Behind iconic beauty

image: Gettys

Article by BR Fiona

It can be easy to forget that behind beauty there are women directing and working to find the next big beauty trend or even creating the next big beauty trend. Take a look below to learn more about those women behind beauty.

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel - a name made famous by fashion and her perfume, a cult favourite Chanel No. 5 but how much do you really know about this beauty icon. Born Gabrielle Chanel in 1883, Coco is truly a rag to riches story. Born in a poorhouse, where her mother worked, Coco was one of six children, when her mother died she was abandoned by her father and sent to live with relatives.

In 1905 Coco began her career as a café and concert singer and it is from here that she adopted that all famous first name, Coco. From here she became mistress to a wealthy military officer then an English industrialist. It was through her lovers that she was able to gain the means to set up her first millinery shop in Paris in 1910, the beginning of her fashion empire.

While initially only selling her hats, as her popularity grew so too did her empire and she expanded her business into couture. Her fashion line was notable for its relaxed fashions, short skirts and casual look which came at a time of women liberation.

It was in 1922 that Chanel released her famous, Chanel No. 5 and the rest as we say is history.

Interesting fact: Did you know that Coco served briefly as a nurse during World War II?

Anna Wintour

Many of you may not know the name but Anna Wintour is hugely influence in beauty and fashion - as editor-in-chief of Vouge.

Born in 1949 to Charles Wintour, the editor of the London Evening Standard newspaper you could almost say that print is in her blood. Dropping out of school in the 1960s Anna decided that a life of clubs and pop culture was for her. It was during these influential teenage years that she developed an interest in fashion and thus began her career in fashion journalism.

Throughout the years Wintour had various jobs in various fashion and lifestyle magazines and slowly moved her way up the magazine ladder when in 1988 she finally scored herself the job of editor-in-chief of a declining Vogue. Through fearlessness, determination and perhaps plain stubbornness Anna started to change how the fashion industry was seen. Instead of booking supermodels, Wintour put an end to the supermodel era and started to put celebrities instead of models on her covers. With the power of Vogue behind her Anna is in a position to make or break fashion designers and has helped make the careers of Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen.

Not without her criticism though, Wintour has developed a reputation for being cold and aloof, also for require her staff to be on fashion trend and very slim. There has also been a media storm about Wintour photoshopping celebrities to look slimming and 'fat' shamming.

Whether you love her or hate her Anna Wintour is a fashion and beauty icon.

Interesting facts: Did you know Anna Wintour first had her hair cut into her signature bob at the age of 15 and it hasn't change since.

The movie the Devil Wears Prada was actually writing by one of Wintour's former assistants…..we'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Bobbi Brown

Now this is a name I imagine we all know! Professional makeup artist and founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown is a makeup icon. Born in Chicago, Bobbi as never really interested in school and after a mere 6 months at the University of Wisconsin and a year at the University of Arizona she as ready to drop out. After some soul searching and some sage advice from her mother Brown eventually enrolled in theatrical makeup where she 'found herself'.

In the 1980s Brown moved to New York where she began working as a freelance makeup artist, it was here that she made a pivotal contact in her career - a chemist. Brown was frustrated with the lipsticks that were on offer, they were dry, wouldn't stay on for long and she wanted colours that looked like lips. A chemist from Kiehl's pharmacy offered to make a line of lipsticks for Brown and hence forth her company had begun. Within a decade she had moved from freelance makeup artist to product designer at her own company - Bobbi Brown.

In 1995 Bobbi sold Bobbi Brown Cosmetics for a rumoured $74.5 million dollars but remained active in the company, consulting and advising.

Interesting fact: Did you know that Brown is a partner with the charity Dress for Success? Not only do women receive clothes to wear to job interviews but they also receive makeup by Bobbi Brown Essentials.

Charlotte Tilbury

Named as one of the most influential people in beauty and makeup you're probably wondering who Charlotte Tilbury is? Booked for major shows around the world, Charlotte is a makeup artist who helps sets the makeup trends. What she puts on the models in Milan or Paris one month becomes next month's YouTube beauty video.

Born in London to a makeup artist, Tilbury was exposed from a young age to makeup and beauty but it wasn't until she attended boarding school that she got to experiment and discover the transforming abilities of makeup. Having attended the Glauca Rossi School of Makeup in London Charlotte began assisting makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, who quickly became her mentor as well.

Now Tilbury is a well known face behind the scenes at photo shoots and major runway shows. She has worked for everyone, from Mario Testino to Kate Moss, Gisele and even our friend Anna Wintour at Vogue. Only last year Charlotte launched her own makeup collection, which is available on her website, making available products such as her 'Magic Cream' which has only been available backstage to models and celebrities.

Interesting fact: Did you know that Charlotte has a YouTube channel with makeup tutorials? Might need to go check this out!