01 Jul 2019

She started as a brand ambassador for a Ghanaian Company called Black Secret, and decided  to come up with a makeup line of her own that would be ideal for African women’s skin.

Nora McAslin, 32 of Bobonong realised a gap as most of the products were not manufactured in Africa and not able to withstand African weather, as they melted. 

Her brand, Nora Cosmetics was conceptualised a couple of years ago, but only started retailing in 2016, after an intense research on makeup production methods.

She said she got contacts in Taiwan, who helped her with ways to produce the relevant shades and related products for Botswana. 

“The colours of my products are best suited for women of colour, and they also cater for our now extremely harsh conditions,” she said.

For hot temperatures, I infuse my products with appropriate sunscreen, they also have enough doses of minerals that aid in skin absorption and are user-friendly, especially for those with sensitive skin,” she explained.

McAslin said Nora Cosmetics started off with one product called cream to powder foundation, which later inspired her to do lipsticks and it grew to three more products being eyebrow gel, mascara and highlighter due to high demand.

She said the products are now selling in southern Africa with countries like South Africa and Zambia having already given positive feedback. 

She said she was grateful to locals who have welcomed her product. 

“The reception has been overwhelming. 

Products are available across Botswana and I am distributing to pharmacies all over Botswana,” she said.

 McAslin said to fight unemployment, Nora Cosmetics has created a business model called ‘Beauty Entrepreneur’ for women in different villages by giving them makeup to sell for themselves, adding that she also works with local make-up artists.

She said she faced numerous challenges among them high rental space in shopping complexes, which led to her current partnership with Brandz Unlimited.

She encouraged anyone willing to be an entrepreneur, across all fields, to follow their dreams and be determined, adding that hard work pays. Ends