Q&A: Beauty brand founder Tata Harper on skin care, California and the wellness movement
On a recent spring day at cosmetics store Violet Grey on Melrose Place, Tata Harper, founder of Tata Harper Skincare, appeared relaxed and fresh-faced as befitting an entrepreneur who has dedicated her beauty brand to toxic-free wellness.
Harper’s business is based at her family’s 1,200-acre Vermont farm that she shares with her husband, three kids and their pets. We caught up with Harper, whose products are carried at the Los Angeles store, to talk about her line’s new products and how Angelenos can protect their skin from pollutants.
How does living on a farm in Vermont inform your skin care line and reinforce your decision to use non-toxic ingredients?
This journey evolved after my stepfather got diagnosed with cancer. My lifestyle changed so much because what I was hearing from doctors and clinics wasn’t necessarily just, “Let’s operate, let’s do chemotherapy,” but it was like, “OK, how does he live? What does he eat? Does he eat organic? What chemicals does he come into contact with every day? What supplements does he take every day? Does he exercise? Does he meditate?” The connection between all of those things and your health is really what changed everything for me. And because I live in Vermont I saw, for example, firsthand the connection between milk that has been grown organically with what I call happy cows — cows that go out and graze all day and just come in to give milk —– and the cows that are tied up to a stall, live in a barn for years, and get injected with hormones. … This whole movement has completely change my life, including my skin and energy levels.
A lot of people think that natural beauty is really simple … like you juice a couple of carrots, but it’s not at all like that. It’s real chemistry.
— Tata Harper
How does Tata Harper Skincare fit into the growing wellness movement?
I love the fact that we’re part of this big wellness movement that is happening around the world. … Sure, these are products that encourage us to look beautiful because that’s part of skin care, but we want to contribute to your overall health and longevity. A lot of people think that natural beauty is really simple … like you juice a couple of carrots, but it’s not at all like that. It’s real chemistry.
What’s one new product in your line?
Our new [Tata Harper Purifying Mask ($65, www.tataharperskincare.com)] addresses pollution. Like UV rays, pollution damages and ages your skin, degrading collagen fibers causing sagging and uneven pigmentation.
Do you think your line speaks well to Californians?
I believe people here in California are much more aware about skin, toxins, beauty [and] are very knowledgeable about everything that has to do about wellness. This whole wellness movement really began here and has been promoted from the West Coast. Even the fact that you guys have Proposition 65 [a measure approved in 1986 by California voters requiring businesses to inform the public about high levels of chemicals in products or locations], you guys are just so much more progressive. … The wellness movement has evolved throughout the years into this all-encompassing philosophy of how to live. … Our line resonates with our clients in California and people in general who are just trying to live better and make better decisions for themselves: eating better, cleaning their houses with better things, putting better products on their skin. … California is illuminated in this area.
