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 Digital Designer Nadine and Copywriter Sandra:
Working amongst friends—good or bad?
Nadine: “I actually think it makes it much easier! Everyone wants to be there, everyone is listening to each other, and it's much more collaborative. I can shoot Sandra suggested copy for an email even though I'm a designer, and we'll workshop it together. She never says 'Whoa, stay in your lane,' or anything like that. And vice versa.”
Sandra: “When I interviewed, one of the questions I asked was, 'What character traits [will] help you succeed here?' I think it was Jessica [Sheft-Ason] who said, 'You can't be mean here—it won't work out if you're mean to people.' And I thought that was really interesting for a fashion or beauty company. And I think the reason we're like that is that none of us were that cool all our lives. [Laughs]'
Nadine Head-Gordon
Where are you from?
Orinda, CA. No one has heard of it, so I tell everyone I'm from Berkeley.
What do you do at Glossier?
I am a Digital Designer—so my job is to work directly with our Digital Art Director to make all things digital look good. This is not just a two-person effort. We work with the rest of the creative and tech team to make sure all of our channels are not just beautiful, but have a voice and are user-friendly. I have a technical brain and a creative soul, so I love being able to play-up both strengths at my job.
What's your sign?
Double Aquarius, Virgo rising. Sandra won't mention this in hers, but she is a Leo rising.
$20 + a night out in New York—go!
I started partying too young, so I'm a grandma when it comes to going out. I would put $15 of it towards a movie (AMC Loews at 84th St. has great reclining seats) and the rest towards candy to sneak in from Duane Reade.
Five products you can't live without:
Red lipstick (my favorite is Essence in Dare To Wear), Coconut Balm Dotcom, Bumble and bumble Dryspun Finish, coconut oil, and Boy Brow in Brown.
Any recent beauty mishaps?
I used to get eyelash extensions, when you essentially get synthetic eyelashes semi-permanently glued onto your real eyelashes. I wanted to look like Bambi. I was on a date with a guy and one of them fell onto my cheek, and he told me make a wish. So I made a wish on a fake eyelash. That was when I decided to get them removed.
First thing you do in the morning?
Check my horoscope. It can either excite me or stress me out, but both manage to get me out of bed.
Any dealbreakers?
When it comes to dating, Scorpios. As sexy as they are, we aren't compatible. When it comes to friends, anyone who “can't' finish a Chipotle burrito.
Sandra Sou
Where are you from?
Split semi-equally into three parts: Pueblo West, CO --> Rochester, NY --> Atlanta, GA
What do you do at Glossier?
Ironically, I've always had a hard time articulating to people what I do without asking if they know who Peggy Olson is. I work closely with Annie, our Executive Editor, to come up with all of the messaging for our physical and digital products (Glossier.com)...basically, I try to write things that won't bore people or confuse people. My favorite part is working with design and marketing on the emails we send out each week. The best part about those brainstorms is hearing all of the bad puns we can come up with. Like most writers, I'm a sucker for puns.
What's your sign?
Aquarius...Nadine will say more about that probably.
$20 + a night out in New York—go!
I'd pull out all the stops and have a three-course meal at that taqueria/bodega next to Happyfun Hideaway. Then, I'd probably go to Happyfun Hideaway for a frito pie. Is this sounding as chic as I think it is?
Five products you can't live without:
Boy Brow in Brown, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, my mom's homemade toner, Verso Super Facial Serum, and Kikkoman soy sauce (regular sodium...for flavoring foods, not for my face).
Any recent beauty mishaps?
I used a questionably cheap (99 cent) golden snail sheet mask on my face that caused my eyes to swell shut...apparently I'm allergic to that.
First thing you do in the morning?
Burrito myself in my comforter, see what's up on Instagram for 20 minutes, then get mad at myself for seeing what's up on Instagram for 20 minutes.
Any dealbreakers?
If you high-five me during our date...that bums me out. But in general, people who lack empathy turn me off.
—as told to ITG
Nadine Head-Gordon and Sandra Sou photographed by Tom Newton.
Say hello to Creative Director Helen Steed—and get acquainted with the rest of the Glossier team over here.
