Edited by Casey Brennan
Tata Harper’s journey as an entrepreneur is nothing short of remarkable. A name synonymous with clean beauty and high-performance skincare, she’s the visionary behind Tata Harper Skincare, a brand that has not only transformed the beauty industry but has also redefined the way we view skincare itself.
“I always had a deep love and appreciation for skincare,” Tata Harper reminisces. However, her foray into the beauty industry — the Tata Harper Skincare line was launched in 2010 — wasn’t a predetermined path. Instead, it was birthed from a profound moment of change within her family. “My stepfather was diagnosed with cancer, and through helping him change his lifestyle I started to examine everything I was putting in, and on my body,” says Harper.
During this period of soul-searching and self-discovery, the Colombian-born Harper came to a realization: natural beauty products, which she naturally gravitated towards, were often seen as simple and low-quality. They didn’t cater to the needs of a serious skincare connoisseur like herself.
“Typically, you would find natural beauty in food stores and apothecaries that lack high quality products with advanced technology,” she says. “Similarly, when I went to department stores they had few natural ingredients in their products, mixed with synthetic materials and harmful chemicals. I wanted to fuse both worlds and create products that were 100% natural and made with high quality, potent ingredients. After failing to find any natural skincare products that gave me the results and the luxury experience, I was looking for, I decided to create my own.”
From there, the idea for Tata Harper skincare was born but it wasn’t an overnight endeavor. “It took us five years and a team of 8 chemists to develop our first line of products,” recalls Harper. “During this time, we researched the most high-performance, natural ingredients to feature in our products while rejecting all toxic and synthetic chemicals.”
For the first few years, Harper says “it was like we were talking to customers and retailers in a foreign language. The idea of clean beauty was not accepted, so we built trust through transparency and our unwavering message.”
But with lots of hard work and a capable team, Tata Harper Skincare is now a global brand, used in spas around the world and sold in top retailers including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Sephora and Bluemercury.
“I believe it’s essential to strike a balance between having a clear vision and remaining open to the unexpected,” Harper says of founding and growing a new brand. “While I’ve always had a clear mission for Tata Harper Skincare – to create high-performance, natural products – the journey to achieving that goal has been dynamic and filled with surprises. I see things that inspire me every single day and if my intuition tells me that is the avenue to explore, I must follow it. Some of my greatest creations have come to life after diverting from the initial plan I had set in place. Having a flexible plan for the future helps me stay aligned with my goals while maintaining my creative liberties.”
With their dedication to innovation and sustainability, Tata Harper Skincare’s next five years are poised to be a transformative period for both the brand and the industry at large.
“We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of natural beauty, introducing new product lines, and leveraging cutting-edge research to create even more high-performance formulas,” says Harper. “Sustainability will remain at the forefront of our operations, and we plan to further refine our practices to reduce environmental impact. Geographically, we’re excited about the prospect of reaching even more markets, making our products accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, we’ll continue to invest in our community and education initiatives. Empowering individuals to make informed choices about their skincare and overall wellness is a cornerstone of our brand.”
Harper’s journey as an entrepreneur is one of inspiration and transformation. Her unwavering commitment to clean beauty, innovation, and sustainability has not only reshaped the beauty industry but has set a new standard for conscious and mindful choices in skincare and wellness. With a clear vision for the future and a balance of adaptability, Harper is set to continue making waves in the world of beauty and well-being.
“I’m proud of our journey and the positive impact we’ve had on the beauty industry. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m excited to continue pushing the boundaries of clean beauty and wellness.”
