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Frequently Asked Questions
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Most often asked e-mail, and phone-in questions:
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Do you grow Shea butter?
Who makes your certified raw Shea butter?
Is your Shea butter truly certified?
How do I know that your Shea is truly certified?
Is your raw Shea butter clean?
Does your raw Shea butter have an offensive odor?
Does your grade A, raw Shea butter contain nut shells, or require filtering?
Is your Shea butter organic?
What's in you 100% Shea?
Can you send a free sample in a business envelope?
Can you add color, perfume, or dye to my certified Shea before shipping it?
Do you have preservatives or Vaseline in your raw Shea butter?
Will Shea butter remove moles from my body?
What is the shelf life of your Shea butter?
What do you recommend when I am primarily focusing on therapeutic properties, or if I have eczema, or other skin conditions?
What's the difference...raw, or refined Shea? I'm confused!
Can I use your Shea butter on my face if I have oily skin?
How much butter can I get from a bulk Shea order?
How do I use my Shea butter?
*What not to do with Shea butter!
Are free samples of black soap available?
Does traditional black soap turn your skin black in color, or contain dyes?
Who makes your traditional black soap?
Do you have a black soap recipe?
What can I wash with African black soap?
How do I take care of my traditional African black soap?
My traditional black soap appears to be dry, what do I do?
What is the difference in "traditional African black" soap and "Nubian black soap" I've seen on the market?
Is your soap all organic?
Do you mail free perfume samples?
Can you guarantee that your perfume oils will work in my CP or HP soaps?
Can you mail a catalog to my address of your perfume body oils?
Do you add cutting agents to your perfume oils?
What are your top selling perfume oil types?
Is your lotion all natural?
What is a minimum order?
What is your minimum order amount requirement?
Will you mail my product and allow me to pay for it later?
I'm in Atlanta on business, can I pick up my order or meet you somewhere, to save on shipping?
Who are you, what's your background, and is this a "black owned" company?
Where are you located?
What are your favorite skin care recipes? Do you have free recipes that I can have?
What's your favorite skin care book?
How did you get into this business?
How long have you used shea butter?
Can you build my website?
Do you grow Shea butter?
Shea butter only comes from Karite trees in Africa. Any pure Shea butter purchased in the US, France, or elsewhere, has been imported.
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Who makes your certified raw Shea butter?
African women, in Fair Trade cooperatives, located in West Africa.
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Is your Shea butter truly certified?
Yes. We don't play Shea butter games, or casually state that "we are certified by ASBI"; instead, we promise that any Shea butter that we sell as tested, certified, and given a "grade A", truly is. We recommend that you consider whether any tested Shea butter that you are considering has been truly analyzed, or whether claims have been made based solely on lab results from a previous batch.
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How do I know that your Shea is truly certified?
We invite you to contact the American Shea Butter Institute, and inquire about us.
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Is your raw Shea butter clean?
Yes: it is micron filtered without the use of chemicals, and is certified by the American Shea Butter Institute as "grade A" based on lab test. No worries about bacteria and contamination - use freely on any external areas.
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Does your raw Shea butter have an offensive odor?
In my opinion, no. It has a typical light Shea smell, that I would categorize as slightly smoky, or a light "nutty" odor, but nothing that is offensive, or that would have to be covered up with essential, fragrance, or perfume oils. *After 5 minutes of being applied to the skin, no smoky odor remains at all! Most of our raw Shea butter is re-sold, and enjoyed by retail customers who prefer it as it is, or who wish to incorporate it into their personal soap, lotion, and body cream recipes because of the wonderful skin moisturizing qualities that it contains. Raw, grade A, Shea butter works wonders on facial skin, scalps, feet, legs, heels, and ankles!
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Does your grade A, raw Shea butter contain nut shells, or require filtering?
No. It would not have passed certification if it contained particles that needed to be filtered. It's ready to use as is.
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Is your Shea butter organic?
The Karite trees of West African have grown for centuries without the use of herbicides, pesticides or miscellaneous chemical contaminants. The FDA, or any other governmental agency has not certified Shea Butter as organic according to US regulations. By purchasing premium Grade A Shea, you can be assured of the highest quality Shea butter available. We know our Shea is organic, but by current laws cannot legally claim such.
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What's in you 100% Shea?
100% pure, chemical free, certified Grade A, raw, African Shea butter - no chemicals, and no natural additives. Any Shea butter sold with additives on our site, clearly lists and describes which natural additives is included, and is further described under each product description.
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Can you send a free sample in a business envelope?
No. It's butter; it melts. We offer sample jars for 3.95 each (available through mail order) and we also suggest ordering a small size retail jar for your consideration if you are thinking about ordering in bulk.
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Can you add color, perfume, or dye to my certified Shea before shipping it?
No
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Do you have preservatives or Vaseline in your raw Shea butter?
No preservatives are added: please do not add water or Vaseline to your Shea butter to "stretch it" - a small amount goes a long way in it's natural state, and Vaseline is not a preservative.
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Will Shea butter remove moles from my body?
We are not making medical claims of any kind on our Shea butter, or any of our products. Our advice is: to remove moles from the body, please seek the assistance of a medical doctor, or a board certified dermatologist.
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What is the shelf life of your Shea butter?
We estimate approximately 2 years under normal conditions. We only sell fresh Shea butter, and sell enough bulk and jars, so that rancidity has not been a problem. If we ever get to the point where we think that the butter is "old" it will not be offered for sale.
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What do you recommend when I am primarily focusing on therapeutic properties, or if I have eczema, or other skin conditions?
Certified "Grade A" Raw Shea with no additives, or shea with Lavender, Emu oil, or Carrot.
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What's the difference...raw, or refined Shea? I'm confused!
Unrefined Shea not been chemically altered, and retains its healing properties. Refined Shea Butter has been chemically altered through a refining process, and doesn't maintain the nonsaponifiable fractions needed to heal. Both will moisturize, but only one (raw Shea) will assist with healing and improving the health of your skin.
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Can I use your Shea butter on my face if I have oily skin?
Grade A Shea may be used successfully on oily skin, as it's non-cosmogenic and is easily absorbed through the facial pores. As with any other product, if you find that it to be too rich, use only a small amount per application. (Premium shea only requires a small amount with each use.) Continued use has also provided successful results with various skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, blemishes, wrinkles, itching, sunburns, small skin wounds, skin allergies, insect bites, frost bites and other miscellaneous skin conditions. I also suggest, that if you have oily or acne prone skin, to use Shea butter's companion products - African black soap ("real black soap") for cleansing and balancing your skin's natural properties.
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How much butter can I get from a bulk Shea order?
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(Your math teacher would be so ashamed!) Now, let's have some fun! |
Abbreviations: lb. stands for pound, oz. stands for ounce, and / means "divided" by (Remember those Algebra days...?).
Oh yeah, for reference... 1 Pound equals to 16 ounces (liquid measurement and solid measurements are different, using general reference for this example... .)
*5 lbs. = 16 ozs. x 5 = 80 oz; so, if you order 5 lbs. of shea butter, generally, you would get 20, 4 oz. jars. How? (Same as above: 80/4 = 20 jars) or 40, 2 oz. jars, because 80 oz/2 oz each = 40 jars
*One more time, with a shortcut...
10 lbs. = 5 lb quantity above, multiplied two times. So, 10 lbs. of shea butter, would give you 40 (20 jars x 2= 40) 4 oz. jars, or 80 (40 x 2 = 80) 2 oz jars.
Hope this helps!
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How do I use my Shea butter?
Rub a small amount between the palm of your hands in a circular motion, it will melt upon body contact readily, and apply to dry areas: face, arms, neck, legs, feet...concentrating on knees, elbows, and feet in particular (usually driest parts of the body). In about 5 minutes it absorbs totally - that's is! After 30 continuous days of use, you should be a great improvement in the health of your skin. HOT OIL TREATMENT: melt and apply to freshly washed hair, leave on for about 30 minutes (or sit under dryer), and rinse. DRY HAIR CONDITIONER: use a small amount to massage into the scalp to replenish dry hair and help maintain a healthy scalp. Melt your Shea butter between your hands, massage a small amount into hair, style, and you're ready to go! This works extremely well for use on the ends of your hair, as it repairs split ends. Certified Shea butter is safe to apply externally from head to toe.
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*What not to do with Shea butter!
Personal Note: I've received many e-mails from folks that are doing things with Shea butter, simply because it's a habit. So, now I'm begging - please do not put Vaseline in your shea butter!
Yes, I remember the days when Vaseline was a staple for greasing down your legs, hair, and what ever was dry on your body. But we're all grown up now and trying to do better, because we know better, and because we know that there are healthier options *smile*.
Vaseline is a petroleum by product (as in gasoline) which yes, does temporarily coat your skin, but it does not have beneficial long term effectiveness. If you must have a greasy feel (mercy) try adding a drop or two of avocado, sweet almond, liquid Shea butter, or any natural, fixed oil to your Shea butter. They each leave a "feel" on your skin, are natural and healthy, yet also sink in while adding moisture; and they don't leave stickiness all over the place. (Avocado oil leaves the heaviest layer on your skin and is a definite luxury!)
We offer certified Shea blended lightly with oils that feel "lighter", yet leave more of a "feel" and absorb readily: Emu, Jojoba, and Grapeseed oil; they are also conditioning, healthy, and natural. We also occasionally offer fixed oils on our site, in one ounce containers, but whether you purchase from us or someone else, please don't put the petro on your body - it's not good.
*Don't leave your Shea in a hot car...in the summer heat: it'll melt. It won't ruin it, but it will change the texture.
*IF IT MELTS...it's not ruined: put your Shea container in your refrigerator for about 20 minutes (this is an estimate, based on a 4 oz jar size). When the texture looks like soft jello, stir gently (with something sterile, please) let it set for about 10 more minutes, and remove it. Let it come to room temperature, and you're ready to enjoy it again.
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Are free samples of black soap available?
No free samples: due to many daily requests for free products. Samples are forwarded at no charge with any order.
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Does traditional black soap turn your skin black in color, or contain dyes?
No dyes, no change in skin color. Please let me stress this again, a thousand times NO. This is wonderful, organic, hand made, luxury milled, natural soap. Not related at all to the "gag" black soaps sold in other stores. No changes in color, and no further comment.
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Who makes your traditional black soap?
African women in Ghana, West African co-ops.
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Do you have a black soap recipe?
No, & the original recipes are guarded secrets, and vary from family to family, & from different regions of Africa.
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What can I wash with African black soap?
Hair, skin...these are complete, "head to toe", natural, organic soap products. TO USE: please remember that our black soaps contain wonderful organic ingredients that are burnt before the soap is completed. Because of this, they may occasionally contain ingredients that might be too irritating to apply directly to very sensitive skin. Always, wet your hands, bathing cloth, sponge...and rub your soap directly on it until you gather the amount of suds (only takes a very small amount) to your liking. Then apply to your skin, hair, face...for superior cleansing and moisturizing.
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How do I take care of my traditional African black soap?
If your soap appears to "fall apart" gently press it together, and avoid leaving it in water when you are not using it. If this is done, your soap should last a long time. A pea size amount can actually last for quite awhile because it only takes a small amount to product wonderful lather and excellent cleansing.
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My traditional black soap appears to be dry, what do I do?
Simply sprinkle a few drops of water onto your soap (can even do so in the plastic) and let it absorb; now, gently press into shape. Or, with damp hands, press together (somewhat firmly) to maintain the shape again, and use as normal. The drying effect does not damage the soap, or weaken it at all.
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What is the difference in "traditional African black" soap and "Nubian black soap" I've seen on the market?
Traditional African black soap: "Alata" is a luxury hand made, all organic soap, imported from Ghana West Africa, - it does not contain Shea butter, it is all organic, and wonderfully moisturizing to the skin and scalp. Nubian black soap, is made by an African American owned company in New York, and although enjoyed by many, it is not organic and natural.
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Is your soap all organic?
Traditional African black soap from Ghana is all organic.
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Do you mail free perfume samples?
No free perfume samples: all orders receive samples as a courtesy, and you may also order 1/3 oz. roll-on sizes, as a more affordable option to test our quality, or to test our oils in your bath and body products before investing in a larger size.
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Can you guarantee that your perfume oils will work in my CP or HP soaps?
No, our oils are cosmetic grade, skin safe, made specifically for the skin, contain no DPG or chemicals that commonly cause CP and HP soaps to "seize", and are sold to lots of business owners for use in handcrafted organic soaps, candles, body butter blends, incense, perfumed lotions, creams, body jellies, etc. But, we can not guarantee that any particular perfume won't interact with your individual recipe. We suggest purchasing a small quantity to use in your recipe before investing in a larger size if you are concerned about your soap seizing.
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Can you mail a catalog to my address of your perfume body oils?
No mail order catalog - we prefer to maintain our web based store, which also keeps our prices down.
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Do you add cutting agents to your perfume oils?
No - no alcohol, no cutting agents, no glycol (DPG), no games, no gimmicks. What you will receive from us are high quality, cosmetic grade, uncut perfume oils, made and produced specifically to be worn on the skin. They all smell wonderful, are very true to their inspirations, and last longer than alcohol based perfumes.
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What are your top selling perfume oil types?
We have offered over 300 perfume oils in the past, and have decided to only carry our best sellers: LADIES - Bora Bora, White Diamonds, Ellen Tracey, Issey Miyake, Oxygen, Glamorous, Glow by J Lo, Burberry's, Patti Labelle, Chanel Chance, Pleasures, Egyptian Musk 24 Karat, Egyptian Musk, Romance, Cucumber Melon, Mambo, Angel ; MEN - Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Issey Miyake, Burberry's, Dolce and Gabanna, Cool Water, Polo, Polo Blue, Mambo, Armani Mania, Bora Bora, Chrome, John Paul Gaultier, Egyptian Musk Red, Kenneth Cole, Ralph, Dune, Perry Ellis types
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Is your lotion all natural?
Ingredients: Deionize Water, Minerals (no animal fats), Soy Bean Oil, Acetyl Alcohol, Poly Sorbate 20, Tea (emulsifier), African Shea Butter, Carrot, Mango, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Avocado, Cocoa Butter, and Dm. Hydantonie (preservative).
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What is a minimum order?
Example #1 - If you order 1 rolled bar black soap totaling: $6.70, and check out of our on-line store, you have not met our minimum, regardless of what you shipping totals up to be. Your product total is $6.70, and it must be at least $15.00 for PayPal payments, and at least $25.00 for call-in orders. Example #2 - If you order 5 lbs of shea butter for 47.00 you have already met our minimum for all payment options. Why? because your product has added up to over 15.00 already, regardless of what shows for shipping cost in your check out cart.
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What is your minimum order amount requirement?
*PayPal: $15.00 minimum product order applies (15.00 before shipping charges are added). *Visa or MasterCard direct: to call us and use your Visa or MasterCard direct, we have a low minimum requirement of $25.00 (not including shipping) and $2.00 handling fee applies. Ordering details are located on our "Terms and Conditions" link. *International Orders: $75.00 minimum order (before shipping rates are added), and a $10.00 handling fee applies.
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Will you mail my product and allow me to pay for it later?
We process all orders upon receipt of payment.
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I'm in Atlanta on business, can I pick up my order or meet you somewhere, to save on shipping?
If you are an established bulk order customer of ours - call or email us for an option to pick up your order within metro Atlanta.
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Who are you, what's your background, and is this a "black owned" company?
I'm African-American, so yes, it's a black owned company. (It's most interesting to me, that in 2004, my skin color still makes a difference.)
Background: degrees in Journalism, English, Radio-Television-Film. Have had many "jobs" - worked for the State of GA in management, and CNN/Turner Entertainment for a short period of time, and recently contracted as a marketing coordinator for a property development company in Atlanta, GA.
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Where are you located?
Within metro Atlanta, GA.
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What are your favorite skin care recipes? Do you have free recipes that I can have?
I have a 3 year collection, but no time to perfect them all. Most free recipes on line have to be customized to your liking, in my opinion. People with "good" recipes that are sellable generally don't give them away after working hard to perfect them. It's like giving away a trade secret, or their livihood if they sell very well.
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What's your favorite skin care book?
I have several: most favorite currently is Dr. Nicolas Perricone's textbooks (good stuff - very expensive products).
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How did you get into this business?
I started out with a plan to make my great-grandmother, and my grandmother's lye soap that I remember from childhood in SC, and after dealing with occasional bouts of eczema when I lived in TX, finding "real soap" became a priority. Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten comfortable with handling lye yet. But my grandmother is alive and well, and one of these days, I will get her to teach me a thing or two about soaping. (She's still upset that the "pick up" cost of lye is now 3.00 for a small container, and she doesn't use recipes or "fancy" butters for soaping! :-) But, after much product research... I simply decided that it was time to work for myself by selling and making products that I love: bath and beauty items.
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How long have you used shea butter?
About 10 years. Initially purchased from a major bath and beauty chain, and after researching, I ventured into using "real shea butter" and have used it for the past two years.
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Can you build my website?
Nope. Still have a headache from learning to do mine, from scratch, the hard way (had to learn html, Java coding, somewhat) and it's still not completed as far as I'm concerned! I haven't even gone back to edit it - can't find the time.
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