WE CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF FEMALE FOUNDERS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Since its official establishment in 1975, International Women’s Day has continually honoured female pioneers – both and present – quiet warriors and gutsy heroines who have shaped history, sparked revolutions and consolidated communities along the way. On this celebratory occasion, we’re toasting the grit and resilience of beauty’s great visionaries who have turned a simple belief into a beauty empire, and nurtured the fertile ground for future entrepreneurs' ideas to bloom. So, naturally, we enlisted the empowering voices of Terry de Gunzburg, founder of BY TERRY, and Dr. Maryam Zamani of MZ Skin for this feature. Below, we speak with both founders on pushing the possibilities of beauty, becoming your own cheerleader and rallying a coterie of collaborators that both challenge and inspire.
Terry de Gunzburg - BY TERRY
It’s not enough to simply christen Terry de Gunzburg a make up artist – she’s an indisputable icon and beauty mogul. Born into a family of scientists, de Gunzburg sprouted her wings at the fabled Carita beauty school in Paris. From there, she left an indelible mark on fashion history through seminal collaborations with leading luminaries such as Guy Bourdin, Sarah Moon, and Helmut Newton, and even mastermind the YSL’s Touché Eclat concealer in 1992 – a genius brush-on, highlighting concealer that’s covertly helped disguise dark circles bad decisions for decades. Since establishing BY TERRY in 1998, it’s been a drive to understand women – their demands, daily lives and dreams – that’s sparked de Gunzburg’s curiosity for cutting-edge innovations and sumptuous, artful formulas. “Beauty, to me, is about authenticity,” she tells us. “It’s not about trends or perfection. It’s about self-expression, confidence, and embracing what makes you unique.”
Cult Beauty: What inspired you to start your beauty brand in 1998 and how has it evolved since then?
Terry de Gunzburg: I have always believed that make up should be effortless yet transformative – an enhancement of one’s natural beauty rather than a mask. My journey began in haute couture, where I worked alongside visionary designers and developed globally recognised products that remain iconic to this day. That experience taught me the power of innovation and how the right product can simplify a woman’s beauty routine while elevating her confidence.
When I founded BY TERRY, my vision was clear: to create luxurious, skin care-infused formulas with exquisite pigments and an artistic touch – what I call Haute Couleur. Inspired by the craftsmanship of haute couture, it’s about more than just bold shades; it’s about expertly crafted, wearable pigments that enhance, not overpower.
CB: What significance does being a business leader in beauty hold for you?
TG: For me, being a female founder is about championing individuality and redefining beauty on my own terms. When I started, the industry was largely dominated by men, and women’s beauty needs were often dictated by them. I wanted to change that by creating products designed by women, for women - understanding their desires, time constraints, and both elegance and efficiency. International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate how far we have come and to empower the next generation of women to carve their paths, in beauty or other industries.
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CB: How do you define beauty, and how has that influenced your brand’s vision and values?
TG: Beauty, to me, is about authenticity. It’s not about trends or perfection - it’s about self-expression, confidence, and embracing what makes you unique. This belief has shaped BY TERRY from the very beginning. My formulas are effortless to apply, luxurious to wear, and always infused with skin care benefits – because true beauty begins with healthy, radiant skin.
CB: For women taking their first steps into beauty, what advice would you offer?
TG: Believe in your vision and never compromise on quality. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, but the most successful brands stay true to their core values. Don’t chase trends. Create something that is timeless and truly serves a need. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you, and most importantly, trust your instincts. As women, we have an innate understanding of beauty and what it means to feel empowered – let that intuition guide you.
Dr. Maryam Zamani - MZ Skin
One of the world's leading Oculoplastic Surgeons and Aesthetic Doctors, Dr. Maryam Zamani established MZ Skin in 2026 to challenge the belief that the joyful, sensory ritual of skin care came at the sacrifice of advanced, high-performance formulas. Proving both are possible, MZ Skin is the culmination of research and innovation, combining precise, intelligent ingredients and trusted actives to deliver the essence of healthy, radiant skin in a simple three-step philosophy. But, at its heart, MZ Skin is the spell of medical know-how, female-led expertise and unwavering determination – a passion that remains undimmed from decades in the industry. “On International Women’s Day, I reflect on the importance of women caring for themselves, pampering themselves – even in the small act of skin care,” Dr. Maryam Zamani tells us.
CB: What inspired you to establish MZ Skin?
MZ: My inspiration came from my own journey with pigmentation issues. I have always loved skin care – purely for the ritual and self-care it provided. But after developing melasma following my second pregnancy, I was in search of products that not only addressed this concern, but maintained the sensory experience of joy. I’ve always wanted to create a fusion of both: joy and purpose.
CB:As a female founder in beauty, what significance does International Women’s Day hold for you?
MZ: Beauty comes in many forms, and it’s all around us every day – if we choose to see it. As a woman, I understand the importance of self-care and the ritualistic aspect of skin care. And, as a doctor, I understand the importance of results and consistency. On International Women’s Day, I reflect on the importance of women caring for themselves, pampering themselves – even in the small act of skin care. My mother taught me the importance of celebrating our differences, because embracing our uniqueness can empower us to do great deeds for others in the process.
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CB: What advice would you give to other women who aspire to start their own beauty brand?
MZ: Feel the fear, do your homework and give it all that you have. The landscape is competitive, but there’s always room for one more brand. Stick to your ethos and your philosophy. I cannot stress enough how important it is to find your tribe: friends, those you aspire to be, mentors, and of course, a great team. You will have your vision, but it takes much more than that to turn it into a reality. Celebrate your wins, learn from the misses, and remember, the journey may be winding, but the rewards are well worth it.
Having spent much of her career in the world of glossy magazines, Jade is one of Cult Beauty's Senior Copywriters. As well as a passion for all-things-words (she can — and will, if asked — write a dissertation on fake tan), she has heaps of skin care and beauty know-how (including how to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner again and again... and again). When she’s not applying fake tan or admiring her knife-sharp liner, she’s an adoring mum to four feline fur babies, hunting down inspiration for her next set of acrylic nails or watching endless episodes of reality TV.
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