Pantene is diving into the rich world of global beauty tradition to inspire their newest haircare collection, from Moroccan rosewater to Indian oiling rituals. We were thrilled to journey with them to Tanzania to learn all about Baobab Essence, a key ingredient in Pantene’s NEW Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow Collection with Baobab Essence. We partnered with Justa Lujwangana , one of our Around The World Beauty tour guides, to go on the adventure of a lifetime uncovering the rituals and traditions of her beauty culture.
But first, let’s learn more about the beautiful country of Tanzania, that Justa calls home.
- Tanzania was created through the union of two countries, previously separate geographical and political entities (Tanganyika and Zanzibar).
- Nearly 30% of Tanzania consists of protected, national parkland. Also, “hakuna matata” is a real phrase used here, and yes — it really does mean “no worries”!
- The local language is Swahili, which is a rich mix of 72 different languages, including Arabic, Portuguese, and several local African dialects. It’s an absolutely beautiful language, and addicting to practice. A few of our favorite phrases are:
- Asante // Thank you
- Mambo // Hello
- Freddie Mercury, the star frontman, vocalist, and songwriter of the rock band Queen, was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
- The flag carries in it the four elements of Tanzania’s daily life: the green represents nature’s beauty, the yellow represents the mineral deposits of the country, the black represents the people, while the blue represents the great lakes.
Why Baobab?
Baobab is not just a trend in Tanzania, it’s a lifestyle. It has immense cultural significance in Tanzania, strong ancestral roots, and numerous beauty and wellness benefits that incorporate the tree, fruit, and seeds.
Baobab is remarkably high in Vitamin E, which is known to help soothe and hydrate dry skin. That’s why Pantene incorporated the cold-pressed Vitamin E-rich essence from the Baobab seeds into their newest Pro-V Nutrient Blend. Combined with antioxidants, strengthening lipids, and Pantene’s signature pro-vitamin B-5, the Baobab essence Nutrient Blend helps to revive extremely dehydrated hair, restore hair’s softness, and impart a healthy glow.
The oil from these Baobob fruit seeds is a hidden gem in Tanzania, and is gaining traction as the beauty industry discovers the power of traditional global beauty cultures. As Baobob’s hydration benefits for skin and hair become more popular, many are opting to replace their coconut or moringa oil with Baobab for a better result.
In Tanzania, hydration is the top beauty goal, with women looking for skin-quenching products that protect against the environment and give them a goddess glow. In fact, when Tanzanian women get married, it is tradition to generously apply oil or shea butter to ensure the skin and hair are hydrated and glowing. Baobab oil is a great option for hydration, as it is thicker than other oils, making it easy to work with the hair, hold styles better, and provide the all-day moisture and nourishment that hair needs.
“As Tanzanian/African women, we love braiding our hair into various styles – it’s part of our hair care routine and helps protect it. This ritual typically is taught by our mothers, who add moisture (water) and oil before stretching our hair out from the roots to ends in order to braid. Pantene’s Milk to Water Serum is perfect for my regular routine – it’s a much lighter form than baobab oil itself, which makes it very easy to work with while still giving my hair the level of hydration it needs in Tanzania’s hot climate.” – Justa Lujwangana Ambassador for Pantene Collection
The Kariakoo Market
Kariakoo Market is one of the best business markets in East Africa, where you can find anything and everything. From kitchen supplies and vegetables, to a variety of spices, to local Maasai tribe members making one-of a kind beaded jewelry pieces, it’s a shopper’s delight! We perused the stalls of vendors who were selling multi-color baobab seeds for snacking, as well as baobab oils for all hair and body needs. The vivid colors and herb-scented air immersed us in the vibrant East African culture, and it’s a must-see for anyone visiting Tanzania. Our sweet tooths were also satisfied, as we enjoyed eating fresh cut pineapple, coconut, and jackfruit in this local paradise. We definitely recommend going with a local, or hiring a local tour guide to get the best of what this market has to offer. Also, don’t forget to haggle the final price, as Tanzania is known to double the price on tourists.
Island Venture
We boarded a boat for Mbudya Island, which is about $37 USD including Boat and Park fees for foreigners (about $6 USD for a local Tanzanian to get to the island). It’s home to one of the largest Baobab trees, and a perfect backdrop for our beauty adventure. Remote and quiet, Mbudya Island is a hidden gem for exploring, with a local atmosphere and reasonable prices all around. The baobab tree stands tall at the top of the island, offering a reminder that what you plant today grows tomorrow for future generations.
A Place to Call Home
We are in love with the Mediterraneo Hotel, an amazing stay that combines Tanzanian culture with Italian flair. Best of all, it’s home to a special baobab tree! The baobab is a staple at the hotel, representing its long tradition as a place of celebration and community that Tanzanian culture is centered around.The hotel also features safari jeeps, and of course we had to have a little photo-op fashion moment with our designer friend Sequia who is the head designer at Ites International , who was in town showing her hand-woven, one-of-a-kind textiles at Swahili Fashion Week.
We loved sharing our experience #BeautyExploring for Pantene’s NEW Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow Collection with Baobab Essence, and bringing to life the inspiration behind it! Pantene wanted an authentic voice for their key message, to share the beauty of global cultures and highlight these amazing ingredients like Tanzanian baobab. We’re so proud to be partnering with a brand who shares our love of global beauty rituals, the power of immersing oneself into another culture, and understands the heritage and rituals behind our favorite beauty trends and products. We hope you enjoyed this little beauty adventure, and can’t wait for you to try out Pantene’s NEW Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow Collection with Baobab Essence, inspired by one of our favorite global beauty destinations: Tanzania.
#DiscoverWhatsGood
#BeautyExploring the Baobab seed at The Kariakoo Market
Pantene’s NEW Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow Collection with Baobab Essence,
The seed of the Baobab which inspired the NEW Pantene Collection
Pantene’s NEW Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow Collection with Baobab Essence with Tanzanian Fun
The waters of Mbudya Island
Fashion Moment at Mediterraneo Hotel, wearing Ites International
Photos: Derek Erasmus and Daniel Msirikale based in Tanzania
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