What was once a tiny and mighty beauty blog called Into The Gloss has become a bona fide NYC startup: Glossier, with a ragtag team of 35+ jogging up and down the stairwell of our Soho office building, spread out across three floors. Why are we here? We're creating a new kind of beauty company from the ground up—one that acknowledges the hopes, dreams, and desires of women today, and gives them the tools (both digitally and physically) to take ownership over their beauty routines. Who are we? Well, a lot of us began like you: as readers. And we'd like for you to get to know us a little better—what we each do, where we come from, and what we're excited about. Meet Lindsey Manas:
'In 2014 I made myself a promise that it would be my year to make shit happen...so when I spotted Emily Weiss early last summer on the 4 train, I was like, I have to say something. I went up to her and said, ‘Hey, I just want to tell you I appreciate everything you do, and I think you’re so amazing.’ I told her I had just graduated college the week before, and she was like, ‘Great. Email me.’ Um, OK! And a week later I was being interviewed.
I was hired to assist Emily and Henry and support the office day-to-day. After a year doing that I got into Physical Product. Every product has a million tiny little details that we can customize to make our formula so cool...that’s what I've always wanted to do. I’m obsessed with the fact that every ingredient in our products has a purpose. Everything is thoughtful. And honest. There’s no hiding stuff. I feel like even big brands can be evasive. But that's not us—we’ll explain it to you and be real with our customer. That’s what I love most about it.”
Where are you from?
Edgemont, NY
What do you do at Glossier?
I'm on the Physical Product team—so I help develop new Glossier! I’m always running around testing formulas on everyone in the office and getting feedback. I also go to the labs, which I love.
What could you eat every day and not get tired of?
Almost every morning I eat herring (kind of weird—I know) and almost every night on my way home from work, I stop at Sunrise Mart, which is a Japanese bodega in Soho, and eat an ume rice ball. And every Saturday I have a michelada from Dimes. I like routine.
What are you currently inspired by?
Aerogel. Google it. And cool females, like Carmela Soprano, Sanam (from Rihanna's BBHMM video), Lake Bell and Debi Mazar. Lake and Debi are my idols.
Best piece of professional advice:
From Umaimah, “Don't ever say sorry, unless you really mean it.” I never want to be the Amy Schumer 'I'm Sorry' girl.
What five products can you not live without?
Barnängen Salva, which is an all-purpose baby lotion from Sweden, Zelens Youth Glow Foundation, Glossier Balm Dotcom, Kerastase Crème de la Crème Cream (looks way better than hair gel), and Byredo Rose of No Man's Land. I put this on every night before I sleep. I didn't think aromatherapy was real until I started doing this, but I think it leads me to have better dreams :)
Last purchase?
A book about one of my favorite product designers, Dieter Rams. He was the head of Braun. I really like clean looking, simple design for products.
What's your favorite place that you've traveled?
Itsukushima—it's an extremely rural place in Japan where deer roam freely.
First thing you do in the morning?
Put on music—lately it's a lot of Deer Tick sprinkled with hints of Fetty Wap.
If you didn’t work at Glossier, what would you be doing?
Unclear. Stay in the present!
—as told to ITG
Lindsey Manas photographed by Tom Newton.
Say hello to marketing and PR experts Minsuk Kim and Sarah Hudson—and get acquainted with the rest of the Glossier team over here.
