A letter from Lucy

Umu Ora started during my travels to Kenya and Tanzania, I was shocked by the waste in bathrooms—dinky, throw-away plastic bottles—but also the quality inside (some shampoos would turn my long curly locks into an uncontrollable ‘fro for the entire holiday: not a look…) and the overall let-down of an experience that should be the climax of wellness luxe. What upset me even more was seeing French or British brands in five-star African game lodges and hotels.  With our rich resources of botanicals and deep pools of talent, why wasn't there an African counterpart to rival the world’s best luxury beauty brands?  With this in mind we set out to create a local, global brand — made in Africa, by Africans, for the World.

With a deep compassion for people and the planet, it was important for us to source not only the best raw, seasonal ingredients across Africa, but also to work directly with local farmers and communities. We spent months finding and vetting the best suppliers, and choosing only those whose unparalleled quality of nuts, seeds, plants, fruits and herbs was matched by the sustainability of their farming practices and local community empowerment. As a result, with a rich integrity and an unflinching approach to true sustainability, Umu Ora has full traceability of and transparency with all African ingredients. 

It was important to us for the Umu Ora range to be transparent, simple and effective — and two years were spent in labs to prove that natural skincare can be both effective and luxurious. We wanted to keep the range simple yet considered: reducing the clutter of choice that results in excess spending and waste, and focused only on creating products that you can’t live without and that bring you joy. We wanted Umu Ora to encourage a little more time as well as some play, and not be so serious: because, after all, looking after yourself is meant to be fun!

Having competed internationally as an athlete in my teens, health and wellness practices — ingrained from a young age — are innate and embedded in Umu Ora.  From switching my devices off between 8pm and 8am, and preferring to work in short bursts;  to taking a day off when I know I need one. I believe it is through the small choices and practices — from the Ritual Oil that you dab on your wrist, to the Body Balm that needs an extra bit of massaging to really sink in, that you can give yourself daily acts of ritual to feel better; look better; live better. Embracing an African way of Being.

We look forward to introducing you to The Range and for you to feel the Goodness as you jump in the shower or wrap yourself in our creams.  Knowing where it comes from makes a world of difference, you’ll see what I mean.