Join us ahead of International Women’s Day as we getthe inside info about the beauty industry from the LOOKFANTASTIC Social Team. From how they landed their dream role, to the trends they just couldn’t get behind, we have your most anticipated questions answered…
Steph – Social Media Executive
How did you land your job at LOOKFANTASTIC?
I was looking for a new role and luckily, I saw the job advert within hours of it being uploaded. Applying for the job was a no brainier for me. This role had been my dream role for so long and honestly, if I sat down and thought about it I think I would’ve talked myself out of it, telling myself I should go and get other experience before I actually go after my dream role. But why wait? When the opportunity is right in front of you you’ve got to grab it with both hands!
What does a typical day look like for you?
This first thing I do is check up on posts from the night before, see what worked and how I can build on the engagement we’ve received. I then start planning and scheduling content for the day, making sure the posts are relevant and fun, it could be creating a funny meme or making a social ‘game’ like ‘Which Rachel Green are you today’. It’s all about being super relatable and fun! Anyone can just post a picture of a product, but it’s my job to make every post engaging and to make you stop scrolling!
What’s your favourite part about your job?
I love how every single day is completely different! Social trends can appear out of thin air and disappear just as quickly so it’s essential to be reactive and post content that’s engaging and relatable!
What’s been your favourite beauty trend and the trend you just couldn’t get behind?
My favourite trend at the moment would have to be the fluffy brows. I think the way you do your brows can change your whole look! The trend I couldn’t get on bored with (even thought I love it and wish I could) is coloured liner! I was just not blessed with steady hands that can do perfect liner!
Do you have any advice for those wanting to get into the beauty industry?
Go for it! I’d always wanted this job, but I always thought I’d need to do years of experience before even applying for my dream job. Then the opportunity came about and I thought, what have I got to lose? And now here I am! So please, just go for it! It’s such a fun and creative industry, it’s even better than I thought it would be.
Sophie – Social Media Executive
How did you land your job at LOOKFANTASTIC?
Throughout Summer 2020 I was doing a remote internship for a fashion brand. Due to the uncertainty at the time they couldn’t offer a full-time position so alongside interning I was also job hunting in the hope of finding a long-term role. I saw a position advertised to run the TikTok page for a hair extension company, so I made an account and began posting my own videos in the hope of getting the job. I was unsuccessful in landing the role, but through the process I found so much enjoyment making content on the platform. When I saw that LOOKFANTASTIC were looking for a Social Media Executive I included my TikTok content as part of my application. My experience fit the role and they liked that I had a genuine interest and passion for beauty.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part is thinking of creative and fun ways to promote products. I love putting together creative briefs for influencers and it feels so rewarding when they send back amazing content based on the brief. And it’s even more exciting once it’s posted to see the audience reaction!
What’s your ride or die product you can’t live without?
One product that I can’t live without is the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum. It’s one of those skincare products that I can feel the difference when I don’t use it. I like to keep my skincare routine as minimal and simple as possible and this serum is packed with Hyaluronic acid and anti-oxidants as well as Squalene which makes it a great all-rounder.
What’s been your favourite beauty trend and the trend you couldn’t get behind?
I love the blusher trend of placing it higher up towards the cheekbones, on the bridge of the nose and subtly on the eye-lids. I saw Rosie Huntington-Whitley do it and she said it’s a trick a lot of models will do to make natural makeup look more put together. A trend I couldn’t get behind is over plucked brows…I did it once and it really didn’t suit me!
Who’s your role model?
As a long-time fan of beauty guru’s on YouTube, I have always looked up to renowned makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. She started posting back in 2010, making her one of the first big makeup artists to share her tips and tricks on YouTube. I love that she views makeup as a way to enhance your natural beauty and a tool for self-expression as oppose to something to hide behind. She also has an impressive knowledge on the history and evolution of makeup and beauty trends. Watching her videos are like listening to a beauty history lesson, and she proves that makeup is not frivolous, but rather beauty trends are often an extension of what is happening in wider society.
Do you have any advice to anyone to get into the beauty industry?
Build up a portfolio of work that shows you are passionate about the area of the industry that you want to go into. This doesn’t have to be the “traditional” style portfolio, it can be a blog, a social media account, a YouTube series. You don’t have to be an expert to get the job, you just have to show that you’re passionate and willing to learn!
Danni – Social Media Intern
How did you land your job at LOOKFANTASTIC?
I always knew I wanted to work within beauty and saw the job advertised on LinkedIn. The application process involved submitting a marketing strategy presentation. I loved the fact the process showed my passion for the role rather than just being based on my experience, as a 2nd year university student I only had retail experience and a week of marketing work experience. In the interview I had to present my ideas to a panel and this was followed by a short interview which went over my CV! I felt super at ease and everyone was so lovely – I got the call saying I’d got the job 3 days later!
What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually try to wake up early – I can’t function without a cup of tea so that’s the first job on the agenda! I usually start the day by checking my emails and writing my to do list for the day ahead. Then I tend to work on some Instagram stories for the day – I usually design these from scratch and love the fact I get to be super creative! Each morning, I usually have a catch-up call with my team to discuss strategy and what we’re working on, on our channels. Sometimes we have exciting projects to work on from new launches to coming up with ideas for social for different social or cultural events such as Mother’s Day or Easter. On my lunch break,I usually try and goon a quick walk to get my steps in and to get away from my screen for a bit! I usually spend the afternoon working on the Pinterest channel, working on finding inspirational content such as nail inspiration and hairstyles.
What’s your ride or die product you can’t live without?
Definitely anything Olaplex! The Olaplex shampoo and conditioner has SAVED my hair after years of straightening and bleaching it – I am OBSESSED.
What’s been your favourite beauty trend and the trend you just couldn’t get behind?
I am LOVING the laminated brows look at the moment – i love how fluffy and natural they are. I have quite naturally thick brows so I hope it’s here to stay! One trend I can’t get behind is the Bella Hadid side fringe pony – I absolutely LOVE it on everyone else but I just can’t seem to do it on myself.
Do you have any advice for those wanting to get into the beauty industry?
Stay social and make connections, keep up with trends and most of all, be yourself! If you are truly passionate about something this will 100% shine through!
Danielle -Social Media Manager
How did you land your job at LOOKFANTASTIC?
I’d been working for two years in social media before and I felt like I needed a new challenge. I saw the role advertised and once I’d read the job description, I couldn’t WAIT to send my CV. It was everything I was looking for and more and seemed like such an amazing opportunity. I researched the company, analysed their social channels & made sure to ask lots questions at the end of my interview.
What does a typical day look like for you?
While no two days are the same at LOOKFANTASTIC, usually my first task of the day is going through emails for anything that needs to be picked up immediately. I check my diary for the day to see what meetings I have and then I catch up with the team. Throughout the day I’m working on various upcoming projects for social, briefing the team on new brands launching and brainstorming ideas of how we can bring an idea to life. It’s so exciting because every day is so different!
What’s your favourite part about your job?
My team! There’s also loads of great perks like product testing and pre-covid, brand events mainly down in London, which is always so much fun!
What’s your ride or die product you can’t live without?
Tan Luxe The Face drops – my absolute go-to. Especially when you’re having a no makeup day and you have a lot of calls! It just gives you the BEST glow.
Who’s your role model?
My mum, she’s the strongest, beautiful and most resilient person I have ever known. She always keeps me straight, knows how to make me feel better and always offers the best advice (even if I didn’t understand it when I was younger). She’s just sunshine in a person.
Do you have any advice for those wanting to get into the beauty industry?
Keep up to date with changing trends, use online courses to utilise free materials, gain work experience from businesses to develop your understanding and knowledge of the area. Follow people you admire in the industry and do your research on key topics.
Sophie – Social Media Executive
How did you land your job at LOOKFANTASTIC?
This is a bit of a funny story! So, whilst working in a jewellery shop where I took photos of the jewellery and uploaded them onto Instagram, one of the posts caught the attention of, believe it or not, the CEO of LF! She came in, we hit it off, and I had an interview the next week!
What does a typical day look like for you?
First things first, I always look at the feed and what we are posting that day. Organising the Instagram feed is my main task, along with creating story features and jumping on anything that’s trending and is relevant to our followers. There’s never a dull day, that’s guaranteed!
What’s your favourite part about your job?
Being creative! I absolutely love creating our story features and making sure the Instagram shows our brand personality! Also, the freebies don’t hurt one bit!
What’s been your favourite beauty trend and the trend you couldn’t get behind?
Best trend by far is embracing the skin you’re in, every freckle, every blemish is beautiful, and you should embrace it! Who wants perfect skin anyway, those little “imperfections” make us unique! The one I couldn’t get behind are overdrawing your lips, love what your mamma gave you!
Who’s your role model?
Role model? Jim Carrey (bit of an odd one I know!), unapologetically himself, worked hard to get where he is in his career, and I mean who doesn’t love Dumb and Dumber?
Do you have any advice for those wanting to get into the beauty industry?
My advice would be to keep those creative juices flowing! Get on Photoshop and play around, master your craft and just in general love what you’re doing! Passion is key.
Sophie – Senior Social Media Executive
How did you land your job at LOOKFANTASTIC?
I was flicking through LinkedIn and saw a social job pop up which I loved the sound of. I was looking to move jobs at the time so to find this role was a dream. I then had a call from a recruiter within THG and it was all go from there.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me involves collating and scheduling content as well as planning a wider social strategy for the brands. Every day differs slightly but my main duties involve having my creative head on every day and creating ways to get ahead of competitors!
What’s your favourite part about your job?
I get to put creative ideas into action and see them come to life – that to me is the most exciting part. Despite Social Media being a creative platform, it is very analytical and challenging at times. I actually really love that aspect of the role too. It allows me to challenge myself and constantly grow within the industry.
What’s your ride or die product you can’t live without?
Anti-ageing cream! My motto is that prevention is better than cure and starting an anti-ageing regime in my early 20’s was the best thing I ever did. I wouldn’t be without it now.
Who’s your role model?
Celeb wise I look up to Ashley Graham. The way she accepts herself for who she is and loves herself entirely is so infectious to me. I once read her book and just felt so positive towards myself afterwards. She is really killing it out there!
Do you have any advice for those wanting to get into the beauty industry?
Just have passion! Passion shines through every time. And I think people can definitely see that. Passion aside, spend some time gaining industry insight so when you attend an interview, you can impress them with your knowledge.
Meg – Social Media Executive
How did you land your job at LOOKFANTASTIC?
I have a first-class degree in Fashion business management and I have my own YouTube channel and have done a bit on influencing onmy Instagram account, which is where I gained my social media experience.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day to day is briefing influencers for YouTube videos, creating thumbnails and organising new series ideas. I also create contracts for each paid collaboration and make some video content myself for thesocial channels.
What’s your favourite part about your job?
I love that I have complete creative freedom on the videos that go up on the channel and I get to connect with amazing influential people daily.
What’s your ride or die product you can’t live without?
The Illamasqua brow dip pomade it is amazing!!
Who’s your role model?
My role model would have to be Patricia Bright, she is a successful YouTuber, business owner, mother of 2 and she educated people on business, finance and investing.
Do you have any advice for those wanting to get into the beauty industry?
It helps if you are passionate about beauty but also passionate about the role. I love social media as well as beauty so it is helpful to find your niche and try to get experience in that before apply for roles.
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