Shiva Rose has the kind of resumé that truly inspires — she has more legit slashes in her job description than anyone we know. For starters she’s had a long career onscreen as an actress, appearing in dozens of films and productions (you might recognize her from CSI: Miami, Gideon’s Crossing, or The Practice.) She’s also a big time activist (who even founded a program to feed the homeless while she was in college!)
These days Shiva is the voice behind her popular blog The Local Rose where she shares a fresh and inspiring approach to holistic healthy living. She’s also the genius behind her eponymous beauty line which has garnered somewhat of a cult following among bohemian it girls in LA. So when the self-described “mama/alchemist/blogger/writer/guardian of our earth” invited us over to take notes on her morning routine, all seven of our chakras said “YES.”
photographed by kimberly geneivieve
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
The first I thing I do is spray my face with some radiant rose water. Then I will do some coconut pulling as I prepare my Living Tea. I will then sit in silence and drink my tea as I meditate on things to come forth on that day ~ and then I feed my tribe of children and animals.
You’ve gone from actress to blogger to now beauty product entrepreneur/creator. Your product line is gaining a cult following! What do you love about what you do?
I feel so blessed that I get to create beauty everyday through my line of non toxic products Shiva Rose.
And I feel gratitude that I can share wisdom from others through my holistic lifestyle blog The Local Rose.
How long does your morning routine take from start to finish?
My routine on a non-school day is about an hour with my Kundalini meditation and tea ceremony. On school days it’s truncated to about 15 minutes ~ it’s vital for me to take a quiet moment in the morning to connect with the source, ground myself and be in gratitude for all the blessings in my life.
Do you stick to the same hair and makeup routine every day, or do you like to experiment?
I stay with the same look pretty much, which is a natural look with a little eye concealer called “uncover” up by RMS, then some cheek stain by RMS and the vapour lip stain for day. For evenings out I’ll put on a more vivid red or berry lip and mascara. Sometimes (if I feel extra frisky) some black eyeliner.
If you could only put on one item of makeup, what would it be?
I’d wear the new lip stain I’ve created with Vapour which is a berry rose color.
Do you have a signature scent?
I usually wear a scent I make under a waxing moon that is a blend of natural ambers and musks. At times I will also wear a bit of rose essential oil.
If I don’t use my mystery blend then I like Faith or 11 11 (both available on my site.)
Do you shower in the morning or at night?
I am a bath girl and do it in the evening as a ritual. I find it crucial to release the days energy and to spend some time receiving goddess energy.
I have a moon in scorpio which is why I need water close by on a daily basis ~ I like to dry brush in the evening and soak in my tub with my cleansing Rose Moon Salts. I then will scrub the day away with my Sea Siren Body Scrub as a cleansing ritual. Then I will anoint myself with my Venus Amber Body Oil.
What do you eat for breakfast?
For breakfast (if on the run) I’ll eat raw seeded granola with raw goat yogurt with soaked walnuts and fruit.
If it’s a weekend we will make eggs from our chickens or gluten free oats soaked overnight in almond milk and fruit.
Do you work out in the morning?
I will try to do a quick Kundalini set in the morning otherwise my form of exercise is hiking in the verdant canyons behind my home.
Your perfect getting ready playlist?
I’m a Led Zeppelin girl but also love Bon Iver, Rhye and Beyoncé. As a rule though there is always a mantra playing in my home. The mantras really help balance one on an energetic level and they constantly on so much so that I don’t even hear them anymore but visitors will.
Healthiest morning habit?
Perhaps my smoothie which is sprouted almond milk, maca powder, cacao nibs, coconut meat, ghee, frozen banana.
Worst morning habit?
Tea on an empty stomach ~ but the tea is ceremonial and magical nevertheless!
Daily uniform?
White kundalini yoga wear by Beyond Yoga, or a hand dyed caftan by my friend Maria. I also love the uniform look of Black Crane…
Also a vintage dress with a Celine Bag and Isabel Marant Boots is a usual occurrence.
Finish this sentence: I never leave the house without _________________.
I never leave my house without water with lemon, my Glow Balm on my face, some protective jewelry of some sort.
