Hi, I’m Katarzyna, but most people call me Kasia. I grew up in a small town in Poland as one of eight siblings, including two sets of twins, me being one of them. Life in such a large family was chaotic but full of love, and it taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of sticking together.
Growing up money was tight, and opportunities were even harder to come by. My mum, determined to give us a better future, made the difficult decision to move our family to the United Kingdom when I was 13. It wasn’t an easy transition. Leaving everything I knew, my friends, my language, and the familiarity of home, was heartbreaking. I couldn’t speak much English then, which made adjusting even more challenging.
School was one of the toughest aspects of this new life. Being from Poland, and with my English still developing, I faced bullying that made it hard to fit in and defend myself. While those experiences shaped me, they also taught me resilience and pushed me to become more confident and assertive, even when it was difficult.
Even during those difficult years, I held onto a dream. I’ve always believed in the power of self-care, and beauty, to me, was never about vanity. It was about finding strength, confidence, and inner peace, even when life felt chaotic. After finishing high school, I decided to pursue that dream. I threw myself into learning everything I could, earning qualifications in beauty, salon management, aesthetics, and business management. Each step brought me closer to turning my passion into a career.
My breakthrough came when I was offered a position as a beauty and detox specialist aboard the luxury cruise ship Majestic Princess. It was an incredible opportunity, but it also felt like a massive leap. I had never traveled to places like Australia or America, let alone lived and worked at sea. I decided to take the chance and step outside my comfort zone.
Life on the cruise ship was both exciting and challenging. The long hours—working from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. almost every day were demanding and the pressure to meet daily targets was intense. Yet, it was deeply fulfilling. I loved helping people reconnect with themselves, creating a space where they could heal, relax, and feel cared for. Those moments reminded me why I had chosen this path.
My hard work didn’t go unnoticed. I was honoured to be recognized as the top detox specialist in the entire fleet, a moment that felt surreal. To my surprise, the big boss from Princess Cruise Lines personally visited our ship to congratulate me. He also shared some life-changing news: I had been selected to train in Miami for a manager role and had been offered a position aboard their newest ship, The Sun Princess. It was an incredible achievement, and I felt both proud and humbled by the recognition.
Even with this success, I began to feel the pull toward something more personal. I realized I wanted to take everything I had learned, both from my training and my life experiences and create something of my own. I wanted to build a brand that wasn’t just about beauty but about deeper self-care, mindfulness, and empowerment.
When I returned home, I was sure that Luna Selene is the way to go. I had to share the news and my vision with my best friend Anni, a talented designer who has always supported me. Together, we dreamed up Luna Selene over 5 years ago and that’s when we bought the domain and said (one day when we are ready we will do it together), a brand dedicated to holistic wellness. We wanted to create products that weren’t just about skincare but about helping people slow down, embrace self-love, and reconnect with themselves.
Building Luna Selene has been a journey in itself. We’ve faced financial challenges, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt. But each obstacle has only deepened our commitment. Every detail, from the ethically sourced ingredients to the thoughtful, elegant packaging, reflects our vision to create something meaningful. Our goal is to nourish not just the skin but also the spirit, helping people find beauty in their daily rituals.
Today, when I see someone using one of our products, it fills me with pride and gratitude. Each serum, balm, or oil is a piece of my story—a story of resilience, growth, and self-love. Through Luna Selene, I hope to share that journey and inspire others to find beauty not just in how they look but in how they care for themselves, inside and out.
