Harsha Thachery has played a pivotal role in changing the way Kochiites perceive homemade products. Having launched Masala Box, one of the pioneering hyper-local delivery services in the city concentrating on delivering homemade food, this entrepreneur has always ensured that her endeavours are marked with a personal touch. Nakedly Yours, Harsha’s latest project featuring handcrafted beauty products is just another extension of this policy. “The name Nakedly Yours has a bit of old-school sensuality and modern quirkiness. There’s also the ideology of honest ingredients attached to it,” begins the businesswoman. But, Harsha’s two-month-old cosmetic line showcasing products made from ingredients ranging from alum to food grade chocolate essence, might take you by surprise.
Hands-on
While the broad categories range from foot salves to bath regimens, it is the naked packing technique of the products that catches one’s eye here. Vibrant-yet-translucent colours specked with oatmeal (All English bar) and rosemary leaves (Holy Moly soap), lends a pleasing outlook to Harsha’s products.“We use food grade colours that are normally used for cake decoration in our products. The logic being, if it’s safe to eat, it’s definitely safe to apply on your skin,” she explains. With her base ingredients like distilled geranium oil (sourced from Ooty), this chartered accountant-turned-entrepreneur is currently working in collaboration with the local communities from the hill station. “We try to involve the local community right from sourcing ingredients to moulding the soaps and in turn creating employment opportunities for them. As of now, my co-founder Lakshana Leelakrishnan makes most of the products herself with the help of two local women from Ooty whom she has personally trained,” she adds.
Bath and beyond
A cruelty-free brand, Nakedly Yours defines itself as a farm-to-face enterprise with all of its products cured via specific methods. As Harsha elaborates, the essential oil concoctions necessary for each product are made by steeping the herbs in base oil for months. Having made their mark at several flea markets across South India over the last couple of months, this artisanal cosmetic label now boasts of customers all the way from Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from individual options, exclusive gift baskets are also available at her online store as themed spa packages (think floral and berry-based products delivered in collectable wooden boxes and glass jars). “Our immediate plan is to get all the different ranges live on the site,” says Harsha signing off.
Lip balms from `150 onwards
Details:nakedlyyours.com