FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Read below for answers to some of your burning questions. If you have a question that is not addressed below, send it to us and we will do our best to give you an answer!
What do the names TENŌBA and LEONIC mean?
Neither TENŌBA nor LEONIC exist as words in any language. We came up with both brand names because they represent who we are. TENŌBA is the combination of the first two letters of my (Terry) first, middle, and last names. We then added the macron over the “O” so that everyone would know it makes the long O sound. LEONIC is the combination of Tony’s middle name, Leon, and the word Iconic. Also, Leon is a variation of Lion in many languages and we wanted to represent the power and supremacy of the lion in our men’s brand. Lastly, we wanted brand names that were unique, had an Afro-centric vibe, and would stand alone as one word. We believe we accomplished that with both TENŌBA® and LEONIC™!
TENŌBA® is a registered trademark of TENŌBA®, LLC and LEONIC™, the stylized leaf logo, and the stylized African/Lion logo are trademarks of TENŌBA®, LLC; all rights reserved.
Will your products heal my skin condition?
No. We are not medical professionals nor do we have the expertise to treat or heal any medical condition. For that, we recommend you seek the help of a trained medical professional. We are a cosmetic company and as such, we design and formulate products with the intent of improving the appearance and smell of your skin and hair. So, if you have a medical condition that impacts the way your skin looks, e.g., acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, etc., we design blends that are intended to help with making your skin look better. While your skin may appear clearer, smoother, softer, etc. after using our blends, never confuse that with your condition being healed. Another reason we do not heal or treat medical conditions, or make the claim to do such, is because we are a company that only uses natural/naturally derived ingredients. These ingredients have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as approved drugs to treat medical conditions. You will see many cosmetic and hair care companies on the internet and in stores making claims that their natural products will heal, treat, get rid of, etc. a particular medical condition. Please note that these companies are in clear violation of federal law that is codified under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. As a company that always strives to operate within the guidelines of all laws and regulations, we will never make such illegal claims. See the “Cosmetic Laws” section of our website for more information.
Why are the weights on the LEONIC™ Whipped Shea Butter containers less than the weights on the TENŌBA® Whipped Shea Butter containers when the containers are all the same size?
The containers used for all of our whipped shea butter and whipped body crème are either 1, 4, 8, or 16 ounces by volume. However, the whipped shea butter weighs less than the whipped body crème. So, even though the containers hold 1, 4, 8, or 16 ounces of product, federal law requires us to list the “net weight” of a solid product versus the volume of product the container actually holds. At the time we printed our TENŌBA® shea butter labels we listed (in error) the weights based on the volume the containers hold instead of the actual weight of the products. When we printed the new LEONIC™ labels, we corrected this error. It will also be corrected when we do the next printing of the TENŌBA® shea butter labels. Rest assured though, that in both the shea butter and body crème you are receiving either 1, 4, 8, or 16 ounces of product!
Why is the texture of your body crème sometimes different?
Our body crème is always made using the exact same formula and ingredients and the texture is always the same when made in our facility because we keep the facility at the exact same temperature. When the texture is different at your location, it’s usually due to the temperature of your environment. The main ingredient in our crème is organic coconut oil. Coconut oil will melt at temperatures above 76 degrees and will get firmer at temperatures below 76 degrees. So, the cooler you keep your environment, the firmer your crème will feel and the warmer you keep your environment, the creamier your crème will feel. Since we use ingredients as close to their natural state as possible, we choose not to use hydrogenated coconut oil that has been altered to have a higher melting point of 92 degrees. While this hydrogenated coconut oil will allow for better consistency at different temperatures, we feel you get a better, more nourishing, and more natural product by using organic, unrefined coconut oil. Regardless of the texture, the benefits to your skin will be the same!
Will your nail and cuticle serum help me transition from acrylic nails to my natural nails?
Yes. Our nail and cuticle serum can be used to help you transition from your acrylic nails to your natural nails. Since the finger nail grows from the base of the nail bed, the serum would be applied on the skin around the nail bed and from the base of the nail bed down to the first knuckle and then massaged into the skin. As your nails continue to grow, the new growth should appear brighter, look healthier, and feel stronger.
Do you do hostess parties or shows?
Yes. We will go to your home, or other location, if you wish to host a show or party. The hostess will receive a hostess gift when they host a show. The hostess would provide the location and any refreshments they want their guests to have. We will provide all the products, containers, labels, and tools needed for the products.
We also do “make and take” parties. We have done these parties for pre-teen and teen girls who’ve made their own lip glaze and perfume oils. We also do them with our body crème, whipped shea butter, beard oil, and body scrubs. These parties consist of us providing our pre-made bases for the products and the attendees choosing and mixing their color for the lip glaze or choosing and mixing their scent for the perfume oil, body crème, shea butter, body scrub, and beard oil. The attendees will pay for the item they make and the hostess would provide the location and any refreshments they want their guests to have. We will provide all the products, containers, labels, and tools needed for the products.
These events are great for men and women! Contact us to schedule your party today!
Do you offer auto ship or subscription services?
Yes. We offer auto ship (also know as subscription services) on most of our products. Subscribing to auto ship will save you time and money. So, for those products that you use on a continual basis, it is best to subscribe to auto ship. With auto ship, you no longer have to worry about remembering to place your order or running out of your product. We will automatically ship your product and bill you at the intervals indicated for the product. Even though your payment option is saved, we never have access to your credit/debit card information. Auto ship can be canceled at any time. To subscribe, click on the AUTO SHIP AND SAVE tab and select your product(s)!
Do you offer wholesale pricing?
Yes. We offer wholesale options on some of our products. With wholesale pricing, you get 50% off the retail price when you place a bulk order. You can then resell the product in your store for the listed retail price. Not all products are available for wholesale pricing. To see and order wholesale products click on the WHOLESALE PRODUCTS tab.
Do you offer your products for private labeling?
At this time, we do not offer any of our products for private labeling.
Are your products made in the United States?
Yes. We craft all of our products in Georgia where we live. However, our ingredients are grown and crafted all over the world. Because we use ingredients from the earth and sea; the vast majority of the ingredients are grown and harvested in their natural habitats. We do ensure that we only purchase from suppliers that provide organic, non-gmo, and/or pesticide free ingredients; who follow fair trade practices; and do not test the products on animals.
Do you ship outside of the United States?
No. At this time we do not ship outside of the US. This is because other countries have their own laws and regulations on ingredients, labeling, and cosmetics. We are not yet well-versed in all of these differing laws and because we always believe in following the law; we have made the decision to keep our products in the United States.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils (EOs) are highly concentrated plant extracts that are obtained from various parts of the plant through either steam distillation, cold pressing, solvent extraction, carbon dioxide extraction, or the less popular, enfleurage. These oils can be found in the seeds, leaves, flowers, wood, bark, balsam, root, and resin of plants. They are what gives spices and herbs their scent and flavor and fruits and flowers their perfume. When you peel an orange or lemon and get oil on your fingers, that is their essential oil. When you smell a flower, you are smelling the essential oils. EOs are very volatile and are believed by many to have therapeutic value. They are also believed to have great value in the cosmetics and skincare industry. It is important to note that even though EOs are natural, they are very powerful and should not be used without a full understanding of the oil. Not all EOs are safe for use on or around children or animals, some may interact negatively with certain medications or medical conditions, some may cause allergic reactions and sensitivities, some are not safe for use during pregnancy or with certain hormonal issues. Bottom line, proceed with caution and do not use anything that you don’t completely understand. Also, quality and sourcing are extremely important.
What are hydrosols?
Hydrosols, also known as “floral waters” are produced by distilling plant materials and comes from the water soluble components in the plant material. They have similar properties to essential oils (EOs), but are much less volatile and concentrated. Their aromas are much softer than their EO counterparts. Hydrosols are used in the skincare industry with the most popular use being in toners. Some of the more popular hydrosols are witch hazel, rose, lavender, cucumber, neroli (orange blossom), lime, and geranium.
Do you recycle?
Yes. We are very environmentally conscious. As you can imagine, we receive a lot of ingredients, packing materials, and other supplies. We also use, package, and ship a lot of products and packing materials. To the greatest extent possible, we purchase from companies that are also environmentally conscious. We recycle all empty containers that are accepted at the local recycle center. We actually sanitize, sterilize, and reuse some of the glass bottles we receive. Any packaging materials that we receive we reuse when we pack and ship orders. Where practical and cost-effective, we use glass containers versus plastic containers for our products. Additionally, our print media is printed by companies that use recycled paper and other products.
Are your containers BPA free?
Yes. All the plastic jars, bottles, baggies, and tubes we use are BPA free. We also ensure any ingredients we purchase that are packaged in plastic containers are in BPA free containers.