FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About Waistbeads

What are waistbeads?
Waistbeads are a form of body adornment with deep roots in African cultures and traditions. They have been worn across generations and may hold cultural, personal, spiritual, or symbolic meaning.

At Red Butterfly Sanctuary, we honor those origins while recognizing that every woman may have her own reason for wearing them. Your waistbeads may mark a moment, hold an intention, become part of your personal journey, or simply be something beautiful you choose to wear.

I’ve never worn waistbeads before. Where do I start?
Start with a strand that peaks your interest. You may be drawn to the colors, design, meaning, or simply the way it makes you feel.

If you need help determining where you would like your waistbeads to sit, visit our Measuring Instructions. When your strand arrives, our Tying Instructions will guide you through tying it securely.

Where on my body should I wear my waistbeads?
Wherever feels right to you. Waistbeads may be worn at the natural waist, around the navel, or lower on the hips. Placement is personal and can change the way your strand rests and moves on your body.

Can I wear my waistbeads all the time?
Yes. Our tie-on waistbeads are made using strong braided thread designed for long-term wear. The thread is water-friendly, allowing your strands to remain on while showering, swimming, sleeping, exercising, and moving through everyday life.

How long do waistbeads last?
With proper fit and care, waistbeads can be worn for years. Avoid tying your strand too tightly. It should have enough room to move naturally with your body without feeling uncomfortable or restrictive.

Are waistbeads adjustable?
Your strand can be adjusted to your body when you first tie it. Once your waistbeads are tied and the excess thread is trimmed, they are intended for continuous wear at that size.

How do I remove my waistbeads?
Tie-on waistbeads are removed by carefully cutting the thread. Once cut, the strand cannot simply be tied back on in its original form.

Do waistbead colors have specific meanings?Yes. Different colors are often associated with different meanings, symbolism, and intentions. Those meanings can vary depending on culture, tradition, and personal interpretation. For the meanings associated with specific colors, visit our Color Guide.

Measuring & Ordering

How do I measure for waistbeads?
Use a flexible measuring tape around the part of your body where you want your waistbeads to rest. Measure against your body without pulling the tape too tightly.

For detailed instructions, please visit our Measuring Instructions page before ordering.

Can I use my pants size instead of measuring myself?
No. Clothing sizes vary significantly between brands and styles. Please use your actual body measurement in inches.

What if my measurement falls between sizes?
Round up to the next whole inch.

Do you charge more for larger sizes?
No. We do not charge more based on body size.

How do I know my order was placed successfully?
After checkout, you will receive an order confirmation at the email address provided with your order. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

Can I change or cancel my order?
Order changes and cancellations must be requested within 2 hours of purchase. Because some orders may be processed quickly, we cannot guarantee that a request can be completed if fulfillment has already begun.

Please contact help@rbsanctuary.com as soon as possible and include your order number.

Shipping & Package Protection

Where do you ship?
We currently ship within the United States only, including P.O. Boxes and APO addresses.

How long does order processing take?
Orders are generally processed within 3–5 business days. Processing time is separate from carrier transit time.

Do you offer free shipping?
Yes. U.S. orders of $75 or more qualify for free standard shipping.

How do I track my order?
Once your order ships, tracking information will be sent to the email address associated with your order.

What is ShipInsure Package Protection?
ShipInsure is optional package protection available with your order. It provides coverage for eligible packages that are lost, stolen, or damaged during transit.

Package protection may be automatically added to your order and can be removed before checkout if you do not wish to purchase it.

What happens if I purchase ShipInsure and my package is lost, stolen, or damaged?
Eligible shipping claims are handled directly through ShipInsure. Customers generally have 14 days after an order is marked delivered to submit a claim. Additional waiting periods or documentation requirements may apply depending on the type of claim.

What if I decline ShipInsure Package Protection?
If you choose not to purchase package protection and experience a delivery issue, please contact us. We will assist with available carrier inquiries and next steps. However, Red Butterfly Sanctuary cannot guarantee replacement or reimbursement for packages lost, stolen, or damaged during transit when package protection was declined.

My tracking says delivered, but I don’t have my package. What should I do?
First, check around the delivery location, with members of your household, and with neighbors when appropriate. Carriers occasionally mark packages delivered shortly before they actually arrive.

If your order included ShipInsure Package Protection and the package remains missing, you may file an eligible claim through ShipInsure. Their current policy requires a waiting period before certain delivered-but-missing claims can proceed.

If you did not purchase package protection, contact us at help@rbsanctuary.com and we will assist with available carrier inquiries.

What if I entered the wrong shipping address?
Contact help@rbsanctuary.com immediately. If your order has not entered fulfillment, we will do our best to update the address. Once an order has been shipped, we cannot change its destination.

Customers are responsible for reviewing their shipping information before completing checkout.

Do I need to sign for my package?
Generally, no. Signature requirements may be added when appropriate for a particular shipment.

Returns, Exchanges & Product Issues

Can I return or exchange my order?
Due to the nature of our products, waistbeads, books, and body adornment designed or intended to be worn underneath clothing or intimately against the body are final sale. Please review product information carefully before ordering.

What if there is something wrong with my product?
Final sale does not mean that we will leave you with a defective or incorrect product.

If your item arrives with a defect, you receive an incorrect item, or there is another problem with your order caused by Red Butterfly Sanctuary, please contact help@rbsanctuary.com within 7 days of delivery with your order number, a description of the problem, and photos when applicable.

We will review the issue and work with you toward an appropriate resolution.

What if my product was damaged during shipping?
If you purchased ShipInsure Package Protection and the item sustained eligible damage during transit, please submit a claim through ShipInsure.

If the issue appears to be a product defect rather than shipping damage, contact Red Butterfly Sanctuary directly.

Discounts & Promotions

Can I use more than one discount code?
Discounts generally cannot be combined unless a particular promotion specifically states otherwise.

I forgot to use my discount code. Can you apply it after my order is placed?
Discounts cannot be applied retroactively after checkout. If the code remains valid, you may use it on a future qualifying order.

Why isn’t my discount code working?
Please verify that the code was entered correctly, has not expired, and applies to the products in your cart. Some promotions may have minimum-purchase requirements or other restrictions.

General

How do I contact Red Butterfly Sanctuary?
For customer service and order assistance, email help@rbsanctuary.com. We aim to respond to inquiries within 24 hours.

Why should I join the email list?
Email subscribers receive early access to new releases and advance notice of select promotions, restocks, and other Red Butterfly Sanctuary updates.

The strand I want is sold out. Will it be restocked?
Some designs may return, while others may be limited or one of a kind. Join our email list and follow Red Butterfly Sanctuary on social media for release and restock announcements.