Evolution of the Global Beauty Industry

This research examines the global beauty industry, which includes cosmetics, deodorants, fragrances, hair care, oral hygiene and skin care. Today global sales of cosmetics and toiletries are in excess of U.S. $380  billion. This research examines the growth of this industry worldwide since the nineteenth century, during which it was transformed from a collection of small firms making products considered dangerous to one's health and morality to a global industry led by corporations such as  L'Oréal and Procter & Gamble. The project investigates not only the drivers of globalization of beauty, but the impact on consumer perceptions of what it means to be beautiful.