From unique ingredients to clean cosmetics and candles, here’s a handful of indie brands that call Canada home
Elate Cosmetics
Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Elate Cosmetics is a line of vegan, cruelty-, toxin- and gluten-free beauty products. The brand is certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA, and also signed the “Just Beautiful Pledge,” stating that its products do not contain any of the “Toxin Ten” ingredients as defined by Environmental Defence, a Canadian environmental action group.
Belly Buttons & Babies
Belly Buttons & Babies, another Toronto area treasure, is an organic body and skin care company founded in 2008. Products include diaper cream and body washes for baby, sun care for toddlers and new facial masks for mom. The company proudly asserts it “zero” rating for toxins in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ Skin Deep database.
Woodlot
Co-founders Fouad Farraj and Sonia Chhinj hand pour a line of coconut wax candles in Vancouver. Their company, Woodlot, offers a range of candles (and bars soap and mists) in a variety of scents including its original “woodlot,” billed as a pure-essential oil blend of fir, cedar, pine, eucalyptus, vanilla and sweet orange. A 13.5oz candle will burn for 60 hours.
Consonant Skincare
Based in Toronto, this premium skin care says it is “as luxurious as the most expensive fashion label brand, as effective as the best-known cosmeceutical brand, and as healthy as the leading natural brand.” To celebrate Canada's 150th Anniversary this year, Consonant created a limited-edition kit that includes its top-selling natural foaming face wash, a triple action mask, organic face cream and bamboo cleansing cloths.