Oyin Handmade UK.
Oyin Handmade ("oyin" means honey in Yoruba) was founded by Jamyla Bennu in 2001 from her Baltimore kitchen. Hand-mixed, small-batch, and indie since day one — every formulation is botanical-led and silicone-free.
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About Oyin Handmade UK
Oyin Handmade is the small-batch, handmade natural-hair brand founded by Jamyla Bennu in Baltimore. Every formula is mixed by hand using whole-plant ingredients — shea butter, jojoba oil, honey, beeswax, coconut. The line has a 20-year reputation in the natural-hair community for clean, deeply-moisturising formulations and the closest thing to homemade hair care you can buy at retail.
Brand story
Jamyla Bennu founded Oyin Handmade in 2001 in Baltimore. The brand name "Oyin" means "honey" in Yoruba, reflecting the central role of honey in many of the formulations. Oyin remains family-operated, with all products still mixed by hand in small batches in Baltimore.
Oyin's formulation philosophy: whole-plant ingredients first, traditionally-prepared cosmetic recipes, minimal synthetic preservation. The brand is cruelty-free; most products are vegan but a few contain honey or beeswax.
The Oyin Handmade range at Zenvy
Boing! All-in-one Coil Styler — heavy butter-based all-in-one for type 4 coils. Hair Dew Moisturizing Leave-In Lotion — daily moisture leave-in lotion. The Juices — herbal leave-ins in 3 fragrances. Oh My Glide! Prestyling Detangler — slip-rich detangler. What the Hemp Deep Moisture Mask — weekly type 4 mask.
Who Oyin Handmade is for
Type 4 coils specifically (the brand was built around type 4). Curlies seeking hand-mixed traditional formulations. Anyone with sensitivity to synthetic preservatives. UK natural-hair community looking for US-style small-batch brands.
Hair Dew is the universal Oyin starter — a lightweight moisture lotion that works as both daily leave-in and refresh. Boing! is the heavier all-in-one for type 4 specifically. What the Hemp Mask is the most-loved weekly deep conditioner.
All Oyin Handmade products at Zenvy ship from UK warehouses. Free UK delivery over £25.
Why Oyin Handmade is a slow-beauty favourite
Oyin Handmade (founded by Jamyla Bennu in Baltimore in 2001) was one of the first natural Black-owned hair brands and is still hand-mixed in small batches. The Hair Dew leave-in moisturiser is the brand's signature — water + glycerin + aloe + honey, light enough for daily use, moisturising enough for type 3-4.
Oyin's appeal: clean ingredient lists, hand-crafted small-batch quality, brand transparency. The challenge: shorter shelf life than mass-produced products (12-18 months from manufacture). Buy what you'll use; refrigerate after opening to extend.
Best Oyin product combinations
Daily moisture routine: Hair Dew leave-in spray (£14) + Whipped Pudding cream (£18) + Greg Oil for sealing (£12). Total: £44, lasts 6-10 weeks at daily styling. The combination works for 3B-4C textures wanting consistent moisture without heavy butter weight.
Related collections
Explore related collections: curl creams, leave-in conditioners and type 4 coily products.