Tata Harper: Limited Edition Night Out Essentials Collection

I rarely find a set available featuring the products I'd cherry pick myself, if I could create my own set. Happily, I struck gold with this one!

Tata Harper's Beautifying Face Oil is one of the more reasonably priced products from her line, as well as the most versatile one. I mix a few drops in with my Gressa foundation and blend it in only where needed -- as a concealer. Or I use it underneath/in lieu of a moisturizer or pat a few drops over my makeup to freshen up mid-day. It's fragranced, but not overtly so. It absorbs in about 10 minutes and feels wonderful onwards.

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The Resurfacing Mask is highly lauded for it's instant benefits. It's a gentle exfoliator, and the immediate results are remarkable. Skin feels smoother and fresher and any excess oiliness is mopped up. It's a translucent pink, florally scented gel, and dries within 5-10 mins, but you're advised to keep it on to 20 mins. I'll mist my face with water to prolong the dewy stage before rinsing it off. Before I had a jar of my own, I used to save my sample packs of this for hotel rooms, to offset the effects of dry cabin air. Be warned though, people advise storing this away from bathroom humidity which can compromise the preservation of the product.

The Love Potion is a heavenly, mood-boosting, lady-like scent. Both the initial top notes and dry down stay powdery, (thanks to the ylang ylang), very romantic (jasmine), yet not too girly (sandalwood). While there's no violet in the concoction, that's what my mind instantly conjures on first whiff. A heady, complex posy of violets. 

Very Vivacious Lip and Cheek is one I reviewed earlier. It's a wearable, flattering coral that can be blended out to a muted peach or applied in thin layers for a bright coral statement.

Guest post on No More Dirty Looks

I unabashedly love the team at No More Dirty Looks. Their book (aptly titled No More Dirty Looks) is the best non-digital resource I've found on the topic of non-toxic beauty. Plus they have a fantastic Quarterly subscription that I highly recommend.

I wrote a guest post for them, detailing my morning (and evening routine).  I'm surprised at how dense it is – as was my husband who often observes me rushing out around getting ready. However, I have at least one day a week where my morning routine post teeth brushing only involves applications of deodorant and lip balm.

I adore the ritual of getting ready, however pared down or extensive it may be. And I may not always bother with mascara, but I will always make a point of keeping my routine non-toxic and clean.

In case you're wondering, this is Anna Karina, not Anna Karenina. ;)

In case you're wondering, this is Anna Karina, not Anna Karenina. ;)