While we celebrate Indigenous communities every day, we want to take time this Native American Heritage Month to highlight some of the incredible Indigenous founders, CEOs, and movers and shakers in the industry today.

So dig into the stories below, head to the links below to learn more, and share them with your friends! 

Ahsaki Chachere, founder and CEO of Ah-Shi Beauty

Meaning “This is me, this is mine, that’s me,” Ah-Shi Beauty was founded by Ahsaki Chachere. Chachere tapped into her (Navajo) and African American heritage to create products that empower her customers to love the skin they’re in. With Ah-Shi Beauty, she launched the first full skincare and cosmetic collection by a Native American brand.

Products we’re eyeing

•  Ah-Shi Intense Mascara

•  BB Cream

Chachere Instagram | Ah-Shi Beauty website | Ah-Shi Beauty Instagram | Ah-Shi Beauty Facebook 

Learn more 

• https://canvasrebel.com/meet-ahsaki-lafrance-chachere/ 

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2023/08/29/how-ah-sh-beauty-founder-is-reclaiming-her-indigenous-heritage-through-her-beauty-brand 

Shí-Fawn Chee, founder of Blended Girl Cosmetics

Entrepreneur, founder of Blended Girl Cosmetics, and YouTuber, Shí-Fawn Chee has had a lifelong love affair with makeup, but was brokenhearted when she walked into beauty stores, only to find no Indigenous representation…so she decided to make it herself. 

She developed her business plan in college and launched Shi-Fawn Cosmetics with beauty boxes in 2019. The brand grew and developed into Blended Girl Cosmetics.

Chee continues her mission to Indigenize mainstream and beauty industries through her products, social media, and her YouTube channel. 

Products we’re eyeing

As of this writing, Chee has closed her shop for her wedding! 🎉 Make sure to go back to her site to check out her incredible products. 

Chee’s Instagram | Chee’s YouTube | Blended Girl website | Blended Girl Cosmetics Instagram | Blended Girl Cosmetics Facebook 

Learn more 

• https://tribalbusinessnews.com/sections/entrepreneurism/13345-power-to-the-palette-navajo-cosmetics-entrepreneur-blends-color-and-culture  

• https://nativemaxmagazine.com/blended-girl-cosmetics-new-product-launch-good-medicine/   

Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty

Jenn Harper’s Cheekbone Beauty was founded by a dream. And probably not the kind of dream you’re thinking about. 

In January 2015, Harper had an actual dream of Indigenous girls covered in lip glosses. And Cheekbone Beauty, the first Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetics company, was born.

Dedicated to helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand, Cheekbone Beauty creates truly sustainable, clean cosmetics that honors its roots by only taking what is needed.

Products we’re eyeing

• Perfectly Imperfect Unify Multi-Pencil

• Sustain Lipstick in Aki

Harper’s Instagram | Cheekbone Beauty website | Cheekbone Beauty Instagram | Cheekbone Beauty TikTok

Learn more 

• https://shoutoutarizona.com/meet-jenn-harper-founder-and-ceo-of-cheekbone-beauty-cosmetics-inc/ 

• https://www.instyle.com/beauty/cheekbone-beauty-jenn-harper-interview 

Cece Meadows, founder and CEO of Prados Beauty

Influenced by her Xicana and Yoeme roots, Cece Meadows is determined to amplify and collaborate with other Native and Indigenous artists through cosmetics. 

And she’s on a roll. Since launching in 2019, Prados Beauty won an Allure Best in Beauty award in 2022 for their Matriarch Eyeshadow Palette! 

Meadows also partners with other Indigenous creators to create branding, packaging, and collections, and highlights Indigenous creators on their website’s marketplace.

Products we’re eyeing

• Mother Earth 6 Pan Eyeshadow Palette

• The Matriarch Highlight

Meadows’ Instagram | Prados Beauty website | Prados Beauty Instagram | Prados Beauty Facebook 

Learn more 

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/indigenous-makeup-founder-cece-meadows-prados_n_641479fce4b0bc5cb6500073 

• https://www.hercampus.com/school/u-conn/10-questions-with-cece-meadows-founder-of-prados-beauty/ 

Patrice Mousseau, founder of Satya Organic Skin Care

When her baby daughter was diagnosed with eczema, Patrice Mousseau wanted something better than the prescribed topical steroid cream. So she whipped out her $15 crockpot and, after nights of experimenting, Satya Organic Skin Care was born. 

Mousseau’s products are created with five simple ingredients and even the packaging is recyclable, compostable, or refillable to minimize the impact on the planet. 

Products we’re eying

• Multi-Use Easy Glide Stick 

• Eczema Triple – Travel Tins

Satya Organics website | Satya Organics Instagram | Satya Organics Facebook | Satya Organics TikTok   

Learn more 

• https://www.bcbusiness.ca/Behind-the-Indigenous-owned-skincare-company-thats-in-over-1000-Shoppers-locations 

• https://canadianbusiness.com/people/patrice-mousseau-skincare-satya-organics/  

Marina TurningRobe and Monica Simeon, founders of Sister Sky

Tired of trying to find hair products that worked, sisters Marina TurningRobe and Monica Simeon founded Sister Sky, first-ever hair care line specifically created for diverse hair, in 1999… and they’ve been going strong ever since. 

Indigenous-founded, women-led, and family-owned, they’ve made it their mission to help people with diverse hair fall in love with their natural texture and beauty. 

Products we’re eyeing

•  Minkisoft Hair Mask

•  Mood Mist – Calm

Sister Sky website | Sister Sky Instagram | Sister Sky Facebook

Learn more 

• https://archive.mbda.gov/news/success-stories/2011/03/mbda-helps-sister-sky-tap-legacy-entrepreneurism.html 

• https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2007/mar/13/sisters-return-business-to-their-roots/ 

If you would like to learn more about Native American Heritage Month and how to support Native and Indigenous communities, click here. Stay tuned for more posts celebrating diversity in the beauty industry!