Rubinstein, Helena

Rubinstein, Helena

(born , Dec. 25, 1870, Kraków, Pol., Austria-Hungary—died April 1, 1965, New York, N.Y., U.S.) Polish-U.S. cosmetician, business executive, and philanthropist. She went to Australia in 1902, where she opened a beauty salon in which she offered free consultation along with a special cream brought from Poland. Experiencing an immediate success there, she returned to Europe, opening a salon in London in 1908 and another in Paris in 1912. In 1914 she immigrated to the U.S. to open salons in New York and other cities. She began wholesale distribution of her products in 1917. After World War II she built factories on five continents. In 1953 she established the Helena Rubinstein Foundation to coordinate her gifts to museums, colleges, and institutions for the needy.

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Rubinstein, Helena (1870–1965) beautician, business executive; born in Cracow, Poland. She attended medical school in Cracow for two years before moving in the 1890s to Australia, where she opened the country's first beauty salon in Melbourne (1902). Her face cream, formulated according to a family recipe, made her a fortune. She studied with European dermatologists and opened salons in London (1908) and Paris (1912). In 1915 she emigrated to New York and launched an international business empire. "Madame" set cosmetic trends, introducing waterproof mascara, foundation makeup, and all-day spa treatments; she stressed the scientific preparation of her products and instruction of clients in their use. Her success was spiced by a 50-year feud with arch-rival Elizabeth Arden. Her many philanthropies included the endowment of a contemporary art museum in Israel and a medical research foundation.