This Canada Day, we want to show some love to the dreamers and go-getters who created some of our favourite Canadian skincare brands.
EVERIST
Did you know that mass-produced shampoos and conditioners are more than 70 per cent water, loaded with synthetic chemicals and packaged in singleuse plastic? Armed with this insight, two incredibly talented women from toronto launched a novel, patent-pending concept in haircare—waterless shampoo/conditioner concentrates.
Setting out to do it differently, Jayme Jenkins and Jessica stevenson created 100 per cent plant-based, cream-textured concentrates that are activated by the water in your shower. By completely removing water from their formulas, they have also removed the need for chemical preservatives (water attracts bacteria). Packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum tubes, these novel, ultra-clean formulas have exceptional performance and are also thoughtfully designed to be zero-waste.
To try: Waterless Haircare Concentrates Starter Kit, $54
This starter kit includes a shampoo that gently cleanses without stripping hair, and a conditioner that enriches hair with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, leaving hair feeling light, soft and healthy. At three-times concentrated, a whole regular-sized bottle of shampoo (or conditioner) fits in a 100ml travelfriendly aluminum tube.
Made with a refreshing blend of five essential oils—bergamot, orange, rosemary, clary sage and peppermint—the formula is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, dyes, synthetic fragrances and preservatives. it’s coloursafe, vegan and cruelty-free.
Kit includes: Full-size Waterless shampoo Concentrate + Waterless Conditioner Concentrate + 2 zero-waste tube keys + mini cotton cap bag. helloeverist.com
REVERSA
The founding family of this brand has always been innovative. in 1990, robert Lavoie launched Ombrelle sunscreen, the first product to protect against uvA and uvB rays, which was a feat in and of itself in dermatological care at the time. the product line was so successful that L’Oréal bought it in 1997.
After Ombrelle’s skin protection products, the next logical step was to correct skin damage caused by sun exposure. it is with this in mind that the reversa brand was created, and it was one of the first brands to use glycolic acid as its main active ingredient, and every formula comes directly from its laboratory in Pointe-Claire, Que.
Lavoie’s children, Michel and Marie-Claude, have since taken over operations and continue the family legacy in formulating effective overthe-counter products that are vegan and PEtA-certified cruelty-free.
To try: Radiance-GLOW Cream, 50 ml | $60
Made here in Canada from 92 per cent natural ingredients, it is designed to revive stressed and tired skin throughout the seasons, giving you that flawless summer glow all year round. At the heart of the formula is four per cent glycolic acid that stimulates new cell generation, resulting in improved skin texture, tone and a brighter complexion.
It also contains Nonapeptide-1, which strengthens the skin barrier and improves hydration. Extracts of murunga plum—a superfruit with antioxidant power—and watermelon improve skin elasticity. in addition to a light fragrance based on plant extracts, it also has illuminating pigments to reflect and diffuse light to mask fine lines and slight imperfections. reversa.ca
BITE BEAUTY
First came high-pigment lip colours made of food-grade ingredients. Next came the “lip labs”, where artisans custom blend lipstick for you on the spot. then, within three years of launching, the company started by toronto-based susanne Langmuir was swept up by Kendo, an LVMH company.
Celebrating its first decade this year, Bite’s lineup is no longer limited to lip service. the products range from primers to foundations to mascaras and eye-liners—all made with food-grade, vegan ingredients and infused with resveratrol.
To try: Upswing Extreme Longwear Liquid Eyeliner, $33
Say goodbye to carbon black and formaldehyde-releasing agents. this liquid eyeliner contains superfood ingredients, including nourishing passionflower extract. ultra-pigmented and super-precise, this highperformance, 12-hour liquid eyeliner is smudge-resistant, transfer-resistant and fade-resistant. bitebeauty.com
CéLA
Coffee, sugar, orange peel and Amazonian nuts—these are some of the ingredients you will find in Céla. its founder, Celine tadrissi, is a busy mother of three, a beauty industry veteran and a 12th-generation Canadian. Her Hammam spa on King street West and in Bayview village are considered among toronto’s most luxurious spa and wellness experiences.
The line was created when she was searching for high-quality, clean products to use at the spa and was frustrated by the lack of thoughtful, Canadian-made options up to Hammam spa’s standards. Recognizing that the home was also an important place to build ritual and supplement wellness in between treatments, Céla is now available outside of the spa to elevate simple home routines into a restorative self-care ritual.
To try: Essential Face Mist, 50 ml | $28
Harnessing the anti-aging, cellular-energizing superpower of snow algae extract, this facial spray reinforces the skin barrier and stimulates its defence and energy system. Healing, antioxidant-rich vitamin E and moisturizing glycerin are blended into a complexion-boosting base of coconut water and soothing aloe. Signature Céla Complex, a protective blend of Canadian botanicals (blueberry, elderberry, evening primrose, juniper berry, rosemary and lavender), calms stressed skin and refreshes your senses. thisiscela.com
BLEU LAVANDE
From the Eastern townships of Quebec comes a line of beautiful face, body, household, food and aromatherapy products—all made of the highest quality, Canada-grown lavender. All their products are natural, cruelty-free, paraben/sulfate/artificial fragrance-free and made of certified true lavender.
It began some 20 years ago when Patricia Fartaish and Pierre Pellerin decided to defy growing zones and planted 100,000 lavender seedlings. in 2004, when Bleu Lavande opened to the public for the first time, more than 30,000 visitors entered the farm’s small boutique. The farm has since moved to Magog. Open year-round, Espaces Bleu Lavande offers indoor and outdoor “discovery” spaces where you can learn how to make lavender soap, buy seedlings and grow lavender at home, taste locally-made products and shop their products.
To try: Intense Gel, 250 ml | $28
Formulated from true lavender, camphor, cypress, juniper essential oils and natural mint extracts, this body gel can help relieve the discomfort associated with tired legs and dry skin. When applied to the skin, the gel will create a simultaneous sensation of warmth and cold that will energize and soothe dry skin, while the aroma will help you feel relaxed. it’s 96 per cent natural origin ingredients, vegan and gluten-free. bleulavande.com
BATHBOMB GREETING CARDS
It was the summer of 2016, and tim upton of victoria, B.C. was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking at a pile of old greeting cards. He felt sad that all these cards were going to be thrown out. “What if there was a way you could experience your greeting card?” he thought. “What if i can make bath bombs in the shape of greeting cards, so people can literally enjoy the card?”
Armed with this idea, upton and friend Patrick Paquette started a new venture. they have the cards hand-made in Canada, using nontoxic and eco-friendly material. Each card is 100 per cent dissolvable, and is scented with natural essential oils. the idea took off and when they went on Dragon’s Den to pitch their idea, three dragons
offered to invest. Now, their cards are sold all over the country—from Campbell river, B.C. to sudbury, Ont.
To try: Bee Positive BathBomb Card, $11.99
The company makes cards for every occasion, and it is difficult to pick just one to feature. since everyone can use some more positivity these days, we have chosen this apricot- and honey-scented “Bee-Positive” card. Other scents are available, with sweet citrus, eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint being the core scents. it is so much fun to watch the card fizz and disappear in your bath! bathbombcards.com and shopkalosophie.com
VOIR
The name means “to see” in French, and when Andy Hoang and Nia Shindle launched the brand in 2017, they envisioned a conversation with consumers about the power of art, nature and beauty.
Inspired by our country’s ever-changing seasons, each product of the toronto-based company is adorned with original art that is inspired by the weather: the warm glow of the sun, a cleansing rain, the caress of the wind, the cool touch of first snow, an uplifting sunrise, or a serene sunset. Moreover, every formulation is free of silicones, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial colours and mineral oil, and are Leaping Bunny certified for being cruelty-free.
To try: A Walk in the Sun, 60 ml | $32
Made with three fortifying natural oils—jojoba, sunflower and rosehip—this is instantly absorbed into your hair, providing deep hydration and glossy colour. use it in the morning to smooth flyaways and impart a healthy, radiant glow, or a few drops at night for deep conditioning. it is suitable for all hair types, including coloured hair, and the citrus-vanilla scent is simply irresistible. voirhaircare.com
