Some stories begin with a grand idea.
Ours began with shea butter.
On a kitchen counter in Vaasa, Finland, we began whipping raw shea butter brought from family in West Africa. It was a simple ritual born from a very real need: the Nordic air was dry, the winters were long, and our skin and hair were asking for something richer. Something that would nourish, soften and restore the moisture that the climate seemed determined to take away.
We knew shea butter. We had grown up knowing its richness, its warmth and its place in our family traditions. So we brought a little of that familiarity into our new home.
And then, slowly, people began to notice. A neighbour would ask what we were using. A friend would comment on how soft the skin felt. Someone would ask what had made the difference to our hair.
We shared.
And they came back.
Long before there was a name, there was trust.That trust became the foundation of Mai-Ami.
What began as something made for our own family grew into a deeper desire: to create beautiful, thoughtful hair care for textured hair — products that respect the complexity of curls and coils, celebrate their beauty and make caring for them feel less like a chore and more like a ritual.
Today, Mai-Ami is no longer just about one beloved ingredient. It is about the entire journey.
- •The first cleanse.
- •The richness of conditioning.
- •The ease of detangling.
- •The nourishment of the scalp.
- •The definition of your curls.
- •The finishing touch before you step out into the world.
From shampooing to styling, we believe every stage deserves care. Our approach is rooted in the wisdom we inherited, shaped by the environment we live in, and refined with the understanding that beautiful hair care should feel as good as it performs.