How many times have you been watching TV or scrolling through Instagram and an ad pops up for a beauty brand with words like flawless and perfect and anti-aging? Perhaps this made you start to think about the size of your pores, the fine lines around your eyes, and all the bits of you that don't look at all like the model on your screen. Well thankfully, OUI the People, a Black-owned, female-founded body care brand is on a mission to shake up the beauty industry - starting with how we talk about it.
How It All Got Started
OUI the People's goal is to make high-quality, sustainable products that genuinely help people feel their best and love their skin. Formerly known as "OUI Shave," the company started with a single-blade razor and an idea that has since expanded to a collection of quality body care products and a "commitment to watch our language" through the reConstitution of Beauty.
After seeing shaving ads dating back to the 1950s, founder Karen Young quickly realized that products geared toward women were still to this day being marketed with the same outdated language. By using words like "perfecting" and "anti-aging," companies set impossible standards of beauty for women that are not only damaging to our self-esteem but actually impossible to deliver on from a product standpoint.
Young set out to change this, setting her sights on a product to help tackle ingrown hairs and razor burns. Thus, OUI's first product, a single-blade razor, was born. Since the company's launch in 2015, OUI has grown to include a collection of body care products that offer solutions and support to what people need without any of the pressure of what they "should" look like.
Rather than encouraging consumers to chase after unattainable ideals, OUI the People want their products to help consumers embrace themselves in body and mind; to nourish themselves through self-care. It's not about making yourself loveable, but loving yourself and treating your body kindly.
A Brand That's Truly for All
What sets OUI apart is its focus on inclusivity in both its marketing and product development. No matter how you identify, OUI wants its community to know that they are seen and appreciated just as they are. As they say, "the only labels we care about list our ingredients - everything else is just noise."
The team also values quality, sustainability, and transparency. Products are made from reusable and recyclable materials, like their hydrating body gloss and moisturizing shave gel-to-milk that are packaged in reusable bottles, and their stainless steel razors and blade refills that can be recycled.
All ingredients and materials used in each product are clearly labeled for the consumer, allowing them to easily identify which products are best to help serve their needs as well as learn about new ingredients to help nourish their skin.
Plus, as animal lovers ourselves, we appreciate that all their products are never tested on animals, and are free of harmful ingredients like parabens, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates (great for those with sensitive skin!).
Standout Products We Love
THE SINGLE Sensitive Skin Razor & THE SINGLE Blade Refills
Sold in colors: Matte Black and Rose Gold
This is a single-blade, rust-proof metal that enables a smooth shave experience without irritation. Young located a small factory in Germany that has specialized in razors for over a century, so yes, you can trust that they know how to create very high-quality razors and blades.
THE SINGLE is not your usual razor in any way, shape, or form. This razor is made from stainless steel, making it a recyclable, ethical investment that won't end up in a landfill. With blade refills available, THE SINGLE Sensitive Skin Razor is a long-lasting product that won't cause ingrown hairs or give you razor burn.
SUGARCOAT Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk
SUGARCOAT Moisturizing Shave Gel-to-Milk has sold out over eight times and has been reformulated with Dandelion Root as an anti-itch and anti-inflammatory, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice to heal wounds and minimize scars, and a refreshed scent with notes of jasmine, orange blossom, and neroli. Did we also mention that it's the first refillable shaving gel?
SUGARCOAT works hand in hand with THE SINGLE Sensitive Skin Razor. The magic and satisfaction is in the much raved about gel-to-milk action. This product dispenses as a gel but turns to a milky liquid when it comes in contact with wet skin, providing a thin layer to complete a shave that leaves your skin nourished and protected.
CHEAT SHEET Resurfacing Body Serum
CHEAT SHEET is a staple product for your nighttime routine to unclog pores with its glycolic acid and smooth out rough, textured skin with the help of lactic acid. It also hydrates with its Atlantic sea kelp and has ingredients that help protect skin over time against hyperpigmentation.
You can apply CHEAT SHEET on your body (arms, back, shoulders, legs … wherever your body is affected by dry skin or clogged pores). But be sure not to use it right after you shave. It's also suggested to use this product overnight but if you feel the need to use it during the day, apply sunscreen afterward.
FEATHERWEIGHT Hydrating Body Gloss
A super hydrating best-seller, FEATHERWEIGHT, consists of a mix of mainly squalane, rosehip, and avocado oil, but somehow doesn't leave you feeling greasy. Young wanted to create the ideal consistency that's a mix between a lotion and an oil, but won't clog your pores or feel oily after application. She and OUI accomplished that with FEATHERWEIGHT which has been extremely well-received by the community, including those with sensitive skin since this body gloss is fragrance-free!
It's recommended to apply this product following a bath or shower. It can be worn alone, allowing your skin to have a healthy glow with its nourishing ingredients. Just as it's stated in the name, FEATHERWEIGHT is lightweight so it's comfortable to be applied all year round.
