Uhai Hair has been featured in Essence, the monthly American magazine targeted at black women.

The beauty and cosmetic brand was featured in the magazine’s April 2019 edition, along with 13 other black-owned brands. In it, the magazine’s fashion and beauty director Julee Wilson wrote, “I can’t help but look and feel good when supporting brands that are made for us and by us.”

Susan Edwards, founder and CEO of the company, said it was “exciting” to have her product featured in the storied magazine.

“Essence is like the brand for black women when it comes to magazine publications and with the ownership of Richelieu Dennis, there’s this renewed focus on black-owned businesses and black empowerment – and he’s Liberian. This year, a lot of the publications have been exposing the continent to folks in the U.S.,” she said. “I’m hoping that more Liberian businesses get featured in Essence.”

Uhai makes a variety of products, including shampoo, conditioner, and gel. Photo: Uhai Hair

Edwards said she first got connected to the magazine after she reached out via Instagram to Wilson, Essence’s fashion and beauty director. She eventually sent Wilson samples of the products and eventually forgot about the interaction, only to receive an email from Wilson about her company being featured in a future edition.

“I didn’t know it was happening until it happened,” she added.

Since the publication arrived, Edwards said she has not yet physically obtained a copy, as the magazine is not sold in Liberia: “I’ve only seen pictures. I’ve asked my friends in the U.S. to get copies, but I haven’t seen a hard copy yet.”

However, despite not having seen the physical copy of the magazine, Edwards reports seeing a tangible increase in sales. In fact, whereas sales in Liberia were previously the highest for the company, within one week, she said Uhai saw the same amount of sales from the U.S. as it receives in one month from Liberia.

Edwards runs the company along with her husband Varsay Sirleaf and sells in Ghana, the U.S., and in Liberia, in locations such as Zuitin, beauty salons, supermarkets, and online at Cookshop.biz.

Featured photo courtesy of Uhai Hair