Interview | Anna Dzhilavyan of Bur Bur

Some brands are born in boardrooms; others begin in childhood bedrooms. Bur Bur — the haircare brand founded by lifelong friends Anna Dzhilavyan and Ksenia Zaytseva — is firmly in the latter.

Bur Bur traces its origins to afternoons spent playing salon with a DIY burdock hair mask made from the recipe of Ksenia’s grandmother, Ludmila — a time-honoured formula centred on burdock oil, a botanical long prized for its ability to nourish the scalp and support healthy hair growth. Years later, that same ritual would become the emotional and functional backbone of Bur Bur.

By pairing Ludmila’s original recipe with modern botanicals and clean science, Anna and Ksenia have created a line that quietly bridges heritage and innovation. What began in a small kitchen has since evolved into a fast-growing brand stocked by major international retailers — without losing sight of its personal roots.

We recently caught up with Anna to discuss the origins of Bur Bur, the role of burdock in shaping the brand’s DNA, and the community that continues to influence its growth.

What inspired you to create Bur Bur?

Bur Bur was born from a deep love for tradition, culture, and the rituals we grew up with. The brand started with Ksenia’s grandmother’s recipe, a burdock-based hair mask that was passed down through generations. We wanted to honour that legacy while creating something modern, clean, and consciously made, using real oils, real botanicals, and unprocessed ingredients.

It was also important to us to introduce burdock, a truly powerful and beautiful plant that is well known in Eastern Europe and Asia but not yet popular in North America.

What product makes the best introduction to the brand?

The best introduction to Bur Bur is the Growing Season Hair Oil. It’s our fan favourite and the product that people fall in love with first.

It’s made through a proprietary infusion process that takes about 8 weeks, blending botanicals into a formula that feels both luxurious and highly effective. We’re incredibly proud of how it’s made and the results it brings.

What has been the biggest highlight?

The biggest highlight has been building our community.

Reading our customers’ messages, seeing their stories, and watching them feel more confident as their hair transforms — it’s one of the most rewarding feelings imaginable. Meeting people who love Bur Bur and feel connected to what we’re creating is something that always feels surreal.

What advice would you give to those wanting to launch their own beauty business?

First, don’t compare yourself. Your uniqueness is your biggest strength. There is no one else like you in the world, and that is your advantage.

Stay close to your vision and focus on what you do best. The best advice we ever received is ‘slow and steady wins the race’. Learn what works for you first, then double down on it. Consistency, clarity, and patience will take you so much further than rushing.

What’s next for Bur Bur?

We’re so excited to expand the line and bring more products into the Bur Bur world.

Because we formulate everything from scratch, every product takes time — but that’s exactly how we want it. It means every formula is made consciously, with intention, and without shortcuts.

And beyond new launches, we’re also incredibly excited to grow worldwide and reach more people across the globe.

What does your daily beauty routine look like?

My routine is all about simple rituals. I love starting the day with a warm cup of tea, preferably burdock tea (yes, tea is absolutely a beauty routine for me), and taking a moment for something restorative like a face mask. It’s not about doing the most, it’s about small daily practices that bring you back to yourself.

What are three beauty products you can’t live without?

• Bur Bur Mermaid Brush: Also known as Ludmila, this brush is named after my grandmother — I take it everywhere. I’m completely obsessed with it.
• Shelter Skin Lanolin Lip Elixir: The ingredients in this lip gloss are so beautiful. It leaves my lips so soft.
• Le Mieux Essence Toner: I use this overnight as it gives you an insane glow when you wake up.

What’s the biggest beauty lesson you’ve learned?

Less is more. Once you find what your skin and body truly love, staying consistent with your favourites makes everything easier and more effective. You don’t need a hundred products; you need a few that really work for you.

Which person or brand would you love to collaborate with?

Flamingo Estate and Jacquemus! We’ve always dreamed of working with both brands. In a dream world, we’d work with Jacquemus on their NYFW show, handling all the hair.

For Flamingo Estate, we’d love to collaborate using the local ingredients they grow to co-produce a product together.

What’s not getting the attention it deserves in the beauty industry right now?

Hair and scalp health deserves so much more attention. Your scalp is skin too, and taking care of it early makes a huge difference long-term.

I also think smaller brands deserve more recognition, more spotlight on founder stories, ingredient origins, and how things are harvested and made. Energy is everything, and when you know how much love and intention went into something, it changes how you experience it.

UK customers can find Bur Bur at FWRD and Revolve, with the brand available in the US at Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Amazon.