Meet the Maker: Sandra Velásquez of Nopalera
Sandra was raised by Mexican immigrant parents in Southern California, near the U.S./Mexican border. Growing up, she encountered nopales (cactus plants) everywhere. She and her family would frequently cut them from their own yard and incorporate them into traditional Mexican dishes. Later, she discovered the oil from nopales would make a wonderful and sustainable ingredient in her artisan bath and body products. She has been a trailblazer in introducing nopal oil as an ingredient in natural beauty products and quickly carving a place in the industry for them.
The nopal cactus is an ancient symbol of Mexican culture. It's also one of the most sustainable, nourishing, and resilient crops in the world. Nopalera is committed to making high-end products with clean ingredients, while celebrating natural beauty and resilience, just like the cactus plant.
Sandra founded Nopalera in mid 2020 and has created a line of products that beautifully elevate and celebrate latin culture, while positively impacting the standards of beauty. With striking packaging and naturally subtle scents, Nopalera products truly live up to the beauty and richness of Mexican heritage. And the soaps are playfully molded into the shape of a nopal! We absolutely love the Flor de Mayo Cactus Soap.
Sandra is on a mission to make waves in the beauty industry with her brand and show the world that high end Mexican inspired products belong on the top shelves of shops around the world. We're super excited to carry this fabulous line!
The Cactus Flower Exfoliant is gentle and soothing and leaves the skin feeling buttery soft. And the Moisturizing Botanical Bar (Nopalera's best seller) is magical, especially as a travel friendly solid lotion bar. Throw it in your carry on and you'll never worry about dry hands. The whole set is available in a pretty gold box for yourself or as a gift for someone you love.
Sandra is a fierce Chicana entrepreneur, who also happens to literally be a rock star. Check out her band Pistolera and you'll understand why we are such big fans. And remember these powerful words from Nopalera.
"Tell me how to be strong. I will show you how to hold yourself high in all directions. Tell me how to be brave. I will show you how the sun itself cannot burn you. Tell me how to be loved. I will show you how together we flourish. Tell me how to be beautiful. You are beautiful."