C: C is for Cosmetics and Community!

L'Oreal, Shesido and women from FIT gathered at Lord and Taylor last week to network and network they did thanks to an organization called Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW). Here young Executive members are invited for an exclusive events, to make connections that will help them move up the ladder. Industry peers chatted while enjoying a special wine tasting from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. Clarins offered mini facials as Chanel, Clinique, Dior, Estée Lauder, Lancome, Nars Cosmetics, YSL, or the brand of your choice gave complimentary makeovers. What was so great about that is you had a chance to sample the products currently on sale and get to know your compition. Mixing beauty, business and pleasure, the way to earn a $25 Lord & Taylor gift card was to gather 5 business cards from those who attended. It was a win, win. The Young Executive Events have been created to help these women cultivate contacts and make connections with other CEW members at the same stage of their careers. For my five cards which ended up being seven I met Sales Operators Marissa and Ashley from Shesido, Amada who was aSenior Management Developer for L'Oreal, Carolina head of a cosmetic and marketing company, Laqueta from SoftSheen a division of L'Oreal, Michele from Brand Building communication and Danielle head of PR for Lord and Taylor. When I interviewed each of these interesting women I asked the same questions. How did you hear about this? How long have you been coming? And would you recommend this and why? All of these women answered the same. They heard from a friend who brought them, it was 2 years ago and they have all meet others who have mentored them and they have since mentored. What a credit, to stefanie schwalb and the other creators of CEW for promoting such community withi the cosmetic industry. When I left there was also a swag bag that was overflowing with products. CEW's next event is Friday, December 12th at the Waldorf Astoria. It is the 2008 BEAUTY OF GIVING LUNCHEON & LIVE AUCTION benefiting Cosmetic Executive Women Foundation and Honoring Estee lauder. This organization also has a charitable arm that supports Cancer and Careers, an independent initiative that provides an interactive resource and community for working women with any type of cancer. The Luncheon’s goal is to reflect CEW Foundation’s mission of supporting working women with cancer by recognizing the philanthropic achievements of CEW’s Cancer and Careers as well as those of the larger beauty industry and community. To learn more about this amazing group of women log onto www.cew.org.

Groups like this offer a way to see the light in troubling times. Even if you are not in the cosmetic industry take a look at this group so your industry can have the same kind of community. Through community we will thrive and that is a F.A.C.T.