10 Influential Women in Beauty: Leaders in Hair, Nails, Massage, and Esthetics

The beauty service industry wouldn’t be what it is today without trailblazing women who built empires, set new standards, and opened doors for others. From self-made entrepreneurs to creative visionaries, these women not only shaped beauty services but also transformed how we view entrepreneurship in the beauty world.

Here are 10 of the most influential leaders who changed the game:

1. Madam C.J. Walker - Haircare Pioneer

Madam C.J. Walker was a trailblazer who created a revolutionary line of haircare products for Black women in the early 1900s. As one of the first self-made female millionaires, she didn’t just build a business; she mentored future beauty entrepreneurs and empowered women to achieve financial independence through beauty. Walker’s empire set the stage for today’s multi-billion-dollar beauty industry and remains a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit.

2. Annie Humphreys - Hair Color Trendsetter

Hair color as we know it wouldn’t exist without Annie Humphreys. Known as the “Mother of Color,” she changed the way hairstylists approached hair color. As a leader at Vidal Sassoon, her work in foil highlighting and creative color placement set the foundation for today's balayage and dimensional color trends while paving the way for businesses to expand into full-service color lines. Humphreys' artistry and technical skills helped shape the way colorists approach hair coloring, turning it into both a science and an art form.

3. Deborah Lippmann - Nail Industry Innovator

Deborah Lippmann wasn’t just a celebrity manicurist—she reinvented the nail industry. As an entrepreneur, she launched her own line of luxury, long-lasting, and non-toxic nail polishes that set new standards in nail care. Lippmann’s commitment to quality and sustainability has elevated the nail industry to a place of prominence, and her products are seen on runways, in top fashion magazines, and on the hands of global influencers.

4. Elizabeth Arden - Beauty & Skincare Visionary

Nails and hair are just part of the beauty equation—skincare is just as essential. Elizabeth Arden was one of the first to connect beauty with wellness, recognizing the importance of skincare in the broader beauty conversation. As an entrepreneur, she built a global skincare empire and introduced spa treatments that reshaped the beauty industry. Her commitment to holistic skincare and wellness made her a pioneer, influencing everything from product development to marketing in beauty businesses worldwide. Arden even influenced establishing makeup as a proper, appropriate, everyday necessity for women.

5. Anastasia Soare - The Brow Queen

Before Anastasia Soare, many overlooked the importance of a perfectly shaped brow. She introduced the “Golden Ratio” eyebrow-shaping technique, now a staple in the beauty industry, and showing the world how brows enhance facial symmetry. Her brand, Anastasia Beverly Hills, transformed brow styling into a billion-dollar beauty category, proving that niche beauty services can become global industry stables.

6. Jen Atkin - Celebrity Hairstylist & Entrepreneur

Jen Atkin not only built a successful career as a celebrity hairstylist but also became a formidable entrepreneur with the creation of OUAI, a globally recognized haircare brand. Atkin uses social media to educate and inspire hairstylists, teaching them how to balance creative passion with business acumen. Her entrepreneurial success shows how beauty professionals can harness their expertise to create sustainable, impactful brands.

7. Lydia Sarfati - Skincare Developer

Lydia Sarfati transformed the skincare industry by introducing seaweed-based treatments and advanced facials to salons and spas. As the founder of Repêchage, she created products that focus on deep hydration and healthy skin, raising the bar for professional facials. Beyond product innovation, Sarfati changed the education landscape for estheticians, establishing training programs that taught skincare professionals advanced techniques and high standards of care. As a business leader, she raised the profile of esthetics, empowering professionals to grow their own successful careers.

8. Tippi Hedren - Manicurist Advocate & Mentor

Tippi Hedren transformed the nail industry into what we know it as today by empowering an entire generation of entrepreneurs. She introduced Vietnamese refugees to professional manicuring, helping them launch careers that reshaped the U.S. nail salon industry. Hedren’s advocacy helped transform nail salons into a booming business, influencing the rise of Vietnamese-owned salons that dominate the field today.

9. Barbara Salomone - Esthetics Education Pioneer

Barbara Salomone was a visionary in both skincare and education. As one of the first licensed estheticians in the U.S., she founded The International Dermal Institute, offering advanced training programs that made esthetics a highly respected, science-based profession. Her SkinReading® system revolutionized how estheticians assess skin and deliver personalized treatments. As an entrepreneur, Salomone created a legacy that empowered skincare professionals to excel in business and in practice.

10. Missy Clifton - Massage Therapy Visionary

Beyond beauty, wellness plays a huge role in self-care. Missy Clifton’s contributions to massage therapy are unmatched. She elevated the practice from a niche service to a respected component of health and wellness. As an educator and founder of massage therapy schools, Clifton created opportunities for aspiring therapists to start their own businesses, transforming the industry into one that spans across health, wellness, and self-care. Her contributions helped position massage therapy as a crucial service for pain management, stress relief, and overall well-being. Her entrepreneurial efforts helped elevate the standards of the massage therapy profession, making it a career path for people worldwide.

Honoring Women Who Shape Beauty

The beauty industry’s growth and evolution are directly tied to the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and perseverance of these inspiring women. They not only transformed beauty services but also paved the way for future business leaders in the beauty world. Whether you're styling hair, shaping brows, or helping clients feel confident, you're contributing to a legacy of beauty experts making an industry-wide impact.