Dineh Mohajer, founder of Smith & Cult and Hard Candy Cosmetics

What is your role?
I'm the creative director and co-founder of Smith & Cult. I came up with the concept and put it together -- meaning I partnered with a company to bring it to the market, develop the creative concepts and execute the deliverables. Because it's a start-up environment, I'm very entrenched in every aspect of the products, branding and visuals. I pick anything from the names of the nail polishes to the size of the font on our website.

What was your first break in the industry?
I was in school studying biochemistry as a pre-med student, and I started playing around with nail polish -- I think as a way to procrastinate and forget about school. I mixed some Essie white polish with some really cheap, super-pigmented polish I had on hand, and I got this beautiful pastel blue color that I started wearing. Immediately, I started getting compliments. So I started selling it from my house -- which started smelling like a toxic plant, by the way. Fred Segal in Santa Monica began carrying it, and it would sell out as soon as I fulfilled the order. Then I sent some to magazines and the response was incredible. They featured it, and because this was pre-Internet, they put my phone number in the magazine for people to buy it. My phone was ringing off the hook. Finally, I got set up as a real company after I realized I couldn't keep making it from home. I was 22.

What is your best advice for someone seeking a similar position?
Be fearless. Try not to look at limitations or boundaries and never think that something is un-doable. At the same time, be very cognizant of the business side. If you're trying to be both the creative and the business brains, you run yourself ragged in no time. Find someone who is proficient in finance and operations to be your partner who can help you with capitalization, because you're going to need money. A beauty business sucks up cash -- you got to have money to make money.

What's the best part of your day?
First of all, the people I work with are amazing, and I love working with them. Secondly, the creative conception is the most stimulating thing I do -- the packaging, the colors and the layout.

The worst?
The pressure of deadlines. The general attitude the first time I hear about something is "we need it yesterday."

What has been the highlight of your career? The biggest highlight is having a huge impact and changing part of the world of cosmetics. When I walk around and see girls wearing pastels and bright colors and glitter eyeliner, I think, "Wow, I influenced that." Selling my company to LVMH was also a highlight.

What are some common misconceptions people have about your job or working in beauty?
They think I'm in a lab mixing things up or that I'm some sort of makeup magician. When people think about working in beauty, I don't think they think about the actual operations -- it's romanticized.

What's next?
I just finished developing a lip lacquer category called "The Shining" with eight shades this year. It's an Italian formula that we spent a lot of time perfecting. It's out Fall 2015!

Alexis Rodriguez, Executive Director, Global Communications, North America for Bobbi Brown

What is your role?
I oversee PR activities/strategy for Bobbi Brown, both the makeup artist and the cosmetics collections. This includes securing press opportunities for brand spokespeople and product launches across all media outlets, protecting the brand equity/image, developing content for social media platforms, managing our cause-related marketing initiatives and much more.

How did you break into the industry?
I interned for a small PR firm that specialized in independent films. I realized I liked PR, but not for films, so I looked for another internship and landed one at DNA PR, which specializes in beauty PR for independent beauty brands. Once there, I felt like I found what I was supposed to be doing.

What's you best advice for someone seeking a similar position?
There is no formula or specific path that will guarantee a job in beauty. Everyone's path is different. I suggest internships as a foundation. Hands-on experience is crucial, and you'll learn very quickly if you want to do PR for a living. Networking is also key. Connect with professionals in the industry however you can. Lastly, immerse yourself in the industry. Visit sites like TotalBeauty.com and WWD.com to keep a pulse on the industry. It's all about being really proactive and creating opportunities for yourself, as they will not be handed to you.

What's the best part of your day?
Any time I see the fruits of my labor in a magazine, online, on TV, etc. When you see your brand celebrated in the media and you know you were behind it, that's what makes the job most rewarding. Unlike advertising, nothing in PR is guaranteed, so when a story is finally published, it's a great feeling ... and then on to the next!

What has been the highlight of your career?
Working with brand founders like Diane von Furstenberg and Bobbi Brown -- two incredible women who dominate their industries.

What are some common misconceptions people have about your job?
That it is all about perks and parties. Yes, I do have access to a lot of beauty products, and entertaining is part of the job, but global communications is far more strategic than most expect. When you work for a personality/celebrity, you have to be accessible to them around the clock. We put together comprehensive strategies for product launches, campaigns, store openings, etc., write press materials almost daily, create presentations for the brand, produce broadcast segments, facilitate interviews--it doesn't stop. Luckily, there are some perks to keep us motivated and loving what we do!

Rodriguez runs a blog to mentor aspiring beauty/fashion publicists and tweets at @ThePRCloset.

Achelle Dunaway, Creative Director at e.l.f Cosmetics

What is your role?
I've been in this position for the past decade, so I've had the opportunity to dabble in a little bit of everything. Primarily, my focus has been on innovation in new product development and brand expansion. On the product front, this includes strategic review of our current assortment, trend forecasting, and conceptualizing a product from soup to nuts with formulation, color, componentry, copy and secondary packaging. For branding, this entails social engagement through videos, and building relationships with retailers and beauty editors.

What was your first job/break in the industry?
I moved to New York from California with no job, no apartment, no contacts and not much money. I started working in a children's clothing store when I first moved to New York. One of the employees was the niece of the founder of e.l.f. Cosmetics and she suggested I interview for a job there. Though I was only interested in fashion at the time, I thought it couldn't hurt to interview. I'm so glad I did! I segued from fashion to beauty, and in the beginning I did a lot -- product development, customer service, email marketing, PR and affiliate marketing. It was a start-up, so we all wore a lot of hats!

What is your best advice for someone seeking a similar position?
Be genuine and driven; that is a dynamic duo in the industry. Start networking and finding opportunities to gain experience, and be enthusiastically willing to work your way up in a company. Communicate in your interview about your commitment to grow long-term and set goals with your employer to help you achieve them.