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November 2026 Issue

The Beauty of Growing Together Celebrating the people who shaped 2026. Welcoming the possibilities of 2027

From My Counter

Meet Our Newest Certified Beauty Advisor: Angela Cenerelli’s RBCP® 2.0 Journey

Meet Our Newest Certified Beauty Advisor: Martina Agostino’s RBCP® 2.0 Journey

Growing Together Through BeauteSchool’s RBCP® 2.0

Retail Success Stories

Skin Protection: From Barrier Care to Resilience

Cosmetic Career Spotlight: Maggie Holowchak

Menopause and Skin: Understanding What Changes and How to Help

Watier Ultimessence Advanced Longevity Serum

When AI Joins the Beauty Conversation

NEOSTRATA® The Science of Growing Together

The Art of Selling Fragrance This Holiday Season

Shiseido: The Beauty of Growing Together

One Lesson Worth Passing On

Nails, Cancer & Care

104

Look Good Feel Better: Finding Connection Through Cancer

110

The Support Around Us, the Strength Within

120

The Successes That Don’t Come with a Certificate

128

Why the Beauty Industry Learns with BeauteSchool

130

BE Magazine Beauty Brand Training & Education Directory

138

Your Next Chapter in Beauty

140

Cosmetic Career Spotlight: Maggie Holowchak SUBSCRIBE TO BE MAGAZINE

The Authority in Beauty Education

CEO & Publisher Mickey Tortorelli

Editor Victoria Duz

Designer Katherine Gileno

Advertising and Editorial inquiries mickeytortorelli@beauteschool.com

© 2026 BE Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews or critical articles.

A Note of Gratitude

The Beauty of Growing Together To Our Wonderful Beauty Community,

As we approach the close of another year, I want to take a moment to express my

gratitude to each and every one of you. Your unwavering support, dedication, and pass been the driving force be hind everything we do here at BeauteSchool. Dear Beauty Advisors,

o ofinal ur iissue ncreof di2026, ble BI’m eau ty Advisors and C osCosmetic metic M anagSpotlight ers: thaintroduces nk you fMaggie or your commi As we close Tour thinking Our Career about the people who make BE Magazine Holowchak, Beauty Manager at Shoppers Drug excellence. Every day, you create memoMart rablein eBelle xpeRiver, riencOntario, es for whose your cstory liencelebrates ts and elevate th possible. Every graduate who shares their journey, every educator every indwho us toffers ry wiathlesson yourand exp ertise, kindness,listening and prand ofessupporting sionalisindividual m. We argrowth. e endlessly gratefu retail team that welcomes us into their world artnershipThe anBeauty d trusoft.Growing enriches ourpcommunity. In Retail Success Stories, we recognize Beauty Together celebrates those contributions and the Manager Pantea Pakatchian and her team at woucreate. ld also like to extend a heartfelt coShoppers ngratulDrug ationMart s toBeauty our CBoutique ertifi fieed #1386 Beauty Advisors w possibilitiesI they successfully graduated from our RetailinBeToronto, auty AOntario. dvisor Their Certencouragement ifi fic cation Progofraone m. Your dedi We proudly congratulate our newest RBCP® another’s ambitions, shared learning and thoughtful 2.0 graduates, Angela exp andinCenerelli g your and skiMartina lls and knowledge gestures has beshow en trhow ulykindness inspirinstrengthens g. Watchiboth ng ayou grow a Agostino, on earning their Certified Beauty Advisor team and lasting client relationships. thThese rough our proDrug graMart m hBeauty as been one of our greatest joys this year. designations. Shoppers Specialists share a commitment to learning and In One Lesson Worth Passing On, we thank Diana helping clients feel confident. Angela’s focus Del Negro, Gina Adamson, Janet Entwistle, Marieon trust andTo Martina’s fordmaking the beenthusiasm au ty bran s who have partnAndrée ered Duchesne, with us—Veronic your sLefebvre, upport Ivana has Tonello been instrum product science understandable remind us how and Fran Carter for sharing their experience. Their makingmeaningful our visioclient n a rcare. eality. Together, wlessons e are egive mpeach owerofinus g something the next to gepractise neratioand n of beauty education becomes enhancing the customer experience, anpass d dralong. iving the industry forw ard. That care is at the heart of Nails, Cancer & Care, the fourth and final editorial in our series exploring This holiday season, I hope you find time to rest, skin, sun, hair and scalp, and nail concerns during appreciate those around you and recognize your As weOur cemessage lebratethroughout: this festilisten ve season, letown ’s tcontributions. ake a momOffer ent kindness to refl fleecfreely, t onincluding the achievemen cancer treatment. with compassion, offer appropriate beauty support to yourself. Make room for love, peace and the small shared and the exciting opportunities tjoys hatthat lie abring heaus d. together. I am so proud of what we’ve accom and connect clients with trusted resources, including Look Better togGood etheFeel r, an d I loCanada. ok forward to continuing this journey with you into the new year. From all of us at BeauteSchool and BE Magazine, In When AI Joins the Beauty Conversation, we warmest wishes for a beautiful season and a new explore how to welcome clients who arrive with year filled with hope, connection and opportunities Thank you, fBegin rom with the curiosity. bottomAsk of my heartto, fgrow or betogether. ing a part of the BeauteSchool family. Wis digital recommendations. what they learned help all a jand oyohope us hto olachieve, iday sethen ason fillled with love, laughter, and beautiful moments. fi assess whether those suggestions suit their needs I hope this issue encourages you to keep learning, and everyday lives. keep sharing and lead with confidence, every day and with every client. With gratitude,

With love,

Mickey Tortor elli CEO & Founder, BeauteSchool Mickey Tortorelli, CTDP Founder & CEO, BeauteSchool®, RBCP®, BE Magazine® 9

From My Counter Ten Beauty Advisors. Ten Dedicated Features. You Could Be One of Them.

You know the product. We want to know how you bring it to life.

There’s a product you love recommending because you’ve seen what happens when you introduce it to the right client. You know the question that starts the conversation, the detail that makes it click and the reason clients come back for it. That’s the expertise we want to feature in BE Magazine. In 2027, ten Beauty Advisors or Cosmetic Managers will each have a dedicated From My Counter feature in BE Magazine. Two will appear in each issue, beginning in January. You could be one of them!

Why Your Experience Matters

How to participate: 1

Choose one product

Select one product you know well and complete the From My Counter submission form.

Tell us how

Tell us how you introduce it, why you recommend it and what another Beauty Advisor could try on their next shift.

Knowing a product’s ingredients and results is part of making a recommendation. The next step is understanding who it is right for and explaining why in language that makes sense to the client. Your experience can help another Beauty Advisor make that connection. From My Counter will bring product and ingredient knowledge into real consultation and selling situations. By sharing the questions you ask, how you respond to concerns and what you have learned, you can help other Beauty Advisors strengthen their skills. The series will also recognize the expertise within our retail beauty community. We welcome Beauty Advisors and Cosmetic Managers at different stages of their careers. A CBA designation is welcome but is not required.

Share your experience

You don’t need to write an article; just share what works for you.

Submite your answers

Click here to submit your answers in the ‘From My Counter’ submission form.

If you’re selected, you’ll work with BE’s editorial team on an entire feature dedicated to you, your chosen product and the client conversations behind your recommendations. And everyone who submits a valid response will also receive complimentary access to the Retail Beauty Advisor Certification Program (RBCP® 2.0), whether or not they are selected for a feature. 11

Meet Our Newest Certified Beauty Advisor: Angela Cenerelli’s RBCP® 2.0 Journey

Congratulations to Angela Cenerelli, one of BeauteSchool’s newest graduates of the Retail Beauty Advisor Certification Program (RBCP® 2.0). Angela’s interest in beauty began with theatre productions in high school and continued through a retail career spanning more than 20 years. Earning her Certified Beauty Advisor designation has brought formal education together with the knowledge she has gained through experience. She is especially passionate about building trust with clients and helping them leave a consultation with the information and tools to confidently pursue their beauty goals at home.

Angela Cenerelli Certified Beauty Advisor (CBA) Beauty Specialist, Shoppers Drug Mart #1270 Kanata, Ontario

What inspired your journey into the beauty industry, and how did it lead you to BeauteSchool and the RBCP® 2.0 program? My first real steps into beauty were as a high school student, working as a costume designer and makeup artist for several productions at school and in local theatre. Since then, I have worked in a variety of retail roles for more than 20 years. After 15 years in sales and management, I became a freelance cosmetics merchandiser, which led to a full-time position in the beauty department. Once you are there, you cannot help but become curious about the brands and products available and wonder how they work and why. Becoming a Beauty Advisor gave me access to product knowledge directly from the brands. How has completing the RBCP® 2.0 certification helped you grow as a Beauty Advisor, in both skill and confidence?

RBCP® 2.0 was an obvious choice for me. I had knowledge gained through experience and personal interest, and I wanted the formal education to bring it all together. The courses are interactive and informative. They gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence that I can bring to work and share with my colleagues and clients. What part of the program did you find most valuable or impactful in your day-to-day work? Every part is valuable! The courses on building your business and client care really focus on what it takes to build strong relationships and earn a client’s trust. That trust matters when you are helping someone with something as personal as how they see themselves in the mirror each day. If you had to complete this sentence, ‘‘My purpose in beauty is…’’ what would you say?

My purpose in beauty is to help every client feel confident about achieving their beauty goals at home. Many of my clients come in feeling frustrated or anxious about their skin, hair or makeup. Beauty is for everyone, and I want each person to leave with the right tools and information to put our conversation into practice. What message or advice would you share with other Beauty Advisors who are considering enrolling in RBCP® 2.0? My advice is to do it! The program builds on your existing knowledge, whatever your starting point, and gives you a well-rounded understanding of how to approach different situations with confidence. Whether you are helping a client with a persistent skincare concern, finding a signature fragrance or planning your business goals, you will walk away feeling accomplished.

Meet Our Newest Certified Beauty Advisor: Martina Agostino’s RBCP® 2.0 Journey

Congratulations to Martina Agostino, one of BeauteSchool’s newest graduates of the Retail Beauty Advisor Certification Program (RBCP® 2.0). With a background in applied bio-molecular science, Martina brings a curiosity about ingredients and how they work to her role as a Beauty Advisor. Earning her Certified Beauty Advisor designation has strengthened her confidence in client consultations and helped her explain product information in ways clients can easily understand. For Martina, the joy of learning comes from using that knowledge to help others with their skincare concerns and leave them feeling more confident.

Martina Agostino Certified Beauty Advisor (CBA) Beauty Specialist, Shoppers Drug Mart #1525 Thunder Bay, Ontario

What inspired your journey into the beauty industry, and how did it lead you to BeauteSchool and the RBCP® 2.0 program? I have always been curious to know the ingredients that make up products, and learn how they work. That interest led me to study and complete my education in applied bio-molecular science. My career goal was to enter the medical field and research systems at the molecular and cellular levels to contribute to discoveries that could help others. Along the way, I realized I could apply my education to the beauty industry and help people with their skincare concerns. My cosmetics manager encouraged me to attend brand training sessions, which is how I discovered BeauteSchool and the RBCP® 2.0 program. I was excited to complete the program and learn about the different aspects of beauty. I found so much joy learning about products and how they can address various skin concerns. It is amazing to see the advanced technology

coming out of the beauty industry, and I am eager to keep learning about it. How has completing the RBCP® 2.0 certification helped you grow as a Beauty Advisor, in both skill and confidence? Completing the RBCP® 2.0 certification taught me valuable skills that I use on the sales floor and it strengthened my knowledge across different areas of beauty. I feel more confident during client consultations because I can answer questions and make informed recommendations based on what I learned in the program. What part of the program did you find most valuable or impactful in your dayto-day work? The most valuable part of the program was learning how to communicate my expertise in a way clients can easily understand. Not everyone is familiar with skincare or cosmetics, and ingredient terminology and the endless selection of products can become overwhelming.

Using analogies helps me explain how products can address a client’s concerns without getting too technical. If you had to complete this sentence, “My purpose in beauty is…” what would you say? My purpose in beauty is to use my knowledge to help others enhance their beauty. It is very rewarding to meet someone who may not be feeling their best and help boost their confidence through conversation and providing recommendations. What message or advice would you share with other Beauty Advisors who are considering enrolling in RBCP® 2.0? I would encourage other Beauty Advisors to enroll in RBCP® 2.0 if they have a passion for learning about skincare and cosmetics and want to elevate their client service skills. The program is great for those who want to deepen their understanding of products and techniques to give their clients the best possible experience.

Growing Togethe BeauteSchool’s R 16

A professional milestone can make a difference well beyond the person who achieves it. When a Beauty Advisor gains confidence, colleagues benefit from shared knowledge and clients leave with a clearer understanding of their own beauty needs. That is the beauty of growing together. As we celebrate the people who shaped 2026, we congratulate Angela Cenerelli and Martina Agostino on earning their Certified Beauty Advisor (CBA) designation through BeauteSchool’s Retail Beauty Advisor Certification Program (RBCP® 2.0). Their journeys show how education builds on different experiences and helps Beauty Advisors put what they know into practice.

er Through RBCP® 2.0 17

Angela Cenerelli Builds on Experience For Angela, a Beauty Specialist at Shoppers Drug Mart #1270 in Kanata, Ontario, beauty began with makeup and costume design for high school and local theatre productions. More than 20 years in retail followed, including sales, management and freelance cosmetics merchandising. RBCP® 2.0 brought formal education together with the knowledge she had developed through experience and personal interest. Completing the courses gave her a sense of accomplishment and confidence she could bring to work and share with colleagues and clients. The lessons on building her business and client care were especially meaningful. Angela understands how much trust matters when someone is seeking help with their appearance. Her goal is for every client to leave with the tools and information to confidently pursue their beauty goals at home.

Martina Agostino Makes Knowledge Approachable Martina, a Beauty Specialist at Shoppers Drug Mart #1525 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, came to beauty with a background in applied bio-molecular science and a curiosity about ingredients. Her cosmetics manager encouraged her to attend brand training sessions, which led her to BeauteSchool and RBCP® 2.0. The program strengthened her knowledge across beauty categories and helped her feel more confident answering questions during client consultations. One of her most valuable lessons was learning to explain her expertise in ways clients could easily understand. Martina uses analogies to make product information more approachable. By helping clients understand how a product relates to their concerns, she turns her love of learning into guidance they can use.

Learning That Reaches Others Angela and Martina remind us that professional growth continues through the knowledge we share. A manager’s encouragement can introduce someone to a new learning opportunity. A clear explanation can help a client feel more confident in a recommendation.

RBCP® 2.0 supports that growth through structured education in beauty knowledge, client consultations and business development. As we look towards 2027, we celebrate our graduates and the colleagues, educators and clients who give their learning purpose. Explore RBCP® 2.0 and take the next step in your professional growth.

SUBSCRIBE TO BE MAGAZINE

Retail Success S By Mickey Tortorelli

Joanne Lo, Saba Nouri, Pantea Pakatchian, Parya Pil, Roya Mehdinejad, Melis Guzel. 22

Stories

Why This Editorial Matters Retail Success Stories celebrates the Beauty Specialists, Beauty Managers and retail teams shaping client experiences across Canada. Through their stories, we explore the everyday practices that help a beauty department succeed, from ongoing education to the relationships that bring clients back. For our November issue, The Beauty of Growing Together, we meet Beauty Manager Pantea Pakatchian and her team at Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique #1386 at Dufferin and Major Mackenzie. With more than 28 years at Shoppers Drug Mart and over 25 years leading teams, Pantea has supported people through university studies, new careers and leadership opportunities. Her belief in their potential carries into the department, where team members share their knowledge and bring their individual interests to the client experience. Their story offers a personal look at what growing together can mean: a manager encouraging someone to continue their education, a colleague stepping in during the holiday rush, or a client returning year after year because she knows the people helping her care. 23

A Beauty Team That Grows Together

How Pantea Pakatchian encourages personal growth and lasting client relationships At the Dufferin and Major Mackenzie Beauty Boutique, a psychology student brings her understanding of listening to client consultations. An aspiring teacher finds encouragement to continue her education. An artist personalizes perfume bottles during Beauty Mingle events, creating time for conversation as she paints. Pantea welcomes these interests and ambitions. She takes time to understand where each team member wants to go and encourages them to build on the strengths they already have. That support is reflected in the way the team works together and connects with clients. Education helps them make thoughtful recommendations. Personal touches give clients something to remember, while years of consistent care have led to referrals across families and friendships.

‘‘You can have high standards and still lead with compassion.’’ — Pantea Pakatchian, Beauty Manager 25

Leading With Care and Encouraging Growth

Pantea Pakatchian

For Pantea, getting to know her team includes understanding their ambitions beyond the beauty department. She sees room for those goals alongside their work, and believes the confidence people gain through learning benefits everyone around them.

Beauty Manager, Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique #1386 Dufferin and Major Mackenzie

Her approach combines high expectations with personal support. She encourages questions and gives team members space to contribute ideas, whether they are sharing product knowledge or finding a thoughtful way to thank a client. You have spent more than 28 years with Shoppers Drug Mart and over 25 years leading teams. How has that experience shaped your approach to leadership, and how do you put your belief in connection, education and kindness into practice with your current team? After more than 28 years with Shoppers Drug Mart and over 25 years of leading teams, I’ve learned that leadership is, first and foremost, about people. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many different personalities, generations and talents, and each experience has taught me something new about how to lead with purpose and heart. I believe great leadership starts with connection. When people feel seen, heard and valued, they feel empowered to bring their best selves to work. I make it a priority to know my team, understand their strengths and support their individual goals.

Education is also at the heart of how I lead. I believe that when we continue to learn, we become more confident, more knowledgeable and better able to serve our customers. I encourage my team to ask questions, share knowledge, attend training sessions and learn from one another. And above all, I believe in kindness. You can have high standards and still lead with compassion. For me, success isn’t only about results. It’s about creating a team culture where people feel respected, supported and proud of what they accomplish together. That is what I strive to bring to my team every day: connection, continuous learning, kindness and a genuine belief in each person’s potential. You have supported team members as they pursued degrees, new careers and leadership roles of their own. How do you help them work toward those goals while building a strong beauty team? Please share a mentoring moment that has stayed with you. I believe that one of the greatest responsibilities of a leader is to recognize potential in others, sometimes even before they see it in themselves. I want my team to know that their dreams outside of work matter too. Whether someone is pursuing a university degree, entering a new career, or developing their leadership skills, I try to understand where they want to go and find ways to support them along that journey.

‘‘I want my team to know that their dreams outside of work matter too.’’ — Pantea Pakatchian

At the same time, I remind my team that supporting one another is what makes us stronger. We can build an exceptional beauty team while encouraging each person to grow as an individual. I believe that when people are growing, learning and feeling supported, they bring that same energy and confidence to our customers and to the team. One mentoring moment that has stayed with me involved a team member who was balancing work with her education and questioning whether she could truly achieve both. I encouraged her not to see her job and her education as competing priorities, but as two parts of her journey. I reminded her of her strengths, encouraged her to keep going and let her know that I believed in her. I reassured her that we could work it out together. Her dreams were important, and it was important to me to see her achieve them. Watching her continue to grow, pursue her education and move toward the career she wanted was incredibly rewarding. Those are the moments that mean the most to me as a leader. When I see someone I have supported accomplish their dream, that goes far beyond any business result. Your team brings together people with backgrounds in law, psychology, engineering, education and the arts. How do those different perspectives enrich the client experience, and how do you build on them through beauty education and training?

What makes our team truly special is that each person brings a different perspective, experience and way of thinking to our beauty business. We have team members with backgrounds in law, psychology, engineering, education and the arts, and I believe that diversity of knowledge makes us stronger. Beauty is about much more than products. It is about listening, understanding and building trust with each client. Someone with a background in psychology may bring a deeper understanding of how we connect with people, while someone with an education background naturally brings a passion for teaching. Our team members’ different experiences allow us to approach each client as an individual and create a more meaningful, personalized experience. Education is a very important part of our culture. We continually invest in product knowledge, brand training, demonstrations and hands-on learning, and I encourage my team to share what they learn with one another. I also believe some of the best education happens when we learn from each other. My goal is to create an environment where everyone can bring their unique strengths to the table while continuing to grow as beauty professionals. When you combine diverse perspectives with strong beauty education, you create a team that is knowledgeable, confident and genuinely passionate about helping every client feel their best.

From handwritten thank-you cards to artwork shared at events and volunteering in the community, your team finds thoughtful ways to give back. How do you encourage these ideas, and can you share an example of the impact they have had on a client or the community? I believe kindness should be part of our everyday culture, and I encourage my team to look beyond the transaction and think about how we can make someone’s day a little brighter. I never want kindness to feel like an initiative or an obligation. It should come naturally from the heart. That is why I love seeing my team come up with their own thoughtful ideas, whether it is writing a handwritten thank-you card to a client, creating artwork for one of our events, supporting a charitable initiative or volunteering in the community. I give them the freedom to be creative and I always encourage them to bring their ideas forward. When people are given the opportunity to lead with their hearts, beautiful things happen. One example that stays with me is the way our team has connected with our clients through our Beauty Mingle events. What started as a beauty event became so much more: a chance to bring our clients, vendor partners, friends and our community together while raising money for a meaningful cause. Seeing our team give their time, energy and creativity while our clients came together to support the cause was incredibly moving. For me, the greatest impact is seeing how these small acts of kindness create genuine connections. A thank-you card, a thoughtful conversation, a piece of artwork on event days or simply making someone feel welcome can stay with a person long after they leave our store. That is the kind of impact I want our team to have, not only as beauty professionals but as people who care about their community. 28

You shared that many clients have been part of your team’s journey for years. What helps you earn and maintain that trust, and how does it contribute to the success of your beauty department? Please share an example, whether through repeat visits, referrals or another result you are proud of. For me, trust is something you build over time, one relationship at a time. I feel very fortunate that so many of our clients have been part of our journey for years, and some for decades. They have watched our team grow, and in many ways, they have grown with us. I think they continue to come back because they know we genuinely care about them as people, not just as clients. We take the time to listen, get to know them, remember the little things and really understand what they are looking for. Sometimes it’s about finding the right product, and sometimes it’s simply about having a conversation, making them feel welcome or giving them a little confidence boost. Those personal connections are what make beauty so special to me. One of the things that makes me especially proud is when a client brings in a daughter, a friend or another family member and says, “You have to meet my beauty team.” That kind of referral means so much because they are putting their trust in us and sharing that relationship with someone they care about. I’ve also had clients who started coming to us years ago and have continued to support us through different stages of their lives. Being able to celebrate those moments with them and see those relationships grow over time is incredibly rewarding. Of course, repeat visits and referrals contribute to the success of our beauty department, but for me, the real success is the relationship behind them. When a client feels genuinely cared for, they become part of our beauty family. That is something I am incredibly grateful for and something I never take for granted.

Pantea Pakatchian, Ruth Fisseha.

Beauty Specialist Perspectives

‘‘Having a manager who celebrates your growth, even when that growth goes beyond your current job, means a lot.’’ — Saba Nouri, Beauty Specialist

Ceren Filimci

Parya Zandehpil

Beauty Specialist

How has something you learned outside beauty helped you connect with a client?

What have you learned through training or from a teammate that changed how you approach a consultation?

I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology in 2022 and began working with Pantea in 2021. She has supported me throughout my academic journey, from applying to graduate programs to beginning my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. My education has shaped the way I approach client service, especially the importance of active listening and understanding individual needs. One regular client comes in every Thursday to explore beauty and skincare products. Over time, we’ve built a strong relationship. Even when a product hasn’t worked for her, she trusts that we can find something better suited to her needs. That trust has grown through consistency and taking the time to listen. My work in beauty gives me the opportunity to put those skills into practice every day.

Over more than 15 years in beauty, one of my most important lessons has been to listen before recommending. Training across skincare, makeup and fragrance has strengthened my product knowledge, but every client brings different preferences and expectations. When a client was unsure which foundation to choose, I began by asking about her skin type and preferred coverage. We also talked about her daily routine and how she wanted her makeup to look and wear throughout the day. Her answers helped me recommend an option suited to her needs. I then demonstrated how to apply it for the finish she wanted. Taking that time made the consultation more comfortable and personal, while helping her understand how to use the product.

Roya Mehdinejad

Melis Guzel

Tell us about a thoughtful gesture you have been involved in and what made it meaningful.

What makes this team special, and when has supporting one another made a difference?

I enjoy writing handwritten thank-you cards for our clients. We attach uplifting messages to small bags of samples as a gesture of appreciation. Something simple and personal can brighten someone’s day and remind them that they are valued.

An unspoken rule in our beauty department is that everyone works on Christmas Eve. Since I joined the team seven years ago, we have come together for one of the busiest and most joyful days of the year.

I’ve also shared my love of art during Beauty Mingle events, providing complimentary perfume bottle painting with a purchase. Creating something by hand gives me time to listen to clients’ stories and share a little of my own.

Some of us work at the wrapping booth, others help at the register, and the rest of the team helps clients find last-minute gifts. We each have a role, but we are always looking out for one another and stepping in wherever we are needed.

Whether it is a few encouraging words or a personalized piece of artwork, I love giving someone something that feels uniquely theirs. These experiences have reminded me how much small personal touches can mean.

Clients sometimes apologize that we have to work Christmas Eve, but we make it fun. We wear our Santa hats and Christmas colours, and we laugh together between the rushes. By the end of the night, I am tired and ready for Christmas dinner, but I have spent the day with my work family before going home to my own family.

Saba Nouri

Even after graduating from law school and beginning the next chapter of my career, this team remains incredibly important to me. We show up for each other, and that is what makes it special.

Beauty Specialist

How has Pantea’s encouragement helped you take a step forward in your education or confidence? When I decided to continue my education and work toward becoming a teacher, Pantea was very supportive and excited for me. She reminded me that I have the patience and communication skills to succeed, along with the determination to follow this path. She has also been understanding about balancing work with school. Having a manager who celebrates your growth, even when it goes beyond your current job, means a lot. Her encouragement has helped me feel more confident about taking this next step while continuing to grow in my role at Shoppers Drug Mart. 31

‘‘During my time at the store, I truly enjoyed a supportive and welcoming work environment.’’ — Anita Pang, La Roche-Posay and Vichy demonstrator

Beauty Specialist Best Practices Inspired by Pantea Pakatchian and the Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique #1386 team at Dufferin and Major Mackenzie.

Get to know your teammates’ strengths and interests, including the goals they are working toward outside the department.

Support continued education and recognize the confidence people gain as they develop new skills.

Share what you learn through brand training and hands-on experience so the whole team benefits.

Begin client consultations with questions about the person’s routine, preferences and expectations.

Explain why a recommendation is suitable and demonstrate how to use it when helpful.

Keep the conversation open when a product has not worked for a client. Listening helps you explore a more suitable option together.

Make room for personal interests, such as art, to contribute to events and client experiences.

Use thoughtful gestures to show appreciation, including a handwritten note or a personal thank-you.

Plan clear roles for busy days and stay ready to help a teammate when needs change.

Recognize the relationships behind repeat visits and referrals, and continue giving returning clients attentive care.

Skin Protection: By Mickey Tortorelli

When a client says, ‘‘I want to protect my skin,’’ what do they mean? They may be concerned about sun damage, but they may also be describing dryness, stinging or skin that seems to react to everything. Mintel’s Beyond Protection report points to growing interest in the skin barrier. In its US skincare analysis, consumer conversations about the barrier rose 88% over two years, while launches of products making barrier claims rose 13%. Mintel’s advice to brands is to ‘‘make resilience a daily habit.’’ For Beauty Advisors, the opportunity is to explain what that means in a client’s skincare regimen.

From Barrier Care to Resilience 35

The Barrier Is The Starting Point.

How Might That Consultation Sound?

The skin’s outermost layer helps hold moisture in, limits irritation and prevents external aggressors.

Client:

When it is stressed, skin may feel tight, dry or uncomfortable. Gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing help care for this layer, while broadspectrum SPF 30 or higher, shade and protective clothing help reduce UV damage.

Beauty Advisor:

‘‘My skin feels sensitive. I want it to be stronger.’’

‘‘When does it feel uncomfortable? Tell me about your skincare regimen. Have you changed anything recently?’’ Client:

Resilience Describes How Well Skin Copes and Recovers. Think of the barrier as part of the skin’s protective structure and resilience as its ability to remain comfortable through everyday challenges, such as dry weather or a change in skincare regimen. It is not a promise that skin can become damage-proof. As Mintel suggests, supporting resilience is an ongoing habit, rather than a product used only after skin feels irritated.

Ingredients That Support Skin Resilience. Glycerin is a moisture-attracting ingredient that hydrates the epidermis and helps relieve the tight, rough feeling of dry skin. It can also support barrier function.

Ceramides are lipids naturally found between cells in the skin’s outer layer. They help slow moisture loss and maintain a barrier against external irritants. A ceramide-containing moisturizer can help dry skin feel more comfortable and may reduce dryness-related flaking and redness. Ceramide levels can decline with age, making barrier care especially relevant for mature skin. Better-hydrated skin can also look and feel smoother and more supple.

Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, supports the skin’s production of ceramides and helps strengthen its moisture barrier. Depending on the formula, it may also help reduce visible redness and excess oil or shine.

Ectoin, a naturally occurring stress-protecting molecule called an extremolyte. In skincare, it helps bind moisture, supports barrier recovery and may help skin cope with environmental stressors.

‘‘It stings after I cleanse it. I’ve been using a foaming cleanser, toner and moisturizer. I just started using an exfoliator.’’ Beauty Advisor: ‘‘Let’s look at your full skincare regimen. Your skin may need a gentler approach. We could start with a mild cleanser and a fragrancefree moisturizer with ceramides to support the barrier, then find a sunscreen you’ll feel comfortable wearing. Consistent care can help your skin stay hydrated and support its resilience over time.’’ Client: ‘‘Should I add a serum too?’’ Beauty Advisor: ‘‘Possibly, but let’s first see how your skin feels with a simpler skincare regimen. I’ll follow up with you in a few days to check on how your skin feels.’’

Source: Mintel and Black Swan Data, Beyond Protection, US Skincare, June 2026.

Summary Skin protection now means more to clients than just guarding against UV damage. Many also want skin that feels hydrated, comfortable and better able to cope with everyday stresses. Beauty Advisors can turn that broad concern into a useful consultation by asking what the client is experiencing, reviewing their skincare regimen and recommending manageable steps that support both protection and the skin barrier.

Key Takeaways Find out what ‘‘protection’’ means to the client. Ask about dryness, sensitivity, sun exposure and recent changes to their skincare regimen.

Explain barrier care and resilience simply. Barrier care helps skin retain moisture; consistent care supports its ability to stay comfortable and recover.

Match ingredients to the need. Glycerin attracts moisture, ceramides support the barrier, niacinamide supports barrier lipids, and ectoin helps skin retain moisture and cope with environmental stressors.

Understanding the skin barrier is a foundation for informed skincare recommendations. Enroll in the RBCP® 2.0 Skin Care course to build your skin science knowledge and put it into practice in client consultations. 39

Cosmetic Career Spotlight ‘‘We’re always looking for ways to evolve and become better versions of ourselves.’’

Maggie Holowchak Beauty Manager, Shoppers Drug Mart #1123 Belle River, ON

Discover the Journeys of Beauty Industry Trailblazers

Maggie Holowchak

‘‘Leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about helping others succeed.’’

1. What first drew you to the beauty industry, and what did you love most about the industry when you were starting out? My love for beauty started at a really young age. I remember opening “Salon Sassy” (aka my bedroom), where I would beg my sister to let me do her hair. I’ve always naturally gravitated towards anything beauty-related, but I think the YouTube beauty era is what really sparked my interest in making it a career. I could spend hours watching people do their makeup and then sit at my own makeup desk trying to recreate the looks. At the time, beauty was changing so quickly and I loved the creativity of it. I definitely participated in the bold purple and burgundy eyeshadow looks of the 2016 makeup era! That was around the time I decided to go to school for esthetics. Through that program, I ended up discovering an even bigger passion for skincare and wanted to understand more about the science behind it, which eventually led me back to school for Advanced Medical Esthetics. It’s funny looking back because what started as simply loving makeup turned into a career where I’ve been able to explore so many different sides of the beauty industry.

2. What made you want to become a Beauty Manager? Was there a person or experience that helped you see yourself in a leadership role?

3. What have you learned about leading people since becoming a Beauty Manager, and which skills have been most important to your growth as a leader?

I think we’re always looking for ways to evolve and become better versions of ourselves, and becoming a Beauty Manager felt like the next challenge I wanted to take on. It gave me a sense of purpose not only in reaching my own goals, but in helping a team reach theirs too.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important it is to listen to your staff and make sure they actually feel valued. I make a point of checking in with my team and making sure they know I’m there for them just as much as they’re there for me. There’s a difference between telling someone you appreciate them and actually showing them.

Teamwork has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, I was involved in dance and horseback riding, and I think that naturally translated into enjoying being part of a team and working towards something together. My path to becoming a manager wasn’t completely linear either. I actually applied for the position twice before I got it. At the time, of course, that was disappointing, but looking back I think I needed that extra time and experience. It helped shape me into the manager I am today and taught me that not getting something the first time doesn’t necessarily mean ‘‘no.’’ Sometimes it just means ‘‘not yet.’’

I’ve been really fortunate to have amazing staff over the years, including some who have been with me for more than five years. I want work to be somewhere they enjoy coming to and somewhere they feel supported. One of my little golden rules is that no one works on their birthday. It might seem small, but it’s something I’ve always valued. Yes, work is important, but we all have lives outside of it too. I think learning to balance the needs of the business with remembering that you’re leading actual people has been a big part of my growth.

4. How do you get to know each Beauty Advisor’s strengths and career goals, and help them take their next step? Can you share an example of someone’s growth that has made you proud?

was also incredibly proud. Getting to watch someone grow from a shy teenager into a confident young woman ready to start her career is one of those experiences that makes being a manager really rewarding.

Everyone learns differently and brings their own strengths and interests to beauty. Some people naturally gravitate towards skincare. Others love makeup or fragrance, and some are amazing at creating relationships with customers. Taking the time to get to know my staff and have those conversations helps me figure out where they shine and where I can help build their confidence.

5. How do you encourage your team to share what they learn and learn from one another? We would love to hear about a way you make education part of the everyday experience in your store.

I also think growth doesn’t always have to happen within the store. Sometimes their next step means leaving, and as their manager, you have to be able to be proud of that too. One of my long-time employees started with me as a really shy high school student. Over the years, I watched her become so confident with customers and even become one of the faces of our store’s Instagram page. Her personality completely came out and she became such a huge asset to both me and the store. I still remember the day she came in to tell me she was leaving to start her career. I knew it was coming, but I didn’t want to believe it! It was really hard for me to lose her, and I still miss having her on my team, but I 46

Education is such a big part of beauty because there is always something new to learn. We’re really fortunate to have access to virtual brand training sessions, which has made education so much more accessible. Social media is another big one for us. Trends move so quickly now, so keeping up with what people are talking about and what customers are seeing online is important. We don’t always have a lot of overlap between our shifts, so whenever we do have time together, we try to use it. If someone learned something interesting in a training session, discovered a product they love or has a tip that could help another person with a customer, we share it. I also don’t think all of that knowledge has to come from me because I’m the manager. My staff teach me things all the time. Everyone has different interests and areas they’re knowledgeable in, and I think that’s what makes learning from each other so valuable.

‘‘Listen to your staff, show up for them and get to know them as people.’’

6. Can you share a time when learning something new together helped your team improve their performance on the retail floor? What did you do as their manager to help them put that learning into practice? We see this a lot with new product and brand launches. Sometimes customers are coming in asking us about a product they saw on social media before we’ve even had much time to familiarize ourselves with it. When that happens, we make an effort to learn about it together, whether that’s through a virtual training session, trying the product ourselves or sharing information we’ve learned with each other. I try to take that information one step further with my team and talk about how we would actually use it with a customer. Who would you recommend it to? What concern are they trying to address? What could you pair it with? Once you understand those things, you’re not just telling someone what a product does because you memorized it from a training session. You can actually have a conversation and make a recommendation that makes sense for that person, and that confidence really comes across on the sales floor.

7. Who or what has helped you grow most as a leader, and how do you continue to develop your own skills while supporting your team? I honestly think time and experience have helped me grow the most, along with my staff themselves. I’ve learned so much from the different people I’ve managed over the years. Leadership definitely isn’t one-size-fitsall. Everyone communicates and learns differently, and what motivates one person might not work at all for another. I think I’ve become much better at recognizing that and adapting instead of expecting everyone to respond the same way. I’m still learning from my team today. I think being willing to listen to them, accept feedback and sometimes admit that I could have done something differently has made me a better manager. I also continue to learn on the beauty side through training, social media, new products and my background in Advanced Medical Esthetics. I don’t think you ever reach a point where you know everything in beauty or leadership. Both are constantly changing.

8. What inspired you to start sharing beauty content on TikTok as @maggie_maykup, and what did you hope viewers would take away from your videos? As your community grew to approximately 20,000 followers, what helped people connect with you, and was there a particular video or turning point that contributed to that growth? Social media actually started for me through our local store page. When those pages were first introduced, I really took ours on and made it my own, while getting my staff involved too. It has become one of our favourite outlets at work. We genuinely have fun coming up with ideas and making content together, especially when we see customers enjoying it. Seeing the Shoppers Beauty Pro program was actually what inspired me to start creating content on my own page. It made me think, “I could do this too,” and pushed me to put myself out there. I recently applied to become a Shoppers Beauty Pro, so that feels like a really exciting full-circle moment for me. I think one of the reasons people connect with my content is that I have a bit of a different perspective. I’m actually in the store every day. I see what hits the shelves, what people are excited about and what customers are actually asking for. I’m having conversations about their skincare concerns or helping them find the right makeup products, so I can bring those real experiences into my content. I want people to feel like they’re getting a recommendation from someone who genuinely works with these products and customers every day. 9. What leadership skills or approaches have made the greatest impact on your team, and what advice would you give other Beauty Managers looking to strengthen their own leadership?

My biggest piece of advice is probably the simplest: treat your staff the way you would want to be treated. I’ve had experiences in my own career where I didn’t feel like a manager showed up for me in the way I needed them to, and I think that has really influenced the type of manager I want to be. Listen to your staff, show up for them and get to know them as people. I also think you have to be willing to lead by example. I would never want to ask my staff to do something that I wouldn’t be willing to do myself. And listen when they have an opinion, even if it’s different from yours. Being the manager doesn’t mean you automatically have the best answer in the room. 10. When you look ahead, where would you like your career in beauty to take you? Are there roles, skills, or opportunities you would love to explore, and how are you working towards them? I would love to eventually step into a bigger role within the beauty industry. After spending so many years working in-store, I feel like I have a really strong understanding of what customers are actually looking for, what Beauty Advisors need and what things look like when they reach the retail floor. I would love to eventually bring that experience and perspective into a corporate-level role where I could have an impact on a larger scale. I’m also really interested in continuing to grow the creative side of my career. I recently applied for the Shoppers Beauty Pro team, which would give me an opportunity to combine beauty education with something I’ve really grown to love: content creation. I don’t know exactly what my career will look like years from now, and I think I’m okay with that. I’ve already learned that opportunities can take you in directions you weren’t expecting. I just know I want to continue challenging myself, learning and seeing where a career in an industry I’ve loved since I was young can take me.

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Menopause and Skin: By Mickey Tortorelli

A client may notice that the skincare regimen she has trusted for years no longer seems to work. Her skin may feel drier, lines and wrinkles may become more visible or breakouts may return. Hair and nails can change too: scalp hair may thin, and nails may break more easily. A Beauty Advisor can help by explaining the changes and adapting the skincare regimen to what the client is noticing now.

Understanding What Changes and How to Help 53

What May Happen at Each Stage? These skin changes during menopause are possible patterns, not a checklist. A client may experience several concerns, just one or none at all.

Peri-menopause: Changing Needs

Menopause: Less Mo

During the transition to menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate. A client may experience breakouts or excess shine alongside new dryness or sensitivity. Ask which concern is most noticeable and whether a product has begun to sting or leave skin feeling tight.

Menopause is reached afte without a menstrual perio skin may have more diffic and may produce less coll notice dryness, roughness firmness.

Niacinamide may help with excess shine while supporting the moisture barrier. For breakouts, a salicylic acid cleanser or exfoliant may help, but choose a gentle formula and ask your client to watch for dryness. A non-comedogenic moisturizer can help keep acne-prone skin comfortable; recommend a lightweight gel or lotion for excess shine, or a more moisturizing formula if the skin also feels dry.

Glycerin or hyaluronic ac retain moisture, while cera moisture barrier. For conce fine lines, retinol can supp and gradually improve the protection remains an ess

oisture and Firmness

Post-menopause: Ongoing Care

er 12 consecutive months od. As estrogen declines, culty retaining moisture lagen. Your client may s, fine lines and reduced

In the years after menopause, lower estrogen levels may be associated with persistent dryness, thinner-feeling skin, dullness, rough texture and more visible wrinkles. The moisture barrier may also become more vulnerable, leaving some clients prone to tightness or irritation.

cid can help attract and amides support the erns about firmness and port collagen production e skin’s appearance. Sun sential daily step.

Uneven tone and hyperpigmentation from earlier sun exposure may become more apparent. Prioritize a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer that supports the moisture barrier and broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Recommend vitamin C in a serum or moisturizer to help brighten the skin and improve the appearance of dullness and uneven skin tone. Retinol is a great option for lines and texture, as well as improving firmness, if the skin tolerates it. Introduce one new product at a time so the client can assess how her skin responds.

The Skincare Regimen Goal

How Might That Consultation Sound?

The goal is to maintain moisture, support the skin barrier and build skin resilience while addressing the client’s main concern, whether it’s acne, fine lines, wrinkles, dullness or discolouration.

Client:

Begin by reviewing her current skincare regimen including sun protection. Recommend products that keep her skin comfortable, then add the ingredient targeted to the result she wants based on her concerns. Introduce changes gradually, especially if her skin has become more sensitive.

Beauty Advisor:

‘‘I’ve used the same cleanser and moisturizer for years, but now my skin feels dry and I’m seeing more lines. Why isn’t my skincare working anymore?’’

‘‘Let’s look at what you’re using and when your skin feels dry. Skin’s needs can change even when your skincare regimen hasn’t. Hormonal changes may be one reason. Would you feel comfortable sharing whether you’re in perimenopause or menopause?’’ Client: ‘‘I think I’m in peri-menopause. My periods have become irregular.’’ Beauty Advisor: ‘‘That may be part of what you’re noticing. Estrogen levels fluctuate during peri-menopause and later decline. Skin may then hold less moisture and gradually lose some firmness, making dryness and lines more noticeable. We can adjust your skincare regimen to address both concerns.’’ Client: ‘‘Do I need to replace everything?’’ Beauty Advisor: ‘‘Let’s first check whether your cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight. A moisturizer with glycerin, hyaluronic acid or ceramides may help with dryness, and we’ll make sure your sun protection is right for you. Once your skin feels comfortable, we can discuss a retinol product for the lines and introduce it gradually. I’ll follow up to see how the changes are working for you.’’

Summary Skin can change throughout perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause as estrogen fluctuates and declines. The Beauty Advisor’s role is to recognize possible changes, ask about the client’s experience and match skincare advice to her current needs and priorities.

Key Takeaways

Recognize the patterns Peri-menopause may bring changing oiliness or sensitivity; menopause and post-menopause may bring more persistent dryness, roughness and visible changes in firmness.

Match the ingredient to the concern Hydrators and ceramides support dry skin; niacinamide or salicylic acid may help with oiliness and breakouts; retinol supports collagen production, while vitamin C may help with dullness and uneven tone.

Personalize the skincare regimen Support the barrier and skin resilience, review what the client already uses, and introduce targeted products gradually.

Build your confidence in supporting clients as their skin’s needs change. Enroll in the RBCP® 2.0 Skin Care course to deepen your understanding of skin and strengthen your skin analysis and consultation skills.

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Watier Ultimessence Advanced Longevity Serum Helping Skin Age Better What if the future of skincare wasn’t about fighting aging, but helping skin age better? Watier’s Ultimessence Advanced Longevity Serum repairs, renews and restores the skin with visible results, supporting the skin’s long-term health and resilience.

Who Is It For? For clients embracing healthy aging and seeking improvements in dehydration, the appearance of wrinkles, loss of firmness or uneven skin tone.

The Technology Powered by patented micro-encapsulation technology, the formula combines a hydrophilic phase offering the refreshing sensation of water with a lipidic phase offering the comfort of an oil. The micro-droplet technology, with 23 patents, preserves ingredients’ stability and potency. Over 10,000 micro-droplets in every bottle gently burst upon application, melting in seamlessly without leaving any residue on the skin. 63

The Key Ingredients

In the hydrophilic phase:

Canadian Gaspe Algae:

Boosts hydration and strengthens the skin’s barrier.

Canadian Labrador Tea:

A powerful Canadian antioxidant that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Alfalfa Extract:

Helps to reduce oxidation and improves cell renewal.

Bacillus Ferment:

Recharges and revitalizes tired skin, improving firmness and elasticity, adding luminosity.

In the lipidic phase: Iris Plant Cells:

Stimulate skin regeneration to improve firmness, elasticity and texture, restoring density.

Meadowfoam Seed Oil:

Offers hydration and a silky feel on the skin.

At the Counter

‘‘My skin feels dehydrated and doesn’t look as plump as it used to.’’

‘‘My wrinkles are becoming more noticeable, and my skin is losing firmness.’’

‘‘My skin looks dull, and my skin tone looks uneven.’’

‘‘This serum strengthens the moisture barrier and visibly plumps the skin. Canadian Gaspe Algae boosts hydration, while Meadowfoam Seed Oil offers hydration and a silky feel on the skin.’’

‘‘Ultimessence Advanced Longevity Serum smooths the look of wrinkles and enhances firmness and elasticity. Iris Plant Cells stimulate skin regeneration to improve firmness, elasticity and texture, restoring density.’’

‘‘This serum evens the skin tone while minimizing the look of pores, revealing a radiant and healthy-looking complexion. Alfalfa Extract provides a hydrating and smoothing effect that also brightens the complexion.’’

Key Takeaways

Purpose Repairs, renews and restores.

Difference Patented microencapsulation technology.

Consultation: Complements targeted serums.

Build Your Product Knowledge

A clinically proven formula, enriched with Canadian ingredients, delivering a new standard in advanced skin performance.

Learn more about Watier’s Ultimessence Advanced Longevity Serum and how to introduce it in your client consultations. Visit the Groupe Marcelle Learning Portal to continue your learning. 67

When AI Joins the Beauty Conversation By Mickey Tortorelli

How Beauty Advisors can turn digital recommendations into more thoughtful client care A client arrives with a skincare routine generated by AI. They have a list of products, an explanation for each and one question: ‘‘Is this right for me?’’ Beauty companies are already using AI assistants to answer questions and suggest products, alongside virtual tools that let clients explore makeup and hair colour. These services can make product discovery easier and shape the questions clients bring into stores.

For Beauty Advisors, this creates an opportunity to build on that research through a thoughtful consultation.

Start with curiosity. Ask, ‘‘What did you ask AI, and what did you like about its suggestion?’’ Their answer can reveal the result they want, a concern they have struggled to explain or something they still feel unsure about. Welcome the conversation, then explore their current routine, preferences and budget.

Bring the recommendation into everyday life. A routine may look appealing on a screen, but how will it fit into their daily schedule? Would they use every step? Does it fit their lifestyle? Does it address other factors that may be affecting their skin and concerns? Help the client understand what each product contributes and whether the recommendations are right for their skin, routine and lifestyle. This is key.

Use AI to strengthen your own learning. With your retailer’s approval, try using an AI tool to practise answering a common client question or simplifying an ingredient explanation. Check the output against current brand education and product

As we celebrate the knowledge gained in 2026 and look ahead to 2027, consider one new skill you want to develop. Learning to question and evaluate AI recommendations is a useful place to begin. Your experience gives you a foundation for asking better questions and helping clients make informed decisions.

Key takeaways Ask what the client learned from AI and what remains unclear.

Assess recommendations through a personal consultation.

Use approved AI tools for practice, and verify their answers.

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The Science of Growing Together Innovation isn’t always about starting over. Often, it’s about building on decades of discovery – taking what we’ve learned about skin and continuing to ask what’s possible next?

That spirit of curiosity has long been part of NEOSTRATA’S scientific journey. From over 50 years ago, pioneering the skin renewal benefits of exfoliating acids like AHA’s and PHA’s, to today’s sophisticated ingredient technologies, the science continues to evolve alongside our understanding of skin. MicroDipeptide229 featured across select NEOSTRATA formulas including Tri-Therapy Lifting Serum, Intensive Eye Therapy, Rebound Sculpting Cream and the beloved Triple Firming Neck Cream, is one example of that evolution…always looking to beat better with the best! Why just smooth the skin when you can sculpt and lift it all at the same time?

Perhaps that’s where the most exciting evolution is happening… science, brands and customers are becoming more knowledgeable together. The hard thing? Customers want proof that their products work and with NEOSTRATA that proof is proven in the lab and visible in the mirror! With 100+ patents and publications, proof is our standard. Did you know that NEOSTRATA products are formulated at bioavailable pH levels to maximize ingredient delivery and are clinically proven to accelerate skin turnover?

The important story isn’t simply where the technology appears. It’s what it represents: a continuing progression in skincare science and a willingness to keep exploring new ways to support the skin as our knowledge advances.

You see, innovation goes beyond selecting powerful ingredients – it’s about creating the right environment for them to perform. Our scientists do the hard work in the lab, carefully optimizing factors such as pH to help support ingredient availability, integrity and performance within the formula.

The best part? Our customers are evolving too! They’re reading ingredient lists, researching technologies and asking better, more sophisticated questions. They no longer simply want to know what a product does - they want to understand why it works and how that matters to them.

We don’t believe in simply adding an ingredient so its name can appear on a label; we formulate with purpose, helping key ingredients deliver on their potential. Because customers want to invest in sophisticated skincare, they deserve sophisticated formulation behind it.

Visible Results

90% neck lines/ creases are softened. Before

After 77

At NEOSTRATA, we don’t simply put powerful ingredients into a formula, we formulate to help keep their power intact! Whether your customers are looking for AHA’s, PHA’s, MicroDipeptides229, Vitamin C or Retinol, show them why dermatologists and scientists agree: when knowledge and science grow together, better skin follows!

Keep Growing Your Knowledge Visit the NEOSTRATA® Training Hub to explore the science behind the products and stay up to date on the latest innovations and learning opportunities. Build your knowledge for more confident, informed client consultations.

The Art of Selling Fragrance This Holiday Season By Mickey Tortorelli

Fragrance is an important holiday opportunity. According to Circana, Canadian fragrance sales grew 1% in the first half of 2026. Customers are building fragrance wardrobes, exploring higher concentrations such as eau de parfum and extending scent into body care, giving Beauty Advisors more ways to personalize a holiday consultation.

A fragrance can be a personal treat, a lasting gift or the beginning of a new scent wardrobe. Your clients may arrive knowing exactly what they want, or with only a name and a budget. Your opportunity is to turn either visit into a thoughtful consultation.

Start With the Person, Not the Bottle Your client may struggle to describe a scent but can often describe the feeling they want: fresh and understated, warm and comforting, or bold enough for an evening out. Begin by asking, ‘‘Is this for you or a gift?’’ For a personal purchase, explore fragrances your client already enjoys, when they plan to wear the scent and whether they prefer something subtle or noticeable. For a gift, ask what the recipient wears now, what they tend to like and whether your client wants a familiar favourite or something new.

Dominant Scent Trends in the Canadian Market

The Gourmand Obsession

Skin-Scents & Personal Chemistry

Gender-Fluid Performance

Driven by long Canadian winters, customers are heavily favoring sweet, comforting ‘edible’ notes. Warm vanillas, brown sugar, praline, and rich coffee notes are outperforming traditional pure florals.

There is a massive retail shift toward intimate, low-projection fragrances. ‘Your skin but better’ profiles. They rely on clean musks, iris, and ambroxan. These are highly popular for daily wear and office environments.

The distinction between traditional men’s and women’s fragrance marketing is blurring in Canada. Customers are increasingly selecting scents based purely on raw note profiles, resulting in warm ambers, spices, and rich wood notes seeing high cross-demographic sales.

Ten Scents to Know This Holiday Season

Based on current retail sales data from major Canadian suppliers and retailers, here is a list of the top 10 best-selling fragrances in Canada:

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium: Coffee, vanilla and white florals for someone who enjoys a warm gourmand. Prada Paradoxe: A modern floral with a warm amber character. Chanel No. 5: An aldehydic floral for someone drawn to a classic perfume. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540: A distinctive amber and woody scent for a luxury fragrance lover. Yves Saint Laurent Libre: Lavender and orange blossom for someone who enjoys an aromatic floral. Dior Sauvage: A fresh, woody choice for someone seeking a more assertive scent. Glossier You: A subtle, close-to-skin fragrance for everyday wear. Lattafa Khamrah: A sweet, spiced option for someone who enjoys warm scents. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male: An aromatic fragrance family; ask which version your client has tried, since they differ. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue: A crisp, citrus-forward option for someone who prefers freshness.

Offer one or two options based on your client’s answers. Let them smell each on a blotter first. If one appeals to them, offer to spray it on their skin, and allow time for the fragrance to develop. Explain the opening, heart and base notes in everyday language:

‘‘It opens bright and fresh, then settles into a softer, warmer scent.’’

Holiday fragrance consultations begin with understanding the person, the occasion and the feeling the scent should evoke. Beauty Advisors can use scent trends and familiar fragrances to narrow the choices, then guide clients through blotter testing and time on the skin. Thoughtful questions make a personal purchase or gift easier to choose and more memorable.

Key Takeaways

Ask about the person and the occasion before recommending a fragrance.

Guide discovery through scent preferences, a few choices, blotter testing and time on the skin.

Build your confidence in fragrance consultations BeauteSchool’s RBCP® Fragrance Course explores fragrance families, notes and forms of fragrance. Learn how to guide clients through fragrance testing, recommend layering options and help gift buyers choose with confidence. This online course takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and can be completed on its own. Earn your Fragrance Specialist designation upon successful completion. Beauty Advisor Offer: Save $100 with code Fragrance100 at checkout. Explore the course and enroll today.

Use knowledge to make gifting easier and suggest related products only when they suit your client.

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The Beauty of Growing Together

Growth is about embracing change, evolving with confidence and discovering what comes next. It’s a philosophy beautifully embodied by Anne Hathaway, Shiseido’s Global Brand Ambassador for Vital Perfection, whose partnership with the brand reflects a modern perspective on beauty – one that celebrates evolution rather than defining beauty by age. Together, Shiseido and Hathaway are exploring what it means to embrace every chapter while continuing to move beauty forward. That spirit of evolution is at the heart of Vital Perfection Intensive SculptDefine Serum, Shiseido’s newest innovation in its advanced Vital Perfection collection. Building on the brand’s cutting-edge research into the appearance of skin sagging, this transformative face and neck serum takes a multi-dimensional approach to visible signs of aging – helping skin look lifted, firm, sculpted and radiant. Rather than addressing a single concern, the formula targets the appearance of deep wrinkles, expression lines and age-related sagging, while also improving the look of dark spots, uneven skin tone and dullness. At the heart of the formula is D-AminoLift Complex™, Shiseido’s proprietary complex designed to help elevate skin’s strength for enhanced definition and lift.

As we look toward 2027, that commitment to learning, discovery and innovation continues. Because the beauty of growing together isn’t simply about where we are today – it’s about continuing to evolve, together, toward what comes next. 92

Watercress Extract supports skin’s natural collagen for improved firmness, while 4MSK, Shiseido’s exclusive brightening ingredient, helps promote a more even, radiant-looking complexion. The formula also provides 24-hour hydration. The result is a more defined-looking complexion, from the cheeks and jawline to the neck. In a clinical study of 33 women, 100% showed a visible improvement in cheek sagging, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and neck wrinkles after one week, alongside improvements in radiance, brightness and elasticity. At a time when beauty is increasingly about understanding how skin evolves, innovation means looking at the bigger picture. Vital Perfection Intensive SculptDefine Serum reflects that approach – combining Shiseido’s heritage of Japanese beauty innovation with advanced research to address multiple visible signs of skin aging in one intensive treatment.

Dear beauty expert,

Cher spécialistes beauté

Get started with the BeautyEx app! Scan the QR code to create an account.

Découvrez l’application BeautyEx! Balayez le code QR pour créer un compte.

One Lesson Worth Passing On

Seven lessons from the people featured in BE Magazine in 2026 Experience becomes even more valuable when we share what it has taught us. A lesson learned through years of leading a team can help a new manager find their footing. An educator’s advice can give a Beauty Advisor a clearer way to explain a product. When we pass that knowledge on, we help someone else move forward. Throughout 2026, the people featured in BE Magazine shared what experience has taught them about working in the beauty industry. Their stories offered practical lessons for professionals at every stage of their careers, including those helping others take their next step. For this issue’s Beauty Blueprint, we revisit seven of those voices from Beauty Blueprint, Cosmetic Career Spotlight and Retail Success Stories. These excerpts from their earlier features bring their advice together, with ideas you can put into practice and pass on to someone else.

Explain the why

Diana Del Negro Former Senior Account Executive, NEOSTRATA® Canada Featured in Beauty Blueprint in the March 2026 issue of BE Magazine. Read Diana’s full story. ‘‘They taught me the importance of explaining the ‘why’ behind expectations so teams could see how their actions drive results.’’ Diana credits early retail mentors with helping her understand the connection between people leadership and business results. When setting an expectation, take time to explain its purpose. Understanding how a task contributes to the team’s goals gives people more context for the work you are asking them to do.

Build consistency through small daily actions Gina Adamson Cosmetic Manager, Shoppers Drug Mart #972, Alliston Featured in Retail Success Stories in the March 2026 issue of BE Magazine. Read Gina and her team’s full story. ‘‘I also assign tasks based on each team member’s strengths, then we review goals, walk the department, and address opportunities together. Operational excellence is built through small, consistent actions and shared responsibility.’’ Gina’s approach makes maintaining standards a shared responsibility. Agree on the day’s priorities and give each person a clear role. Take a few minutes to walk the department together, notice what needs attention and follow through. Repeating those habits helps the team stay organized during busy periods.

Make learning useful to the person in front of you Janet Entwistle National Artist and Education Specialist, WATIER Featured in Cosmetic Career Spotlight in the February 2026 issue of BE Magazine. Read Janet’s full story. ‘‘It always starts with the audience. Beauty Advisors and Cosmetic Managers are the ones guiding customers in-store, so my focus is on techniques that are practical, relatable, and wearable for everyday life.’’ Janet’s approach applies whenever we teach a colleague or demonstrate a technique for a client. Consider where and how they will use what you are showing them. Choose an example they can picture trying themselves.

Keep learning from the people you teach Marie-Andrée Duchesne Former Senior National Education Manager, Guerlain Paris Featured in Cosmetic Career Spotlight in the June 2026 issue of BE Magazine. Read Marie-Andrée’s full story. ‘‘I often tell Beauty Advisors in my sessions that I learn as much from them as they do from me.’’ Marie-Andrée values the insight Beauty Advisors bring about trends and the questions they encounter in-store. Their experience helps her keep education relevant. When sharing your knowledge, leave room to ask what others are seeing in their own work. Their answers may show you something your next session needs to address.

Adapt your coaching to the person Veronic Lefebvre Regional Sales Manager, Quebec, Groupe Marcelle Cosmetics Featured in Cosmetic Career Spotlight in the September 2026 issue of BE Magazine. Read Veronic’s full story. ‘‘I take the time to understand each team member’s strengths, aspirations, and motivations so that I can adapt my coaching approach to their individual needs.’’ Veronic’s approach begins with getting to know the person you are supporting. Ask what they want to work toward and where they would welcome guidance. Use that conversation to shape your coaching, then check in as their confidence and responsibilities grow.

Give someone room to take ownership Ivana Tonello Beauty Manager, Shoppers Drug Mart #824, Toronto Eaton Centre Featured in Retail Success Stories in the June 2026 issue of BE Magazine. Read Ivana and her team’s full story. ‘‘I set clear expectations and support them along the way, but I also make space for them to bring their own ideas forward and really make it their own. After each event, we take time to reflect on what worked well and where they’ve grown.’’ Ivana uses event responsibilities to help her team develop confidence. Give a colleague ownership of a manageable part of your next event, with a clear goal and support when needed. Afterwards, talk about what they learned and what they would like to take on next.

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Stay close to the work

Fran Carter Beauty Manager, Shoppers Drug Mart #0764, Masonville Place Featured in Retail Success Stories in the September 2026 issue of BE Magazine. Read Fran and her team’s full story. ‘‘Leadership also needs to be visible. I spend time on the floor coaching, supporting, and working alongside the team. This allows me to provide real-time feedback, recognize opportunities, and celebrate successes as they happen.’ Fran makes time to work alongside her team so she can understand where support is needed. Join a consultation or help during a busy period. Use what you observe to offer specific encouragement and useful feedback. Recognizing a thoughtful question or a well-explained recommendation helps someone understand what they are doing well.

What will you pass on? What have you learned this year that has changed the way you work? Think about the advice you now use in client consultations or a lesson that has helped you support your team. Pass it on. Tell a colleague what you learned and how you put it into practice. Invite them to share a lesson of their own. When we make time for these conversations, we give others something they can build on. That is the beauty of growing together.

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‘‘Listen to what your client wants help with, then keep the guidance gentle and manageable.’’

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Nails, Cancer & Care By Mickey Tortorelli

Helping clients navigate nail changes with comfort and confidence In our Skin, Cancer & Care series, we have explored how cancer and its treatments can affect the skin, increase sun sensitivity, and change the hair and scalp. This fourth editorial turns to the hands and feet. Nail changes may seem small compared with other treatment effects, but a fragile or painful nail can interfere with everyday tasks and affect how a client feels about their appearance. Some cancer treatments can cause nails to become dry, brittle, ridged or discoloured. They may split, lift from the nail bed, or become sensitive. The skin around the nails may also become dry or irritated. The changes vary with the treatment and the individual, which is why a client’s oncology care team should guide any medical concerns. For Beauty Advisors, the goal is familiar from every part of this series: listen with care, offer appropriate beauty support, and connect clients with trusted resources. Look Good Feel Better Canada (LGFB) offers practical nail care information and a free, on demand Nail Care webinar for people experiencing changes during or after treatment.

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Your Role as a Beauty Advisor A client may tell you they are undergoing cancer treatment. They may also simply ask for help with dry hands, nails that keep catching on clothing, or a polish that feels easier to wear. Let the client decide how much they want to share. Start with a gentle question: “What has changed, and what would you most like help with today?” If the client mentions treatment, you might respond, “Thank you for telling me. We can keep this simple and focus on comfort.” You are not expected to identify the cause of a nail change or recommend a treatment for it. You can help a client consider a gentle hand care routine, explain cosmetic options without making promises, and point them towards LGFB and their oncology care team.

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Comfort Comes First

Refer Clients to Look Good Feel Better

LGFB’s nail care guidance recommends keeping nails short, moisturising the hands and cuticle area, and avoiding cutting cuticles. It also suggests wearing gloves for chores that involve prolonged exposure to water. These are useful, manageable habits to discuss with a client whose nails or surrounding skin feel fragile.

LGFB’s Nail Care resources give clients a place to explore everyday care at their own pace. Its free Nail Care webinar covers why changes happen, gentle grooming, daily care, polish, and when to seek medical attention. The recorded webinar is available on demand, including to people who continue to experience nail changes after treatment.

At the counter, focus on what feels comfortable. You could ask, “Would you prefer a hand cream you can reapply throughout the day, or something richer for the evening?” Keep the recommendation simple, especially if the client is already managing a demanding care routine. If a nail is painful, lifting, or surrounded by swollen or broken skin, pause the product conversation and encourage the client to contact their oncology care team. A cosmetic product or manicure should not be used to conceal a change that needs medical attention.

Make the referral part of the consultation rather than an afterthought. You could say: ‘‘Look Good Feel Better Canada has a free Nail Care webinar created for people experiencing these changes. It offers more detailed guidance than we can cover here. Would you like me to show you where to find it?’’ LGFB’s resources can help Beauty Advisors build their own understanding, too. The more familiar you are with what is available, the easier it is to offer a relevant referral with confidence.

What About Polish and Salon Services?

A Moment of Care

For some clients, nail colour is a small but welcome way to feel like themselves. Others may prefer bare nails and a simple care routine. Offer the choice without assuming either matters more.

Your client may leave with a hand cream, a link to LGFB, or simply the reassurance that their concern was heard. Each can be valuable. As this series has shown, compassionate beauty support often comes from knowing what to say, keeping the client’s choices at the centre of the conversation, and recognising when someone else is better placed to help.

If a client wants to wear polish, LGFB advises using an acetone free remover, since acetone can be drying during treatment. LGFB also recommends checking that salon staff understand the extra precautions involved in serving someone undergoing cancer treatment. Clients considering false nails, gels or acrylics should ask their cancer care team first, as these services may increase the risk of infection. A helpful response is: ‘‘There may be ways to enjoy nail colour, but your care team can tell you what is suitable for your nails right now. LGFB also has guidance specifically about polish and nail care during treatment.’’

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Key Takeaways Nail changes can affect comfort and confidence. Treatment may cause brittleness, ridges, discolouration, splitting or lifting. Encourage clients to discuss painful or concerning changes with their oncology care team.

Keep beauty guidance gentle and choice based. Simple hand care, short nails and avoiding cuticle cutting are useful starting points from LGFB’s guidance. Check with the care team before nail services when there is uncertainty.

Make LGFB a routine referral. Show clients the LGFB Nail Care resource and its free on demand webinar for detailed support during and after treatment.

Editorial note: This article supports Beauty Advisors in offering cosmetic and comfort focused guidance. Clients should consult their oncology care team for medical advice, particularly if a nail or the surrounding skin is painful, swollen, broken or worsening. 108

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Finding Connection Through Cancer Three stories of support, shared understanding and the difference Look Good Feel Better can make. A shared laugh, a moment of understanding or the encouragement to find your voice can mean so much when facing cancer. Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) creates opportunities for connection and care, helping people navigate the personal impact of cancer and its treatment. In the stories that follow, Natalia, the Berthiaume sisters and Beverley share how LGFB supported them through their own experiences. Together, their stories remind us of the difference a supportive community can make. 110

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Natalia O.

Becoming the Advocate that I Needed I’m someone who has always been comfortable behind the scenes. In my career, I design corporate learning programs – I’m not the one leading the classroom. I like to be in the background, building the curriculum – creating change and quietly shaping experiences for others. When I got breast cancer at 27, things changed. Suddenly, I couldn’t hide. Not from the diagnosis. Not from the mirror. Not from the fear. I had to push for the diagnosis. I had a lump but was told it was probably nothing. I insisted on testing. When I got the news, my fiancé David – now my husband – and I were just completely shocked and devastated. I’d been living in this grey area of uncertainty prior to the diagnosis, and suddenly everything became very black and white. I searched desperately for someone like me – someone in their 20s, newly diagnosed, terrified and dealing with this cancer that has the stigma of being an old woman’s cancer. I kept scrolling on social media, hoping to find her, hoping to relate to someone. But I couldn’t. I felt so isolated, like I was the only one going through this. When I finished chemo, I decided to become the advocate that I’d searched for so fervently. I wanted to create a community for other young people who are facing or have faced the same thing. I surprised myself by coming out from behind the scenes and putting myself in the spotlight. I opened TikTok. I turned the camera on. And I started filming. On my TikTok account (@natorrico), I share what life after treatment is like – and what healing and thriving can look like. Creating this content is very healing. It’s very soft. I show my day-to-day life: relaxing nature walks with David and our miniature dachshund, Ozzie; tending to my houseplants; making nourishing, nutritious food; brewing the perfect cup of coffee; watching the sun pour in the window. There’s a lot of intentional self-care and romanticizing my routine. When I was going through my

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treatment, I wished that there was something like this, someone like me out there. I hope I can give comfort to someone else feeling anxious and wondering what their life will look like once they get through cancer. I want to show what’s possible, what’s next. There’s a lack of this type of space in the post-cancer experience. My goal this year is to become a breast cancer advocate – not just for myself, but for other women as well. Breast cancer is so intense. It changed my identity – and deeply affected my confidence. I felt like my womanhood was being taken away. I wondered whether I’d still be able to have kids some day. And I would look at myself in the mirror and think, “Who am I?” I had always been Blonde Natalia, Natalia Who’s Always Running and Exercising – that’s who I am, or who I was – but I couldn’t be that person anymore. Things needed to change. I had to rewrite the narrative. Look Good Feel Better supported me on this journey. The organization showed me the power of advocacy and community. It helped give me the courage to put myself in the spotlight – visible, vocal, and vulnerable – so that I, too, can support others. Post-cancer Natalia is a very different person from precancer Natalia. I know who I am now and what I want. After gathering up the courage to advocate for myself and speak up, I’ve really found my voice. I’m more independent, more confident, and better able to prioritize what’s truly important to me. I’m letting my natural red hair grow back – no more blonde. Getting cancer in one’s 20s is certainly not something I’d wish on anyone. It was a devastating experience for me. But there are good things that can come out of these situations, and I’m really embracing those good things now. I’ve come out of it learning just how strong and resilient I am, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.

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The Berthiaume sisters

Three sisters, three diagnoses and a workshop to reconnect In this family of five sisters, the year 2025 will be marked by an unexpected and deeply shared experience. In the space of just a few months, three of them — Claudette, Ginette and Danielle — were diagnosed with breast cancer. Three different life paths, three different ages, but the same challenge that further strengthened their already solid bond. Claudette, the eldest of the family, is 71 years old. In June 2025, her doctor informs her that the cancer that first appeared in 1993 has returned. This time, the tumour is rare and located in the nipple. Unfortunately, Claudette is no stranger to the disease: this diagnosis marks her fifth bout with cancer. Over the years, she has already battled three breast cancers, undergone a hysterectomy and been treated for a bladder tumour. She will face this new challenge with the experience and determination of someone who has already weathered several storms. A month later, in July 2025, it is 66-year-old Ginette’s turn to receive the same news. For her, too, it is a recurrence. Her first breast cancer dates back to 1998. This time, she chooses a radical approach: even though only one breast is affected, she asks for both to be removed to avoid any future risk. She undergoes a total mastectomy in the autumn.

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The youngest of the three sisters, 62-year-old Danielle, was actually the first to receive her diagnosis, in January 2025. On 7 March, she underwent a mastectomy of her right breast with reconstruction. Danielle is the youngest in the clan. “There are five girls in the family,” she explains. “And luckily, the other two are doing well.” Despite the difficulty of the situation, the three sisters find comfort in being able to go through this period together. Amidst medical appointments and treatments, a simple initiative offered them a moment of respite and sharing. Danielle, who was already taking yoga classes at La Maison Main…Tenir L’espoir, heard about Look Good Feel Better. Intrigued, she decided to sign up and told her sisters about it. They liked the idea and chose to participate together. For Claudette, this wasn’t her first experience of this kind. She had already attended a similar workshop in 1993 in Montreal. However, the workshop in Trois-Rivières was particularly touching for her, as she participated with her sisters. Ginette also attended a LGFB workshop on her own when she was first diagnosed in 1998. As soon as they arrived, the three sisters rediscovered something precious: the joy of being together. “We don’t see each other often, so it was good for us,” says Danielle. The atmosphere quickly became friendly and filled with laughter.

The volunteers took the time to patiently and attentively guide each participant through simple personal care techniques: learning how to apply foundation, use concealer or redraw eyebrows. For some participants, these were new techniques to discover. For others, like Ginette, it was an opportunity to revisit advice she had received nearly thirty years earlier. Claudette, for her part, is particularly concerned about her eyebrows, which she has lost. She feels unskilled at redrawing them and makes the group laugh when she jokes that she was afraid of looking like a clown. In a room with about eight women, each story is different, but they all share the same need for listening and support. Danielle particularly appreciates the aspect of sharing and solidarity. Even if she does not necessarily use all the techniques she has learned, she values the advice she receives and the exchanges with the other participants. The conversations naturally broaden to include discussions about treatments, concerns, and everyday life.

For Danielle, these workshops play an essential role. ‘They give us hope and encourage us to take care of ourselves,” she explains. “Even when you’re going through illness, you can still take time for yourself.” Beyond beauty tips, the three sisters have found a space where they feel understood. A place where they can talk freely, ask questions and meet other people who are going through the same thing. Danielle has also attended other workshops offered by LGFB and enjoys receiving their newsletter. She also wants to encourage her sisters to explore the various online workshops. Today, they have agreed to share their story with one simple goal in mind: that their experience may be of use to others. Three sisters, three journeys, one emotional year. But also three women who chose to go through this together—with courage, solidarity… and sometimes even a little humour, in front of a mirror, trying to draw the “perfect” eyebrow.

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Beverley

Finding a Shiny, Happy Moment in the Midst of Chemotherapy I’ll never forget my first interaction with Look Good Feel Better (LGFB). It was about 20 years ago, when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Going to the LGFB workshop was my best day at the cancer centre. Most of my time there wasn’t cheerful or enjoyable, but my experience with LGFB was just lovely. The people were so kind and helpful, and it was great fun. I look back on it fondly. I got diagnosed with cancer again last year. This time it was what doctors called a “complex case”: three distinct cancers – endometrial, ovarian, and fallopian – in three different places. One of the first things I did was to connect with LGFB again and sign up for a workshop. Getting to attend the workshop again, after all these years, was a shiny, happy moment in my cancer journey. Who knew that chemotherapy could include highlights? It was the same supportive experience with people who were genuinely interested in helping me feel my best. I loved how they now provide a helpful booklet with makeup tips, so I didn’t have to take notes during the workshop. The workshop isn’t really about makeup or skincare for me, though. It’s about the opportunity to chat with other people going through the same experience. And to have a good time – for example, everyone had a good giggle with some of the ladies modelling their wigs and making wonderful faces in the mirror. Sometimes, we just need a day where we’re thinking about nothing other than having fun. There’s no other agenda. It was so helpful in terms of my spirit – just enhancing my mood and joy. It’s more beneficial than therapy or a self-help group for me. LGFB cultivates such a supportive, uplifting environment. It was a very restorative afternoon – such a gift, truly. Whoever came up with this idea deserves immense credit.

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Cancer and its treatment affect us all so differently. They can tell you what to expect during chemotherapy, but you never really know what’s coming your way until it’s there. It’s the same way with how cancer treatment’s side effects impact our appearance and self-esteem – it’s so individual. We may respond with acknowledgement or disbelief or rejection or anger. There’s a plethora of possible responses. In a way, I think it comes down to your willingness to accept your own reality. My personal attitude is one of total acceptance. ‘‘It is what it is’’ – that’s my mantra. I look at whatever’s happening in my life – cancer treatment, or a broken shoelace, or a scenario in one of my past careers in education and social work – and I assess what’s going on and how to deal with it. How best can I move forward? What’s my next step? What’s the most useful and functional response to a situation? Is there a possibility to enhance the situation, to make it better? That approach has served me well in life, and it’s serving me well now. I change the things I can change, and accept the things I can’t. I like to be realistic about what’s possible. These days, I’m looking forward to what’s next. I’ve finished my treatment and I’m enjoying being retired. I love to make art – I also teach watercolour classes – and to spend time with my grandchildren. I’m looking forward to getting back to travelling, and specifically to going on a cruise. I just want to be on a ship somewhere warm. I love cruising, it’s my favourite thing. No cooking, no cleaning, just art classes, ocean air, and leisurely afternoon naps. And if I can’t be on a ship just yet, I’ll take an afternoon like the one LGFB gave me any day – one with kindness, laughter, and light.

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Help someone discover the support available through Look Good Feel Better. Visit lgfb.ca to explore workshops and resources, and share the website with a client or loved one facing cancer.

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The Support Around Us, the Strength Within By Alexandra Duz (She/Her) MA, Registered Psychotherapist duzalexandra@gmail.com

None of us got to where we are today alone. As I take stock of my life today, my accomplishments and growth, it would be easy (not to mention inflating to the old ego) to say, ‘‘Wow, I did it! I created this beautiful life for myself. The home, the family, the career. Look at me go.’’ When, in reality, there have been some key players who have contributed heavily to making my successes possible. With harvest season having just passed, we enter into the darker half of the year. I invite you to reflect on the love, support, and opportunities offered to you this year and how you have used those gifts to contribute to your personal and professional fortune.

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I also invite you to take some time to reflect on how you have shown up for yourself this year.

To get you started, reflect on the gifts you received from your loved ones. Your family’s support or encouragement. The favours or acts of service that may have gone unnoticed that offered some ease. Or the big gifts that we should celebrate and express immense gratitude for. People that have given you back your time, contributed positively to your energy, inspired you to keep going or try something new. What kept you sturdy, safe, and supported? Maybe a beloved pet or animal, a special tree, trail, or natural place. Perhaps a boss, mentor, or peer that gave you helpful (even if it was hard to hear) feedback, some suggestions, or support for growth. Perhaps you’ve needed accommodations that have helped you thrive professionally. Perhaps your employers and team have been flexible and supportive through life’s inevitable ups and downs. When I think about my life this year, I reflect on overcoming personal obstacles. My line of work encourages a great deal of introspection and self-healing, and, needless to say, motherhood was a huge adjustment! I’ve had to get to know myself in a new way, unravel new needs, and try new things. Making more space for my evolving self and parenting for the first time meant I needed a lot (and I mean a lot) of support! When I think back on this time, I think about the people who helped me celebrate the joys of motherhood and those who helped me stay tethered through the storms. The people that encouraged us to keep going and be well are the people we ought to celebrate and express gratitude for every now and again. I’m blessed to have good people in my life, and I invite you to reflect on the people in yours. People that have inspired you, given you strength, or have just shown up. Even if this person is someone you don’t personally know or who isn’t physically in your life. Sometimes what keeps us going can be found in faith, nature, community, fiction, symbolism, and culture. What keeps us going also exists deep within our being. We want to survive; we want to thrive. It is an intrinsic part of being human.

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We are born resilient. We come into this world screaming. Experts in communicating our needs (albeit not very eloquently). When we needed food, we cried; comfort, we cried; a diaper change, we cried. Not to mention the several nonverbal cues our close attachment figures likely would have noticed. We are born knowing how to get people’s attention and quickly adapt to our environments and the people in them. It is an inherent part of you to take up space and find ways to get your needs met. As you got bigger, more physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally capable, you learned how to navigate your environment, people, and self in more creative ways. Some of us were fortunate and had healthier environments than others. And, truthfully, traumatic and abusive environments can negatively impact our resiliency, self-esteem, hope, and agency. Approximately half the population has attachment trauma. Not to mention the incident and systemic trauma people face constantly. These experiences influence what we feel and believe about ourselves, how we see people and the world. And, frankly, this affects whether we feel safe enough to be fully present in our bodies and engaged in our lives. But I promise it isn’t all bleak. Trauma also breeds resiliency, transformation, and creativity. Out of trauma, we can develop survival skills and forms of self-expression that absolutely help us find safety, security, and joy. Healing these wounds can encourage us to connect with and support others through their own journeys. Moments of bravery, choosing to push through when it was uncomfortable or maybe you didn’t have the choice. Perhaps asking for help even when it was hard. Think about the strength you’ve had to show up for yourself, your family, and career, especially through the darker moments. And can you invite in some compassion for yourself for when you’ve struggled to make the best decision or made a mistake? You’re human, and you, too, deserve praise and understanding. Reflect on your strengths, your skills, your passions, and where you took chances. Reflect on the goals you accomplished, the self-awareness you developed, the grit you may have built, or the softness you may have let in. Think of the many ways you’ve created this beautiful life for yourself and let that fill you up.

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“The people that encouraged us to keep going and be well are the people we ought to celebrate and express gratitude for every now and again.”

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The Successes That Don’t Come With a Certificate By Mickey Tortorelli

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Recognizing the everyday achievements that deserve celebration. Think back to a client consultation you would have found challenging at the beginning of the year. How would you approach it today? Perhaps you would ask a better question or explain your recommendation more clearly. You might also feel more comfortable saying, ‘‘Let me find that out for you.’’ Those changes can be easy to overlook when you are busy moving from one client to the next. They are also signs of professional growth. This year, you may have become more comfortable with skin analysis. What once felt like a checklist may now feel like a conversation, with more room to listen and understand what a client needs. You may have helped a colleague learn something you once struggled with yourself. Perhaps you demonstrated a technique and stayed with them while they practiced. Or you talked through a product recommendation until they felt ready to explain it to a client. Helping someone else can reveal how much you have learned. Perhaps you handled a difficult consultation with more patience than you would have a year ago. You gave the client time to explain their frustration before deciding how to respond. You may have recognized when to ask for support. Progress can mean knowing how to move a conversation forward, even when the answer is not immediate. And perhaps a client returned and asked for you by name. The care you put into understanding their needs gave them a reason to seek your guidance again. You earned their trust. As we celebrate this year’s BeauteSchool RBCP 2.0® graduates and the people featured throughout BE Magazine, take a moment to recognize your own achievements. The progress you have made deserves to be celebrated.

Before the year ends, ask yourself: What feels more comfortable now than it did in January? When did I help a colleague become more confident? Which client interaction am I proud of, and why? What have I learned that I want to carry into 2027?

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Why the Beauty Industry Learns with BeauteSchool By Mickey Tortorelli

Growing together through education and partnerships that support beauty professionals. The Beauty of Growing Together begins with people who share what they know. A brand educator helps explain a formula. A Cosmetic Manager encourages a colleague to keep learning. A Beauty Advisor uses that knowledge to guide a client through a concern. Each contributes to a more knowledgeable beauty community. As we reflect on 2026, we celebrate the brands and learners who make this exchange possible. At BeauteSchool, our role is to connect brand expertise with education beauty professionals can access and apply in their work. Our Learning Management System (LMS) supports that connection. Shaped by decades of beauty industry experience and collaboration with brand partners, it brings training and learning resources together while helping brands understand how their education is being used.

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Education That Supports Shared Growth Beauty professionals balance ongoing learning with busy retail schedules. Flexible access helps them return to a topic when a client question arises or make time for a short lesson between other responsibilities. From micro-learning and eLearning modules to live webinars and blended programs, BeauteSchool helps brands share their expertise in practical ways. The aim is to build knowledge that learners can use in client consultations and pass along to their teams.

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Five Reasons Brands Partner with BeauteSchool

1 Beauty Industry Experience Our team brings decades of experience in retail, brand training and professional education. We work with partners to connect their product expertise to the questions Beauty Advisors encounter in their daily work.

2 Flexible Ways to Learn eLearning, live webinar sessions and resource libraries give brands several ways to support their learners. Quizzes and evaluations help reinforce learning and assess understanding.

3 Focused Micro Learning We collaborate with brands to create short lessons around clear learning goals. These modules help beauty professionals build their knowledge at a manageable pace.

4 Insights to Guide Education Reporting on participation, progress and completion helps brands understand engagement. These insights can inform follow-up support and future training plans.

5 Recognized Collaboration Our work with Shiseido Canada received a Gold Award of Excellence for blended learning. It reflects what close collaboration can achieve when education is designed around the needs of beauty professionals.

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Looking Ahead Together Thank you to the partners who trusted BeauteSchool with their education in 2026 and to every learner who made time to develop their skills. Your participation gives this work its purpose. As we welcome the possibilities of 2027, we look forward to helping more brands turn their expertise into accessible education. Together, we can support Beauty Advisors as they grow in confidence and share what they learn with others. To explore education opportunities for your brand, contact mickeytortorelli@beauteschool.com.

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What Our Partners Are Saying

‘‘BeauteSchool has been our trusted partner for online training at a time when virtual learning became essential rather than optional. Their deep expertise in the beauty industry, combined with an intuitive and innovative LMS platform, has significantly enhanced both the learner experience and confidence. The engaging, vibrant learning environment they consistently deliver makes education not only accessible, but truly enjoyable. Thank you, BeauteSchool, for transforming learning into a creative, measurable, and impactful journey.’’ Patricia Clare, National Training Manager Canada, NEOSTRATA®

‘‘Our partnership with BeauteSchool enabled us to achieve our training goals through an interactive, engaging online learning platform. The team is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and available throughout the entire process. The platform is easy to navigate and the reporting tools allow learners to track their progress seamlessly.’’ Ash Kumar, Vice President, Marketing & Brand Management, ACI Brands

‘‘We worked with BeauteSchool to ensure our Beauty Consultants receive product knowledge and service techniques when and how they want to learn. We have reached thousands of Beauty Consultants and are very pleased with the engagement and results. Our collaboration with BeauteSchool was recognized with a Gold Award of Excellence for blended learning.’’ Elaine Shigeishi, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Shiseido Canada

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BE Magazine Beauty Brand Training & Education Directory Connecting our beauty community with opportunities to keep learning together. Behind a confident client consultation is knowledge someone took the time to share. As we celebrate The Beauty of Growing Together, we recognize the brand educators and training partners who help Beauty Advisors and Cosmetic Managers develop their expertise. The BE Magazine Beauty Brand Training & Education Directory brings education links together in one place. Use it to explore a brand’s training, revisit a topic or help a colleague find a learning opportunity that supports their goals.

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The Beauty Brand Training & Education Directory is now a regular feature in BE Magazine. With each issue, we will continue to expand it by adding more brand training portals and education partners, helping Beauty Advisors and Cosmetic Managers know where to grow their knowledge.

BRAND

TRAINING/EDUCATION PORTAL

Jouviance

Jouviance Connect

La Roche-Posay

My L’Oreal Academy

Marcelle

Groupe Marcelle Education

NEOSTRATA®

NEOSTRATA Training Hub

Oncology Commitment with La Roche Posay

My L’Oreal Academy

RBCP 2.0

BeauteSchool Education

Shiseido Cosmetics

Stila Cosmetics

ACI Brands Learning

Watier

Groupe Marcelle Education

Vendor brands who would like to be included in this directory are invited to connect with us. We would be happy to share participation details and feature your education offerings in an easy-tofind format for the beauty community. 139

Your Next Chapter in Beauty By Mickey Tortorelli

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One meaningful learning goal. A place to begin. Think about a recent client consultation that left you wanting to know more. Perhaps someone asked how an ingredient works, and you wished you could explain it more clearly. Or you helped a client choose a fragrance and wanted to ask better questions about their preferences. Those moments can help you decide what to learn next. As you look ahead to 2027, give yourself time to choose one learning goal that matters to you. It could be completing the Retail Beauty Advisor Certification Program, or becoming more confident in an area you tend to avoid or need more confidence in. You may be thinking about leadership and wondering how to prepare for the responsibility of supporting a team.

Start with these three questions. What would I like to understand better? Be specific enough to give yourself direction. ‘‘Learn more about skincare’’ is a starting point. ‘‘Understand the skin barrier so I can explain how daily care supports it’’ gives you something clearer to work towards. Your curiosity is a useful guide here. Pay attention to the questions you keep returning to and the parts of your work you would like to explore further. How would it help my clients or team? Connecting your goal to everyday work gives it purpose. Stronger fragrance knowledge could help you guide a client who struggles to describe what they like. Learning how to give constructive feedback could help you support a colleague as they develop a new skill. Think about what you would like to be able to do with what you learn. What is my first step? Choose an action you can put on your calendar. Set aside time for the first lesson of a course. Ask your manager about an opportunity to take on more responsibility. Revisit a training resource and write down the questions you still have. Make that first step small enough to fit into your week, then choose a date to check in with yourself. What have you learned? Where could you use it? What would help you keep going? 141

Your next chapter in beauty can begin with a question you want to answer. Give yourself the time and opportunity to follow it.

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Key Takeaways

Choose one meaningful learning goal for 2027 Focus on something you want to understand better or feel more confident doing.

Connect your goal to your daily work Consider how that knowledge could help your clients or support your team.

Put your first step on the calendar Choose a manageable action and set aside time to follow through.

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With Love November 2026 Issue

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November 2026 Issue of BE Magazine