the future is female

MyOrigines had the pleasure of talking to Christine Delfaut-Sara, Deputy Managing Director of the Nuxe Group. Her career in the cosmetics industry began in Germany at the end of the 1990s and continued in France in 2010.
During her years in the beauty industry, her experience in marketing, branding and change management has enabled her to work with major international and French cosmetic brands such as
Nivea, Yves Rocher and finally NUXE, for product categories ranging from skincare to fragrances.

With over 25 years of international and local experience, Christine Delfaut-Sara has successfully managed various strategic and operational assignments.

5 questions for christine

Can you tell us about your background?

I am French and an Erasmus baby, one of the first generation, born in 1988. I studied in Germany at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which influenced my career path. I decided to start my career in Germany and joined the international Beiersdorf Group.

I have always been attracted by the international dimension, with a real fascination for the beauty market, as evidenced by my diversified career in retail, mass distribution, a listed group or even for family groups, all focused on beauty.

What was your main motivation for working in the beauty industry?

It was by chance that I started in this market, during an internship in Germany during my studies. What got me hooked is that beauty is one of the few markets that is so close to women.

Beauty is about understanding and listening to women, addressing important societal issues such as female empowerment and the representation of women in society. It's exciting and that's why I stayed in this field.

Did your mother, or a woman close to you, play an inspiring role in your projects, your daily life? In what way?

I think that this is precisely the thing that marked me and that certainly also gave me the courage at the end of the 1980s to go to Germany - which was atypical for a young girl from the South of France. I had a mother who was independent very early on. A mother who, in the 1960s, was the 'absolute' Frenchwoman with a desire for autonomy.

I think these values have always guided me. I have never been afraid of anything in my professional career, whether it was moving to Germany or making choices between different companies. This has been a real pillar for me: never being subjected to anything but being an actor.

At the moment, only 30% of management positions in France are held by women. What would you say to a woman who wants to work in a management position in the beauty world?

I would say that we should not conceptualise the fact that there might be a glass ceiling. I think you should not think about the obstacle, but focus on what you want, dare to say it and go for it.

Aliza Jabès, the founder and president of Nuxe, has a motto that she often repeats: "Not even afraid". And I think that's the best advice we can give. You have to dare and go for it!

Your must-have products for a busy day?

I always stick to my products and rituals because I know I can rely on them. In the morning, I always use Huile Prodigieuse, which leaves my skin soft and smells wonderful all day long. I also wear the Prodigieux perfume.

A good deodorant and then chocolate all day! I have a basket on my desk for the teams and I also carry some in my handbag.