Max Factor facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Cosmetic |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Founder | Maksymilian Faktorowicz |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
| Products | Cosmetics |
| Owner | Coty |
Max Factor is a famous brand that makes makeup. It was started in 1909 by a man named Maksymilian Faktorowicz. He was known for creating special makeup for movie stars.
For many years, the Max Factor company was owned by his family. It grew into a worldwide brand. In 1991, a big company called Procter & Gamble bought it. Later, in 2015, another company named Coty bought Max Factor, and they still own it today.
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History of Max Factor
Max Factor, whose real name was Maksymilian Faktorowicz, was born in Congress Poland. He later moved to Moscow and worked as a wig maker. In 1904, he moved to the United States with his family. He saw a great chance to make wigs and special makeup for the growing movie industry in Los Angeles.
Makeup for Movies
Back then, the makeup used for stage plays was too thick for movies. It also didn't look right on camera. Max Factor started trying out different things to create makeup that would work well for films. By 1914, he had made his first special makeup product. It was a "flexible greasepaint" that looked much better on screen. This made him an expert in movie makeup.
For the first few years, Max Factor personally put makeup on actors and actresses. He became known for making custom makeup for stars like Mabel Normand, Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, and Judy Garland. He helped them look their best in movies.
In 1918, Max Factor created "Color Harmony" face powder. It came in many shades, so he could make special makeup for each actor. He even created unique looks for actresses, like Clara Bow's heart-shaped lips. He also made specific shades for stars, such as "Platinum" for Jean Harlow.
The Word "Makeup"
In 1920, Max Factor's son, Frank, suggested they call their products "make-up." Before this, they were called "cosmetics." The word "make-up" was mostly used by theater people. But Max Factor liked the idea, and the name stuck!
New Ways to Apply Makeup
In 1922, Max Factor visited a makeup company in Germany that he used to sell products for. They treated him poorly, even though he was their biggest customer. This made him decide to focus only on his own makeup. He started selling his own greasepaint in a tube instead of a stick. This was much cleaner and easier to use. Soon, his tube greasepaint became the most popular brand.
By the 1920s, Max Factor's sons, Davis and Frank, were very involved in the business. In 1925, the company got a huge order for 600 gallons of light olive makeup for the movie Ben-Hur. This was to make sure all the actors had the same skin color. In 1926, Max and Frank Factor also created the first waterproof makeup for the film Mare Nostrum.
Max Factor Salon
By the 1920s, the Max Factor name was becoming famous outside of Hollywood. In 1935, Max Factor opened the Max Factor Salon in Los Angeles. Almost all the big stars from Classic Hollywood visited this salon.
Growing Across the Country
Max Factor was happy just supplying makeup to movies. But his children believed the company could be much bigger. So, in 1927, they started selling Max Factor products all over the country. Because of his strong ties to Hollywood, Max Factor could use famous actors in his advertisements. The actors would get a small payment, and the ads would also help promote their latest movies.
Makeup for New Film Types
When movies started having sound, the old bright lights were replaced with new, softer lights. Also, a new type of film called "Panchromatic" was used. This new film made skin colors look darker. Max Factor spent six months creating new makeup that would work perfectly with these changes. This new "Panchromatic" makeup was officially named in 1929.
The Invention of Pan-Cake Makeup
Later, when movies started using Technicolor (color film), the existing makeup left a shiny look on the skin. Many actors didn't want to be in color films because of this. Frank Factor worked for two years to create a new makeup. It was first called "T-D" and then renamed "Pan-Cake." It came in a solid cake form and was applied with a wet sponge. It hid skin flaws and gave a smooth, matte finish. It first appeared in the movie Vogues of 1938.
Pan-Cake makeup was a huge hit! Women loved it so much that they even took it from movie sets to use at home. At first, it was only for movies, but Frank Factor saw its potential for everyone. The company started making lighter shades for everyday use. It became the fastest and largest selling makeup item ever, and it was used in all Technicolor films.
The Beauty Micrometer
In the 1930s, Max Factor helped create a special device called the "Beauty Micrometer." It was like a mask that measured the shape of people's faces. Its goal was to find tiny flaws that might look bigger on camera. Then, makeup artists could use makeup to hide these small issues.
After Max Factor's Death
Max Factor passed away in 1938. His son, Frank Factor, then took the name Max Factor, Jr., and continued to grow the company with other family members.
In 1939, Max Factor, Jr., started working on a new lipstick that wouldn't smudge, wouldn't irritate skin, and wouldn't change color. They even built a "kissing machine" to test how well it stayed on! The result was "Tru-Color" lipstick, released in 1940 in six shades of red.
During World War II, Max Factor also created special makeup shades for the US Marine Corps to use for camouflage.
In 1947, after more than two years of work, Max Factor, Jr., released "Pan-Stik." This was a creamy makeup in a stick form, designed for new studio lights and film. It was quick to apply and not greasy. When it was released to the public in 1948, it was very successful.
In 1951, the company started selling products for men, including shampoo, aftershave, and shaving foams. When color television became popular, Max Factor developed "Color TV Make-up," which became the standard for TV.
In the 1960s, Max Factor became a public company, meaning people could buy shares in it. More members of the Factor family also took on important roles in the company. Today, the original Max Factor building in Hollywood is a museum.
Changes in Ownership
By the early 1970s, fewer family members were working for the company. In 1973, the company joined with another company called Norton Simon. Later, in 1991, Procter & Gamble bought Max Factor.
By 2010, Procter & Gamble stopped selling Max Factor in the United States to focus on other makeup brands. However, Max Factor continued to be sold in other countries. In 2015, Coty bought Max Factor and other beauty brands. Coty relaunched Max Factor in 2018, bringing it back to the market.
Max Factor's Amazing Inventions
Max Factor is famous for many new ideas in makeup. Here are some of them:
- 1914: He released the first makeup made especially for movies. It was a thinner cream greasepaint in jars, much better than the thick sticks used for theater.
- 1917: He created "Supreme Liquid Whitener" to make skin on the neck, shoulders, and hands look smooth and pale.
- 1918: He launched "Color Harmony" face powder, which came in many shades to create custom makeup for actors.
- 1925: He released "Max Factor's Supreme Nail Polish," a powder that gave nails shine and a tint when buffed.
- 1927: He introduced "Society Nail Tint," a cream that gave nails a natural rose color. He also made "Society Nail White" for white tips, like a modern French manicure.
- 1928: He developed makeup specifically for black-and-white films and even won an Oscar for this!
- 1930: He invented lip gloss.
- 1932: He created "Television Make-up" for the needs of early television.
- 1934: He released Liquid Nail Enamel, which was the start of today's nail polishes.
- 1935: He opened the famous Max Factor Make-up Salon in Los Angeles.
- 1935: He released "Pan-Cake," which was the first modern cake makeup, made for color films.
- 1940: He launched "Tru-Color" lipstick, the first lipstick that wouldn't smudge.
- 1948: He released "Pan-Stik" makeup.
- 1954: He created "Erace," the first concealer, and developed makeup for color television.
- 1971: He released the first "waterproof" makeup.
- 1988: He launched the world's first clear, colorless mascara.
- 2000: He launched "Lipfinity" lipstick, the first 12-hour long-lasting lip color that wouldn't transfer.
- 2008: He launched "False Lash Effect mascara".
