ABOUT US
SHHH... We're aging gracefully...
Depression, Anxiety, Breast Cancer, Prostrate Cancer... so many human and gender-specific issues we've learned to talk about in recent years...but hot flushes, hormonal changes, loss of sex drive, incontinence....? Still a taboo?
It's a pity but true that society, struggling with the remnants of the traditional female role, continues to take for granted the feminine issues that are dealt with quietly, without complaint....women are meant to be ladies after all...
and therefore so many of us still wouldn't dream of talking about these issues openly.... or would we...?
We want women to know they are not alone....
As women our lives are busy and we wear many hats day to day, united through the diversity of female experience, coming together from various walks of life as a vibrant team of sisterhood we've put together Shhh... to let women know it is ok to take time out to look after themselves.
Made with love and care in small batches in the Garden of England, we carefully blend our essential oils with magnesium to maximize their therapeutic qualities, we want to enhance well-being, mood, feelings and emotions.
We are going back to nature, working with ingredients and essential oils that have been used for centuries.
Women designing a range of handcrafted well-being products to tackle issues that women do not talk about...
Let’s get the conversation started.
MEET THE TEAM
MARVA WILLIAMS
Formulator, Menopause Coach and Counsellor & Shhh… Founder
'For me, formulating naturally and educating about ingredients go hand-in-hand.
The need for a range like Shhh... has been a long time coming and it is such a joy to bring these formulations to market to support the mission of not only improving women's wellness but enhancing the longevity of our community of growth, enabling us to achieve more of our goals without the constraints of female silence expected of us for so long even in recent modern times....'
Embodying the multi-faceted scope of modern female interest, Marva's career began in the telecommunications business which became very successful from the start, and had formed two telecommunications companies by her late 20s... but her deep desire was to excel in the field of her passion - natural skincare and wellbeing for women.
Active in this passion for over a decade, Marva's growing sphere of expertise has been in forging the holistic relationship of healing through natural formulations underpinned with educating, counselling and coaching women going through the peri-, menopause and post-menopause transitions.
The area of specialism grew out of many years of developing self-care and wellbeing products for specific issues and women's concerns, as well as pre-operative and post-operative skincare solutions for traumatized skin (eczema, burns and those going through chemo and radio therapy) while lecturing their holistic benefit and supporting the training of doctors, cosmetic surgeons and medical practitioners within certified training programmes by accredited experts in the fields of eastern and western medicinal practice.
Pioneering and specializing in botanical solutions which deliver what they promise to do, with formulations that penetrate rapidly, Marva's mission remains consistent and with a simplicity that belies the intricacies of the skincare and women's wellness industry - delivering tangible self-care through effective, honest and holistic formulary imparting sustained moisture and nutrition, with ingredient transparency and actionable wellbeing information to empower and prolong women's health and self-esteem -bursting apart the unspoken barrier of the 'menopause ceiling'.
Shhh... is the next chapter on this journey to help eliminate the vestiges of discomfort and embarrassment that surround the topic of female change and to actively provide genuine help for improved wellness.
AMANDA SHAYLE
MPCH MAcS CertNatSci (open) Clinical Practitioner, Acupuncturist, Puriskin Brand Ambassador.
'Self help really gives women a sense of control and it all begins with sleep! Magnesium is an important element for health and the immune system – plus it’s strongly associated with helping to improve sleep!
As skin can absorb this via topical application or in the bath, I am delighted to add the Shhhh... range of products to my therapy portfolio for my personal benefit an most importantly that of my patients.
Amanda is a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner with 2 decades of clinical practice. Her special interest areas include woman’s health, dermatology as part of her internationally acclaimed cosmetic acupuncture system for beauty and skin health. She teaches this to other professionals under her brand, Acuregen.
She is a senior lecturer for the College of Chinese Medicine, London and is Vice Chairman of The Acupuncture Society, professional association and PSB board member of the CNHC, Complimentary & Natural Healthcare Council.
The term “menopause” is not actually recognized as a term in Chinese Medicine, but aspects of these changes can be addressed significantly within Chinese medicine and the Acuregen treatment method. The concept of beauty from within is built into these treatments to help patients Feel Loved and Look Loved, with home care support playing a valuable part of the treatment mix.
As a woman of a ‘certain age’, Amanda has experienced herself how changes, as we age, affect all aspects of our lives. This can include sleep patterns, our body’s thermostat, weight changes and coping emotionally with day-to-day things. Put it all together and our skin suffers to complete the cycle.
SARA STAFFORD
Business Owner, Women's Health Advocate, Fitness Guru
'As a lady in my 50’s I’m currently suffering the menopause and there’s definitely a need for something like Shhhh…
I witness on a daily basis what a major difference just talking about and sharing experiences makes for us women, how empowering it is and how it can be the vital switch from changing feelings of despair and despondency into positive hope.'
Pulling together as a female community has been a natural way of life for Sara in every aspect of her business and personal activity.
A natural-born entrepreneur, Sara in her 20's formed an interest in and studied wellbeing, health, fitness, nutrition and furthered her interest in holistic living taking courses in aromatherapy and becoming a fitness guru specialising in Bellydance.
Now, along with running a ladies clothing business, Sara also runs weekly health and wellbeing sessions to uplift, recharge and improve mental health also offering diet lifestyle advice to suit ladies mixed with a little Bellydance '...to make them giggle and jiggle in a fun way...!'
ANDREA MALCOLM
Partner -Shhh Calm & Ease Wellness, Fashion Stylist
Fashion Stylist Andrea Malcolm started making natural hair and beauty products in 2017. Her passion for hair and beauty products was born out of frustration, trying to find products suitable for Afro-Caribbean hair, products free from potentially harmful parabens and sulphates. In 2019 Andrea added another string to her bow when she began making natural hand poured candles.
Andrea is a volunteer Dresser for Smart Works Reading which helps women get into work. She also volunteers for Hand in Hand Disabilities Ministries and is a member of the Redlands and University Neighbourhood Action Group.
Andrea was one of the first in-store stylists for Topshop, a major fashion retailer in Oxford Street, London. She provided advice and personal shopping assistance to celebrities such as super model Kate Moss, Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, actress and singer-song writer Christina Milian, BBC news broadcaster Moira Stuart and Oscar nominee Sophie Okonedo to name a few. Andrea is a full-time Carer for her mother who suffers from dementia. Official estimates suggest there is approximately 885,000 older people with dementia in the United Kingdom; full-time caring is no easy task. Not one to let anything hold her back, Andrea is focused on fulfilling her dream, to give women the healthier option: 'The best in natural hair and skin-care products without a heavy price tag. It’s about empowering women, not just some women, but all women,'' says Andrea, ‘It’s about having healthy hair and skin. It’s about looking your best, the natural way.’.
EMMA BULL
Formulator and Woman’s health Advocate
'When the taboo subject arose about menopause, I was so excited to be involved in Shhhh…., not only formulating the products but making them too.
Having many friends going through this and me not being too far behind them to go through the process, I know anything to make the struggles easier and more understood would be of benefit to all women.'
Mum to 3 girls, with a busy home life and work schedule Emma personifies the modern woman dealing with the stresses of everyday personal and professional life having to juggle many balls.
Developing in her capacity of formulating and expanding in the last two years to the use of essential oils in skincare and receiving first hand customer feedback of the beneficial effects both on skin concerns and mood-balancing continues to spur Emma's motivation to support women and partcularly those at such a crucial stage of life.
' Our aim is to develop products that benefit women at each stage perimenopause, menopause and post menopause and build a resource that will help to understand that they are not alone in going through the changes to their bodies.'