With a melting pot of cultures in Malaysia, we’re no strangers to totally different magnificence rituals, to not point out that well-liked worldwide magnificence practices have discovered their method into our routines too.
The Chinese language drink herbs, the Indians use turmeric face masks, the Malays have flower baths, and the Koreans exfoliate religiously.
However Moroccan magnificence rituals are hardly (if ever) a part of the dialog right here.
Eager to share her traditions along with her new nation of residence, Camilia launched Zawina Morocco, the phrase “zawina” which means lovely in Moroccan, her mother-tongue.
Picture Credit score: Zawina Morocco
Embracing her roots and traditions
Having studied enterprise administration in college, Camilia was fairly acquainted with the fundamentals of beginning a enterprise. However nonetheless, nothing might have ready her for her first entrepreneurial enterprise.
She had migrated to totally different nations a couple of instances earlier than and every time she felt part of her was misplaced. “I missed my conventional Moroccan merchandise,” Camilia mentioned. Whether or not it was meals or beauty-related, she yearned for a style of dwelling.
Then Camilia moved to Malaysia a couple of years in the past when she wedded her Malaysian husband.
As newlyweds, it was an attention-grabbing transition for Camilia. However she quickly felt the identical feeling creeping up that signalled her time away from Morocco.
“Once I got here to Malaysia, I realised that there isn’t a Moroccan group right here and it felt actually lonely,” she recalled. It’s a sense that the majority expats would share after they’re a part of the minority group of their host nation.
But, over time, issues acquired higher. She made new mates and invited them to have a peek into her tradition. And so they liked it regardless of its unfamiliarity.
So Camilia took it as her cue to launch a enterprise that’s nearer to dwelling.
Picture Credit score: Zawina Morocco
The bittersweet feeling of dwelling
In sharing her conventional magnificence rituals with Malaysians, Camilia defined to Vulcan Publish that her model gives merchandise which are natural, minimalist, and have been round “for hundreds of years”.
One in every of Zawina Morocco’s extra well-liked merchandise is the Pure Natural Argan Oil which retails at RM80 for 30ml.
They’re offered at chosen pharmacies and shops, like Wellcome Pharmacy at PJ and Dressing Paula at MidValley MegaMall. Their full checklist of stockists is listed on their web site right here.
Different corporations that promote argan oil in Malaysia embody Melvita (RM145 for 50ml), The Bizarre (RM93 for 30ml), and Treatment (RM75 for 30ml).
Camilia defined that each one of Zawina Morocco’s face oils are pure, chilly pressed, and unrefined. What this implies is not any warmth was used throughout the oil extraction course of, which helps to protect the vitamins.
Picture Credit score: Zawina Morocco
“[This] permits our clients to get the utmost advantages,” she mentioned. “These days, many of the face oils you see from different manufacturers are refined, as a result of it’s cheaper to fabricate and the lifespan of the oil turns into for much longer.”
Zawina Morocco works with accredited farmers and labs in Morocco that assist translate her visions of the merchandise utilizing “historic Moroccan recipes”. Thus, the formulations are developed and overseen by Camilia herself.
Additionally they acquire the required skincare accreditations and high quality assurances for product growth and manufacturing.
It’s solely after getting a seal of approval from Camilia and the required authorisations that Zawina Morocco’s merchandise are shipped right here, to Malaysia.
Picture Credit score: Zawina Morocco
Confidence is bred, not born
It’s difficult to begin a magnificence enterprise in a brand new nation, particularly with no entrepreneurial expertise. However Camilia was lucky sufficient to have the required publicity and connections.
Earlier than committing to Zawina Morocco full time, she was working within the marble export discipline in Turkey. The data gained from that profession helped in importing the model’s merchandise from Morocco.
The argan farm that she companions with additionally occurs to be household buddy of hers. “The primary time I visited it (the farm) was with my mom after I was 16,” she shared.
“My confidence [in running] my model got here to me with time. The extra I dedicated to it, the extra I noticed magnificence in what I do and the worth that it brings to my clients.”
In fact, Camilia shared that she couldn’t have completed it with out her husband’s encouragement and assist.
This goes to point out that having a robust private basis and assist truly support in a enterprise’ success.
Zawina Morocco’s merchandise at certainly one of their stockists / Picture Credit score: Zawina Morocco
Paving her personal skincare path
Regardless of operating a small enterprise in a big trade, she doesn’t consider that different manufacturers available in the market are her opponents.
“I don’t see it that method. I consider that every model can carry its personal distinctive worth and expertise,” Camilia mentioned. A technique she units her model aside is by sharing Moroccan routines and wonder ritual practices on Zawina Morocco’s Instagram web page.
This lends her model extra credibility, seeing as this information is being shared by Camilia, who’s Moroccan herself.
She states that Zawina Morocco’s objective is to move clients to Morocco via their earthy and spa-like merchandise. Personally, I’ve tried their Rhassoul Scrub & Masks and it does really feel therapeutic when utilized.
Picture Credit score: Zawina Morocco
The model at the moment carries seven merchandise, however there will probably be new objects launched someplace this yr. “One in every of them will probably be our first product for physique care,” Camilia affirmed.
When talking about Zawina Morocco’s long-term plans, she additionally teased the model’s future enlargement into the sphere of make-up.
So who is aware of? You would possibly see extra Moroccan merchandise just like the viral Aker Fassi, a standard lip stain that has not too long ago been gaining traction on-line, making their method right here.
Study extra about Zawina Morocco right here.
Learn different articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: Zawina Morocco
