Small but mighty-A real Canary’s story
Meet Melisa aka Kanary:
"Founder, maker, wifey, rad mama, beach bum, and dog lover—Melisa Kahne is the heart and vibe of Kanary. Her story? A little wild, totally unplanned. After 17 years in the beauty biz, things took a sharp turn when Melisa got seriously sick from toxic chemicals in a ‘professional’ product—despite that shiny U.S. stamp of approval. Her doctor said she was like a canary in a coal mine, and that’s when everything flipped. Out of pure necessity, Melisa started crafting legit non-toxic products for her own home. Once she began healing, she made it her mission—like, seriously—to spread the word on the street about healthy skincare. Now, she's sharing not just her products but the hard-earned knowledge too. Trust us, you need to read those labels and check your ingredients—it’s crazy what’s legally allowed in our products here in the States!
Speaking of canaries, these little yellow heroes were the OG underground safety squad. Miners used to bring them deep into the earth as early warning systems for invisible, odorless gases like carbon monoxide. If the canary keeled over, it was time to bounce—fast.
When life hit Melisa with this wake-up call, she was stunned by what’s actually legally allowed in beauty products—the stuff we slather on our skin every day. Even our babies and little ones. Determined to keep herself and her fam safe, she got to work creating skincare that was truly clean. With her chemical sensitivity dialed up to 11, Melisa had to whip up products that were safe not just for her but for her entire crew.
Her mission? Ingredients powered by nature, not the latest hype. Melisa’s not here to chase trends or ride the mainstream wave. She’s a real human making clean, effective skincare from the heart. Keeping it simple with recognizable, effective, organic, and pure ingredients, she does all the heavy lifting for you—meticulously checking every detail and running beta tests before anything hits the shelves. Today, that same passion drives her to craft the very best toxin-free products for her Skincare Lab + Spa, where she delivers epic holistic facials. Melisa sources ethically and creates skin-loving formulas that nurture not just her own family but yours, too.
Severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Imagine having superpowers that make you ultra-sensitive to all the stuff most people breeze right by. That’s what Severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) feels like. It’s like being a human canary, picking up on hidden dangers and funky chemicals before they become a bigger deal. Even though that time was a real rollercoaster, I was totally convinced I’d bounce back and come out stronger from all the crazy challenges it threw at me and my crew. Still a bit sensitive and tuned into those sneaky toxic chemicals, but now I’m living life to the fullest every day.
For those with MCS, reactions can be a wild ride: airway restrictions, burning sensations in your eyes, nose, throat and esophagus, along with headaches, fatigue, brain fog, tingling, muscle or joint aches, serious brain fog, and rashes. It’s a spectrum of discomfort that can shift from day to day.
Thanks for vibing with my journey! I’m super excited to share these products with you—crafted to nourish your skin and bring out your best glow!
XX
Melisa AKA Kanary