I really enjoyed this novel, story of real life cosmetic rivalry with the backdrop of war.
I had never heard of Helena Rubinstein, but I use Elizabeth to garden products so was very intrigued when I read the synopsis.
The fight between cosmetic legends Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden Is an interesting one, both women built up what can only be described as empires st a time when women were often overlooked and reliant on family or husbands for money.
Accordingly to historical records the two never actually met even though both of their headquarters were only a few blocks apart in New York, with the fictional element in this book they have a rather awkward meet at a society event.
After reading, I will definitely look up the documentary on these two fascinating women, it’s called ‘The Powder And The Glory’

Author Gill Paul and her books are a huge joy for me. I have only recently found her work and I am getting through her previous ones. I was delighted to receive an email with an early copy of A Beautiful Rival, her latest.
I was unaware of the rivalry between beauty queens Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein.
Gill writes with huge confidence I feel in her research for her story.
After I finish one of her books, I have a huge longing to read as much as I can on the people in her story.
She has the brilliant ability to take some part of history and create her story around it.
I have used many products myself by Elizabeth Arden so it was wonderful to read her story.
I felt for both women that the joy of creating their empire was somehow hampered along the way by the rivalry between them. I wonder how much better they might have done if they had joined forces in some way. What would they have created.
A beautiful read, quite sad for what both women lost along the way. Their beauty empire being the one thing that kept them standing.

This was a fascinating exploration of the battle of Fifth Avenue’s beauty bosses - Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein.

I’d never heard of Rubinstein before and knew little of Arden, but was certain that their story was in the capable hands of author Gill Paul. I couldn’t wait to read it.

Elizabeth Arden, a Canadian entrepreneur, and Helena Rubinstein, a poor Polish Jew and business owner both chose the same stretch of Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan to establish their beauty business. The vicious rivalry that ensued lasted fifty years.

Paul examines the two parallel empires and the inner drive of these female business titans who never met. She raises questions about how women who took on traditionally male roles were treated by a world on the brink of war, how they managed to stay in business during the war years, and what it cost them personally to invent anti-aging creams, red lipstick, and waterproof mascara. She paves the way for discussions about the progression of attitudes towards makeup and skincare and highlights the lengths they went to in order to stay on top of their game.

I was instantly caught up in the epic catfights between these cosmetic legends and, more than once, discovered I was yelling at one of them to be more cautious.I giggled and I laughed. I thoroughly enjoyed this examination of the women and the businesses that laid the foundation for today’s beauty industry. Paul’s masterful writing allowed me to see both sides of the figurative fence and I was emotionally invested in each woman’s success.

This is one you’ll want on your reading list!

I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.