Barabara Walden has often been heralded as a leader in the beauty industry. But I wonder how many people actually know who she was and what her contributions have been to the beauty industry. Barbara Walden’s entry into the beauty industry was one of necessity.
Barbara Walden was an actress, she was one of 7 women out of hundreds of women picked to appear in the Mickey Rooney film “ The Private Lives of Adam and Eve”. Barbara went on to appear in other notable films like “What A Way To Go “ and “The 10 Commandments” However she had a problem that many women of color continue to have today. There was no one who could apply flattering makeup on her. In her own words “I either look chalky, like I fell in a flour bin or I looked purple”. Rather than complain Barbara sprung into action.
The outcome was Barbara Walden Cosmetics launched in 1960 with $750.00. Initially launched as a door-to-door company Barbara Walden Cosmetics went on to be sold many of the high-end department stores of the day. Barbara Walden Free and Set was a favorite.
After being offered roles that did not portray people of color in a positive light. Barbara went on the establish the Hollywood Chapter of the NAACP to encourage Hollywood to offer roles of substance about and for people of color. Barbara is also a published author her book Easy Glamour: The Black Woman’s Definitive Guide To Beauty was published in 1981 and is still available. Barbara Walden Cosmetics is based in Marina Del Rey California.
How impressive is Ms. Walden?