When I first joined Twitter and started appearing regularly on Citytv’s Cityline program, my goal was to offer beauty enthusiasts the true beauty editor experience whenever possible. I wanted to give insider access that only a handful of editors have access to. Having edited Cosmetics magazine for seven years, writing style stories for the National Post newspaper and creating BEAUTY the guide magazine, I’ve attended beauty editor dinners in New York, Paris, Berlin and Los Angeles. I’ve been fortunate to get to know the beauty directors of Vanity Fair, Glamour, Lucky and US Weekly. And I’ve interviewed everyone from Gwen Stefani to Halle Berry to Justin Timberlake.
As amazing as these events are, I always wish that more people could share in the experience. I wanted to find a way to bring along the beauty fan at home whom cherishes that new Dior lipstick or saves up to purchase a new Calvin Klein fragrance. These are the people who truly appreciate the experience.
This past year, I brought this dream to life by partnering with some of my favourite beauty and fragrance brands. I teamed up to replicate the same experience that the beauty directors for major fashion magazines experience when working in New York, London or Paris. I hosted a series of twitter contests calling on followers in the Toronto area to enter for a chance to win an invite to a special dinner. I then drew 20 names and sent them an exclusive invitation. Most recently, this was in downtown Toronto to kick off the holiday season with skincare brand philosophy.
Guests arrived at a chic restaurant to find a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, trimmed trees and faux snow. They were treated to champagne cocktails and introduced to the philosophy skincare range while nibbling on gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Thirty minutes later, everyone sat along the most spectacular dining table and was treated to roast pepper and tomato soup, grilled salmon and candy cane cream pie. After an evening of laughter and fun, each guest left with a gift bag filled with philosophy favourites and a press kit.
Watch for more Twitter follower events coming in 2015. Follow me at @davelackie and you could be attending one of these special events.
Photography by Jeffery Smith
View Liz Chow’s video coverage of the event.
2 Comments
Cindy Estay
December 5, 2014 at 5:37 pmI was so lucky to be part of this event. The philosophy brand is so fantastic, and has so many great must haves for any beauty product enthusiast. So great to meet and make some new friends. Thanks again Dave!!
Angie Rehal
December 5, 2014 at 4:47 pmIt was a beautiful evening of meeting new friends and discovering the Philosophy brand. I’m off to NYC next week and will be looking for the goods! Thanks DAVE, for bringing together a room full of women to share laughter and stories. Hope to see you again very soon! Until then, happy holidays to you and yours.