Friday, March 22, 2013

First Look Fridays: Beauty Publicist Blair Crames of Beauty Fashion Sales Group

I've been working with beauty publicist Blair Crames for years. She's worked at some of the best names in the business, from Avon and Clarins to the PR firm Bratskeir & Company. Blair is always a delight, not to mention she really knows her beauty stuff backward and forward! And here's a little fun fact for you -- her dad is the CEO and owner of Demeter Fragrance Library! Read on to find out which mascara Blair loves, the flat iron she can't live without and so much more.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I come from a really big family. I have three brothers and two sisters (including a twin sister)! I feel very lucky. How many people get to say they were born with a built-in best friend? I was born in Miami but grew up on Long Island, and studied at The Park School of Communications where I majored in Organizational Communication, Learning & Design (OCLD), which might be one of the longest names of all time for a college major! I minored in Public Relations and Spanish.

How did you first become interested in beauty, and what led you to work in beauty PR?
I always say that I was born with beauty in my bones. My father is the CEO and owner of Demeter Fragrance Library, and before that founded Northern Group, a fragrance distribution company. One thing I know for sure is that growing up I was the only one of my friends with a complete fragrance collection (including my 80’s idols: Madonna and Michael Jackson’s scents) and makeup display in their bedroom!

For me, the question was never, do I want to work in beauty, but rather, what in the beauty industry do I want to do? I love working with people, and after taking a few exploratory classes in college, I knew I wanted to work in a creative field, and public relations seemed like the perfect fit. My first job was at Bratskeir & Company, where I worked on a variety of beauty brands including L'Oreal Professionnel, L’Oreal Technique, Mizani and PUIG Beauty USA. From there I worked in-house at Clarins and Avon.

Most recently, I branched out on my own and partnered with my sister to build the public relations division of Beauty Fashion Sales Group. My sister’s focus is sales and mine is PR. It is so incredible how life comes full circle. Today I work with a variety of niche beauty brands including Kevyn Aucoin, Kinara Skin Care and my father’s company, Demeter Fragrance Library. I am grateful for all of the incredible experiences, brands and people I have worked with throughout my career. I would not where I am today without these priceless opportunities and support from my former bosses, co-workers, friends and family.

What is your favorite part about working in beauty PR? Any highlights throughout your career?
What is not to love?

1) I get to work with beauty products all day.

2) I love working with people. I feel so lucky that I get to work with so many incredible and talented people, from editors and bloggers to makeup artists and public relations professionals, who I not only get to call my colleagues, but my friends. The beauty industry, and the people in it, are very special.

The biggest highlight of my career has been my most recent opportunity -- working with my family. My father is my mentor and my sister is my best friend. What could be better than that? I am constantly learning new things every single day.

What are your favorite products and why?
Kevyn Aucoin, Kevyn Aucoin mascara, Kevyn Aucoin The Mascara, mascara
Kevyn Aucoin The Mascara. I LOVE makeup, but I HATE taking it off. Besides being one of the all-time best wearing mascaras, it is one of the easiest mascaras to take off. No makeup remover needed. Just warm water. Must-try!

Demeter Fragrance Library, Demeter Fragrance Library Cucumber, Demeter Fragrance Library Cucumber Pick-Me-Up Cologne Spray, Demeter Fragrance Library fragrance, Demeter Fragrance Library perfume, Demeter Fragrance Library cologne, perfume, fragrance, cologne, cologne spray
Demeter Fragrance Library Cucumber. This is one of my favorite scents. It is light and refreshing, and I find the smell very relaxing. If I’m not wearing it, I’m carrying it. My other favorite is Sunshine. It is not launching until May but I got a sneak peek! All I can say is -- what is better than capturing the scent of sunshine? The idea of it even makes me smile.

NARS, NARS Illuminator, NARS Copacabana Illuminator, NARS highlighter, highlighter, illuminator, makeup, NARS Makeup
NARS Illuminator in Copacabana. The perfect pearl glow.

ghd, ghd flat iron, ghd Professional Styler, ghd Professional Gold Styler, flat iron
ghd Professional Styler. If you straighten your hair, this will makes your life so much easier.

Becca, Becca lipgloss, Becca lip gloss, Becca Glossy Lip Tint, Becca Glossy Lip Tint Coconut Ice, lip, lips, lipgloss, lip gloss, gloss
Becca Glossy Lip Tint in Coconut Ice. This color is discontinued, but I love it so much I got five of them at once. Becca, bring it back PLEASE!!

Kinara, Kinara Skin Care, Kinara skincare, Kinara Weightless Infusion, skin, skincare, skin care
Kinara Weightless Infusion. I love this product because you can mix it, layer it or wear it alone, and it is a very powerful antioxidant fighter. If there were such a thing as anti-bacterial for your face, this would be it.

Essie, Essie nail polish, Essie nail lacquer, Essie A List, nail, nails, nail polish, polish, lacquer, nail lacquer
Nail polish. I can NOT name JUST one brand or color. When it comes to nail polish, I am obsessed. Getting a manicure is like coloring you hair without the long-term commitment. It’s a chance to express your mood, personality and have fun. I love the colors.

Working in PR must be fun, but what do you do in your spare time?
I love yoga, running and a good TV marathon. Nothing is better than a TV marathon of your favorite show, so that after each episode, you get to keep on watching. Right now, my favorite shows are Dexter, The Good Wife and Sons of Anarchy. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family. New to the clan is my nephew, Liam Xavier, about whom I am head over heels. The best part of my day is a text or email with a new picture of Liam. I also love traveling and trying new foods. I am pretty adventurous when it comes to trying things; I just wish I were visiting a new country or city every time I tried a new food!

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