Professional beauty is style, respect, and a touch of luxury: a conversation with Iryna Taran, co-founder of the professional skincare store Luxmarafet

— Iryna, how did the Luxmarafet project begin?

Our beginning had very little to do with business.
The idea to create something together came from my husband. He was the one who said:
“Let’s build a project that is interesting, beautiful, and technically strong. I’ll take the technical side, and you take the creative and communication part.”

Luxmarafet wasn’t born from calculations — it grew out of our desire to create something together: something new, warm, and soulful.

Everything technical — the platform, the logic, the catalog structure, the first suppliers, website security, settings, and hundreds of small processes I didn’t even know existed — that’s his domain.
Everything related to formulas, textures, aromas, new releases, working with brands, and client comfort — that’s mine.

We’re different. And that’s exactly why the project turned out so alive and so precise.

— What is the philosophy of Luxmarafet today?

Luxmarafet is not mass market.
It is cosmeceuticals and professional skincare, selected for effectiveness, scientific foundation, and the character of the formulas.

We created a space where a woman doesn’t get lost in chaos — she is offered only those brands that have individuality and a proven impact on the skin.

Luxmarafet is about calmness, intelligence, precision, and that light touch of luxury that makes everyday life more beautiful.

— In your blog, you often talk about the balance between natural and effective. What is your approach?

An honest one.
I love nature — but I love products that actually work even more.

“Natural” does not always mean hypoallergenic.
Many natural ingredients are irritants, allergens, or unstable molecules.

Synthetic components are not “evil” — they are the result of scientific work.
If they are stable, gentle, barrier-friendly, and proven effective — I’m all for them.

So I choose not “boundless naturalness” but effectiveness, safety, clarity, and skin comfort.
I like the trend toward naturalness — but I don’t believe in blind romanticism when it comes to skincare.

— What would you call the essential skincare principles after 30?

Smart ingredients: retinoids, peptides, probiotics, stable forms of vitamin C.
Rhythm, not heroics: sometimes I get lazy — and that’s fine. What matters is coming back to yourself.
The barrier: if it’s compromised, nothing works.

And one more thing: skincare should not drain you.
It should be pleasurable — soft, sensorial, gentle.

— And what kind of skincare is closest to you personally?

The kind you want to do.
Soft textures, pleasant aromas, products that make the day pause for a moment.
I love new forms of classic products — when something that has worked for years becomes more convenient and modern.

— How do you choose brands for the store?

I focus on textures, compositions, brand philosophy, and ethical values.
My husband focuses on system logic, technical processes, and the reliability of collaboration.

Together we form an assortment built from brands with personality, honesty, and scientific credibility.
If I were to highlight the “brand DNA of Luxmarafet” — the backbone of our skincare philosophy — it would be these:

ACADEMIE — the French school of textures and expertise

A classic of professional cosmetology.
Academie is about silky textures, refined aromas, scientific discipline, and formulas crafted with French precision. Their skincare feels like a perfectly tailored multilayer gown: elegant, thoughtful, tasteful.

IMAGE Skincare — American medical-grade effectiveness

Image is “no noise, only results.”
Powerful peptides, stable yet gentle retinoids, logical intensive programs.
This is a brand about medical precision and visible outcomes.

ESSE — masters of the microbiome

Esse is built on the philosophy that beauty begins with the balance of the skin’s microflora.
Probiotic rituals, soft textures, deep sensory experience.
Their skincare is gentle intelligence in a jar.

TEOXANE — Swiss cosmeceuticals with medical DNA

A unique brand created by the developers of Teosyal fillers.
Its skincare works in the same logic as aesthetic medicine.
The RHA complex is one of the most innovative hydration and firmness technologies today.

MARJOLIE — clean formulas and modern sensoriality

Marjolie is about thoughtful ingredients, comfortable textures, and formulas that integrate seamlessly into a daily routine.
Their lines focus on hydration, restoration, and glow — with high-quality, skin-friendly compositions.

MANYO — Korean effectiveness without unnecessary promises

Ferments, probiotics, and essences that became cult favorites.
Manyo represents modern Korea: smart, stable, result-driven.

There are others, of course — but these are the first that come to mind, forming the core of my own beauty routine.

— And what role does the team play in your project?

A huge one.
We always look for people, not just professionals — people with whom it feels genuinely comfortable to work. Many of our team members have been with us for years; some — more than a decade. That says a lot.

I personally handle hiring. For me, it’s the hardest part of the job — but also one of the most meaningful. Before someone joins us, I go through hundreds of resumes and dozens of interviews. And then comes the moment when something clicks inside: yes, we are definitely a match.

We sense each other well and often understand one another from half a word — and that helps enormously in daily work. The atmosphere is calm, friendly, without unnecessary sharpness or formality.

For me, the team is a group of people with whom it’s pleasant to share workdays, solve tasks, laugh at small things.
Without them, Luxmarafet would not be as warm and stable as it is today.

— Where is modern skincare heading?

Toward silence.
Toward barrier respect.
Toward personalization, intelligent actives, and deep scientific grounding.

And — toward professional brands.
Because the future of skincare is not bright jars, but precise formulas.

— And what has this business given you personally?

The freedom to create.
The courage to do things my own way.
The understanding that skincare can be professional, luxurious, and deeply human at the same time.

And also the realization that beauty begins with honesty — with respect for yourself and for your skin.

And, of course, with a bit of warmth and humor — without it, even the best cream works worse.
Beauty is always a balance: between the seriousness of science and the ease with which we touch our own skin.