Leyende launches the “Real Benefits Campaign”

Saturday, 17 December 2011 00:00 Kira Mae Ramirez

In this world of store-bought, en masse China-made items, it’s refreshing to know that there are still brands that offer meaningful, socially-relevant and handmade gifts. One of these proudly Pinoy brands is Leyende: The Story of Skin.

The woman behind Leyende

Leyende came from the Spanish word leyenda meaning “legend” or “story”, it mainly offers handmade, natural and organic bath and beauty products that are strictly handmade – each product is made with respect for the environment and pride in using one’s hands. From mixing, filling, packaging, tagging and storage, everything is prepared by hand and accomplished in the 140sqm. Leyende workshop.

Its owner and founder, awarded poet Neva Kares Talladen, is a typical girly-girl who loves makeup. However, when she found herself battling adult acne, Neva later realized that the market sorely lacked the high quality, natural and organic products she needed to alleviate her skin problems. Through several independent studies and workshops with both local and international chemists, Neva decided to take matters into her own hands and create her own line.

One thing you’d notice about Leyende products is their minimalist packaging and tongue-in-cheek labels: Mother Butter, Taming of the Do, and Massage in a Bottle are some examples. These catchy names paired with the no-nonsense black and white color combo really mean business. Leyende products are proudly animal cruelty-free, eco-friendly and are ECOCERT-certified meaning all raw ingredients are sourced from ECOCERT-accredited farms and companies, which explains the higher price points.

For Neva and her team, it isn’t enough that they offer natural and organic alternatives, they make sure that all their raw ingredients are certified all natural and safe, grown in sustainable farms to lessen the likelihood of allergic reactions or harmful buildup. All Leyende products are created and packed in-house in a strictly quality-controlled environment which Neva personally leads.

Best sellers

Neva vividly recalls that when they first came out with their facial care line, she wasn’t sure how the consumers would react to it. In a Philstar.com interview, Neva says, “When we first came out with [Clean Slate and Face Canvas], we thought it wouldn’t catch on quickly because people are cautious when it comes to trying facial products. But within a year, our facial line had won fans who kept on buying for their personal use. And through word-of-mouth, we gain more new loyal customers. “

Currently, some of their well-known bestsellers include Place in the Sun (P600.00, a moisturizer-slash-sunscreen with SPF 30), Face Canvas (P550.00, a moisturizer and makeup base), Clear and Present Shampoo (P350.00, recommended for fine and falling hair) and Mother Butter Lotion (P450.00) which can help stave away stretchmarks.

The company with a heart

Image from Kira Mae Ramirez. Some rights reserved.

Last month, Leyende launched their “Real Benefits Campaign” wherein P100.00 from the sales of three limited edition products will benefit three of their advocacies. Special embellishments were created by Sharon See and handmade by the Invisible Sisters Foundation. This campaign will run until February 2012.

Here's the information:

Product: Clean Slate Pump Limited Edition, 100ml

Motto: “Wash away ignorance”

Advocacy: Project H.O.U.S.E. College Education Fund

Pledge: P100 per product unit sold is donated to Project H.O.U.S.E. (under Messy Bessy)

Product: Beach Bomb Wings Limited Edition, 50ml

Motto: “The Sweet Scent of Freedom”

Advocacy: Marillac Women’s Shelter

Pledge: P100 per product unit sold is donated to Marilac Rehabilitation Center and Shelter for

Abused Women

Product: Mother Butter Limited Edition, 100ml

Motto: “Save a Mother, Save the Future”