10 Things You Don’t Know About…Teen Vogue’s Phillip Picardi

Just when you thought you knew almost everything about your co-workers, your designer crushes, and even your boss, think again. Introducing a new column that answers questions you never thought to ask: “10 Things You Don’t Know About…” To kick things off, Teen Vogue’s digital editorial director Phillip Picardi gets personal! 

1. My first job was at a McDonald’s. I was told there, “If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.” I like to think that efficiency became my motto because of that position.
2. My first job in New York was for Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. I once helped Oprah Winfrey select a personal fragrance. (She sent a note about me to my boss, which was crazy!)
3. I wear makeup every single day. And I pretty much have since I was 12 years old! At the minimum, you’ll see me with concealer, a powder highlighter, and a cream highlighter. At the most…there’s a lot more.
4. I was Condé Nast’s first boy beauty editor. I started at Teen Vogue as assistant beauty editor when I was 22 years old.
5. I am a sucker for all things PRINT. Even though I work in digital (and love digital media!) I can never pass a magazine store without buying something. I think print is so special, and I love sitting down with a good magazine.
6. I hate going to ANY doctor’s office. The irony is that I’m dating one. (This isn’t supposed to be a humblebrag.)
7. I do not like going out. I have a big personality, so people always think I’m down for a good party — but I’m not. It’s almost impossible to get me to do anything outside of my pre-planned routine, and I’d much rather spend the weekend with Netflix than at a club ’til the wee hours.
8. The only music I listen to seems to be from the early 2000s. Well, that, and Beyoncé’s entire discography. (I told you! I’m a creature of habit.)
9. I haven’t cooked myself a meal since I took my job at Teen Vogue. This is maybe the thing I’m most embarrassed about…the other day, I tried making hardboiled eggs and instead ended up with some awful yolky mush. Cooking is not my strong suit.
10. I do not strive for work-life balance. I consider myself very lucky to fully love my job and the work that I do — so why would I try and do less?