Zani ventures on skin care

 Musician Zani Challe, real name Zani Chiumia, has launched her own diverse skin care line.

Named Challe Aura, the line has a variety of products made from organic and natural products.

From serums to body butters, the brand is about providing natural bodycare products while ensuring users enjoy the benefits of organic home pampering.

“At the moment, my focus is on body and not yet facial skin care, but with time that is definitely going to be added to the range.

“So, mainly its body wash and soaps, body scrubs and bath milks and bath bombs as well as the tissue oil and body butter,” said Challe in an interview.

She said the motivation behind the skin care line was her experience during the Covid-19 lockdown last year when she couldn’t go to a spa for her monthly facial, body scrub and pedicure treatment.

Said Challe: “This was extremely frustrating and my skin was suffering. Being stuck in the United States, my body had to adjust to the water and products there. I fell apart as my skin is sensitive.

“I went on YouTube and started researching natural home remedies for the skin concerns I had. From there I started to mix up my own batch of lotions and oils and kept trying till something finally worked.”

Once she returned to South Africa where she is based, she saw an opportunity as people always asked about her skin care routine.

“I figured why not make it in bulk and sell it. So I sourced a supplier and we started to build the baby now known as Challe Aura Skincare,” said Challe.

She uses organic shea butter, African black soaps and essential oils to make the products suitable for all skin types.

The products are currently being manufactured in South Africa and will be shipped to Malawi.

“My five-year strategy is on growth and penetration of the Challe Aura brand, both locally and abroad. Right now it’s readily available within South Africa.

“I am coming to Malawi this month and will be in talks with a few stores so that there is a distributor in as many areas as possible. Anyone interested should definitely reach out and we shall talk,” said Challe.

Sustainability

A number of ventures by Malawian artists do not live beyond their infancy. Sustainability is one of the biggest hurdles they face, but Challe said she has it all covered.

“The beauty industry is one that will never die. By keeping up to date with new things available on the market, staying to my brand and vision as well as constantly researching what it is that my clients want, I don’t see why Challe Aura won’t grow,” she said.

 While acknowledging that the beauty industry is saturated with a wide range of products, Challe said that in itself is an advantage.

“Once people find a quality product that actually works for their skin, they stick to it. I would never put out something that I don’t have 100 percent faith in. There is enough room for all of

 us. It’s up to the consumer to decide what stays and what goes,” she argued.

Talking about how affordable Challe Aura products are, the artist said she tried her best to keep the skin care line in a price range that everyone can afford.

Said Challe: “I do believe my pricing is very fair and at par with standard pricing of items already on the market.”

Under her Challe Aaura company, the artist is not limiting herself in what she can do.

“There are many facets to the Challe brand. I am signed independently under my own label, also Challe Aura, then there is the skincare and fashion side. The plan is to expand and build an empire.

Despite adding a new business under her name, Challe says music remains a major part of her.

“Music is my number one passion and I will be back. I hope by the grace of God to drop an EP this year,” she said.

The news of the artist launching a skin care line has excited most of her fans.

Reacting to the news on Facebook, Jia Kacheuka said: “Musician ochenjela iweyo osamangodalila kuimba. Koma tidzolenao basi [You are a clever musician. Don’t just rely on singing. We will use the skincare product].”

Another fan Henry Daudi said: “After AK on the Board [referring to artist AK on the Board who has opened a fancy clothing shop in Lilongwe] switching to business, it’s you my chiphadzuwa chapaMalawi [Malawian beauty]. That’s great my dear. This is going to be something international.”