Some people are programmed completely differently to the rest of their family, but sometimes, genetics are just too strong. Maggie and Annie Ford Danielson, daughters of Benefit cosmetics co-founder Jean Ford, were in Hong Kong last week to celebrate the brand's five-year presence in the city. The pair have followed in the footsteps of their mother and aunt, Jane Ford, who founded the cult makeup brand, and are makeup trend artists and brand authorities for Benefit.
The makeup company has been around since 1976, but the Ford Danielson girls are new additions.
'I was in a marketing firm and we worked with clients in the beauty industry,' says Maggie, 29, 'so it was the right time, the right place: Annie and I both wanted to join Benefit so we started about two years ago.'
The pair say their main role is public relations: they travel around America and the world to give interviews and open new shops.
But rather than taking the reins from their mum and aunt, the sisters say they are just learning and slowly accepting responsibility for parts of the business, while the Ford twins make all the major decisions.
They describe themselves as 'just another layer' of the brand, and say they are taking their new roles slowly.
'We're like the new voice because the brand needs to evolve,' says Maggie. 'We're constantly talking to new customers and seeing what the new generation wants,' Maggie says.