Luz Holiday Staff Picks

Images of a Siete Chips bag, Gnarly lip gloss, and In The Dream House Book

Holidays are around the corner, which means celebrating with delicious food surrounded by family gatherings and presents. We’re kicking off the season by sharing a few Luz staff picks of our favorite things to gift to others...or ourselves. Why not? One for them, one for us, one for them, one for us..



Up first, Ale, our bubbly lovely social and digital media coordinator. She loves her some tiktok but she also loves Gnarly Gloss.

“I’ve been waitiiiingg for clear gloss to be back in style, and... looks like my moment has arrived. So of course, I had to pick one for this Luz list. I love the Gnarly Gloss because it not only looks super pretty, but it also has coconut & grapeseed oil to keep the lips healthy. Oh, and it smells like heaven, I promise. OH! I almost forgot it has real rose petals inside! I dare you to find a cuter lipgloss.”

We believe her. Check it out:

Jarreau is our fabulous Director of Operations and Growth, who btdubs, is also a super ridic SoulCycle instructor currently based in Las Vegas. So if you’re not shopping for others, give yourself the gift of movement and book a class. But we digress, here’s what J has to say about his staff pick.

“So it might sound weird, but I’m addicted to chips. I can eat giant bags of chips in one sitting, and then eat another bag a few hours later. At some point, it got baaaad. I mean, why bother eating anything else when I can just eat chips? 🤷🏾

So I stopped. Cold turkey. Until I found these.

These chips CHANGED MY LIFE. They are so good. Perfect for a snack and even better for my totopos y guacamole. But better yet, the founder, Veronica Garza, built this company after her father helped her battle several severe health challenges.

So it may not sound like a good gift, but trust me when I say, it’s a GOOD GIFT that my whole family might get this year…assuming I don’t eat them all.”

Everyone needs chips for the party, right?

Natalia, our editorial manager, landed on what else? A book. That shouldn’t surprise anyone because you’re supposed to do what you love, right? Natalia has obviously chosen the right career path.

In The Dream House can be found at one of her fave intersectional feminst community bookstores, Cafe Con Libros.

In The Dream House has a special place in my heart. You see, I had a massive reading block while getting half through Little Women and needed a breather from the classic novel. So I picked this one up.

Let me tell you when I said I needed a break from the classic type of writing; this book UNDERSTOOD the assignment. Author Carmen María Machado makes you mad, sad, and frustrated with her abusive queer relationship through various tropes and narrative techniques while also keeping you at the edge of your seat. She explores in each word a violent queer relationship and the loss of self.

It’s a perfect fit for anyone looking for an out-of-the-box page-turning story.”

Sounds intense. We’re buying it right now.

Cintia, Luz’s lead graphic designer, can create something out of nothing. She understands the assignment each and every time. So what did Cintia choose?

“Ok, so hear me out. I’m all about going green, natural makeup products, reusable stuff, you name it, that’s my jam. And as the Luz designer of courseeee I am huge on aesthetics. So Oh My Coco was the first to come to mind when thinking of what to add to this list.

Mariana Rodríguez, owner of Oh My Coco, took her brand to Shark Tank, Mexico, where the investors called her a fool. However, she didn’t let that hold her back and continued with her project. And she thrived. Now you can purchase her products in both Mexico and the United States.

Oh My Coco is a brand where bowls, dishes, and food utensils are made from coconut shells and bamboo. I looooove it because everything looks beautiful, the materials are natural, not expensive, and behind that is a woman who believed in her dreams and who inspires me to do the same.”

I mean, come on, how do you not gift this to your favorite Alpha Latina in your life?

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Last but not least, Lucy, our fearless leader and Co-Founder, shares her pick of the season. And when we tell you we are NOT surprised, you’ll understand in a second.

“Ok, I love so many things but I am also very picky about my recommendations. I get asked a lot to promote things on my IG and become an ambassador for this or that and TBH, that’s great for some, but I’m just not into it. I have to truly LOVE a product to talk about it so when I was thinking about this list, it was actually hard to choose just one!

But then Chingona Box sent me a sample box, and in it were these fabulous Latina-made items that were all so lovely but one in particular stood out. It was a soap. Normally I’m not into soaps - like at all. I love me some lathery natural body washes, but I digress.

This soap happened to be a coffee soap. And anyone who knows me even the tiniest bit knows that I’m obsessed with coffee. So I figured, well, I’ll try it because the scent must be heavenly. Well it turns out it’s an exfoliating soap with coffee grounds on one side, and the smooth coffee formula on the other. OMG. I just about died. I can ingest coffee AND slather it all over my body??? Sign. Me. Up.

And in addition to the awesome sensation of exfoliation apparently caffeine is known to have skin tightening and firming effects. So yeah, like I said, I ordered a crate. #sorrynotsorry”

Well there you have it. Do you have any coffee addicts in your life? Don’t miss out on this item because it’s a limited edition item from Daffodil Gems and at $6 a bar, you cannot go wrong with this purchase.


We hope you’ve found some inspiration and are ready for the holiday season. Tell us, what Latinx products are you getting for the holidays? Tweet us @luzcollective.

Man with a mule loaded with bags of coffee, representative of the fictional character Juan Valdez of the famous Colombian coffee brand

When Colombian coffee is mentioned, it’s almost reflexive to associate the bean with top-notch quality and flavor. Ever wonder how Colombian beans rose to such global fame? It's a saga of cultural identity, meticulous craftsmanship, global marketing, and, inevitably, controversy. And no one embodies this narrative better than the iconic figure of Juan Valdez.

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Navigating the Impact of Social Media on Latina Body Image

Social media. Love or hate it, it has become an integral part of our lives. With 62.3% of the world’s population using social media daily, platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok aren’t going anywhere. While people of all ages use social media, it’s most popular among Millennials and Gen Zers, including Latinas.

While social media has many positive aspects, such as fostering connections, allowing us to share thoughts and ideas, engaging with communities, and more, it’s also undeniable that it’s hurting many people’s mental health.

For women, in particular, social media has been shown to increase comparison and competition among females, contributing to issues like low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and negative body image. The more time you spend on social media, the more you’re exposed to the illusion of the perfect body and the more you feel like the odd one out. Is there a way to break away from that?

How Social Media Affects Latinas’ Body Image

Body image refers to how you perceive your body, how you feel about it, and how you experience it. This can be negative, where you feel like your body is wrong and you want it to be different, leading to a sense of shame and embarrassment. Or it can be positive, where you feel satisfied, accepting, and grateful for your body, independent of external influences.

This perception of our bodies can be influenced by many factors, including lived experiences, societal messages, and beliefs. It’s also highly influenced by social media because it’s where we’re exposed to whatever beauty standard is trending at any given time. Moreover, social media exposes us to unrealistic depictions of beauty because most of the images we see are filtered or edited and posed.

Social media also creates an unhealthy culture of comparison and competition. Women are particularly susceptible to it, especially teenagers, and tend to compare themselves to what they see online. That’s because we have learned to see ourselves based on what we see in the media. What we see in the media are tons of pictures of good-looking, seemingly flawless people, and it can make us feel deeply insecure.

Many studies have looked into this cultural phenomenon, and the overall conclusion is the same: spending too much time on social media is a surefire way to feel bad about yourself and your body. Latinas are highly affected by this because beauty standards often prioritize thin white women. Meanwhile, the Latino culture idealizes curvy, hourglass body types. So, the pressure is coming from all sides for Latinas.

Considering that social media is so essential to our daily lives, this leads us to the question: is there a way for Latinas to use social media healthily? Can we take back control of the effect it can have on our body image?

How to Turn Social Media into a Source of Latina Empowerment

It’s important to remember that social media isn’t inherently all good or all bad, it’s the way we use it that defines the effect it has on us. We can’t change the way society as a whole employs social media, but we can decide how to use it ourselves and the kind of power we allow it to have in our lives.

When it comes to Latinas and the effect social media can have on our body image, many Latina influencers are helping break the cycle by promoting body positivity and sharing themselves as they are. Switching to more body-positive and honest content is an effective way to expose yourself to real bodies of all shapes and sizes, as well as find inspiration. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on the way you see yourself and your level of body satisfaction.

It’s also important to make a conscious effort to avoid comparison. Social media can be a source of inspiration and motivation, but if your mindset frames everything you see in terms of what you think you lack, it will continue to be a source of discomfort. Not just about your body, but also about your accomplishments, your career, your love life, and more.

One way to help yourself is to curate your feed and make following people a more conscious practice. When you spend time on social media, are there people who instantly trigger comparisons or make you feel bad about yourself? If so, it’s time to unfollow them and fill your feed with content that makes you feel good. Whether that’s empowering Latina influencers, cat meme accounts, nature photos, affirmations, motivational messages, etc., find content that provides positive feelings.

If you need some help, here are a few Latina influencers who champion body positivity and encourage realistic body perception:

Jessica Torres (@thisisjessicatorres)

Born in Ecuador, Jessica Torres is known for her style and joy. Not only can she serve as fashion inspiration, but her bold outlook on life and approach to body positivity will also help you embrace your feminine energy and confidence.

Massy Arias (@massy.arias)

If you need some fitness inspiration, Dominican Republican Massy Arias provides helpful tips on how to take care of your body. She’s a health coach known for her workouts, tips, and empowering takes.

Gloria Lucas (@nalgonapride)

Mexican-American Gloria Lucas is an activist who’s particularly passionate about raising awareness of eating disorders within the Latino community. Her body-positive messaging is inspiring and she will also expose you to social issues worth everyone’s attention.

Nancy Gonzalez (@nancys_journey)

Last but not least, Nancy Gonzalez is another fitness influencer and she was initially focused on sharing her weight loss journey. She’s known for her sense of humor and her tips on workout techniques and healthy meals, encouraging others by sharing her progress.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember it’s in your power to take the reins and decide what kind of effect social media can have on you. You can either use it and allow yourself to be sucked into the comparison culture or you can use it for your own empowerment by being a lot more mindful of the people you follow and the content you interact with.

Graphic design that features a portrait of María Félix
Luz Media

María Félix, also known as “La Doña” or “María Bonita,” is one of the most iconic Mexican actresses to grace the silver screen during the golden age of Mexican cinema, achieving international fame and diva status. Her perception as an icon goes beyond her fantastic work as an actress, though. She was a larger-than-life figure who, with her talent, strong will, femininity, progressive mindset, and unapologetically lived life has inspired generations of Latina women.

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