War Paint

The story of two remarkable women - Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. Between them they left an extraordinary legacy which touches the lives of virtually all women today: the creation of the modern cosmetics and beauty industry. The book traces the humble beginnings of both Arden and Rubinstein and examines the forces and influences that drove them. It also explores the period in which they lived, without an understanding of which their phenomenal achievement cannot be truly appreciated. The similarities between the two are intriguing: dedicated to beauty, they were both born into genteel poverty and were motivated by money and the creation of their businesses, to the exclusion of almost everything else. They were both avid social climbers and desperately thrifty. They also hated each other. This is the story of an industry, of a social movement and of a great rivalry.