Exploring Life & Business with BuShania Salaam of Melanated Magic

Today we’d like to introduce you to BuShania Salaam.

Hi BuShania, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey with Melanated Magic began unexpectedly in 2020 during the height of COVID-19. Like so many people, I was forced to slow down when my salon temporarily closed. I had spent years behind the salon chair, but that pause gave me something I didn’t realize I needed: time to create, experiment, and explore an idea that had been sitting inside of me for years.

I started making a multipurpose oil for myself, my family, and my clients using natural oils and herbs I believed in. It quickly became one of those products everyone wanted to get their hands on. We jokingly called it the “hot sauce” because, as I would say, “you can put that ish on everything!” What started in my kitchen eventually became the foundation of Melanated Magic.

From that one oil, the vision continued to grow. I began developing products for the body, face, hair, beard, and scalp, all rooted in plant-based ingredients and the belief that caring for yourself should feel intentional, luxurious, and empowering. What started as something small and personal has evolved into a growing wellness brand with a collection of products designed for the entire family.

Today, six years later, Melanated Magic is so much bigger than I ever imagined when I created that first bottle. I’ve taken the brand beyond my local community through pop-ups, vendor events, collaborations, and opportunities that have allowed me to connect with people from all over the country.

I’m still building, still learning, and still dreaming bigger. But when I look back at that first bottle of oil I made during a time of uncertainty, I’m reminded that sometimes the most beautiful beginnings come from the moments that force you to pause and create something new.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Building Melanated Magic has required patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep going through uncertainty.

One of my first challenges was turning a product I created in my kitchen into a legitimate, growing business. I had to learn everything from sourcing ingredients, packaging, inventory, pricing, marketing, and shipping to understanding the financial side of entrepreneurship. I was no longer just creating something I loved; I was building systems and making thoughtful decisions for the brand’s future.

Starting during COVID-19 brought additional challenges, including supply-chain issues, limited resources, and uncertainty about how and when I could grow. At the same time, I was balancing the brand with my responsibilities as a salon owner, and businesswoman. There were moments when I had to be the formulator, packager, customer service representative, marketer, event coordinator, and CEO all at once.

I also had to overcome the fear of being visible and putting myself and my work out there. Pop-ups, vendor events, collaborations, and new opportunities pushed me outside my comfort zone, but they helped me build confidence and connect with people who believe in the brand.

There have been slow seasons, unexpected expenses, mistakes, and moments when I questioned whether I was doing enough. Each challenge, however, has taught me patience, strengthened my instincts, and reminded me that growth does not always happen quickly or in a straight line.

The road has been challenging, but every obstacle has helped shape Melanated Magic. I’m grateful for the lessons because they’ve made me a stronger founder and helped me build the brand with greater intention. Success is not about having a perfect path; it’s about continuing forward, learning along the way, and refusing to give up on the vision.

As you know, we’re big fans of Melanated Magic . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Melanated Magic is a plant-based wellness and self-care brand created to help people care for their skin, hair, scalp, beard, and body with intention. What began during COVID-19 with one multipurpose oil made in my kitchen has grown into a collection of thoughtfully crafted products designed for the entire family.

We specialize in natural, versatile wellness products made with carefully selected oils, herbs, and plant-based ingredients. Our offerings are created to support everyday self-care while making the experience feel luxurious, accessible, and empowering. From body and facial care to hair, scalp, and beard products, Melanated Magic is rooted in the belief that wellness should be simple, effective, and enjoyable.

One of the things we are known for is our multipurpose oil, affectionately called our “hot sauce” because you can put that ish on everything. It became the product that introduced many people to the brand and continues to represent the versatility, creativity, and practicality at the heart of Melanated Magic.

What sets us apart is our commitment to creating products that serve real people and real routines. We focus on versatility, quality ingredients, and the connection between self-care and confidence. Our products are made with intention, but the brand is also about more than what is inside each bottle. Melanated Magic encourages people to slow down, care for themselves, and recognize the beauty and power they already possess.

I’m especially proud of how the brand has grown while remaining personal and community-centered. Melanated Magic has expanded through pop-ups, vendor events, collaborations, and connections with customers locally and across the country. Every opportunity to share the products and the story behind the brand reminds me that people are looking for wellness products that feel authentic, inclusive, and meaningful.

I want readers to know that Melanated Magic is a growing legacy brand built with love, resilience, and purpose. We are creating a premium wellness experience that celebrates natural beauty, supports intentional self-care, and makes room for the whole family. Our journey has not been perfect or easy, but every challenge has helped us become more thoughtful, more resilient, and more committed to the vision.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next five to ten years, I believe the wellness and self-care industry will become more personalized, inclusive, and intentional. Consumers are paying closer attention to ingredients, sustainability, transparency, and whether products truly meet the needs of their skin, hair, and bodies.

I also see continued growth in multifunctional products, plant-based formulations, and wellness routines that are simple enough for everyday life. People want products that are effective, versatile, and easy to incorporate into their routines without feeling overwhelmed.

Another major shift will be the continued demand for authentic brands that understand and represent diverse communities. Customers want to know the story behind a product, who created it, and whether the brand’s values align with their own.

Melanated Magic is positioned for this future because we focus on natural ingredients, versatility, inclusivity, and intentional self-care. As the industry evolves, we plan to continue creating thoughtful products that support the whole family while making wellness feel accessible, luxurious, and empowering.

Pricing:

• $20-4oz, $10-2oz, $5-1oz, Beard Body Hair & Scalp Oil
• $15 Creamy Whipped Body Polish
• $8 Clear & Glow Beauty Bar
• $8 Rose Water Cleanser & Toner
• $15 Brown Sugar Cocoa Luxe Lather Scrub

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melanatedmagicoil.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanated_magic_oil