Lise Watier is one of the most successful and influential businesswomen in Canada. She is the founder of Lise Watier Cosmétiques, a prestigious cosmetic company and brand that offers a range of high-quality products, from makeup and skin care to fragrances, and who’s remarkable career has made her a leader in the beauty industry for almost 50 years.
Lise Watier was born in Montreal in 1942, as an only child. She grew up in the neighbourhood of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, where she developed a passion for feminine beauty and self-improvement. She started her career in the media, hosting women’s programmes on radio and television in the 1960s. She listened to the needs and desires of her audience, and decided to create her own beauty institute in 1968, where she offered courses on various topics, from makeup and fashion to personal development.
Not satisfied with he products found on the market at the time, she wanted to create her own line of cosmetics that would meet her high standards and expectations. She learned the basics of cosmetology from a chemist, and launched her first products in 1972, under the name of Lise Watier Cosmétiques. She was inspired by her mentor, Helena Rubinstein, a pioneer in the cosmetic industry who also started from scratch.
One of her first innovations was to introduce aloe vera, a plant with moisturizing and healing properties, into her products. She discovered this ingredient during her frequent trips to Mexico with her husband, Guillermo Andrade, whom she married in 1970. She named her first perfume after him, as a tribute. She also dedicated another perfume, Neiges, to the women of Quebec, which became one of her best-selling products for years.
Lise Watier Cosmétiques soon expanded beyond Canada, and reached international markets such as France, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Japan, the United States, the Philippines and Russia. The company offered more than 350 products, from makeup and skin care to fragrances and accessories. Lise Watier was involved in every aspect of the business, from product development and marketing to distribution and management.
Some of the company’s best-selling products include:
- Neiges: A classic fragrance launched in 1993, inspired by the purity and freshness of snow. It has a floral and fruity scent, with notes of hyacinth, lily of the valley, jasmine, magnolia, orange blossom and sandalwood. Neiges celebrated 30 years on the market, in 2023
- Portfolio Professional Correctors: A cult-favorite product that offers five shades of concealer to correct any skin imperfection, such as dark circles, redness, blemishes and scars. It has a creamy texture that blends easily and provides full coverage.
- Rouge Fondant Suprême: A hydrating lipstick that delivers a shiny finish and a rich color payoff. It contains tsubaki oil, which nourishes and protects the lips, and hyaluronic acid, which plumps and smooths them.
- Age Control Supreme: A line of anti-aging skin care products that harnesses the power of Canadian nature to fight the signs of aging. It contains the exclusive Concentrated Labrador Tea Extract, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as other natural ingredients such as blue lotus, seaweed and soy.
- Vent du Sud: A collection of refreshing mists for body and hair that evoke the breezy, sensual and summer aromas of Vent du Sud, Vent du Sud Azur and Vent du Sud Sunset. They hydrate and refresh the skin and hair, while leaving a subtle fragrance.
Her journey was not without obstacles to overcome, such as a devastating fire that destroyed her factory and warehouse in 1990. She rebuilt her company with determination and resilience. She received many awards and distinctions throughout her career, such as Canadian business woman of the year in 1986, one of the ten Canadian entrepreneurs of the decade by Profit Magazine in 1992, and Woman of the Year by Léger & Léger polling firm from 1993 to 1998.
Family oriented, Lise Watier worked closely with her husband and two daughters, Marie-Lise and Nathalie, who joined the company in marketing roles. In 2007, she sold her business to Imperial Capital Corporation of Toronto, an investment firm, but remained on the board and kept a minority share in the company. In 2013, she retired from the CEO position, and appointed Pierre Plasard, formerly of L’Oréal, as her successor. She could then concentrate focus on her foundation, the Lise Watier Foundation, which supports women in need.
The Lise Watier Foundation is a national non-profit organization that aims to help women and girls overcome poverty and social exclusion by providing them with education, training and financial support. Since its creation in 2009, the foundation has helped more than 3,000 women and girls achieve their personal and professional goals.
In 2016, Lise Watier Cosmétiques was acquired by Groupe Marcelle Inc., another Canadian cosmetic company. The brand is still distributed in Canada and the United States, and continues to innovate and inspire women with its products. Lise Watier is a Canadian success story that remains a model for many entrepreneurs and beauty lovers who admire her vision, creativity and perseverance.
Featured image: Lise Watier, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons