Looking to get into the world of Indigenous beauty products, but not sure where to start? Michaella Shannon rounds up some of her favourite products.
Wildcraft – Oil Cleanser
The first is a Sunflower oil-based Cleanser. There are no suds, but rather suds a blend of botanical oils which leaves skin feeling clean, hydrated, and soft. This cleanser is 100% chemical free and handmade in Toronto. It’s also suitable for all skin types and won’t strip skin of its natural barrier.
The tea tree and frankincense oils aid in gently unclogging pores and clearing impurities, making oil cleansing the perfect balance of both nourishing and decongesting benefits. A small amount goes a long way. Massage into skin, followed by using a cloth with warm water to gently remove the cleanser and debris from skin. Since their products are completely natural and made with fresh ingredients, there are no preservatives, so keep refrigerated.
Did you know?: The Wildcraft cleanser doubles as make up remover! Gentle and effective at removing makeup, dirt, and grime. It works to clear impurities and congestion and leaves the skin lightly hydrated, comfortable, and smooth.
Sḵwálwen Botanicals – Tewín’xw Cranberry Rose Antioxidant Facial Serum
Sḵwálwen is an Indigenous business creating botanical skin care products. Honouring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge, they incorporate sustainably harvested plants and organic, high quality ingredients.
This facial serum blends cold pressed berry seed oils (including rosehip, cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, and sea buckthorn) with botanically derived hyaluronic acid and coenzyme Q. It’s restorative and deeply nourishing, the serum aids in holding moisture in the skin while reducing redness and the appearance of fine lines. The light citrus scent comes from a gentle blend of essential oils.
Did you know?: TEWÍN’XW (too-ay-nooh) is one of the Squamish words for berry.
Cheekbone Beauty – AKI – Red Sustain Lipstick
The Cheekbone Beauty’s Sustain Lipstick Collection is amazing, a colour we recommend is the Aki (AH KEE) Shade, Red. This Brand Cheekbone is Indigenous owned and founded and gives back to their community. Part of all proceeds go towards charitable foundations that help protect indigenous waters and environment.
With the launch of the SUSTAIN Collection, they are getting closer to creating a carbon-neutral beauty brand with a goal for zero-waste in 2023. Each shade of SUSTAIN Lipsticks is named after earth and/or land in one of the over 7000 Indigenous languages. They share a glimpse of each language through each shade.
Did you know?: Each of their lipsticks are named after an influential leader in the Indigenous community, for example Autumn Peltier, Buffy Saint Marie, Sarain Fox.
Sohka – Lashes & Glue
Sohka is a Canadian-based and Indigenous owned luxury lash brand based out of Vancouver. We recommend their Faux mink lash styles. They are reusable and the longer you wear them the more they form to the shape of your eyelid, making it easier to put on every time.
The glue included is the amazing quality glue so there’s no worry about lashes popping off from the rain or from any moisture. Eyelashes with a thicker band are beneficial because they form to your eyelid and the corners don’t pop off and it doubles as eyeliner! Since the glue is waterproof to remove the glue, you just have to take a Q-tip and some coconut oil (or oil cleanser) and it will just slip off. Plus, you can reuse them over and over again.
Did you know?: Sohka gives 10% of their proceeds to their own Sohka Women Fund Program, to help micro-fund Indigenous, women-led projects.
Satya Organic – Natural Skin Care Stick & Jar
This brand makes an Organic Eczema Relief Balm. It’s of course Canadian based and Indigenous owned. The balm is more than a moisturizer. Whether you’re dealing with eczema or simply stressed-out skin, Satya is a proven effective topical anti-inflammatory that soothes + restores all types of skin.
The founder Patrice Mousseau started the company based on a need for her daughter, who was suffering from eczema. The doctor prescribed steroid cream, which is alarming to use on a baby as it is extremely toxic. She started by searching the market for something that was effective, non-toxic, fragrance free and organic, so Patrice took matters into her own hands and started experimenting in her own kitchen crockpot and that’s when she developed a balm that cleared her daughter’s eczema in just two days.
Did you know?: Satya is a steroid free, effective anti-inflammatory that can be used for your face or body. Even around your eyes and lips.
