The Founder

Dr Fernanda da Silva Tatley

Azurlis™ founder Dr Fernanda da Silva Tatley is a Dunedin based entrepreneur. Born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, she studied at the University of Cape Town completing a PhD in Molecular Medical Microbiology, in 1992.

She then moved to New Zealand in 1999 as a scientist for the University of Otago, becoming involved as a founding researcher in biotechnology start-up, and later transitioning to the science and technology support sector as an account manager for Roche Diagnostics. At the same time she obtained a Master of Entrepreneurship from the University of Otago, in 2008. In this same period she also become a Reiki Master and Reconnective Healing Practitioner.

She is also a family person with 2 grown-up sons, a ginger cat, loves old fashioned roses, making conserves from the plum, quinces and apple trees in her garden, as well as tending to her vegetable garden in the glass house.

“She is a scientist by training, an artist at heart and Reiki Master in her soul.”

She launched Azurlis™ in 2010, though the original concept had its genesis in Cape Town in 1989 while Fernanda was doing a PhD in Medical Molecular Microbiology. These two decades saw Fernanda’s using her spare time to develop products while in academia, and later in more scientific/business development capacities.

Between “idea and product” there was a period of intense revision of published research on botanical ingredient benefits in skin care, as well as the emerging research on a variety of energy healing approaches ranging from yoga, meditation, Reiki and reconnective healing.

Much attention was given to distilling information on harmful ingredients that are used in personal care products, as well as on sustainable harvesting of beneficial ingredients, and manufacturing processes that are least likely to harm the environment. This research highlighted the futility of animal testing as well as the plethora of generally accepted myths on what makes a product natural.

Fernanda’s approach to skincare reflects a balance between science and soul. Her holistic approach to skin, body and soul care is an extension of how she sees the world around her.

Her Mission was to create a natural skin care range that supports environmentally friendly practices and is rich on those elements of Nature that are beneficial to the body, the mind and the soul.

Thus, Azurlis™ Philosophy reflects a holistic approach to skin, body and soul care by incorporating Reiki and crystal energy into our scientific approach to skin care.

This integrative approach was designed to enhance the revitalizing benefits of botanical extracts to create a skin care range inspired by Nature to enrich the skin and calm the soul.

Azurlis™ is manufactured in its studio in premises at Invermay AgResearch Agricultural Centre – Mosgiel, with a small but passionate team. The product range has been consolidated into the current 33 products, to support various skin types and conditions, e.g. Anti-Aging, Dry & Sensitive, Normal & Combination, Rosacea, Oily-Acne-Prone & Teenage. Independent of the products in these collection, Azurlis™ also have wonderful body products. Our products are sold in natural salons in NZ and Hong Kong, as well as online, Azurlis Skin Care.

Our 2010 Launch Video