The Jamaican skincare industry just grew with the addition of Geena Munroe’s unique honey-based skin care line, Bumble Beauty! Launching with her gentle body scrub and body butter, we sat down with Geena to talk about the motivation behind this new endeavor, the process of making it, and her plans for the future.
CARIB VOXX: Most people’s desire after graduating college is merely to find a job and a stable source of income! After graduating from Boston University in 2019, what compelled you to return to Jamaica and launch your own company “Bumble Beauty”?
MUNROE: Moving to Boston for college increased my appreciation for Jamaica- the food, the culture, the sun and the beach. After seeing how different my life would be in America in comparison to life in Jamaica, it became clear to me that I wanted to move home after graduation. During my time away, I learned a lot about myself. Through internship experiences, I realized that I craved the freedom and room for creativity that the entrepreneurial path afforded me. While at college I also became more aware of how important it is to take care of our bodies both inside and out and I became very interested in nature based cosmetics, and so Bumble Beauty was conceived.
CARIB VOXX: You majored in Communications with a concentration in advertising but what other aspects of your upbringing and educational development do you think equipped you to manifest “Bumble Beauty“?
MUNROE: I first got into beauty in fourth form in 2011. I was very bored one day at home, and as they say “the devil finds work for idle hands”, so I decided to chop off about 4 inches of my hair. I regretted that decision almost immediately- my hair was harder to manage and style at that length and I missed my long hair.I became so obsessed with having my hair grow back overnight that I spent about 5 months scouring YouTube for hair growth videos. From there, I fell down the rabbit hole and started learning more about hair care and skincare in general and in the process found my passion.
Three years later, my dad founded a honey company, (check us out on IG @mahoney_jamaica). I learnt a lot about the benefits of using honey both internally and externally. So when I returned to Jamaica in 2019 to work in my father’s company, I saw a great opportunity to combine health and beauty by integrating honey into cosmetics. I experimented with DIY skincare and hair remedies that included honey and I saw the magic in action. So, we started Bumble Beauty, a honey based skincare company.
CARIB VOXX: Without going into any personal details, could you share some of your own personal struggles with beauty and skin care; identifying how the “Bumble Beauty” brand will equip other young girls to combat the same challenges you faced?
MUNROE: I’ve definitely been through the struggle with my skin. While I’ve never had bad acne, I have a terrible habit of picking at my skin when I do get bumps. This tends to leave scars that stay with me for weeks, sometimes months. I’ve had razor bumps, I’ve been burnt by lasers during laser hair removal and I still struggle with eczema from time to time. However, as I’ve gone through each struggle, I’ve learnt which ingredients work and which don’t. Bumble Beauty is natural skincare that actually works.
CARIB VOXX: Tell us about the range of products “Bumble Beauty” provides and what are the natural ingredients that make it a noteworthy product?
MUNROE: We are launching with a body scrub and a body butter. But to be honest with you, I use these products all over because the ingredients are gentle enough to use both on my body and on my face. The key ingredients in these products are honey and beeswax. This is what makes the difference in hydrating the skin, healing scars and soothing irritation.
CARIB VOXX: Are these products only for women?
MUNROE: Of course not! The way I see it, skin is skin. Both men and women struggle with acne, eczema, stubborn in-grown hairs, scarring and stretch marks. So I encourage anybody who has these issues, or simply wants healthy, glowing skin, to try out my products.
CARIB VOXX: Jamaican culture idealizes the notion of the “clean skin girl” or “the chromaz” as a part of the standard of beauty. How have these notions shaped your desire to dominate the skin care industry in Jamaica and how do you see your brand facilitating the growth of “Brand Jamaica”?
MUNROE: My intention for Bumble Beauty is to remain as authentic to my lifestyle as possible. I love being natural. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, only if I’m going out or have a scar I need to cover up. I love that Jamaicans idealize the “clean skin” look because it hones in on the love of natural, well cared for, supple skin. Bumble Beauty does exactly that; it nourishes the skin and leaves it clean and clear with a healthy natural glow.
Brand Jamaica grows by having high quality, Jamaican-made products and Bumble Beauty offers that. The key ingredients are made right here on Jamaican farms from St. Elizabeth to Newcastle.
CARIB VOXX: Tell us about the Quarantine Skin Care Package you have coming up.
MUNROE: It’s a self care package for people to pamper their skin during this COVID Lockdown. There’s a positive to every negative so I think this is a great time for people to slow down and treat themselves. The package is a body scrub paired with a body butter for $3000 inclusive of delivery within Kingston. Just send us a DM on IG @bumblebeautyja to place your order, products are available right now!
