subscribe to beauty blog via RSSR.I.P Max Factor
June 5, 2009 1:02 pm
Lovers of lipstick, mavens of mascara, bow your heads and please observe a moment of silence for one of makeup’s fallen heroes. In a sad bit of news, Procter & Gamble announced yesterday that it will be phasing out the legendary Max Factor line. “The Makeup of Makeup Artists” will cease to exist stateside come early 2010, and while it will still be sold abroad in more than 70 countries, according to a statement from the company, the fact that one of America’s greatest success stories has reached its denouement strikes us as a real tragedy and one of the more unfortunate consequences the beauty industry has experienced as a result of the recession. Started by Max Faktor (the “c” was a byproduct of immigration processing), a Polish Jew and the makeup artist trusted by the Russian Royal Court, the eponymous brand began as a wig shop and laboratory where Factor created a greasepaint cream in 12 different shades to be used on movie sets. He made fast fans of the silent-film world and created more products to cater to the industry as it evolved, solving the persistent problem of lip pomade’s melting under the hot studio lights by pressing two thumbprints onto an actress’ upper lip and then one thumbprint on her lower lip, thus creating the “cupid’s bow” shape. And when Technicolor film arrived, he formulated the now famous “pan-cake” makeup, which, when applied with a damp sponge, provided a transparent matte finish while concealing small skin blemishes and imperfections. He also personally attended to the faces of Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and Greta Garbo. We intend to buy up as much of the brand’s new Vivid Impact Lipcolor (a personal favorite) as possible in the coming days, our theory being that every forthcoming application will ensure that Mr. Factor’s legacy lives on.
tags: Max Factor
