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Victoria DiPlacido is the Associate Beauty Editor ,ELLE Canada and ELLECanada.com, where she covers beauty trends, the latest and greatest product launches and celebrity beauty news. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in cultural studies from McGill University and completed internships at torontolife.com, ELLE Canada and Derek Lam. Victoria sat down with us to discuss how she got into the beauty industry.

Name: Victoria DiPlacido
Age: 25
Location: Toronto
Current title | Company: Associate beauty editor, ELLE Canada and ELLECanada.com
Education: McGill University
Website or social media pages: Snapchat & Twitter: vdiplacido; Instagram: victoriadiplacido

What was your first job and how did you land it?

Interning was the first step to getting my current position. My first internship was in the production department at Derek Lam. It was incredibly interesting and taught me lots, but I wanted to work with words. After that, I did two editorial internships: one at torontolife.com, and another in the beauty department at ELLE Canada.

Have you always had a flair for PR & Beauty, why did you decide to become a Beauty Editor?

I always loved writing, and I always loved magazines. When I was younger I used to contribute to Teen Vogue articles on anything from Ashley Simpson’s nose job, to whether or not Britney Spears was influencing “provocative” dress. I didn’t know that could translate into a real job, hence the different internships.

How did you feel when you heard you got the job with ELLE Canada magazine?

I was completely stoked!

Beauty Editor ,ELLE Canada

 

What challenges have you faced since starting this role and how have you overcome them?

I write for both the print magazine and our website; they require my attention in different ways, but often at the same time. Balancing the two is always a learning exercise. I’m also a huge consumer of media and need/want to participate in the conversations dominating my corner of the Internet at any one time. I could spend my entire day writing about Kylie Jenner’s beauty choices if I didn’t prioritize what needed to be done.

What’s a typical day like in your role?

It’s always different. Some days I take meetings with PR reps and beauty brands to hear about the latest product launches, sometimes I’m working on filming our #beautyplaylist series in the ELLE Canada Closet, and sometimes I’m on set at a beauty shoot. The constants: reading, writing, editing. 

What’s the best part of your job and the worst?

Best: Getting to interview some of the most creative and innovative people in the world…and access to the best beauty products. Worst? Trying to devise an effective system to keep track of aforementioned products. (Recommendations welcome.)

 If you could go back and make any changes in your career path, what would they be?

Nothing. “Everything happens for a reason,” and all that.

 

Beauty Editor ,ELLE Canada

 

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?

Stop worrying about everything, it will all work out. Also: take art history instead of another marketing course.

What inspires you and what keeps you happy?

Listening to music. I grew up dancing competitively, so music was always a huge part of my life. Right now I have “The Life of Pablo” on repeat. Spending time with friends is always fun/enlightening.

What is the future looking like for you?

Very digital.

Why digital, everyone is talking about digital?!
Book sizes are getting smaller, and the amount of digital content being produced is growing. I’m writing 400% more web content now than at the same time last year. And it’s not just articles, it’s video (SO much video), it’s Snapchat, it’s Peach, it’s Twitter. It’s emerging platforms we don’t even know about yet. And yes where the content is being published is changing but the core of my job is still the same: creating amazing, beautiful, visually appealing, smart interesting content that serves our readers.

Tell us 3 tips for the ladies looking to become a beauty editor or PR professional?

Being a PR professional is very different than being a beauty editor, so I can only comment on valuable PR skills from my point of view. I love when I get a press release where all the key info (CDN price, full product name, embargo info and availability) isn’t buried in the text, when responses are timely and when the PR person takes the time to really get to know the sections of our magazine and website.

For beauty editor hopefuls, I’d say work on being a strong writer and develop a voice that’s all you. Also: work really, really hard as an intern. That means you should always be pitching stories, asking to do more and have something to say about what’s going on in the industry. If you don’t pass the intern test, it’s going to be a hard road to an entry-level position. The industry is small so be nice to everyone. And be versatile! Basically everyone who writes for print magazines also writes for web now.

 

beauty elle canada

 

Who is your role model in your industry?

I LOVE working on the beauty team at ELLE Canada – we all have different interests and different strengths and weaknesses so I learn something everyday.

One thing that makes you ” Younique” 

I’m a very early adopter to social media and tech. I spearheaded the ELLE Canada snapchat last year (follow us at ELLECanada), and we were the first major Canadian fashion magazine on the platform. Also, I’m a very dedicated Beyonce fan.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a Brands and Communications specialist with a passion to support females in reaching their full potential.

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