Local skin-care and hair-care products at their best

WHEN Christine Gittens started her small business, it was born out of experimentation and her desire to be stretch-mark free. She achieved her goal through sleepless nights and time-consuming research.

Naturally Beautiful hair-care and skin-care products were established in 2020 and specialise in handmade, all-natural products for skin and hair. The 29-year-old entrepreneur told the Pepperpot Magazine that she also has a full-time job as a junior tax auditor. She operates her small business from her home, where she has set up a mini lab, often receiving assistance from family members and relatives.

Gittens explained that her journey began with a personal need. She became engrossed in finding a formula to address her stretch marks and started making homemade scrubs, oils, and soaps. As a single mother of one, she experimented for a while until she created a batch of repairing body butter, which she began using.

Before long, her brother noticed a significant lightening of her stretch marks, and she, too, saw results. This success marked the beginning of her business. She started producing body-butter, scrubs, body oils, and some hair care products, such as oils.

Today, Gittens has more than 20 products on the local market, available in shops and at the Guyana Shop. After four years as an entrepreneur, she shared that she hopes to expand her business to include a store where all her products can be displayed and sold.

All her products, which fall under the skin-care and hair-care line, are natural and suitable for all skin and hair types. Gittens emphasised that her products are safe for both men and women to use. As a unisex brand, she takes pride in producing high-quality, safe, and effective products.

Gittens markets her products primarily through social media and by word of mouth, as satisfied customers share their experiences with others. Among her best-sellers are the repairing body butter, dandruff hair oil, and soaps—all reasonably priced.

She explained that her dandruff hair oil reduces dandruff within two weeks, with customers reporting noticeable improvements in their scalps after use. Another popular product is her mango shea body butter, made from mango seeds, which she uses to craft nourishing skin-care items.

Gittens shared that her products are made entirely from natural ingredients derived from plants, trees, and fruits. Customers have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, which motivates her to continue working in the beauty, cosmetic, and personal-care industry.

Looking ahead, Gittens aims to expand her business and provide employment opportunities to others. However, for now, she is focusing on maintaining momentum and ensuring financial viability.

“Producing local products from all-natural ingredients is not cheap, and sourcing them comes with a price tag,” she noted. “Even in a small business like mine, it can be challenging to offset costs and keep prices pocket-friendly for our local market.”

Gittens operates her business out of her Forshaw Street, Queenstown residence, where her mini-lab is located. As a city girl with a well-thought-out plan, she has actively participated in various exhibitions across the country to promote sales and attract potential customers.

She noted that these expositions have played a vital role in promoting Naturally Beautiful hair and skincare products. They have allowed her to form connections with other small business owners, customers, and individuals genuinely interested in her products.

“It was a good experience to tell people about my products and their benefits,” she said.

Gittens explained that being a small-business owner is not easy, but with connections, networking, and resources, a business can grow into a successful enterprise, provided the products speak for themselves.