5 Cosmetic Icons Who’ve Coloured The Beauty Industry

The beauty industry has seen remarkable contributions from Jewish entrepreneurs, visionaries, and innovators who have become iconic figures. Here are some notable names:

1. Estée Lauder – Born Josephine Esther Mentzer, Estée Lauder co-founded one of the most successful global beauty empires, Estée Lauder Companies. She revolutionized the beauty industry with her luxurious skincare and makeup products and is regarded as a pioneer in beauty marketing.
2. Helena Rubinstein – A Polish-born Jewish businesswoman, Helena Rubinstein founded one of the world’s first global cosmetics brands, Helena Rubinstein Incorporated. She was a trailblazer in skincare and was instrumental in developing the modern beauty industry.
3. Bobbi Brown – Bobbi Brown, a makeup artist and entrepreneur, founded Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, focusing on natural beauty and makeup that enhances, rather than masks, one’s features. Her brand redefined beauty standards in the 1990s and beyond.
4. Max Factor – Born Maksymilian Faktorowicz in Poland, Max Factor emigrated to the U.S. and became a Hollywood legend, developing makeup techniques and products that changed the film industry. His brand, Max Factor, is still iconic in beauty today.
5. Anastasia Soare – The founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills, Soare, of Romanian Jewish heritage, is best known for revolutionizing the beauty world with her brow-shaping techniques, introducing the “Golden Ratio” for eyebrows. Her brand has become synonymous with top-tier brow and makeup products.

These individuals have shaped the beauty industry with their innovative ideas and lasting influence, creating brands and trends that continue to dominate today. —Noa Nichol