Podcast 251: From Kitchen Formulator to Global Icon – The Story of Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden is one of the most iconic figures in the beauty industry, renowned for building a global empire from humble beginnings. Her journey is a testament to vision, innovation, and determination.

Arden redefined beauty standards, empowered women around the world, and transformed the way we think about beauty. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, her story mirrors that of many modern-day indie beauty entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist and CEO of Formula Botanica, sits down with Professor Stacy Cordery to explore the life of this pioneering entrepreneur.

So, grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and prepare to be inspired. Don’t forget to grab a copy of Stacy’s book, “Becoming Elizabeth Arden: The Woman Behind the Global Beauty Empire”, for a deeper look into Elizabeth Arden’s lasting legacy.

“For Elizabeth Arden, ‘beauty is power’ meant that a woman who felt good, who felt she looked good, could conquer the world. Literally anything she wanted to do, she would take with her a self-confidence that came out of feeling and looking good.” — Stacy Cordery

In this episode with Stacy A. Cordery, you will hear:

• Elizabeth Arden’s journey: Learn how a young Canadian woman turned her kitchen experiments into a beauty empire spanning six continents.
• How she transformed society: Discover how Elizabeth Arden transformed society by making makeup socially acceptable at a time when many viewed it as taboo.
• The philosophy behind Arden’s success: Find out how Arden empowered generations of women and how she built a lasting brand.
• Her groundbreaking approach to holistic beauty: Hear about Elizabeth Arden’s pioneering focus on skincare, fitness, and mental wellbeing, which laid the foundation for today’s wellness trends.

Key takeouts include:

• The power of innovation and resilience: Elizabeth Arden’s willingness to take risks, embrace new things, and trust her instincts made her a driving force in the beauty industry.
• How beauty can empower: Arden believed beauty wasn’t about attracting others but about self-confidence and strength, a philosophy reflected in her brand’s DNA.
• Her influence on today’s wellness trends: Elizabeth Arden championed holistic beauty practices, including skincare, fitness, and mental health, decades before they became mainstream.
• A blueprint for modern entrepreneurs: Arden’s story of resilience, creativity, and empowerment provides timeless lessons for beauty entrepreneurs today.

Meet our guest: Stacy A. Cordery, Author

Stacy A. Cordery, Ph.D., is a historian and biographer renowned for her engaging accounts of influential figures. A professor of history at Iowa State University, Stacy delves into the lives of trailblazing individuals who shaped society in remarkable ways.

Among many others, she authored “Becoming Elizabeth Arden”, “Alice Roosevelt Longworth: From White House Princess to Washington Power Broker”, and “Juliette Gordon Low: The Remarkable Founder of the Girl Scouts.” Visit her website at stacycordery.com for more.

Find out more about Stacy and her book:

• Website: stacycordery.com
• Book: “Becoming Elizabeth Arden: The Woman Behind the Global Beauty Empire”

Related episodes:

• Podcast 129: The history of the beauty industry
• Podcast 130: History shows that everyone can formulate

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier

Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetic science school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica Team.