Today we’d like to introduce you to Iyani and Maya Hughes.
Iyani and Maya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We are Iyani and Maya; two sisters raised in a small town outside of Birmingham, Alabama, but currently blooming in Atlanta, Georgia. As most African Americans, we’ve always struggled with sensitive skin and genetic skin disorders like eczema, rosacea, and random breakouts. Our parents always put an emphasis on expressing ourselves through natural beauty and embracing our imperfections not as flaws, but as what makes us uniquely beautiful. It is a lesson that has always stuck with us and is why last September, we decided to create a beauty and lifestyle brand that would help others love and embrace their natural selves as well.
22 Lifestyle, LLC is our brand, & 22 NaturOils is our first brainchild and first business. 22 NaturOils is dedicated to helping men, women and children highlight their most authentic selves through a unique blend of natural & essential oils. Our concept is unique in that it recognizes that people have a wide variety of skin and hair. We understand that not everything is going to work for everyone, which is why we allow the customer to choose from our selection of 22 different natural oils – to mix and match a custom blend for their individual needs. Each oil has natural benefits for both skin and hair that allows for a natural remedy to either.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning our own business at such young ages has undoubtably been fun, but more challenging than either of us had ever imagined. Learning to balance co-owning a new business with living and working in two different states was no easy feat. But when Iyani made a career move that ultimately led her to move back to Atlanta this summer, things began to flow a lot smoother. While we are still struggling with the usual disparities of small, minority-owned businesses in the south, we are overwhelmed by the love and support we get from our customers around the country. We’re learning and growing daily and we hope to keep making our customers happy, feeling beautiful, and extending our 22 Family for years to come.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the 22 NaturOils story. Tell us more about the business.
We take pride in bringing a unique service to using natural oils. Instead of having multiple of one single oil, some with added chemicals, we offer a way for customers to customize a blend of natural oils based on their individual needs. (i.e., acne, eczema, breakouts, thinning hair, dry hair, itchy scalp, etc.) Today we offer 1 oz and 2 oz bottles for people to have their custom blends in. We also offer a line of premixed blends as an alternative option – a 2 oz blend for skin, 2 oz blend for hair, and finally, an 8 oz premixed blend of body oil you can use (instead of a lotion) for full coverage. Each of these are premixed with a tested blend of essential oils that are both nourishing for either the hair, skin or both.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In 5-10 years, we hope to expand our business. Not only adding new merchandise and products, but also expanding the brand as a whole to a storefront, serving local supporters of anything natural… while helping customers bring out their most authentic selves.
Pricing:
- 1 oz customized blend is $20 and lasts approximately 2 months
- 2 oz customized blend is $30 and lasts approximately 3.5-4 months
- 2 oz pre-mixed blends are $25 and lasts approximately 3-4 months
- 8 oz body oil blend is $30 (lasting approximately 2 months using 1 x daily)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.22lifestyle.com
- Email: 22naturoils@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/22naturoils
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/22naturoils
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/22naturoils
Image Credit:
Symone Seven, MEV
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