MADARA comes from Latvia, a small country in Northern Europe, in the Baltic region, which has managed to preserve many unblemished and wild places, as well as a diversity of flowers and grasses. Northern summers are much shorter and harsher and therefore plants are forced to concentrate all of their energy on the short blossoming period to attract bees and continue their living process during the next summer. As a result, at the moment of their collection, the blossoms and herbs, which have grown in these latitudes, are especially rich with active substances and extracts that are used in the production of MADARA cosmetics. They are powerful and effective.
Our perception of beauty is enshrined in our motto - deeper than skin. It means beauty that goes beyond external appearances. It is beauty wrought from health, love of life, warmth and summer, which you carry with you and is seen by everyone you meet on your way. Beauty is genuine emotions, a sincere smile, a kind and loving disposition towards people and nature. It is femininity and beauty in its deepest sense. It is a beauty which would not offend meadow flowers. It is the wisdom and force of nature.
Interview with Brand Founder - Lotte Tisenkopfa
Can you please tell us a bit about yourself as well as how you came up with the idea for the line and how did the start come about?
For me health and green-living was always very important. For 13 years I became a vegetarian, then I tried to live more eco-friendly by consuming less and incorporating higher quality products. I was choosing natural foods without synthetic additives and recycling waste. As a student, I studied in Japan, and compared to a very small country like Latvia, it was very impressive to see the scale of how a big population impacts the environment, and how important it is to reduce-reuse-recycle and live healthy. Ironically, I thought I was caring about myself and my environment, but I had no clue I was actually doing the opposite when I applied just one product of my daily skin regimen, which was manufactured with synthetic and toxic ingredients. When an allergy from a conventional eye cream took me by surprise, I began researching ingredients. I then cleared all skincare from my bathroom and began looking for natural alternatives. I found too few organic products in shops, so I started to make some simple products like body oil and soap for myself as a hobby. After some time I started blogging about natural skincare. Through the blog, I met Zane, who was working at a marketing agency and wanted to buy a piece of my organic, handmade soap. We met in a coffee shop, started to discuss more about our natural lifestyles, and concluded both that in Latvia and globally there were few sustainable, green, beautifying skincare brands available. In this coffee shop we had the idea to make the products we would love!
What was the initial reception to the line and the products?
Extremely positive. The first products were launched in Latvia in 2006, and the response from customers and journalists was incredible! Customers demanded more products, and soon MÁDARA became a Latvian success story. Of course, we had difficulties as all new businesses do, but passion and great customers have helped us through.
What ingredients make your brand unique from others?
Baltic plants have adapted to survive in harsh circumstances and take large sips of the sun, whenever it appears. During the short Northern summers plants concentrate all of their energy on the short blossoming period, thus becoming more highly effective, which is why the extracts from Baltic plants that form the foundation of MÁDARA are especially powerful. This is why MÁDARA can create products that have no equals.
Has your line received any recognition via awards or in magazines, television, etc..?
