Shea It With Us: A Mali Celebration
From Mali With Love (and Shea Butter đź’›)
At Fillaree, every ingredient we choose tells a story. One of our most meaningful new chapters begins with Nina, founder of Sanoun Beauty, and her mission to share the richness of Mali with the world.
From the moment we met Nina, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Her energy is contagious, her shea butter lotions are beautifully crafted (and refillable!), and her values mirror our own—sustainability, community, and empowerment. Most importantly, her imported shea butter from Mali has now become a core ingredient in Fillaree’s conditioners, lotions, body butter, and bar soaps. 🌿✨
The Story Behind Sanoun
Sanoun—meaning “gold” in Bambara—was born from a love for Mali’s culture and the strength of Malian women. More than a beauty brand, it’s a mission: to empower women through fair trade and ethical practices while celebrating the country’s natural resources.
Every Sanoun product is crafted with clean, natural ingredients like unrefined shea butter and indigenous plants. But beyond skincare, Sanoun is about creating lasting impact: each purchase supports women in Mali, granting them financial independence and a stronger voice in their families and communities. It’s beauty as a force for good.
This is why we’re so proud to use Sanoun’s shea butter in Fillaree products—it allows us to not only elevate the quality of what we make but also extend our commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Celebrating Mali & Collaboration
As we got to know Nina, she shared the significance of Mali Independence Day—a time to honor her country’s cultural pride and diversity. To celebrate, we invited her to a Q&A, and while she swore she was nervous, she spoke like a pro—radiating light, knowledge, and joy. You can watch our conversation here.Â
In Bambara, there’s a word: DJATIGUIYA, meaning hospitality. It perfectly describes what we’ve felt in our time with Nina and Sanoun: genuine warmth, generosity, and connection. That same spirit is infused in every product we’ve created together.
Nina also shared one of her favorite songs—“Anka Maliba”—as a way of bringing her heritage to life. It’s soulful, joyful, and the perfect soundtrack to celebrate this partnership. Give it a listen, dance with us, and help us honor Mali’s legacy.
Why This Matters
This collaboration is about more than soap or skincare. It’s about honoring roots, celebrating culture, and building a community that chooses products with purpose. By choosing Fillaree, you’re also choosing to support Sanoun’s mission—empowering women, sustaining traditions, and creating a ripple of positive impact that stretches from Mali to our hometown here in Durham.
We’re honored to share Nina’s story and to have Sanoun shea butter as the heart of so many Fillaree essentials. We hope you feel the love, the joy, and the purpose with every refill.