ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN excelling in the hair and beauty arena were celebrated by industry expert judges and guests at the Precious Hair and Awards powered by PREMAE, sponsored by Miss May Ldn Cakes and Tress Free plus wardrobe provided by Kashane Swaby and marketing handled by JoClarePR.
The awards provide a platform for women who have launched beauty products and services from their kitchen tables or tablets, often while juggling other roles, yet have managed to grow innovative and successful brands.
This year, the awards focused on five categories: Best Haircare Brand, Best Makeup Colour Cosmetics Brand, Best Skincare (Face and/or body brand), Best Online Innovation brand (comprising of online retailers stocking multi-brands, apps or Beauty Box companies) and the Best Beauty/Hair Blogger Award.
The initiative is the result of collaboration between the Precious Awards, which celebrates women of colour in business and leadership and Dr Clare Anyiam-Osigwe BEM, founder of the multiple award winning beauty brand PREMAE.
Curating #PreciousHABA, Dr. Clare said: "These awards are set to provide a level playing field for all women, no matter their diverse knowledge, backgrounds and stage in their entrepreneurial journey with a stepping stone to boosting brand credibility which will increase revenue and attract the retail buyers attention.
Exhibitors such as Collectiv Beauty and smart Hair Clinic spoke to guests about their services and the ceremony opened with a poetry recital entitled ‘Dear Melanin Woman’ from Radio host Latoya Lovell.
See the list of winners below:
BEST HAIRCARE BRAND WINNER: Primal Beauty black soap
Primal Beauty Black Soap Shampoo is an anti-breakage formula that cleanses without stripping the hair. Fortified with natural ingredients that promote healthy hair, our Black Soap Shampoo provides a rich lather that brings moisture to your hair and scalp.
BEST MAKEUP BRAND WINNER: Empress Me Cosmetics - Mineral Foundation
34 year old, Jamaican Sierra Leonean Rashidah Prince suffered with adult acne, which drove her to start her own makeup line, Empress Me Cosmetics. Rashida started in her small kitchen mixing powdered food such as cocoa, beetroot to create different shades, and has overcome financial adversity to create a successful business.
BEST SKINCARE BRAND WINNER: Shea Butter Cottage Tiramisu Body Butter
Akua Wood founded her toiletry brand Cioc-colatina – now known as Shea Butter Cottage – in November 2002 in response to her frustration in trying to find a natural range of toiletries to moisturise her skin, as well as to fulfil her need to work at home. She uses natural products in her native Africa to create her products which are made from ingredients bought direct from farmer co-operatives in Ghana.
BEST INNOVATION WINNER: Slap App Makeup colour match App
Jamila started Slapp to make all young women feel like they were being catered to by the beauty industry, and to not feel left out whenever a new launch or hot product wasn't made for her.
Speaking on business, she said: ”Be prepared to not have a life! Things won't always go how you planned, but keep pushing on and you will get there eventually”
BEST BLOGGER BRAND WINNER: Wonderlusting - Lynda D’Aboh
D'Aboh is a self professed geek about ingredients with a passion for natural and organic products. Her knowledge about how to use products comes from Africa and Asia, and she embraces natural and organic beauty for brown beauties everywhere – she even hosted her first event on it.
The first vegans and smoothie drinkers she knew were Indians and Rastas. Lynda believes that people of colour have pioneered holistic living and beauty yet that isn't reflected in the blogosphere and so she wanted to change that.
Speaking on her win and advice to bloggers, she said: "Just do you and keep your eye on *your* prize. Focus on being a resource for your readers rather than chasing likes."
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