Q&A with BBR8 Thought Leader – Aliesh Pierce – “Advances in Multi-Ethnic Cosmetics”

According to the Christian Science Monitor,  47% of the US will have pigmented skin by 2050. Ethnic spending power to surpass $4.2 Trillion in 2013 (PEW Research) and by 2014, international natural cosmetics WILL  surpass $60 Billion by 2014 (Packaged facts).

These facts were presented by Aliesh Pierce, a Product Developer, Aesthetician and Author, during her Beauty Biz Roundtable BBR8 presentation of “Advances in Multi-Ethnic Cosmetics.” Aliesh’s intriguing roundtable presentation certainly proves that there is a niche in the beauty market for multi-ethnic cosmetics.

BBR8 Thought Leader – Aliesh Pierce

Aliesh Pierce is the author of Milady’s Aesthetician Series: Treating Diverse Pigmentation. She is a makeup artist, esthetician, and cosmetic manufacturer’s consultant. Her work has appeared in Italian Elle, Vogue, Essence, and the spa trade magazine Les Nouvelles Esthetique. Aliesh shares her makeup expertise with estheticians at conventions like the International Congress of Esthetics and Spa (ICES), The Spa and Resort Expo, and the Cosmetic Educator’s Association. As a consultant, Aliesh helped Jafra Cosmetics International expand their color range by creating a collection of foundation, powder, and concealer for the African American market. She also launched the company’s new color range in the US, Italy, and Switzerland. Aliesh continues to work as a freelance beauty analyst, lending her expertise to support various companies in the development and marketing of innovative products.

1. Aliesh, please share 3 key points from your Roundtable presentation on “Advances in Multi-Ethnic Cosmetics.”

1. Olive, yellow, and red balance is key when creating skin tone matching shades.
2. Ethnic specific and main stream are merging so branding, packaging, and marketing are changing to encompass.
3. Everyone agreed that we need to update the language used to describe the other 80% of the world

2. Please tell us about your career path/progression. The road to… where you are now? How did you get started? I have worked as a makeup artist since I was 12 years old. I started taking my career seriously when I moved to Milan when I was 21.

3. Why did you choose this career? Why the [beauty] industry? I can remember asking my mother how being a makeup artist could help people. I thought it was a totally selfish concept. I just wanted to make beautiful pictures with a team of other creative people.

4. Who/what are your biggest career influences? Working in the fashion industry in Milan, advanced esthetics training at The International Dermal Institute, and traveling the world with my musician clients. 

5. Who is today’s [beauty] consumer? How are they changing? The modern beauty consumer is multi-ethnic and she sees herself as part of the main stream.

6. What do [beauty] professionals need to do to continue to connect/attract with today’s beauty consumer? Address deeper skin tones by expanding their color ranges of skin matching shades and the pigment balance in other color cosmetics. There is definitely a niche in the beauty industry for multi-ethnic cosmetics but there’s a gap. Ethnic color cosmetics is relegated to a few shades within the high-end department store brands. Drug stores are over run with ethnic specific lines that don’t suite most skin tones. Women with deep skin tones are often forced to purchase two shades or go without. Those concerned about skin-friendly, non-comedogenic ingredients are forced to forgoe quality for color matching.

BBR8 Thought Leader, Aliesh Pierce, at her roundtable

7. What do you see as the latest trends in your industry? I love the trend of using skin friendly ingredients to change the texture of skin, as with BB creams, or temporarily camouflage uneven skin tones with CC Creams.

8. What attributes make a great leader? Tell me about your leadership style. I always let my passion lead me. When that results in opportunities to share my views I’m always happy to step up.

9. Any other advice/words of wisdom? Keep an eye on the changing demographic and keep creating innovative products to serve them.

To learn more about Aliesh, click here

Q&A with BBR8 Thought Leader – Jeff Falk of GCI Magazine

Q&A with BBR8 Thought Leader – Celebrity Makeup Artist, Emily Katz

Q&A with BBR8 Thought Leader – Award-winning Blogger, Jen Mathews

Q&A with BBR8 Thought Leader – Executive Director of Marketing for SkinMedica, Gloria Luna

Click here to view photos from the BBR8 event

About BBR
Hosted by Mazur Group, the Beauty Biz Roundtable BBR series brings together 100 Mid to Senior Level Beauty Executives in a roundtable format that fosters networking and idea sharing. This is NOT a lecture or panel discussion. The BBR series is your opportunity to sit down in small group settings with industry peers.  Past BBR attendees and Thought Leaders have come from every major beauty company here in the West including OPI, Stila, Dermalogica, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Murad, Sexy Hair , Neutrogena, Urban Decay, CND, P&G, Josie Maran, Intelligent Beauty, boscia, Orly International, Smashbox, and  totalbeauty.com

For  more details about BBR, visit: https://mazurgroupla.com/wp/bbr-events/