When I first heard about the Eden’s Glo Makeup brand, I was super amazed at how quick and easy it was to apply on, but more interested in the amazing young woman who decided to create a solution to a need she had noticed during her time in the aviation industry.
Being on a cabin crew, you need ALWAYS look bright and approachable. And as a female on the crew who needs to wear makeup, you need to be extra careful concerning what you apply on your skin. This realization is what pushed Halimat Odeyemi to create makeup products that are lightweight, do not deter the health of the skin, and gets your glow on in less than three minutes.
Read our exclusive interview with Halimat Odeyemi below.
- Please introduce yourself and your background.
My name is Halimat Odeyemi, I’m married with two kids. I’m from Kogi state, Ebira to be precise. I have over 10 years of experience in the Aviation industry, having worked for a previous employer as a cabin crew and office administrator.
- Tell us about your work. How did Eden’s Glo start?
Edens’glo is a mineral make up brand. Mineral make up simply refers to make up that is made up of minerals dug up from the earth that have been processed and have become of cosmetic grade. It is also make up that is free of preservatives such as parabens. During my days as a cabin crew, I used several make up brands, but just never found the one that was best suited to me. I was particularly concerned about wearing make up for long periods of time as was required for the job and the negative effect it would have on my skin in the long run. I became interested in mineral make up when I used a similar brand in 2012 and, thereafter went on a course to learn how to make it in 2014. However, Production didn’t start until 2017.
- How did you come about the name and what does it mean?
Being that we are all about nature and natural ingredients, I felt it was only right to start from where it all began, in the garden of Eden; where Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed. Edens’glo aims to take its customers back to nature and the natural beauty which understands that less can be more. Also, my daughter’s name is Eden.
- What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?
Our makeup products are made from mostly natural mineral elements, something that isn’t very popular in this part of the world. Our formulae which involve the use of minimal ingredients being incorporated into all of our products making them lightweight in nature on the skin and thereby preventing the skin from getting clogged thus allowing it to breathe. The results of which are: no breakouts, and clear and glowing skin over time, as mineral make up is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Where do you find the inspiration for your products?
My inspiration comes from a lot of things such as the diverse skin tones of the African woman, (which have been grossly under catered to/for) to popular fruits or things that are particular to the Nigerian society. In making the mineral foundation, I used women /friends with different skin tones as my muse and named their respective shades after them, only changing the names a little. My younger sister’s name is Nana, she inspired the shade that is named ANANA. The Mineral lights are named after things that are common-place in our society. Like Y’ello fever for example is named after the uniformed officials known as yellow fever, while the lip glosses are named after fruits and edibles common and particular to our society e.g Licky Licky, Zobo, Vita (from Bournvita), except for Uva which is the Portuguese word for purple grape.
- Can you remember one of the first products you made? What makes it memorable?
The very first product I made was the mineral foundation. I started by making samples for friends to try out. What makes it memorable is how badly I got it wrong. I was thinking mainstream light, medium and dark tones at first but later realized the undertones are what actually determines a woman’s shade. I must add that the African woman has so many different ones.
- What are the challenges you face in your business?
There are quite a few, but the biggest two are sourcing for the best packaging and raw materials. This is due to the fact that very few people manufacture makeup here in Nigeria and most of the raw materials and packaging required are scarce and have to be imported. The exchange rate, delays fraught in importing materials from overseas and sometimes the loss of goods in transit all tend to delay production.
- Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?
Absolutely not! It’s fun to formulate recipes from scratch and have to task my creative juices to name them. It’s even more rewarding when the product comes out as planned and then people like it. I can’t think of a better feeling.
- What is your most popular product? (include image)
Our most popular product would have to be the mineral foundation; the Matte formula for oily skin to be precise. This is simply because it’s the product we have had in the market the longest.
- To what extent do you draw upon your Nigerian (African) heritage for your work?
I do this all the time. I try as much to keep it very Nigerian especially with my naming convention. I want Nigerians to see my products and feel at home. Some of the products may appear to have a foreign influence, but trust me they are still very Nigerian e.g there is a foundation named Lush which is derived from the name Folusho. I felt keeping the full names would be boring so they were tweaked a little.
- What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
To definitely expand and become a household brand within the beauty industry. We also intend to give back by empowering others with this knowledge we’ve acquired.
- What would people be surprised to learn about you?
My age. I’ve never met anyone that has told me I look my age, they always assume I’m younger.
- What profession would you be in if you weren’t in the Beauty Industry?
I would definitely be an actress. Acting was something I was always somewhat interested in, but not enough to pursue a career in. There are those who still believe I may have missed my calling as I can be quite dramatic and animated. Lol.
- If you could give one piece of advice to youths who want to start their own business, what would it be?
Start with whatever you have no matter how small. This is what I mean; sometimes we want to start with that loan, that big cheque or a nice shop/store, but more often than not these things aren’t available or accessible. So, start with whatever is in your hand, the rest will come as you move. For instance, all you may have is contacts, goodwill with people, an extra room etc. There is always something and most of the time it isn’t money. In my case, I had raw materials I had purchased after my training, my sister bought me my first set of containers and voila, I started. At every point in time you always have something in your hand. Look for it, turn it into something and move. Life will pay you as you move.
- And finally, please share images of some of your work and tell us a little about each product.
- Mineral foundation: this is a lightweight foundation in powder form. So it’s a foundation and powder in one. Due to its lightweight formula, it feels like you aren’t wearing anything, yet you can see the effect. It’s available in two different variations; original for dry to normal skin and Matte for normal to oily skin.
- Mineral lights: This is a mineral highlighter with shimmer. It basically gives an extra glow (as if light was reflecting on your face) and can also double as eyeshadow. It is available in 3 shades: Anthill, Beachsand and Y’ello fever.
- Mineral concealer: This is a lightweight creamy, but non-greasy concealer designed for highlighting and concealing blemishes. It mimics the mineral foundation and is available in the 5 most popular Foundation shades.
- Mineral lip gloss: This is a highly moisturising and pigmented lip gloss. The colour has been proven to stay on your lips a while longer than the gloss, whilst your lips remain moisturised. It comes in 10 shades.
