portia-ella wouldn't exist without the visionaries behind our partner brands. These are women who saw something missing in the Canadian market and then found the courage and ambition to make it available. Or perhaps they had a dream to create something to call their own and change the course of life for themselves and their families. We are eager to champion them as individuals - powerful and full of passion. We are proud to offer their creations here at portia-ella; the largest selection of clean-beauty products in Canada.

Today we sit down with Missy MacKintosh, owner and CEO behind MisMacK Clean Cosmetics. Clean cosmetics had been around for a while, but for pro makeup artist Missy MacKintosh, they fell short. Like you, she had high standards for the products she used on herself and her clients. She simply couldn’t compromise pigment and wear time. But she wasn’t willing to put her health and that of her clients on the line. Once you know what’s in traditional cosmetics, you can’t unsee it!

about business

How long have you been an indie beauty brand owner? I launched MisMacK Clean Cosmetics in 2018, but the journey really began in 2016 when I was hired by Portia Ella to do makeup for their very first clean-beauty campaign in Winnipeg. I had no idea what “clean beauty” truly meant until that project opened my eyes to how self-regulated the cosmetics industry is—and how many toxins hide in everyday products. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. That experience lit the spark that grew into MisMacK.

What was the inspiration to start your brand? Portia Ella inspired me to dream bigger. After that campaign, I couldn’t shake the idea of creating professional-performance makeup that was safe, sustainable, and inclusive. I wanted to prove that clean could perform. So in 2018, I launched MisMacK from my basement in Canoe, BC with two products—GlitterEnvi and GAIA Gloss—which debuted at Portia Ella Winnipeg. That store became the birthplace of my dream.

What is your involvement in the creation of your products? I’m involved in every step—from concept to creation. I work hand-in-hand with two brilliant female Canadian chemists, testing every formula on real people in real life until it meets professional-grade performance. If it doesn’t outperform the mainstream, it doesn’t launch.

Did everything go as planned as you began to build your business? What were some surprises along the way? Not even close—and I wouldn’t change that. My second store almost bankrupted me. It was a painful but defining moment that forced me to rebuild from the ground up, streamline operations, and trust my instincts. Out of that struggle came our most innovative chapter yet—Sports Colour Cosmetics™, a brand-new category born from perseverance and purpose. On the bright side, the setbacks taught me to be resourceful, resilient, and creative beyond measure.

Amid all the challenges of owning your own business, what motivates you to continue chasing your dream? My motivation comes from impact. I see what happens when someone realizes makeup can feel good and be good. I see kids light up when they try our toxin-free Eye Black for sports. And I see my son, Evan—who helped me create it—learning that passion plus persistence can change an industry.

Do you have a “best moment” in your journey that you will never forget? Without question—standing beside my son on Dragons’ Den sharing our story. It was surreal to tell Canada how a grieving project turned into a national movement. Another unforgettable moment?  Will be walking back into Portia Ella Winnipeg next month to launch our Sports Colour Cosmetics™ line during the Grey Cup Festival—returning to the very store that started it all. That’s a full-circle dream come true.

Do you have any regrets along your journey? Only one—that I didn’t believe in myself sooner. Every setback shaped who I am today, so I try not to label them as regrets, just lessons that built my grit.

about clean beauty

What does clean beauty mean to you? For me, clean beauty means transparency and truth. It’s not about perfection—it’s about honesty. It’s creating products that perform at a professional level without compromising your health or our planet.

Are there ingredients you can’t believe are still permitted in cosmetics Fragrance loopholes and PFAS (“forever chemicals”) top the list. It’s shocking how much can hide behind a single word on an ingredient label. That’s why education is such a big part of MisMacK—we want consumers to feel empowered, not overwhelmed.

Is there a star ingredient in your range? Yes—our proprietary performance ingredient derived from the fatty acid of coconut oil. It’s not an oil itself, but a science-driven active that locks in the skin’s natural moisture while preventing water loss. It gives our formulas professional-grade performance and long wear—without any of the “icky stuff” found in conventional synthetics. It’s clean chemistry that actually performs.

What is your favourite product from your brand? Our Flawless Foundation—only nine ingredients, but the performance of a pro-kit staple. It’s breathable, sweat-proof, and timeless.

A favourite clean-beauty product from another brand? Honestly, I don’t stray outside of MisMacK for my beauty routine. But for clean cleaning—I recently discovered Mint Cleaning's Cleaning Scrub, and I’m obsessed. (To be clear—this is not a face or body product! 😂) It’s amazing for surfaces that need a good scrub and leaves your hands feeling amazing. 

about you

Describe a “day in your life.” No two days are ever the same. Some mornings I’m formulating or filming content; others I’m packing orders in our Salmon Arm studio or jumping on partnership calls. You’ll usually find me in the evening watching movies with Evan, having long baths, journaling, and decompressing my day with ChatGPT.

Tips for maintaining balance? Boundaries and breathwork. I’ve learned to pause, reset, and remember why I started. Movement, journaling, and gratitude breaks keep me grounded.

What brings you joy—besides the brand? My son, Evan. Watching him grow into his own creative spirit fills me with pride. And community—seeing people light up when they find confidence in themselves again.

How do you spend your free time? When I get it, you’ll find me lakeside with my dog Lulu, exploring local coffee shops, or connecting with my “heart family.” Stillness used to feel foreign to me; now it feels like home.