BeautyTalks with Sha Hannah-Santo, Emanate Essentials Founder/Owner

What inspired the name Emanate Essentials?

Emanate means to give out or emit; exude! The brand name is rooted in empowerment to make more space for yourself. We should give the same care and compassion that we "emanate" to the world— to ourselves! Self-care is essential, and making it more accessible is our priority.

“With a little bit of effort, we can make a big difference by reducing our environmental impact and making sustainable choices.”

How did Emanate Essentials come to be?

Emanate Essentials began after a personal health scare that made me think about ways to infuse wellness in all aspects of our life. I wanted to create products that I felt good about using and my daughter.

I started experimenting with raw plant butters and essential oils; they worked wonders! Then, my daughter was having trouble sleeping, so we tried some lavender oil on her pillowcase—and she slept through the night for the first time in what seemed like forever. 

Our mission is to help you and your family feel more grounded and peace-filled through natural products that smell and feel amazing. We have carefully curated our collection to enjoy them in your everyday life—because wellness shouldn't just be something we do on vacation!

What are your favorite Emanate Essentials products?    

Our Botanical Soap is one of our first products, and it's still my favorite. A close runner-up would be our CrystalBliss Candles, which are aromatic, and the crystals collected from each are like a treasure!

Tell us about "Less junk, more good."

We're on a mission to help you reduce the amount of junk in your life.

With a little bit of effort, we can make a big difference by reducing our environmental impact and making sustainable choices.

Less Junk More Good is our mantra to create effective, plant-based, sustainable, and packaged products that will help you live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Tell us about the Emanate Drip Facial Oil and its many benefits!  

The Drip Facial is the perfect solution if you're looking for a way to give your skin a dewy look without being too heavy. Our facial oils contain powerful cell regenerative properties to help your skin be healthy and glowing. When used as part of a holistic skincare routine, our products can improve the health of your skin. In addition, we've created a fantastic range suited for various skin types to work perfectly for you!

How has being experienced in botanical body care formulation and becoming a certified aromatherapist influenced Emanate Essentials?

I thought skincare was about finding the right moisturizer and washing your face twice a day. And while that is important, there's so much more to it than that! Learning proper and safe usage is vital for formulating. Our goal is to help you feel confident in using plant-based skincare and creating a full range of safe products for your body and budget! 

“While we focus on scaling our business, we hope to partner with more amazing platforms that highlight and support BIPOC woman-owned businesses.”

Could you share with us any of your go-to skincare tips?

Use a daily toner! Post-cleanse; helps set the stage for the rest of your skincare routine. Toners can be very soothing and keep your skin refreshed and hydrated. 

Run us through your night-time routine! 

I do a gentle double cleanse with our Gelee Cleansing Balm most nights. 

I then follow with the Gelee Mask for light duty or spot treat with the Detox Mask. The real treat is a relaxing gua sha session with the Original Drip Facial Oil; it's soothing and relaxing!  

What does the future look like for Emanate Essentials? 

While we focus on scaling our business, we hope to partner with more amazing platforms that highlight and support BIPOC woman-owned businesses. To expand our reach and educate others about the importance of women of color in business and beyond. 

What are some challenges you had to overcome with Emanate Essentials? 

I have been building Emanate Essentials for about three years now. It began as a simple idea and has grown into a small business.

While I still work full-time as a wife and mom raising my daughter, the lack of financial bandwidth does not allow the luxury of working solely on building the business. Still, it also taught me how important it is to be resourceful, creative, and determined when building something from the ground up. While building Emanate Essentials has been challenging at times, it has also been gratifying! I am proud of what we have accomplished so far. 

Besides Emanate Essentials, what are you passionate about?

My faith, mindful living, and taking time out for self-care are necessary! My husband and daughter are my heart; being with them is where I'm happiest; I also enjoy serving my community.