Name Margaux Knuppe
Age 27
Works for Glamour

What does a beauty editor do?
I’m in charge of compiling the beauty section of the magazine, so I get to test and try a lot of new beauty products on the readers’ behalf. Every month, I write the beauty pages, source and shoot the pictures and products and attend great product launches.

Where and what did you study?
I completed a three-year BA film and media degree at UCT. After that I signed up for a postgrad year at the Red&Yellow School. Although this isn’t really required, it did give me insight into the world of advertising and  marketing.

Are there any school subjects that can equip you for this position?
English, for a strong writing background, and biology and science, as these will help you understand the ingredients in products and their effects on the skin, hair and so on.

Describe a typical day at work.
There isn’t one – one day I’m sitting at a luxurious location hearing about the latest advances in make-up or skincare, and the next day I’m back at my desk researching or planning the next month’s issue.

Is it easy to get into this field?
Yes, if you’re willing to do an internship (sadly these are mostly unpaid). However, if you show everyone that you’re motivated yet still happy to file and help out with menial tasks, you’ll be recognised and rewarded.

Is the job financially rewarding?
It’s more about the perks – the magazine industry is full of people who love what they do. Depending on the publishing house you can look at anything from R72 000 to R120 000 as a starting annual salary. After that it  depends on your experience and on your performance.

What traits should a beauty editor have?
Confidence – you have to believe in yourself and what you do before you can dish out advice to others. Curiosity – not a day goes by that I don’t learn something new. Creativity and resourcefulness go hand-in-hand as you constantly need to be thinking of new ways of doing things.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
When I receive letters from readers to thank me for an article or product tip that’s changed their life.

Is there anything you don’t like about being a beauty editor?
It’s a deadline-driven job so no matter how many hours are spent out of the office attending product launches and meetings, at the end of the day the magazine still needs to go to print. Sometimes there are long days but mostly I wake up with a smile on my face.

What advice would you give to aspiring beauty editors?
Read constantly, whether it’s blogs, books, newspapers or magazines. And be a sponge: absorb facts and details – you never know when they’re going to come in handy.

FACT CHECK
Beauty editors require strong writing skills. A background in journalism, media studies or literature would be useful. Most tertiary institutions offer a BA in at least one of the above. Go to www.tertiaryeducation.co.za for a list of institutions and the courses they offer.