Welcome to our Personality Spotlight, Elizabeth! After learning a little bit about you through your site, I know that you come from a diverse background in many ways. Please tell us about yourself.

     I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and my mom is from the US, so I have dual citizenship US/Mexican.  I’ve lived on the Atlantic coast of Florida to the Pacific coast of Mexico and California, and currently live in San Antonio with my darling husband and four bunnies.  Before formulating, I worked in a variety of fields ranging from an account executive for a large investment firm to working as an intern therapist with children to foster their creative capacity.  I have a B.A. in psychology from Pitzer College, and did my graduate studies in Expressive Arts Therapy at The Expressive Arts Institute of San Diego and at the European Graduate School in Saas-Fee Switzerland.  I completed three intense years and defended my thesis, but never completed the final requirements because I started Rosa y Fruta… I could have never in my wildest dreams predicted that life change!

 

What was in your background that led you in a more 'natural' way?

     I was a nutritional chef in my mid twenties, and very conscious about eating organic and healthy.  I educated myself on labels not only with food but the products that I put on my body.  I recognized the slough of unhealthful chemicals, unethical claims, and environmentally irresponsible actions of the personal care industry.  I soon began to make my own products so I knew for certain I was putting something pure on my skin.  However, I found out the hard way that rubbing fruit juice on your skin repeatedly will create sun sensitivity- think alpha-hydroxy acid!  Fortunately the skin quickly heals and repairs.  This was a good lesson that natural does not always mean good for the skin.  I also discovered that a beautiful face, skin, and hair wash made from fresh young Thai coconuts is amazing, but has a shelf life of about one day.  All those yummy wholesome foods for us also become a wonderful feast for bacteria, yeast, and mold when left on the bathroom shelf.  Thus, I began years of investigating and researching skin care formulation in terms of the science behind it, artistic elements, different cultural approaches, ancient knowledge, modern technology, spiritual integration, environmental implication, and social responsibility.

 

What books or classes would you recommend for all-natural beauty care?

     One book that stands out above the rest for me, and was the first natural skin care book I picked up, is Ayurvedic Beauty Care by: Melanie Sachs.  This is truly a holistic and natural approach to skin care that is uniquely catered to the individual.  Her teachings about beauty are in respect to inner and outer harmony through ancient ayurvedic beauty secrets.  This book alone greatly influenced my thinking on natural approaches to skin care.

You founded and run Rosa y Fruta, a most unique and exquisite line of all-natural beauty products.  Please tell us what makes your line different from others, as well as what standards you adhere to.

     I like the word “different” that you use.  Because there are other companies equally as wonderful, and we each have a unique offering.  I truly, and with all my heart, have the intention of higher love when formulating my products.  I think more and more companies are infusing consciousness into their business model- especially companies focused on natural more holistic approaches, however it is still a rarity in the current business paradigm.  My unique approach would be coming from a place of love first and foremost.  This creates a profound influence on everything from the ingredients chosen, creative input, the final formulation, to daily business decisions.  For example, one of my best selling products when I first began Rosa y Fruta was the Ambrosia de Rosa Daily Face & Eye Cream.  It was a beautiful blend of three high quality ingredients (nilotica shea butter, argan nut oil, and damask rose oil), of course all wild and certified organic and cold-pressed and steam distilled.  My clients adored this product!  However, I came upon some dermatological research indicating the rise in contact dermatitis due to the increase use and frequency of essential oil application (even gentle ones like rose).  In fact, massage therapists were the main cases reported.  None of my clients had a reaction to the Ambrosia, and even my clients with highly sensitive skin could use it with excellent results, however, I didn’t want to take the chance that a client may develop a sensitivity over time by using a cream containing an essential oil.  I realize that these dermatology tests might use inferior grade essential oils or ones that have been solvent extracted (which itself could have been the cause of the dermatitis), but until this is made clear, my care and concern for my clients comes first.  So I put love for my clients first before profit and removed my best selling Ambrosia cream.  With time the Ambrosia has evolved into a special treatment to be used 3 times a week as a beautifying facial luster and higher heart chakra nectar.  Essential oils like Rose Bourbonia, that I use in the new Ambrosia de Rosa, are excellent when used a few times a week.  When used in this way, the essential oil activates the skin, wakes it up so to speak.  I have discovered that essential oils play a very important role in skin care, as a catalyst, but are too charged and potent for daily use.  I would have never learned this had my priority been profit first, which is the business norm.  I trust that when I follow my heart, then the way is lit.

 

I know that your line is constantly being tweaked. It's like a constant evolution, like a work of art in progress.  Knowing that you have an art background, please give us some insight as to how you work (play?) at creating your beautiful products.

     I would say 50% artistic inspiration and 50% science.  It is a challenging art form because it requires not just imaginative blends and ingredients, but real life application... it has to be safe on the skin as well as give results.  This is unlike a painting, where one can has free creative range without giving someone contact allergen or expect significant hydration.  If left to my imagination I would have hundreds of formulas that would evoke the imagination and smell exquisite but who knows what they would actually do for the skin, and how in the world would I realistically make all of these products!  There is a check and balance continually going on through the process.

     The changes and natural evolution of the line have been influenced by hard realities (such as the research of essential oil use and contact dermatitis) as well as creative inspiration, client feedback, new exciting ingredients, the latest research…. all these fuel the fire of change.  I have found lately however, that after all these years of moving, shaking, and stirring, that the collections are naturally settling into place.  Like a giant puzzle, the pieces have found their match, and the whole picture becomes clear and revealed.  I have distilled the finest and the best of the best, and it simply is as close to perfection as I could hope.  I know that there will always be new exciting ingredients, more changes to be explored, but like any art piece, there comes a time when you simply know it is complete.

 

What are your own personal favorites in the line and what are the most popular items?

     I honestly love all my products and use them all. If I had to choose a few favorites they would be the Ambrosia de Rosa: facial beauty luster & higher heart chakra nectar, the Nectar de Pasion: pomegranate facial antioxidant and emollient, and The entire Camellia Blanca collection: soothing facial cleansing milk, sumptuous face & eye cream, and pure white camellia oil.

     The Ambrosia de Rosa is an exquisite and divinely fragrant infusion of rare hydro-distilled Indian Rose Bourbonia extract- a symbol of beauty; the finest certified organic supercritically extracted Mediterranean Pomegranate nectar- the fruit of passion; and the most precious certified organic cold-pressed unrefined White Camellia oil- the essence of innocence.  Beauty + Passion + Innocence all in perfect balance = Love! The Ambrosia not only has made a difference for my skin, making it more radiant and supple, but has also opened my heart on levels I did not know possible.  I like to say, go ahead, I dare you to apply Indian Rose Bourbonia, hydro-distilled in silica crystal quartz glass using water from a deep volcanic spring in the Sacred Iao Valley on Maui, and not be changed just a little!  The more your heart beams with love, the more beauty you radiate.

     The Nectar de Pasion is another favorite, which contains a double blend of the absolute finest and most potent pomegranate skin antioxidant.  Pomegranate, known as the fruit of passion, has exceptionally high amounts of antioxidants that neutralizes free radical formation on the skin, increases procollagen synthesis, and protect and repair it from UV radiation.  Promising research suggests that pomegranate extract has anti-skin cancer properties when applied topically.  The Nectar de Pasion is also highly emollient and makes skin so amazingly soft!  I like to apply it under the Camelia Blanca face & eye cream once daily.

     The entire Camellia Blanca collection is the basis of my skin care routine.  It is a revolutionary approach to modern skin care.  For the organic purest, applying pure nilotica shea butter to the face as a moisturizer with pomegranate oil is definitely a wonderful way to go, yet for those wanting to significantly increase hydration, improve texture, tone, as well as fade pigmentation spots, then a little creative innovation is necessary.  The Camellia Blanca line uses ancient beauty secrets, pure certified organic ingredients, with cutting edge Eco-Cert approved natural derivatives.  The result is a very safe, environmentally friendly collection that gives exceptional results!

 

If you started your business today, what would you do differently?  What advice would you give to someone just starting out with a personal care business?

      I would allow myself to be more open in letting others help me run the business.  Teamwork is an essential resource.  I’ve been a one woman show, running the business on my own, and like everyone I have my strengths and weaknesses.  A team might have it’s own complications, but it can fortify and accelerate strength while also compensating for weak links.

      My advice for someone just starting out, and is what I did because of the great advice of my father, and that is to go step by step.  Don’t put all you financial resources into one big project.  Start small, learn what works and what doesn’t.  Then with those lessons and profits re-invest into the company to take the next step.  This gives you a chance to learn along the way, and the freedom to make adjustments.
 
 

Besides creating your products, what do you do for fun, and what are your hobbies?

      I love spending time with my husband-- he is my inspiration for profound love.  Every Tuesday I have brunch with my mom and sisters, and my new nephew (he’s just the sweetest!).  This is very special for me, and the reason I moved back to Texas-- to be closer to family.  I’m also an intermodal artist: paint, play guitar, sing, choreograph dance, drama… and recently started martial art (Tae Kwon Do).  Art informs and transforms and is a resource to express, redirect, shape, form, give voice to, and release - keeping drama in the theater not life...well most of the time.  I enjoy reading, loving meditation, being with friends, petting my bunnies, and yes sometimes a girl likes to shop : )  What brings me most joy is loving more profoundly each and every moment, this is my higher calling-- this is my daily prayer and discipline.
 

If you could spend an afternoon being pampered, what would it entail (and please don't leave anything out!)?

      I’m a sensual person, so any form of massage, tender touch, bathing in warm water is all lovely.  Bathing with the scent-free Bano de Lluvia feels very tender and nurturing, is silky to my hair and skin, and clears my energy field.  A full loving body rub — from head to toe, with the Ambrosia de Rosa is an exquisite and relaxing experience for me.  The nicest sequence for me is knowing I have a day off, beginning the day with soft music by my favorite window under this lovely great tree in meditation, followed by delicious stretching and flowing dancing.  Next a yummy wholesome breakfast (anything with mango, pecans, and blueberries makes me happy), play my guitar, run a warm bathe, breathe deep, give and receive a massage, make love, smile, have a yummy nourishing lunch, read a book, perhaps a cat nap, give artistic expression to whatever inspiration I have in the moment, then get dressed up for a fun night of dinning and dancing with husband and friends.  To end the day, stretching, deep breathing, gratitude, luscious sleep : )
 

 

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Rosa y Fruta