The beauty revolution: 5 women leading the way

By Temo Mpodi

Every industry has its icons. Those standout individuals we look up to. And the beauty world? No different, darling. Here are five inspiring personalities who are shaking things up and keeping the beauty biz anything but boring.

1. Rihanna: Redefining representation

When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017 with a groundbreaking 40 shades of foundation, the world simply wasn’t ready. She didn’t just drop a brand; she lit a fire under the beauty industry and sparked a global inclusivity movement. Fenty’s fierce commitment to diversity made other brands scramble to catch up (even Clarins now has 74 shades on its shelves – we see you!). But Riri didn’t stop there. She went on to shake up skincare with Fenty Skin, and she’s turning heads again with the launch of Fenty Hair, because representation shouldn’t stop at your roots. From foundation to follicles, Rihanna’s building a beauty empire that’s bold, inclusive, and brilliantly her.

2. Huda Kattan: The digital beauty mogul (now 100% boss)
The Iraqi-American influencer-turned-makeup-mogul first launched her brand in 2013 with a $6,000 loan (talk about glow-up goals!). Fed up with dodgy lashes and lacklustre beauty buys, she created a cosmetics empire stocked everywhere from Sephora to Boots. After selling a minority stake in 2017 at a cool $1.2 billion valuation, Huda’s now fully in charge again and we’re obsessed. With her contour kits, cult following, and fearless business game, she’s showing the world what real beauty leadership looks like.

3. Jessica Cruel: Leading with vision (and a red lip)
Jessica Cruel is the fabulous force behind Allure magazine and she’s earned every step of her rise, starting as a post-grad intern and working her way to the top. But it’s not just about glossy pages and pretty pictures. Under her leadership, Allure is helping women fall in love with themselves, one edition at a time. She’s all about celebrating real beauty, real stories, and real representation. Graceful, grounded, and gloriously glam. Jessica proves you can lead with both style and soul.

4. Charlotte Tilbury: Serving Hollywood glamour (with a British twist)
Before she was the founder of her eponymous beauty brand, Charlotte Tilbury was one of the most sought-after makeup artists in the fashion world. With decades of backstage experience at runway shows and red carpets, she’s painted the faces of icons like Kate Moss (yes, from Unzipped fame!), Amal Clooney, and Penélope Cruz. In 2013, she channelled all that glitz and know-how into launching Charlotte Tilbury Beauty and we’ve been glowing ever since. Her philosophy? Every woman deserves to feel like the most beautiful version of herself. With a touch of sparkle and a swipe of Pillow Talk, Charlotte gives us all a bit of that red-carpet feeling (even if we’re just nipping to the shops).

5. Zozibini Tunzi: The modern beauty muse

Zozibini Tunzi made history, and headlines, when she was crowned Miss Universe 2019, becoming the first black South African woman to win the title while proudly wearing her natural hair. But Zozi didn’t just ask us to take up space; she urged us to own it. From global stages to glossy magazine covers, she’s the embodiment of effortless grace and unapologetic authenticity. Her beauty is powerful, unfiltered, and rooted in purpose. She’s not about hiding flaws – she’s about showing up as your whole, radiant self. Now starring in NIVEA’s #IAM campaign, Zozi reminds us that true beauty isn’t about blending in. It’s about standing tall.

These trailblazers show us that beauty is so much more than skin deep. It’s about confidence, culture, and creating space for everyone at the table. Whether they’re building empires or breaking barriers, these women are rewriting the rules one lipstick at a time.