Born in Djibouti, Shirley grew up between East Africa and the Caribbean before moving to France.
At an early age her mother initiated her into traditional Caribbean medicine, much of this centered on the Banana Tree plant which is well-known in the French West Indies for its cosmetic, curative, and well-being benefits.
Shirley Billot created Kadalys to marry her desire to promote the virtues of her Creole heritage and the Banana Tree with her passion for plant research.
Through a research program she launched to study the virtues of the banana tree, she developed new cosmetic active ingredients, called "Musactif," that help preserve the health and youthfulness of skin.
THROUGH KADALYS, I WANTED TO CREATE ETHICAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS, WITHOUT COMPROMISE BETWEEN HIGH PERFORMANCE, NATURAL INGREDIENTS & ECO-CONSCIOUSNESS.
Following her discovery, Shirley launched Kadalys with patented Banana Bio-actives in 2012. It was the first eco-conscious, high-performance skincare brand.
I BELIEVE IN AN INNOVATIVE, ECO-RESPONSIBLE & ORGANIC BEAUTY.
I BELIEVE IN ETHICAL, INCLUSIVE CAPITALISM. THAT'S WHY I ENSURE 100% OF MARTINIQUE'S FARMERS ARE PART OF THIS UPCYCLING AND ECO-EXTRACTION BUSINESS.
As activists, my parents made me aware from my childhood of the environmental and societal causes in the countries where we have lived. Preserving the environment and its resources was and still is a cause near and dear to our hearts.
My travels and my mixed origins (African, Asian, Native American, and Caucasian) inspired a desire to formulate products and textures that work for all skin types, skin tones and climates.
KADALYS embodies my vision of a benevolent company that fits in with its times and whose pillars are the circular economy, green chemistry, and inclusive capitalism. Beyond holistic beauty, it is a vision of beauty that is committed, gives back, shares, and preserves.
Receiving the National Order of Merit, 2017
Representing France and Overseas at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Alliance, 2019
Receiving the "Coup de cœur" Award, 2017
