Cool Vegan What What!

There have to be about a million and one bath and body products out there in the market, so how is a person to judge which product is right for her? In reality, we could all be cleaning ourselves with dishwashing liquid and we’d probably get along alright, but who would want to go there? Washing oneself with random dishwashing soap would just feel dirty and obscene. This is because bathing isn’t just about removing icky germs and other nasties from our bodies. Its about taking time each day to cherish, worship, and renew ourselves.

This brings me to why I double heart Inky Loves Nature handmade bath and body goodies. All of Inky Loves Nature products have empowering names like “Self Love Body Scrub”, “Warrior Queen Cleanser”, and “Nappaliscious Nutritious Scalp Butter”. So I’m not just caring for my body, I’m reminded of how awesome I am too! It also doesn’t hurt that the packaging depicts a cute, hip woman with funky afrotastic hair like my own (a look not seen enough on beauty products and elsewhere, but that’s a whole other article).

Inky Loves Nature products also win major kudos from me for blurring the line between bath time and dessert. The fragrance of the Self Love Body Scrub in Peppermint/Chocolate is reminiscent of cocoa on Christmas morning. The Warrior Queen Cleanser Ginger Sweet Coconut smells so delicious that I had to fight the reflex to lick the sweet bit of it that dripped onto my fingers while sampling it. The Nappaliscious Nutriscious Scalp Butter has a potent scent that doesn’t remind me of anything I’ve ever eaten before but is still very compelling. It’s like a hearty, crazy cayenne drink they give you at the health food store that will probably give you nine lives or something.

But of course, we vegans know it’s not enough for something to just be good for our egos and our olfactory organs. We want the products we use to have a positive impact on animals, the planet, and other folks around the world. Back in June 2005, Leesah B. started Inky Loves Nature as a result of her desire to see and use something more unique in the natural body and hair care market. She wanted something that was “sincerely vegan, something that promoted the beauty and strength of Africa, something that spoke to [her] as a black woman who cared about [her] environment and [her] animal friends”. Leesah only uses vegan, fair trade, and (at least 70%) organic African botanicals like Buchu herb, Kola nut extract and the ever so popular Shea Butter, which she gets from three communities in Africa that she has a direct relationship with. Later this year Inky Loves Nature will introduce the Inky Fund which will contribute a percent of profits to chosen environmental, animal welfare, or Women’s rights organizations.

I predict Inky Loves Nature is going to be big. Leesah reports that soon there will be lots more hair care products. She’s also adding a direct sales model called “Inky Indies” to the mix. You should consider checking out her goodies now so you can get some punk points before it’s too late. - OLIVIA LANE (HERBIVORE MAGAZINE)