Product Development Intern

HOURGLASS COSMETICS — INTERN, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (On-site Role)

Connected by creativity and driven by purpose. Hourglass Cosmetics is a vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand, redefining luxury cosmetics with high-performance products, innovative formulas, and award-winning franchises. Recognized by Forbes, Fast Company and Time Magazine as one of the most inventive beauty companies, Hourglass leads the industry with its breakthrough products and its commitment to animal welfare. Founded in 2004, Hourglass is globally available in 32 markets and over 4,600 doors including Sephora, Ulta, Neiman Marcus, Selfridges, Space NK and more. Hourglass became part of the Unilever Prestige division in 2017. Discover more about the Hourglass brand story and mission on our website hourglasscosmetics.com.

We're seeking a curious, detail-oriented Product Development Intern to join our Product Development team for 3 months with possible extension to 6 months. The intern will gain hands-on exposure to the end-to-end development of luxury beauty products, from early-stage concepts and formula evaluation to testing, and commercialization.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about makeup and skincare who wants to understand how innovative beauty products are brought to life. The intern will work across the Hourglass portfolio, gaining exposure to formula development, product performance evaluation, manufacturing processes, and cross-functional collaboration.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

These duties may be reviewed and modified from time to time based on mutual needs.

• Product Development Support: Support the end-to-end development of products across the Hourglass portfolio, including cosmetics and skincare. Assist with tracking project milestones, organizing development materials, preparing for internal and external meetings, and coordinating key deliverables throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Product Evaluation: Participate in product evaluations alongside the Product Development team, assessing attributes such as texture, payoff, blendability, wear, shade, and overall product performance, as applicable. Document observations, organize feedback, and help track product iterations to support development decisions and product refinement.
• Trend Research: Research emerging beauty trends, competitive products, innovative formulas, ingredients, technologies, and consumer preferences. Summarize findings and share relevant insights to inspire product innovation and inform development opportunities.
• Process Improvement & AI Innovation: Explore opportunities to streamline the team's workflows using AI-assisted tools. Research and test potential solutions, evaluate their effectiveness, and recommend practical ways to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Help coordinate across internal teams — Packaging Development, Project Management, Product Marketing, Creative, and Supply Chain — to support seamless coordination throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Vendor & Sample Management: Assist in organizing and cataloguing contract manufacturer samples; support communication with external partners under the guidance of the Product Development Team.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare meeting agendas and notes, organize development files and technical documentation, and help assemble presentation materials for internal reviews.
• Lab & Sample Organization: Maintain an organized sample library, assist with physical sample handling and labeling, and keep the development workspace orderly.
• Other duties as assigned.

YOU’LL LOVE THIS JOB IF YOU'RE:

• Passionate and knowledgeable about beauty: You love beauty and discovering new beauty products.  You are very aware of the beauty landscape, competitive brands and trends.
• Curious and interested in Product Development: You are instinctively curious, like to ask questions, and uncover insights.  You are keen to develop in-depth understanding of cosmetics product development.
• Organized and detail-oriented: You make lists, stay organized and follow through.  You are keen on details, have appetite for a variety of assignments, and prioritize effectively.
• Confident communicator: You are a proactive communicator, interfacing effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Motivated by a challenge: You enjoy tackling new tasks and figuring things out.  You are highly adaptable to shifting needs and opportunities.  You bring ideas.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a degree program in product development, packaging, personal care, cosmetic science or a related field.
• Genuine passion for makeup, skincare, and the beauty industry, with an interest in how products are developed and brought to market.
• Curious, resourceful, and eager to learn, with the ability to take initiative and work independently when appropriate.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with strong follow-through and a proactive, problem-solving approach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Ability to work onsite at the Hourglass West Hollywood, CA office.

The expected hourly rate range for this position is $21-$22/hour. The exact hourly rate is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, and budget.

Hourglass is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive its business results and to create a better future every day for its diverse employees, global consumers, partners and communities. If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation in order to apply for a job listing, please contact us at 310-392-7799 or [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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