Miranda Kerr brings her organic skincare line to India and shares the story behind it

Only an insightful conversation on beauty, or an urgent skincare need could get me to rise and shine, all straightened up and sun-kissed at 7 am! In this case it is the former, courtesy my session with beauty mogul Miranda Kerr on celebrating the advent of her brand, KORA Organics, in India. Five minutes into the conversation, nostalgia kicks in as Kerr recalls her journey from a being a model to an entrepreneur. As she started perceiving beauty beyond the mirror and the runway, a passion-driven brand was in the making.

Every passion project is usually either backed by an epiphany, or an experience, or a gap that needs bridging—KORA Organics is the result of a bit of all. “Modelling gave me the opportunity to work with some of the world’s top beauty brands, and the make- up artists would give me so many incredible tips, so I had a lot of insight into skin prep,” shares Kerr.

Further evoking her nostalgic longing and sensing my growing curiosity behind her story, Kerr reveals that her connection with beauty the roots of KORA Organics’ go way back into her family history. “When I was a teenager my mom had tumours in her spleen—that was a huge wake-up call for us as we became aware of all the ingredients in our food and skincare products. What we realised on that journey is that our skin is our largest organ, and what you put on your skin sinks in, and we were shocked to discover how many potential harmful chemicals were hiding in products that were labelled as natural. So, this is where it sparked my passion for truly certified organic ingredients. I ended up studying nutrition, became a certified health coach, worked with some of the best organic chemists in the world to create skincare products, and that’s really how KORA Organics began,” shares Kerr.

Secrets from the Indian pantries have long been shaping skincare, hence finding a place in India’s beauty landscape had to be next in line for Kerr. “India has that deep-rooted connection to holistic beauty. KORA Organics aligns with that because we’re about the ‘mind-body-skin philosophy’. Ingredients like turmeric, which is one of our hero ingredients, have been part of Indian wellness for centuries, so there is a beautiful synergy as well. Moreover, Indian customers are conscious about what they put on their skin. I love that in India, you blend ancient wisdom with a modern outlook very well , so it just feels like a good fit for me.” Kerr tells me.

Educating us with someone new, reminding us of something old, and taking solace in something borrowed -KORA’s ingredients are aimed at luring the Indian consumer. “Noni extract is one of our hero ingredients. It’s in every single product—packed with over a hundred vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. I’ve been drinking noni juice and applying it to my skin since I was 13, thanks to my grandmother. Moreover, turmeric is great for inflammation and calming your skin. Other ingredients like kakadu plum, the richest source of vitamin C helps to even out skin tone, brightens the skin, and helps prevent and treat pigmentation and dullness,” says Kerr.

But ingredients are not the only selling point for any product. Skin enthusiasts need to feel an immediate connection with the product for it to sustain on their shelves, and something tells me, Kerr resonates well with this feeling. “In addition to being one of the only certified organic global brands, the other things that I’ve included in my brand would be, the efficacy of the product, crystals, and aromatherapy techniques. Every single product is filtered through and touches upon rose quartz crystals in the manufacturing process, so that you feel the energy when you’re using them. Also on the back of every product there’s a positive word—be it bliss, vitality, nourish, or nurture.”

Moving beyond bottled solutions and considering Kerr’s ballot of skincare secrets, it is only tempting to learn a hack or two. But before I could pose the question, she enthusiastically adds, “Consistency is key; there’s no overnight fix! I encourage people to take a moment for themselves every morning and night to just pause and breathe, and take care of themselves with intention.”Being an avid follower of all things beauty, I had to ask what beauty means to her. She jovially states, “shine your light”—an affirmation passed onto her by her mother. She adds, “The kindness in your heart and that radiating love from within is where beauty comes from.” I couldn’t have imagined a better way to end this conversation, and begin my day on an optimistic note.

Image Courtesy: The brand

This piece originally appeared in the April-May print edition of Harper's Bazaar India. 

 

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