Career Diaries: Meet Skincare Brand Founder Tata Harper

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we caught up with Tata Harper, a Latina who is one of the pioneers in natural skin care. A Colombian native explains why she founded Tata Harper Skincare, an all-natural skincare brand that boasts uncompromising beauty for uncompromising women. Read on to find out what Tata Harper thinks about pure beauty, her daily skincare routine, and what the future holds for her company. 

How did you get started in skin care?

My stepfather was diagnosed with cancer, and in helping him change his lifestyle, I began to explore everything I put on my body. I couldn't find any natural products that would give me the desired results and feel of luxury, so I decided to make my own. No one should sacrifice their health for the sake of beauty.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

I am very proud when a client tells me how much our products have helped their skin. It makes me proud of what my team and I are doing and it really validates the effort we put in day in and day out trying to make a difference in people's lives.

What does a typical day look like for you? 

The only constant thing is spending time with my kids in the morning, getting them ready for school, and then spending more time with them in the evening. In terms of my daily office work, every day is always a little different. There are always new challenges to consider, new innovations to discover and that is what inspires me and keeps me and my team constantly striving and striving for more.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part is innovation and lab work. My team and I spend so much time looking for new sustainable technologies that go beyond the typical ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid that we love and use, but what I enjoy most is finding and implementing next generation ingredients.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by many things, from my team to the clients I meet, from our events to interviews and stories I read about leaders in other industries. But in general, I am inspired by people who are trying to make a difference and are constantly striving to make people's lives better.

What advice can you give to women entrepreneurs? 

My advice is to focus on solving the problem. Whatever your idea or goal, make sure it has a meaningful impact on people's lives.

Have you ever experienced any advantages or disadvantages as a Hispanic in the industry?

Being Hispanic certainly didn't cause me any inconvenience. I think the only advantage this has given me is that Latin culture is beauty oriented. I work in an industry that has been ingrained in every aspect of my life since I was a little girl in Colombia so I have been able to bring that cultural passion for beauty to my company and everything we do.

As a pioneer in the natural skincare industry, how do you feel about the recent influx of "pure" and "natural" skincare brands?

Pure beauty is definitely the future. I think it's a temporary term because it's demanded by customers, so eventually all brands will get there as they continue to use fewer controversial ingredients - which I think is great. However, natural beauty is something else entirely. This is what we do, and it goes far beyond cleanliness. Cleanliness is the foundation and it needs to be done and I am proud to be part of an industry that has started making efforts to be less messy. This is a great first step, but there is still work to be done. 

What is your daily skin care routine?

I always start my morning ritual by exfoliating with a regenerative cleanser – daily exfoliation really lets my skin breathe and glow as it gets rid of any buildup and also helps products to be absorbed. I use a hydrating flower essence to help prep my skin for treatment and help my serums penetrate deeper. Then it's all about layering - I apply Elixir Vitae all over my face, then I apply Elixir Vitae Eye Serum, and then a revitalizing moisturizer. I don't actually use a lot of makeup, but I love blush so I always end up with Very Naughty makeup on my cheeks. At night, I always start with a double cleanse. First, I use a Nourishing Oil Cleanser to get rid of the top layer of dirt and grime left over from the day, and then I use a Purifying Cleanser to actually cleanse and detoxify my skin. Then I use a moisturizing flower essence. As a serum, I use Elixir Vitae on my face and Boosted Contouring Serum on my neck. I like a thicker eye cream at night, so I usually use Boosted Contouring Eye Balm. I also like a richer moisturizer at night, so I end up with Crème Riche.

What is your favorite product from your line?

I can't live without Elixir Vitae. This is seriously my desert island product. Part of the Supernaturals collection, Elixir Vitae is our most powerful facial serum ever, with 72 ingredients that act like a daily dose of injectables. It uses radical new eco-friendly technologies such as a quad neuropeptide complex that smooths and fills wrinkles and restores volume.

What does beauty mean to you?

For me, beauty is self-care. I think of it as another one of my daily wellness rituals because it contributes to my own sense of well being. 

What's next for Tata Harper?

In the short term, we are trying to become even more resilient and are considering a food restocking program. In the long term, we hope to forego skincare. I'm passionate about fragrances and hair, and I'm also exploring new categories to give our customers more options.