meet•monique

This brand grows from the deep, soulful roots of my family’s legacy—a legacy nurtured by the farming hands and curanderos who, for over 500 years, cultivated not just crops but an intimate relationship with the land. In the heart of New Mexico, my ancestors found healing and meaning in the earth, weaving its wisdom into their lives with quiet resilience and devotion.

At a time when women were forbidden from farming, and the curandero’s craft was misunderstood, my grandmothers stood unshaken. They worked the soil with reverence, planting seeds of courage and care that grew into something far greater than tradition—a bond with the earth that feels like a heartbeat, steady and alive.

This connection, tender and profound, is the soul of this brand. It is a tribute to those who came before me, to their strength, and to the land that continues to hold us all so deeply.

Working in cosmetic formulation and product development over the years reshaped the way I see this industry. What once felt sacred—raw materials offered by the earth with care and intention—has been reduced to something disconnected. Ingredients are stripped from the land and turned into commodities, destined for shelves in places like Target and Sephora, far removed from their origins.

The stories of the farmers, the hands that nurtured these gifts, are erased in favor of production and profit. The earth is treated as something to take from, not to honor. It’s a hollow cycle, one that forgets the soulful connection to the land and the people who sustain it—the very connection that is at the heart of the•alambique. I It is my mission to have every ingredient carry its story, its purpose, and its dignity, as it should.

Over the years, a question has stayed with me: what if we told the stories of the farmers first? What if, instead of hiding behind marketing tactics, we spoke openly about the real reasons prices change—like the impact of a crop failure on the harvest of precious oils? Too often, I’ve seen companies quietly cut corners—reducing the quality of their products, changing formulas, or adjusting weights just to maintain relationships with big retailers like Walmart.

These practices have left me frustrated and disheartened with the cosmetics industry. How can a serum that costs just $1.50 to make be sold for $150 at Neiman Marcus? The answer lies in the story they’re spinning—a story that focuses more on selling a brand than on honoring the ingredients or the farmers behind them. It’s a choice, a painful one, to prioritize profit over people.

It’s a choice I’ll never make. The story I want to tell is one that begins with the land and the hands that tend it, a story that’s woven with respect, honesty, and a deep commitment to those who make it all possible. It is a testament to my grandmothers who taught me to not just want change, but to be change. 

This brand is a testament to the farmers who lovingly dip their hands into biodiverse soil, curating the raw materials we use with care and dedication. My mission isn’t just to promote a product; it’s to honor the land itself. Each raw material is a gift, and these cosmetics are felt in a way that goes beyond surface level. They carry the essence of the earth, the quiet wisdom of the land. It’s different, because the secret is in the soil. 

-monique