The beauty industry has historically been a nurturing space for female entrepreneurs. Heritage brands such as Elizabeth Arden, Estée Lauder, and Merle Norman are named after the ambitious young women who founded their own companies in the 20th century. In 2018, the game has definitely changed — roaming Avon ladies have been replaced by Facebook friends selling products, and old-school ads are starting to take a backseat to social media posts. A new generation of female founders has emerged — and jeez, are they reaping the monetary benefits.
Forbes released its annual list of the richest self-made women [1], which included some beauty brand founders. While we'll let Twitter debate whether or not Kardashian/Jenner sisters fit the definition of "self-made," [2] it's hard to not be impressed by the mammoth success the following seven women have reached in their careers.
Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields
Who? Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields (far right), founders of Proactiv Solutions and Rodan + Fields
How much? $1.5 billion
Background: The pair met while they were dermatology residents at Stanford University in 1984. Both Rodan and Fields own 50 percent of the company, which grew by the same amount [4] in 2017. While the brand has recently come under fire for its controversial multilevel marketing sales model [5], which enlists consultants to sell product through multiple social platforms, it hasn't seemed to put too much of a damper on its skyrocketing success.
Anastasia Soare
Who? Anastasia Soare, founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills
How much? $1 billion
Background: After immigrating to Los Angeles from Romania in 1989, Soare worked in a salon for three years. ABH launched in 2000 with a line of brow products, which soon became the brand's specialty. It wasn't until Soare's daughter Claudia [6] began showing off the brand on Instagram that its popularity truly peaked. Now, it's worth a cool $200 million.
Pat McGrath
Who? Pat McGrath, makeup artist and founder of Pat McGrath Labs
How much? McGrath was noticeably absent from Forbes's list, and we don't know how much the woman herself is worth. Just a week after the Forbes piece was published, Pat McGrath Labs received a $60 million investment form Eurazeo, bringing the company's valuation to $1 billion [7].
Background: Born in London to a Jamaican immigrant, McGrath began her career in makeup artistry, doing covers for Vogue, W, and Harper's Bazaar. The self-proclaimed "Mother" to her following launched a limited-edition line of beauty products in 2015. A permanent collection came to Sephora in 2017.
Kylie Jenner
Who? Kylie Jenner, founder of Kylie Cosmetics
How much? $900 million
Background: The Kardashian family member founded a line of $29 lip kits in 2016. She fully owns the business, which has sold $630 million [8] since its start.
Huda Kattan
Who? Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty
How much? $550 million
Background: Kattan began blogging in 2010, amassing a cult-like following that has now reached 26 million on Instagram [9]. She began her family business when she joined forces with sisters Mona and Alya to launch fake eyelashes. Today, the brand has expanded to sell everything from lip strobes to eye shadow palettes and foundation. This Summer, the mogul returned to her viral roots, starring in a Facebook Watch reality show called Huda Boss [10] that gives viewers a peek into her business.
Kendra Scott
Who? Kendra Scott
How much? $500 million
Background: Though predominantly a jewelry designer, Scott does have a line of popular nail polishes and gemstone-themed candles [11]. According to Forbes, the artist began designing jewelry out of her home in Austin, TX, because she couldn't find any options in stores that were both affordable and beautiful.
Kim Kardashian
Who: Kim Kardashian [12], founder of KKW Beauty
How much? $350 million
Background: We probably don't have to dive too deeply into this one — we all know Kardashian as perhaps the most visible presence on her family's reality show. She launched a line of contour kits in 2017 and has since sold glitter powder, lip glosses, and fragrance.