Cosmetics and jewels from Mchinji

Composing a product formula is a lot like making art. For some, it starts with an inspiration based on ingredients, or an effect intended to be created, or a specific skin or beauty issue that is intriguing to solve.

In cosmetics, using an organic formula and an anhydrous format is at times like solving a mystery or charting new territory of a new cosmetic prototype.

These are also some of the basic points of departure for me as a cosmetics formulator.

Mchinji-based Lucy Vincent Alfonso earns a living out making cosmetics and jewelleries from locally found ingredients.

From vegetables to plants that are highly medicinal, fruits and wires, Alfonso literary makes almost everything needed in a human being—food, cosmetics, jewelleries among others.

“I make face powders, body lotion and jerry like Vaseline as well as soap from fruits, herbals among others. I also make necklaces, bracelets, beads of different shapes and sizes, shoes, sugar from sugarcane, juices from vegetables such as bonongwe, kholowa, nkhwani, blackjack, chidede and other natural veggies,” she said.

Talking about the face powder, which she claims continues to have a market in Lilongwe, apart Mchinji, she says she uses cassava is her main raw material.

“I use fresh cassava which I crush using a locally-made hand grinder. The flour which I also use for other purposes like confectionaries, dries in the machine. I add any scent of my choice just to add value to the finished product.

“This powder can be used by any other person and has no lightening effects, but just smoothes one’s skin. All the women that have used my products have never complained of side effects because they are herbal in nature and no chemicals are added,” challenged Alfonso.

She turns any form of paper into long-lasting necklaces and bracelets of different shapes and sizes.

“Other than turning any form of paper including newspapers, I also use small guavas and nandolo to create that are won by any person and anywhere. My jewelleries do not lose touch or shade even if it’s deeper in water for days.

“Just a picture how I do it—I roll a piece of paper into a shape I want, I dye it with starch from cassava before dipping them into lemons. I later apply vanish on the papers and after five minutes of sun-drying them, the jewels are ready. I must say, I also make glass and plastic beads from wires, which people use as adornments apart from for sexual exploits,” she said.

Alfonso makes 700 of such pieces in a day. A set of necklace, bracelet and earrings goes at K1 500 while waist beads range from K220 to K1 000.

From attending different skills trainings, Alfonso has perfected her skills over the years. Her business has now blossomed into a one stop shop where people buy groceries from her.

“I make herbal soap which is unique as it contains aloe vera, neem, moringa, avocado pears, bananas and honey. I include palm oil locally called kanjedza. Pimples, ringworms, zikanga and all skin ailments are gone within the first week of usage. Of course, this soap cannot be used on children less six months old because their skin is very soft.

“This soap has no lightening component, but it just gives a smooth skin which is the wish of women of today. You can even bush our teeth with this soap and you if have a toothache it will be gone. Of course, the soap is either powder for washing or bar for bathing,” she explained.

Alfonso claims to use all her products on her skin. And if her word is anything to go by, she has that soft, tender and smooth skin that a lot of women in Malawi dream of.

She claims demand for her products continues to grow.

“I sell in Mchinji, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Blantyre. I am failing to meet the demand due to lack of capital. All I need is K5 million which I can set up a factory doing everything and more than what I am doing now. With that amount, I can employ people, buy machines and make good quality products and in bulk.

“Imagine, I do not pack my soap, meaning I don’t indicate the ingredients. People buy me on trust or because they have heard of the wonders of my products. With that money I can get certification from the Malawi Bureau of Standards. Unfortunately, I cannot borrow from the bank because they want surety either in a form of car or house. It hurts me because I know I can pay back any loan,” she said.

She added: “I wish someone will support me by taking me to a trade fair for example. On my own, I can’t due to high costs of paying for benches or hawkers for examples.”

A profit of K30 000 a month is what making Alfonso survive at Mchinji town. Apart from looking after her four children, her parents and other relations heavily rely on her. But these responsibilities do not stop her from dreaming big.

“My vision is to have a one stop factory, making different things and employ as many people as possible,” she explained.

The 37-year-old widow started all this in 2010 as a means of survival after the death of her husband.

“I was in an abusive marriage. The day I lost my hubby, I was also fired from my job. I needed to give my four children their needs. I meant a Canadian who helped me attend several courses aimed at empowering women. Right now, I am surviving as I am able to pay fees for my children and support my parents,” she said with a mixture of emotions.

Alfonso also makes male and shoes from goat and cow hides, biscuits, thobwa, porridges and juices from sweet potatoes,

Pizza from mushrooms, vegetables and meat or fish among others. n