For many years Dami Olawaiye – Adewole, CEO of L.O.G Cosmetics, had been suffering with a pain that didn’t have a name at the time. After going through several surgeries, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that affects a woman’s reproductive organs. It happens when the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of it.  Dami found a way to connect her personal ordeal and passion for beauty and health conscious products to create L.O.G Cosmestics, a beauty brand that prides itself in helping Women of Colour find a healthy way of beauty.

I began experiencing some pains from my teenage years but it was often deemed to be normal as part of a woman’s menstrual cycle. In my school days, I often had to be away from school to be catered for. When I started working, I would need to request for time off as it became unbearable to manage and overtime this became an issue for employers to sustain. Socially, I was often dependent on close friends and family around to look after me, God bless them. I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2011 after an episode of excruciating pain in my lower abdomen. Initially the doctors thought it could be a bladder problem or appendicitis. In fact, I was operated for my appendix but only until a further laparoscopy procedure was carried out was I then diagnosed with endometriosis.

Given that I was used to the pain, it was not my main cause of worry. It was more to the fact I was told there was no known cure and that I may not be able to conceive. But God came through for me years later with a beautiful daughter which I’m grateful for. With my everyday life, I practically lived on strong pain killers, changed my diet to eating more fruits and vegetables and consciously making more healthy dietary choices. Spiritually, I began to meditate on Godly principles which have been instrumental in keeping my faith.

In my mind I felt that at least I finally had an explanation for the condition and probably managing it would give me somewhat of a normal life (far from it). I remember being asked to leave a particular job role I was very passionate about due to this condition. There was/is still no cure for endometriosis, but for me that was the point where I had had enough! I sought to build that on that passion, to turn the impossibility to possibility and this is what inspired L.O.G Cosmetics. My earlier career was with a number of beauty companies as a beauty consultant. I also had my share of office experience as an account executive at an insurance company. However, deep down inside me was my passion for makeup artistry and so I sought to develop myself as a certified organic skin care formulator. It was during this course I really began to pay more attention to the ingredients in most beauty products and discovered the damaging impacts to our skin.

More so, some researchers have linked a number of diseases including endometriosis, to being exposed to endocrine disruptors’ chemicals in personal care products. On completion of my course, I was able to identify a niche and combine my knowledge about health conscious beauty into developing a number of products.  As a makeup artist and certified organic skin care formulator, I began to infuse natural oils, butters and fruit extracts to create products that nourish the skin. So over the years we have seen our ideas, creativity and passion for beauty come together.

L.O.G Cosmetics prides itself in offering high quality natural cosmetics for all women. We strive to ensure that our cosmetic products are made with safe ingredients. We pride ourselves in maintaining the values of elegance, grace, inner beauty and, self-esteem as we believe every woman should be free to express these qualities and with lots of glamour. For most people, it can become difficult to separate your individual identity from the business or start up you create and I’m no exception. However, what I have done is to connect my personal ordeal (due to pain, employers not being able to accommodate unplanned time off request) with my passion for beauty and health conscious cosmetics”

I enjoy the feeling I get when I see my ideas come together. I also think I have learnt a lot in the process and become a more rounded business person. Believe me, I work harder as my own boss, funny enough, but I appreciate the flexibility it gives particularly in my situation. I’m humbled by the fact that people around me feel inspired by my story and want to pursue their own dreams regardless of their limitations. I thank God for being alive to be able tell my story after one too many surgical procedures. I feel blessed to have the most supportive family who have sacrificed so much for me and friends who have stood by me. Finally, I’m privileged to be able to watch my dreams come true.

Find our more about L.O.G Cosmetics at www.logcosmetics.com