In 2008, Louise Johnson moved from Toronto to Manhattan to begin her dream internship at Elizabeth Arden. She was intrigued by the woman behind the brand, Florence Nightingale Graham, who made a similar journey from Toronto to Manhattan 100 years before and eventually founded iconic cosmetic company Elizabeth Arden. Despite living a century apart, Arden served as a guide and source of inspiration for Johnson as she attempted to navigate the industry in her new role.

In Johnson’s first book, Behind the Red Door: How Elizabeth Arden’s Legacy Inspired My Coming-of-Age in the Beauty Industry, she takes readers behind the red doors of Arden while highlighting how much (or how little) has changed a century later. The book also shares fascinating facts about the cosmetic industry’s history, scenes of NYC at peak old-world glamour, and bold-faced names including Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe—both fans and friends of Elizabeth Arden.

The Red Door Salon & Spa Rebrands as Mynd Spa & Salon

What began as a desire to preserve Elizabeth's place in history, evolved into an examination of her coming-of-age in the beauty industry and a cultural excavation on a much larger thread that connects us all. Ultimately, this book is about identity and how we learn to navigate the world to find our best self—even if it's on a different path than we originally anticipated.

Behind the Red Door: How Elizabeth Arden’s Legacy Inspired My Coming-of-Age in the Beauty Industry retails for $30. For more information and to purchase, click here.

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk