5 Women Changing the Face of the Beauty Industry
In honour of International Women’s Day, I want to shine the spotlight on women making beauty history today.
The cosmetics industry was male-dominated for the longest time (it still is in a sense), but with the rise of indie beauty, women started taking charge. Women are breaking beauty standards and setting their own rules. They are not only creating game-changing products, but they also have a powerful why that goes beyond their products. They’re looking to drive change, and I’m here for it!
Here are five women making big moves and changing this industry for the better.
Amy Newman Brown – Founder of Soke Beauty
In an industry that many would consider “oversaturated,” Amy has been able to innovate. She developed unique hydrogel treatment masks that target the most often neglected areas of our body like the neck, chest and under eye. While her products are seriously incredible (holy-grail-level good), it’s her refreshing approach to aging that makes her one to watch. Not anti-aging, pro-aging.
Amy is empowering women to take agency in their aging process and do it on their own terms. Pro-aging is about being intentional with your time and decisions, so you can age however you want—not how you’ve been told you should. Do you like Botox and filler? Amazing! Are you choosing to celebrate your smile lines? Fabulous! The key here is the power to choose and take intentional action.
If like me, you’re ready to bid adieu to the concept of anti-aging, give Soke a follow.
Image from Sokebeauty.ca
2. Courtney Martin– Founder of Moody Mound
Breaking stigmas and making the waxing experience a little more comfortable. Courtney Martin is empowering women to feel good in their skin, whether they’re shaven, waxed, prickly or au naturel. Her brand Moody Mound makes products to help reduce the painful experience that is getting ingrown hairs. In her branding Courtney promotes self-love and confidence with un-retouched images that show the realities of having skin and body hair —it’s just skin, and sometimes it gets moody.
“Moody Mound is about showing women that all skin is normal, but she can be a little moody. Ingrown hair, razor burn, and hyperpigmentation don’t make you any less beautiful or unworthy. We all deal with some kind of skin irritation (yes, even those Sports Illustrated swimsuit models), so you’re not alone. We don’t have to live with the pain or discomfort often associated with these irritations, and that’s why these aftercare products are formulated by an esthetician that gets up close & personal on the regular. Our goal at Moody Mound is that women continue to live life on their own terms without the annoyance of skin irritations. Moody Mound is made by a woman who is for all women.”
— Courtney Martin
Image from Moodymound.com
3. Jenn Harper – Founder of Cheekbone Beauty
Jenn, from the Ojibwe nation, created Cheekbone Beauty straight from her heart. More than a makeup brand with inclusive colour selections and incredible formulas (their lipsticks are my face), Cheekbone has a deep commitment towards sustainable product development and manufacturing. They’re all about “low environmental impact and maximum wearability.”
More than that, Cheekbone is changing the way people think about the Indigenous peoples. Jenn is open about her struggles and the tough journey that has been launching her makeup brand, but it’s through her transparency and storytelling that Jenn is showing us that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Jenn continues supporting her community and Indigenous youth through donations that address the educational funding gap.
“…the inception story of Cheekbone Beauty was a way to pass down knowledge to future generations and change the narrative surrounding Indigenous peoples and what success can look like for marginalized communities.”
4. Missy MacKintosh – Founder of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics
Missy is leading Canada’s clean beauty revolution with MisMacK Cosmetics. Her brand is the first ever to offer clean, made-in-Canada professional products. Missy’s story is one of determination and perseverance. What started in her basement in a small town in British Columbia, has grown into two store-fronts and a legion of fans ranging from professional artists, to those new to makeup.
Missy is a natural educator and speaker, so naturally, her mission goes deeper than her products. She is making self-care approachable to all by creating fun and educational content on social media, and in-person workshops in her stores. MisMacK knows how to make you feel good, not only with great products but with a team celebrating you to be your most authentic self. If you’re makeup-curious but don’t know where to start, MisMacK will make you feel right at home.
Missy says it best: “Makeup does not define you, it’s merely a tool for empowerment”
Image from MisMacK.com
5. Taran and Bunny - Co-founders of Blume
Blume is a Canadian skincare line normalizing real skin and everything it goes through. We’re not searching for perfection, we’re aiming for healthy skin. Their products use natural ingredients that are good for you and the earth (they’re carbon neutral too!).
Beyond the products they create, their greater mission is to destigmatize completely natural things like periods, acne, and the changes we go through during puberty. A portion of every product sold goes towards Days For Girls to make period education and care more accessible. They believe that no one’s potential should be affected by periods and puberty.
I wish I’d had a brand like this when I was growing up!
Image from Product of Culture
