ABOUT NEW BEIN'

New Bein’ Enterprises is a pioneer and leader in the Natural and Ethnic Hair Care industry.  Since its inception in 1991, it has moved steadfastly, introducing new concepts, products and services into the industry. 

New Beins’ approach to natural hair is wholistic.  It is founded on principles of Health, all Natural Ingredients, Caring, Education and Empowerment. 

From this foundation New Bein’ created many ‘firsts’ in the industry.  Its founder, Nekhena Evans, became one of the first licensed Natural Hairstylists in NYC in 1994.  New Bein’ opened one of the first all natural Hairlocking Salons in NYC in 1991 promoting a new aesthetic and setting standards in natural hair care services such as using natural products like aloe vera plant, natural colorants, and products with all natural ingredients.  New Bein’ also set new standards for assessing the conditions and needs of natural hair, from a wholistic perspective; it included the personal, emotional, mental and social issues surrounding the hair.

In 1993, Nekhena Evans wrote the first book on the subject of “Hairlocking” a re-emerging traditional Africentric hairstyle which is popular today (Hairlocking:  Everything You Need To Know).  It remains “a bible” to most natural hair professionals introducing their clients to Hairlocking.  It provides important information for clients seeking to go natural by empowering and supporting them in their decision to lock.  Ms. Evans is a sought after Speaker who has traveled extensively, nationally and internationally motivating, teaching and empowering people to know and embrace their “Hairitage” and their God-given natural beauty.

In 1995, Ms. Evans created “INTERTWINED”, NYC’s first and only Natural Hair Conference.  It was designed to meet the needs of both professionals and lay people through education and empowerment.  Intertwined was a phenomenal success and became a model for others in the industry to create such events in numerous other states.  Intertwined was held for six years and created a forum for discussion around pertinent issues in the infancy stages of the natural hair industry such as licensing, natural hair in the workplace, profession building and networking, and creating industry standards for natural hair care.  The conference attendees came from all over the nation, even as far as California.  The conference grew beyond Natural Hair, to include emphasis on Health, Beauty and a Natural Lifestyle.  As is New Beins’ tradition, the conference was wholistic in scope and included prominent leaders in the healing, spiritual and cultural communities.  Some of the conference themes were:  “A Gathering of Coiled Crowns”, “Re-membering Who We Are”, “Unlocking The Future of Locked Hair”, ”Crown In Glory”, and “Made In the Image Of…”

In 1994 New Bein’ began to create hair care products for the unique needs of “coiled hair textures.”  This line of all natural, moisture rich products developed into a high quality, five (5) product line today.  It includes Hair Milk, Hair Honey, Cleansing Shampoo, Moisturizing Shampoo and a Herbal Tea Rinse / Leave- Conditioner.  

 In 1999, New Bein’ launched its’ website: www.newbein.com.  It sells New Bein’ Hair Care Products, Hair Jewelry and Hair Accessories.  Today it is one of the most highly trafficked websites in Natural Hair Care on the internet, serving the needs of natural hair customers globally.  New Bein’ all natural hair care products are also good for all hair textures including perms and even children. New Bein’ also has affiliates nationally and internationally which sells its hair care products. 

During this time, New Bein’ began to define an emerging concept in natural hair care; Hair Jewelry for Ethnic Hairstyles i.e. locks, braids and twists.  Most of the hair accessories existing in the mainstream hair care market were not designed to fit ethnic hair types or to appeal to it.   

New Bein’ innovated and evolved three application models for Ethnic Hair Jewelry.   Initially, for the few artists that were beginning to create Hair Jewelry, adornments were simply sewn into the hair.  New Bein’ created the first invention of applying hair jewelry by a “press-on” attachment.  This eliminated all the time and energy it usually took to adorn the hair, which had became problematic for stylists as hair adornment became more popular.  The next evolution created by New Bein’ was a “slide-on” attachment.  This invention allowed the flexibility of taking the hair jewelry on and off easily and at any time.  In 2007, New Bein’ evolved this method, by “customizing” the sizing of these attachments.  Now at New Bein’, Hair Jewelry can be ordered according the hair size, i.e. small, medium or large for the various sizes of natural hairstyles such as Sisterlocs, Micro Braids, Traditional Locs, or “Boga” (big) Locs,  Braids or Twists.  

New Bein’ has developed one of the most extensive collections of hair jewelry for ethnic hairstyles in the world.  By design, the Hair Jewelry reflects the symbolic and cultural heritage of Africa and other indigenous cultures.  The collections thus far are:  Hair Charms, The Cowrie Queendom, The Crystal Light Collection (Austrian Crystals), Crystal Chandeliers, Gemstones, Hair Peaces, Spirals, Crown Jewels, Shell-Egance Hair Jewels (Mother of Pearl and Fresh Water Pearls), Hair Strands, The Cloisonne’ Collection, Faux Pearls, One-Of-A Kind Collections and most recently a “Sterling” Collection (sterling silver) and Men’s Collection.

In 2004, New Bein’ began to create Ponytail Accessories for natural hair styles.  Once again the dominant cultural market did not have ponytail holders that effectively worked on these hair types or that reflected the cultural uniqueness of African and other indigenous cultures.  New Beins’ first collection of hair accessories was a simple collection of Hair Ties which were mainly functional for thick, coiled hairstyles.  The next evolution of hair accessories were called, “E-Loc-Ticity”.  These are a collection of more stylized culturally reflective hair elastics.  Since then, New Bein’ has created a new type of ponytail holder, it is an easy “press and slide-on” feature.  We also have an “elasticized macramé” type which has become well-liked.  With increasing demand and popularity, New Bein’ is continuing to design even more beautiful Hair Accessories which reflect the symbols and meanings of the diversity of indigenous peoples.  For New Bein’ innovation and empowerment is always in the air!

In 2005, New Bein’ Enterprises received the “NYC Small Business Award” by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.  He said,” It is an honor to present these awards to businesses that has made exemplary contributions to the success of NYC women.  It is their ingenuity in entrepreneurship that makes NYC a global leader when it comes to doing business“.  From a pool over 325 women-owned small businesses in NYC that applied for this award, New Bein’ was one of the top three winners.  This acknowledgement of New Bein’s success from the Mayor of NYC is indeed a milestone and harbinger for the future.

 New Bein’ will continue its vision of “Beauty as a way of Life!”  We believe Beauty begins with inner beauty; self love, positive self-esteem and self-identity. New Bein’ will continue to focus on empowerment through education and to innovate products which promote a lifestyle of natural beauty, health and well-being.  These will include products not just for hair, but for health, the body and the home.  New Bein’ will continue to set standards and raise the bar in the Natural Lifestyle arena!