WallStreet TeamEmily Weiss, the visionary founder of Glossier, has redefined the beauty industry with a refreshing approach that champions authenticity, inclusivity, and innovation. By building a brand that puts customers at the center, Weiss has created a global beauty empire that resonates with modern consumers seeking more than just products—they seek connection.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Weiss’s interest in beauty and creativity blossomed early in her life. After graduating from New York University, she worked in fashion and editorial roles at prestigious outlets like Teen Vogue and Vogue. During this time, she identified a gap in the beauty market: a lack of authentic conversations about real people's experiences with beauty.
In 2010, Weiss launched Into the Gloss, a beauty blog that explored the routines and rituals of everyday individuals and industry professionals alike. The blog quickly gained a cult following for its honest, relatable, and aspirational content. Weiss’s ability to listen to her audience and build a community around beauty conversations set the stage for her next groundbreaking venture.
In 2014, Weiss founded Glossier, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand rooted in the philosophy that beauty should be fun, personal, and inclusive. Glossier debuted with just four products—balm, mist, moisturizer, and a skin tint—but its minimalist approach and community-driven ethos made an immediate impact. From the start, Weiss prioritized listening to customer feedback, creating products that were inspired by real-life needs and preferences.
Glossier’s success lies in its ability to foster an emotional connection with its customers. Through a social-first marketing strategy and a strong emphasis on community, Weiss turned Glossier into more than a brand—it became a movement. By empowering customers to share their own beauty stories and celebrate their individuality, Weiss transformed the traditional top-down beauty narrative into a collaborative experience.
Under Weiss’s leadership, Glossier has grown into a billion-dollar company with a diverse product line spanning skincare, makeup, and fragrance. The brand’s signature aesthetic—clean, modern, and approachable—has become synonymous with a new era of beauty. Glossier’s flagship stores, which offer immersive, Instagram-worthy experiences, further exemplify Weiss’s commitment to blending online and offline connections.
In addition to its commercial success, Glossier has been recognized for its inclusive approach to beauty. Weiss has championed diversity in product development and advertising, ensuring that Glossier reflects the wide range of faces and identities that make up its customer base.
Weiss stepped down as CEO of Glossier in 2022 to focus on her role as the brand’s executive chairwoman, allowing her to focus on long-term vision and innovation. Her journey continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, to dream big and build businesses that challenge industry norms.
Emily Weiss’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and vision. From the launch of Into the Gloss to building Glossier into a cultural phenomenon, she has reimagined what it means to lead in the beauty industry. For Weiss, the path forward is all about empowering individuals to feel confident, beautiful, and authentically themselves.
