Ugly Beauty

From acclaimed novelist and cultural historian Ruth Brandon comes a captivating dual biography of the legendary founders of the cosmetics industry, Helena Rubinstein and Eugène Schueller, creator of L’Oréal. Brandon’s gripping and sometimes disturbing story of gender, power, and politics stretches back from the darkest days of World War II, to the emergence of the modern fashion and makeup industries, with magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan and game-changing product lines such as Avon and Mary Kay. Ugly Beauty resonates as well with its implications for modern culture, as we enter an era when haute couture and cosmetology exert an ever more powerful influence upon society at large. Behind the glamour lies a story of ambition, rivalry, and dark political secrets— The Blemished History of Beauty: Explore the gripping parallel lives of Helena Rubinstein, a Jewish refugee from Poland, and Eugène Schueller, the brilliant founder of L’Oréal with a dark secret. The Birth of an Industry: Witness the emergence of the modern cosmetics and fashion empire, from backroom "kitchens" to global powerhouses that changed the face of the 20th century. Scandal and Collaboration: Uncover the shocking political alliances and acts of collaboration during the darkest days of World War II that haunted the industry for decades. Cultural History: From Vogue and Cosmopolitan to the rise of direct sales giants like Avon and Mary Kay, understand how cosmetology became a dominant force in modern society.