One of the world’s most influential makeup brands didn’t come from Paris or New York — it came from Toronto. MAC Cosmetics was founded in 1984 by makeup artist Frank Toskan and salon owner Frank Angelo, two creatives frustrated by the lack of makeup that performed under studio lights, photography and runway conditions. Foundations oxidized, pigments fell flat and nothing held up under flash. So they started mixing their own formulas in Toskan’s Toronto kitchen.
Toronto’s underground fashion and club scenes became MAC’s first testing ground. Drag performers, photographers, stylists and models needed makeup that could survive heat, sweat and long nights — and MAC delivered. This early community shaped the brand’s identity: bold, artistic, inclusive and built for people who lived in colour.
MAC was one of the first brands to offer deep foundation shades and vibrant pigments.
In 1994, MAC launched Viva Glam, donating 100% of profits to HIV/AIDS organizations. Not a portion — all of it. The campaign became one of the most impactful charity initiatives in beauty history, with ambassadors like RuPaul, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Pamela Anderson.
From a Toronto kitchen to a global empire, MAC remains one of Canada’s most powerful cultural exports — a brand built on artistry, inclusivity and the belief that makeup is for everyone.
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?
Face by Stace 