In January of 2015, Jenn Harper (Founder) had the most vivid dream of little Indigenous girls covered in lip glosses. That dream is what gave birth to Cheekbone Beauty, the very first Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetics company. 

Cheekbone’s aim is to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth through donations that support educational opportunities for them, and to create a space in the beauty industry where everyone, including Indigenous people, feel represented and seen.

Since our launch, the brand has garnered an-ever growing list of customers, fans and passionate supporters who believe in our mission and love our products.

The true impact of our work is felt through the feedback we receive from you; the emails, DM’s and conversation with Indigenous youth that reinforce the value of what we do and give us the confidence to continue forging ahead. 

The brand is known for its sustainable and high quality colour cosmetics that are clean, vegan and cruelty free. Keeping in line with her Anishinaabe roots, the first line Jenn launched was the SUSTAIN in 2020, a low-waste line of lipsticks, made for everyone that loves our planet. 

The product development is guided by 3 principles:

INDIGENOUS ROOTS

Our products tell our story, and that of the rich Indigenous culture that we’ve had to hide for so long. You can see it in the naming of our products, our brand colours and in how we express ourselves on social media, in-store or wherever you may find us.  

SUSTAINABLE BY NATURE

Drawing from Indigenous teachings, we strive to ensure our products are truly sustainable. From the ingredients to the packaging, we make every effort to use only what's needed for the least amount of environmental impact and maximum wearability. 

CLEAN COLOUR

Clean and sustainable does not have to be plain and bland. At Cheekbone Beauty, we believe everyone should be empowered to express their unique selves and have fun with makeup. The Indigenous culture is bold, vibrant and colourful, that is exactly what our products are meant to bring to life for you. Feel safe knowing Cheekbone Beauty products are created without harmful or controversial ingredients.

Our mission is to help every Indigenous person see their value in the world while we develop sustainable colour cosmetics that don't end up in a landfill, and are made for every human.

INTEGRITY & HONESTY

This is one of our core values. We are radically transparent about our business, the ingredients we use, and our partners.

COURAGEOUSLY CURIOUS

We continue to learn and grow as a brand by always asking questions and evolving with them. Whether it's researching new ways to continue our sustainability journey, to respect people and the planet, to honour our Indigenous roots.

ALWAYS LOVE & RESPECT

Compassion is key in this industry. Cheekbone Beauty is a diverse and inclusive workplace that is BIPOC founded and offers training and development programs for all employees.

Finally, but most importantly, giving back to our community is the centerpiece of Cheekbone’s mission. Our streams of giving include product donations, monetary donations, or project-focused donations. To date, Cheekbone Beauty has donated more than 200k to a wide variety of causes. These include Shannen’s Dream and the FNCFCS, the Navajo Water Project, One Tree Planted, and a variety of non-profit organizations across North America. 

As Cheekbone Beauty grows, so do our charitable goals. Our definition of success is not based on what you attain for yourself, but instead on what you give back to your community.

Jenn Harper has been making a name for Cheekbone Beauty in the beauty industry for a number of years but has been gaining popularity quickly after being on the hit CBC show, Dragons Den. Cheekbone Beauty is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand. Throughout her life, Jenn struggled to accept her Indigenous roots. She was estranged from her Indigenous family for much of her child and adult life. After learning about her grandmother’s experience in residential schools, she understood how her family was affected by generational trauma. This drove her to understand and overcome her own struggle with alcoholism. Today, Jenn works on product development and innovation with the Cheekbone Beauty chemists and sustainability experts to reimagine beauty products - starting with raw ingredients all the way to how all products are packaged. Learn more by following our brand journey on Instagram @cheekbonebeauty 💚

Read more:
instyle.com/beauty/cheekbone-beauty-jenn-harper-interview