In an industry as fast-paced and competitive as beauty, Julia Coquard has not only found her voice but has reshaped the way brands connect with their audiences. Currently serving as the Director of Growth Marketing at Il Makiage, Julia is a testament to what creativity, grit, and determination can achieve—especially as a woman navigating the intersection of artistry and business.
Julia’s journey began in her hometown of Malmö, Sweden, where she grew up in a household full of creativity. With two musician parents, she was encouraged to experiment artistically from a young age. At just 12, Julia turned her newfound love for makeup into a passion project: a beauty blog titled “Makeup Is Art.”
“It started as a way to document my progress,” Julia recalls. “I’d come home from school, experiment with looks, wipe them off, and try again. I never thought it would grow the way it did.” Yet, it did grow—transforming into one of Sweden’s most-followed beauty blogs and showing Julia what was possible when passion met ambition.
By 16, Julia’s artistry caught the attention of MAC Cosmetics, where she landed her first professional role without formal training. “I was obsessed with MAC,” she laughs. “I think they hired me because I’d been lurking at their counter so much. But that job was a game-changer—it was my crash course in the professional beauty world.”
Julia’s ambition eventually brought her to the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) alongside Psychology. Her time at Penn helped her blend her artistic sensibilities with strategic thinking, preparing her for a career that would combine creativity with data-driven marketing.
Fast-forward to today, Julia has been instrumental in Il Makiage’s meteoric rise. At just 28 years old, she has led over 5,000 ad campaigns, launched 15 product categories, and managed a multi-million-dollar global marketing budget, all while mentoring a team of creatives.
But it hasn’t always been easy. “Scaling at such a rapid pace is challenging,” Julia admits. “The pressure to innovate, stay ahead, and maintain that growth is intense. But it’s also the most fulfilling challenge I could ask for.”
For Julia, success isn’t just about milestones—it’s about inspiring the next generation of women to lead boldly. Her advice? “Stay curious, take risks, and lead with authenticity. And don’t lose sight of the passion that got you started.”
In a world where women continue to break barriers, Julia Coquard is redefining what it means to be a leader—and she’s just getting started.