Max Factor
Poland (Russian Empire) → USA
Agriculture, Food & Consumer Goods
Summary
Max Factor was founded in 1909 in Los Angeles by Maksymilian Faktorowicz, born in 1877 in Zduńska Wola, in Russian-controlled Poland. He served as a cosmetician at the Imperial Russian Theatre and emigrated to the United States in 1904, settling first in St. Louis and then in Hollywood. As film moved from stage greasepaint to subtler screen makeup, Factor developed the first cosmetics specifically engineered for cinematic lighting. He coined the term “make-up” in its modern sense and provided products for nearly every major studio actor of the silent and early sound eras. The brand became one of the foundations of the global cosmetics industry.
European Contribution
Russian Imperial theatre cosmetics tradition and Eastern European chemistry of pigments and emulsions.
American Impact
Created Hollywood makeup and modern cosmetics packaging and language; built one of the first global beauty brands from California.
Timeline Highlights
- 1904 Factor emigrates to the United States
- 1909 Opens shop in Los Angeles
- 1914 Develops first film-specific makeup
- 1928 Receives Academy Award for screen makeup innovation
- 1991 Acquired by Procter & Gamble; sold to Coty 2016