Launched as a fragrance house by Frenchman Armand Petitjean in 1935, Lancôme is now sold in 135 countries and is one of the biggest luxury beauty brands in the world and the #1 luxury beauty brand in Canada. For 85 years, the goal has always been to make women feel their best by providing them with innovative, high-performance products that combine the best in quality, efficacy and science. But who are some of the women of Lancôme working behind the scenes to make this all happen?
Let’s meet four of them:
Annie Black, Lancôme International Scientific Director
With a PhD in cell biology and specialization in tissue engineering, Annie Black’s work on skin grafts led her to heading up a laboratory that developed artificial skin models at L’Oreal Research & Innovation. “Science has always been a constant in my life,” she says. “I like the challenge of trying to understand complex things. For me it is like solving puzzles!”
Today her role at Lancôme is to help transform scientific discoveries into innovative products and services for the brand. To do this she works with teams from Advanced Research, formulation labs, marketing, communication and education teams. “I can be in the middle of rose fields in the south of France, in research labs near Paris or meeting with scientific teams in the world’s best universities,” she says. “Each day is different and very exciting.”
Yasemin Comert, Marketing Director, Lancôme Canada
“Lancôme is the epitome of the trusted luxury brand,” says Yasemin Comert. “Our customers rely on us. In addition, we offer savoir-faire, sensoriality & self-pampering.” In her role at the brand, Comert partners with marketing, supply chain and commercial teams to spread the company’s message of driving happiness through its products. “My role is the glue between these departments”. Her favourite thing about working on the brand though is the idea that they touch women at many points in their lives, from first skincare concerns to a night out with friends. “The idea of being able to do this excites me everyday!” Ultimately she’d love to do this for all brands under the parent company. “It would be a dream to lead L’Oreal Canada one day to cover all brands and meet the beauty needs of all Canadians.”
Tara Bhaimiya, Business Manager, Lancôme Counter, The Bay
A love of beauty combined with a desire to help people led Tara Bhaimiya to a career first as a beauty advisor to counter manager to her current role as business manager for the Lancôme counter. A typical day can include everything from skin consultations, keeping her team of advisors updated on the latest launches, to planning weekly counter level events. With the lack of in person contact due to the pandemic, the return of shoppers in store is elevating Bhaimiya’s days lately. “The fact that the customers are gradually coming back in person to see me is the most exciting part of my work.” And she shares her love for her favourite products with those beyond the ones she sees in the store. “My current can’t-live-without-it hero is Genifique serum. I even have my dad using it.”
Kayshani Kanagarajah, Skin Squad Member
One of Kayshani Kanagarajah’s earliest memories of Lancôme is of her mother using Absolue cream and how confident it made her feel. “So, to me, the brand means access for the everyday woman to experience luxury and feel empowered.” Later, Kanagarajah discovered Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation and used it not just on herself but on brides when she did their makeup. “I love the shade range, longevity, coverage, and finish of the product!” These days as a Skin Squad Member, she creates content for social media for Lancôme and is a graduate student by day researching stem cell biology and would like to find a way to merge the two. “Looking back at my journey, a lot of it was unexpected so I like to be open-minded to new opportunities and just ride the wave,” she says. “I hope to find a way to bridge my two worlds as an aspiring scientist and content creator that will pave my own unique path.”
The Kit created this content; Lancôme funded and approved it.