March 8th is International Women’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate the many achievements of women all over the world. As a female-owned and led business, we believe that a single day isn’t enough to truly recognize women’s contributions. This is why we regularly feature the accomplishments of women and partner with female-founded brands throughout the year.
Today, I’d like to highlight seven brands, founded by women, that my team members and I love.
Blumseed
Partially inspired by her mother, Hair-Scalp Specialist and Kitchen Alchemist, Zakiyyah, started Blumseed to offer clean, responsible and cruelty-free haircare for women of colour. Their products specifically benefit the uniquely beautiful hair and scalp of women with thick, kinky, textured, coily and curly hair. Blumseed uses indulgent ingredients, including organic botanicals, oils, clays and Ayurvedic ingredients. Their product line includes three clay washes that help to strengthen the hair and a hair oil that stimulates hair growth and protects against environmental damage.
Blumseed also gives back to the community by providing racialized youth with personal hygiene products to positively support their development into young adulthood. They support Black Theatre Workshop as well, which is Canada’s longest running black theatre company that depicts black culture and community and provides visibility for black Canadian artists.
Elate
Women, inclusivity and fairness are at the heart of this sustainable, cruelty-free cosmetics brand, which was founded by Melodie in 2014. From Elate’s green certified, fair trade bamboo packaging to their primarily organic and always fair trade ingredients, this company allows people to buy well, use less and love themselves (and the Earth) more!
Making a positive impact is very important to the Elate team. They donate 2% of sales to charitable causes through their Social and Environmental Impact Program.
I’ve been using Elate products for a few years. It’s not only one of my top picks for sustainable makeup, it’s also a favourite of Angélique (our Sales + Operations Coordinator) as well. Their Crème Lipstick in the shade Plush is my go-to and Angélique loves wearing Elate’s Essential Mascara.
Lake & Oak Tea Co.
Founded by Meredith, a nutritionist and flavour-obsessed cook, this woman-operated business is dedicated to fostering self-care rituals that bring joy and balance to your life. Their superfood teas and adaptogen blends are meant to heal, soothe, energize and de-stress the body. Not only are their products made using 100% organic, plant-based ingredients, they also taste delicious!
Lake & Oak’s Cacao Mylk is a big hit with the Graydon team. Natalie, our Digital Marketing Lead, loves adding it to her smoothies.
One of the things I love most about Lake & Oak is their dedication to the planet. Their products come in either glass jars, which you can reuse or recycle, and low-waste bulk refill sachets.
What's more is that Lake & Oak uses their platform to do good by donating 2% of proceeds towards mental health awareness initiatives like camh. With anxiety being particularly high in women, this initiative helps to get people the support they need to live happier and healthier lives.
Mohala Eyewear
Founded by Ashley, Mohala offers eyewear suited for various nose bridges and widths as well as adjustable frames to provide the perfect fit for every woman. The inspiration behind this brand stems from many common concerns: frames that slide down the nose and eyewear that causes headaches or rests on the cheeks. Understanding what it’s like to use products that weren’t designed for her and that women deserve frames that fit their unique features, Ashley created sunglasses that will fit every face perfectly.
What’s even more amazing is that each pair of sunnies sends a girl to school. In fact, one pair of sunglasses pays for a week of school through the Room to Read Girls’ Education Program in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Vietnam. Mohala believes that educating girls can change the world and we couldn’t agree more.
Also, Mohala frames are made from renewable sources. Each pair of sunglasses comes in a collapsible, water-resistant case that has a 60% reduced carbon footprint.
It’s the perfect time of year to get a new pair of shades and a pair that actually fits you! I have two pairs (Kaimana and Leahi) and I couldn’t love them more!
Routine
Co-founded by sisters, Pippa (a business-wiz) and Neige (an alchemist), Routine offers effective deodorants in over 15 different scents. Their formulas range from vegan to baking soda free and are made from clean, wholesome ingredients.
My personal favourite is The Curator stick, which I look forward to applying every morning. Aside from its fresh, herbaceous aroma, I also love that it's packaged in a combo of cardboard and 100% post consumer recycled plastic.
Neige and Pippa are not only conscious of the environment, but also supportive of their local community. They donate a percentage of sales to self-care initiatives as well as charities that support animals and children. They also believe in treating other women as allies and lifting each other up and so do we.
Use the discount code GRAYDONXROUTINE15 for 15% off your first purchase (no expiry)!
Sḵwálwen Botanicals
Sḵwálwen Botanicals is an Indigenous beauty line that creates botanical skincare products. It was started by Styawat/Leigh, an ethnobotanist, researcher and community activist. Sḵwálwen honours traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge and uses organic ingredients as well as sustainably and respectfully harvested botanicals. I'm inspired by Leigh's relationship with plants and how she uses Indigenous plant foods and medicines through ancestral ways as a Squamish First Nation woman.
Leigh is also the co-director of Walking With Plants. The film highlights Leigh’s story as she gains a deeper understanding of her identity as a Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh woman and moves her family to the traditional territory in Squamish, B.C. As she navigates between two worlds, she contemplates her relationship with plants and their role as teachers, Leigh’s life purpose is awakened. This inspiring and eye-opining film is one that you don't want to miss.
The First Mess
Founded by Laura, a culinary and nutrition expert and vegan cookbook author, The First Mess is dedicated to sharing delicious plant-based recipes using simple and accessible ingredients. One of Laura’s main goals is to level up her readers’ veggie intake.
As someone with a background in the culinary world, I love that Laura’s recipes are centred around eating seasonally, respecting nature and eating well. I really enjoy her hemp seed ranch dressing and antioxidant power muffins. You'll actually find a lot of the ingredients that Laura uses in her recipes in our skincare products!
Laura is also a founding member of Food+Wellness Equity Collective. This diverse group of content creators and entrepreneurs is dedicated to fighting for equity, diversity and anti-racism in the food and wellness industry. They’re working to change the face of food and wellness, so it’s accessible to and reflective of all people.
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We're proud to be a female-founded brand. Here's what our team had to say about why they celebrate Women's Month and the incredible women in their lives.
