People this summer are taking care of their skin more than ever—with SPF, skin care and cosmetic procedures being top of mind—but that doesn't mean there isn't a guilt-free way to get that beach glow everyone is craving.
ByRokko, the company founded by power couple Anita Repše and Rok Štifter, has recently gained traction among models and influencers for its silky creams, mists and oils, which promise to give one the most golden tan of the summer.
The founders met when they were students at the School of Economics and Business at the University of Ljubljana, in Slovenia. They come up with the idea of ByRokko for a homework assignment for their entrepreneurship class in 2017—and four years later, here they are, running a global brand.
Their first and bestselling product is the Shine Brown, a "tanning accelerator" made from 100% natural ingredients, including various organic oils.
"This market was not very well known in Slovenia and Europe, and there weren't many products on the market that fit the criteria," Štifter said. "I come from a family who has an oil refinery, so it truly was a no-brainer."
Because the founders were familiar with oil production, they decided to create every ingredient in their first batch of products from scratch. That is how they made their walnut oil, which they paired with cacao butter and extra virgin olive oil to make their now-signature golden mixture.
Customers instantly loved the fact that these tanning products were homemade and entirely natural, vegan and cruelty-free, so the business began expanding quickly, and to the founders' excitement, by 2018 they could no longer keep up with the demand on their own.
Their current team consists of 30 people, and though the products are now made in a factory in Slovenia, Repše and Štifter said the recipes and ingredients have remained exactly the same.
In 2019, after selling out of every product they had, the founders added six new products, reworked their packaging and online presence and perfected their formulas.
By then, the brand had already caught the eyes of thousands of European influencers, fashion stars and models, including Veronica Bielik, Jey Rocher, Natalia Barulich and Chiara B, who are, to date, ByRokko's key customers, as they often need tanned looks for their photoshoots.
"Any fashionista out there understands the importance of nourished, glowing skin and swears by their skin care routine, including their way of tanning," the founders said. "Shine Brown's secret ingredients deliver that jaw-dropping, golden glow that goes great with every outfit."
This is the brand's third summer collaborating with Guess model Anet Mlčáková, and their second summer working with Nadine Mirada, who has also modeled for Guess. They've also collaborated with fashion model Natalia Barulich, who has a global presence featured in GQ, Elle Bulgaria, Glamour Bulgaria, L'Officiel India and Harper's Bazaar. Model Jay Rocher, who appeared as the face of Boohoo and Missguided, also joined the brand on a fun campaign photoshoot in Croatia in 2020.
This year, the company's sales figures show they have about 1 million users spread out across 50 countries, in Europe and North America. They have also seen a significant uptick in the United States, especially in Miami, as the founders said their products relate to the Sunshine State's overall "vibe."
ByRokko now has 14 products in the market. In addition to their Shine Brown cream, they also have a tanning oil for an extra boost, aloe vera gel, after sun cream, self-tanning mist, a selection of scrubs, and a "Bye Bye" tan to get rid of uneven fades. And every order that includes a can of Shine Brown comes with a free aloe vera mixture.
Repše and Štifter are not ignorant to the dangers of sun exposure, on the contrary, they said their tanning accelerator products are aimed to help make the skin appear richer and more golden after less time in the sun; therefore, customers no longer have to spend hours being exposed to UV radiation just to get the perfect tan.
"Our market advantage is that our product contains quality ingredients that your skin actually loves. Our original, effective mixtures of the finest natural oils are renowned for their amazing scent and mostly for the results they bring," they said.
