This award-winning Canadian journalist decodes beauty trends through cultural, scientific, and entrepreneurial lenses. Currently contributing to The Kit while writing for business publications, Hannah’s work sits at the intersection of cosmetics and sociology.
We’ve followed Lesa Hannah’s work for over two decades as she evolved from a Sassy magazine contest winner to one of Canada’s most respected beauty journalists. Her career exemplifies how deep curiosity about cultural shifts can transform beauty reporting into sociological commentary.
This 2023 deep dive into Moroccanoil’s fragrance development became an industry case study in listening to consumer nostalgia. Hannah traces how the brand’s signature argan oil scent became a cultural touchstone, interviewing perfumers and product developers about the technical challenges of capturing sensory memory. Her analysis of the $35 million fragrance launch reveals how legacy beauty brands balance innovation with fan expectations.
Hannah’s 2024 investigation into menopausal skincare marked a turning point in beauty journalism’s approach to aging. By interviewing endocrinologists and cosmetic chemists, she demystified the science behind hormonal skin changes while critiquing the beauty industry’s tendency to medicalize natural processes. The article’s impact led to reformulations in major skincare lines to better address perimenopausal needs.
This 2022 Canadian Business profile exemplifies Hannah’s ability to cross genres. Through founder Barbora Samieian’s journey creating sustainable period care brand Joni, Hannah explores the intersection of feminist entrepreneurship and environmental innovation. The piece contextualizes menstrual product development within broader conversations about workplace equity and circular design principles.
Hannah prioritizes stories that reveal beauty’s role in societal shifts. Successful pitches might examine how post-pandemic remote work influenced skincare routines or analyze TikTok’s impact on fragrance marketing. Her Moroccanoil piece [1] demonstrates this approach by framing a product launch as a study in millennial nostalgia economics.
When profiling entrepreneurs, Hannah seeks narratives that challenge beauty industry tropes. The Joni period products feature [3] succeeded because it connected product development to systemic gender issues rather than standard “female founder” tropes.
Hormonal skincare pitches should bridge clinical research and consumer experience. Her HRT investigation [2] paired interviews with biochemists and personal accounts to create actionable insights without medical sensationalism.
While Hannah has interviewed stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, her work focuses on their entrepreneurial insights rather than personal routines. Pitches about celebrity beauty lines must address cultural impact over gossip.
Hannah often references beauty history, like her analysis of 90s fragrance marketing in the Moroccanoil piece [1]. Successful pitches might explore how current trends reinterpret vintage techniques or ingredients.
“Lesa’s work redefined Canadian beauty journalism by treating cosmetics as cultural artifacts rather than mere commodities.” – Vanessa Craft, Former EIC, Elle Canada
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Beauty, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
