New Plans and Getting Motivated!

I don't know about you, but I love this time of year. Right after Christmas I get this overwhelming feeling of 'all things possible and new'. I'm think I'm a change-addict. I love doing and experiencing new things and there's nothing like a new year to get me all motivated. 

I'm very lucky that after a four year journey of working all hours, climbing those steep learning curves and realising stress was impacting my health... I've finally gotten to a great place with my work/life balance. I have a wonderful team who look after our premises and customers, leaving me to focus on expansion, strategy and of course... all things NEW!

2015 will be all about my make up range for me. My sister and partner, Diablo Rose and I have been working hard on new product formulas, packaging and broadening our range, we hope to bring all of it to market in the Spring. Here's an exclusive sneak peak of one of the new products I'm very excited about!

One aspect I love about our cosmetics range is that we exclusively use images of customers and staff in our packaging and advertising (with the odd competition winner too!). I love the idea that anyone walking into our salons for a make over could end up adorning our products and walls, and they don't even know it yet!

I'm hoping 2015 will bring the beginnings of new salon location too, we're looking around the South and London for the perfect spot to offer all our services. It's a dream of mine to bring Le Keux to every part of the UK, and the expand to Europe and the US. 

Lastly, I'm starting a new business! Well more of a service. This has been another long-standing ambition of mine. I love all things business and entrepreneurial, besides my family and friends, it's my raison d'etre. Before I took the leap into self employment I had a career in consultancy, project management and process re-engineering/efficiency. I really enjoyed so many aspects of my jobs and aside from every cell in my body screaming to be my own boss (no exaggeration), I did love going into teams, working with people and creating improvements, helping make them more efficient, creating better processes and helping them manage that change. So I am starting up as a Business Coach in the hope that I can support other hopeful or existing entrepreneurs realise their business dreams. If you'd like to take a look at my credentials, and find out about what I'm offering, please visit: www.facebook.com/LeKeuxBusinessCoach.

Wishing you all a motivated 2015. Absolutely anything you want to do with your life is possible, go do it, take a leap, be the 'you' you've always wanted to be this coming year.

Best wishes,

Lynsey Le Keux

My Cosmetics Range

I've not written about this before so I thought I'd share a little about the range my sister Diablo Rose and myself starting developing some four years ago now. I decided to produce my own line, Le Keux Cosmetics because when I went to purchase products to sell in my salon I just couldn't find a beautifully packaged vintage inspired make up range that was affordable and which performed the way I wanted (to create a vintage look). 

I was totally new to the process of creating my own products, I'd studied manufacturing and supply chains at uni, but it's no real preparation; it was a steep learning curve. I knew I had some core values for the range which I was determined to stick to... that the formulas were developed in the UK and that they would be our own, new formulas exactly to our specifications. I wanted the packaging to have an authentic vintage feeling, but also to be fresh and usable. The products must create an authentic vintage look, so for me that was little or no shimmer and glitter which is in most products nowadays. And finally I wanted to be in love with the products I created, I wanted to use them everyday and be proud of what we'd done.

The first challenge I found was the jargon barrier, it was all pantone colour references, codes for types of plastics, nets and more. It was difficult to appear legitimate and experienced when I wasn't familiar with industry language. Secondly timing was essential (see my post of project planning for some insight into tackling the 'critical path' of tasks!) and we really tested that to the last possible parameter with our products arriving the morning of our launch. 

All in all though it's been one of the most rewarding processes I've been through. I think I stuck to my values well, and with determination, some negotiating skills and the incredible creative input I had from Diablo who designed the packaging and helped develop the formulas with our awesome chemist, we got there. We're now in the process of developing more products including more lipstick colours, powder, face cream (which is going to be incredible!) and eye shadow and brow powders. We've also been working on our existing formulas to make them even bolder in colour and longer lasting and I'm adoring the results. Even now, it has still been challenging (not compromising on your vision can make these processes a lot longer) but I'm excited about the new formulas we have, and giving our customers more choice.

So here's our products, I'd love to hear your feedback!

Our complete range, including 5 gorgeous, super soft, non-animal fibre make up brushes, all are dual end, precise and professional quality!

Black Cadillac Eye Liner Paint, designed to be applied as a bold eye liner flick or smudged for a smokey, femme fatale look.

This is Peachy Keen our soft pastel lip paint, the perfect alternative to red for vintage loving girls. This tone suits all skin colours and is fresh. Our lip paints are all infused with cherry scent for truly kissable lips!

Here you can see our pots, designed to look like authentic glass dressing table sets!

The last of our make up products - Whistle Bait Red Lip Paint. This is a bright pillarbox red that can be worn as a gloss, matte or voluptuous Hollywood style.

Instructions on how to use our Black Cadillac Eye Liner Paint.

Beautiful advert designed by Diablo Rose.

The first face of our make up range, the gorgeous August Allure, pin up model. Here she wears Peachy Keen and Black Cadillac.

Wearing Whistle Bait Lip Paint in Hollywood style.

Wearing Black Cadillac Eye Liner Paint and Whistle Bait in matte style.

Our Christmas advertising campaign featuring international burlesque star Anna Fur Laxis.

Winner of our 2013 'Face of Le Keux Cosmetics' competition Eve, modelling a bridal look for a marketing campaign.

We often use our customers in marketing campaigns (they are all so beautiful!), here we have our Valentines advert. In fact our new brush packaging and lipstick boxes will be featuring some more lucky customers from our salons!

And here's our packaging...

 

How Not To Get Employed

Here's some stats for you... I would estimate for every 50 applications we receive for positions in our national vintage styling team, Melanie and I offer interviews to about 30. From those 30, about 10 to 15 show up. From those, half may on average be offered a position on our freelance team. For every 10 we recruit, train and offer work to, 1 or 2 remain as long term employees in one form or another. If I were to quantify the time and effort involved in this process, each valuable employee proves pretty darn expensive to find. So whilst I hope this post is helpful to those out there truly baffled by the basics of applying and securing a job, it's also a PLEA. I plead to those out there currently seeking work in my industry to slow down, take care and make an effort when applying for any job, for your own sake and that of the world economy.

So rather than list the 'top 10 tips for getting the job', I'm going to tell you the most common mistakes candidates make which result in them not getting a reply to their application, an invite for interview, a job offer, or end up not being offered further work (and how I would have rather they did it). My frustration will be evident I'm sure, whether the education system is failing the new generation, or its a wider reflection of society in general...I'm undecided. Regardless of the cause, I pray for the day it gets better.

Step one - your application content

The cliché 'first impressions count' may have been coined for this very situation. Spelling mistakes in this modern age are unacceptable. Not even using a capital letter for your own name is unacceptable. I understand my stylists won't be writing reports for me, but it's not about whether their English language is up to scratch... it's about showing me they've taken time and effort to apply for this job. Everything about every stage of a job application is about showing the employer you want the job, you'll work hard for the job and you're appropriate for the job. I believe inherent in this statement is the fact that text speak is not a great choice, but since its relatively common, I'll go ahead and say it... "I wud luv a job with u' is a sure fire way to ensure 'u neva get a job wiv me'.

Secondly, read what the application requirements are. We ask for your CV and images of vintage inspired styling you have done. Sending an application without either of these will result in immediate deletion; why would an employer chase you for information they've already asked for? If you cannot follow instructions on a job advert, it tells me you won't be able to interpret and execute a job brief. This may sound unfair, but the application process is specifically designed, for any job, to test the applicants for the skills required to deliver that job well. Always remember that.

Another way to bore the pants off your prospective employer is waffling. Writing long lists of your amazing competences is rather pointless. Anyone on the planet can write this list, what will distinguish you is specifics and evidence. So rather than writing:
'Lynsey is a great manager who is a hard working, confident and driven individual', write...
'Lynsey has managed a team of 5 staff at XYZ beauty counter and her team met all sales targets resulting in the prize for best regional team'. 
And be ready to explain yourself in detail at interview.

There's a simple formula for your CV and covering letter too... carefully read the job advert. The keywords in ours would be 'national travel', 'working at hen parties', 'weekend work' etc, so the covering letter would be well received by someone stating something like:
"I enjoy variety in my work, and embrace the opportunity to travel to different areas of the country. I am a confident driver and happy to be available at last minute. I enjoy working with large groups and have a good track record of time keeping and pressured work environments from my time doing make up at fashion shows. I am available Saturdays and Sundays." This application is telling me you are exactly what I'm looking for!

Step two - how you apply

I'm going to keep this simple. Don't apply through facebook, twitter or a recent favourite... whatsapp. Apply through an email, or as requested through the link on a jobs website. Make it 100% formal, laid out like a letter and include everything asked of you.

Step three - attending interview

It's ok to say you're unable to attend interview but give a valid and truthful reason. If the reason you don't want to go to the interview is because you won't travel to it, when the job requires travel, then the job is not for you and the interviewer will also think this. If you have paid work you must attend on the day of the interview, say that and be specific so it is believable. Don't ask for another interview on a specific date, the employer will assume you are not flexible in attending work outside your own schedule. Ask politely if it would be possible to be invited to any future interview opportunities.

If you confirm your attendance, go. If you don't come to the interview after confirming attendance for whatever reason it will be assumed by the employer that you're incapable of turning up for work. That's the bottom line. It doesn't matter how legitimate you think your excuse is, they don't know you, or your circumstance and don't have the inclination to get to know either. If a candidate doesn't show up, and later asks for another interview with us, I'll laugh it off. Honestly, what competences has that person displayed to me to make me spend the time again? Not turning up to interview leaves a slot someone else could have had, it wastes management time and it frustrates your potential employer. If you're serious about it, turn up. If something catastrophic occurs after you've confirmed attendance, then communicate that and voluntarily supply evidence. The amount of times I've had people ring up with a plethora of tropical diseases or car malfunctions on the day of interview is laughable, but should the candidate ring before the interview to excuse themselves, then I receive a copy of a doctors letter or an RAC breakdown slip and a polite request to be interview at any other time convenient I'd certainly offer a second chance.

You have to remember even if you're an honest person, genuinely caught in a flu epidemic, you're just another faceless applicant to an interviewer, who's usually pushed for time and overrun with applications. Stand out.

Step four - performance at interview

Turn up smart, I don't care if the job is for a Dish Washer or an Account Executive, dress smartly. It's impressive, and you're there to impress. I'd rather someone where overly formal than not at all.

Be on time, arrive collected and prepared. If you don't I will assume you won't do so for work.

Research. Most likely the first question you'll be asked is 'what do you know about this company'. If you don't have an answer, you are very unlikely to be successful from your first breath. Have an example of how you meet every competence in the job advert of description. This is what the interview questions are written from, it's that simple.

Answer each question with evidence. If asked 'what would your previous manager say about your punctuality', rather than answering 'I'm always on time', say 'I had a 100% on time attendance record, in fact I started taking the bus that arrived 20 minutes earlier so I could grab a coffee on the route and arrive fresh and ready to start work'. I cannot stress enough at this point however, one word for you... deliver. If you say it at interview, do it when you start work, probation periods are built into new jobs to get rid of the fibbers.

Always ask questions at the end. But make them about your enthusiasm for the company and the job. Don't ask 'how quickly do I get paid?', rather 'I love your products and I'd be so excited to sell them, do you offer a commission scheme?'.

Step five - you've got the job, now keep it

On your first day, turn up early, I'd recommend 15 minutes or so is ideal, it shows willing, organisation and appropriate time keeping. Bring everything you need and more, ask before hand what you'll need. Ask how to wear the uniform if supplied.

Ask what the employer would like you to do, ask how you can help during down periods. Ask where you can do the washing up, where is the broom etc. Show you're able to do the most complex parts of the job and willing to do the grottiest. Show you're not above getting tea for a customer, how you're able to meet their emotional needs too. At the end of the day, thank the team you worked for and say you're looking forward to doing it again.

Then go home and be extremely proud that you've contributed, earned a days wage and you've achieved something. There's no greater feeling than being chuffed with yourself.

In summary remember - the employer has what you want... the job. They also have a queue of people wanting what you also want. You have to spend time and effort demonstrating what you have to offer. We don't know you, we have to be SHOWN how good you are. It's exhausting applying for jobs, I understand that, but the better you do it each time, the sooner the search will be over!
Lastly, if you feel you're doing all of the above but you're still not getting the job then please get in touch. I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I am passionate about people working for a living, and finding what they are good at.

Thanks for reading,

Lynsey Le Keux


Pictured below, some of our fabulous team who did make the cut and continue to impress, Kath, Meg, Amy and Lily! We'd also like to mention our other stars... Corinne, Helen, Nicola, Nicky, Gaby, Emily, Katie, Sidonie, Natalie, Laura, Tiffany, Louise, Jourdan, Lucia, Sharron, Emmalene, Leanne, Virginie, Kaeleigh, and of course my Managers Melanie, Julia and Kate. We also have some very promising new starters coming on soon too!