The plant that impressed Sandra Velasquez’s trendy Mexican magnificence and physique care model Nopalera was all the time proper in entrance of her.
Nevertheless it wasn’t till she was in dire want — jobless with no financial savings, scholar mortgage and bank card debt, all whereas being a single mother to a 13-year-old — that she acquired the concept that has expanded into an upscale magnificence model with a worldwide presence.
The important thing ingredient for her model was plentiful however ignored: nopales.
“It was only a divine obtain,” Velasquez stated. “Right here’s this plant I’ve identified my entire life that I grew up consuming — that actually is in everybody’s entrance yard, yard, facet of the freeway. We take it as a right.”
It was an apparent alternative to make use of the pads of the prickly pear cactus, which is a staple in Mexican delicacies, because the star ingredient within the magnificence model. It was sustainable, rising in abundance with no considerations about overfarming. It doesn’t require a particular local weather and is tough to kill.
However the vegetable, stuffed with nutritional vitamins and antioxidants, had but to be unlocked by different manufacturers. Whereas it isn’t environmentally uncommon, nopales are nonetheless valuable, Velasquez defined.
“It’s extremely culturally symbolic to Mexican tradition,” Velasquez stated. “It’s on the Mexican flag. It’s a logo of resilience and heritage.”
Nopalera is formulated based on Credo Magnificence requirements, a strict regulation that’s closest to the European Union commonplace and bans 1000’s of elements.
For Velasquez, it was important for Nopalera to be a premium magnificence model that may very well be in the identical enviornment as different luxurious magnificence corporations.
“Should you suppose that each Mexican product needs to be low-cost, what does that say about what you consider us?” Velasquez stated. “That’s actually the inspiration that the entire model is constructed on — standing in your value.”
Velasquez studied chemistry and constructed the model for a yr and half earlier than launching it in November 2020. On the time, Velasquez was creating all of the objects herself from her residence. Initially, she launched a shower set. Now, the model has expanded to incorporate scent-forward physique care with sultry and smoky scents like Dulce de Cuerpo.
In July, she moved her enterprise, which had been headquartered in New York, to San Antonio. This was one other easy resolution for Velasquez.
“Folks simply get it. I really feel understood,” she stated about San Antonio. “I don’t really feel like I’ve to clarify myself. I don’t must spell my final identify. I don’t have to clarify what my model is — everybody already is aware of. That’s such a aid.”
Earlier than turning into a magnificence mogul, Velasquez was a musician for a few years within the band Pistolera. Velasquez stated she’s nonetheless on stage, simply otherwise.
“I strategy issues like an artist,” she stated. “Once I go to make one thing, I’m attempting to make one thing new.”
In 2026, Nopalera is planning to launch scrubs in three new scents. The model may be bought on-line at Ulta or regionally at Rancho Diaz.
