Sephora CEO Artemis Patrick on the Product That Changed Her Life
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In ELLE.com’s series Office Hours, we ask people in powerful positions to take us through their first jobs, worst jobs, and everything in between. This month, we spoke with Artemis Patrick, the president and CEO of Sephora. Born in Iran, Patrick grew up in foster care after immigrating to America during the Iranian Revolution in the late 1970s. After working on e-commerce and merchandising for different retailers, Patrick eventually found herself at Sephora, her home for the last 19 years. “Beauty lends itself to that community feeling,” Patrick says. “Our stores are one big, giant community.” Below, she talks about her first beauty disaster, her secret to being an effective leader, and the three products she can’t live without.
My first job
My first official job was at the local dry cleaners in our small town. My foster mom knew the owner, so I got a gig running the entire dry cleaning store. I just wanted my own money.
My worst job
The summer after my sophomore year in college, I moved back home to the Bay Area, and I thought I could keep in shape by being a pedicab driver. That’s literally biking around Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and peddling people around. I was pretty fit, but I don’t think I realized how much work it actually required. After my first week, I turned the corner too close and wrecked the wheel of the pedicab. Then I had to pay for it, which was more than I made that week. That was my last day.
My first beauty memory
I discovered Sun-In at the local drug store. I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup until I was in high school, but I could experiment with my hair. I put in Sun-In, and I do not recommend that for anyone with dark hair. It promptly turned bright orange, which then I dyed purple. I’m not sure what I was thinking.
How I got into the beauty industry
In the ’90s, I was working at a small catalog company while I was at San Francisco State University. I met a woman who was working at DFS at the time, the duty-free shops owned by LVMH. I loved retail, but the company I was working for was quite small, and she said, “I can get you an interview at DFS.” I went in as a merchandising planning assistant for wine and tobacco. But I was definitely hooked on retail at that point. Then I worked my way through different retailers and ended up at Sephora in 2006.
What beauty means to me
It’s self-love. People often ask me why I’ve been in the industry as long as I have, and I really do find it to be a confidence boost to work in beauty. I actually love the act of putting on makeup. It’s so transformative to me, even if it’s just mascara or some concealer. I think it brings out how you’re feeling on the inside. I love working in an industry that can do that.
My favorite part about working at Sephora
I’ve been at Sephora now for almost 19 years, so I guess that means I like it. It’s been incredible. Beauty is a very generous industry. I love the time that I spend with the brand partners and the people I work with. No day is the same as the day before. It moves really, really fast, but it feels like we all move together. I really like that camaraderie.
The best career advice I’ve received
As a working mom, it was really important to talk to other working moms and not set crazy high expectations for myself. There is this thought out there that working moms have all this balance and have to figure it out. Some good advice that a boss gave me when I was pregnant was: “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.” Those things you see on social media with the mom who has the baby on one hip, and she’s making bread and being a boss all at the same time—it’s just social media, right? Giving myself a break and creating what balance meant to me as a working mom was really critical and gave me perspective.
My best career advice
For me, it’s never been about the next job or the promotion or the title. I’ve always just lived in constant curiosity. I try really hard to enjoy the journey and be genuinely curious and do things that put me out of my comfort zone.
On fostering a sense of community at Sephora
My leadership style is active listening. I don’t think that you can build a community if you don’t ask questions and if you don’t listen to the answers. Sometimes they’re not the answers you want to hear, but that’s the only way to really build meaningful relationships and trust.
The three beauty products I could not live without
My Dyson hair dryer. I do not think anyone with curly, oily, textured hair should go without. It’s been a complete life-changer. Then I would say concealer and some kind of lip. Gloss, matte, I don’t care. I feel naked if I don’t have a lip on.
My signature scent
Earthy, woodsy scents are my go-to. I love Fenty’s fragrance. I’m currently wearing that right now, but anything of that genre. I am always wearing a scent, even if I’m on a Zoom. I’m mixing with Maison Margiela right now. Why not? I’m a layerer.
The worth-it luxury beauty product I love
I love my Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask. I put it beside my bed, so that I don’t forget. It’s a couple minutes out of my life. It makes a world of difference. It’s my spa at home.
Supersonic Hair Dryer
Fenty Eau de Parfum
Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette
SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Holiday Gift Card
Oura Ring
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
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