Recent events 

MANAGING A WORK - LIFE BALANCE

On February 2nd CEW(UK) welcomed Helena Sampson, European Managing Director for NARS Cosmetics as their guest mentor. Helena spoke about her experiences over the past two decades, the high and low points of her career, and her personal tips for trying to balance the pressures of work, the demands of home (with 2 small children), pursuing external interests and trying to find some equilibrium in a life that just doesn’t have enough hours in the day!

A renowned expert on the luxury beauty market, with extensive experience as an independent strategic consultant for luxury goods and services, Helena has an acclaimed 20-year career developing a selection of hugely successful, internationally famous, high-end beauty brands and products, latterly specialising in professional skincare and spas.

Formerly Global Managing Director of The Sanctuary Spa Group, following 18 years heading up and working with market-leading brands at L'Oreal and Unilever - including Kérastase, Shu Uemura, KéraSkin, Helena Rubinstein, Lancome, Ponds, Pears and Vaseline - she is internationally recognised as an expert on beauty and grooming trends, brands and products, as well as the plethora of often-confusing choices facing women (and men) today. Having worked in both larger corporations and smaller niche businesses, as a consultant, and with her own company, Hennabecca - a luxury baby bag brand which she set up with her sister, Rebecca - she now heads up the European division of NARS Cosmetics. Founded in New York in 2004 by Francois Nars, NARS is a modern cult classic make-up artistry brand - a fusion of French chic, New York attitude and Japanese design with a modern, audacious twist. Currently the fastest growing make-up brand in its arena, it is the insider choice of opinions formers, A list stars and world-renowned make-up artists.

Educated at Oxford University, with an MBA from Henley, Helena is passionate about de-mystifying the offer and exploring what really works best, as well as predicting what will come next. Her great loves are her children, the beauty industry and being inspired while travelling to far-flung places!

CEW (UK) would like to thank their hosts for this event: