Polish-born beauty expert Helena Rubenstein (1870-1965) was among the first to establish cosmetics as essential to a woman's toilette. Rubenstein's business acumen enabled her to build a multi-million dollar empire based on the sale of beauty products.

Helena Rubenstein was born on December 25, 1870, in Cracow, Poland. The oldest of eight girls, she was raised in an upper middle class family. Her father favored Helena's intellect, her mother emphasized beauty and charm. Together, Rubenstein's parents shaped her career as the creator and financial genius of what was to become a multi-million dollar beauty empire.

In 1888, after rejecting both medical school and a suitor, Rubenstein travelled to Coleraine, Australia, to live with relatives. Elegant and fastidious, she introduced the neighbors to a special facial creme, the product of Hungarian chemist Jacob Lykusky. She soon moved to Melbourne and established a small beauty salon to which Australian women came to offset...