Beauty Queens: Elizabeth Arden 1988

As a pioneer of the cosmetics industry, Elizabeth Arden built up a business worth billions. Her goal was to make decorative cosmetics – previously the preserve of actresses and ladies of ill repute – accessible to women everywhere. Eila Hershon and Roberto Guerra paint a portrait of an ambitious woman who equipped the suffragettes with red lipstick, had her own radio show and whose company still stands for innovative cosmetics today.

As a pioneer of the cosmetics industry, Elizabeth Arden built up a business worth billions. Her goal was to make decorative cosmetics – previously the preserve of actresses and ladies of ill repute – accessible to women everywhere. Eila Hershon and Roberto Guerra paint a portrait of an ambitious woman who equipped the suffragettes with red lipstick, had her own radio show and whose company still stands for innovative cosmetics today.