Rooted in Identity, Driven by Impact at Cheekbone Beauty
Photo: Cheekbone Beauty
Cheekbone Beauty began with a simple yet powerful question: What if beauty could truly do better? Founded by Jenn Harper, a member of Northwest Angle 33 First Nation in Ontario, the Indigenous-owned brand has become a trailblazer in ethical cosmetics creating high-performance vegan makeup that uplifts both people and planet.
From its earliest days, Cheekbone set out to build a different kind of beauty company that reflects Indigenous values of respect, reciprocity and responsibility. Every formula, pigment and package is designed to leave a lighter footprint, proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist. Today’s Seeing Green Solutionist of the Day, the brand stands as a reminder that representation and responsibility are inseparable parts of real progress.
Clean Formulation
Cheekbone’s collection spans lipsticks, glosses, eyeliners and complexion products made with clean vegan, Fair Trade-certified ingredients that are never tested on animals and that deliver performance without compromise. All products are created without harmful or controversial ingredients and follow the brand’s Biinard Beauty Standards, which outline ingredients that have been removed or restricted to ensure safety, transparency and trust, as well as the Clean + Planet Positive standards of Sephora Canada.
Sustainable Design and Circularity
Sustainability continues beyond what’s inside the package to the packaging itself. Cheekbone’s packaging must meet be plantable, refillable and/or reusable. The brand’s signature Sustain Lipstick series features compostable packaging and waterless formulations that reduce waste and emissions. Refillable systems and aluminum components are selected to minimize impact across the full product lifecycle. Cheekbone also partners with PACT Collective, offering a Mail Back program that lets customers return and recycle hard-to-recycle beauty packaging to keep materials in circulation and out of landfills.
Indigenous Frameworks for Sustainability
Cheekbone integrates Indigenous worldviews directly into its sustainability philosophy. The company applies the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, which combines the strengths, wisdom and knowings of both Western culture and Indigenous knowledge to create the greatest positive impact on people and the planet. It also honors the 7th Generation Principle, derived from the Iroquois People, which calls on us to act with foresight and care so that our choices leave enough not only for the next generation but for the seven generations to come.
Empowerment and Education
Beyond the products themselves, Cheekbone Beauty serves as a platform for Indigenous empowerment and education. A portion of profits supports scholarships and mentorship programs for Indigenous youth, helping bridge opportunity gaps and amplify underrepresented voices. Through these efforts, the brand’s impact extends far beyond beauty counters, shaping a more inclusive future for the industry itself.
Purpose and Aesthetic
Cheekbone’s visual identity, bold, elegant and unapologetically modern, mirrors the confidence of its mission. It’s proof that sustainability doesn’t have to look “earthy” or niche; it can be vibrant, sophisticated and expressive. That blend of purpose and polish has earned Cheekbone a loyal following and partnerships with major retailers while staying true to its roots.
In an industry often built on excess and exclusion, Cheekbone Beauty stands out for its authenticity and accountability. It’s redefining what “clean beauty” means, not just in ingredients but in integrity. On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it reminds us that the most powerful forms of sustainability are those grounded in identity, culture and care for the generations to come.