The Beauty Industry and the Men Behind it

When people think of the beauty industry, the first thing that pops up in their minds is the Hollywood glamour queens; stunningly dressed beauties on red carpets and TV screens. But do people really take time to think about the history of cosmetology. About the people behind modern day beauty products that grace these celebrities or the affordable cosmetic alternatives for everyday beauty enhancement.

The Men who Shaped the Industry

The beauty industry is widely viewed as a female occupation, while this is in part true, the number of men taking up beauty jobs and enrolling in beauty schools has been increasing steadily. Although there are many women who have shaped the industry, there are also men who did their part in shaping the industry. They include:

Eugene Rimmel

Starting as an apprentice perfumer at the House of Rimmel, his father’s perfumery, Eugene Rimmel grew to become an accomplished perfumer and visionary in cosmetics. He came up with soap, mouth rinse and pomades, which were famous in high society London. Following his death, his sons took the company international with a line of makeup, which included the famous mascara. The popular lush sweeping lashes that we see today are an invention accredited to him.

Max Factor

Max Factor is known for his work in Hollywood, which saw him rise to considerable fame with his idea of color harmony. He perceived that that specific color combinations of cosmetics should be based on complexion, hair and eye color. He introduced the public to eyebrow pencils and eye shadow.

Four years later he launched a full line of cosmetics using the name “make-up” for them. In 1928 he came up with lip-gloss, known then as lip pomade, and later introduced the commercial foundation.

Upon his death his son carried on his work.

Lawrence Gelb

Lawrence Gelb is responsible for Clairol which is famous for bringing vibrant color to every woman’s hair. He went on a famous search in Europe for a product to bring back home. He found a hair coloring product that penetrated the hair shaft, resulting in smoother and more natural color.

Initially, coloring hair was a five step process, but in 1950 Lawrence purchased the formula and improved the product, making hair coloring a one step process. The product was a wild hit and increased salon appointments to over 500%. His inventions led to the formation of the “Does she…or doesn’t she?” marketing campaign.

Charles Revson

Charles Revson teamed up with his brother and Charles Lachman to create Revlon. He was CEO and chief salesman and had a sharp eye for subtle color differences. He was involved in every aspect from production to testing to selling. He even tested products on himself. After World War 2 he came up with a largely successful line of matching lip and nail shades.

Modern day contributors include Antonio Saebra of Natura. The beauty industry is still expanding and more men are getting involved. It is a stable field and more growth should be expected from it, including careers and new ideas for the future.

If you would like to be the next big thing in the beauty industry, enroll in a beauty school and take a beauty course that you like. Upon graduating, you will have a chance to make make your mark in the beauty industry.

Evergreen Beauty College offers esthetics and cosmetology programs. Contact us for more information.