A Brief History on Traditional African Beauty “Secrets” That the Western World Uses Today

The rich culture of Yoruba beauty traditions has been used over centuries and has never halted in its usefulness. Long before the worldwide Eurocentric beauty standard, the beauty of African women was celebrated daily. They held the secrets to their smooth skin, moisturised and intricate hairstyles, and the confidence and power of Asé. The Western world has much to be grateful for when it comes to the traditions that are utilised from other cultures. When it comes to beauty the contributions that Africa has made are endless and invaluable. Handmade and natural ingredients for soaps, creams, oils, and more have been always prioritised just as it is now. To know where your beauty regimens come from is an important connection to make between yourself and your definition of beauty. The continuous growth of the world’s view of beauty can also be attributed to the secrets of African traditions that the unbeknownst Western world uses to this day. Let’s do a deep dive into those traditions and how they are used in the present. 

Moisturising with Raw Shea Butter 

Raw Shea butter has become one of the most popular and diverse products to use worldwide. Raw African Shea butter from the edible nut of the Karite tree in West Africa was used for a multitude of purposes. Even though Cleopatra’s rule, shea butter was used for protecting and improving skin, for treating medical issues. 

These are the main skincare benefits that even ancient Egyptians could see:

• Wrinkle prevention
• Protection from the sun
• Soothing irritated skin
• Healing scars 
• Moisturising hair 
• Moisturiser for your body 

All these benefits due to the natural fatty acids and vitamin-packed nut found in Raw Shea, make it a “cure-all” type balm. The gorgeous gold and ivory coloured raw Shea are mixed naturally by grinding and cold-pressing the raw Shea fruit into a buttery delight for so many of your skin and hair’s needs. Our Ivory and Gold Shea Butters are sourced in Nigeria and Ghana. LIHA beauty prioritises that our Shea is raw and natural. 

Multiple Uses of Coconut Oil 

The abundant uses of oils in traditional African beauty routines were centred around the essence of enticing scent and smoothness of the skin. A rich and nutritious oil made from the flesh of coconut called copra. The highly versatile and nourishing oil has been used for centuries by radiant African women. LIHA offers our Idan Oil that’s mixed with the most engulfing scents from the Tuberose that’s listed as an ingredient.  

The various uses of cold-pressed coconut oil include: 

• Using the oil as an enticing scent to stimulate an aphrodisiac reaction  
• Condition your hair especially if you have natural textured hair this oil absorbs into your hair shafts to give you ultimate moisture
• For finer hair types use it as a hair mask for about 10-15 minutes to soften and condition your hair before you wash it 
• Use it as an overnight moisturiser and wake up 

The natural state of the oil is going to be solid due to the high concentration of raw and natural oil of 98.6%. 

Importance of Scent

Yoruba Queen Idia is a testament to the divine feminine. Ancient Egyptians were the first group to make and use candles to cast magical spells, similar to the incisions on Queen Idia's forehead that were the source of her mystical powers. Light a wick to our Queen India candle to transport yourself to an elevated state of mind. Let the hibiscus and lavender scents immerse you into the mysticism and divine feminine power that resides right in you to make your wishes come true. African traditions of the use of candles were mostly to manifest wants and needs as we do now all the time. 

Creative ways to use the Queen Idia candle:

• Isolate yourself in a quiet room to seek relaxation from the heavenly scent
• Take a bath and have the candlelit right next to the tub for a comforting wind down
• You can even leave it uncovered and will notice the sweet scent travel through your room

The Power of Asé 

The traditional African principle of Asé is to centre one’s own power to make their dreams come true. The Western world would call this manifesting. Both practices are rooted in the energy you put into your mindset and actions. The Yoruba Goddesses Yemoja, Oya, and Oshun each emit three different types of energies: calm, uplifting, and sensual. 

• Goddess of the Oceans, Creativity, and Nurturing: Yemoja

Find inner peace and tranquility with the blended scent of Frankincense, Petitgrain, and Ylang Ylang. Release feelings of stress and anxiety while being nurtured by this Goddesses’ mothering nature.  

• The Goddess of Storm and Winds: Oya 

The fruity smell this Goddess enthralls your usual want to be negative in thought. This mood booster fuses the scent of rosemary, grapefruit, and Juniper berry to uplift your heavy heart or mind. 

• The Goddess of the Sweet Waters: Oshun 

Take a plunge into risky waters with this Goddess. Try something new and ignite a new spark to your life with the merging scents of Orange, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang. The sensual energies from this rollerball arouse a new feeling of going after your innermost desires. 

Take these beauty “secrets” and tend to your usual routine knowing a bit more about why you do what it is you do to reach your own standards of beauty. The dichotomy between beauty and your beauty routine can now be blended just like shea butter.