Alumni Interview with Alex Diana
Alexandra Diana was student at FUA in the Spring of 2013. She came from Adelphi University, Long Island to spend a semester in Florence. After nearly four years, Alex returned to Florence for FUA's first ever Alumni Week and looked back upon her life-changing experience in Italy. Alex was interviewed for the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of Blending Magazine that was inspired by the FUA-SBU conference theme Teaching Traditions: Health, Wellness and Non-Hotel Lodging Trends in the Hospitality Industry.
In your experience, how important is the cosmetics industry in influencing our ideas of wellness?
The cosmetics industry has always been a major proponent of shaping how consumers approach wellness by driving major trends in skincare, hair care, and makeup.
What does wellness mean to you?
Working amidst the hectic buzz of NYC, it is super important to try to find time to recharge and recenter to keep stress at bay. This isn’t always easy. Being a native New Yorker, I seem to think, speak, and do everything super quickly, and it can be hard to switch off from that “go-go-go,” mindset. My experience living in Florence actually taught me that an important aspect of self care is the fine art of slowing down and living more mindfully.
How do you incorporate wellness into your own life? Do you practice self-care? If so, what do you do?
At M.A.C, I am in a role that focuses on designing and producing visual assets that enhance the way our stores are merchandised in North America. Our company rolls out multiple product launches a year, and, as a result, my colleagues and I often face tight deadlines and a very fast paced work environment.At M.A.C, I am in a role that focuses on designing and producing visual assets that enhance the way our stores are merchandised in North America. Our company rolls out multiple product launches a year, and, as a result, my colleagues and I often face tight deadlines and a very fast paced work environment.Sometimes during the work week, I find it super important to step away from my to-do list to clear my head. I try to make a point to do something as simple as stepping away from my desk for a moment and taking a walk around the Soho neighborhood where I work to appreciate the surroundings. Ironically, even though I work in cosmetics, I would say I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to incorporating cosmetics into my wellness routine, although it definitely is nice to indulge in some new product or a treatment every now and then!
Do you think makeup and cosmetics contribute to people's feelings of wellness?
I definitely think that it can. M.A.C as a company was built upon the credo of makeup that is inclusive towards “all ages, all races, all genders,” and I love that I work for a brand that is not necessarily fixated on promoting a narrow-minded view of what beauty should mean. It is inspiring to see the cool, editorial looks that our senior artists put on social media because they serve as a reminder that makeup can both make you feel like the best version of yourself, as well as be an extension of your creative individuality!
Where do you see the future of the cosmetics industry going, and how is wellness a part of that future?
E-commerce technology has had such a profound impact upon the beauty industry in recent years, along with the rise of social media influencers really driving the trends of what is “in.” I don’t see that changing in years to come. Now, it is easier than ever to both get ideas and makeup looks online, with an endless variety of brands and products to choose from. It is really interesting to see how M.A.C, a company that has had a long standing reputation within the industry, is reacting to this change in the way that it approaches E-commerce, social media, and even the way our stores have been laid out to meet the changing demands of consumer preferences.
If you are interested in getting in touch with Alex, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photograph courtesy of Alexandra Diana
