While we love to celebrate the women in our lives all year, March 8th – aka International Women's Day, is a time of recognition of the continued efforts of women's rights activists across the globe.
International Women's Day dates back to 1909, during the rise of the women's rights movements and protests against gender inequality. Today, IWD is celebrated all around the world and across social media. While there are many different ways of celebrating the ladies who are making a difference, we've decided to celebrate International Women's Day by shining a light on some of the most inspirational women who are taking over the beauty industry. From social media influencers to business owners making strides, we love to see a badass boss making a name for herself and breaking the glass for aspiring entrepreneurs and beauty lovers.
Here are seven women who are taking the beauty world by storm:
1. Rihanna
If you ask any beauty expert or fan who is the most influential woman in the beauty industry today, Rihanna will likely be in their top three. Although the now-makeup mogul was best known for her music, *cough* 12 grammy wins *cough* her makeup line, Fenty Beauty shifted the industry for the better. The main priority for Fenty was to offer an inclusive range of makeup for all skin tones. Fenty's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte foundation featured about 50 shades, ultimately selling within minutes of its release. Fenty sparked a much-needed conversation about diversity within the makeup industry, which encouraged competitive brands to expand their shade ranges to include darker shades in their foundation.
2. Linda Wells
In 1991, journalist Linda Wells founded the first and (currently) only print magazine dedicated to Beauty – Allure. Before starting Allure, Linda Wells already had a lucrative career as a beauty editor for Vogue and The New York Times before starting her own magazine venture. Allure's influence on the beauty industry has been cited as one of the leading unbiased reviewers for all products and brands. In addition, Linda herself has been listed as one of the most powerful magazine editors in the fashion and beauty industry.
3. Pat McGrath
Known to be one of the most influential makeup artists globally, Pat McGrath has worked with anybody who is anybody in fashion, music, and Beauty. Although she had no formal training as a makeup artist, her creative vision led to some of the most sought-after platforms for any major artist. Since the 1990s, Pat's beauty looks have been featured on every major magazine cover, including Vogue, and editorial shoots for designer brands like Prada, Valentino, Dolce & Gabanna, and plenty more. She became the Global Creative Design Director at Procter & Gamble in 2004 and released her own luxury makeup line, Pat McGrath Labs, in 2006.
4. Michelle Phan
Those of us who have been part of the online beauty community for the past decade will recognize Michelle Phan and her work as a makeup artist. Having started her youtube channel in 2005, Michelle was best known for her creative tutorials, including her viral Lady Gaga's Bad Romance-inspired makeup look. Michelle was one of the first beauty influencers to reach a million followers and venture out into entrepreneurship by co-founding the beauty subscription service, MyGlam (now known as Ipsy) and her makeup line, Em Cosmetics. In addition, Michelle was one of the first beauty moguls who integrated the digital space into the business world, inspiring beauty gurus to follow suit.
5. Jen Atkins
You may have seen Jen Atkins appear in some of LA's most famous influencers, models, and actors' Instagram, like the Kardashians and Chrissy Teigen. But outside of her elite friendship circle, Jen is one of the leading hairstylists and businesswomen in the beauty world. Having trained under the legendary Lorraine Shwartz, Jen has worked her way through some of Hollywood's most exclusive salons before becoming the most sought-after stylists for the rich and famous. In 2016, she launched her own haircare line, Ouai, which, since December 2013, has been valued at $13B.
6. Selena Gomez
Although singer/actress Selena Gomez is new to the beauty scene, her makeup line, Rare Beauty, has already made a mark in the community. Through her work as a newbie beauty entrepreneur, Selena uses her own personal mental health journey to spread awareness. On top of creating sell-out-worthy blushes, the makeup line also promotes conversations surrounding mental health and its stigmas. In addition, through the Rare Impact initiative, the brand donates 1% of its sales to fund schools' mental health services and educational resources.
7. Charlotte Cho
Korean skincare has already taken over the beauty industry in Asia and the west, and Charlotte Cho has been part of that integration since the beginning. Charlotte founded the online store Soko Glam in 2012, which sold Koren skincare and makeup products straight to US customers, generating a revenue of at least $17M. With her experience as an aesthetician, Charlotte also shared vital skincare tips and tricks, combining both western and Asian methods on achieving healthy and glowing skin. In 2015 she launched her bestselling book, 'The Little Book of Skin Care,' and her own skincare line, 'Then I Met You' in 2018.
Regardless of how you're spending International Women's Day this year, make sure to take some time and share your love to the women in your life, whether they're your mentors, friends, or family.
As much as we love to see a hardworking woman succeed, we're also in the business of giving all women, whether you're a CEO or just starting out, a chance to pamper and treat yourself. Self-care is vital for making a difference in the world, no matter how small or significant the mark.
To learn more about our collection of our products, including our bestselling skincare tools like Riya and Petal 2, click here to visit the main page.
From all of us here at Roseskinco HQ, Happy International Women's Day!
