Luxury skincare brand Epara has started a new conversation. One where the words "luxury," "prestige," and "high-end" are part of the discussion when it comes to beauty for women of colour.

Birthed from the Nigerian dialect of Ebira, Epara (meaning to cocoon oneself) is a collection of expertly crafted, scientifically proven products made with ingredients derived from African soils to repair, pamper, and nourish the skin.

Thoughtfully formulated, handcrafted skincare products, tailored to treating the skincare needs of women of colour, it's #FUBU (for us, by us) at its absolute finest.

Founder Ozohu Adoh created the line in 2017 to treat a skincare concern for herself after not being able to find any top-tier products that would work. After months of research, and much encouragement from friends and family, she began experimenting with African botanical ingredients in her kitchen and tested each and every product on her own skin. Noticeable results — spurred on by an influx of compliments and questions about her skincare tips and tricks — and a gorgeously packaged line hit one of the most crowded markets in the world.

Adoh’s determination was fueled daily by women who looked like her and wanted to change their ski, yet refused to compromise by using less than luxury products. However, the options for women of colour were limited and often ineffective.

“women of colour don't deserve anything less than the best,” says Adoh. “This notion marked the birth of Epara Skincare. I never looked back.”

The eight-product collection focuses on two major factors: promoting hydration and dissolving hyperpigmentation — two of the most common concerns among women of colour. Adoh takes us through a night time routine with Epara.

Step #1 Epara Skincare Cleansing Oil

Removing my makeup at night has never felt so lush. The Epara Cleansing Oil is formulated with brightening licorice root and a blend of amazing-for-your-skin oils like apricot kernel, ylang-ylang, marula, argan, and moringa. Oh, and the icing on the cake is a dose of plankton extract that brightens and tones the skin, as well as helps with sun damage.

Step #2 Epara Skincare Eye Serum

Your delicate eye area deserves the best—and the Eye Serum is certainly up to the task. Bamboo silk reduces oil production, and ash tree bark helps reduce eye puffiness, dark circles, and eye bags. There's also some niacinamide in the formula (one of my favourite ingredients), as well as licorice root for proven brightening power.

Step #3 Epara Skincare Hydrating Serum

The Hydrating Serum is designed for dry and combination skin. It has a lightweight texture that absorbs into the skin almost instantly—trust me, your skin will feel softer after just one use. Like many of the Epara line products, licorice root makes an appearance; frankincense oil decreases inflammation and improves skin health; and onopordum acanthium flower—an anti-aging ingredient—helps repair and strengthen your moisture barrier.

Step #4 Epara Skincare Moisturising Face Cream

Rounding out the Epara collection is the Moisturizing Face Cream, a top 20 Women's Health 2020 Beauty Awards winner. It's designed to be used after the Hydrating Serum, and you only need a pea-sized drop to cover your entire face in a veil of lusciousness. Shea butter and marula oil create the base for the cream, plus there's plankton extract, licorice root, and niacinamide meant to soften the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, and firm and tone the skin.

Step #5 The Brightening Night Balm

Every night after I've applied my moisturiser, I get a moderate scoop of this pudding-esque balm and massage it into my skin in an upward direction. It treads the line between a balm and oil and feels incredibly rich with nourishing ingredients. It's full of brightening active ingredients that target uneven areas of the skin to fade discoloration. It feels almost heavy, because it’s supposed to. It is cloaking your skin in moisture, and you want it to last all night. I slather it all over my face, being sure to touch my eyelids and under-eye area, moving on to my neck, décolleté, and hands.

Step #6 Epara Skincare Balancing Face Oil

This ultra-luxurious oil feels like a dream on the skin and will seal in your entire bedtime routine with just a few drops. It's designed to brighten the skin and target pesky hyperpigmentation and, like all of Epara's products, is cruelty-free, vegan, and free of harmful ingredients. It’s formulated with a blend of moringa, marula, and ylang-ylang oils that work to soften the skin, increase radiance, and soothe any irritation. And all while you sleep.