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Beauty Queen
ELLE talks to Lise Watier as she celebrates 35 years in the beauty biz with the launch of a new fragrance.
By Manon Chevalier
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In the '70s, your catchphrase "You are a woman, you are beautiful" democratized beauty before anyone else did.
"That was my goal: to make beauty accessible to every woman. That's why, even in my first makeup collection, I chose products with a range of colours that were pleasing to all women, regardless of their age, social milieu or budget."
How have things changed since you sold your company [to a private equity firm] last May?
"I still feel the same devotion as before but without the financial pressure and the worries that flow from that pressure, although I'm working harder than ever now! I'm overseeing three house renovations - I love giving old houses a fresh look and furnishing them with things I've collected from around the world. As passions go, renovation takes a lot of time, especially with business and family obligations. I also make time for my poodle, Simba."
What's in your makeup bag?
"I always carry my red Wow lipstick and my lipliner, which is indispensable. Mascara and kohl eyeliner are always at hand - without them, I'd hardly recognize myself!"
Your products are sold around the world, from Russia to Saudi Arabia. What have you learned about women and beauty?
"Women's concerns are universal. Every woman lives with insecurity at some point, regardless of where she comes from. She wonders 'Am I the best I can be?' or 'If I were a blonde or a brunette, would that change my life or my prospects?' Women don't buy products for who they are. They buy products for who they could be - for the potential to create beauty: glowing skin, full lips, a sense of well-being. Beauty is a way of bringing out personality."
Greatest hits: The top five Lise Watier launches
1. Neiges Eau de Toilette Spray ($55 for 50 mL) Launch 1993. Details With notes of jasmine, orange blossom and hyacinth, it has been one of Canada's bestselling fragrances for the past 15 years.
2. Eye Glitter Liner ($17) Launch 2004. Details With colours ranging from peacock to cognac, this smudge-proof liner is credited with attracting younger customers.
3. L'Expérience Morning Potion Power Creme ($62) Launch 2008. Details Packed with nutrients like calcium, this moisturizer helps firm mature skin.
4. Base Miracle Pore Minimizing Primer ($28) Launch 1999. Details This soothing primer minimizes oil and leaves skin with a matte, silky finish.
5. Portfolio Professional Correctors ($29) Launch 1998. Details Still a bestseller, this was the first concealer palette on the market.
Lise's favourites
• Book "365 Dalai Lama: Daily Advice from the Heart. It's an amazing source of inspiration and reflection."
• Musician "I really like Kent Nagano, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's musical director. He always performs with incredible intensity and sensitivity."
• Fashion finds "I have some vintage Roberto Cavalli and Thierry Mugler pieces that I really cherish."
• Beauty icon "Grace Kelly. She was the epitome of beauty, elegance and poise."
• Ultimate indulgence "Chocolate or a good massage."
• Getaway "Any new destination. It's all about discovery."
Image courtesy of Lise Watier
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