10 Years of LIHA: The Interview with The Founders

To celebrate a decade of making magic at LIHA BEAUTY, we sat down with our co-founders, Abi & Liha and asked them a few questions. Questions that they get asked the most by you, our community. We want to thank you for supporting LIHA for the last decade, whether you've purchased us online, in-store, on a market, at a fair, wherever - you have played a critical role in building a brand we're so proud of. A brand that stands for strength, power and love. A brand we are certain that our ancestors would be proud of. We're not perfect, but we're pushing ourselves everyday to make the brand better for you, for them, for the planet. 

Thanks for all the support. Let's get into it!

What has been the best thing about running LIHA in the last decade?

L&A: "We started in our kitchens in 2014, not fully knowing what LIHA could become. For a long time, it was a side project we juggled alongside various other commitments. Although LIHA didn't become official until 2018, those early years were filled with joy and discovery. LIHA was born from our desire to merge our two cultures of being British and Nigerian—West African botany blended with English aromatherapy—so it’s still incredible to hear people say, "I've seen your brand, I've tried your products, I love your brand." We initially started LIHA by hosting kitchen beauty workshops at festivals and events, which became a hallmark of our brand. We still enjoy meeting customers in person and witnessing their delight when they smell the Idan oil or use the Shea butter. We've been told countless times that our products have made a significant impact on people's lives. Whether it’s helping with a stubborn skin condition, encouraging mindfulness and self-care, or empowering through the power of scent, these stories are incredibly rewarding."

What are the brands ambitions and goals?

L&A: "We've ticked off so many goals that we must keep setting new ones. We aim to remain on the cutting edge of innovation, continually introducing new ingredients to the market. West Africa offers a treasure trove of medicinal plants and healing remedies for the skin, with Shea butter being just the beginning. Our long-term vision has always been to transform trade routes traditionally used for oil and mining into pathways for natural wellness ingredients, and we will continue pursuing this goal. We also aspire to become B Corp in the near future and to amplify our work with cooperatives."

What is next for LIHA?

L&A: "We are excited to introduce some amazing new products and to host dedicated wellness events for the LIHA community. We plan to engage more with our audience and spread the word about our brand. We envision LIHA as a heritage brand of the future, representing a new kind of luxury that is accessible, provides respite from the daily grind, and has a personal touch."

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Again, thank you for the unconditional support. If you haven't had the opportunity, we recommend snooping on our best-sellers and seeing if you spot something you think you'd enjoy or somebody you love would.

Abi's Favourites: "I'm obsessed with our Shea Butter, and have been since we launched it. I use it everywhere. I also use it on my daughter who is prone to dry skin and it's truly a miracle balm. I'm so proud of it. Always."

Liha's Favourites: "For me, it'll always be our Idan Oil - it's the product that is most used in my household and it's truly multipurpose (there's a running theme here you see - we try to find more than one use for all products, so when you're spending your money with us, you're really getting your money's worth!) and it'll always be my favourite - though, recently, we did launch our Summer Glow Bundle and that's packed with heaps of good stuff that I love. Would recommend that or our Travel Essentials, which is perfect if you're new to LIHA or like me, always on the go."