More than meets the eye: Kateryna Launbraun on confidence, boundaries, and redefining beauty

Kateryna Launbraun doesn’t perform strength — she embodies it. In an industry that often prioritizes appearance over substance, she is quietly — and unapologetically — rewriting the script. Not with loud statements or curated perfection, but through presence. Through knowing who she is, and who she refuses to be.

From early doubts to the hard-won confidence she carries today, Kateryna’s story is not one of overnight transformation. It’s about the slow burn: setting boundaries, choosing self-respect, and embracing the kind of beauty that doesn’t ask for permission. The kind that starts deep within — and cannot be replicated.

Now, she opens up about everything that shaped her: the weight of expectations, the silence behind the «yes», and the power of finally saying «no». In this candid conversation, Kateryna reflects on what it means to grow into your worth — not in defiance of beauty standards, but beyond them. 

In a world that constantly tells women how to look and act — how do you stay true to yourself?

Sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I lose myself, try to fit in, and get mad at myself for it. But then I remember — I was loved and noticed for being different. Not «polished», not «perfect», but real. That’s my power. And if I’m not true to myself — then who even am I?

What helps you maintain your personal boundaries?

Experience. Especially the kind where I let people cross the line too many times. Now I know — if something feels off, it is off. Saying «no» isn’t rude. It’s self-respect.

Has your self-worth ever been shaken by outside pressure? How did you rebuild it?

Yes — but mostly in childhood, during my school years. Back then, I didn’t feel good enough. But when I became a teenager, something shifted. I changed how I saw myself and the world — and my self-worth started to grow. I recognized my strength, my beauty, my edge. Since then, no outside pressure has been strong enough to shake what I’ve built inside. When things get loud, I go quiet. I take care of myself, I reconnect — and I remember exactly who I am.

Do you believe confidence is built or born? What helped you build yours?

For me, it’s built. I wasn’t born confident — I earned it. Through rejection, through pain, through getting up again and again. Every time I kept going, I was building it. And having people around who made me feel safe being me — that helped too.

People say «beauty is capital». But how do you turn beauty into long-term value?

Beauty is a starting point — not the whole game. To turn it into value, you need substance, taste, character, principles, and discipline. Looks might catch someone’s eye, but if there’s nothing behind it — they’ll move on fast. I’m building a brand, a name, relationships. That’s not about beauty. That’s about meaning.

When did you first realize that beauty alone wasn’t enough?

Honestly? I’m not even sure I ever fully did. Beauty has opened so many doors for me that sometimes I think — maybe it is enough. But then life puts you in rooms where charm isn’t enough to hold attention. That’s when you realize — beauty might get you in, but it won’t keep you there. It’s temporary currency. What lasts is who you are beyond the surface.

What’s one misconception about beautiful and successful women you’d like to break?

That we have it easy. That things just come to us because of how we look. People don’t see the rejections, the pressure, the betrayals, or the work behind the scenes. Behind every «perfect» photo, there’s a real person who’s fought battles most will never see.

How do you define sexuality — and what makes someone truly seductive in your eyes?

Sexuality isn’t about looks. It’s about energy. It’s in how you move, how you stay silent, how comfortable you are in your own skin. Real allure is calm confidence — that unspoken sense that you’re not trying to sell yourself. You simply are, and you’re unapologetic about it.

Can femininity be a form of power?

Absolutely. And I think it’s the most underestimated kind of power — because it’s soft, quiet, and disarming. Femininity can heal, destroy, inspire. The real strength is in how you choose to use it.

Has social media ever made you feel «not enough»? How did you deal with it?

Yes, especially when I’m tired or comparing myself. It’s easy to get lost in other people’s luxury, their perfect faces, their endless smiles. But then I remind myself — this is my life. And to someone out there, I’m living their dream too. I also know exactly how fake most of those «perfect» stories can be.

Do you feel stronger today — not despite the pressure, but because of it?

Yes. Pressure either breaks you or shapes you. It shaped me. I wouldn’t be who I am today if people hadn’t tried to tear me down. And to be honest — I’m grateful they did. They failed.

If you could say one thing to every young woman trying to survive in this beauty-obsessed world, what would it be?

You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Be yourself — but with a spine. Don’t chase attention. Chase respect. What’s meant for you will never pass you by.

Model: @kateryna.larouge_

Photographer: @lisakuznetsova

Stylist: @makeup.stv

PR: @multi_publications