Celebrating Women's History Month the Beautiful Way
A Look at the Influential Women Who Revolutionized the Beauty Industry
It’s no secret that history is practically overflowing with inspirational, strong, and before-their-time women who were visionaries, warriors, and soldiers for the things they believed in.
With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that women played an enormous role in
Why are we bringing this up right now?
Well, for two reasons.
First things first, we hardcore believe that there’s never a wrong time to shine a light on the accomplishments of historical women who inspired change.
And secondly, because it’s March, AKA, Women’s History Month–so, we’re absolutely ready to celebrate that whole-heartedly and give the inspiring women of cosmetology and beauty their deserved credit.
So, how are we celebrating?
By dropping a list of some of the most influential and inspiring women who graced the industry.
But before we get to that, we want to say this: This is by no means a comprehensive list.
It would be dang near impossible to list out every single woman throughout history who’s contributed to and revolutionized the industry as we know it.
Because let’s be honest–there have been (likely millions) of innovative women who changed the game for this industry over time.
So, this list is just a tiny sampling of a few of the women who helped build the path for cosmetology and beauty so that women now could continue their legacy and forge their own ways, too.
All that to say, if you don’t see your favorite stylist or beauty guru or empire-building woman on this list, don’t fret–they play just as big of a role in the evolution and revolution of the beauty industry as the women who came before then.
But because this is a women’s history month, we’re going to take a historical approach and drop a list of must-know women who kickstarted and revamped this whole beauty thing.
Madame C.J. Walker
It’s impossible to talk about the beauty industry without mentioning Madam C.J. Walker. Not only was she the first self-made millionaire in history (we see you, girl), she also was an absolute genius when it came to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Walker created a line of beauty products made specifically for Black women (a revolutionary move on its own) but then stunned the world when she started a “Walker system” of hair care that was sold by her highly-trained beauty culturists.
A badass product line? Check. A knack for self-promotion? For sure. The forge-your-own-path dedication to creating a whole new way to sell beauty products? Oh, yeah.
She set the pace for so many women who came after her, and her example reigns a shining light of ambition for cosmetologists in the beauty industry.
Helena Rubinstein
An entrepreneur from Poland, Helena Rubenstein had humble beginnings.
At first, she specialized in selling a specialized body cream that her mother had used, but slowly over time; she built her name and business into a global cosmetics empire.
How did she get there?
She founded a beauty salon and began manufacturing her own cosmetics, working hard to expand her business wherever she could.
Eventually, she had opened salons all over London and Paris–when she moved to America during WWI, she launched a worldwide empire that inspired and influenced modern cosmetic empires today.
Estee Lauder
Estee Lauder brought a little something special to the beauty industry that would set the stage for those who would come after her. Science.
Her rooted-in-Science approach to beauty was established when she became absolutely fascinated with her uncle’s chemist business, which eventually led to her concocting beauty products in the kitchen.
But her products weren’t the only revolutionary thing she brought to the industry.
She’s also credited with introducing the “hands-on” sale method, believing that it was necessary to touch the consumer and have them physically try the products to make a sale.
P.S., she’s the one who’s credited with free samples, too!
Elizabeth Arden
A big name in the cosmetics world, Elizbeth Arden didn’t just create makeup; she was instrumental in establishing makeup as a “thing” that was OK for women to invest in–no matter what class they were.
Arden is even credited with the idea of a makeover that showed women the transformative allure and power of makeup.
Though she accomplished a ton in her life, her most significant achievement of the Arden brand was how she innovated success and paved the way for proving the consumer power of women.
Love to hear about the historical women who set the beauty industry up for success?
We do, too. Learning about women who changed the beauty industry is fun, sure, but more than that, it’s necessary to taking the industry further.
So, please get to know the women who came before you in the industry, and better, make them proud by forging your own path and honoring their legacy by creating your own.
This beauty industry is just as much yours as it was theirs–go do something inspiring with it!
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