The Beauty industry can be tough to crack, which is why we wanted to sit down with some of the most inspiring figures in the industry to hear their tips, tricks and stories. If you aim to launch a career in Beauty, be it in PR, Journalism, Hairstyling or founding your own Beauty company, this guide is a must-read…

Alessandra Steinherr, Beauty Director of GLAMOUR

How did you get your job? What was your journey?

Ever since I can remember I wanted to be a Beauty Editor and since I had absolutely zero connections within the industry (and didn’t live anywhere near London) it seemed like a distant dream. So I wrote to every single magazine and applied for work experience. I got rejected by most – but I got two interviews and that’s all I needed – I was going to make it work.

I got a placement at the now defunct Marie Claire HealthBeauty magazine, which was my bible at the time. But because of an internal confusion when I got there they had no space for me, so they got me a slot on reception at their sister magazine, Marie Claire. It was disheartening and disappointing – but I felt it was a foot in the door and I chose to see it as an opportunity rather than a setback. I made sure I was useful to everyone who needed help.

When a job came up at Sugar magazine for a Beauty Assistant, I was first in line and armed with my endless enthusiasm, I got the gig. And from then on I kept working my way up until I became Beauty Director at GLAMOUR.

When I think back to my 15 year-old self, who would spend all her pocket money on magazines and beauty products recommended by her favourite beauty editors – I have to pinch myself, because although the journey was uncertain and unlikely, the truth is that when you truly want something with all your heart and you do everything you can in your power to achieve it, then you really really can. I am living proof of this.

Was it something you always wanted to do?

Yes it was my absolute dream! And it still is. I love love love my job – it has evolved over the years and the advent of digital and social media has kept it challenging and fresh. Print will always be my first love – but I thoroughly enjoy all the new media and have embraced it fully.

What are the best bits about your job?

I guess the variety is the best bit – one minute I am interviewing a celebrity, the next I’m art directing a beauty shoot, then I’m writing a feature, I’m editing copy, I’m at a product presentation, I’m doing Facebook Live, I’m working on The BEAUTY FESTIVAL which is a great beauty event we host for our readers in March…there is never a dull moment. I also really love the social media aspect and being able to talk directly with my readers – that’s fab! I love all the questions I get and I try to answer every single one!

What are the biggest challenges within your job?

Every job has challenges and mine is no different. Yes it all looks and sounds glamorous, but it’s definitely a lot of work and I take it very seriously. The hours are long as there are lots of evening events and travel can be a bit tiring. Also there is this perception that ‘well it’s just beauty – how hard can it be?’ but the bottom line is, whatever your line of work, to be at the top of your game takes dedication, passion and you definitely get back what you put in. And I only ever give 100% .

Tips for those wanting to get into your industry?

Work experience is still the way in. Everyone on the Beauty Team at GLAMOUR started that way because you learn on the job. And don’t ever think you are above anything – working on a magazine is a team effort, it’s not about one individual. And my top tip is : Don’t ever believe you know it all – I still learn every single day! Being curious and embracing change, trying new things and being open to a new direction has been the secret to my longevity. Plus it’s what keeps me motivated.

Favourite figures within your industry?

So so many – the beauty industry is full of inspiring, creative people. Journalist-wise I am inspired by Newby Hands, the Beauty Director of PORTER, she’s a sublime writer and a fountain of knowledge. I’m also full of admiration for Nicola Moulton, the Beauty Director of VOGUE – I like her smart approach to the subject of beauty writing. In terms of creative forces – I am in awe of Hairstylist Sam McKnight, the brand created by makeup force Charlotte Tilbury and I adore Rosie Huntington Whiteley – she is such a class act, wonderful to work with and as kind as she is beautiful.

Follow Alessandra on Instagram here.

Jen Atkin, Hairstylist and founder of Ouai

How did you get your job?

I’ve always loved doing hair. When I was a teenager in Utah, I couldn’t find anyone to give me the cut I wanted so I went to the store, bought a pack of shaving razors and cut it myself! After high school, I drove to California with $300 to my name and started as a receptionist at Estilo Salon in Beverly Hills.

What was your journey?

I moved to L.A. in 2000. I was looking for receptionist jobs at all the top salons. After about six to eight months, I heard that the Estilo salon was looking for a receptionist [and got the job]. At the time, Estilo was the salon to be at. I met Jessica Alba, who got her hair colored there back when she was doing Dark Angel. I met Chris McMillan, who was probably the most famous stylist at the time.

A year and a half later, Estilo promoted me to manager. I learned the business of [being a stylist], how to run a salon, and how to deal with clients. I learned the business , how to run a salon, and how to deal with clients. It took me two to three years working as manager to save up enough to go to [beauty school at] Abram Friedman Occupational Center. While I was in school, I started working as an assistant to the stylists to get hours toward my license. I worked in the salon, was a hostess at night, and went to school the rest of the time. I got my degree and license in about a year and a half.

Was it something you always wanted to do?

In high school, I started cutting my own hair, which led to cutting my friends’ hair. That’s when it clicked for me that I wanted to be a stylist. I wanted to be a part of the glamorous and fun world I saw in George Michael and Madonna videos.

What are the biggest challenges within your job?

Just balancing my time. But whenever I start to complain about it, I remember that everything I’ve ever dreamed of is happening right now and I’m grateful.

Tips for those wanting to get into your industry?

You have to stand up for yourself and let people know you mean business. I feel like girls are taught to be deprecating and not to be tough. I’m all about having a balance of being nice but tough when you need to be. Our industry can be very competitive, and I’ve just never really been about that. I used to have a Serge Normant quote on my locker at the salon that said, ‘Don’t be jealous of your peers – be inspired by them.’ With Mane Addicts, I wanted to expose the friendly nature of hairstyling and just spread the message that we’re all so much more powerful when we work together!

Florence Adepoju, Founder of makeup brand MDM Flow

How did you get your job? What was your journey?

I got into the beauty industry at the age of 17. I was walking through my local shopping centre when I got traffic stopped by a counter manager – I told her I didn’t have money to buy products and she offered me a job on the spot. Since then I have acquired a BSc in Cosmetic Science. Whilst studying I worked in the industry for various brands and I felt that the colours available weren’t creative or bright and looked dull or unsuitable on darker skinned women. I was working on my final year project at university which was on colour perception. I was making bright and bold lipstick shades and everyone in my class wanted one, some even stole my test samples. So I knew I was onto something and decided to develop my final year project into the brand of my dreams inspired by the 90s hip-hop aesthetic.

Was it something you always wanted to do?

Not really, I’ve always been a massive science geek and also super creative. I figured I’d end up in a career in medicine or pharmacy until I got my first makeup job at 17 fell in love with the industry and never looked back.

What are the best bits about your job?

Getting messages from my customers telling me that they have now found their perfect lipstick or mascara from my collection. Beauty is such a personal thing and it really makes me feel good to know that the work I do positively impacts how women feel about themselves.

What are the biggest challenges within your job?

Right now my biggest challenges seem to be lack of time and trying to balance everything, I’ve now got a small team who are awesome and highly skilled so I’m working on delegating tasks better, and resting when I’m tired.

Tips for those wanting to get into your industry?

Education: studying a course specific to what you want to do is a great way to get into the industry, like I did studying Bsc Cosmetic Science.

Work experience: specifically retail is highly valued in the industry, you need to be able to understand the customer and their needs.

Network: stay up to date on brands you love and meet key people in the industry who inspire you.

Favourite figures within your industry?

Charlotte Tilbury (founder, Charlotte Tilbury), Huda Kattan (founder, Huda Beauty) and Emily Weiss (founder, Glossier) are all massive role models to me. They are all badass women who prove that it is possible to be a woman and run a beauty empire and positively impact the industry.

Follow MDM Flow on Instagram here.

Rose Gallagher, Beauty Personal Shopper at Selfridges Blogger at Mixed Gems

How did you get your job? What was your journey?

I studied English Literature at Uni and on weekends I worked at my best friend’s makeup salon, Peaches and Cream. I really wanted to pursue a beauty editorial role, so I started a beauty blog to develop my writing style. Once I graduated I undertook lots of editorial internships (Vogue and feelunique.com were a dream come true – I had the time of my life) and ended up working in the social team for a beauty brand. Before I knew it, someone from Selfridges found my blog and approached me about a brand new role they had created: Beauty Personal Shopper. My dream job had fallen into my lap.

Was it something you always wanted to do?

To be honest I had never heard of this role before so it wasn’t something I had even considered doing, but I’m so glad to have found it. For me it makes total sense. As women we love to mix and match and take the best things from each brand, and I get to help women to find a regime that works for them.

What are the best bits about your job?

I get a lot of women coming to me for a special occasion, and those appointments always have that extra bit of magic to them. For example, I get such a kick out of teaching a bride how to do her own makeup for her special day, or for helping a girl to look a million dollars if she knows her ex-boyfriend will be at the same party that night. I also have lots of women that have been coming to me regularly for a couple of years now, and you end up forming strong friendships with those people because you see them all the time.

What are the biggest challenges within your job?

I’d say my main challenge on a day to day is finding solutions to problems you’ve never encountered before. When you’re a personal shopper, every step of the customer journey is down to you. That can mean finding a courier to get something across the country in a couple of hours, creating a menu of beauty treatments for a corporate party, or transferring a tester from another store for someone to try a perfume they wish to buy online (all true stories). I never know what I’ll be facing each day, but that’s all part of the fun. Despite wearing heels for work, I always keep flats in my bag in case I need to run around.

Tips for those wanting to get into your industry?

One of my favourite things to do is observe other artists. You never stop learning, and I pick up new tips from all of my colleagues on the beauty floor every single day. I also use Instagram to follow makeup artists from all over the world; some of my favourite artists are from Russia. Also, here at Selfridges we have many international customers from all over the world – it is important to invest time in researching other cultures. For example, it’s polite to hand something over with both hands in China, so I always remember to use both hands when presenting the bag at the end.

Favourite figures within your industry?

I love Hannah Martin and Amy Conway from the Bobbi Brown pro-team. One of the best parts of my job is building a woman’s confidence and those two really put that at the heart of their work as well. Bobbi herself is a huge inspiration to me. I wish more brands had as wide a shade selection in foundations as she does; I hugely respect her for that. I never miss an article from Alessandra Steinherr, Newby Hands or Nicola Moulton.

David Horne is my ultimate makeup inspiration, his House of Glamdolls makeup school photos blow my mind. Charlotte Tilbury is hugely inspirational to me, and I hope one day to meet Lisa Eldridge. And nothing beats a big beauty catch up with Emily and Rosie in our buying team!

Krishna Montgomery, Founder and Managing Director of Monty PR

How did you get your job? What was your journey?

My first job was straight from school when I went to be an office runner at a design company. They went on to open a retail store in Covent Garden and I ended up doing the PR for it – when I got my first bit of coverage which was a full page in the Financial Times I knew PR was for me. After six years I got made redundant which was a blessing in disguise and forced me to move out of my comfort zone and I ended up making a list of the companies I would most like to work for. Harvey Nichols was top of my list and timing was on my side; after a terrifying interview with Mary Portas I got the job as PR and Marketing Executive.

I worked across the PR and Marketing for the whole store and it was an incredible experience – I learnt so much and it formed the bedrock for the rest of my career. I was with HN for nearly eight years and it was whilst I was there that I came across a very cool US brand called Bliss; there was something on their website which made me really want to be part of it. The founder, Marcia Kilgore, was quoted as saying ‘we don’t have time for office politics here, we have too much to achieve’ – so I emailed her out of the blue and again timing was on my side as they were beginning the search for people to help set their UK business up.

My time in house at Bliss was incredible and after seven years and the birth of my daughter I felt it was time to move into a new phase and set up my own business. I set up Monty PR at my kitchen table in August 2007 with Bliss, Soap Glory and FitFlop as my first clients. Today, Monty represent some of the most incredible beauty brands in the business and there are a team of ten of us working together.

Was it something you always wanted to do?

I always thought I was going to be a photographer but the path of PR and marketing paved its way for me and I went along for the ride! I believe in creating opportunities and not having a set plan as you need to be able to adjust and adapt.

What are the best bits about your job?

Getting to work with Monty team every day is a big highlight. I have such respect for their determination, spirit and dynamsicion. I love the diversity of my job, every day is different. I love getting to work with the incredible brands we represent and helping them shape their business and building on their success.

What are the biggest challenges within your job?

Keeping everyone happy and managing expectations! A career in PR isn’t for the faint heart and although it has a ‘fluffy’ reputation this really isn’t the case – you need to be ready for knock backs, people not getting back to you and demanding clients. We are no longer a traditional PR company as we work across so many different aspects from social media, content, branding, marketing so you have to think across many different principles and keep coming up with relevant and interesting ideas.

Tips for those wanting to get into your industry?

Make sure you CV is word perfect. Try and get an internship at a company who you are excited by. When you send your CV to people do not just do a blanket email – make sure it’s personalised and relevant. Use social media to your advantage and engage with people/agencies you would like to work with. This business is all about relationships – so build some!

Favourite figures within your industry?

Marcia Kilgore continues to inspire me. I feel huge respect and inspiration for the female entrepreneurs we represent as I get to see them in action first hand and learn from them – Gill Sinclair of Victoria Health, Sarah Chapman, Vanita Parti founder of Blink Brow Bar and Carisa Janes, founder of Hourglass Cosmetics.