I'm sure most of you know that I've joined the BUUYA BEAUTY family as a brand ambassador - If you didn't know, well now you do. As a brand ambassador, it's my duty to share my experiences and thoughts on this brand and of course, I need to try the products out first before doing so. I received my travel kit a while ago and I also decided to make use of the 50% off Black Friday Special on selected products. I purchased the Deep Cleansing Shampoo, Cleansing Milk, Herb Infused Oil, Conditioning Creme and Intense Hair Masque.
NB: This not a sponsored post. I do believe in the support of local brands and my main aim is to not only review the products but allow you to connect with the products by "meeting" the founders.
Disclaimer: please don't crucify me if the products don't work for you as they did with me. Remember that all hair is different and will, therefore, react differently to certain products.
The name BUUYA, - which means Beauty in Kaonde, a Zambian language, where the owner originates - is actually pronounced with a "V", not a "B". Buuya Beauty aims to help people embrace the beauty of their hair and skin in its most natural form by using indigenous, natural and African ingredients as stated on their site. Buuya Beauty products moisturize the hair strands, promote healthy hair growth and enhance the curl pattern. We'll learn more about the brand from the brains behind the brand Kasuba Naomi Stuurman, later on in the post.
NB: The prices below are the prices valid on the date of publication of this post
Please note that all these products are Paraben, Sulphate and Silicone FREE.
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I've never used a mist on my hair before, I usually make a spritz with aloe or guava-tea so this product is different for me. My worry was that it wouldn't provide the same moisture as my home-made spritz. Those worries faded when I used it on my braids. My ends were starting to show through my braids and were very dry and never seemed to retain any moisture. My ends have never felt this soft since I dyed them. I also used this on my edges and scalp. With the braids out, I use the mist daily on my hair to give it a shine and a boost of moisture. The fragrance is refreshing and natural from the water, aloe and rosemary. My only worry is that I'll need to stock up all the time because I'm constantly using it for almost everything.
HERB INFUSED OIL
The Herb infused oil is a nice lightweight mixture of oils such as rosemary, olive and sunflower. I use the oil to prepoo and it provides a nice slip when de-tangling, it also left my hair so soft that I didn't want to wash it out. I use it as part of my LCOS method as the O. I've learnt that using too much of it, leaves the hair oily - a little goes a long way. The oil leaves my hair moisturised for days in a protective style alongside with the daily use of the mist. I also use it on my edges every day after misting my edges. The fragrance lingers and I love it! My hair always smells clean and fresh.
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This product is my absolute favorite! It does exactly as promised. It provides the much-needed moisture my hair needs, especially after having my hair in box braids for 2 months. The Masque has a nice consistency that provides a great slip - my fingers literary glide through my hair - and coats the hair nicely. Another bonus is that my curls pop like nobodies business💁. The Masque possesses a refreshing, natural fragrance. It's 450 ml so I honestly feel it's worth the price as it will last you quite a few months.
If you're looking for a thick, creamy conditioner, this is it. It restored the sleekness of my hair after the deep cleanse shampoo. I prepoo with it, although it doesn't provide the slip like the oil during the de-tangling process, it helped protect my hair during the deep-cleanse. I prefer using it for prepoo than conditioning after shampoo as I usually follow the shampoo process with the masque.
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I've always stayed far away from co-washing because of my worry that my hair will not be as clean as I would like it to be. I decided to give it a try and I must say that I love it and would choose it over shampoo any-day but, of course, my scalp needs the deep cleanse. My scalp felt so refreshed and clean and it left my hair soft and tangle-free. I also used it to de-tangle my hair before the wash instead of the oil, the tangles and knots melted away so easily. I've decided to incorporate co-washing into my wash day routine every second week.
To be honest, shampooing is my least favorite step no matter which brand I use because this step requires a lot of work. With this product, I actually enjoyed this process because my curls were popping. A bonus is that the shampoo-- don't judge me-- doesn't taste funny or soapy, it has a nice sweet taste and doesn't burn my eyes. I would advice pre-pooing before using this because it does its job, DEEP CLEANSE.
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The travel kit is perfect to test whether you would like to commit to the range. They are mini sizes of the originals and this one includes the Herb Infused Oil, Intense Hair Masque and Deep Cleanse Shampoo. You can get about 4 or 5 uses of the masque and about 2 washes with the Deep Cleanse Shampoo depending on the length of your hair or how dirty your hair is. The oil, on the other hand, can be used for a couple of times if used sparingly and wisely.
This also is good to use as testers before buying the full-size products. This Kit includes the Cleansing Milk and Conditioning Creme which can both be used between 1 or 2 washes. The bottles are a bit hard to squeeze the products out so do feel free to remove the lid. The mist and Whipped Hair and Body butter depend on the frequency of use and the amount used.
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The butter's fragrance is my favorite of all the products, I'm not sure why but it just has a unique fragrance that I love. I've been using it on my face and I love how easy it is applied and how soft it leaves my skin. It also helps seals in the moisture in my hair, leaving it soft and manageable whether in a protective style or out and about.
Shop the products and much more on buuya.co.za and use my discount code to get 10% OFF on EVERY purchase: buuyalennie
I LOVE the packaging; it's clean and simple with an African inspired design. They have a black, white and grey colour scheme. If you notice, each product has its own unique design and fragrance. The fragrance is completely natural from the natural ingredients used in the products and smell divine. As the slogan says, they are "naturally beautiful" inside and out and rub off their beauty onto the hair and skin.
I've noticed a huge change in volume, moisture, shine and definition of my hair since I started using the Buuya Beauty products. My hair is thicker, more manageable, looks and feels moisturised all day and my hair smells divine from my wash till the next wash day. I've also noticed natural curls on my tips which means the ends are super healthy! I honestly feel like my hair has withdrawal issues when it comes to Buuya products, she's acting like a spoiled brat that goes to private school I can't wait for the addition of the new products so that I can fully cross over to the other side 😂😂
My BUUYA Beauty Glo Up 💪💪
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THE WOMAN BEHIND THE BRAND 💁💁
I've been postponing this post for a while and all for good reason, I thought it would only be right to hear from the brain and beauty behind this brand so I got an exclusive interview with the founder and director of Buuya Beauty. Kasuba Naomi Stuurman is a driven, kind, beautiful black beauty originally from a small town in Zambia and currently lives in Cape Town with her husband, Timothy Stuurman. She doesn't only own her OWN business but she is also one of the five admins of Cape Town Naturally and a wife. The Stuurman couple are goals, they are so supportive of each other's business and that is definitely something to look up to.
"I sometimes refer to myself as a jack of all trades. I also profess to be a self-proclaimed pedant grammarian. I have a background in media and journalism and I am advocate for inclusion in the natural hair community. I spend my spare time doing research, reading, consuming the arts, developing the young people at my church, and being a local tourist. I am married to the love of my life and I [sometimes] share him with our awesome cat!"
What inspired you to start your own business?
"I like to think I am a go-getter. It wasn't a single thing that made me start my own business, it was a combination of many things: Drive, a need to feel more represented, to become an activist for something I am passionate about, a boss I couldn't work with, and a fulfillment of my purpose."
What was the inspiration behind the name Buuya Beauty?
Before I arrived at this name, my brand had another name. I didn't select the other name and the more I thought about it, the less I liked it. It didn't speak to me on a personal level even if it communicated something about me and the brand. After just over a year, I did some introspection and decided to re-brand because I wanted a business that emulated me. The name Buuya comes from the Kaonde people of Zambia (of which I am a part) and it means beauty, I even have a cousin with the name!
Where do you get your ingredients from and why?
My Ingredients are Southern African Inspired. The three main ones are Mongongo Oil, Mafura Butter, and Cape Coastal Honey Bush. These have been used as natural remedies for generations and are indigenous to countries such as Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana and, of course, South Africa. I have been fortunate enough to contract a professional formulator since launching in June 2017. He is registered under fair trade and sources his ingredients from farms and small holdings that do not exploit local producers. I want to pay tribute to the wealth of natural resources that Southern Africa has outside of minerals.
What was the inspiration for the look of the packaging?
I can't possibly talk about the packaging without mentioning my amazing husband* and personal designer (amongst other things lol), Timothy Stuurman. My brief was simple, I wanted a clean look that speaks to Africa in a unique way. He managed to source a font by Baynham Goredema and it was exactly what I wanted. Each product has its own pattern, almost like a name.
* Timothy Stuurman co-owns Nice Beard which offers design, audio and visual services for various businesses and individuals [Hint. Hint]
3 Goals you wish to achieve in terms of your business?
1. To be an authority on natural hair care in Southern Africa
2. To become available in shops and through agents throughout the SADC region
3. To get more women and men to embrace their (and other peoples) hair as it grows out of their heads.
Where do you see your business going?
In the short term, I definitely see my products become more accessible and widely available at various retailers and through various agents (I already have an awesome team!). Long term, I hope to be rubbing shoulders with large corporations in the sector and being identified as one of them.
Should we look forward to additions to the range?
Of course! One thing I know that I definitely want to add to the range within the next year is a leave-in conditioner. It's already in the woodwork so keep an eye out. Its also part of my 5 year plan to break into the body care space; I love the body shop and, one day, I would love to own my own beauty emporium!
How have you overcome some of the challenges you've faced in your business?
Support Structures! I could never have come this far on my own. I have an extremely supportive family who celebrate the highs and carry me through the lows. It has also helped me to have a faith and seek counsel from God, without whom, I would be nothing.
What advice would you give to a natural out there that wants to begin their own range of products?
Research. Research EVERYTHING.You are one of the five admins of cape town naturally. How and why did you ladies begin this group?
Once again, it comes from a need to belong. We noticed how difficult our own journey was, facing difficulties left right and center, being criticized by family and friends, we wanted a space where people could come and just be. Now, just over 3 years later, we have a fully fledged community of women and, more recently, men who embrace themselves and each other in a beautiful way.
Babes, support local brands! Not only is it affordable but they also cater to all needs for all hair types. If you have any questions about the brand, please feel free to either message me on Instagram (@thebee_ivy), Facebook (Lennie Ivy Banda) or email me.
C O N T A C T D E T A I L S
Address: 4 Perfecta Rd. Paarden Island, Cape Town
Call: +27 (0) 74 901 5740
Email: hellobeauty@buuya.co.za
Website: buuya.co.za
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