From trailblazing entrepreneurs to innovative stylists, women have transformed beauty into a powerful space for creativity, empowerment, and self-expression. As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on the female pioneers who paved the way.
Keep reading to learn more about the women who changed the beauty industry forever!
Madame C.J. Walker
A Pioneer of Entrepreneurship
Known as the “first Black woman millionaire in America,” Madame C.J. Walker was one of the first pioneers of the American beauty industry. She first created her haircare products when she experienced a scalp disorder that caused her to lose her hair. The “Walker System,” a method of using lotions and iron combs, was her solution.
Her knowledge, experience, and proven product earned her a cult following. As her business grew, she began to employ saleswomen she referred to as “beauty culturalists” to further her reach to Black women across the country.
Madame Walker’s heart for her community went beyond creating products and jobs for fellow Black women. She donated large portions of her wealth to educational and community-based programs, including the NAACP, the Black YMCA, and the Tuskegee Institute. She even encouraged her employees to give back to their community, providing them with bonuses when they did.
It’s safe to say that Madame C.J. Walker’s contributions to the American beauty industry and the Black community as a whole have firmly cemented her spot in history as a beauty trailblazer.
Elizabeth Arden
A Pioneer of New Beauty Standards
Born in late 1870s Canada as Florence Nightingale Graham, Elizabeth Arden would come to be known as an instrumental creator of the current makeup industry. While working as a bookkeeper for a pharmaceutical company, Arden discovered a passion for beauty and spent much of her time in the lab learning more about her soon-to-be craft.
In partnership with Elizabeth Hubbard, Arden opened The Red Door Salon 1910s New York. Though this was not a lasting partnership, The Red Door, and subsequently Arden, blossomed. She brought on chemists to create her famous beauty line, starting with skincare and expanding to makeup.
Through her marketing strategy, she created a space where women could feel confident in their own skin. She was also a fearsome advocate of the suffragette movement, supplying over 15,000 women with red lipstick as a sign of solidarity. Her dedication to providing women with the tools they needed to embrace their true selves set a new standard for the beauty industry.
Marjorie Joyner
A Pioneer of Invention
A leading figure in the beauty industry, Marjorie Joyner became the first African American student to graduate from A.B. Moler Beauty and Culture School in 1916. She soon opened her own beauty shop but discovered that her training was not sufficient to care for specific hair textures. This led her to Madam C.J. Walker’s beauty school.
After honing her skills, Joyner became an integral part of Walker’s company, rising to the ranks of vice president and national supervisor of 200+ beauty schools. In 1928, she invented the permanent wave machine and became one of the first African American women to receive a patent for a beauty product.
Her accomplishments go beyond hair with her contribution to developing skincare for African American women. She also partnered with Walker to develop a comprehensive personal care routine that addressed both hair and skin needs. Her advocacy for the personalized skincare approach still influences skincare trends today.
Dame Anita Roddick
A Pioneer of Ethical Beauty
Anita Roddick was a businesswoman who revolutionized beauty with her vision for an ethical industry. When The Body Shop opened in 1976, it was radically different from competing cosmetics shops. When her primary 25 products were released, she emphasized natural ingredients, environmentally sustainable practices, and lack of animal testing.
Roddick was the first to bring skincare to the mainstream through her marketing. She popularized facial skincare personalized by skin type and concern for the everyday consumer, which we now see reflected in our current skincare market.
True to her activist heart, Roddick sourced ingredients directly from ground-level cultivators and created the Community Fair Trade program in 1987. This program, which is still in effect, creates long-term partnerships with suppliers around the world in order to invest in social and environmental projects that positively impact their communities.
The impact of these trailblazing women in the beauty industry is undeniable. Their innovation, resilience, and passion not only transformed hair and skincare but also paved the way for future generations of beauty professionals. By challenging norms and redefining standards, they have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire. As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, let’s honor these pioneers by continuing to uplift, support, and empower women in beauty and beyond.
