Behind the Scenes: Beauty Industry Leaders Share Their Workday Realities

A new quickfire Q&A series from *Cosmetics Business* pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry’s most influential figures, offering an insider’s look at their professional lives. *Down to Business with CB* asks leaders from brands like Trinny London, JVN Hair, and Essie about the realities of their roles, from unexpected hurdles to the products they can’t live without. ## The Challenges and Surprises of Leadership Each interview in the series explores the unique pressures faced by beauty executives. Trinny Woodall, founder of Trinny London, discusses the demands of managing a fast-paced business while maintaining her personal skincare routine. Jonathan Van Ness, creator of JVN Hair, reflects on the struggle of balancing creativity with external opinions. Meanwhile, Essie’s SVP and Global Head, Melanie Ioanna, emphasizes the need to stay constantly connected in an ever-evolving industry. Simi and Haze Khadra, the sisters behind SimiHaze Beauty, reveal how their differing perspectives strengthen their brand, while Susie Ma of Tropic Skincare shares the difficulty of turning off her entrepreneurial mindset. Mitchell Halliday, founder of Made by Mitchell, explains why he remains hands-on with the brand’s social media, despite its rapid growth. ## Lessons Learned and Must-Have Products The series also delves into the personal growth of these industry leaders. Olivier Cresp, the master perfumer behind iconic fragrances like Mugler’s Angel and YSL’s Black Opium, highlights the importance of passion in his craft. Each interviewee also shares their top three beauty essentials, from red light therapy masks to upcoming product launches they can’t wait to introduce. ## A Peek into the Industry’s Inner Workings By asking four key questions-what’s the hardest part of their job, the most surprising aspect, the biggest career lesson, and their go-to beauty products-*Down to Business with CB* provides a candid look at the highs and lows of running a beauty brand. The series features insights from a diverse range of voices, offering readers a deeper understanding of the industry’s inner workings.