PERSPECTIVES UNHEARD: Karla Cruz

KARLA CRUZ - PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST, VANCOUVER

Tell us about a time you felt seen and heard and how it impacted you?

My identity as it related to my culture has always been quite complicated and growing up in a city with very little connection to my culture made me feel as though it was something to hide. I was always confronted with stereotypes and prejudice. As an adult, I've worked hard to change that and prove that we belong in every room and at every table. I am proud of my roots, I am proud to be the daughter of immigrants and I am determined to show the world that we are not all the terrible things some people want others to think we are. Eauso Vert is the very first brand that I felt an immediate connection to through that message. The very first time I heard about them, I went to their Instagram page and saw a 12 second reel that for the first time in my life, made me feel like my culture belonged in luxury spaces. 

What is your earliest scent memory?

I can still vividly remember my mom putting on Youth Dew or White Diamonds every Saturday morning before church and thinking she smelled so beautiful!
Youth Dew appears to have been reformulated because the current version smells so drastically different to what I remember (late 90's-early 00's) but White Diamonds smells just as comforting as I remember!

What's a scent that reminds you of feeling whole?

My grandmother's signature scent was Donna Karan Cashmere mist. Whenever I smell it, it transports me to summer breaks in Los Angeles to visit family. It brings me back to my last memories of my family feeling whole. 

Does scent play a role in any of the rituals in your life?

I tend to consider fragrance at every important moment in my life. If I have a big event coming up or a milestone is achieved, I will be intentional about the scent I'm wearing at that moment so that I can form a scent association. I still look at my 12 yr old bottle of Jasmin Rouge and remember my first grown-up fragrance purchase in Paris. I can smell Britney Spears Fantasy and can vividly remember sitting in my grade 10 math class so eager for the day to finish. Scent is my favourite way to evoke past memories but also commemorate future achievements.

How has community played a role in your journey thus far?

Community has been everything for me! It is through community that I have learned about the cultural significance of different aspects of fragrance. It is through community that I have gotten to explore new and exciting scents that I may have never discovered otherwise. It is also through community that I have experienced beauty, kindness, and empathy beyond fragrance.

Does scent play a role in your creative process?

Scent directly affects my mood and energy. Vanilla Embers makes me feel comforted and warm. Joga makes me feel energized and at the same time, grounded. How do I want to feel? Do I need to feel energized or comforted? What will help fuel my energy for the day? Scent is aromatherapy and I often tend to choose my scent of the day based on emotions.

If your soul had a scent, what would the notes be?

Vanilla, orris butter, copal, tuberose, amber

Follow Karla @karlacruz