A Beautiful Rival is the story of two women trying to be something they were not. Elizabeth Arden from Canada, trying to pass as upper class and Helena Rubinstein from Poland, pretending to have a medical degree, were both competitive and devious. This journey to America through the world of skin care reflects a view of America from the turn of the twentieth century through the Great Depression and World War 11.
Gil Paul’s flawless character development is presented in the alternating perspectives of Helena Rubinstein, Queen of Beauty Science, and Elizabeth Arden, known for upmarket packaging and the iconic red door. The “gloves are off” when it comes to business transactions like buying salons, building factories, adding products, spying, and stealing strategies in advertising. The tension and financial stress are undeniable through betrayals, lovers, and divorces. Helena and Elizabeth’s constant obsession to outdo each other in business is deftly concealed by the numerous skin care products being developed at the time: antiaging creams, tanning lotions, leg film when stockings were in short supply, hormone treatments and even waterproof mascara for the World’s Fair!
Gil Paul enmeshes readers in world events, introducing political figures on both sides of the Atlantic, and through Red Cross Balls and various weddings involving influential women such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Wallis Simpson. As treatment girls become known as beauticians, female clients in the salons discuss current stock market trends and financial investments, dropping names like General Motors, General Electric, and Sears & Roebuck.
From extravagant purchases to crossing boundaries in interviews, readers will get an authentic sense of the world of beauty represented by the beautiful rivals, Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden.

I did not know anything of the rivalry of Elizabeth Arden and Helen Rubenstein. Once I started reading, I could not get enough of these two ladies and their amazing lives. They were not easy lives, although there were easy times, but they were real lives. They worked hard, they made hard choices, and they lived hard lives, but they were real. As women, they were not always respected for the choices they were making, especially Helen as a Jewish woman.

While this book is about two women, it also shared the story of two wars. Each war affected the choices the women made and the way these choices changed their businesses. They had to make their salons work during war times, they had to work through the prejudices that came with having their last names, and they had to make life changes in order to keep their successes. War is never easy, but I enjoyed seeing how these two women came out of the war with more determination to be successful and keep their businesses succeeding.

A Beautiful Rival is an amazing book. I am excited to recommend this book to any historical fiction readers.

A BEAUTIFUL RIVAL is historical fiction with a 20th Century sweep. Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden were very high end cosmetics, back in Mid-Century days, although today their products are often found in TJ Maxx. Early female entrepreneurs, they were quick to create the market for women to improve their appearance through skincare, and each served as a business rival for the other. It is not known whether they actually knew one another. The book moves quickly and covers the highlights of the skincare market and world events on the first half of the 20th Century. This is a fascinating book and well-worth reading. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Helena Rubenstein was a Parisian woman whose Jewish background often deterred her being accepted by some people. However, she was a strong force and was very successful with her beauty salons in many cities around the world catering to women and the facial creams she sells. Helena married Edward who was mostly mired in the literary world and she gave birth to two sons. Her busy life left much of the raising of her sons to Edward in Paris while she lived in New York.

Elizabeth Arden was an American woman who also had salons in the U.S. selling her face creams to women all over. She resented Helena coming to New York to invade what she considered to be her territory. She married a soldier who went to war and was gone for three years.

Both Elizabeth and Helena were always working to find ways to one-up the other. It was a competition that was at times quite ruthless with spying on one another and other catty things.

We see the real woman that each of them is with their insecurities, personal pains, and deteriorating marriages. World War II affects both women personally and business-wise. There is a lot of animosity between them and they both suffer failed marriages and business setbacks. However, both women are strong and I admired them both. A really good book with even a touch of humor here and there. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden each built their own empire, helping to make the beauty industry the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. Here we have two extremely intelligent, ambitious women that were in severe competition with each other, so much so they probably never realized how very much alike they really were, too busy trying to one-up the other (get the better of ).
This book gives a terrific in-depth look at the lives of these two foundation builders of the the industry. We see how forward thinking, innovative, brilliant, ambitious, competitive and to a certain degree greedy to be number one they both were. Ruthless in competition with each other, they did not let up, pushing to be the best. It covers their lives from 1915-1964, filled with facts of their lives, in-depth details of the developing beauty industry it is a great comprehensive look at the lives of two strong women and how their empires were made.
I love reading about the early 1900s, and when I learn something I didn't already know from a book that is when it was well worth the read. I of course knew who Rubenstein and Arden were but I did not know of the rivalry between them or of the extent of it, or how far they would go for their careers, to what lengths they would go and how much they were willing to sacrifice. This is a fascinating look into their world. I give 5 stars and recommend, but I will warn you, for me it got off to somewhat of a slow beginning but hang in there it is worth it in the end.
Thank you to William Morrow Publishing and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

I was swept away after the first chapter. I knew nothing about either Elizabeth Arden or Helen Rubinstein except they were egregious competitors in the game of beauty.
More alike,than different, both created empires out of a concept and dream sold to millions of women around the world. I loved how each dealt with their feckless first husbands and I marveled how Arden could have been so adroitly duped by her second husband.
It’s rife with rivalry, rage, and rouge. I loved how Paul,has been sharing tidbits about each woman on her social media channels.
Beauty is not foe the weak and both women were powerhouses of powder, lipstick, and looking one’s best.

Another great historical read by Gill Pul.

A Beautiful Rival is an interesting story of the professional rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. These women had quite a lot in common. I enjoyed learning about the achievements and struggles of these two formidable women.

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to red and review this ARC.

A fascinating look at beauty history through the lens of two influential women who were both devoted to their respective businesses. The writing is compelling and clear, that's for sure, making this a captivating read throughout.

A Beautiful Rival: A Novel of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden is a look at two titans of the cosmetics and skincare world from 1915 to 1946 and their rivalry to be the best. Told from both Helena and Elizabeth's viewpoints we see the expansion and growth of their companies as well as their personal lives in this period.

I found this book fascinating and also highly recommended Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renée Rosen which is about Estée Lauder and was published in the spring. I love stories about these pioneering women who owned their own successful companies when it wasn't the norm. These books about the beginning of the cosmetics and beauty industry make me think of the show The Food That Built America on the History Channel which is about how a lot of our foods and food companies came to be. And the history person in me loves it all!

The book was interesting and I was quickly drawn into both of their lives and what they would do to be the best. They were both very cutthroat! At times the book felt a little long toward the end but overall I enjoyed it and learned so much!

If you're interested in beauty and history I recommend reading A Beautiful Rival! It comes out on Tuesday - September 5th.

This was an interesting story following two icons from the cosmetic industry. I can’t say I knew too much about either one. Parts of the book was more interesting than others.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Two highly intelligent, driven woman become bitter rivals for the top spot in the beauty business. Story follows Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein from 1915 to 1964.

I admire authors in general, but with historical fiction, the author must mix the truth with fiction convincingly and make a compelling story by merging the two. Paul does this extremely well. Chapters alternate between Elizabeth and Helena, showing off their ability to ‘one up’ each other whether it’s product, packaging or personnel. One character comes off more likable than the other, but they are both brilliant, innovative ruthless women, with so much in common. Their person lives showed what the gave up to succeed. The first half was slow for me, then things seemed to take off. The back and forth was a little bit repetitive.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Summary:
Elizabeth Arden has been happily dominating the United States beauty scene. Life is good-- until rival Helena Rubenstein shows up to give her a run for her money.

The plot of this book intrigued me. It sounded so fun and it was! I have heard of Elizabeth Arden, though I know next to nothing about her. I had not heard of Helena Rubenstein. If you haven't heard of these powerhouses, no need to fear. Put yourself in Gill Paul's hands and let the story introduce you.

Elizabeth doesn't take kindly to the arrival of Helena on her turf. Why couldn't she stay in Europe where she's enjoyed success. Why does she need to expand to the US?! Instantly, Elizabeth does whatever she can to undermine anything Helena sets out to do. It doesn't take long for a full on battle to be declared between these two. Each taking turns playing dirty. They take shots at each other in the press, they undermine each other's successes while trying to outdo the other. As the years go by, the levels they stoop to only increase.

It was fascinating to read. Elizabeth was a hard character for me to respect and even like. She was incredibly controlling and domineering. She would throw outrageous tantrums when things didn't go the way she wanted them to. She wasn't very likeable for me, overall. However, a lot of that can be chalked up to her poor youth. Her early years definitely shaped her success and her desperation to hold on to it at any, and all, costs.

I really liked Helena. As I read the book, I felt she handled herself with far more dignity and respect. She was admirable in her business dealings. You watched her make level-headed decisions for her company that paid off. She wasn't one to yell or fly off the handle. However, she wasn't above getting her hands dirty when it came to Elizabeth. She just carried herself more reservedly that Elizabeth did.

As the years past, the gloves came off more. The race to own more salons intensified, as did what they would do to succeed over the other. Both dealt their opponent low blows. Both played dirty. Neither came off as innocent in their business dealings.

I don't know how accurate Gill Paul's portrayals were of these ladies. I got the impression that she was able to put a lot of her own imagination and creativity into the story, which I loved. I felt bad when each hit the other a little too close to home. Their ultimate confrontation was from the creative genius of the author, but I felt it was true to the characters she had written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more Gill Paul books.

I have loved every Gill Paul book I have ever immersed myself in. She has the magical ability to transport you back in time. With thrilling details, descriptions, and undeniable research into the topic. A Beautiful Rival brings to life the incredible lives of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. These two women who brought the beauty industry to life. Each ruthlessly competing with one another. Trying to get a leg up on their competitors and trying to destroy them at the same time. They were both highly intelligent, shrewd, determined, unwilling to let up on the other. Sending spies into their businesses or homes, stealing information, their intense advertising and marketing schemes to outdo one another. Hiring ex-husbands, stealing employees, all in the name of good business. If a man had done this no one would have batted an eye. I am here googling up a storm. Seeing what really happened in this dynamic feud of wills.

I would say I bonded more with Helena Rubinstein. She was not as crass, rude, or prone to screaming as much as Elizabeth. They both grew up poor and dug their way up and out, becoming muti-millionaires. Each building sturdy business foundations that survived World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. Helena was a none practicing Jew. Who had family killed during the war. She was a mother of two boys. Their father, nannies, and boarding school raised them. She was very hands off and business was really all that mattered in her mind. She was supporting them, leaving them wanting for nothing. Love and relationships were an area both struggled with. I found it fascinating who they decided to marry and the reasons behind it. Their lives were enticing and rich beyond your wildest dreams. The question is were either of them happy beyond their business empires?

I could not stop turning the pages of this book. I was intrigued from the moment I opened it. The fantastic details, the feud that lasted decades, the loneliness of being rich. Each becoming settled and comfortable within their very own skin. Thank you to Gill Paul and William Morrow for my #gifted book I was completely enthralled with.

A Beautiful Rival left me somewhat disappointed. While it could have been fascinating look at two powerful business women who built empires in a time where most women didn't have that opportunity, this book was simply superficial. But I suppose that's fitting for a book about two women with competing beauty lines.

Everything was spelled out in this book. So much more telling than showing. No mystery, nothing compelled me to keep turning pages, and everything in the plot seemed rather obvious. A swing and a miss in historical fiction for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and WIlliam Morrow for the ARC. I have not read any of Paul's previous work, but it seems to me that she is another solid historical fiction writer. Like your Marie Benedict or Bryn Turnbull, Paul novelizes the lives of real and often well known women. In A Beautiful Rival, Paul focuses on the titular rivalry between cosmetic tycoon Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden. I learned a lot about the cosmetic business and marketing toward women and the book moved at a pretty good clip. I rubbed up against the characterization of the two women, though I am not sure "characterization" is the right word. In a fictionalized account of history, it is hard to parse out what is the author's addition for the sake of plot or story and what is truly factual. Elizabeth Arden's childlike tantrums were so irritating that it was almost harder to read her sections. There were allusions to this idea that she had an obsessive need to maintain her wealth due to her childhood of abject poverty, but it did not feel as if that thread was always carried through and instead she was "acting out" just because. Arden might have just been a bad person overall, and I appreciate that Paul does not shy away from her anti-Semitism, but she was hard to take.

Overall, I will continue to read Paul's work and maybe just shy away from more information about Elizabeth Arden. 3.5/5 stars

A compelling histfic telling of the fierce competition between cosmetic industry queens Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, their triumphs and tragedies. Gracefully written with such authentic character development that you feel you are wearing their lipsticks, and a glorious narrative that grips from start to end. Highly recommended!

i'll start by saying this book is very well written and obviously very well researched. but, for me (and i see i'm in the minority) that's where the positives for this book end.

this book largely read like a history report. each chapter detailing historical figures or events, coupled with the things that both women were doing to one another in the name of being the best in the business. it got very repetitive. perhaps it was the format, or just the fact that it seemed so ludicrous and oftentimes downright cruel.

i knew there was a rivalry, but the way it was presented in this book was... cruel. it actually made me feel like this was a story that should NOT have been told, at least in this manner. while they both did things in the name of getting on top, the way they're presented behind closed doors, ESPECIALLY elizabeth arden, was, often, horrific. arden is presented as the worse of the two women and just downright unlikeable. which is a shame since her brand outlasted helena's (i think, i honestly don't know if i know what her brand was or is, if it still exists).

bottom line, this was an interesting story made at times unbearable due to the storytelling structure and the very matter of fact way things were presented.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I really enjoyed how this book was written in such an entertaining way and I had a hard time putting it down. It talks about how Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein started their beauty empires and how they tried to one-up each other as rivals.

Oh, my dear. This was one of the most vitriolic books I have ever read. Give me a good book about rivals, add in a tiny bit of back-stabbing, and I'm thrilled. Think Southern rivalry books! But this book had so much backstabbing that I'm surprised that there were even bodies left! I still loved this book.

The author did plenty of research, and I did some myself to see if just half of these things could have been true, sadly to say Yep! They were as business-driven as they were made to be in this book.

I do also understand that this book is also fiction-so the conversations, while a little iffy, are apropos. I loved it.

I bled for both of them with the Nazi's and their overseas families. I've read books about the camps and ovens before, but for some reason, this book made it a tad more realistic. Maybe because we are seeing it from the survivor's side

This book sure made me rethink my beauty regimen!

*ARC provided by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NetGalley.

This is the second historical fiction about female business women that I have read recently, and I love the historical aspect -- learning about these women who made their success at a time when most women were not working outside the home, and if they were, not necessarily becoming multi-millionaires. A Beautiful Rival details the competition between Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden in the beauty and skin care business. Neither of them are portrayed too flatteringly in terms of likeability - but I also wonder if this was a book about two male business rivals would I even care about their likeability?? Eventually, I found myself rooting for one over the other (I won't say whom!). I think there are more exciting historical fiction books out there but if you want some insight into women building businesses in the 1910s-1950s, without delving into non-fiction, this is a decent choice.