Skin that still looks like skin
Light, blendable formulas let your own skin show through. Cream textures and pencils are often easier to apply with your fingers than powders, and a little goes a long way.
Canadian makeup for everyday
Everyday makeup can be a short list: something for the complexion, a touch of colour on the cheeks, a little definition for the eyes and a lip colour you reach for without thinking. Here is how to build it from Canadian brands, and where to start.
By the Shop Canadian Beauty team · Updated
What everyday makeup is for
Four things people tell us they want from a simple makeup bag.
Colour that suits you
Shades are personal. Check the brand's shade guide, look for photos on a range of skin tones, and start with one cheek colour and one lip colour before you build out.
Comfort around the eyes and lips
Eyes and lips are sensitive. Patch test anything new, keep eye products off the waterline unless the brand says they are made for it, and stop using anything that stings.
A smaller bag
Multi-use products, such as a cream colour for lips and cheeks, save space and steps. Five or six pieces cover most days.
Shop Canadian makeup
Complexion
Light coverage first: a primer, a concealer pencil or a setting powder.
Cheek
A touch of colour or glow. Cream formulas blend with your fingers.
Eyes
A little definition, from a liner or a wash of shadow.
Lips
The colour you reach for without thinking: lipstick, gloss, pencil or oil.
Lip kits and sets
Not sure which shades to pick? A set chooses for you.
Ingredients to know in everyday makeup
Six that show up in the Canadian makeup on this page, and what each one does.
Jojoba OilA light, stable oil from a desert shrub that feels a lot like skin’s own.
Sunflower Seed OilA golden everyday oil, rich in the fatty acids skin likes.
Coconut OilA solid-at-room-temperature oil that helps colour glide and soap lather.
Vitamin EAn antioxidant that conditions skin and helps keep the oils in a formula fresh.
Vitamin CA brightening antioxidant, usually used in stable forms that last in a formula.
MicaA shimmering mineral that gives makeup a soft, natural glow.More Canadian makeup brands
In our directory, not yet in the shop.
Questions
What are the best Canadian makeup brands?
It depends on what you want from makeup. Our directory lists independent Canadian makeup brands, and the guide above shows what you can shop with us today. Check each brand's own page for its shade range and ingredient list.
How do I build a simple everyday makeup bag?
Start with five pieces: a complexion product such as a concealer or primer, one cheek colour, one eye product, one lip colour and a brush if you like. Add shades one at a time once you know what you reach for.
What is a cream blush or cream colour?
A cream formula is a soft, blendable colour you can apply with your fingers or a brush. Many people like it for a natural finish. Dab a little on, blend, and add more only if you want it.
Is vegan makeup the same as cruelty-free?
No. Vegan means a product has no animal-derived ingredients. Cruelty-free is about animal testing. A brand can claim one without the other, so read what the brand says about each.
What does made in Canada mean on makeup?
Claims such as Made in Canada are governed by Canada's Competition Bureau and depend on how much of a product's cost and processing happens here. We list brands as Canadian when they are based in Canada, and each brand's page says more about where its products are made.
Keep reading
Makeup & CosmeticsThe Best Canadian Makeup Brands You Should Know Now
Clean BeautyCanada's Clean Beauty Skincare Revolution: Top Non-Toxic Beauty Brands You Need to Try
DiscoveryWest Coast Glow: Clean Beauty Brands from British Columbia
Clean BeautyTransition to Clean Beauty for Cooler Weather with Canadian Beauty Brands
SkincareWinter Skin Rescue: Canadian Clean Beauty for Dry, Dehydrated Skin
How we put this guide together. We list Canadian makeup from independent brands and describe what the brand says about each product, not what it will do for your skin. Shade, finish and ingredients vary by product, so check the brand's page before you buy, patch test anything new, and stop using a product that irritates. Replace makeup when it changes smell, texture or colour, or after the period shown on the pack.
Related guides: Clean beauty, Mature skin, Teen skin.