The Documentary Premiere of Telly Award Winning “Does Beauty Matter?” Goes More Than Skin Deep as it Forces Audiences to Challenge Themselves on How They View Beauty and the Industry Professionals Making Us Look and Feel Our Best 

By Betty Taylor

Does beauty really matter? 

That is not only the name of the Telly Award winning documentary from LEAD | ROLFS Global Institute Powered by L’Oréal, but the question left lingering for all of us to think about on a more in-depth scale following this groundbreaking film during a screening and VIP experience held at Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona. Over 400 leaders and beauty industry visionaries were in attendance at the event which also included a red-carpet arrival, VIP reception, and intimate panel discussion featuring our own Editor-in-Chief, Julie Sagoskin, as well as professors and other beauty editors on the meaning and future of beauty. 

The film shows the undeniable role beauty professionals play in our lives – from helping to restore our confidence and even serving as our confidante and unofficial therapist – yet most are often overlooked and viewed as providing a service rather than being a highly skilled professional with a viable lifelong career. After all, beauty shapes and defines history and builds connections, which is why the documentary goes more than skin deep to examine the cultural, economic and human impact of the professionals who power the industry.

The documentary also includes real-world perspectives, testimonials from LEAD graduates and insights from Francis Tesmer, CEO of ROLFS Global and founder of LEAD | ROLFS Global Institute Powered by L’Oréal. Tesmer has been a passionate leader in helping to change the lives of those who make ours better, even introducing a first of its kind degree program for beauty professionals looking to take their skills to the next level. After all, mixing color and custom tailoring our beauty needs involves, math, chemistry, vision, and so much more.

“This documentary is about much more than hair, makeup or appearance,” said Tesmer. “Beauty professionals have an extraordinary ability to influence how people see themselves and how they feel when they step back into the world. Yet the profession has historically not received the educational recognition, career pathways or respect that reflect that impact.”

“Does Beauty Matter?” is also groundbreaking in how it examines the beauty industry through the lenses of education, innovation and cultural influence, examining the changing role of beauty professionals and the movement to provide them with greater educational, leadership and economic opportunities. 

The film was followed by a panel conversation designed to explore the issues raised on screen and look ahead to the future of the industry. The panel included:

Francis Tesmer, Founder & CEO of LEAD | ROLFS Global Institute Powered by L’Oréal; Dr. Krista Fabrik, MCC Beauty and Wellness Director; Scott E. Lewis, NAU Professor of Strategic Leadership; and Julie Sagoskin, Editor in Chief of Park Magazine; former fashion and lifestyle reporter at The Sun and Wellness contributor at The New York Post; and Hana Hong, Fashion Editor at Forbes. The panel was moderated by Kayla Greaves, award-winning journalist and beauty expert, formerly of InStyle, Bustle and The Huffington Post.

“L’Oréal Professional Products Division has stood with the world’s beauty professionals for 115 years. That commitment is the reason we became the powering partner of LEAD | ROLFS Global Institute, and why we are proud to join LEAD in telling the story of Does Beauty Matter? shining a light on the importance and essentiality of beauty,” said Omar Hajeri, Global President, L’Oréal Professional Products Division. 

“To see the documentary recognized with a Silver Telly in the Social Impact category is a moment we are thrilled to share with our professionals around the globe. LEAD is creating a whole new future for beauty professionals. We are proud to power that work, today and for the century ahead.”

BEAUTY KEEPS CLIMBING HIGHER – TO HIGHER EDUCATION

At the center of the conversation is LEAD | ROLFS Global Institute Powered by L’Oréal, an initiative created to transform educational and career opportunities for beauty professionals.

LEAD has pioneered an accelerated higher-education pathway designed specifically for the beauty profession, giving beauty professionals access to accredited college and university degree opportunities while recognizing the professional education and experience they already bring to the industry.

Through its higher-education pathway and in partnership with MCC, part of the largest community college district in America, beauty professionals can pursue an Associate in Applied Science in Beauty and Wellness, with licensed professionals eligible to receive college credit for their beauty education and licensure and continue toward a bachelor’s degree. The program combines the artistry and technical expertise of beauty with education in areas including leadership, entrepreneurship, business, communication, innovation, finance, wellness and the evolving role of technology in the beauty industry.

Powered by L’Oréal USA Professional Products Division, LEAD is built around the belief that advanced education can help elevate beauty professionals into the next generation of entrepreneurs, executives, educators, innovators and industry leaders.

The movement is also helping challenge a longstanding perception that a career in beauty is somehow an alternative to higher education. Instead, LEAD is creating a model in which beauty and higher education intersect, giving professionals the academic credentials, business knowledge and leadership skills to expand their careers both behind and beyond the chair.

ABOUT LEAD | ROLFS GLOBAL INSTITUTE POWERED BY L’ORÉAL

LEAD | ROLFS Global Institute Powered by L’Oréal is helping transform the future of beauty by connecting professional beauty education with accredited higher education and leadership development. The initiative has created an accelerated higher-education pathway designed for beauty professionals, providing opportunities to earn college and university degrees while building expertise in business, entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and the future of the beauty industry.

LEAD’s mission is to elevate the profession, expand economic and career opportunities for beauty professionals and develop the next generation of leaders equipped to shape the rapidly evolving global beauty industry.

For more information about LEAD | ROLFS Global Institute, visit the organization’s website.

ABOUT MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually.