What is the history of Waist Beads?
The history of waist beads dates back long ago in ancient Egypt where waist beads were worn as a status symbol. West Africans wore them to attract mates and after women hit puberty. Besides being worn for maintaining the figure, sexuality, fertility and as a sign of womanhood,intimacy with a husband or lover they were popular accessories worn for protection. Wait beads consist of single or multiple strands of beads made from various kinds of glass, metal, crystal, bone, and wooden beads worn around the waist and stomach. Rather worn for traditional reasons or fashion waist beads can be the perfect tool to tap into the spirit of our ancestors while looking and feeling beautiful from the inside out.
How to layer your waist beads :
There are a few ways to tie your beads into layers: Our favorite one is to simply tie each strand different lengths so they drape in a tiered pattern at your waist. You'll want to ensure you dedicate one of the strands as your main beads if you're tracking your weight loss or gain. Another way you can layer your waist beads by tying or twisting on the ends and wrapping the beads around your body. We're not your average waist bead shop. We don't need your exact measurements. We sell by "line", not by inch. We love beginners + first-time wearers.
What are the benefits of wearing waist beads?
Waist beads are used for religious purposes, for beauty and for weight loss tracking (the beads become loose when you lose weight and get tight when you gain weight).
Can I wear waist beads while pregnant/ how do I measure while pregnant ?
Yes, when measuring for waist beads while pregnant you can either measure below your baby bump, across your navel, or slightly above the navel. It is a personal preference, if you measure your across your baby bump (navel) or above as your belly grows your waist beads will slide up higher little by little.
Can babies, toddlers, and young girls wear waist beads?
Yes.
Can I bathe in my waist beads?
Yes, you can bathe in the traditional African waist beads. See care instructions
Do the different colors have meanings?
Yes. See color meanings on our Instagram www.instagram.com/fulabeauty_
Are waist beads a Spiritual tool?
Each person's experience and journey with waist beads is solely their own. Fula Beauty waist beads are not designed as spiritual tool, but they could be.
What is a Melhfe?
The Melhfé , also known as laffaya, meulfo, Melahfa, dampé or toub is a large garment of material women wrap around themselves which covers them from head to toe. This Gaz style Melehfa features hand-dyed patterns and expertly sewn seams, ensuring both comfort and unique design. The word literally translates to garment or cloth. It is worn as everyday wear across the Sahara-Sahel region including Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Northern Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Southern Algeria & Southern Morocco.
What is the Length / Width of the Melfhe?
Width: 138 centimeters
Length: 5 yards
How to wash your melfhe ?
You can wash it in the machine at 30 or 40°.
It is recommended to wash separately for the first wash.
Is the melfhe for plus sized women?
The melhfe is for women of all sizes. In most African countries to be plus-sized is to be beautiful, and the garments women there choose to wear should appropriately adorn them. The baati is a clothing item for you and your body. It will drape around your figure, making you feel comfortable and elegant at the same time.
What is a baati?
Baati dresses are the original loungewear. A loose-fitted garment, perfect for every occasion. The must-have comfort-wear staple in every wardrobe. Baatis are versatile with no distinct front or back!
Our baatis can be worn on their own or paired with your favourite scarf. The baati designs can be vibrant and fun, or have traditional prints like stripes, abstract and even floral prints that have been used for generations.
How to wash your baati?
You can use a gentle wash cycle and cold water to avoid damage and shrinkage. Here are some further tips on how to have a perfect wash each time:
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Use mild detergent:
Avoid using harsh detergents, as these can damage the fabric and cause fading.
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Avoid bleach:
Baati dresses should not be washed with bleach, as it can cause discoloration and damage the fabric.
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Avoid high spin speeds:
High spin speeds can cause shrinkage and damage to the fabric, so it's best to choose a low spin speed or no spin option if your machine has one.
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Hang dry:
Baati dresses should be hung to dry in a well-ventilated area to avoid shrinkage and maintain their shape. Avoid drying them in a dryer, as this can cause creases or shrinkage. If you must use a dryer, use a low setting.
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Ironing:
You can iron the dress on low heat setting or use a pressing cloth to protect the fabric.
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Avoid harsh sunlight:
Harsh sunlight can cause discoloration. Turn the garment inside out when drying outside to preserve the colour of the fabric.
Is the baati for plus sized women?
The baati is for women of all sizes. In most African countries to be plus-sized is to be beautiful, and the garments women there choose to wear should appropriately adorn them. The baati is a clothing item for you and your body. It will drape around your figure, making you feel comfortable and elegant at the same time.
Will the color & style of the garment be the same as in thr product photography?
We make every effort to ensure that the product photography accurately represents the colour and style of our garments. However, please keep in mind that different computer monitors and display settings may affect the way colours appear on your screen.
We name our garments using the main colours found on the garment, which can also give you an idea of the colouring. For example, if a dress is named "Navy Floral", you can expect the dress to be predominantly navy with floral accents.
If you have any concerns about the colour or style of a garment, please contact our customer support team before placing your order. We will do our best to provide additional information or images to help you make an informed decision. If you receive a garment that does not match our product photography or your expectations, please contact our customer support team to discuss your options for return or exchange.