Actress crusader Jameela Jamil led the social media mob against Avon’s anti-cellulite advertising in January, but she herself was called to account by some who themselves felt “shamed” for seeking such products out. The melee that followed provoked questions about the essence of the beauty industry as a whole.

Former Avon employees claim they faced discrimination, even harassment, and ultimately were terminated due to their pregnancies and requests for accommodation. Both Avon Products, Inc. and its carved-out North American business, New Avon, are named as defendants in the putative class action, which seeks injunctive relief and damages for alleged economic, emotional and reputational injuries.

Following Avon Products Inc.'s announcement last month that it will spin off its North American business, execs provide a strategy update for investors, including a $350m cost-savings plan.

A $605m investment gives Cerberus Capital Management an 80% controlling interest in Avon North America, which will become its own privately held company under the recently announced deal, plus a 16% in the direct seller's remaining business. Some analysts are dubious that the move is sufficient, while activist investor Barington Capital opposes the deal, maintaining that Avon would be better served to go forward with fresh top-level management and Barington's proposed stabilization plan.