Maker Interviews : Jada Cianne Artistry

Jada Cianne Ariola is the founder and CEO of the cruelty-free, vegan, and non-toxic makeup line, Jada Cianne Artistry. Throughout her time working as a make-up artist, it had always been Jada’s dream to create a make-up line of her own. In 2021, Jada received the life-changing news that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This diagnosis served as the unlikely catalyst for the creation of her brand, as she wanted to find a way to continue to pursue her passion for makeup while adapting to her newfound physical limitations. Read on to discover the inspirational story behind the creation of Jada Cianne Artistry, available at our Gastown location now.

Jada was interviewed on a sunny spring day her home in Burnaby. Her kind bubbly energy is infectious the moment you step foot through the door, and continues as she shows me her full line of products and at-home fulfilment centre where she packages her online orders. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Makers: How did Jada Cianne Artistry begin? 

Jada: I've been a makeup artist for about seven years now. My passion for makeup stems from when I was 15 and I always dreamed of having my own makeup line. But unfortunately, last year in January, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. And with this diagnosis, it can affect someone's body quickly, or it can be slow, you don't really know how it's going to affect you. So, if I wasn't able to apply makeup or be able to use my hands, I thought, what was another way that I can still continue my passion for makeup? And that's when Jada Cianne Artistry came to be. It was a kind of blessing and a curse, getting diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Because obviously, now you have that to deal with it, medically wise. But then, it became a way to push me to actually create something that I've always wanted to create.

“It was a kind of blessing and a curse, getting diagnosed with multiple sclerosis…it became a way to push me to actually create something that I've always wanted to create.”

Makers: That's amazing, you’re such an inspiration! After hearing the diagnosis, how did that impact your ability to pursue your brand as a one-woman-show?

Jada: I'm actually very, very lucky that I have a lot of my family to support me. My sister, who's the COO, helps me a lot with the business side. It’s really nice because she has her own business, so she understands that world, while I'm more of the creator. Being the CEO, I like all the fun, creative stuff; photoshoots and social media. I do have a lot of help from my family and I honestly am very lucky to have them be part of my company. 

Makers: That’s awesome! So is it you in your company that formulates the products?

Jada: Yes, I’m really, really lucky to be able to be involved in the process of making [my products]. I was very adamant that I wanted it vegan, I wanted it cruelty free, I didn't want any toxins and I wanted something that's non-sticky. And so I went through 100 different formulations and I was like, “no, no, no” until there was one. I thought, if everyone in my family, (especially since they are very opinionated) said yes to one formulation, then we knew we were nailing it! I was also really picky with my packaging because I didn't want packaging that people just threw away, since that's not very environmentally friendly. Oftentimes you can't recycle [beauty product packaging] because of the way the labels are made or if there's any iridescence. We wanted everything super clean so that if you were done with it, you could reuse it or recycle it.

Makers: You mentioned that a lot of the names of the lip glosses are inspired by family members and specifically the women in your family, could you touch a bit more on that?

Jada: JCA is created by women for all makeup enthusiasts because my whole entire family is made up of women! It came down to 13 shades that I wanted, so I dedicated them to the 13 most important women in my life; my family. Also being Latin American, it was nice to bring that awareness too [through the product names] because I feel like there's not a lot of Latin American women represented in this day and age in the makeup/beauty world, or even in small business, especially in Vancouver. 

Makers: What does it mean to you every time that somebody shows interest in your products by purchasing online or via a Makers store? How does that make you feel?

Jada: Honestly, it makes me so proud of myself. At first I thought “I can't do this” because I'm not well known enough, I don't have enough money, etc. But even with the amount of support I've gotten; even just to see one person order, it's just like, wow, people actually like it! It’s always so great to hear the feedback too, because that's what I'm here for, I'm a makeup artist, and I want to create a product that is able to cater to any kind of make-up user out there, no matter what their ability or level of knowledge is. So if anything, even just one order just makes me feel so happy and it's like… I do a little dance and I say, “oh my God, I got an order”!

“At first I thought “I can't do this,” because I'm not well known enough, I don't have enough money, etc. But even with the amount of support I've gotten; even just to see one person order, it's just like, wow, people actually like it!”

Makers: I love that. So if you were to give advice to somebody who wants to start their own business and they haven't started yet, what kind of advice would you have for them?

Jada: Honestly, I would say just do it. I think it's super simple to say, but I think it's don't pay no mind to anyone else; if you have an idea, go for it. And especially with my brand, my message is don't let any hurdle, obstacle or diagnosis keep you from creating your empire!

Makers: Incredible inspiration. Thank you, Jada! 

You can shop Jada Cianne Artistry at our Gastown location, located at 38 Water St, Vancouver.