Wellness can be a nebulous word. It can mean different things to different people. For Cat Tatman, co-founder of Denver’s skincare and beauty brand Intelligent Elixirs, wellness encompasses both the health of the body and the happiness of the mind—two principles she works to achieve through both her brand and in her everyday life.
What’s your background in skincare, and what led you here to Denver?
I began my career in beauty doing marketing and product development in San Francisco. After ten years, I had the opportunity to move to Denver to work with a beauty distributor that was also looking to develop some of its own products, and here I am today!
How did Intelligent Elixirs come to be?
My former colleague, Mary Butler, and I co-founded Intelligent Elixirs. We’d previously worked with a company that created skincare and cosmetics for the professional marketplace—plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and aestheticians—and we recognized the need for reasonably priced, quality skincare products with clean formulations that were accessible and easy to use, but still delivered results.
How is skincare particularly important in maintaining wellness?
Our skin is our largest organ and it protects us from the outside world—which is a big job! So keeping it healthy is important. But I feel that wellness means both feeling good and being happy so, if you’ve ever struggled with skin issues or self-consciousness about your skin, you know how it can impact how you feel on a daily basis. Having a healthy complexion is a major confidence boost, which plays a huge role in overall wellness.
What are some of your wellness goals for the new year?
In 2020, I’m going to try to schedule a little more time for “play.” I typically try to get outside and walk whenever possible, especially with my dog, Sadee, who is just so good for my soul. I’m happiest and feel my best when I’m getting good sleep and achieving a balance of work and play, and this year I want to emphasize downtime and fun to make sure I’m continually resetting and refreshing from the stresses of daily life.
Sidebar: Tips from the Pro
Tatman’s personal skincare routine to achieve healthy, glowing skin.
A.M.
Rose Foaming Cream Cleanser
15% Vitamin C Anti-aging Serum
Vitamin B-5 Hydrating Serum
Total Eye Repair
Antioxidant Moisturizer
Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Tip: Don’t forget about your body and dry brush before showering. It’s great for exfoliating and increasing blood flow.
P.M.
Cleanse
Botanical A Night Serum
Total Eye Repair
Antioxidant Moisturizer
Tip: Add a few drops of Pure Squalane to your moisturizer for enhanced overnight treatment, and use a Citrus Facial Scrub two or three times per week after cleansing to exfoliate.
