The biggest buzz in skincare right now is topical injectibles, aka topical Botox. Allergan (who owns Botox) is spending $90 million up front, and promising undisclosed future cash for Anterios, a New York City biotech at work on technology that could allow neurotoxins to be delivered through the skin without the need for needles. Having had Botox and the like a few times in my life, I can honestly say that stopping the skin from creasing in the first place is the best way to prevent wrinkles and lines. I know it’s not for everyone, but having seen the changes and preventative properties that not moving has on skin, there is no going back for me. So we now know that topical paralytics is a Real Thing, and is happening in our lifetime.

The huge ongoing buzz in beauty is, of course, organic and green skincare that is both gentle and effective. In the past we had to go to the health food store to find clean beauty options but brands like Tata Harper have changed the way we think of green and clean beauty by creating a luxury line built around her philosophy, many containing organic products grown on her farm in Vermont. She calls it “next generation beauty” and she’s right – Tata Harper is not your mother/grandmother’s organic skincare.

So imagine my delight when I heard about Tata Harper’s Elixir Vitae, and the technology behind it.

This supercharged, nano-weight antiaging treatment offers immediate wrinkle reduction effects by visibly smoothing the skin’s surface and filling the look of fine lines, topically delivering the visual effect of an injectable. A targeted blend of relaxing technology minimizes appearance of expression lines while helping to prevent future wrinkle formation. This lightweight formula boosts the appearance of volume and youthful plumpness, and comprehensively supports collagen production, density and resilience for skin that appears firmer and more radiant.

Benefit Timeline:

• 2 hrs: RELAX MUSCLES
  Helps relax 100% of muscle contractions*
• 24 hrs: SMOOTH
  75% of users reported smoother skin**
• 28 days: REDUCE WRINKLES
  Reduces the look of wrinkle surface by 35% and length by 33%†
• 30 days: REDUCE CROWS FEET
  83% of users noticed a reduction in crows feet ††
• 42 days: REDUCE DEEP WRINKLES
  Helps visually reduce the number of deep wrinkles by 39% *†

I was sent a bottle of Tata Harper’s Elixir Vitae Eye Serum to test out, and because I selfishly want to have baby smooth skin in the interest of science I took that baby for a spin. And I am amazed/impressed/blown away/very happy with the performance of my precious Elixir Vitae. I wish I’d taken before photos but as usual, I got so excited and started using the product right away. And then a couple weeks had gone by and I was already smoother.

I’ve been using my Elixir Vitae Eye Serum since the beginning of May and can honestly say I can’t imagine living without it. I will say right off the bat that the price tag is steep at $353 CAD for a 15ml bottle, and at that price there is a good chance I would have hesitated to try it. I only use it once a day, because I tend to use liquid gold sparingly. But even at once a day, I am blown away by the results and can honestly say I have never used such an effective eye cream. Ever. I have used La Mer Eye Serum Concentrate ($260 CAD) and found it no better than my Olay eye serum. I’ve used La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Serum ($214 CAD) and was equally underwhelmed.

One thing I can say is that Tata Harper’s products are intensely concentrated – literally a little goes a very long way. I was sitting around with some girlfriends who just HAD to try it after I told them about it. They both commented on how divine the scent was, which is odd because I hardly noticed the fragrance. Now that I am aware of it, I can detect it, and I must say I love it too, but fear not scent-phobes – it’s gone in a few minutes. But they also loved it and both, like me, noticed a difference within hours of first applying it. Skeptical? Go to a spa or Tata Harper retailer and ask them to apply some for you. You’ll be sold.

What I find amazing about TH Elixir Vitae Serum is simply how darn effective it is. I have, in the past, felt the need to apply and reapply eye products, thinking that my eye area was dehydrated. I’ve used creams with high amounts of mineral oil, thinking I needed to seal in moisture to work on those lines. I’ve used retinol (NEVER AGAIN) eye products thinking I needed to burn off the crepey skin. I’ve wanted to pooh-pooh many natural products thinking that ingredients from someone’s backyard aren’t going to help me. Tata Harper has actually made her natural skincare a science, and uses tested ingredients that not only take care of our skin, but do what they promise. They work with chemists, biologists, botanists and integrated medicine practitioners all over the world to stay on top of the latest natural ingredient discoveries, extraction techniques and preservation technologies in order to create the most effective products available in the natural skincare market.

Elixir Vitae Eye Serum is a serum, not a moisturizer, so I use it under my moisturizer. Tata Harper herself always recommends a gentle massage when applying products around the eyes as it helps with draining the fluid that tends to accumulate in the lower and upper lids. I do this regularly and it makes a difference with puffiness. I let my serum sink in, then apply my eye cream (right now I’m still loving Kat Burki’s Complete B Eye Creme Complex reviewed here).  My eye area now is not only smoother and plumper, but has less of those super fine crepey lines. Staying hydrated also helps, and I know Tata Harper believes this too. So drink your water, people! And do investigate this beautiful line. If you already have, what are your favourite Tata Harper products? I’m definitely addicted and need to try more!

Tata Harper products are sold online and in spas and retailers. Find one near you using their store locator.