Hey BeautySweetSpot readers! Allow me to introduce you to Krista Bennett DeMaio. She went to Fordham University and majored in Communications and Media and has been at Redbook magazine for the past seven years. A true insider into the world of beauty editorial. I love her advice on how to get into the industry. Check it out...
How did you land your first job edit?
During my last semester of school, I was interning in the beauty department at the now defunct YM magazine. The beauty director had just come back from an event where she ran into a colleague working at at start-up magazine, Grace Woman. This woman mentioned that she was hiring a beauty and fashion assistant. She suggested I send my resume immediately and shortly after, I was employed.
What's a typical day like for you?
On any given day, I'm attending several events, holding deskside meetings, and writing, editing, or revising multiple stories. Often times, I'm also attending brainstorming and/or visual meetings or on-set for a photo shoot. My days can get crazy, but I love that I'm not tied to my desk for eight hours straight.
What's your favorite part of your job?
I'd be remiss if I didn't say that I love playing with new beauty products. There's nothing more exciting than opening one of the many bags delivered every day and squealing with delight when I come across something truly special. But I also love that my day is hardly ever the same. Yes, there's always writing to be done and meetings to attend, but because the content of the magazine changes monthly, it's always a different topic or a new conversation. I also love learning new things. I get giddy when an expert gives me a tip I actually haven't heard in my nine years of beauty editing.
What's your least favorite?
I'd have to say my commute. I choose to live outside of NYC, so I commute close to three hours a day. It's a huge time suck, but at least I can get work done on the train.
What's the best advice you would give someone trying to get into the industry today?
Don't be afraid to start small. When the job offer came for a start-up magazine within a start-up media company, I was hesitant at first. Didn't I want to hold out for one of the big publications? I am so glad I took that job. I often refer to it as editorial boot camp. It was hard work--a small staff on a shoe-string budget--but I got to do so much more than I would have ever done as an editorial assistant at a larger, more established magazine. I was also promoted twice within a two year period and left as an associate editor, which helped me land the job at Redbook.
Confess! What's your biggest beauty sin?
My all time sin would have to be the mullet I sported in the 2nd grade, but then again, I am a product of the 80s. My biggest sin these days is that I'm sometimes too lazy to take off my makeup at night. Ick! I try to keep towelettes handy so I have no excuses, but even my contingency plan sometimes fails.
What's your guiltiest pleasure?
Anything Jo Malone. I'm a sucker for almost all their sophisticated scents. I have a few different colognes on my dresser (my favorite is Orange Blossom), several candles scattered around my home, and I'm addicted to their Vitamin E Body Balm (it smells like almonds). I'll literally scrape the bottom of the tub to get out every last bit.
