SKIN Talk with Danielle Wright of Marva Elaine Beauty
Danielle J. Wright | Marva Elaine
With a background in the arts and at the height of the pandemic, Wright saw a pain-point within the fashion and skincare industry, specifically for African American skin-which was to create a diverse luxury skincare brand. From adolescence, Danielle Wright was inspired by her fabulous late aunt (whose name is honored as the brand name) to maintain healthy skin by creating organic products, thus Marva Elaine was born. With skin being the largest and most important organ we have, we were honored to be able to sit down with Danielle Wright for alittle SKIN talk!
Let’s go!
LL: Danielle tell us about yourself and a quick synopsis of your journey?
My Architecture and Interior Design background led me to the fashion industry ten years ago. I was managing freelance models when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. As productions came to an abrupt hault, I pivoted to sharing natural skincare secrets that models use to keep their glow. In 2020, my business partner Roderick Ashworth and I examined this intersection of fashion and beauty, thus birthed the MARVA ELAINE brand. With my industry knowledge and his previous experience in leading successful companies and operations, we knew it was time to introduce our luxe care to the world.
LL: MARVA ELAINE, tell us where you got the name from?
Our brand is a tribute to my late Aunt Marva Elaine Wright who modeled during the 1960’s & 70’s. She was a fashion forward and beauty conscience woman, who unapologetically indulged in the finer things. When I was young, she emphasized to me the importance of healthy skin and more specifically, how to obtain it. What better way to honor her than to share these regimens and make her a household name!
LL: You told us that your aunt inspired you to make your own products from an early age, what are the benefits of buying a brand that got it’s start formulating products vs a brand that private labels?
My aunt created her own personal care system out of necessity. Skincare, cosmetics, makeup artists and stylists, weren’t inclusive as we begin to see today. Diverse solutions were not available to properly cover flawed skin on black & brown models. She understood the importance of having healthy skin versus covering it up. Boutique Brands similar to ours formulate answers to problems that we (founders) are familiar with. Usually created in smaller batches from fresh natural ingredients, the products have life and personality. We handle the products and our customers with care and concern…an aspect typically missed by big box brands. Sometimes mass production can mean shortcuts that cause consumers more damage than good.
LL: Why is natural skin care important?
We often forget how important skin is to our survival. It is our protector head to toe (not just our face), shielding us from the elements, illness, environmental factors and thermal irregularities. It is a receptor: gathering, processing, and relaying information to the body. How we treat our skin affects its functionality.
Our skincare routines should mimic it’s natural processes: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and protect.
Natural care genuinely slows the aging process with more active ingredients and no fillers. You know what you are using and can expect your desired results. Man-made ingredients can be costly in more ways than one. They can alter skin functions and reactions which typically aren’t visible until it’s beyond repair.
Not all chemicals are bad but minimizing their usage is key.
Skincare should be good for us AND our planet. The MARVA ELAINE brand has a responsibility to EARTH and it’s inhabitants by lessening the load on resources and limiting pollution all while delivering a promise of luxury care.
LL: What makes a skincare brand luxury?
Luxury lies in the details. Exclusive skincare brands have a very specific reason for existing and it is conveyed with an aura of sophistication and strategic design aesthetics in its representation. The rhyme and rhythm for product lines are thoroughly examined so that the combinations are high performing. You will experience increased concentrations of active ingredients for effectiveness and longer lasting results. Luxury skincare is a commitment whose results far outlive the investment.
LL: How does MARVA ELAINE stand out in the sea of natural beauty brands?
MARVA ELAINE is the private island that some escape to, everyone will not go there. It is an experience for those seeking to get away from the ordinary. Our consumers wish to understand their skin and build a lasting relationship with products. Skincare is a journey for people and in reaching their destination they will discover MARVA ELAINE.
LL: What are your top tips to keep skin healthy and glowing?
What you put in (and on) skin is what you get out. To keep skin pristine, water consumption and a healthy diet are required.
At MARVA ELAINE, we encourage a 4-step routine:
CLEANSE your skins surface with gentle soap.
EXFOLIATE to help remove excess toxins and dead skin to reveal fresh skin cells.
HYDRATE cells, in addition to water intake, by applying moisturizer immediately after bath or shower and use throughout the day as needed.
PROTECT layers by minimizing intense sun exposure for extended periods of time, wearing protective clothing and use an appropriate sunscreen daily.
Danielle’s Favorite Ingredient
I enjoy the Arabic Coffee in our Coffee Body Buff from the Classics Collection. I use it 2-3x weekly, especially on Mondays. It is great at buffing away impurities and adding nourishment to my skin. The Arabica Coffee helps to reduce the appearance of varicose veins, cellulite, stretch marks, swelling and puffiness. An added benefit is the Invigorating aroma which super charges my shower routine leaving me feeling more awake and ready for the day.
Danielle’s Favorite Everyday Product for Combination Skin
One product that we recommend for daily use is the Crème de la Crème. It is a hydration cream with a concentration of oils and butters that will penetrate deeply to deliver advanced moisture to overly dry and cracked skin. The formula is rich, a little dab will go a long way on the driest of skin types. This non-greasy, quick-drying formula will soften, moisturize and protect dry areas of the body until natural oils return and is easily absorbed without adding shine to oily prone skin.
LL: What are 2 skincare trends that you wish would go away?
Jade Rollers have been a tool that hasn’t recently gained popularity in decreasing under eye puffiness and improving circulation. Their benefits have nothing to do with them being Jade. Anything cool applied to the skin will reduce short term swelling and a simple massage increases circulation. Jade rollers are not harmful but the only real benefit is that they look pretty. I honestly wish that following skincare trends in general would go away. Skincare shouldn’t be complicated or time consuming, and it does not require 101 products. Our skin deserves simple consistency. Find a regimen that works for your skin type and stick with that. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel…or roller!
LL: Give our luxe insiders some advice on how they can love on themselves in a world where body and beauty dysmorphia is running ramphed.
As a teen, My parents would constantly say “get out of the mirror”. At that age it was not vanity, I was examining trying to figure out how I looked. I am a big fan of staring in the mirror, you must look and examine yourself more than you look at and examine others. In looking at yourself you will learn and inherently love what you see. The fashion and beauty industries have operated out of a small box when it comes to visual appeal. Society has a very narrow standard of beauty and perfection, and an overwhelming influence on how we receive it. But that perspective is severely flawed because we all are flawed. It is imperative that we allow our bodies to make mistakes and give ourselves permission to correct. Celebrate the fact that you are here, alive, and beautiful beyond measure.
Self love does not occur overnight, but with time it will settle into your existence.
LL: Anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
We are excited about entering the retail arena face to face. Acquiring shelf space in large retailers is an ongoing challenge for niche brands. In our own journey of expanding MARVA ELAINE, we have created a stage for other luxury brands to showcase their line of care and connect with customers in person.
Our retail location, COLLECTIVE by ME, will highlight global boutique beauty. The flagship store located right here in the heart of Atlanta, will give luxe brands the space to expand their reach and give consumers an experience in high-end personal care.
