Cheekbone Beauty is a brand born from purpose. Jenn Harper established Cheekbone Beauty in 2016 with a mission to promote identity, representation, and healing. After reconnecting with her Anishinaabe background and thinking on intergenerational trauma, Jenn envisioned a beauty business that not only acknowledged but also embraced Indigenous voices.
In early 2015, a vivid dream of Indigenous girls with rosy cheeks and colourful lip gloss sparked Cheekbone Beauty’s mission: to create a cosmetics collection for Indigenous people, by Indigenous people, for everyone. As she says, “Representation saves lives.” That belief has informed every part of the company’s identity, including its goods, principles, and commitment to community empowerment.
Clean, Vegan, Cruelty-Free & Sustainable
Cheekbone Beauty distinguishes itself in the beauty market by providing clean, vegan, cruelty-free makeup that respects both people and the environment. Every product, from lipsticks and glosses to contour pencils, blush, and more, is created with careful sourcing and little environmental impact. Packaging is also part of the pledge, with low-waste, eco-friendly materials used whenever possible, reflecting a broader commitment to environmental care grounded in Indigenous values.
In a world where beauty products are sometimes associated with hefty environmental costs, Cheekbone Beauty demonstrates that it is possible to look good while also doing good. The company’s website states that it aims to “create a space in the beauty industry where everyone — including Indigenous people — feels represented and seen.”
Representation, Inclusivity & Giving Back
Cheekbone Beauty was one of, if not the first, Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetics companies in Canada. This legacy entails a commitment to empower Indigenous youth and communities. The company demonstrates its commitment through action: a portion of its profits supports educational initiatives and humanitarian projects that benefit Indigenous families and youth.
Through its Indigenous Innovation Lab, the company combines traditional Indigenous wisdom with modern beauty science, sustaining the brand’s roots while remaining innovative. Cheekbone Beauty is more than just a beauty brand; it’s a space for representation, healing, and community empowerment.
From Basement Startup to National Brand
What began as a basement side project for Jenn Harper has developed into a reputable company with national recognition. As demand swelled, the brand expanded beyond its digital roots, securing funding and collaborations to scale — all while remaining faithful to its core ideals.
Recently (2025), a national business newspaper highlighted Cheekbone’s growth, emphasizing how the brand’s Indigenous-centred mission and clean-beauty ideals set it apart in a crowded industry. That acknowledgment is more than just symbolic; it signifies tangible momentum for Indigenous visibility, ethical beauty, and social business in Canada.
The brand garnered newfound exposure after being featured in a highly read national story celebrating its mission-driven rise and values-based expansion. Cheekbone remains committed to transparent ingredient procurement, eco-friendly packaging, and sustainability reporting, while also incorporating Indigenous land care into corporate procedures.
Expanding Community Impact
Through scholarships, scholarship programs, and collaborations with Indigenous youth projects, the brand continues to invest in representation and support for future generations. Cheekbone’s clean beauty products, which began as direct-to-consumer online, are becoming more widely available thanks to increased public interest in ethical, inclusive cosmetics.
Cultural Relevance and Representation
Cheekbone provides a forum for Indigenous Canadians, who have long been underrepresented in popular beauty, to consider their identity, history, and culture. Non-Indigenous Canadians have the opportunity to embrace inclusivity, learn, and promote equal representation. Canadian consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental and social effects of their purchases. Cheekbone’s vegan, cruelty-free, low-waste cosmetics meet this growing demand, offering beauty that aligns with responsible living.
The brand’s story – a dream, a healing journey, and an empowerment objective – inspires empathy and connection. It elevates a cosmetic product to a symbol of identity, strength, and communal solidarity.
Cheekbone Beauty demonstrates that cosmetics can be more than just surface-level appeal. They can be used to empower people, convey cultural pride, and promote sustainability. Under Jenn Harper’s vision and direction, the brand exemplifies what is possible when beauty meets purpose, demonstrating that there is room in Canada for ethics, identity, and innovation to thrive together.
Learn more about their products at: cheekbonebeauty.com
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