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Having worked in the cosmetics industry as a makeup artist for 11 years, Amelia wanted to take her career a step further, she decided to study MSc Cosmetic Science at London College of Fashion as a mature student. Amelia juggled family life with her studies leading to her developing her own brand and gaining a job in the industry before graduating. She tells us more about her time at LCF and her journey since.
Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in cosmetics?
I started my career as a makeup artist, after 11 years, the industry became very saturated and I wanted a change.
I wanted to take my career on step further and that's when I came across this course that interested me and could also give me the in-depth knowledge into the making of makeup and skincare products.
Why did you choose to study at LCF?
It was an easy choice for me, as there weren't many colleges that offered this course when I started. Also being in the heart of Oxford Street helped make the decision easier.
Why did you decide to study MSc Cosmetic Science?
The course covered many aspects of the cosmetics industry, which opened up many career opportunities. Not only did the course give an insight into creating your own brand by taking a product from ideation to launch, but also allowed you to specialise in many areas of the industry e.g. Formulation Chemist, Marketing, New Product Development, Regulations and more.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
I really enjoyed the practical lab sessions. Creating a product from scratch was exciting and gave me an insight to where I wanted to be.
I also enjoyed meeting so many like minded scientists, many of whom I still have contact with.
What topic did you explore for your final project?
For my final project, I chose to develop a cosmetic product and evaluate the results. The reason behind choosing to formulate a product was because by this stage in my course I had already begun thinking about starting my own brand and thought this would help me make the final decision.
Having a family to look after whilst managing self-directed research was difficult, but thankfully all the lecturers and tutors were on hand to help me.
What was the best piece of advice you received from a lecturer during your time at LCF?
I was unsure if I wanted to continue onto my masters and was ready to exit at BSc level, but one tutor in particular took me aside and told me, that if I managed to come this far with all the obstacles I had in my way, I could go further and do the final year (thank you Mustafa Varcin!) I can't thank all the lecturers and tutors enough for all their support and encouragement. When things got tough they didn't let me give up, and I hope I will continue doing them proud.
What have you been working on since finishing your course?
I was fortunate to start employment in the cosmetics industry prior to graduating. I started as a Marketing Executive and quickly progressed to NPD Manager.
I have gained invaluable knowledge and experience from the beauty industry, and have launched my own brand of skin care products, which I formulate myself.
For you, what's the best thing about your job?
I really enjoy the creative side of my profession. I can decide what to put out on the market. I also love formulating new and exciting products through R&D and trend analysis.
Any exciting upcoming projects you can tell us about?
I can't say much, but I have some very exciting collaborations coming up as well as new product launches...so watch this space!
What are your plans for the next few years? Where would you like to see yourself professionally?
I would really like to continue building and expanding my brand and spread the awareness of well formulated skincare, as well as stay in the industry to continue learning and stay up to date with the ever-changing rules and regulations. I would also like to offer help and advice to those that have chosen this career path, as smooth as this process sounds, it hasn't been the easiest start for me personally on my journey.
What advice would you give to potential students who would like to enrol on MSc Cosmetic Science?
If you are passionate about all things beauty related and would like a career in this industry, then this is the course for you. Having completed this course as a mature student, if I can do it...so can you!
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