TOP female celebrities, including Mary Akpobome, wife of veteran comedian, Ali Baba and Chioma Ude, CEO of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), were among a galaxy of fashionistas who stormed the Nigerian unveil of the popular Marie Rosemene Paul St-Juste’s beauty product, Essence de Beauté.
The august gathering at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on Sunday, was in honour of notable Biochemist and CEO of SomKolch Nigeria Ltd, Obiageli Ajaero, who secured the franchise for the brand in Nigeria.
Like a beauty colloquium organized in an informal setting, the launch witnessed women of different skin types who had used the products, taking turns to give rave testimonies. Also, many more came to seek counseling on any of the brands that could fit their skin requirements.
“My journey with Essence De Beauté began four years ago,” said an elated Ajaero, who revealed that she saw hell trying to get rid of dark spot scars she got from chicken pox. “Those choices increased the spots on my already blemished skin and increased the size of my facial pores. My sister, Chioma Ude, came to my rescue and introduced me to Essense de Beauté. With this amazing all-natural brand product made from fruits, vegetables and spring water, my skin, which had deteriorated so badly, improved overnight in texture and quality with an even blend,” she added.
Ajaero’s testimony was proof of love and passion for the product. No doubt, her convinction for the brand grew into business, for which she has since put aside other interests. A holder of Bachelor degree in Biochemistry, Ajaero had a four-year stint at the Consulate of France in diplomatic relations, from where she moved on to the banking industry in December 2004. She had a rapid rise to mid-management level. She resigned as a branch manager in the banking sector, with a wealth of experience in product marketing in the private, commercial and retail segments, bringing on board product evaluation, marketing strategy, supply chain management and sound management practices.
She warned her guests against using unverified skin products, which are capable of causing damage to the skin. “As unreal as it may sound, an amazing number of women in the middle and upper class of our society use creams that have been mixed for them, without knowledge of their chemical contents. Lots of these creams have harsh chemical (inclusive but not limited to) steroids which, when used at first, give the ladies a lovely glow and six months down the line and the texture and quality of the skin begin to deteriorate fast. In many cases, the skin begins to wear thin and one can see the colour of their veins. Then, others become prone to skin infections like ring worm and eczema. The list of damage possibilities to different skin types is endless. Besides, skin cancer is also another numbing reality check caused by the effects of these damaging chemicals,” she said.
Ude’s radiant skin was proof of what a patron of the product looks like. “Before I can say anything, what do you think of my skin?” she asked the crowd with a smile revealing adorable dimples.
Ude, who is also an executive director at SomKolch, corroborated what Ajaero said earlier about how the latter started off by scooping from her collection to cure chicken pox. In the words of the AFRIFF boss, Essence de Beauté is a story of inspiration. She revealed that, like Ajaero, the founder of the product, Marie, used to have a lot of problems with her skin and couldnt get help from different dermatologists until she found her own result and decided to share it with others.
”In 1994, Marie, with $500 and a dream, founded the company in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn. Inspired by her interest in beauty, she created her own line of skin care products, all formulated with pure, natural and biodegradable ingredients.
Marie, otherwise called Rosy, married her new ideas with the best features of traditional cosmetic departments over 15 years after. Marie’s original inspiration continues to guide Essence de Beauté Company. She is committed to quality, value, service and innovation, all with healthy skin and a healthy planet in mind”
Chairman of the company, Elvira Salleras, noted that the brand also has product that caters to men, with an easy daily regimens that improve skin appearance from first week, by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, hydrating dry skin, while controlling breakouts of oily skin.
