In 1995, CIDESCO, the world’s major international beauty therapy association, declared September 9 World Beauty Day. Recognized standards for beauty have always been influenced by a host of factors, but above all cinema. RIA Novosti gives its view of the most beautiful actresses of the past century. The gallery opens with Vera Kholodnaya, the first star of Russian silent movies. She died at 26 after just four years at the top, but is still remembered. Kholodnaya inspired many prominent poets of her time. The legendary Alexander Vertinsky dedicated several of his songs to the actress he loved unrequitedly.