There’s no business like it
jennifer ng
Working for a cosmetic line doesn’t always mean being behind a counter. Melanie Hutchinson from Toronto, Ontario and National Trainer for Benefit Cosmetics shares how she got where she is today.
GLOSS: How did you get started?
MH: By starting at the bottom! I started out as a part-time beauty artist on the counter and worked my way up to full-time, then to manager, then to sales coordinator and now I'm going into a training coordinator position!
GLOSS: Favorite thing about your job?
MH: Favourite thing about my job...I get to combine my three favourite things: makeup, teaching others and travel!
GLOSS: What’s the biggest challenge of the job?
MH: TIME! It seems even with prioritizing my day, there is never enough time.
GLOSS: When did you know you wanted to work in makeup?
MH: From the days when I used to put makeup on my dolls! It wasn't actually until after high school that I discovered the option of makeup school. Back then, I thought that beauty school was only in the movie Grease!
GLOSS: Favorite story on the job?
MH: I was working my Benefit magic on a very sweet customer during her makeup appointment and when I was done, I let her see her finished look in the mirror. Next thing I know, tears started running down her face! I'm thinking, "She doesn't like it!" She was crying because she never thought she could look that good. I wanted to cry with her! Goes to show that makeup can change how you feel on the inside as well, as the outside!
GLOSS: Favorite makeup trick/tip/secret?
MH: 1. Always prep your skin with moisturizer before your makeup!
2. For a perfect lip line...squeeze your lip-pencil tip in between your thumb and index finger, mold until its flat. Apply, look how perfect that lip liner is!
3. Apply your mascara by wiggling the wand back-and-forth from root to tip! It catches those pesky little in-between lashes.
4. Secret: HOLLYWOOD GLO!!!! By Benefit! You'll search no more!
For more information on Benefit Cosmetics check out www.benefitcosmetics.com. Benefit Cosmetics are available at select Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora stores. |