The story behind Byoode

Written by Jessy Lauhouh: Founder Byoode

Okay here we go. As I write this so many things are going through my mind. I realize that I have put Byoode down without really sharing my story with you. As exciting as I find this... I do owe it to you. 

I'm going to start by explaining the name. Byoode (pronounced as: ''Bjoet'' means beauty in Afrikaans. For me a special meaning because my roots come from Ivory Coast. In addition, I think it is important that everyone embraces his/her natural beauty .

Now I always found it very difficult to bring out my natural beauty . From a young age I taught myself and convinced myself that curls are not beautiful. Was I bullied? No. But why didn't I find my curls beautiful?

As I’ve gotten older and looked back at the little girl I was back then, many things have become clear to me. I grew up in an environment where I was the only one with curls. I grew up with a mother who didn’t know how to handle my hair. Of course, I don’t blame her for that at all, because it’s not easy. But it did mean that instead of a big head of curls, my hair was a big tangle.

I looked at the other children in the class and thought every day how nice it would be to have their hair. How nice it would be to wake up with that hair instead of the intense struggle every morning. Every day again. Read; Head under the tap in the sink. Then the products (not curly proof) in my hair. And finally, I always made a ponytail as tight as possible because yes.. loose or something else was not an option or ''ugly''.

As I've gotten older I've come to realize that it's not ugly at all. That I'm not the only one who has struggled with it or still struggles with it, and that you should wear your hair with pride.

I didn't just start Byoode . I'm here to share the knowledge I've gained over the years with you. I'm here to let you know that you're beautiful just the way you are.

Whatever hair type you have, we are all the same.

Love,

Jessy