The Art of Natural Hair by *Èyí Dára

ÈYÍ DÁRA
*Botanical Alchemy for Natural Hair

written MONICA DE LUNA

In the evolving landscape of beauty, Èyí Dára emerges as a sanctuary for those seeking a harmonious blend of nature and self-care.

Founded by Ganiyat Salami, a Nigerian-American with a profound passion for natural hair, wellness, science, and sustainability, the brand offers a curated selection of hair care products designed to nourish and celebrate natural hair in its authentic form.

The name Èyí Dára, translating to "This is Good" in Yoruba, encapsulates the brand's commitment to quality and authenticity. Salami's journey began with a desire to transform the natural hair care experience, leading her to obtain a Diploma in Organic Haircare Formulation, along with certifications in Natural Cosmetic Preservation and Cosmetic Stability Testing from Formula Botanica. This educational foundation empowered her to create formulations that are effective and aligned with her values of wellness and sustainability.

(c) Èyí Dára

(c) Èyí Dára

Eyí Dára's product line is thoughtfully designed to transform routine hair care into a luxurious ritual. The Moisturizing Shampoo Bar offers a gentle yet effective cleanse, while the Leave-In Conditioner and Deep Conditioning Mask provide deep hydration and nourishment. Each product is formulated with natural ingredients known for their beneficial properties, creating a sensory experience that delights from scent to suds.

The brand emphasizes the use of high-quality, natural ingredients sourced globally. Botanical extracts like hibiscus, aloe vera, nettle, and rosemary are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, promoting scalp health and hair vitality. Butters such as shea, murumuru, tucuma, cocoa, and illipe offer deep moisturization, while oils like jojoba, avocado, olive, castor, and buriti provide nourishment and shine.

Beyond product offerings, Èyí Dára is committed to empowering women through education and community engagement. The brand invests in female financial literacy programs, aiming to support women in achieving personal and economic well-being.

Salami also hosts the "Unraveling The Knots" (UTK) podcast, a platform that explores natural hair experiences, lifestyle, history, and hair care practices. The podcast fosters a space of empowerment and authenticity, aligning with the brand's mission to celebrate natural hair in all its forms. Sustainability is a core value at Èyí Dára. The brand ensures that all ingredients are ethically sourced, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly. This commitment extends to their packaging and business practices, reflecting a holistic approach to responsible beauty.

(c) Èyí Dára

“Participating in Formula Botanica courses helped enhance my understanding of formulation.”

Ganiyat Salami, Founder

(c) Èyí Dára

Èyí Dára stands as a testament to the power of combining natural ingredients, scientific knowledge, and a deep respect for cultural heritage. Through its thoughtfully crafted products and community initiatives, the brand offers a comprehensive approach to natural hair care that honors individuality and promotes well-being.

(c) Èyí Dára

discover more www.amouage.com

Amouage *Decision and Existence

The Final Elevation
*Amouage's Decision & Existence

written MONICA DE LUNA

Jebel Shams, the high mountain of the sun, stands above Oman in stillness and breath. Here, light cuts through juniper crowns and stone holds silence. From this summit, two fragrances arise—Decision and Existence.

Amouage offers them as the final compositions in the Odyssey Collection, a series shaped by time and devotion to sacred terrain. Under the creative direction of Renaud Salmon and through the hands of Quentin Bisch, these perfumes were born from intention and presence. The mountain offered scenery—it became origin. Its altitude, texture, and rhythm entered each formula with care and clarity.

(c) AMOUAGE

(c) AMOUAGE

Decision opens with tension shaped into elegance. Pink pepper sparks first—sharp, clear, with a lift that stirs the senses awake. Bergamot follows, cool and radiant, while cardamom moves through it like a steady current. The opening carries momentum, structured with fine detail. Simply adorable!

The heart unfolds with depth. Incense forms the central pillar. Juniper, resinous and green, curves around it with dry intensity. Myrrh completes the triad with density and warmth. These materials rise in tandem, each one distinct, yet gathered into harmony. They offer an interior space, held open by intention. At the base, patchouli enters the composition with steady depth. Cedarwood adds clarity. Vanilla brings warmth with round edges and a golden tone. The drydown arrives without gesture or flourish, it simply remains. So Decision becomes atmosphere on the skin, surrounding without overtaking.

The fragrance speaks with still force. Each stage holds structure. Its power builds with weightless control, carried by a resinous column and settled through soft wood. Worn close, it pulses. Carried on air, it gathers presence.

Existence moves in a different register. Its beginning is luminous. Lily of the valley rises first, delicate, vivid. Rose enters beside it, open yet serene. These florals radiate quietly, suspended in light.

Incense appears once more, placed with precision. Mystikal blends into the heart, airy and translucent. Labdanum introduces a golden resin, smooth and glowing. These elements hover between substance and shimmer, never forming edges, always in motion.

The base gathers softness. Amber breathes gently across the foundation. White musk lifts it upward. Benzoin holds the finish, smooth and lasting. These accords rest within the skin’s warmth, diffusing slowly across time.

Existence creates a space of calm expansion. It breathes without urgency. The transitions move with ease. Every phase lingers with intention, offering light without projection, depth without density.

(c) AMOUAGE

also read
AMOUAGE PURPOSE 50 *An Extrait of Skin, Memory, and Resonance

(c) AMOUAGE

(c) AMOUAGE
Quentin Bisch

Both fragrances reflect the patience of their creation. Decision contains 33% pure perfume oil. Its formula matured for three weeks in maceration and two in rest. Existence carries 20% concentration, shaped by two weeks of each process. Every phase, from blending to bottle, received time as a central element.

Together, Decision and Existence form a pair based in parallel movement. Each fragrance travels its own line—Decision through earth, fire, but also spice; Existence through bloom, air, and light. Their bond is origin, their shared source the mountain that gave them breath.

Here, the journey continues.

From May 19th, 2025, Decision and Existence will be available in 100ml Eau de Parfum, each presented at €365.
Their form reflects dedication. Their essence carries the trace of elevation.

discover more www.amouage.com

AMOUAGE *Purpose 50

AMOUAGE PURPOSE 50
*An Extrait of Skin, Memory, and Resonance

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

Amouage distills time, memory, and olfactory science into something beyond mere scent—an artifact of human essence. Purpose 50 Exceptional Extrait embodies intensity, a composition that commands presence.

Sitting in his Oman studio, overlooking the alchemical heartbeat of Amouage, Chief Creative Officer Renaud Salmon dissects its creation. “We call it an exceptional extrait,” he begins. At 50% pure perfume oil, Purpose 50 demands a recalibration of what perfume achieves, engaging with the skin in a way that shifts perception.

PURPOSE 50 / Exceptional Extrait
— a composition that inhabits the skin, crafted with 50% pure perfume oil,
frankincense, sandalwood, and vanillin form a resonance of depth and presence

Quentin Bisch, the nose behind it all, approaches perfumery without hesitation. “I add,” he declares. “Why repeat something that exists?” Purpose 50 emerges as a crafted entity with depth and intention. This fragrance follows an anatomy. Frankincense forms its vertebrae, shaped by the Omani landscape—a tree that endures, producing a resin unlike any other. “I was rediscovering Purpose in the air, on people’s skin,” Bisch recalls. The transition from creation to wearer reshaped its identity. “I looked at the tree again—its roots, its branches. A human form emerged, standing, grounded.”

This relationship between raw material and human experience adds texture. Sandalwood moves across the skin, its caress deliberate and immersive. Vanillin enhances its presence, drawing the senses in. A specific rose appears, designed for structure rather than decoration, binding the elements with a weightless elegance. Perfume vibrates, and Bisch tunes frequencies, seeking a precise accord. Vetiver and papyrus establish movement, incense pulses through the layers. Each addition amplifies the foundation. Purpose 50 carries a distinct resonance, existing beyond the boundaries of tradition.

“I was rediscovering Purpose in the air, on people’s skin. The transition from creation to wearer reshaped its identity.”

Quentin Bisch on Purpose 50

PURPOS 50 / Exceptional Extrait
—an olfactory force shaped by Oman’s soul

Renaud poses the essential question: Why do people call this the archetype of Amouage? Bisch responds without hesitation. “It carries Oman. It exists in freedom.” Purpose 50 demands skin, movement, and presence. “We categorize perfume like we categorize people,” Bisch reflects. “Who elects the ‘best’?”

Purpose 50 Exceptional Extrait resists classification. It extracts something from the wearer, a perfume designed to be felt rather than worn. Amouage shapes a force of creation, its presence extending beyond words, living within the space between sensation and memory.