Celebrating Oyin Handmade Being at Target Was Fantawesome!

I’ve been using Oyin Handmade stuff before I even knew who Jamyla Bennu was, and it started with the “Juices and Berries” spray. I can’t remember who told me about it but I know I smelled their hair one day and I was like “WHAT IS THAT??? I NEED IT!” And then I went and ordered it from this website they told me about with other hair and body stuff that was all natural products.

Plus, “Oyin” is Yoruba for “honey” so you know I was geeked up for the name alone. NAIJA STAND UP! And most of the products use honey as a base and are made from scratch (and by hand). I was super sold.

Then a couple of years later, I became good friends with Jamyla, the Head Mixstress in Charge at Oyin Handmade and I fell in love with the products more because I knew the heart behind it. Or one of them, anyway. The folks behind the dopeness are The Bennus (Pierre is the other half), a married couple who believe in each other so much that they decided to take Oyin beyond their kitchen and into the world to fight ashiness without crazy chemicals. YESSS!!

Jamyla and Pierre Bennu of Oyin Handmade

And now, what started in 2001 has grown into a well-respected and super loved brand of hair, body, face amazingness. It’s still a family business and their handful of staff are beloved HoneyBees so they haven’t lost the core. Oyin is part of their Exittheapple company, which is about all things awesome and creative.

That is why the fact that they’re now at 140 Target stores across the country is no small feat and worthy of celebration. WHOOOOTTT!!! I was in Maryland this past weekend to party with the Bennus and the entire Oyin Handmade team because TARJAY! You’re already familiar with my love of Target so you should know why I’m excited that one of my favorite lines will be there.

But let’s talk about the pordee. IT. WAS. AWESOME!!! It was at the Baltimore Hilton and they went all out. There was a custom lobster Mac and Cheese bar, crabcakes and a dope array of other edibles that had me stuffing my face like the glutton I really am. The Mac and Cheese had everyone losing their minds.  It was all so good that I told Pierre that the food made it my favorite party EVER.

And then when you throw in the photobooth, the free henna tattoo artist on hand and the BOMB DIGGITY DJ! CHILE… this was SO FUN! I can’t even put it into words.

We played in the photobooth, because WHY NOT??

My girls! Jamyla, Afrobella, Kellee and me showed out in the photobooth!

I love these pics so much I wanna tattoo them on someone’s face (not mine). HA!

I got my entire life and danced for many hours. We all did (and sweated like fools because of it). Talk about cardio. Patrice captured this video of us doing the Wobble. Please take a look at my Wobble face. It is not a game. You’re welcome.

The Bennus had a dance off too and I LIVED!!!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! They got ALL of it.

We all suffered for this the next day. Hot showers and stretching was in order for me. TOTALLY WORTH IT! I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Because ain’t no pordee like a Bennu pordee cuz a Bennu pordee only comes once in ten years when they end up at Target! HA!

The day after the party, they took me and Afrobella on a tour of their office and workspace, where they mix all the honey goodies. Their staff really is like family and they’re a close knit group. There’s laughter, music and art everywhere. Oh yeah, Pierre is an artist and filmmaker too so his work is all over the walls so the place is literally surrounded by creativity. Including this piece, which was painted on paper that he dyed himself:

It was fun touring their workspace.

You can find out what Target stores Oyin Handmade is stocked on their Stores Locations page. If the shelf is empty when you get there (like many have been), it means they’ve sold out. You can always order their stuff from Oyinhandmade.com, though.

I will always support the Bennus. And it’s not just because they’re awesome but it’s because what they create is dope too. Their products are truly something like the bomb. I have their Black nerds unite tee, I use their funk butter (natural deodorant), Boing is great for retwisting locs, and of course Juices and Berries spray has my hair smelling delicious.

Pierre and Jamyla started Oyin before natural hair and organic everything was a gimmick, from love and a need they saw. So watching them prosper right now is a high five from the universe for the hard work they’ve done. And when you’re in their presence, you see the power of their love and commitment to partnership and one another. It is hella inspiring. And I thank them for the push to greatness just for being proof of dreams realized.

“I encourage everyone to get somebody in their lives who believes in their visions.” – Jamyla

So yeah. PROPS!!! Follow Oyin on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook too!

Do y’all use Oyin? Have you seen it on your Target shelves?

BTW, Fantawesome = fantastic and awesome.