Who Invented Beauty?
No single person invented beauty. The concept of beauty is subjective and has evolved across cultures and time periods. However, several individuals significantly impacted the beauty industry as we know it today.
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Helena Rubinstein: Frequently cited as "the woman who invented beauty," Rubinstein was a pioneering businesswoman who built a cosmetics empire. Multiple sources, including biographies like Helena Rubinstein: The Woman Who Invented Beauty (https://www.amazon.com/Helena-Rubinstein-Woman-Invented-Beauty/dp/1908313463) and articles (https://www.susannalea.com/sla-title/helena-rubinstein-the-woman-who-invented-beauty/), highlight her contributions to bringing skincare and cosmetics to a wider market in Europe and America. She was a highly astute businesswoman, building her fortune through entrepreneurship, not marriage.
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Elizabeth Arden: Another significant figure, Arden, starting in a New York beauty salon, developed her own line of products, showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit similar to Rubinstein's. (https://guides.loc.gov/business-of-beauty/history)
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Madam C.J. Walker and Annie Malone: These African-American entrepreneurs were pioneers in the beauty industry, developing hair care products specifically for Black women and building successful businesses. (https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/annie-malone-and-madam-cj-walker-pioneers-african-american-beauty-industry)
The Ancient History of Cosmetics
The use of cosmetics dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians, for example, used makeup, viewing it as connected to religious practices. (https://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/blogs/post/teen-volunteer-joods-brief-history-of-makeup) This demonstrates that the concept of enhancing one's appearance existed long before the modern beauty industry.
Conclusion
While no one person "invented" beauty, individuals like Helena Rubinstein significantly shaped the modern beauty industry. The concept of beauty itself is far older, with roots in ancient civilizations.
