry exams through their valuable mentorship, she then worked as a junior to the top financial advisors; a journey that taught her the value of resilience and persistence. In 2016, Vera was an Associate at an Investment firm where she stayed for a year and a half. Unfortunately, due to a shift in the company, she was let go. Following that, she was on Employment Insurance. But even there, something was missing. After 5 years of working in the Financial Service Industry, Vera reached a point where she noticed that she wanted more. Her job had become nothing more than a simple job. The lack of passion and desire to continue in that industry was now a problem. She was not only bored and unchallenged but ready to do something different. One day, as she was thinking about the other opportunities she had, a light bulb went off. She realized that one of the things that every Ghanaian home has in common is a stash of Shea butter barely used. That’s when she decided to put some products on the market in order to get some extra cash. With the help of a friend, she created a logo and business cards for her new idea. Finally, her sister assisted her in the marketing of her products which ended up selling over 100 jars in 2 months! This event led her to dive into her old interests and passions. Among them was her love of science and aspiration to become a dermatologist. In the process of finding the right career path, Vera turned toward self-help
and business-related literature. Fortunately, she discovered and read Melinda F. Emerson’s book, Become your own Boss in 12 months; which helped her put things in perspective and create her vision board. Vera ultimately decided to make a career transition. She went back to school in November 2017 as a Medical Esthetician. She knew that working in a domain that passionate her would significantly improve her abilities, achievements and overall happiness. Also, the evolving nature of this industry is something that aligns with her search for challenging experiences. Her main objective is to help people feel good about themselves. She is a problem solver and listener who believes in her abilities to provide people with valuable services; especially the underserved ones, who are mostly people of color. Vera’s Radiance is, therefore, developing a cosmeceutical skincare line whose mission is to create an experience that will have people fall in love with skincare. She wants to formulate an advanced medical grade skin care brand that caters the various concerns of people of color. Her line will be composed by a range of skin care products for both experts and everyday consumers, making their daily routine easy and satisfying. After all, a Medical Esthetician as she defines it, “is a person who helps improve client’s facial and physical appearance through near medical services (laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc.)” On the other side, working as an entrepreneur allows her to have full control over her life and choices. It gives her the chance to discover more about herself, her strengths and weaknesses. It also gives her the opportunity to work on her talents, improve her skills, and become the best version of her authentic self, while expanding her brand at the same time. Vera’s Radiance is more than just a name for her business. The first part is composed of her own name, Vera, which means faith. Because for our entrepreneur, having faith has made her accomplish things she once could only dream of; especially when facing hard times.
Vera’s Radiance “Rediscover your confidence” Adding to that, she wished to create a name that embodied all the things her customers deserve: confidence, selfawareness, beauty, and self-care. It all goes along with her will to emphasize the importance of determination and self-belief. Her services are suitable for everyone, though particularly aiming the underserved, namely men and women of color (age 18+). Her ideal client is anybody who has an avid interest in skin care and self-maintenance to be able to manage their own daily skin care needs. Vera’s Radiance is currently selling Body Butters which are available by order via their Instagram account. In the coming future, a website will be launched to make products more accessible. While building a clientele and hearing positive feedback from her customers both provide her with great joy and pride, what truly excites Vera is the opportunity to expand her business. It might be a small online business for the moment, but our entrepreneur has many more amazing things coming up. — by Femi Nassi
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Though she has no regret about her current experience as an entrepreneur, Vera’s only wish is that she would have discovered her passion and started her path to independence much sooner. For 2019, Vera’s goal is to sell products created by using medical grade ingredients approved by Health Canada. They will be fitting for all skin types (Normal, Dry, Oily, Normal to Oily, Normal to Dry, Sensitive) and will address common skin conditions (Acne, Rosacea, Hyperpigmentation, Eczema). The products line will include items such as Cleansers, Toners, Exfoliators, Specialty serums, Moisturizers, Masks, and Body Care. Also, prepacked targeted box sets such as Radiant, Balance, Calming, and Renewal will be available for purchase for Hyperpigmentation, Acne, Sensitive skin and Anti-Aging respectively. In the next couple of years, Vera’s aspiration is to be self-sufficient, financially independent, with her own family and overall happy. Her business would have globally expanded to a recognizable and reputable brand used by skin care professionals and the everyday person. Her ultimate goal is to build a legacy and generational wealth for her future. “Your values are an important component of who you are because they shape how you behave and interact in the world. They govern the decisions you make and the way you function as a person. First and foremost, it is important to be kind and respectful to everyone but to also know when it is time to be firm.’’ I believe that we all have the right to ask for what we want with the understanding that sometimes what we want will not always come to pass. It is important to move through the world with love and compassion because you never know what burden may fall upon you. Compassion, Empathy, Honesty, Integrity, Trust, and Patience are some of the values that I cherish to my heart because they have proven to be essential in my life.
follow verasradiance Vera’s Radiance
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verasradiance@gmail.com
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frah Hassan is a Somali Canadian entrepreneur, prominent community activist, organizer and mentor.
About a year ago, Ifrah launched Ifrah’s Essentials, her global online business with Opulence Global -a leading Canadian company that encompasses a leading –edge products in health, beauty and fashion and is doing business in over 200 countries. As of today, Ifrah has 100 clients and is doing business in 5 countries (Canada, US, UK, Sweden and Kenya) with 35 partners in her organization. Her lifelong mission is to help at least 1 million women and girls around the world reach their own financial freedom. To learn more about how you can benefit from Ifrah’s business, see her contact info below.
follow ifrahott ifrahsucdihasssan Ifrah Sucdi Hassan www.myopulence.com/ifrahsessentials
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The weather is changing and getting colder, you know what that means?! WINTER IS COMING! During this particularly long period here in Canada our natural hair needs special attention. It needs to be strengthened, nourished and protected. To achieve that goal, I present to you the products that help me during this difficult time.
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conceptgirl_
hair by Elodie
Take care of you
Take care of your hair by Elodie
Almond oil SERENITY Almond oil is an oil that softens your hair, it strengthens your hair and makes it shine. Furthermore, almond oil regulates the production of se-bum, relieves itching on your scalp. Finally, it gets rid of dead skin and dandruff. I use it as my bath oil at least once a week before shampooing my hair. To do so, I make sure to heat it up before applying it on my split ends and massaging it into my scalp
Tea tree oil SERENITY Tea tree oil SERENITY is an oil containing different types of oil such as: tea tree oil, olive oil, coconut oil and essential oils (tea tree, thyme, rosemary and sage). Being someone that struggles with dandruff, I use it 2 to 3 times a week. Tea tree oil is recognized for its purifying and healing properties for the skin. This oil is very light and that is the main reason why I use tea tree oil during the week. Massaging your scalp promotes hair growth and facilitate blood flow.
Moisturizing and softening shampoo AUNTJACKIES is a shampoo that does not dry your hair, its texture is different from regular sham-poo because unlike regular shampoo its texture is creamy. I shampoo my hair once a week. WINTER BEAUTY ISSUE —
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Strengthening milk mask CRÈME OF NATURE Hair mask is the most important step in your hair routine. It is during this stage that your hair is deeply hydrated. This mask leaves my hair soft, hydrated and more malleable. It also allows me to pre-detangle my hair. Once the mask is applied, I put my hair in a heat cap for 30 min.
Curl la la Defining curl custard AUNTJACKIE’S/ Quench Moisture intensive Leave in conditionner AUNTJACKIE’S/Shea butter I’m doing a twist out overtime I wash my hair with this 3 products. I’m doing the LCB method. LCB method is ia method of moisturizing hair that involves applying a LeaveIn a hair cream and a butter to seal the hydration of my hair. With this combo, my hair stays hydrated all week long.
fabielsah
Hair Crushs
misstola
shot by Anne Audrey Gaudin @audreygodinphotographe
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damnthatschev
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naellesalako
sophiatim_
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‘‘
Love is in the hair”
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alony Jean-Louis is our Haitian entrepreneur with magic fingers. She is the owner of hair beauty salon Eminence Coiffure. She studied in administration and also beauty school. Falony started to work as a hair stylist in Montreal and when she moved to Gatineau, thought it was only right to pursue her dream. She used everything as a learning experience; starting by working from her house where she offered her hairstyling services to now having her own hair salon in Gatineau. Having grown bigger with the help of her team, they wish to create a harmonious, productive and profitable salon environment. Thus, the idea behind the name of her establishment. Eminence is a title giving to a person of superiority, which is the way they desire their customers to feel as they enter the salon. One of Falony and her team’s goals is to be able to service all types of audience. At the moment, they have a hairstylist that specializes in men’s hair as well as others that can easily attend to any type of hair texture. She also sells Eminence virgin hair, her own line of natural hair extension which is available on her website. Her goal in the next 5 years to open a bigger shop and provide a larger range of services to her customers. — by Gloria Amah
follow Eminence Virgin Hair
eminencevirginhair.com
eminencecoiffure
eminence.coiffure@gmail.com
eminenceteam
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Hair by Be
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follow hair.by.be hair.by.be Hair by Be hair.by.benilda@gmail.com
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fi Benilda Nunyabu is a young Togolese leaving fi Benilda Nunyabu isina young Togolese livingsixin years Montreal about Montreal for about now.forShe hassixa years now. She bachelor’s has a bachelor’s degree in business administration witha degree in business administration with a major in operationsmajor management logistic. She is the boss ladyand behind in operations management logistic she isHair the by Be brand. At the boss end oflady thatbehind degreeHair she by decided to put aside for Be brand. Atschool the end of that a while in order to have more whatschool she studied anda in life in degree sheexperience decided toinput aside for while general. “At the beginning it wasn’t a business, I usedintowhat do my order to have more experience shecousins’ studied hair and since it was a bit expensive go to a hair salon” stated Benilda during our in life intogeneral. interview. Furthermore, she explained that she didn’t have any professional
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experience, but she just loved doing hair, everything else came naturally and until today she is still learning how to improve herself. October 2016 was the turning point and Hair by Be was officially launched.
‘‘
The african with fairy hands’’
The inspiration for the name was very easy according to her, she is usually called ‘Be’ short for Benilda so she decided to go with Hair by Be, simple and short, as she said. Her target is anyone who wants to be beautiful, however she does not style kids under twelve years old. She offers her services mainly in Montreal and its surroundings, and sometimes she organizes herself to go to other cities such as Ottawa, Toronto, Québec, Sherbrooke and more. One of the most satisfying moment for her was when a client came all the way from Winnipeg and told Benilda she found her Instagram and wants her to do her hair. In the next five or ten years, Benilda sees herself ‘happy’ but also doing what she loves the most. She ended the interview beautifully by saying that “We only have one life, it would be sad to have regrets.” — by Maya Mariam
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Curly Hair Design
‘‘
With all textures in mind, we care for your hair’’
follow
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curlyhairdesigns Curly Hair Designs curlyhairdesigns.com
to use hair products that are going to help the hair long term. Therefore, she stays away from harmful products with ingredients such as silicones and sulphates.
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y the age of 13, Paula Whitelocke found her passion for hair and decided to turn that passion into a business. The business started initially in 2010 and went by the name of “Hair Designs by Paula”. That was the start of her now enterprise and brand, Curly Hair Designs. Paula’s clientele is diverse; she loves and welcomes all types of hair. In her quest for authenticity, Paula began searching deeper to create an exclusive and catered service. With an influx of salons and beauty parlors, she needed that special something to differentiate herself from the rest. With the help of her business coach, they were able to narrow down curly hair textures as a main focus. It took about three months to settle into changing the business into what we know today as Curly Hair Designs. Paula focuses on curls, waves, kinks, coils of any texture. Little do people know that there is a difference between hair types and hair texture. She feels the duty to educate and spread her knowledge. Through appointments and workshops, she brings light to the various curl types that exist. Paula also offers a salon brand leave-in conditioner. This conditioner is a plant based moisturizing milk. Another of her go-to brands is Earthtones Naturals, which she loves supporting as it is a local business. She is very diligent about the products she uses on her clients. It is important
The most satisfying part of this journey is the education that is given to her clients. “I have never seen my curls look like this” is a daily say in the salon. She feels like giving her clients the true beauty of their hair and teaching them how to go home and recreate what she does in the salon is the goal. She has a high interest and a deep passion for educating stylists. Her intentions is to expand not only Nationally, but internationally by hosting workshops. The Texture Understand workshop series will provide the tools and knowledge to hairstylist as well as clients. Paula would not alter anything about her journey as the experiences have brought her to where she is today. She believes everything happens for a reason. She is seeing things that she never really imagined for her future. If she did not go through some of the experiences, she would not be who she is today. Proud and strong, all these experiences lead her to the wonderful Curly Hair Designs. As a business owner, she had to force herself to think ten steps ahead. With the future in mind, her 5 and 10 year plans are nearby but still yet to be written. She is happy about the last year’s transition and welcomes all new endeavours and opportunities. She feels blessed to be in this position. At 30 years young, she only expects to soar to newer heights. As a solo stylist, her schedule tends to be busy. Emails are welcome to those looking for special inquiries only. She is currently fully booked thanks to her loyal clientele. “Have patience with the journey. The journey can be rough, and nobody can ever prepare you for any industry woes. That is why it is important to move with passion because when you move with passion it makes everything just a lit bit easier.” — by Gloria Amah
curlsvitamins
Gina’s Hair Beauty
‘‘
Sophisticated hair’’
follow
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ginaswigs I ginashairbeauty_ Ginas Hair ginashairbeauty.com info@ginashairbeauty.com
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orn in Ivory Coast and raised in Ottawa where she studied hairstyling, Regina Fofana, is the owner of Gina’s Hair Beauty. Her journey in this industry started when her best friend asked her to take more interest in the creation of frontal wigs. As a creative and a hair passionate, she eventually developed a love for this art. Then one day, in early September of 2017, tired of her daily routine, she created a new wig for a friend of hers. After sending a picture of the work to her mother who forwarded it to her own friends, she started receiving requests about it. They asked her if her products were for sale and that is how everything officially started. In other words, Gina’s Hair Beauty is an online hair shop specialized in creating custommade wigs. They provide consultation services for the creation of wigs, as well as regular hair services. Their products are manufactured with natural human hair only. The name Gina’s Hair Beauty was partly inspired to her by her bestfriend, who calls her Gina. She had different Instagram pages, @ginaswigs and @hairbyreginafofana , she wanted one name that combines all her expertise together but @ginashair was already taken so she went with Gina’s hair and added beauty as a salute to her clients’ reactions after their sessions. In her own words:
“Good hair is important in an everyday life of a human. Starting with your real hair or a wig, the most you invest in a good quality of hair (extension, products), or in anything in life, the cheapest it is for you in the long term. I always go for the quality and that’s what makes my work special.” For consultations and appointments, she can be reached through her social media @ ginaswigs as well as her website: www.ginashairbeauty.com, where price estimations can be made. When asked about her most satisfying moments, she talks about the reactions of her clients. Their love for the outcome of their sessions is the most gratifying thing for her. But if given the chance, the one thing she would alter would be starting her business earlier. Her goal and desire, as she stated it, is to have an international business where she can reach people from Canada, Asia, Europe, and Africa. But she leaves the future to God, as He is her guide.
— by Femi Nassi
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perlenoire
Hair Supply
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perlenoire.naturelle perlenoire.naturelle perlenoire.ca perlenoire.naturelle@gmail.com
Perle Noire “Bring out the gem that you are with 100% natural products”
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ur next entrepreneur is named Yacine Ouattara, originally from Ivory Coast and Senegal, she was born and raised in Montreal. She graduated from Arts and Letters in Bois de Boulogne College. Then she decided to change programs and study technology management at the UQAM. She is the founder of Perle Noire, a beauty brand that makes and sells natural products for hair and body. Yacine was always a big fan of natural products, she did her Big Shop in 2012 and after trying a major part of the products that were available at that time, she noticed that they were mainly made out of chemicals which is bad for your health. From there her principal concern became taking care of her natural hair with only natural products. After that episode, Yacine started making her own products, such as hair masks and oil, based on shea butter, castor oil etc, and people would always ask her what products she uses on her own hair, by the way it looks, expecting her to name some big brand but she would always tell them it’s only natural products. That’s when the idea about making her own brand came in. The name Perle Noire came from something precious, rare, from good quality, basically what we are! Yacine is targeting all women from 18 to 35 years old, Perle Noire is for any woman who wants to take care of herself with natural products. Her products are available on her website and will be soon available in stores. The most satisfying moments, according to Yacine, are when her clients give her feedbacks. In 5 to 10 years, she sees herself in her country of origin, Ivory Coast, and work in the domain of technology and e-commerce. She also hopes to have a physical store where she could make and sell her products internationally. — by Maya Mariam
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lobyMo, is a wiggery created by Morewa Fola-Alade, a 22 years old entrepreneur. Morewa is a Nigerian woman, currently pursuing her BBA in Management and Marketing at the University of Toronto. Her love for all things related to hair and beauty, as well as her desire to be financially independent, are what led her to create GlobyMo. It was for her, a way to not only rely less on her parents, having two younger siblings but also an opportunity to dive into her passion and monetize it. GlobyMo Enterprises was officially created in May 2016. The inspiration for the name of her business came in through a friend who in reaction to her work, said: “Anh anh, Glow by Mo!”. A perfect name for Morewa, a freelance artist then, whose signature element was the highlight. Her targeted audiences are girls and women from all over the world, between the ages of 15–30, and who desire to look good without having too many expenses. Her company’s mission statement is “to help everyone channel their inner glow to the surface.” For them, everyone should have the chance to rebrand and be someone new. Their products, therefore, give people the chance to escape their regular lives every once in a while. All their units are custom made by hand and with love. Every part of the process, whether it is the bleaching, the tinting, or the plucking, everything is done with care and patience in order to provide their clients with products that match their skin tone and hairline. They pride themselves in the expertise that is put on producing their customized and personalized wigs. GlobyMo was also the pioneer of the Clip&Glo Human Hair Drawstring Ponytail in Nigeria, which is actually one of their brand extensions. Others include Hariven Scent, a custom line of hair perfume with a scent created by Morewa, Hairlthy, a natural hair growth oil, and Glow Range, a line of cosmetics (liquid and powder bronzers). Currently, her products are only available for sale through her website www.globymo.com. She is, however, working on soon opening a physical store in Lagos.
Her journey as an entrepreneur was blessed with numerous satisfying moments. Among them is the recognition she receives for her hard work by people in general, and her clients in particular. After all, she started her business on her own and stayed consistent enough to be able to build it to what it is today: a multinational enterprise with bases in 3 countries and multiple branch extensions. She was not only interviewed by EbonyLife TV but also got featured in a Buzzfeed article. This is particularly impressive, considering how little recognition is given to Nigerian entrepreneurs without them having to pull any strings. The one thing she wishes she had had at the beginning of her adventure is an initial financial investment from a third party. This would have given her a little push and helped her take her brand a lot farther. She is, nonetheless, proud of the accomplishments she made on her own.
“I’ve enjoyed the growing pains and when I look back on the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into the business, and how far I’ve come, it makes me appreciate my progress. Having to it on my own also taught me some invaluable life skills so I guess there was a silver lining.” — Morewa Fola-Alade Her goal for the next 5 to 10 years is to expand her brand to more countries, with a larger body of staff and more physical presence. She expects to have a couple of salons and hope to delegate more, which would give her the chance to focus on the brand management aspect of her business. — by Femi Nassi
follow globymo globymo globymo.com info@globymo.com
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Sultra by CC
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Your Authenticity is Magic’’
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eet Chisara Odigbo (Chis) and Oluwatomi Salako (Coco), our two Nigerian entrepreneurs and founders of Sutra by CC. After spending her first 13 years in Lagos, Chis moved to England where she continued her studies for several years. Two years ago, she moved to Toronto and is currently a Political Science major at the University of Toronto. Coco on the other hand also moved to England at the age of 12, and later, went to the U.S. She now lives in New York and is a Marketing major at St. John’s University. Throughout their years of schooling in England, both Chis and Coco developed an interest in hair in general and weaves in particular. Chis switched from wearing braids to weaves when she was in year 9/10 due to their practicality and cost, relying on her sister to provide it to her. Her new hairstyle sparked a lot of positive feedback from girls in older years who were curious about where she purchased her hair. A year and a half later, she had the initiative to start her own hair company. The goal was to provide good quality hair to students who couldn’t always afford the regular prices offered by companies. Coco, who was more into braids during her boarding school years, eventually became bored of them. As a result, she begged her mother to allow her to wear weaves, leading to a new hair experience. What she wasn’t expecting, was the overwhelming aspect of the process of picking her first unit. Having to decide what texture, origin, and length to pick was not an easy task. Luckily, she was assisted by her cousin and ended up buying her first straight Vietnamese hair. This whole experience then grew her interest in hair and made her discover the creative and expressive opportunities that lie in this industry.
her discover the creative and expressive opportunities that lie in this industry. During a conversation, Chis shared her idea and desires with Coco who decided to be part of the adventure. The two friends then created Sutra by CC. After considering Luxe Hair, then Sutra Hair for their business’s name, our two entrepreneurs finally settled on Sutra by CC. Their desire was to add a personal element to their brand thus helping them connect more easily with their customers. Adding by CC gave them “a personalized touch which invites people to want to be part of our community”, explains Chis. And for Coco, it is indeed a personal matter. Branding is quite important to her. After observing other hair businesses, she realized how identical most of them are. Sutra by CC, therefore, aims to break out from the mass, create a business that is unique, and have it represented by a name that embodied what they stand for. Removing the word “hair” from the name was also an intentional step as their business is not limited to hair/hair products. This allows them to experiment with new things and grow in a broader industry, the beauty industry. They are in fact, planning to release other products that will be announced in the near future. Sutra by CC is consequently a beauty and lifestyle brand, which focuses on and specializes in the sale of Grade 10A luxury human hair extensions. They currently have two collections: The Sutra Line and the CC Collection. Their Sutra line consists of various textures of natural black colored hair and their CC Collection, of blonde and other colored hair. Sutra by CC diversifies beauty by creating a space that empowers women through products and blog posts.
women through products and blog posts Their main targets are women of color and students who are interested in both quality and budget-friendly products. All their products are available for purchase through their website www. sutrabycc.com, that was launched this very summer, and designed by themselves. Regarding their journey as young entrepreneurs, the two friends told us more about their thoughts, expectations and most memorable moments. For Chis, watching their business grow to where it currently is a source of great satisfaction. W I N T E R B E A U T Y I S S U E — 133
where it currently is a source of great satisfaction. Although Sutra by CC was created in 2014, it is, in fact, this year that the two entrepreneurs put their full effort toward building their brand. The trust of their clients, whether it was through the order of regular hair bundles, or for special events such as weddings, is one of the things they are the proudest of. Coco then mentions the launch of their website. After numerous attempts, push backs and cancellations, it took them a lot of hard work, determination, and patience to create the right website; one that fully represents the core of their business values. The positive feedback from their friends, families, strangers, and customers was just as valuable. It was in a way, a confirmation of the merit of their daily efforts. In terms of statistics, their website got over 2000 visits in 24 hours which is impressive. Overall, this process allowed them to define their business more clearly as well as strengthen their relationship as business partners. It is indeed true that juggling between school and running a business is no easy task. Though there is still a long way to go, Chis and Coco have many more surprises for their audience. And as a great advantage for them, they found in each other, a reliable partner.
audience. And as a great advantage for them, they found in each other, a reliable partner. “I don’t think there’s anything I would alter,” says Chis, when asked about what she would do, if given the chance to change their experience. She believes that they have come a long way and have grown. Which is no surprise considering all they’ve been through. As every valuable activity always comes with its shares of hardships, and no journey is meant to be easy, she is grateful for what they have encountered. It now works as a motivation for them to keep up their good work and take Sutra by CC where it is meant to be. Coco shares the same belief, though mentioning the financial aspect as the only thing she would have altered. As big dreamers with plans sometimes requiring a considerable amount of financial investment, it is not always easy. But she has faith in their ability to figure things out and bringing their visions to life. It might take some time, but for now, she is patient and content. In her own words: “Everything we’ve gone through has taught us something and has helped us build our brand to something we are proud of.”
our brand to something we are proud of.” For the future, our two entrepreneurs, see their business as a unique International Beauty and Lifestyle brand. Their goals involve uniting women, growing their collections, working with celebrities and overall diversifying beauty while empowering their fellow women. As a special note to every woman of color, this is what Chis and Coco have to say: “To all the women who don’t see themselves represented in the beauty world, Sutra by CC is here to create a community where you can grow comfortably. Our products and services will allow customers to routinely take care of themselves in a fun way. If you’ll let us, we want to join you on your journey to becoming the woman of your dreams, one perfectly weft bundle at a time.”
“No matter what flaws we have, we are still powerful and have control over our lives. We can all achieve whatever we put our minds to, express ourselves however we wish to, and still be able to celebrate each other for our uniqueness.” — Coco
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— by Femi Nassi
info@sultrabycc.com
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How you feel inside will determine how much beauty you exude into the world.”
Paula Whitelocke
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AMAH MAGAZINE — ISSUE N°4
‘‘Beauty is more of a feeling than a look. It goes beyond the exterior look.’’ Paula Whitelocke
