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'War Paint' Musical: Women Behind $400 Billion Cosmetics Industry Hit Broadway

The new Broadway musical War Paint has two of musical theater’s biggest stars — Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole — portraying the lives and lifelong competition between two of the cosmetics industry’s most impactful pioneers: Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. Currently in previews and officially opening on Apr. 6, the show is a rich tale of the two legends behind what would become today’s $400 billion global beauty business. We asked its stars and creative talents, including LuPone, actor Douglas Sills (who plays Rubinstein’s right-hand man, Harry Fleming), and writer Doug Wright how the show tackles themes of beauty ideals and female rivalry — and also to share some of their earliest memories of makeup in their lives.