Emily Weiss: Founder of Glossier and Beauty Industry Innovator

Emily
December 26, 2024

Emily Weiss is an American entrepreneur, beauty mogul, and the founder of Glossier, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand that has revolutionized the cosmetics industry. Known for her innovative approach to branding, community building, and empowering customers, Emily has become a trailblazer in the beauty space, creating a brand that prioritizes authenticity and connection.

Born on March 22, 1985, in Wilton, Connecticut, Emily studied studio art at New York University. After graduating, she began her career as a fashion assistant at Vogue and later worked at W Magazine and Teen Vogue. During her time in the fashion industry, she developed a keen eye for design and storytelling, skills that would later shape her approach to building her own brand.

In 2010, Emily launched Into The Gloss, a beauty blog that provided a behind-the-scenes look at the beauty routines of celebrities, models, and industry insiders. The blog quickly gained a cult following for its relatable tone and unique insights, becoming a trusted resource for beauty enthusiasts. Its success inspired Emily to take her passion for beauty to the next level.

In 2014, she founded Glossier, a beauty brand rooted in the philosophy of enhancing natural beauty and celebrating individuality. Unlike traditional beauty brands, Glossier was built as a digital-first company, leveraging social media and direct engagement with its community to create products based on customer feedback. Products like Boy Brow and Cloud Paint became instant hits, earning the brand a loyal global fanbase.

Under Emily’s leadership, Glossier has grown into a multi-billion-dollar company, disrupting the traditional beauty retail model and setting new standards for digital marketing and customer-centric product development. Emily’s ability to connect with her audience and foster a sense of community around the brand has made her one of the most influential figures in the beauty industry.

Emily has been featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and TIME’s 100 Next, recognized for her contributions to beauty and entrepreneurship. Through her work with Glossier, she continues to inspire a new generation of founders to embrace creativity, authenticity, and customer engagement as the keys to success.

Forbes Staff

Forbes Founder Staff is a seasoned writer dedicated to exploring the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business.

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