Must-have beauty products from Indigenous-owned brands

Exploring new beauty products is one of our favourite things to do! When you find products that support communities, though, it can be much more rewarding. Today, that's exactly what we're doing with the help of beauty and culture expert Meera Estrada.  She highlighted some incredible products from Indigenous beauty brands to know, support and try! 

Find Meera's picks below, and don't forget to watch the video above for more information about the brands and their amazing products.

Cheekbone Beauty Sustain Blush/Bronzer Duo

Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded Canadian cosmetics company based out of St. Catharines, Ontario. They’re known for creating high quality, cruelty-free beauty products designed for low environmental impact and maximum wearability. The new vegan talc-free blush/bronzer duo with sheer, buildable coverage leaves the skin looking naturally sun-kissed. It’s available in three shades (fair, medium, deep) which work beautifully across all skin tones. 

Cheekbone Beauty | $29

Niawen Three Sisters Makeup Collection

This set and all of the products from Niawen fuse nature and science with the sacred power of Indigenous traditions. They use natural, effective and high-quality ingredients from around the Mohawk territory and the Adirondacks of New York. This contour, highlight and colour trio is all you need for a quick and easy application to enhance your natural beauty. More than makeup, these little sticks are skincare makeup -- makeup that’s good for you and your skin.

Niawen | $101

Sequoia Tea Tree Mint Face Scrub

Sequoia is a proudly Indigenous brand that is 100% owned and operated by Indigenous women. They design, produce and package all of their products locally. Gentle enough for everyday use, this face scrub encourages cell renewal and will give you a healthy glow. Tea tree is known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, so it’s great for acne prone skin. The peppermint oil adds a cooling effect that relieves inflamed skin. Even for normal skin, this is a beautiful way to freshen up for the day.

Sequoia | $22

Sḵwálwen Tewín'xw Cranberry Rose Facial Serum

Sḵwálwen Botanicals is an Indigenous skincare brand that honours cultural knowledge, Indigenous plant science and self-care. TEWÍN’XW (too-ay-nooh) is one of the Squamish words for berry, and this facial serum blends cold pressed berry seed oils with botanically derived hyaluronic acid and coenzyme Q. Restorative and deeply nourishing, the serum aids in holding moisture in the skin while reducing redness and the appearance of fine lines. Use this serum morning and night on clean skin in place of or in combination with a moisturizer.

Sḵwálwen | $62

Land of Daughters Solid Perfume in Wild Honey

Metis + female founded, Land of Daughters launched with a focus on creating unique scents for candles, aroma sprays and solid perfumes. Handmade in Calgary, Alberta, these coconut oil-based perfume sticks smell exactly like their candles and aroma sprays, and will definitely uplift. Wild Honey has notes of tobacco, cedarwood, oakmoss and amber and of course, honey, but you can choose from more than 15 gorgeous scents. Apply as desired for fragrance that will last for approx. 6-8 hours.

Land of Daughters | $26

The Yukon Soaps Company Bath + Body Oil & Matching Soap Combo

Indigenous owned and operated, The Yukon Soaps Company creates beautiful, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, essential oil blends and so much more. Featuring wild rose petals, juniper berries, a Yukon-shaped press and the beadwork of Indigenous artisans, these soaps are literally infused and imprinted with the spirit of the Yukon. The rose petals are harvested by community members with respect and in honouring the teachings of their elders.

The Yukon Soaps Company | $20

Wildcraft Lime and Bergamot & Lavender and Sage Deodorant

Wildcraft is a Toronto based company devoted to creating 100% natural skincare products at approachable price points (everything is under $35). Their products are thoughtfully minimalist, handmade in small batches and simply designed with fresh and organic ingredients. They recently launched two new deodorants: Lavender Sage, and Lime Bergamot. These natural deodorants glide on smoothly and actually work without any ingredients that irritate your skin.

Wildcraft | $21

Naidié Nezų Shower Steamers

Naidié Nezu is an Indigenous-owned, botanical-based business that believes in the power of Indigenous plants. These shower steamers will soothe your sinuses with eucalyptus, lemon and mint essential oils, plus menthol crystals. Simply place a steamer in the shower out of the direct stream of water. They will gradually melt and you can enjoy the benefits of next-level hydro-aromatherapy. 

Naidié Nezų | $17