While most people think of the beauty business as cosmetics, it has grown in scope and now includes covers a wide range of products. Beyond just cosmetics there is perfume, skin cleaners, a host of other skin care products, cosmeceuticals, etc. Beyond the manufacture of the products themselves, the beauty business also includes the way in which the products are sold and includes price points, the places cosmetics are sold both in brick and mortar and online, and packaging.

This guide is not the science of beauty, it is a business guide that includes information on the history and the current market (as of the date of this guide). There is a U.S. and European focus generally, but the modern industry is very global. This guide is not comprehensive or exhaustive, but rather meant as a starting point for research in this area.