How Can Beauty Professionals Thrive in a Fast-Paced Environment?
In the high-stakes world of beauty events and fashion shows, the pressure to perform flawlessly can be overwhelming. Insights from a CEO and a Makeup and Eyelash Specialist reveal strategies to thrive under pressure. Discover how a quick team huddle can reduce stress and why knowing your face type and skin is crucial. With a total of eight insights, this article offers invaluable advice from top industry experts.
- Quick Team Huddle Reduces Stress
- Stay Calm and Organized
- Break Down Event Timeline
- Designate an Emergency Response Team
- Keep Your Kit Streamlined
- Create a Checklist and Stick to It
- Prepare, Rest, and Communicate
- Know Your Face Type and Skin
Quick Team Huddle Reduces Stress
As a consultant who's worked with many high-pressure events, I've learned that taking 5 minutes before the chaos begins to do a quick team huddle makes all the difference. During these moments, I make sure everyone knows their role and has a backup person to rely on if they get overwhelmed. Recently, I started implementing a simple hand signal system with my teams for common needs like 'need assistance' or 'running behind,' which has dramatically reduced stress levels during fashion shows.
Stay Calm and Organized
Stay calm and organized-no matter how chaotic it gets. I once worked backstage at a fashion show where models were rushing in and out for quick outfit changes. Before it started, I set up a clean, organized station with tools and products laid out in the exact order I'd need them. That preparation saved me when time was tight. Also, communicate clearly with the team. If someone needed a touch-up, I'd ask exactly what they wanted before starting. Fast-paced environments run smoother when you're prepared and focused.
Break Down Event Timeline
From managing multiple marketing campaigns simultaneously, I've found that breaking down the event timeline into 15-minute blocks helps keep everyone focused and on track. During a recent beauty product launch, we used a shared digital checklist that team members could update in real-time, which prevented duplicate work and confusion. I always recommend having a designated 'problem solver' who isn't tied to specific tasks but can jump in wherever needed - this has saved us countless times when unexpected challenges pop up.
Designate an Emergency Response Team
From running countless trade show events, I've learned that having a designated 'emergency response' team member who handles unexpected issues is crucial - they're like your beauty event firefighter. Just last week at a major show, our quick-response person swooped in when a stylist called in sick, quickly recruiting a backup while the rest of us stayed focused on our assigned tasks.
Keep Your Kit Streamlined
Stay organized and keep your kit streamlined. In a fast-paced environment like a beauty event or fashion show, there's no time to dig through a cluttered bag or second-guess what you need. Keep your essentials-foundation shades, brushes, tools, and key palettes-easily accessible and prepped in advance.
Also, learn to prioritize. Focus on what's most visible under the lights or on camera. Sometimes it's about making quick decisions and knowing when "good" is good enough to keep things moving. And above all, stay calm. Your energy sets the tone, and a cool, collected attitude will help you handle the chaos like a pro.
Create a Checklist and Stick to It
Stay organized and keep a calm mindset! A fast-paced environment can be overwhelming, so create a checklist of essentials and stick to a timeline. Visualize your steps before the event to keep things running smoothly. Remember to take small breaks to recharge and maintain your energy-your creativity shines when you're relaxed and focused!
Prepare, Rest, and Communicate
My 4 x top tips for a fast-paced Beauty Event or Fashion Show are:
1. Prepare & Organise: These events are so busy and hectic, that there is little time to think or discuss. Everybody in the team needs to be clear about their role and responsibility.
2. Day of Rest: Ideally, there is a rest day between the setup for the event and the event start date. It ensures your team is relaxed and refreshed when the event starts. This is especially true where the event or show runs over several days.
3. Ensure you speak to everybody: It is too easy to fall into the trap of paying extended attention to those visitors that demand it, instead of ensuring to spend time with those visitors that align with your business interest the most.
4. Don't underestimate anybody: We have frequently found that those visitors that are the most valuable for our business during this type of event, 'under-dress' for the occasion to divert & discourage attention to themselves. Essentially, they try to hide in plain sight. You ignore these visitors at your peril.
These recommendations apply to both Direct-2-Consumer and Business-2-Business events.
Know Your Face Type and Skin
One piece of advice I always give is to focus on knowing your face type and skin, rather than chasing every new trend. Trends can be fun, but they're not a one-size-fits-all solution. By tailoring makeup to suit each individual's unique features, you create looks that truly enhance their beauty and stand the test of time.
