You’ve worked at a number of high profile brands – how did you get your start?
I first started working as a PR assistant at natural skincare brand Fresh straight out of university. I then moved to Dubai and worked for Moët Hennessy in more of a marketingbased role. This was followed by a transition to PR at Chanel and then Dior. Because I’d previously been in marketing I worried that my new employers might think I wasn’t quite right for the job, but I showed that the skills were transferable. I moved back into PR because I like making connections with people.
What’s your number one tip for anyone who wants a job in beauty PR?
I think it’s important to be persistent and to make sure that your knowledge and enthusiasm come across in your interview and on the job.
Is it important to be a fan of a brand in order to make yourself more employable?
From my perspective, I would only work for brands that I am genuinely interested in, which is why I work in beauty. If you’re not interested in something, it can be difficult to hide that in an interview. I remember being grilled about my skincare routine in one interview; the interviewer made it sound like it was an innocent question, but it was really a test!
What is a common misconception about people who work in PR?
The main misconception about people in PR is that we’re bitchy! Some people think that we’ll be really nice to people’s faces and say everything that they want to hear, then we’ll be different behind their backs. I’ve had a few people say to me that I’m not a ‘typical’ PR person because I don’t come across that way, but the truth is that everyone is different.
Where do you find your inspiration for PR campaigns?
Everywhere! I do like to think that I’m naturally creative, although I’m not an artist or a musician. There’s a lot of opportunity to be creative at Huda Beauty. They really welcome those with new ideas. The sky is the limit.
Tell us something we don’t know about Huda Beauty!
Something that very few people know is that the Huda sisters personally interview everyone who works for the company, regardless of whether they’re a cleaner or a manager. They’re really busy, but they put in the time to do this because they want to make sure that the vibe is right with that person. We also have a self-care day once a month, where you can go and get a massage or do whatever you like to take care of yourself. My ideal self-care day involves sitting on the couch eating Fruit Loops and watching YouTube videos! Also, for our most recent campaign shoot for the launch of the new skincare range Wishful, Huda rounded up its staff to be models.
What is it like living as a Black woman in Dubai?
I used to live in Boston and an area of North Carolina where traditionally there has been a lot of racial discrimination, so I have lived around that for years. But although racism of course exists in Dubai, I feel that class has more of an influence on people’s behaviour towards others.
Do you have to tailor your wardrobe to be more conservative?
Not me, personally. I like to wear bright colours, bold prints, baggy clothes and even a mini skirt or dress for the right occasion.
What’s your perception of the wage gap in the PR industry?
Honestly, I haven’t given the wage gap much thought because the PR industry is a very female-led field. There are a lot of women in important positions receiving a good and fair income. Saying that, I feel empowered to work for a company that is run by women who are all about uplifting other women to succeed.
Follow Remi on Instagram @releomo
