International Women’s Month

International Women’s Month: How Female Entrepreneurs Are Transforming the Beauty Industry

This month, The Online Beauty Courses is celebrating the incredible contributions of women in the beauty industry. From those who revolutionized skincare to entrepreneurs who transformed small businesses into globally recognized brands, it’s important to highlight the diversity, inclusivity, and evolution of this vibrant industry.

The beauty industry spans a wide range of personal care products—skincare, oral care, haircare, cosmetics, and perfumes. It’s a growing and lucrative market, set to continue expanding in the future. However, beyond its economic importance, the beauty industry remains a complex and provocative field that invites interdisciplinary exploration. Often viewed through a gendered lens, the industry has traditionally emphasised cosmetics that align with socially constructed beauty ideals, particularly those associated with femininity. Feminist thinkers like Susan Bordo, Andrea Dworkin, and Naomi Wolf have criticized the industry for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards and reinforcing patriarchal values. Wolf’s book The Beauty Myth argues that the industry, masked as a form of empowerment, is often rooted in patriarchal expectations.

More recent, post-feminist perspectives, however, suggest that the beauty industry can empower individuals, offering them a space to express their identity and enhance their natural beauty.

In recent years, the beauty industry has seen a positive shift towards body positivity and gender inclusivity. With the rise of male grooming and growing visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community, beauty products are becoming more gender-neutral. This change is helping to break down traditional gender norms and create more inclusive products for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

The beauty industry is experiencing a transformative, female-led renaissance. For decades, it was dominated by men, who often focused on operational aspects rather than consumer desires. But now, pioneering women are reshaping the industry, both commercially and culturally, challenging the traditional limits of what beauty can be.

Take, for example, these female-founded companies:

• • Emily Weiss, the founder of Glossier, noticed that millennials were overlooked by traditional beauty brands that didn’t reflect their values. She created Glossier in 2014 to offer engaging content, conversations, and a community. Today, Glossier is worth a staggering £1.3 billion.
  • Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty revolutionized the industry by emphasizing inclusivity in marketing. Her “Beauty for all” approach showcased diverse body types and ethnicities, pushing other brands to do the same.
  • Madam C.J. Walker was a trailblazing African-American entrepreneur who transformed the hair care industry for Black women. She developed specialized products that addressed their unique needs, challenging long-standing industry norms.
  • Estée Lauder founded a brand that made luxury beauty products accessible to a broader audience, championing the idea that elegance should be available to all.
  • Anita Roddick was a pioneer of ethical and sustainable beauty, founding The Body Shop with a focus on cruelty-free and eco-friendly products, helping to shape a more responsible industry.
  • The Online Beauty Courses: (us!) Launched in November 2019 by two sisters, Maria and Nicola, as a way to make beauty treatment courses more accessible, which has now helped over 32,000 students on their beauty journey. 

At The Online Beauty Courses, we believe beauty should be accessible to all, regardless of background or experience. We create online resources for individuals in the beauty industry, whether they’re just starting out or running their own businesses. We are especially passionate about supporting women—those who work from home or balance family responsibilities—by providing tools and resources to help them grow their skills and businesses without limits. This International Women’s Month, we celebrate their journey and the lasting impact they have made on the beauty world.

Why is it important we celebrate International Women’s Month?

Acknowledging Achievements and Contributions:

Women have made invaluable contributions to the beauty industry, from pioneering innovative techniques to creating inclusive, empowering beauty standards. By sharing their stories, you help highlight their achievements, reminding everyone of the hard work and dedication that has shaped the industry today.

Inspiring the Next Generation:

Women in the beauty industry—whether they’re makeup artists, hairstylists, aestheticians, or entrepreneurs—serve as powerful role models. By celebrating their stories, you inspire future generations to pursue their dreams, overcome challenges, and make their mark in the industry.

Promoting Inclusivity:

By addressing the diverse needs of women, such as creating products for Black women or advocating for natural ingredients, these pioneers fostered a more inclusive beauty industry. Their efforts highlight the importance of representation and accessibility in beauty standards. 

Challenging Societal Norms:

These women defied the expectations of their time, proving that innovation and leadership are not confined by gender. Their success stories inspire countless individuals to pursue their passions and challenge the status quo.

Encouraging Entrepreneurship:

Their journeys from humble beginnings to industry leaders demonstrate the power of entrepreneurship. They serve as role models for aspiring businesswomen, showing that with vision and determination, success is achievable.

We have a variety of courses at The Online Beauty Courses that can help you increase your skills and expand treatments that you offer to clients, or courses that can help you with beginning your journey in beauty. 

Submit a story for International Women’s Month!

You can submit your story on our International Women’s Month page, for a chance to get featured across our social media channels. We would love to hear your stories of how you got into the beauty industry and your role in the beauty industry.