The Business of Beauty: Cosmetic Management Students Deliver an Unforgettable Industry Event

HLOs:

Fourth-semester Cosmetic Management students brought innovation, professionalism, and energy to the spotlight with the successful execution of the second The Business of Beauty Conference: New Beginnings. This vibrant event connected students with industry professionals and celebrated the future of beauty.

As the culminating experience of their program, this capstone course (COSM 255: Experiential Learning) truly showcased learning in action. From concept to execution, students applied their knowledge, creativity, and professional skills to create a conference celebrating industry insight and student innovation.

The conference was planned and delivered by a dedicated student team under the leadership of their professor, Francine Phillips and fourth-semester student Dr. Muath Almahmood, who played a key role in keeping the project organized and on track. His mentorship and support helped guide the team through months of planning and preparation. Christen Pedro, the marketing team lead, developed a beautifully branded presentation deck aligned with Humber Polytechnic’s identity. She also worked closely with all guest speakers to include their professional bios and details in the day’s program. Jissel Sanchez designed the event invitations, name tags, and posters, etc., setting the tone visually, while Gurmeet Kaur and the social media team created buzz through engaging content leading up to and following the event.

The day featured inspiring talks from industry leaders, including Jenna Rody, Director of Marketing and Innovation at Innovative Beauty Group, Michelle Haurilak, Marketing Director at Mary Kay, and Boris (Bo) Vander Seypen, Field Sales and Education Manager at Makeup by Mario. These guests offered invaluable insights into the business of beauty and the many career pathways available to graduates.

Adding to the excitement, attendees experienced a brand experience with participation from ILIA, Living Proof, MOB Beauty, Makeup by Mario, and NARS Cosmetics, giving students direct exposure to cutting-edge products and brand storytelling.

A major highlight of the event was a makeup competition, where five students competed in a series of high-speed makeup drills. The competition was hosted by none other than Frank Turco, Cosmetics Magazine Editor/Publisher/Writer and Host of Beauty's Best Awards & Beauty Summit, who brought his signature enthusiasm and industry insight. In a generous surprise, Program Advisory Committee member Yasir Akhtar, National Sales and Education Manager at Nars Cosmetics, offered a $2,000 prize to the winner, raising the stakes and adding even more excitement to the competition.

This event also reflected the many talents within our student community. Special recognition goes to Dulce Terres, a Cosmetic Management student and professional photographer, who volunteered to beautifully capture moments from the day. We also extend our thanks to Mark Harris from the Photography program for his contribution in documenting the event.

A heartfelt thanks to alumni panellists—Charlene Dibayula, Ivy Liao, Marilen Charmene Jemenez, and Rosario Angulo—who returned to share their post-graduation journeys, offering insight and inspiration to current students preparing to take their own next steps. A special thanks to the Longo Faculty of Business for their continued support, particularly Senior Dean Alvina Cassiani and Associate Dean Bruce Sinclair, whose encouragement makes events like this possible, and to faculty members Kimberly Rich, David Carroll, and Helen Todd for their mentorship and support throughout the planning process. Finally, we thank our Program Advisory Committee members, Joanne Plut, Wanda Longo, Sandy Kim, Frank Turco, Yasir Akhtar, and Michelle Broda, for attending the event and continuously supporting our students as they prepare to launch their careers in the cosmetic industry.

The Business of Beauty Conference: New Beginnings was more than just a day-long event—it was a platform for student achievement, a bridge to industry connection, and a celebration of what happens when passion meets purpose.

Share this article: