An Aromatic Stress-Treatment Oil That’s Like Klonopin in Scent Form

I had heard of Tata Harper from various magazine features where celebrities discuss things they can’t live without, like their La Mer moisturizing creams and Frette linens. So when I saw this tiny vial of the brand’s Aromatic Stress Treatment in a “free” pile at work, I grabbed it without really thinking. “This is fancy,” a robotic voice in my head said.

Little did I know that this bottle, a bit shorter and stouter than my Burt’s Bees pomegranate chapstick, would become one of my favorite products. Harper, the Colombian-born, Vermont-based beauty entrepreneur, prides herself on using only natural ingredients, and this particular potion is made from jojoba seed oil, along with things I’ve never heard of including Sambucus nigra fruit extract and limonene. The result is that it smells like … rich people.

Which is why, when I’m sitting at my desk on deadline, furiously responding to emails, toggling through the 29 tabs open on my browser, and balancing a Sweetgreen grain bowl in my elbow, I dab a little bit of it onto my wrists, or onto my neck (it has a roll-on applicator), and take a deep breath. Suddenly, I’m someone in an Architectural Digest spread wearing a long camel-colored cashmere cardigan, white pants, a pair of Tods loafers, walking through the atrium of my beachfront Bridgehampton estate to adjust a flower arrangement. For some insane reason that I should probably discuss with a therapist, this makes me feel like all will be okay. Whatever Sambucus nigra fruit extract is, it works. My Aromatic Stress Treatment holds pride of place next to my computer, but I’ve thrown it in my tote bag when I know I’ll be in other stress-triggering situations like a plane ride or a holiday dinner. A quick dab before take-off works like a charm. Plus: It also makes a really nice Mother’s Day, bridal-party, or thanks-for-cat-sitting gift.