Cosmetic Management Graduates Share Their Success Stories
No one can speak to the Cosmetic Management diploma program experience better than our graduates. Learn how the program has shaped their lives in establishing successful careers as entrepreneurs, product development managers, professional estheticians and makeup artists.
Read the stories below provided by our alumnae:
Monica Romani
After completing the Cosmetic Management program, I decided to enroll in the Esthetician/Spa Management program. My time at Humber was amazing! I learned the most current and innovative techniques and services with the most wonderful and intelligent professors - they truly wanted nothing but their students to succeed and strive to not only help them become the best aestheticians but best their best selves. As time went on, I incorporated the services I was tested on in school into my service menu and continued to expand Monica’s Beauty Bar. Monica’s Beauty Bar started during my first years at Humber where I decided to offer mobile makeup services.
After graduation and four years of being self-employed, I decided it was time to expand Monica’s Beauty Bar and opened a storefront located in Vaughan, Ontario. Our employees and renters specialize in cosmetic, aesthetic and medical aesthetic services such as eyelash extensions, lash lifts, teeth whitening, standard and medical-grade facials (i.e. dermaplaning, micro-needling, chemical peels, oxygeneo treatments etc.) waxing, laser hair removal and much more. I wanted to create a business where men and women in the beauty industry had the opportunity to rent a space within our studio to expand their own business - creating a location that offers our clients a large array of services in one place. Our goal is to continue to bring clients the latest, most advanced and innovative services in the beauty industry by continuously expanding our education.
What began as a dream, and a true passion for this industry is now the best career I could ask for. I am excited every day to go to work, connect with clients and help them feel beautiful in their own skin. I am grateful for the experience and education I received at Humber and want to truly thank all the amazing professors who not only helped me, but believed in me, and helped make this dream possible.
Nicole Seow
I enrolled in the Cosmetic Management program looking for a change in my career path. Originally having gone to school to work in health care, I knew it just wasn't my passion. From the very beginning, the faculty at Humber was so supportive in helping me decide on a career in cosmetics and finding my niche within the industry. After several discussions with instructors about my interests, I knew that product development was the best choice for me.
Humber is a great institution for helping students network by connecting them with professionals in their industry. Cosmetic Management Program Coordinator Antonietta Perretta played an integral part in securing my role as a Product Development Intern at Orchard Custom Beauty. That summer internship became a permanent part-time position as a Cosmetic Product Developer. I learned so much in my role about cost analysis, following timelines, servicing clients, and developing beauty products.
This then led me to my current position as Product Development Manager at Velour Beauty. Velour is an eye-centric beauty brand based out of Toronto. I love my job and help our CEO, Mabel, execute her vision for our product line by tracking trend forecasts, creating product concepts, and seeing those concepts come to fruition. I also work directly with third-party suppliers to sample and quote our ideas and help the operations team oversee production and quality assurance. In addition to this, I work with the Marketing team to create a product story based on key our products' benefits and points of difference. When working for a smaller company, you have the opportunity to "wear many hats" and become involved in multiple aspects of the business. I've learned so much in my time at Velour and can't wait for what the future has in store!
Victoria Long
Throughout my life, I have always loved all aspects of the beauty industry, especially being able to inspire, create and celebrate individuality. I graduated from the acclaimed Humber College Longo Faculty of Business as an Esthetician, Makeup Artist, and Business major. After twelve years of navigating and growing within the esthetic and cosmetic industry, I launched my business, Luxe Derma Partners Inc.
During my experience at Humber, it was evident that the supportive faculty and guidance of the professors would set me up for success. They have provided me with the invaluable tools needed to become an entrepreneur. I have established a lucrative, creative, and enjoyable career in a position where I also have the privilege of working with female entrepreneurs and influencers globally, every day.
Through this dynamic program, I was able to establish impactful and long-lasting relationships, all while demonstrating expertise and professionalism which were a large part of my education at Humber. I credit the personal and professional development learned through this program for creating a succession plan that prepared me for my role in the multi-billion dollar industry of beauty and esthetics.
About Victoria
Esthetician and Makeup Artist Victoria Long is the owner of Luxe Derma Partners Inc., a distribution company, educator for industry-leading products and continuing education courses for the beauty and skin health industry.
Upon graduating from Humber, Victoria has had the opportunity to go behind the scenes on runways with brands such as Burberry as well as the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) working with various celebrities in the process. Representing several prestigious professional skincare and cosmetic brands, she has also been invited as a guest lecturer at many esthetic and beauty institutes across Canada. Victoria credits Humber for providing her with the tools to contribute to the esthetics industry. Her various roles have included distribution, operations, education, and corporate business development. In addition to these opportunities, Victoria has also enjoyed working as a freelance artist specializing in weddings, editorials, photography for print, theatre, video, and many other special occasions.
Jennifer Ibana
I walked through the doors of the Cosmetic Management program wanting to fuel the sparks of my passion for makeup artistry. The cosmetic industry was blowing up before my eyes, and the program allowed me to explore different areas of the industry from the analytics of sales to the ability to find a creative flow.
I was able to learn from master makeup artists who inspired me to be the best professional artist I could be. They also taught me that confidence in your hard work will prevail in the industry. Not to mention, I’ve met some of my best friends who were also so incredibly talented from this program, all from different walks of life, from whom I was fortunate to learn different styles and techniques from. I found so much inspiration from different parts of what was offered in the program. Being so inspired by my peers and my instructors, I was able to push myself to go out and look for makeup artist opportunities, which in turn, introduced me to a wonderful community of artists who work in fashion, pageants, weddings and special events together. Putting myself out there while I was in the Cosmetic Management program led me to positions in which I was the Key Artist at notable pageants such as Miss Universe Canada, Miss Galaxy Canada and Assistant Manager at Miss World Canada, Miss Teenage Canada and Top Model Search Canada. I continue to take what I’ve learned from the Cosmetic Management program and apply it to my work as a freelance makeup artist to this day.
Hannah Scharlach
After graduating from the Cosmetic Management program in 2018, I continued my education and enrolled in hair school, where I have now successfully obtained my license in hairstyling. My career goal was always to open my own salon and teach cosmetology within a high school.
With the knowledge I obtained in the Cosmetic Management program, I successfully and independently opened an aesthetics studio in uptown Waterloo in September 2020. This was a lifelong goal of mine, and achieving this at the age of twenty-two was a huge accomplishment for me. This program at Humber taught me the ins and outs of the industry and allowed me to feel confident in opening a storefront studio. Recently, I applied to teacher's college and will continue to work at the studio alongside two independent contractors I hired to rent my studio space. I cannot recommend Humber's Cosmetic Management program enough. The knowledge I gained in the program has set me up for eternal success within the cosmetic industry.
Gia Guido
I graduated from the Cosmetic Management diploma program at Humber in the spring of 2019. It was a great experience for me as it truly taught many valuable principles and concepts that I implement daily.
As a grade twelve student, I wasn't sure what pathway I was going to take in regards to my career and postsecondary education. All I knew was that I had a passion for makeup. After much research, I came across the Cosmetic Management program at Humber and it offered exactly what I was looking for. Not only was I able to pursue and study my passion for makeup, but it also gave me the opportunity to study business and marketing.
After successfully obtaining my Cosmetic Management diploma, I began developing a freelance makeup artistry career. Having the diploma under my belt opened doors for many opportunities in the Toronto photography and makeup industry where I was fortunate to work alongside photographers and develop my skill. It also allowed me to expand my beauty account on social media posting photos of clients, makeup tutorials, and inspirational quotes. Completing the program gave me the confidence to enrol in the Business Administration program at the University of Guelph-Humber to learn more on how to successfully pursue entrepreneurship. The Cosmetic Management program helped me achieve my goals by laying a solid foundation in order to get into the industry and heightened my passion for skin and cosmetics.