CULT skincare brand Tatcha started out in a minimal way. Founder Vicky Tsai began the label selling Japanese blotting papers, the kind geisha used.
Based strongly on Japanese skincare rituals, the brand grew by leaps and bounds, gathering staunch fans along the way. This year, it's launching The Silk Powder.
Its global director of artistry and education Daniel Martin shares some insight as well as skincare tips.
HOW DID YOUR APPOINTMENT COME ABOUT?
I met Tsai more than 10 years ago when she had just started the brand, making these Japanese blotting papers.
I used them backstage at New York Fashion Week and a Vogue editor asked me what the papers were. Our friendship (with Tsai) pretty much took off from there.
After spending so much time in Europe and working with multiple brands like Dior, among others, the opportunity to work with Tatcha came.
My father is French and my mother is Vietnamese but I had never really spent much time in Asia.
With this opportunity, I thought finally, I can spend time in Japan. The timing was right and it felt symbiotic for me to come onboard.
WHAT IS TATCHA'S PRODUCTS ALL ABOUT?
We want to 'respect' the skin even when using make-up. We want to protect it without compromising cosmetics. The journey for us is to find ingredients that are simple but effective in protecting the skin.
We work with natural ingredients like gold and pearl. We have pearls and silk in our primer, The Liquid Silk Canvas.
This weightless, oil-free liquid primer is formulated with silk extracts to protect the skin from environmental pollutants and make-up, minimise clogged pores and help make-up last longer. These components nourish, brighten and protect the skin.
We're about less is more. We are about owning our own beauty, practising simple steps and using ingredients that are good for you.
WHAT SHOULD A TATCHA NEWBIE TRY?
I recommend The Water Cream, which is a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser that spreads easily on the skin.
It uses Japanese wild rose extract which tightens pores and smoothens skin.
It also has Japanese leopard lily extract which helps control excess oil and clarify skin by encouraging natural skin turnover. I love this moisturiser as it also sits very well under make-up.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE SILK POWDER?
The Silk Powder is our first foray into colour cosmetics. This skincare-first, protective, talcum-free setting powder helps shield skin from pollution and blue light. It blurs pores and provides a translucent, soft-radiant finish.
It's a skincare products locked-in with an almost make-up-like glow, the same way a setting powder would, making it interchangeable as both skincare or make-up.
But this is not a powder you can bake with. It blurs fine lines and finishes off make-up. It is a gentle powder hence you do not need a lot of it. It has pink and gold pearl that work well on a wide range of skin tones.
This new addition was first inspired by oshiroi – the opaque white make-up worn by traditional Japanese geisha as a way to protect their skin from pollution.
It is formulated with silk extract, silk powder, Japanese pearl powder and other nourishing ingredients.
WHAT'S YOUR SKINCARE ADVICE TO PREVENT MASKNE?
Always make sure the skin is hydrated and protected. Try to keep everything basic. Be generous and invest in good skincare.
If you do not need to wear concealer and foundation, skip them. Celebrate with eye make-up, fill in your eyebrow and dress up your eyes.