When it comes to beauty products, there are several that we know and love. And in honour of Indigenous History Month, we’ve picked out a few brands that uphold their ancestral roots in the beauty space. Whether in makeup or hair, they’re vegan, cruelty-free and use only the most sustainable, eco-friendly packaging. —Nicole Garbanzos
Cheekbone Beauty
Founded by Jenn Harper, Cheekbone Beauty is one of Canada’s first Indigenous-owned cosmetic companies. Their products are deeply rooted in Indigenous practices and use 100 percent of their profits from selected products to give back to Indigenous youth. Every lipstick to mascara is vegan, never tested on animals and Fair-Trade Certified.
Skwalwen Botanicals
Created from the ethereal allure of plants, every serum and face cream from Skwalwen Botanicals is harvested and sourced sustainably. Skwalwen, a Squamish word for “heart,” Dr. Leigh Joseph weaves together techniques from ancestral tradition to bridge botanical-based products that exclude harsh chemicals.
Satya Organic Skin
Proudly Indigenous and woman-owned, Satya Organic Skin focuses on eczema anywhere on the body. Satya, meaning “a higher truth” in Sanskrit, every bottle is refillable, dermatologist-tested and made in Canada. It’s also great for added skin concerns like dry lips, stressed-out skin and chafing or friction.
Mother Earth Essentials
Inspired by her grandmother, Carrie Armstrong began Mother Earth Essentials to showcase the benefits of Canadian plants. A Cree woman born and raised in Hinton, Alberta, she celebrates the beauty and traditional uses of wild plants, and often collaborates with elders and knowledge keepers to uphold Indigenous plant wisdom.
Prados Beauty
The first Xicana and Indigenous beauty brand to retail in stores like Sephora, Prados Beauty is an award-winning cosmetics line that gives back to its communities. Founded by Cecilia Meadows, a proud Indigenous Yoeme woman, she believes in using beauty for good. Inclusively and with diversity.
Wildcraft
Founded in 2014, Laura Whitaker is a Haudenosaunee woman from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Based in Toronto, Wildcraft carries skin and body care in small batches that are intentionally plant-based, cruelty-free and packaged with only eco-friendly, sustainable wrapping.
Yukon Soaps
A health and beauty shop in Mayo, Yukon, the Yukon Soaps Company is founded on community building and on connecting the rest of us to the Indigenous culture of the North. Inspired by the Yukon land, each soap, shampoo bar and essential oil blend is handcrafted with wild rose petals, juniper berries and packaged with artwork from Indigenous artisans.
Sister Sky
Proudly Indigenous-made and produced, Sister Sky was founded by sisters Monica Simeon and Marina TurningRobe. Both enrolled citizens of the Spokane Tribe in Washington State and the Pauquachin First Nation in British Columbia, they wanted to create hair care that couldn’t be found anywhere else. Especially when it came to mixed-textured locks, each hair mask and conditioner softens and deeply hydrates strands.
Niawen
A skincare brand by Paramedical Esthetician, Tara Tekahentakhwa Tarbell, Niawen blends ancestral medicine into modern skincare. Raised in Akwesasne, a Mohawk Nation territory, every cleansing oil and facial mist is intentionally grounded in the Haudenosaunee belief that true beauty is awakened rather than applied.
Sequoia Soaps
Founded in 2002 by Michaelee Lazore, who is Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Akwesáhsne and Northern Paiute from Nevada, Sequoia Soaps diversely includes more scents in the beauty space, like Cedar and Sweetgrass. Representing nature and strength, every product is made locally with ethically sourced ingredients.
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