One to watch: Amandine Ohayon

Amandine Ohayon, 35, joined L’Oréal in 1999 working for the luxury division in product development, after a few internships at LVMH. A Parisian, she moved to the UK in 2001 as a senior product manager on Lancôme Makeup and was quickly promoted to group product manager on skincare and makeup before being appointed as UK and Ireland marketing director of Lancôme in 2003.

Four years later, she became general manager of the Lancôme luxury brands Kiehl’s, Shu Uemura and Biotherm, and in July this year, she was appointed as general manager of YSL Beaute and Armani Cosmetics. She lives in Chiswick, west London, with her husband and two children

How would you describe your job?

Fascinating, exciting, challenging, ever changing, demanding, fast moving and hard work.

What does your partner think of your job?

He’s envious that I’m passionate about what I do.

A typical day?

When I’m in London, I drop my girls off at school. I then have a short commute – five minutes in the car from Chiswick to the office in Hammersmith. I grab a cappuccino and am at my desk by 9am. I have a mix of internal meetings, fine-tuning new product launches or a TV campaign, or talking to the finance director.

I also try to do store visits as often as possible. I’ll either turn up unexpectedly or arrange to see a buyer. It’s more interesting if you don’t tell anyone you’re coming. You get to see the real picture. I attempt to have my last meeting finish at 6pm, so I have an hour to tidy things up before leaving the office. I do look at my BlackBerry at home, but we have created team etiquette, which is to not e-mail each other before 8am and after 8pm, so I try to observe that.

You have had a number of promotions in a relatively short period. Any advice on getting promoted?

Passion is everything. If you’re not in love with what you are doing, then it’s hard to progress. I always do more than my job requires. I try to see the company as if it were my own; it encourages you to make better decisions and become more entrepreneurial. Also, it’s important to create the right team with a diverse skill set. You get better ideas than if you’re on your own. You need to cultivate your managers, but don’t sacrifice your personal life. It gives you strength for your professional life. My advice for getting a promotion is to act as if you’re already in the job you want to be in – it raises your game.

What are the advantages of your youth?

I’m the youngest in the management committee. I think it helps me understand my clients, but I’ve always been interested in trends and don’t think that will stop as I get older.

And disadvantages?

You have to prove yourself.

Do you have a five-year plan?

No. Things change all the time, which is why I love my job. L’Oréal acquires new brands and creates new products constantly, which makes it hard to plan where you’ll be in the future.

Did you imagine you would be where you are now when you started your career?

I always knew I wanted to work in luxury. At 15, I knew I wanted to go to Essec Business School because it had a luxury market component. But I never knew I would live in the UK. I like the quality of life here. Plus it’s close enough to Paris to be able to visit my family easily.

Is there a French attitude to business?

The French have a great attention to detail. It can be quite daunting for Brits to see a lot of French people in a room, waving their arms around and having long, detailed debates.

Has your work made your personal life suffer?

It only suffers if you let it.

What is the plus side of working in the beauty business?

It’s dynamic.

And the downside?

The perception is that it’s glamorous and we just shop and apply lipstick all day. But it’s not the case. It’s highly competitive.

Do you feel pressure to look good in your industry?

I’ve always been interested in fashion and beauty. I enjoy wearing heels. You do represent the brand, so I probably wouldn’t want to employ someone who wasn’t well groomed.

Who has been the most influential person on your career?

My mother. She created her own company and is a great saleswoman. She’s always been supportive and understanding of my career.

And what has been the most influential book on your career?

The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael Watkins. It helps you make your mark in a new job.

Do you have a mentor?

Not one. I have a network of people from different backgrounds and with different skill sets. There are probably five or six people I can meet for a coffee if I need professional advice.

Do you mentor anyone?

I have many people who use to work for me whom I mentor.

What do you wish you could tell your teenage self?

Believe in yourself and don’t listen to others.

What advice would you give your daughters about business?

Work hard and believe in yourself and your choices.

Most embarrassing work moment?

In my first year in England, I didn’t speak English very well. I had lunch in the cafeteria with my boss, an incredibly smartly dressed man. I felt very nervous and tipped my tray over him. I was mortified – and I paid for his dry-cleaning.

Highlight of your career?

There have been many since I started at L’Oréal. The main ones are certainly the launch of Juicy Tubes in the UK that revolutionised the premium gloss market, and the opening of my first Kiehl’s Boutique, which made money in its first year. However, I would say my number-one highlight is being in charge of YSL. I have always loved this brand and wanted to work for it: it’s sophisticated, sexy and luxurious.

Low point?

There are days when I wish I could escape to a desert island. But I’m lucky I can compartmentalise things.

Will you ever retire?

I can’t imagine it. There are so many things I want to do.