"The Manketti oil was such a good find. It was just incredible how the whole thing happened, because for a very long time, growing up in Ghana, I knew a lot about shea butter. And I've worked for many brands from Aveda and Mizani to L'Oréal and KeraCare. And I always felt like clients had something to complain about. They'll say, 'Oh, it's too greasy. I don't like the smell. I don't like the texture. Oh, look at the packaging.' The kind of women that come to my salon, they just felt like it wasn't part of their lifestyle. And if they wanted to buy into something, they wanted something that was really special with a refined aesthetic. You go out, and you're like, 'why do all of the Afro products look so basic?' I was very fortunate to travel to the Serengeti to do my client's hair for a wedding. While I was there, I got some free time and got a head massage. Although I initially had shea butter as my main ingredient to produce the products, the massage therapist used Manketti oil, and I was like, 'This is incredible'. So I kept that secret to myself, and I began to research. I realised that Manketti oil has existed for more than centuries in Africa. And it has so many benefits. It's healing, and it's great for promoting hair growth. It's brilliant for moisturising curly hair as it's loaded with vitamin E and calcium. But the best part is the weightlessness of it and the fact that I would be the first to bring it to the West. It was so well-received. Initially, people were like, 'What is this? Where's it from? Let me research it.' It's also great that the people from that region are now getting noticed as well. They've been using this oil for so long, and no one's ever taken any notice. To let the world know that there are all these other incredible, ethically sourced ingredients that do wonders for curly hair is a great feeling."
Image Source: Charlotte Mensah