What would you do if you had the choice of any and all of the very best beauty products on the market? If Creme de la Mer’s latest release was yours for the testing, if it was your job to scope out, try-out and sell the products that really work to some of retail’s wealthiest and most selective customers?
Welcome to the world of Harrods’ General Merchandise Manager for Beauty, Mia Collins. Now, to the trained eye (read: those who have spent enough time wandering a department store’s beauty hall to know) it seems impossible that just one person could have a handle on all the treasures each counter holds; to have had a hand – a say – in the placement of every single product on offer. Add to that the vast scale of Harrods’ space, in addition to the grandeur of its setting and the opening of the Salon de Parfums on the store’s sixth floor last year, and the concept becomes even more unfathomable.
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And yet, here is Mia. It’s the Salon de Parfums that we’re shooting her in today, a setting that might take most slightly aback, but one she happily chats away in about her beauty routine while our photographer snaps away. The thing is, Mia knows Harrods. She’s been there since 2007, where she entered as a Swim & Designer Plus Assistant Buyer, before climbing the ranks through Womenswear and eventually moving to Beauty in 2011. You get the sense that there isn’t a nook or cranny of her department that she doesn’t know about, not a movement in the industry she would miss (FYI – this was very much confirmed as she began to outline her own routine).
Given all of this, it’s no surprise that we were keen to meet her – and take a tour of her vanity desk. It did not disappoint. The thing is, when you have that much choice, the products you do swear by become even more impressive. It’s a beauty enthusiast’s honey pot. Talking about her role at Harrods, the salon she swears by and having a 14-product strong skincare regime, these are the beauty rules you’ll want to note down.
On Career
My mother worked as a makeup artist in Norway so I grew up in an environment where playing with makeup and skincare was just part of life. I previously worked as one of the Womenswear Buyers at Harrods, but when the opportunity arose to move across to beauty, it seemed like the natural and right thing to do. I love the beauty industry and I love sharing being able to share its innovations with my mother today.
My role at Harrods is incredibly varied, which I love as it means I get visibility of so many different facets of our business and the wider beauty industry. We are blessed to have incredibly collaborative relationships with our brands, which is integral to the product partnerships we forge. Part of my role includes sourcing and selecting new brands. This is exciting in itself, particularly when it means learning about research that takes us a step closer to defining what and how ageing manifests itself and consequently what can promote youth, even if only in appearance. This selection process is also linked to trends and we work hard to identify these as early on as possible, ideally before they’re recognised. We work every day to fuel our awareness, calling on digital and social channels, as well as the printed press. We also travel extensively to witness first-hand what products and brands are gaining traction in other markets and cultures.
On Skincare
My roles have taught me a great deal about health and beauty – not least the importance of cleansing as the cornerstone of any effective skincare regime. Consequently, I have a wardrobe of cleansers and am a big advocate of double cleansing. Typically I’ll use two different cleanser textures, tailored to my skin’s needs, which can change over the year. I am also devoted to exfoliating, whether this be mechanically with a scrub, or chemically with an acid peel. This helps to deal with my main skin concerns: include large pores and skin texture.
I typically use six products in my morning skincare regime and eight different ones in the evening. I always mix and match the brands and while the number of products I use doesn’t tend to vary, the actual products do change. These variations are typically in response to the changing needs of my skin and my desire to test and trial as much as I can.
I’m really enjoying Chantecaille’s Magnolia, Jasmine and Lily Healing Emulsion and I’m a big fan of La Prairie’s new Sheer Skin Caviar Luxe cream. I also make sure I drink at least 2 litres of water a day, always wear sun protection when I am outdoors and I try to safeguard one day per week as ‘make-up free’ to give my skin some respite. When I travel, it’s much the same – but I usually tweak my skincare routine to be appropriate to where I am going and what response any change in climate is likely to illicit from my skin.
On Make-Up
I wear makeup 6 days a week and I’d probably define my application as a ‘full face’. As with my skincare, I also mix and match the brands that comprise my makeup routine. Like many women, I am on the quest to find my perfect mascara – I love innovative brushes. Two of my favourites are Givenchy’s Noir Couture and Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes, but Supreme Cils from Chanetecaille is one of the best waterproof formulas I’ve found, plus the brush is very unique. When the weather is warmer, I tend to use a BB cream instead of a foundation to get the added benefit of sun protection. There is no shortage of great BB formulas out there and two of my year-round products include Bobbi Brown’s gel liner and Guerlain’s Four Seasons bronzer.
Overall, if I could only have three pieces they would hands down be Chanel’s Vitalumiere loose powder foundation, Tom Ford’s eye defining pen and Givenchy’s Phenomen’Eyes mascara.
On Grooming
My haircare comprises both topical products as well as oral supplements. I am devoted to Biotin and have seen incredible results in the 4 years since I started taking it. Once a week I use the Christophe Robin lemon cleansing mask, which not only smells delicious in a hot shower, but also delivers great results that even my hairdresser comments on.
Every 8 weeks I present myself at the Urban Retreat in Harrods for my highlights and a haircut. I use the same salon for all of my nail treatments and while I try to take a break every couple of months, I haven’t been able to wean myself off their ever-lasting mani and pedi.
On Wellness
Finding time for yourself is a challenge. My advice for fitting your beauty regime and grooming rituals in is to plan them as you would any meeting or event. Sunday is my buffer day, I use it to reschedule any missed appointments during the week.
I see a chiropractor at least once a month, as I am definitely someone that carries stress in their back. I try to have a facial at least once a month but I’m not devoted to one spa, as I love to test and trial new methods, brands and rituals. I adore back massages – I will always plan them into a holiday, and as it is something my husband also loves to do, I can justify it too.
This interview has been edited and condensed. Photographs by David Nyanzi