Max Factor Sr.

This article is about the Polish-American emigre born 1877. For other uses, see Max Factor (disambiguation).
Max Factor Sr.
Max Factor Sr. in 1935, demonstrating his beauty micrometer device.
Max Factor Sr. in 1935, demonstrating his beauty micrometer device
Born
Maksymilian Faktorowicz

(1877-09-15)September 15, 1877
Zduńska Wola, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
DiedAugust 30, 1938(1938-08-30) (aged 60)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Resting placeHillside Memorial Park Cemetery, Culver City, California, U.S.
MonumentsHollywood Walk of Fame
NationalityPolish[1]
CitizenshipAmerican (naturalized)
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur; wig and cosmetics technician; inventor
Years active1887–1938
Known forMax Factor Cosmetics
Spouses
  • Esther Rosa "Lizzie" Faktorowicz
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1896; died 1906)​
  • Huma "Helen" Sradkowska
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1906; div. 1908)​
  • Jennie Cook
    ​
    (m. 1908)​
Children5, including Francis "Frank" Factor (Max Factor Jr.)
Relatives
AwardsHonorary Academy Award (1929)

Max Factor Sr. (September 15, 1877 – August 30, 1938),[2][3] born Maksymilian Faktorowicz, was a Polish-American[1] businessman, beautician, entrepreneur and inventor. As a founder of the cosmetics giant Max Factor & Company, he largely developed the modern cosmetics industry in the United States and popularized the term "make-up" in noun form based on the verb.

He is also known for doing makeovers for starlets and giving them their signature looks; his most iconic works include Jean Harlow's platinum hair, Clara Bow's bob, Lucille Ball's false lashes and red curls, and Joan Crawford's "Hunter's Bow", or overdrawn lips.[4]

  1. ^ a b Szlęzak, Karolina (July 17, 2016). "Two Great Polish enterpreneures - Max Factor & Helena Rubenstein". Your Roots in Poland. Archived from the original on 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  2. ^ "Max Factor Collection". oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2018-11-19. 1877-1938
  3. ^ "Max Factor House | Los Angeles Conservancy". www.laconservancy.org. Retrieved 2018-11-19. Factor, born to a Jewish family in Poland in 1877...
  4. ^ Connell, Alle (2017-02-23). "This Is The Exact Moment Overdrawn Lips Became A Thing". Revelist.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2021-06-06.