Part of my skin care routine for the past twenty-five years has included the application of various oils to my face each evening. I believe that routine, along with drinking plenty of water, eating lots of antioxidant rich foods, and partaking in other lifestyle ways, has allowed me to have glowing skin well into my forties.
I love creating different oil blends and recently, this has become one of my facial favorites! Prickly pear seed oil is unbelievably high in vitamin E, which does wonders for the skin, while rose has been used for thousands of years for skin health in other parts of the world. So, when I was creating this blend, I had no intentions but to make it nutrient rich and smell really good, however, after I finished playing with it, I really felt as though I had captured the essence of Tonantzin/Guadalupe in a bottle. I realized that the rose essential oil that I had used was her flower, which although is not native to Mexico, is part of her story. Then there was the nochtli (prickly pear) seed oil, which is definitely symbolic of Mexico along with avocado oil. When it was complete, it was earthy and sweet, uplifting and grounding at the same time - which are attributes I would use if describing her.
Applying this oil to my face each night feels very different than the blends I've used in the past. It doesn't feel part of my night time skin regimen, but rather part of a night time ritual. It's made me want to slow down and anoint my face in gratitude to all of the good things that happened to me in my day versus simply slathering it on and getting into bed. I had beautiful dreams the first night using this facial oil, and I hope you do too. That is true beauty sleep.
“To many people, she is not either/or, but rather one: Tonantzin-Guadalupe. Her blend of indigenous and European features represents the beauty and sacredness of both cultures not just those of the dominant society. Her face is the face of today’s Mexican, Chicano, Mestizo. ”
PRICKLY PEAR AND ROSE ANOINTING OIL
1-ounce glass bottle (preferably with a glass dropper lid)
small funnel
1/2 ounce avocado oil
1/2 ounce prickly pear seed oil
6 - 8 drops *rose essential oil OR 15 - 20 drops of **rose diluted in oil
METHOD
Using your funnel, fill glass bottle halfway with prickly pear seed oil. Add your rose essential oil or rose oil if using, (starting with the smallest amount). Next, fill bottle with avocado oil to about the neck of the bottle (you need space from the dropper). Put lid on and roll the bottle between your hands to blend. Allow the blend to sit overnight. The next day, check the fragrance of the rose oil. Rose is a very heady oil, so less is more in this case as you can always add one or two more drops to your blend if it's not "rosy" enough for you. Label your blend, keep away from heat, and use within six months using only 5 or 6 drops to anoint your face each night. Do not get in your eyes.
This beauty blend is high in antioxidants, vitamin E, and is emotionally uplifting. I will admit, it is a little expensive to make, however, it will last you a very long time as it is very potent. Feel free to play with the blend, perhaps adding more avocado oil instead of prickly pear seed oil, or using a different carrier oil of your choice such as jojoba or rosehip.
Lastly, most ingredients can be easily found at your local health food store, with the exception of prickly pear seed oil. You can find it online, in some Mexican botanicas, or in other speciality stores.
*I used 6 drops of Moroccan rose
**Rose essential oil is very strong, and a quality brand can be very expensive. You may choose to use a Rose Oil (essential oil of rose diluted in a carrier oil such as grapeseed or jojoba).