Stock your beauty cabinet with products from these Canadian-owned skincare and makeup brands.

Over the past few months, we've been intentionally buying Canadian-owned and -made clothing, home goods, and even pantry staples. Now, we're turning our attention to our well-loved beauty products.

From coast to coast, we're lucky to be home to no shortage of incredible brands—many of which are founded and led by women. These are 12 of our favourites. 

Cheekbone Beauty 

Photo by Cheekbone Beauty

Cheekbone Beauty, one of the first Canadian Indigenous-owned cosmetics companies, was founded by Jenn Harper in 2015. The St Catharines-based beauty brand is rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, and high-performance, low–impact products (including their best-selling lipsticks). 

Nudestix 

Photo by Nudestix

Founded by sisters Ally and Taylor Frankel (as well as their chemical engineer mother, Jenny Frankel), Nudestix is all about easy-use products that enhance your natural features. Their crayon-like face, lip, and eye sticks are made for quick blending with your fingers or a brush for a no-nonsense look.

Sahajan 

Photo by Sahajan

Sahajan’s luxurious products are rooted in Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old Indian medicinal practice that uses only natural, clean ingredients. This made-in-Canada brand offers rich eye creams and moisturizers, silky oil cleansers, and no shortage of helpful skincare tips.

Elate

Photo by Elate

Elate is a low-waste, environmentally-conscious Canadian beauty brand committed to sustainable packaging and ethically-sourced ingredients. Bonus: their products are vegan and cruelty-free.

Watier

Photo by Watier

A longstanding beauty brand out of Quebec, Lise Watier has been around for over 50 years. 

Ember Wellness

Photo by Ember

With a curved shape, Ember’s unique bar-based serums, highlighters, and bronzers mimic gua sha tools. Not only are their products super-hydrating and travel-friendly, but their refillable packaging makes them low-waste.

19/99

Photos by 19/99

19/99’s philosophy is that beauty isn’t about age—whether you’re 19 or 99, beauty is defined however you choose. This women-founded and women-owned brand is based in Toronto and features moisturizing multi-purpose products. 

Skinfix

Photos by Skinfix

Created by Amy Gordinier, a trained pharmacist, Skinfix’s products are all about science-backed, sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients. Their products are dermatologist–approved, with many recommended by the National Eczema Association (NEA) and National Rosacea Society (NRS).

Sḵwálwen Botanicals

Photo by Sḵwálwen Botanicals

Sḵwálwen, the Squamish word for "heart," is an Indigenous skincare line that honours Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge and ancestral traditions. Using sustainability harvested or sourced plants and ingredients, these products are informed by generations of wisdom and science.

Vasanti 

Photo by Vasanti

Founded by four Canadian women, Vasanti’s products are designed to feel weightless, enhance natural features, and cater to an extensive range of skin tones. 

Bite Beauty 

Photo by Bite Beauty

From their best-selling agave lip mask to an array of lipsticks and glosses, Bite Beauty is made for lip care. Visit their lip labs to create your very own lip product formula, scent, and shade!

Evio Beauty

Photo by Evio

Founded by Brandi Leifso while she was living in a women’s shelter, Evio’s skincare and makeup products are dermatologist-tested and cruelty-free. Plus, the brand is committed to supporting organizations across North America that help survivors of domestic violence. 

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