Celebrating International Women’s Day, StriVectin Style

In honor of International Women's Day, we thought it would be great to celebrate women's achievements worldwide by starting with the incredible female leaders in our own office. We are always looking for ways forward regarding diversity, age positivity, and a healthy approach to beauty. And to celebrate smarts, passion, and dedication to creating an inspiring and supportive environment for women in the workplace and beyond. With so many challenges redefining the role of women these days, we love this quote by Jane Fonda:

"The challenge is not to be perfect... it's to be whole."

So, we asked five of our leaders for the best advice they ever received that helped them on their paths to becoming whole, particularly in the professional sense. We also asked them to share their favorite products to share not only some good advice but also a skincare tip or two.  They inspire all of us every day with their leadership, resilience, and passion for making women feel strong, beautiful, and ultimately, whole.

Keep pushing

I have two pieces of advice from my parents. One is to work hard and never give up, even if you fail; keep pushing. And two is to always stay true to who you are.

My favorite product has always been SD Advanced™ PLUS Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate.

I love everything about it! The moisture delivered to my skin, the texture, and of course, the results!  

Check yourself (and laugh a lot)

Nancy Krook was one of my very first female bosses early on in my career at Estée Lauder. What I most admired about her was her sense of humor in conducting her day-to-day business. It was off the charts. There was always a moment of levity in our department, and

one of the most influential (and funny) things she used to say has become one of my leadership credos for myself and for the many teams I have led in my career and it was:  "Keep your egos at home". It made me check myself regularly and validate that all of my essential "decision-making" choices have nothing to do with my emotions or ego but are fact-based instead and are always in the best interest of the company and our objectives. That advice and expression has served me very well in both my personal & professional life.

In terms of products, Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum

 is hands-down my FAVORITE product! LOVE the texture, LOVE the smell, LOVE that I can use it DAILY and most of ALL, LOVE the GLOW & RESULTS I get from using it!

Practice progress over perfection

Early in my career, when working in brand management, a female mentor told me to write down any compliments or praise I received. She noted that women could be harsh self-critics, and these notes can serve as reminders of our hard work and achievements when we are feeling not quite at the top of our game. While I have to admit that I have let this formal practice lapse, I still take time every once in a while, to reflect on my accomplishments and remind myself that progress can be as fulfilling as perfection. My mom gave me my favorite piece of beauty advice: "A genuine smile is the best thing you can put on your face (although sunscreen is pretty important too)."

It's hard to choose just one favorite product, but I always find myself gravitating back to S.T.A.R. Light™ Retinol Night Oil. I love the fact that I can get the power of retinol with such a lightweight texture, and I think the scent is perfect before bedtime.

Engage in courageous candor

My long-time mentor gave me this advice, and it has always stuck with me. Being a leader means having the courage to say what others won't because they may be afraid of conflict. Creating a culture where (respectfully) expressing dissenting opinions, holding others accountable, and admitting one's own mistakes should be encouraged. While the idea of 'courageous candor' can be applied to relationships and organizations of all sorts, I think women sometimes struggle with conflict in the workplace because we are often socialized to be peacemakers and are afraid of being disliked or saying the 'wrong thing.' However, I've learned that 'healthy conflict' is possible and, in fact, advantageous – especially when you share a common goal and are trying to get to the root of a problem or elicit change.   

As a CMO, I tend to feel attached to our products as if they were our “babies”, so it's hard to choose just one. However, I'd say Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles PLUS because with a real-life 16-month-old at home who still wakes up every night between 3-4 am like clockwork – I'll take all the help I can get in the "looking well-rested" department. This new formula is fantastic at tackling my biggest eye concerns: eleven lines, crow's feet, under-eye lines, puffiness, and dark circles.

Focus on what matters most

Like many of our mothers, mine always said to me, “Beauty is only skin deep; what matters is the beauty which comes from within”.  And the other best piece of advice (which continues to guide me to this day) came from Joan Malloy, our CEO. And that was “just tell the truth.”  Whenever I am confronted by a difficult situation, I hear her words in my head and follow her simple yet smart advice, which ultimately and without fail, leads to a positive outcome.

Currently my favorite product is Daily Reveal™ Exfoliating Pads.  I love the convenience factor (one quick step).  I love the notion I did something good for my skin (exfoliation).  And I love beginning and ending my day with a sense of hope.

Face your challenges head on

Throughout my journey as a mother, wife and professional there is one simple piece of advice from my mother that I have never forgotten: “Throw your hat in the ring.” If you don’t rise to compete and face challenges and opportunities head on, you will never know if you can succeed. The first step is simply to be willing to do what others have not. And sometimes, this is actually the hardest step to take in both your personal and professional life.
I am head over heels for Hyaluronic Gel-Cream For Eyes.  As our Chief Digital Officer, I spend a significant amount of time using various types of technology and devices and love the lightweight texture, anti-wrinkle, hydration and blue light protection benefits that it provides.