I recently got a meditation cushion and mat from a brand called Walden, and itâs so thoughtfully designed that I can comfortably sit cross-legged for two hours! For the longest time, physical discomfort was my biggest barrier to longer meditations, but now I can truly settle in and stay present.
Explain the moment you realized, OK, I might actually be successful.â¦
I was in line to meet Kamala Harris, and I was so nervous. I had no idea what to say to someone I admire so deeply. As soon as she heard my name and saw my face, she grabbed my shoulders and started listing all of the Tatcha products she was wearing on her face that day.
In that moment, I was reminded that no matter what roles we play in life, weâre all the same and feel happiness when we can present our best face out to the world.
Your favorite low-stakes treat after a productive day?
I have a tendency to rush through the day, but I do try to take moments for myself. For me, skin care is my version of a meditative practice. Toryo Ito, our global director of mindfulness who I met in 2016 at the Ryosokuin Temple in Kyoto, taught me that meditation doesnât need to be me sitting on the ground with my eyes closed. He taught me that meditation is a way of life, and that anything can become a meditative practice. My skin care ritual is now infused with intention in each step, turning it into a little skin meditation. It just takes five minutes, but that time is so precious to me. It helps me wind down for the night after a busy day, and itâs my time to reconnect with myself and be present.
Your go-to thank you gift?
Tatcha.
Finish the sentence: People would be happier doing their work ifâ¦
They have a sense of belonging and believe in the work that theyâre doing.
Finish the sentence: If you werenât in your current career, youâd be aâ¦
If I could focus entirely on one thing, it would be supporting girlsâ education and gender equality. Our partnership with Room to Read has shown me the true power of girlsâ education and its ripple effect, and itâs given me a sense of purpose and passion that goes beyond anything Iâve ever felt in the corporate world. I feel incredibly lucky that Iâve married my purpose and passions with Tatcha, and through our partnership with Room to Read, weâve been able to donate over 11 million days of school for girls around the world. These days, most of my time outside of Tatcha is dedicated to this work. Literacy and gender equality are at the heart of so many issues I see today, and it feels like through this work, I can help in my own way.
We know itâs like picking your favorite child, but whatâs the product you consider your favorite?
My favorite product would have to be The Essence. It holds a special place in my heart, since itâs 100% Hadasei-3, which is at the core of every Tatcha formula. Itâs made with these amazing superfoods sourced from some of Japanâs most renowned regions: rice from Akita, which supports a healthy skin barrier; green tea from Uji that helps minimize visible signs of premature aging; and algae from Okinawa, known for its ability to plump skin with much-needed moisture. The Essence is truly a powerhouse product that channels nutrients into the skin and boosts the efficacy of your skin care ritual, all while working to keep your skin hydrated, plump, and glowing. When I see the transformation in my skin when I use this formula, it reminds me of how powerful our skin is at renewing itself, and that it doesnât take much to have happy, healthy skin.
Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor at Glamour. Follow her @arianayap.