Women all over the world are making waves in the beauty industry. Whether they function as C-level executives, brand creatives, small business owners or lead designers/artists on huge projects like movies and TV shows, we love #GirlBosses.
The beauty industry is one area that really allows women to take control and make a difference in the community around them. While it’s not to say that there haven’t been influential men in the industry, we want to take the time to celebrate some women and their accomplishments.
Estee Lauder
Estee Lauder graced the world in 1908 and left us 2004 (RIP). During her time with us she co-founded her massive cosmetic company, starred on TIME magazine’s cover and was even deemed a business genius. Estee was one of the women who paved the way for women like the following on our list to become successes.
It is more than inspiring to see women of the past making waves. Especially considering the challenges and opposition many women in business during earlier eras faced! Now Estee Lauder is a company that everyone knows and respects. The success of the company wouldn’t have been as fruitful without the powerful leadership of Estee.
Camille Friend
Camille was the lead hair stylist on the recent blockbuster “Black Panther”. Since childhood, Camille knew she was meant to be in the beauty business. She came from a family with a full background in hair and working in salons. By the time she reached the end of her teens, she was pursuing her future in beauty.
Camille moved away from home in Arizona and made her way toward bigger and brighter lights: Los Angeles. After working in salons, she found opportunities for herself to work with celebrities and on film and TV. Camille’s years of dedication to the industry has brought her so far and is only taking her further.
We admire Camille and her passion and artistry. We encourage our students to look up to powerful and inspiring women like her. We’re excited and thrilled to watch the career progression of someone like Camille, and we hope our students choose to put in the time and work like she has, because success is sure to follow.
Aveda recently had the opportunity to interview Camille, and we think it’s so much fun! Click here to read read Aveda’s recap of the exchange.
Michelle Phan
Michelle Phan is truly self made. It all started with a humble YouTube channel in 2006. What once was a community following Michelle made up of just a few, it has grown to almost 9 million. Through hard work, many nights of editing and passion for makeup artistry, Michelle grew her empire. She was eventually offered the chance to become Lancome’s official video makeup artist, and now she does so much more including brand partnerships.
Becoming a beauty blogger or influencer is a dream of many young beauty lovers, and Michelle’s story is the ultimate inspiration.
Helga Hefner
Helga Hefner is Aveda’s manager of Professional Spa Education. Helga was in with Aveda starting early, and she’s dedicated her life to doing it all. Helga’s journey started with cosmetology, and as she worked through the years in school and then into salons, she started to learn more and more about skin care. She was ultimately inspired to move forward in a skin care career when she saw a product demonstration. That’s when she was approached to learn and then teach an esthetics program at the Horst School.
Helga has taken her love of beauty all over the world, including lots of time in India. Helga not only serves as a leader for beauty pros but specifically for Aveda students. As an Aveda leader, Helga demonstrates exactly what the brand demands of their educators and leadership team.
To learn more about Helga and her journey, click here to read “How I Got Here: Helga Hefner” on the Aveda blog.
Women in Uganda
Families in Gomba don’t have close access to clean water. The trek to get water is three miles away, and the water isn’t safe. The Uganda Women’s Water Initiative and Aveda help aid access to clean water and improve the community.
Here’s how they do it: by teaching women in Gomba entrepreneurial skills and leadership traits, they are able to keep women engaged in small business ventures like hand-making and selling soaps to grow the local economy. This keeps women learning and engaged instead of walking miles for dirty water.
The grants that the Aveda and Uganda Women’s Water Initiative pool together allow access to clean water and learning opportunities. The women of Gomba are such an inspiration! The lives they lead are not easy ones, and their dedication to improving their situation is admirable and noble.
To learn more about this Aveda initiative, click here.
Take Your Future Into Your Own Hands
If you long to be a leader, an innovator and a creator, pursue an education in beauty. The sky’s the limit if you have the passion and dedication. To learn more about our beauty programs, contact us today!
Douglas J Institute in the Community
Read: “East Lansing Students Stand Down for Homeless Veterans”
Read: “Knoxville Hits the Catwalk for Water”
Read: “Bringing Glamour Day Back to Ann Arbor”
