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President’s Message
by Dale Peers

Although Hollywood generally reserves the first few months of each new year to present their awards, in the Cosmetics industry we do it in the fall. Perhaps this gives us most of the year to consider carefully who we want to nominate.

On Thursday November 30th the 5th annual Cosmetics Outstanding Service Awards were presented to this year’s winners. The event recognized the incredible women and men who work in the many different facets of our industry but who provide the type of service that all customers deserve. From the team, the “rookie ” the life time achievement winner, the trainer, the account representative, the fragrance specialist and the makeup artist, the recipients had one thing in common - passion for their roles.

Most recipients graciously recognized the help and assistance they had received from their colleagues, family and their customers. Almost without exception they enthused about how lucky they were to have the type of career that allowed them to do something they were passionate about.

The executive members of the CCCA would like to congratulate all of the winners on their achievements and will do so by presenting each with a complimentary one year membership to the association.

The CCCA also recognizes excellence in our industry through the presentation of our Award of Merit. This year’s recipient is well known not just to members of the industry but to customers and television viewers nationwide. This is the second award in two years presented to our honouree, Douglas Atkinson. (See inside for more about Doug and the presentation of his award).

The CCCA also recognizes the hard work of students in our industry. It is not easy to be a student these days. Financial pressures often require that students work part time while juggling their academic and personal lives. When they excel at this we like to recognize their efforts. To that end we present 3 awards to students. This year we recognized Jacqueline Charbonneau of Sheridan College and Elizabeth Lauder of Seneca College. Both students were enrolled in the Cosmetics Techniques and Management Diploma programs offered at the respective colleges. They were both recognized with a letter and a cheque for $200.00.

Independent study is perhaps even more challenging which is why we have also recognized Paulette Sommers from Waterloo for her hard work in completing the CCCA Correspondence Course and earning the highest grade on her final examination - 98% Paulette receives a gold CCCA pin in recognition of her hard work.

The Importance of Awards
Never underestimate the value of recognition. Most of us are realistic enough to know that we are never going to make the Fortune 500 list -- not unless we win the lottery! However, the reason we do what we do in the cosmetics industry is motivated by our love of people and the industry.

As a judge for the COSAs it has been my honour and privilege to read the hundreds of nomination letters. It isn’t an easy task but it is a delightful one. The nominators who take the time to relate the amazing work done in the name of customer service are to be commended almost as much as those they name. It isn’t easy to gather the information about a nominee since in many cases they are just too busy assisting customers to sit down and tell someone of their activities.

From the cosmetician who has taken the time to listen to a lonely customer to the fragrance demonstrator who relentlessly searches for a discontinued scent to the makeup specialist who makes a teenager “Princess” for the prom the stories go on and on.

The final question in the nomination form asks the nominator to describe the nominees most outstanding sale. Those who describe a sale of a large dollar amount with double digit IPT (items per transaction) are not what the judges are looking for. The outstanding sale is the transaction that made a difference in someone’s life.

Recognizing outstanding customer service, outstanding performance in academic study and outstanding achievement beyond one’s role is more precious to the person being honoured than the largest cheque anyone could write. To tell someone that the work they have done has been recognized has an impact on their self esteem that everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

By focusing on the best of the best we encourage others to strive harder, to work to their potential and to excel. Bringing to the attention of everyone the work that an individual does in no way diminishes the work of the collective or the team. It says to the members, “Effort does not go unnoticed here!”

Negativity is an energy drain that can result, all too quickly, in a downward spiral that is difficult to break free from. Having something positive to focus on, something to look forward to is a great motivator for anyone.

Consider recognizing the efforts of the people you work with. Whether through the CCCA Award of Merit, the COSAs, or by creating a scholarship for students. Your efforts will pay amazing dividends for your team, your organization, and our industry.

Congratulations to the winners of the 5th Annual COSAs:

Outstanding Service Award for a Team - Drugstore/Dept. store/Specialty store:
Holt Renfrew, Calgary Alberta

Lifetime Achievement Award - Drugstore Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Marilyn Schwabe, Pharmasave - Surrey, British Columbia
 
Lifetime Achievement Award - Department Stores; Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Claire Hodge, Sears (Lancôme) - St. Catherines, Ontario

Rookie of the Year – Drugstores; Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Susanne Toth, Shoppers Drug Mart - Ottawa, Ontario

Rookie of the Year - Dept. Stores; Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Rose Marie Antwis, Sears (Biotherm) - Victoria, British Columbia

Best Service in a Drugstore; Peer Nominated:
Jacob Rafuse, Shoppers Drug Mart - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Best Service in a Department Store; Peer Nominated:
Donna Chu, Holt Renfrew (Prescriptives) - Calgary, Alberta

Best Service in a Drugstore; Retailer Nominated:
Marie-Eve Bernard, Pharmaprix - LaSalle, Quebec

Best Service in a Department Store; Retailer Nominated
Karen Bendall, Sears (Estée Lauder) - Peterborough, Ontario

Best Service in a Drugstore; Vendor Nominated:
Angela Kolic, Pharmasave - Victoria, British Columbia - Angela was also the recipient of the best Overall COSA winner! Congratulations Angela!!

Best Service in a Department Store; Vendor Nominated:
Amy Kwong, The Bay (Christian Dior) - Calgary, Alberta

Best Service by a Part-time Cosmetician, Beauty Advisor or Fragrance Advisor; Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Astrid Nanton, Sears (Fragrances) - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Best Service for a Fragrance Advisor in a Department Store; Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Bernadette Morin, La Baie (Fragrances) - Québec City, Québec

Best Service for a Demonstrator in a Drugstore or Department Store; Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Lorne Grotkowski, Sears (Elizabeth Arden) - Grande Prairie, Alberta

Best Service as a Trainer; Peer/Vendor/Retailer Nominated:
Cathi Westrop, Elizabeth Arden - Vancouver, British Columbia

Best Service as a Vendor Sales Representative; Beauty/Fragrance Advisor/Cosmetician Nominated:
Eyman Hakooz, Lancôme - Toronto, Ontario

The sponsors of the COSAs should also be recognized for their contribution. Thanks to: The Bay, Coty, Chatelaine, Elizabeth Arden, Pharmasave, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren/Giorgio Armani/Lancôme/Biotherm, Parfums, P & G Beauty, Quadrant, Roc, Sally Hansen, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, Thierry Mugler/Azzaro/Clarins, Shiseido, Smashbox Cosmetics and La Coupe (sponsor of the reception event.)

Congratulations also to Jim Hicks and his assistants Ruth Taylor, Michael McKerihen and Laura Casini for the work they did to make the awards so successful.

We extend Congratulations as well to Jim Hicks on his recent appointment to Executive Director, Cosmetics and Beauty Group under the Consumer Publishing umbrella at Rogers Publishing Limited. We are pleased to know that Jim will continue to work as an expert liaison between the publishing world and the cosmetics industry.

CCCA Award of Merit
The convivial atmosphere of 35 Elm St. was made more so by the small, but sociable group of CCCA members and guests who gathered to congratulate Award of Merit winner, Douglas Atkinson.

Fortunately we were given the window alcove that fronts onto Elm Street as Doug had us laughing so hard we surely would have disturbed their other patrons.

Those of you who have attended Doug’s training session, welcomed him as a guest makeup artist or know him from his many years in the industry know that he is a true professional with a tremendous joie de vivre.

This is the second award in as many years presented to Doug. Last year he was the COSA recipient for Training.

The Award of Merit is presented to an individual for outstanding initiative and achievement and for enhancing the image, and the role cosmetics plays within our society. Doug’s longevity and high profile within our industry are testament to his success. His work in training, as well as makeup artistry has enabled Doug to touch the lives of many. We joked about the number of makeovers Doug has performed however, he would, no doubt, qualify for a Guinness World Record if there was such a category!

Lise Watier offers Eye Glitter in 8 festive shades. Opale Eye Glitter offers iridescent glitter on a delicate pink base while Black Diamond Eye Glitter has a transparent base with bold glitter. Golden Green and Améthyste Eye Glitter allow you to create a glamorous effect reminiscent of precious stones and gold.
	Watier’s lipstick line of Rouge Gourmand and Rouge Sublime have new shades for the holidays. Rouge Gourmand plumps up the volume of lips in shades of Prune and Sweet Berries while Sienna from the Rouge Sublime line drenches the lips in hydration and nutrition.
Clarins’ Forever Diamonds make-up collection comes in a new make-up palette that is a must for your handbag. It contains 6 glosses, 4 eyeshadows and 1 all-over to illuminate the upper eyelids and cheekbones.
	Also from Clarins is the new Lip Guard for men’s skin. Especially formulated for men the product is invisible, non-sticky, anti-aging and with an SPF15.
Marcelle’s winter colour collection comes in a bronze coloured, tri-fold compact with a magnetic closure. Each contains all the beauty essentials you need for the holiday season including Wet & Dry Eye shadow, Face and Body Shimmering Powder and a mirror. Three colour choices are available: Royalty, Monarchy and Baroque. A limited edition of Rouge Reflex lipstick is offered in the same packaging as these great compacts. With multi-dimensional shine, sheer colour and light weight formula the new lip shades are: Duchess Rose, Princess Pearl and Ruby Queen.
	Elizabeth Arden’s Catherine Zeta-Jones presents a deeper shade of red with the launch of Red Door Velvet. The fragrance is described as, “a feminine bouquet of rich florals combined with the fresh notes of aromatic Earl Grey Tea….revealing a veil of airy musk and feeling of velvety softness.”
The new Intervene skin care line from Elizabeth Arden will arrive at counter in January. The skin care line is for your 30 and 40 year old clients who are not quite ready for corrective anti-aging products. With a new phytoestrogen technology to repair cellular bonds, a soy-peptide complex to help re-balance hormone and protein levels and the use of “Biodorme” technologies to provide a balance of moisturizing ingredients the product helps “puts the aging process on pause.”
	Popular author Danielle Steel has launched Danielle a fragrance she describes as a way she can “introduce [her] readers to another dimension of [her] creative life.” The fragrance top note is described “as “Optimism” because of its lush green notes combined with mandarin, the heart is “Romance” with a floral kaleidoscope of Butterfly Jasmine, Sunset Orchid and Hydroponic Rose” and the base as “Intrigue” with the sensuality of Blue Vetiver, White Amber and Cashmere Musks.”
Celebrity Hilary Duff has also partnered with Elizabeth Arden with the debut of her first fragrance, With Love …Hilary Duff. The fragrance includes exotic fruits, rich woods and sultry ambers to create an oriental fragrance.   The bottle is a vintage inspired bottle that “captures the essence of Hilary’s multifaceted personality.”
	Revlon will introduce a Makeup Eraser Pen in January. The portable pen allows you to correct smudges, smears and other mistakes removing even waterproof mascara, and transfer proof lipstick.
Two new Colorstay® Lipliners in Clear and Sheer shades now allow you to define lips and extend the wear of lipcolour without having to match the lip liner to your lipcolour.
	Looking for the shine of gloss but the feel of a creamy lipstick? Revlon introduces Super Lustrous Shiny Sheers with the LiquiSilk® formula, a blend of aloe and vitamins to moisturize and give lips a silky, not sticky feel. Available in 10 shades.

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