NeoBesuty lipsticks to boost women's confidence

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday August 4, 2025 06:00

Neo Gaofiwe nee Molema from Kanye says she resorted to bringing high-impact colour lipsticks that also leave the lips moisturised. In an interview with Arts&Culture, she explained that she had been working on NeoBeauty for close to two years, but it became operational in July this year. “I have always loved lipstick and lip glosses because I was bullied as a young girl about my lips being too big and too pale. I had always promised myself that I would have my brand of lipstick one day. What makes my lipsticks unique is their quality. The recipe is carefully put together to make it vegan, hypoallergenic, matte, and long-lasting without compromising on the quality of color and smoothness of the product. So, it is better for people who normally react to other products, or who want a thin layer of product on their lips,” she said. Furthermore, she said she planned to have 24 colours but started with four on the range.

These are No 3- Blush babe, a fabulous pop of pink, No 7- Scarlet Queen, the bold, fiery red, No 15- Bare Beauty, the elegant, simple nude, and No 22- Royal Vibe, the regal purple. She added that more colours would be introduced. Even though her lipsticks are made outside the country, Molema said they own the recipe. She added that they plan to produce in Botswana when the numbers make sense and they can afford to have their plant. She further pointed out that she was humbled that everyone who had tried it was raving about it. She added that quality was everything and a priority that she worked hard for on that product. “It just could not be another lipstick. It had to be it, competing with international brands that everyone knows well, in terms of quality. If you are going for proper high-end quality like me, it is a very expensive industry to go into. For now, we will have a range of lip primers, lip liners, and lip gloss in the short term. God willing, the brand will grow into more products in the long term,” she said.

Moreover, Molema stated that her greatest achievement is that she started the business. She explained that it made her very proud. Even though she wanted to wait to have all 25 colors to launch at once, she said that would have taken years because of the capital. However, she said she was happy and decided to start with what she had. She said sometimes one had to start. “Our greatest challenge is distribution, especially outside Gaborone, because we are new and people want the product. We hope to have partners who would help us smooth this process so people can have access to the product. We’re working hard on it. I see us selling in the whole of Africa in big stores like Clicks, Edgars. I see this product being known by everyone, and catering for all people in terms of preference,” she stated.

Additionally, Molema said NeoBeauty is not just about lipstick but a brand they plan to use to address diverse issues affecting women and girls, bullying, for one, and also sensitive issues that women never get a chance to discuss. Molema pointed out that to her, it was an affirmation tool to cement that all women are beautiful in their diversity and that self-belief could take them anywhere they want to go. “It is a passion of mine to make sure I join a lot of advocates on such issues and help scream the messaging louder. So, I’m looking forward to partnering with different courses to help amplify these issues. Currently, you can get our lippies from Metromen Grooming Emporium, Single Fabstarz, Fair Aisle and Wiona &Co. I would like to thank these merchants for agreeing to work with us. I look forward to a fruitful relationship with them and more that will join us. Kgetsi ya Tsie,” she said.