Embrace The Real You: the inspiring story of Oumie Cosmetics
Updated: Feb 27, 2024
Image by Oumie
From a young age, Oumie Jimah the founder of Oumie Cosmetics, struggled with feelings of unworthiness. Experiencing bullying and racism as a child, she developed a deep sense of self- hatred at the age of 7, that followed her into adulthood. As a young new mother at the age of 27, Oumie struggled to embrace her natural hair and had no idea how to care for it in its new different state.
After having her second child she suffered from postpartum depression (it is a depression suffered by a mother following childbirth, it occurs due to a combination of hormonal changes, causing fatigue and sometimes also known as postnatal depression) and hair loss, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. It wasn’t until she suffered a life-threatening miscarriage that she decided to do a “BIG CHOP” and start again. But this time around she started to embrace her natural hair and dedicated her time to researching and studying the science behind afro hair and different herbal ingredients, oils, and butter that benefitted her hair. As a result, she has also started pursuing a certified education as a holistic herbal maker.
This journey further led her to create her first product which took her 9-10 months to process. The ‘Ayurvedic Moisture Retention Hair Butter’. Oumie began giving some of the product samples to her friends and family, and the results were exceptional. Not only did it help with their hair issues, but her product was paired with education, which is building their confidence and making them feel proud of their natural hair. Once she was aware of that, she knew what her purpose was. She created an online community called “The Embrace Tribe,” where she brings women together to support them on their journey to embrace who they truly are.
Oumie’s target audience is mainly women and children in the black community, although she has had a range of people use her products, including Caucasian women, Asian women, men using it for their beards, and even cancer survivors trying to grow their hair back after chemo and seeing amazing results. The products are filled with organic and herbal ingredients that help the hair and skin revive itself. The hair masks have been proven to leave the scalp and hair feeling healthy and soft, while the skin products have retained moisture making the skin look all glowing.
After her success with her product, Oumie grew her business. Thus, Oumie Cosmetics was born.
Today, Oumie Cosmetics is a handmade holistic herbal product line that revives dry hair, scalp, and skin. From hair oils to body butter to lip balms. All her products are carefully formulated using natural ingredients that Oumie carefully sources herself. “My customers sense that when using Oumie Cosmetics products,” says Oumie.
Her best-selling products include the Avocado Tucuma Body Butter, formulated to hydrate the deeper layers of the skin for long lasting moisture, the Soothing Scalp Oil infused with potent Ayurvedic herbs formulated to combat hair loss, dryness, itchiness, and sensitivity of the scalp, as well as stimulate hair growth, and if paired with the Satin Ankara bonnets (which are handmade using high-quality materials) gives you exceptional results.
As a 30-year-old mother of three and a young entrepreneur, Oumie faced many challenges, including not having the capital to do everything she wanted in her business and having to wear every hat as a sole trader. But despite these difficulties, Oumie has remained committed to her vision of helping women and children embrace who they are. Her goal is to become a vendor for various shops, and she’s already made headway with two black hair salons in Southampton, UK.
Oumie’s Advice and Tips
Her advice for new business owners and those thinking of starting their own business is:
The one thing she emphasises is the Importance of knowing your target audience inside and out.
Make sure that whatever you are selling, you are solving a problem.
She also stresses that you need to stay educated in your field and show expert qualities.
Oumie is proud of her journey; “Every mistake has been a lesson, and it brought me to where I am today”. With Oumie Cosmetics, she hopes to inspire people, just like her daughter, who fearlessly makes who she is known to everyone with pride. Her slogan embraces the real you is an example she wants to live by as well as inspire other people. By her heart-warming story hope you feel inspired and embrace who you are.
Top Sellers
Image by Oumie Cosmetics
Image by Oumie Cosmetics
Ankara silk satin bonnet- Made with high-quality fabrics, which provide luxury, softness, and style. They help prevent dry hair, split ends, breakage, thinning edges, and hair loss. The bonnet's no elastic concept is nothing but comfort, it being completely adjustable to your head size leaves enough room to fit long hair and braided hair. As a bonus, it also comes with a matching storage bag.
It’s worth it!
Buy here.
It’s also available in a mother-daughter set here.
Image by Oumie Cosmetics
The famous moisture retention hair butter- Being Oumie’s first created product it has always been a bestseller. The hair butter, which is made with love and care, is an absorbing, deeply penetrating formula that adds intense moisture and promotes overall hair growth. This product has been formulated to revive dry, brittle, and damaged hair. It includes an infusion of not one, but two ancient Indian holistic healing herbs known as Ayurveda Brahmi and Triphala powder. These herbs have antibacterial properties that help boost collagen production. The hair butter adds shine strength long-lasting moisture giving your hair the luscious volume and overall health it deserves. This product can be used for all hair types.
More information and link to buy here.
Avocado Tucuma body butter – This body butter is all you need, packed with flaxseed hydrating oils, it leaves your skin hydrated and moisturised for longer as it sinks into the deep layers of your skin. This lightweight formula is long-lasting and non-greasy. It helps you get rid of dark spots, leaving you with glowing skin. It has a beautiful subtle scent of vanilla and sweet orange.
For more information and a link to buy it click here.
Oumie Cosmetics has a blog which provides amazing skincare and hair care tips. Check them out here.
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