There’s been a global shift in the way businesses are being created. Women everywhere aren’t only standing up for their rights and privileges but they’re securing their place in the the world as leaders and innovators. In the light of celebrating women today everywhere, we’ve pulled together a list of 9 successful, driven and inspiring women who are changing the way we consume and perceive beauty.

1. Huda Kattan, Founder of Huda Beauty

From makeup artist to beauty blogger and now entrepreneur, Huda has made a name for herself as the reigning queen of the beauty world. With a following of 24 million followers Huda and her sisters Mona and Alya Kattan, are the forces behind their growing beauty empire. From a budding blog and YouTube channel to a successful product line, Huda Beauty, Kattan is a force to be reckoned with.

2. Emily Weiss, CEO & Founder of Glossier & Into the Gloss

With a cult-status makeup and skincare brand, Emily has made millions of ardent beauty lovers very, very happy with the launch of Glossier. After the initial skincare-focused products, Glossier has come up with eyeliners, blush balms and a bevy of innovative and insta-worthy makeup. The aim of the brand is to create products that are for everyone. Even the most basic makeup item will leave your skin looking like natural sans makeup. The 32-year-old also has a successful blog, Into the Gloss that she treats as her biggest source of inspiration.

3. Falguni Nayar, Founder & CEO of Nykaa

In 2012 Falguni (a previous banker) founded Nykaa, an e-commerce beauty and wellness shopping platform. From just being a start-up to swiftly becoming the go-to online destination for cosmetics in India. Nykaa ties up with international brands like Huda Beauty, Bobbi Brown, NYX Cosmetics and so on. It also has many offline stores in different parts of the country. The 54-year-old founder has basically created a bigger and better version of Sephora.

Falguni Nayar, Nykaa
Falguni Nayar, Nykaa
(Source: Instagram | Nykaa)
(Source: Instagram | Nykaa)

4. Jen Atkin, Founder of Mane Addicts & Ouai Haircare

Most people know Jen Atkin as the hairstylist to the stars. But, we know her as the one who’s changed the way we wear our hair! She works with the most influential A-listers including Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, Chrissy Tiegen, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Jessica Alba, Kaia Gerber and many more. The hair queen first started Mane Addicts, an online platform to build a community for hairstylists and to give readers an insight to the best products on the market, how-to tutorials and inspirational hairstyles and cuts. In 2016, Jen created her first haircare line, Ouai—Curated to help women solve hair woes through their multi-use products and supplements.

5. Deepica Mutyala, Founder of Tinted

Deepica’s beauty career was kickstarted by a video that went viral on her YouTube channel back in 2015/16. Her Insta feed is all about beauty hacks, tips, interviews, product review and her new baby project, Tinted. Being an Indian born in Texas, Deepica has always been a champion of change for the way we see the beauty industry. She launched Tinted to build an awareness and an empowering community for ‘all the shades in between.” Her Instagram @LiveTinted features people of colour, race and religion. Deepica also serves as an on-air beauty expert o the TODAY Show (an American talk show).

(Source: Instagram | @LiveTinted)
(Source: Instagram | @LiveTinted)

6. Rihanna, Founder of Fenty Beauty

Rihanna is an unbeatable fashion and beauty icon that oozes confidence and all things badass. Having seen and done it all, she felt a void in the industry when it came to all skin types and tones—Which inspired her to create Fenty Beauty. The line resonates with women of all kinds on a level that goes deeper than their skin colour. The products are designed to make women feel beautiful adding to their confidence. With a collection that ranges from pale skin to dark skin tones, Fenty not only empowers women, but is ushering in a new era of inclusivity with the way beauty is being consumed. P.S: It’s also cruelty-free.

7. Kim Kardashian West, KKW Beauty

Kim has always been a trendsetter. Even when it comes down to the beauty industry, the 108 million-following star makes sure she is set apart from the crowd by introducing her own beauty brand KKW Beauty. From sleek packaging to innovative ways to start the line, her three-piece cream-based contour and highlight kit is one of the coolest products of last year. Although KKW Beauty is still relatively new to the makeup world, it truly is a reflection of Mrs West.

8. Emily Dougherty, EIC New Beauty

From Beauty Editor at ELLE US to Editor-in-Chief of New Beauty, one would think Emily has enough on her plate. Adding to her resumé, smashing lipsticks and nail spills are also one of her many, many talents. Her Instagram includes mash-ups of your favorite lipsticks, glosses and mixing of nail paints that garnered her a 72.6K following. These videos are mesmerising, hella‘ addictive and super inspiring.

9. Pat McGrath, CEO & Founder of Pat McGrath Labs

Named the most influential makeup artist in the world by Vogue, Pat is makeup royalty. After having worked on the most famous and fabulous celebrities and A-listers, Pat created Pat McGrath Labs. She calls this “the golden age of makeup” as she launches a line that has iridescent shadows, legendary lipsticks, divine eyeliners and fetish-worthy lip pencils.

With the beauty industry brimming with these leading ladies, it’s hard to not feel inspired.

Happy Women’s day to all!

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