Women have gone from strength to strength, investing in themselves like never before — from mental health and professional success to emotional equilibrium and looking well put together every single day.
The boom in the beauty and cosmetics industry is a reflection of this growing awareness.
And no, women aren’t complaining about the abundance of choices made available to them by their own kind.
Every day, new innovations emerge, brought to life by some incredible women. This blog highlights a few you may already know and introduces others who deserve the spotlight.
The Ones Who Make Looking Beautiful a Breeze – Women Entrepreneurs in Beauty and Cosmetics
While there are several women making waves, here’s taking a look at a few who have made a positive impact on the industry and are changing it even today:
1. Madam C. J. Walker (1867–1919)
The first Black woman millionaire in America, Madam C. J. Walker made her fortune with a homemade range of hair care products formulated especially for Black women. She believed in serving humanity and uplifting women who cared not just for themselves but for everyone around them.
2. Elizabeth Arden
Over a century ago, Elizabeth Arden established her American beauty empire. Starting as a bookkeeper for a pharmaceutical company, she later became a “treatment girl” for a beauty culturist. Using the knowledge she gained, she founded the immensely popular cosmetic brand Elizabeth Arden. Her range of cosmetics represents “an intellectual bond between nature and science.” Her regimen for lasting beauty wasn’t just about cover-up but diligent skincare, nutrition, and fitness. Her mantra: “Every woman has the right to be beautiful.”
3. Emily Weiss
Founder of Glossier Inc., a digital-first beauty company that transformed the world’s perspective on beauty, Weiss created a startup aimed at millennials. Her motto behind the venture: “Rekindle the humanity of things and the connections you feel with people.”
4. Huda Kattan
Launched in 2013, Huda Beauty is one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty brands. With over 26 million loyal fans worldwide, the brand offers more than 140 products, from concealers to eyeshadows, and has a commanding social media presence.
5. Sylvia Chantecaille
Founder of the luxury skincare and makeup brand Chantecaille, she has launched 29 limited-edition Philanthropy Collections since 2006, contributing to conservation efforts for oceans, the environment, and endangered species.
6. Falguni Nayar
The founder of Nykaa and an investment banker turned entrepreneur, Nayar built a fashion and lifestyle retail empire boasting over 1,500 labels. She started Nykaa at age 50 and is now India’s richest self-made woman, with a net worth of $7 billion.
7. Pat McGrath
An institution in herself, McGrath’s breathtaking makeup artistry has graced the pages of the biggest fashion magazines and the runways of iconic brands like Prada, Christian Dior, and Givenchy.
8. Anna Ayers
Along with her husband Fabian, Anna founded Rahua to help save the rainforest and empower people through beauty. All products are crafted with ingredients sourced and processed by Indigenous communities, preserving age-old traditions.
9. Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip
CEO of JKN Global Group and a transgender advocate, Anne made history by acquiring the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, becoming the first woman to own the global beauty pageant.
10. Suvi Haimi
Founder of Sulapac, Haimi’s mission is to save the planet from plastic waste. The brand focuses on eco-friendly packaging for the cosmetic industry and has collaborated with Chanel as its first investor from the beauty sector.
11. Sharon Chuter
Founder of UOMA Beauty, Chuter’s brand carries a strong message of inclusivity: “Their race is human, their kin are free, their language is shading. They are a wonderful clan, and everyone is welcomed.”
12. Ayami Nishiwaki
Founder of BAUM, a sustainability-focused prestige beauty brand that utilizes every part of the tree — trunk, skin, leaves, fruit, and roots — in its products. BAUM emerged from Nishiwaki’s work at Shiseido and has since become a part of the Shiseido Prestige portfolio.
13. Antonia Philp
Philp created Nursem to help nurses and midwives combat dry, chapped hands from long shifts. For every product purchased, Nursem donates a month’s supply to healthcare workers, fulfilling promises to over 100,000 individuals by the end of 2020.
13. Charlotte Tilbury
A global makeup icon and ambassador for Women for Women International, Tilbury supports female survivors of war through ongoing initiatives and collaborations.
14. Nikita Mehta
Co-founder of Fable & Mane, a plant-powered hair care brand rooted in Indian Ayurvedic traditions. The brand emphasizes sustainability and has shifted perspectives on using hair oil as part of a modern beauty routine.
15. Anna Brightman
Co-founder of UpCircle, Brightman turned discarded coffee grounds into body scrubs and expanded into sustainable skincare using other upcycled ingredients like chai spices and fruit stones.
16. Trishna Daswaney
Founder of Kohl Kreatives, Daswaney created inclusive beauty tools designed for those with motor disabilities, transgender communities, and individuals undergoing aggressive medical treatments.
17. Michelle Feeney
Her brand, Floral Street, champions sustainability in luxury beauty. From low-impact packaging to small-batch production, every product is crafted with sustainably sourced ingredients.
Conclusion
The list of women taking on the challenge of redefining beauty, sustainability, and inclusivity grows by the day.
Each of these women has left an indelible mark not just on the beauty industry but also on the world, making it a more radiant place with their contributions. May their tribe grow and their impact flourish.
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