Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Canada, Happy Birthday to you!
We at Toronto Beauty Reviews are proudly Canadian, so what better way to get into the sesquicentennial (150th) spirit than by showing you some of our fave Canuck brands?! See if you can spot some of your favourite Canadian beauty brands that made my list!
{Real Canadian Beauty}
Reversa
What they do: Dermatologist-recommended skincare that helps you look younger and keep your skin healthy.
Why you should love them: Reversa creates products that are free of paraben and synthetic fragrances, and are not tested on animals. They also support organizations that help improve the well-being of women across the country, which is pretty awesome.
Maddie’s fave: The Antioxidant Booster Serum ($49/30 ml) The green tea extract and vitamin E make this serum feel so soothing! It protects against damage caused by pollution, while moisturizing the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It’s a must for a downtown gal.
Consonant
What they do: Skincare and body care that is as good for you as it is for the earth!
Why you should love them: It’s no surprise that their motto is “What goes on your body goes in your body”: Consonant provides 100% natural skincare that is free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum and phthalates. (And comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!)
Maddie’s fave: The Perfect Sunscreen ($16/15 ml or $45/50 ml) I use this sunscreen daily! SPF 30, lightly tinted, water-resistant, and non-greasy, it’s a non-negotiable part of my skincare routine.
Lotus Aroma
What they do: 100% plant-based aromatic products for face, body, and home.
Why you should love them: Lotus doesn’t mess around with quality control: all their essential oils undergo intense chemical analysis to ensure that you’re only getting the best of the best. The entire line is also vegan, gluten-free and GMO-free. (Plus everything smells amazing.)
Maddie’s fave: The Foot Care Repair Balm (18$/75 ml) Canadian winter can wreak havoc on our feet! This powerful recovery balm helps repair and strengthen dry, rough, and callused feet, while acting as a deodorizer and moisturizer at the same time. My feet feel amazingly tingly and refreshed after using it. It even contains maple sugar, which is basically as Canadian as it gets.
Cake
What they do: Bath, body and hair care that feels as luxurious and indulgent as it smells.
Why you should love them: Everything is cruelty-free, gluten-free, phthalate- and paraben-free, and most of the product line is vegan. With a tagline like “Make a mermaid jealous,” you know these products are going to bring out your inner diva.
Maddie’s fave: The Wave Maker (19$/4 oz) This gem can transform tired, flat 2-day hair into voluptuous waves that have major holding power. I used it at 7 am, ran around after a bunch of 6 year-olds all day, and still looked date-night ready by the time Mr. Monroe got home. Take that, Ariel!
Annabelle Cosmetics
What they do: Makeup that is known for being boldly colourful, allowing you to express your own personal style.
Why you should love them: The huge range of shades and products available at an accessible price point means that there’s literally something for everyone. Annabelle is sold in most drugstores, and is never tested on animals.
Maddie’s fave: The Biggy Bronzer ($ 11.95/15.4 g) The flecks of gold in this bronzer make you look sun-kissed and refreshed in just seconds. I love the combination of the 3 shades in the one compact – it allows you to add dimension when bronzing, avoiding that dreaded orange pancake look.
Zorah Biocosmétiques
What they do: Makeup and skincare that make you feel as good on the inside as you look on the outside!
Why you should love them: Zorah’s products are organic and earth-friendly. They’re cruelty-free, manufactured locally, in completely recyclable packaging, and any print materials are made using vegetable-based inks. They’re also Fair-Trade: most of the raw materials used in the creation of the products come from women’s cooperatives around the world.
Maddie’s fave: The Volume and Care Mascara ($25/8 ml) The Argan oil used in this formula hugs your lashes, giving volume without clumps. It’s fast-drying, too, which is a definite plus (we’ve all experienced that destructive post-mascara sneeze). No unfortunate raccoon eyes here!
Nudestix
What they do: Easy-to-use makeup that enhances your natural beauty without covering it up!
Why you should love them: This mother-and-daughters team is all about making your life easier. The products are all “makeup crayons,” and are often multi-use, meaning you can use 1 stick for your skin, 1 for your eyes, and 1 for your lips and cheeks. It’s time for your bulky makeup bag to go on a diet.
Maddie’s fave: The Royal Canadian Tin This matte lip/cheek pencil comes in the perfect Canadian red. Its saturated colour goes on super smoothly and is waterproof without drying your skin. The limited-edition tin created by Toronto-based artist Jessica Gorlicky is so gorgeous that you’ll want to display it, too!
Other Canadian brands we love
What’s amazing is that every year there seems to be even more amazing Canadian brands to discover – which makes our jobs that much harder! Other brands we love that we have written about are listed below:
I am passionate about good quality beauty products and these are some great ones!
I totally agree, Wanda! I believe in using products that are good for your body & for the world, and these definitely fit the bill! Have you had a chance to try any?