As kids growing up living in Moscow, Anna Dzhilavyan and Ksenia Zaytseva would playfully throw heads of burdock root into one of their long hairs. They are now in their 30s, and the desk-mates from elementary school have become business partners, resulting in the establishment of a haircare company.
Bur Bur (named in honor of the word “burdock”) was born in Los Angeles during the covid epidemic, when self-care routines were the norm.
“Ksenia and I always had this entrepreneurial spirit,” Dzhilavyan stated to Happi. “We always wanted to create something of our own.”
The ladies were at their kitchen table, mixing the mask that Zaytseva’s grandmother was known to make often during their youth. It was a gift for pregnant friends who needed an all-natural treatment that they could be confident in.
The mask, which was a variation on the recipe of Zaytseva’s mother, was a burdock-infused infusion that was made from olive oil, squalane, bakuchiol, and bakuchiol. It was the genesis of what would later become their brand.
“We were going through all these business ideas, and it clicked,” recalls Dzhilavyan. “This is our favorite product since we were kids. We have friends who love it. Why don’t we create an item out of it? It is beneficial to all of our friends. Why should we not make it available to the world? Everyone requires good hair care.”
While on a journey to discover the importance of ingredients,s the women claimed that they were able to dislike certain products that are on the shelves due to the incomprehensible ingredient lists.
“It only made sense to use something that we can control and that we would love to use and feel proud of,” Zaytseva said. Zaytseva. “It holds symbolic value and is an honor to my grandma. She’s a remarkable woman, and making something that’s an expression of her spirit inside every bottle is a perfect fit.”
Growing Season
After numerous iterations of oil for skin and hair, Bur Bur was officially launched in 2022. The first product of the brand, Growing Season, was an herbal oil for hair growth and repair. It is of personal significance to Dzhilavyan as she was afflicted with an episode of telogen effluvium following her relocation to the US in the year 2000. The condition is common and results in temporary loss of hair that lasts up to 6 months, caused bystressfuls life situations.
It is a dermatologist-tested weekly treatment that, according to the company, is safe for all types of hair and clearly strengthens hair. It enhances softness and shine, and encourages the growth of healthy hair. Droplets of the treatment are dispensed onto the scalp, following which they are gently massaged int the scalp. For scalps that require extra care, a bonnet could be slapped over the hair as you sleep to wash the oil off on the next day.
In addition to being aware of eating habits and stress levels, Zaytseva says proper sun protection practices can help the scalp. The strong UVB and UVA rays are another reason for seasonal hair loss, according to the company.
“Your scalp ages faster than your face,” said Zaytseva. “If you think about it, you’re exposed to the sun. People don’t consider it until they start to lose their hair. There’s a nine-step skincare routine, but you have no step for your hair. If you fail to moisturize your hair enough and aren’t feeding it properly, your hair will become extremely dry, and your hair follicles generally dry out, which means you’re losing your hair.”
Bur Bur also creates an essential oil of plants for the face, which contains bakuchiol and vitamin C, as well as an assortment of marula, rosehip, and sea buckthorn oil. It calms skin, brightens and deeply hydrates skin, while protecting it from environmental damage, as per the founder.
Bur Bur also offers a scent called Memories of the Future, which is a roll-on perfume oil that includes vanilla, bergamot, sage, and black pepper.
New Products, New Dreams
The brand is planning to introduce the derma roller that can be used with the oil for hair to achieve the best results, according to the founders. It retails for $34, roller’s 540 titanium high-strength 0.3-millimeter micro-needles gliding through hair with no tangling, allowing the highest absorption of product.
Bur Bur is sold in boutiques across the US as well as in the Dutch Health Store in the Netherlands and on the internet.
In 2025, the brow and lash shampoo, oil for hair, as well as the shampoo and conditioner duo,s will be available through an agreement with Sephora.
“I think it’s so amazing to create something that beautiful with your childhood best friend,” said Dzhilavyan. “I feel blessed to be able to do that.”
Watch this video featuring the founders as they discuss how their company began to take shape here:
