Head-to-Toe Glow: K-Beauty, Arabian Scents, Indian Hair, African Body

CAHM Cocoa Butter & Vanilla Hand & Body Lotion

Rich, whipped, and smells like dessert without the sugar crash. Cocoa butter and vanilla come together for a decadent moisture moment, locking that hydration in. Drawing on West African cocoa butter traditions, CAHM blends this hero ingredient with hydrating emollients and real vanilla extract—a natural antioxidant that also delivers a warm, comforting scent. Cocoa butter is rich in fatty acids and phytochemicals that strengthen the skin barrier and improve elasticity, making this ideal for those with dry, cracked, or eczema-prone skin. In Ghana and Nigeria, cocoa butter has long been used in postpartum care and sun protection rituals.

Perfect for post-shower or midday top-ups.

Best for: Dry, dull skin types craving daily nourishment.

Aviela Skincare Shea Foot Butter

This is not your average foot cream. Sourced from 100% pure, ethically traded Ghanaian shea butter, this ultra-nourishing balm transforms cracked heels and tired toes overnight. Shea butter contains cinnamic acid—a natural anti-inflammatory compound—plus vitamins A and E, which promote cellular repair and collagen production. In the Sahel region, women’s cooperatives hand-process shea nuts using time-honoured techniques that preserve their nutrient content. Used in foot rituals, massage, and as a protective balm during dry seasons. Slippers optional.

Use if: You walk a lot. Or just want baby-soft feet.

Alikay Naturals Amazing Black Soap

A true MVP for body and face. Handmade and loaded with plantain peel, shea butter, and tea tree oil, this African black soap lathers up into a purifying, acne-fighting cloud of goodness. These ingredients are sun-dried and roasted at precise temperatures to retain their mineral content, giving the soap its signature deep brown tone.

Unlike commercial black soaps, this one maintains its raw enzymatic properties. It’s naturally high in iron and vitamins A & E, which purify pores, fade hyperpigmentation, and balance sebum levels—without synthetic surfactants or fragrance. Excellent for oily, acne-prone, and congested skin. Patch test first if you’re sensitive, as it's naturally alkaline (pH ~9-10).

Tip: Lather in hands—bonus points for using an African Net Sponge.

The Glowcery Cocoa Cloud Whipped Body Butter

Rich, fluffy, and melts into skin like actual cocoa mousse. This all-natural body butter is powered by raw shea and cocoa butters, avocado oil, and vitamin E—leaving you glazed, not greasy. It’s like feeding your skin a superfood dessert.

Why we love it: Black-owned (like Alikay Naturals and Aviela alike), vegan and packed in planet-friendly glass jars.

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Nourishing

A first cleanse that melts SPF, makeup, and grime without stripping your skin barrier. Packed with luxe oils (think royal jelly and ginseng), this is a double cleansing staple. Rich in ceramides and nourishing oils like evening primrose, it's especially effective for dry, mature, or compromised skin types. It supports the skin’s lipid layer and maintains a healthy pH post-cleanse (around 5.5). In Korean tradition, royal jelly was often used as a longevity tonic—here, it provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits at the surface level.
Feels like: Cleansing with sorbet.

Beauty of Joseon Rice Sunscreen With Rice Water & Prebiotic Complex SPF 50+

Lightweight, dewy, and doesn’t pill under makeup or leave any white cast. Formulated with rice water and probiotics for calm, even-toned skin. With SPF 50+ PA++++ protection, the formula contains niacinamide and adenosine for brightening and wrinkle care, while remaining non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. In the Joseon dynasty, rice water (or “mi-in su”) was used by court women for skin clarity and glow—this is that ritual reimagined in sunscreen form.

Hot tip: This goes viral every other week—for good reason. Check out our very own Beauty of Joseon review.

Numbuzin No.3 Radiance Glowing Jumbo Essence Pad

The lazy-girl glow hack. These XL essence-soaked pads exfoliate and hydrate in one swipe. Use them daily for K-beauty glass skin energy, minus the 12-step drama. Dull, uneven, and dehydrated complexions benefit most. The gentle daily exfoliation works even for sensitive skin. Fermentation in K-beauty reflects a broader Korean culinary and medicinal philosophy—breaking ingredients down to enhance efficacy, absorption, and harmony

Why we love it: Jumbo size = neck, chest, shoulders too.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Ex

Yes, it's TikTok-famous. Yes, it lives up to most of the hype. Smooth this balm on before bed and wake up with pillowy-soft lips. This number also makes for a juicy daytime gloss moment. Inspired by the night-time masking tradition rooted in K-beauty’s "skin renewal during rest" philosophy, this cult-fave uses a patented Moisture Wrap™ system to lock in hydration overnight. Occlusive enough to treat transepidermal water loss (TEWL), but light enough to prevent clogged pores around the lip area. Great for chronic chapped lips or post-retinol dryness.

Shade rec: Berry is a classic, but Grapefruit is chef’s kiss.

Mamado Aromatherapy Natural Amla Oil

Product Textvitamin C and antioxidants—great for boosting growth and adding shine. Massage into the scalp pre-wash for goddess-level hair energy. Used in scalp massages known as champi (a practice with origins in ancient India), amla oil has long been associated with vitality, youth, and the ritual of care passed down from generations. Mamado’s formula keeps it clean: lightweight carrier oils allow better absorption without greasy residue.

Smells like: Earthy botanicals with a slightly spicy kick.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Hair & Scalp Bundle

A viral scalp-tingling duo that combines Indian ayurvedic herbs with Western science.Rosemary = growth, mint = stimulation. Rosemary was used across Indian and Mediterranean traditions as a cognitive and circulatory stimulant. Here, it supports the scalp as an extension of the nervous system. You’ll feel it working.

Pro move: Use the oil with heat for a DIY hot oil treatment.

As I Am Beautiful Coils & Curls Enriched Henna Powder

A powerhouse plant treatment that strengthens, thickens, and conditions—all without compromising your curl pattern. This isn’t your traditional henna mix: it’s enriched with amla, shikakai, and bhringraj for a full Ayurvedic upgrade. Henna is a sacred plant in Indian, North African, and Middle Eastern beauty traditions, and here it’s been enriched with powerhouse Ayurvedic herbs like amla, shikakai, and bhringraj. This isn’t just a gloss—it’s a full treatment that fortifies hair from the inside out.

The natural reddish tint of henna will show more prominently on lighter hair; it’s less visible on dark curls but still delivers shine and strength. Expect volume, shine, and scalp TLC in one go.

Pro tip: Mix with warm water or aloe juice and let it sit before applying. Gloves highly recommended.

Ayumi Pure Castor Oil Cold Pressed

Thick, glossy, and unapologetically old-school. This cold-pressed castor oil is a time-honoured staple used across Afro-Caribbean, South Asian, and East African beauty traditions—for a reason. Rich in ricinoleic acid, it helps boost scalp circulation, nourish follicles, and lock in moisture like no other.

From Jamaica to Kerala, castor oil has been used for generations to promote healthy hair growth, soothe flaky scalps, and strengthen edges. It’s not just a trend—it’s ancestral care in a bottle.

Warm between your palms or mix with lighter oils (like jojoba or almond) to create a luxe pre-shampoo treatment. Massage into your scalp, coat your ends, or use a spoolie to brush it into brows and lashes for a full-body glow-up. Particularly beneficial for textured, coily, or heat-damaged hair.

Texture tip: It’s thick—so start small and layer with intention.

Lattafa Khamrah Eau De Parfum

Sweet, spicy, warm. Dubbed the “Arabian dupe” for a certain spiced apple dessert scent (you know the one), Khamrah is cozy without being basic.

Resins like benzoin and myrrh have long been used in Arabian perfumery for their sacred, purifying associations. Here, they temper the sweetness with depth, grounding the gourmand elements in tradition. Like many Arabian perfumes, this one is long-lasting (8–10+ hours), oil-rich base, excellent projection. Best worn on warm skin or layered with musky ouds for depth.

Top notes: Cinnamon, nutmeg, bergamot
Best for: Autumn nights, date nights, any night really.

Al Haramain Amber Oud White Eau De Parfum

Fresh, airy, clean—but with that unmistakable Middle Eastern depth. Think crisp white shirt meets gold-dusted sandalwood—this is Arab perfumery’s answer to minimalism.
“White” variations of oud blends have become increasingly popular in the Gulf for daytime use, symbolising freshness, prestige and spiritual cleanliness: this is designed for daily wear without sacrificing that signature Middle Eastern warmth.

A go-to if: You want something along the vein of Baccarat Rouge but with a certain elegant...je ne sais quoi.

Amouroud Masha'Er Extrait

Deep, sensual, mysterious. Oud, saffron, and rose swirl in this extrait-strength perfume that lasts forever. Smells like a high-fashion desert dream.

Saffron and rose are a classic pairing in Persian and Levantine perfumery, often associated with royalty and mysticism. Oud, harvested from agarwood infected with a specific mould, remains the most precious essence in Arabian scent culture. One spray is more than enough. Apply to pulse points, or lightly mist onto a scarf for traditional diffusion.

For: Your maximalist fragrance wishlist.

Montale The New Rose Eau De Parfum

Not your grandma’s floral. This is a rose reborn—juicy, musky, a little candy-like but in a grown-up, niche perfumery way. Playful yet opulent, The New Rose is what happens when Parisian perfumery flirts with Middle Eastern sensuality. While rose is a cornerstone of Arab perfumery (particularly Damascena rose from Syria), this scent reinterprets it through a sweet, nearly fizzy lens. It’s rose water meets rose jam. Roses were historically cultivated across Persia, Syria, and Morocco for scenting hammams, prayer beads, and skin—this perfume celebrates that legacy with a modern finish.

Pairs well with: Silk, leather and main character energy.