MAC Cosmetics: The Global Beauty Giant Born in Toronto

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?

The Ordinary: Toronto’s Skincare Disruptor That Changed the Global Beauty Industry

When The Ordinary launched in 2016, it didn’t look like a typical beauty brand. No glossy campaigns. No celebrity faces. No poetic product names. Just stark white bottles, clinical labels and prices that made the industry blink. And behind this quiet revolution was Toronto, home to Deciem — the company that created The Ordinary and transformed modern skincare.

The Ordinary was built on a simple idea: give people effective ingredients without the markup. Instead of selling “miracle creams,” the brand offered single‑ingredient formulas like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, retinol and glycolic acid — products that had always existed but were rarely accessible or affordable. By stripping away marketing fluff, The Ordinary taught consumers to understand what they were actually putting on their faces.

Toronto’s scientific, multicultural and innovation‑driven energy shaped the brand’s identity. Deciem’s labs focused on transparency, research and ingredient integrity. The Ordinary didn’t promise perfection; it promised honesty. And consumers responded. Within months, the brand went global, selling out repeatedly and becoming a staple in both professional kits and everyday routines.

The Ordinary also changed how people talk about skincare. It introduced ingredient literacy, encouraged experimentation and made active formulas mainstream. Its success pushed the entire beauty industry toward clearer labeling, lower prices and more science‑driven products.

Today, The Ordinary is one of Canada’s most influential beauty exports — a Toronto‑born brand that proved skincare doesn’t need to be expensive, mysterious or exclusive to be effective.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Jillian Harris Inspired: Cranberry Vanilla Yogurt Parfait

A soft brunch‑ready parfait layered with creamy vanilla yogurt, jewel‑toned cranberries and a golden granola crunch. It’s bright, fresh and effortlessly beautiful — the kind of simple‑but‑stunning breakfast Jillian Harris is known for. Perfect for Thanksgiving morning, a cozy autumn brunch or a wellness‑focused start to the day.

Prep 10 min Cook 5 min (cranberry compote) Serves 2

Cranberry Yogurt Parfait - One Happy Dish
Cranberry Yogurt Parfait – One Happy Dish/www.onehappydish.comwww.onehappydish.com

Ingredients

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp water
Pinch cinnamon
1½ cups vanilla Greek yogurt
½ cup granola
Optional fresh cranberries or nuts for topping

Instructions

  1. Make the cranberry compote
    In a small saucepan, heat cranberries, maple syrup, vanilla, water, and cinnamon over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes until berries burst and mixture thickens.
  2. Cool slightly
    Remove from heat and allow the compote to cool until warm but not hot.
  3. Layer the parfait
    Add a layer of vanilla yogurt to the bottom of two parfait glasses, followed by a spoonful of cranberry compote. Repeat the layers until glasses are full.
  4. Finish with crunch
    Top with granola and optional fresh cranberries or nuts.
  5. Serve
    Enjoy immediately for maximum creaminess and crunch.
Easy Cranberry Sauce Parfait with Yogurt and Granola Treat - YumWay Recipes – Delicious Home ...
Easy Cranberry Sauce Parfait with Yogurt and Granola Treat – YumWay Recipes – Delicious Home …/yumwayrecipes.com

BEAUTY BENEFITS

  • Cranberries brighten skin with vitamin C + antioxidants
  • Yogurt supports gut health, which reflects in clearer skin
  • Healthy fats from nuts/granola support skin barrier repair
  • Warm cranberry compote boosts circulation and glow

HEALTH BENEFITS

  • High‑protein yogurt supports satiety
  • Cranberries offer anti‑inflammatory polyphenols
  • Granola adds fiber for digestion
  • Naturally sweetened options keep blood sugar stable

STORAGE

  • Best assembled fresh
  • Store components separately for 2–3 days
  • Cranberry compote keeps 5 days refrigerated
  • Granola stays crisp in an airtight food glass container

SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Greek yogurt → coconut yogurt (DF)
  • Maple syrup → honey or agave
  • Granola → toasted nuts or seeds
  • Add vanilla bean for luxury
  • Add orange zest for brightness

HISTORY

Parfaits originated in France, where “parfait” referred to a frozen custard dessert. When the concept migrated to North America, it evolved into a layered yogurt creation — lighter, healthier and more versatile.

Cranberries, native to North America have been used for centuries by Indigenous communities for food, medicine and natural dyes. Their tartness pairs beautifully with creamy dairy, creating a balanced, modern Canadian breakfast.

This recipe blends:

  • French parfait tradition
  • Canadian cranberry heritage
  • West Coast brunch culture Styled through Jillian’s lens: approachable, bright, and visually stunning.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Great Depression Beauty: Repurposed Household Items as Everyday Beauty Tools

During the Great Depression, beauty didn’t disappear — it adapted. With money scarce and cosmetics often considered a luxury, women turned to their kitchens, sewing baskets and cleaning cupboards to create clever, resourceful beauty tools from everyday household items. These DIY solutions weren’t just frugal; they were imaginative, practical and surprisingly effective.

Curling tools were often made from fabric scraps or paper. Women twisted damp hair around strips of cloth, tied them into knots and slept in them overnight to create soft waves without heat. Some used brown paper torn from grocery bags, rolling hair into tight spirals for a more defined curl.

For exfoliation, women repurposed washcloths, sugar, salt or even oatmeal. A simple mixture of sugar and water became a makeshift scrub, while oatmeal was ground and used as a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin.

Cold cream alternatives came from the pantry. Women blended petroleum jelly with a few drops of olive oil or lemon juice to mimic the cleansing balms they couldn’t afford. Egg whites were used as tightening masks, while mashed bananas or leftover cream were applied as moisturizing treatments.

Even nail care had its Depression‑era hacks. Women buffed nails with chamois cloth, polished them with olive oil or tinted them lightly using beet juice for a natural flush of color.

These repurposed tools weren’t just about beauty — they were about resilience. In a decade defined by scarcity, women proved that creativity could be just as powerful as any product on a vanity table.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Jillian Harris Inspired: Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

A cozy, West Coast‑brunch appetizer that blends buttery puff pastry, creamy brie and ruby‑red cranberries. These bites are elegant yet effortless — the kind of holiday entertaining piece Jillian Harris is known for. They’re warm, glossy and festive, perfect for Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering.

Prep 10 min Cook 15 min Serves 12 bites

Puff Pastry Cranberry Brie Bites - BeCentsational

Puff Pastry Cranberry Brie Bites – BeCentsational/becentsational.com

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
6 oz brie, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Prep the pastry
    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut puff pastry into 12 squares and place into a mini muffin tin.
  2. Add the brie
    Place a cube of brie into each pastry cup.
  3. Add cranberry
    Spoon 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce over each brie cube. Drizzle with maple syrup if desired.
  4. Brush and bake
    Brush pastry edges with egg wash. Bake for 15 minutes until puffed and golden.
  5. Finish
    Top with chopped rosemary and serve warm.

Beauty Benefits

  • Cranberries brighten skin with vitamin C + antioxidants
  • Brie provides healthy fats for skin barrier support
  • Puff pastry’s warmth promotes circulation and glow
  • Rosemary garnish offers anti‑inflammatory phytonutrients

Health Benefits

  • Cranberries support urinary tract health
  • Brie contains calcium + protein
  • Lower‑glycemic sweetness if using maple or reduced‑sugar cranberry sauce
  • Small portions make this a balanced holiday appetizer

Substitutions

  • Goat cheese instead of brie for tang
  • Camembert for a richer profile
  • Maple‑cranberry sauce instead of classic cranberry
  • Add pecans or walnuts for crunch
  • Use phyllo cups instead of puff pastry for a lighter bite

Storage

  • Best served fresh
  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Reheat at 325°F for 5–7 minutes
  • Do not freeze assembled bites (puff pastry loses crispness)

History

Puff pastry has deep French roots, evolving from laminated dough techniques perfected in the 1600s. Brie, a soft cow’s milk cheese from the Île‑de‑France region, became a staple in Canadian entertaining thanks to its mild, creamy profile and versatility.

Cranberries, native to North America, were used by Indigenous communities long before European settlement — for food, medicine, and dyes. Their tartness pairs beautifully with rich cheeses, creating a balance that modern Canadian cuisine embraces.

This recipe merges:

  • French pastry tradition
  • Canadian brie‑centric entertaining
  • Indigenous cranberry heritage Styled through Jillian’s lens: approachable, feminine, and perfect for hosting.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Jillian Harris Inspired: Cranberry Maple Breakfast Crumble

A warm, cozy brunch crumble that blends tart cranberries with soft baked oats and a buttery maple‑kissed topping. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a slow autumn morning in the Okanagan — gentle, rustic, and effortlessly beautiful. The crumble is comforting without being heavy, sweet without being sugary, and visually stunning with its ruby‑red cranberry base. Perfect for Thanksgiving brunch, holiday mornings or a chic seasonal gathering.

Prep 10 min Cook 35 min Serves 4

Cranberry Crumble Bars Make the Perfect Wintertime Breakfast or Snack Idea! | Clean Food Crush
Cranberry Crumble Bars Make the Perfect Wintertime Breakfast or Snack Idea! | Clean Food Crush/cleanfoodcrush.com

Ingredients

2 cups fresh cranberries
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp orange zest
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almond flour (or regular flour)
1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the filling
    In a bowl, mix cranberries, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. Stir until the cranberries are coated.
  2. Make the crumble
    Combine oats, almond flour, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Use your fingers to pinch the butter into the dry ingredients until a coarse crumble forms.
  3. Assemble
    Pour the cranberry mixture into a small baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the top.
  4. Bake
    Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes until bubbling and golden.
  5. Serve
    Spoon warm crumble into bowls. Top with yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream for a brunch‑style finish.

Beauty Benefits

  • Cranberries deliver skin‑brightening antioxidants
  • Oats support barrier repair + hydration
  • Maple syrup contains manganese for collagen support
  • Warm foods promote digestive glow

Health Benefits

  • High fiber for gut balance
  • Anti‑inflammatory polyphenols
  • Lower‑glycemic sweetness from maple
  • Perfect warm breakfast for autumn immunity

Storage

  • Keeps 3 days refrigerated
  • Reheat at 300°F for 10 minutes
  • Crumble topping freezes beautifully

Substitutions

  • Swap oats for GF oats
  • Add pecans or walnuts
  • Replace maple with honey
  • Add apple or orange slices for extra sweetness

HISTORY

Crumble desserts trace back to WWII Britain, where rationing limited access to flour, butter, and sugar. Home bakers created “crumbles” as a simpler alternative to pies — less dough, more fruit and a rustic topping. Over time, the crumble became a beloved comfort dish across North America.

Cranberries, meanwhile, have deep roots in Indigenous North American cuisine used for medicine, dyes and food long before European settlers arrived. Their natural tartness pairs beautifully with maple syrup — a traditional Canadian sweetener harvested by Indigenous communities and later adopted into Québécois and Canadian cooking.

This recipe blends all three traditions:

  • British crumble technique
  • Indigenous cranberry heritage
  • Canadian maple sweetness

Enjoy Cranberry Maple Breakfast Crumble!
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?