II. Brand Index

ADRIEN ARPEL, United States
1959- 1992
Adrien Arpel started her career in department stores providing facials and applying makeup. When she created her own cosmetics company, she began with a skin care line. She popularized the concept of a, "makeover," matching licensed cosmetologists to give one-on-one expert advice to costumers. Arpel is the author of beauty books and the recipient of beauty awards. In 1992, her brand transformed into, "Signature Club A by Adrienne," on the Home Shopping Network.
ALBERT FLAMAND, France
1930s - unknown
In Paris, France, Albert Flamand developed a new technique in gilding, Fladium, that was used in all of his bracelet compacts. He designed unique pieces for high society. The utility combined with the fashionable design resulted in a signature product. Albert Flamand bracelet compacts are ornate and rare. They were produced in limited quantity during the 1930s.
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ALLIED COMPANY, United States
1920 - 1958
The Allied Chemical Company founded by William Henry Nichols in Buffalo, New York. It was a successful until after World War II when the company began to simplify production and move its factory to Morristown, New Jersey. There it produced plastics, refrigerants and nylon.
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AR-EX COSMETICS, United States
1935 - 1960s
Julius Kahn founded AR-EX Cosmetics in Chicago, Illinois. AR-EX was well known for their hypoallergenic products. However, in 1952 there wwas a complaint filed to the Federal Trade Commission arguing that AR-EX products falsely advertised the benefits of their products. It was shortly after this that the company stopped producing cosmetics.
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ARMAND, United States
1907 - 1950
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AVON, United States
1886 - Present
David H. McConnell was a traveling book salesman who gave free cosmetic samples with his book sales. When it became clear that customers were more interested in the beauty products, he recruited women to sell the beauty products door-to-door. Avon created a business model for women to join an sell all around the United States. Avon is still in business today, and while the company does not sell door-to-door, the brand continues to grow and has become internationally available to consumers.
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AYER, United States
1886 - 1985
Harriet Hubbard Ayer established one of the first female-owned manufacturing companies before her death in 1903. After two changes in ownership, Harriet Hubbard Ayer's name was used to create a successful line of cosmetics. The brand expanded internationally with branches in Canada and Great Britain. The brand continued to expand until it was sold in 1985.
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BAKERFIX, France
1930 - unknown
Josephine Baker, a famous singer, dancer and actress, developed a hair styling product, Bakerfix, in the 1930s. The product was marketed as a way to recreate Josephine Baker's iconic hair style. Advertising for Bakerfix is found during the 1930s, but the exact date of its discontinuation is unknown.
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BEAUTY COUNSELOR, United States
1939 - 1969
Beauty Counselor began as a door-to-door cosmetic sales company in Grosse Point, Michigan. In 1939 the company registered its trademark. The main marketing strategy for the Beauty Counselor brand was to allow customers to try samples, in forms of beauty kits, before committing to a purchase of full size products. Beauty Counselor functioned very similarly to its door-to-door sales competitor Avon. Beauty Counselor sold to Avon at the end of the 1960s.
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BENEFIT, United States
1976 - Present
Jean and Jane Ford founded Benefit cosmetics in San Francisco, California with a small boutique beauty studio. There, the sisters worked to create a recognizable brand and moved their products into department stores by the 1990s. Today Benefit cosmetics are available in stores and online internationally.
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BIBA, United States
1963 - 1974
Founded by Barbara Hulanicki and Stephen Fitz-Simon, Biba began as a fashion house and did not sell cosmetics until 1969 when it went public, now on the market as Biba Ltd. Biba went through may iterations after its founders left the company due, in pat, to frictions with majority stakeholder, British Land, in 1974. Starting in 1977, for 30 years, people attempt to re-launch the brand; none are successful.
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BLUE WALTZ, United States
1927 - 1949
Joseph Lindemann created Blue Waltz as one of its several brands marketed to younger woman trying to attract men. The cosmetics were sold for lower prices in the youth market. Joseph Lindemann merged with Nestle Le Mur and Blue Waltz products were no longer produced.
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BOB KELLY COSMETICS, United States
1950 - 2003
Bob Kelly worked as a Broadway makeup artist and wig master. With his expertise, he founded his own cosmetics company. He worked with well known productions throughout his career.
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BOURJOIS, France
1890 - 2015
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CARON, France
1904 - Present
Ernest Daltroff and Felicie Wanpouille began Caron as as partners in perfume. They developed a range of scents that were used in powders, soaps and more. Women were the center of their inspiration. Caron supported the evolution of femininity making their brand consistently modern. Today, powder is still available for purchase with its heritage scent.
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CHANEL, France
1915 - present
Gabrielle Chanel opened her first fashion house in Biarritz, France after her success designing womenswear in 1915. Six years later, Chanel released the famous Chanel No. 5, and just three years after that, its first makeup line was created. The first makeup collections included lipsticks and powders. The house survived war, hired new creative directors and maintains its status as an elite beauty brand.
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CHARLES OF THE RITZ, United States
1919 - 2002
Founded by Charles Jundt, Charles of the Ritz began as a beauty product line in the Ritz-Carlton sold in its salon. Richard B. Salomon was named president of the company and served as CEO until he retired in 1972. Subsequently Charles of the Ritz was sold to E.R. Squibb. Then, it was acquired by Revlon where it was sold until Revlon deemed the brand name unrecognizable in 2002.
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CHEN YU, United States
1939 - Present
James Leslie Younghusband, a creator of several makeup brands, started Chen Yu as a chip-proof nail polish. Chen Yu evolved through new ownership and developed lipsticks and brushes. The rights to Chen Yu continued to change hands, ending up in its current ownership where the products are still made.
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CHERAMY, United States
1921 - 1980s
Cheramy operated as a subsidiary of Houbigant in New York City. Houbigant released a perfume at a lower price point ideally for women who had to work during World War I. Cheramy expanded into cosmetics, again, at a lower price point. With the second World War, there was interruption to their international sales and the brand suffered. In the 1980s the Cheramy brand was discontinued.
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CHRISTIAN DIOR, France
1946 - Present
Established in Paris, France the Christian Dior fashion house was a long-anticipated brand. After the launch of his fashion brand, Dior released perfume. That quickly grew into a beauty line including luxury makeup. The brand continues to evolve and remains successful.
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CI-MI, United States
1923 - 1930
Argo Company of Detroit, Michigan released CI-MI in the early 1920s as a cosmetics line of powder and metal compact cases. The brand was only in operation for a short time and pieces from CI-MI are rare.
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CLINIQUE, United States
1968 - Present
Carol Phillips, a former editor of Vogue magazine, launched Clinique after her editorial investigation of skincare. Her initial launch comprised of 117 products. Now, Clinique has expanded internationally and is recognized as a top beauty brand.
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COLGATE & CO, United States
1806 - Present
William Colgate created a soap and candle business in 1806. He died in 1857 and the company expanded into perfume and powders. In 1900, Colgate won awards for best perfumes and soaps at the World's Fair. Colgate expanded into toiletries and dental hygiene. Now, a global company, Colgate has been in operation for over two centuries.
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COTY, France
1904 - Present
Founder Joseph Marie François Spoturno, Coty had his first boutique in Paris, France during 1912 where its line of cosmetics were developed and made available for sale. Continuing to expand its products and develop new formulas, Coty grew by creating global partners and responding to customer demand.
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CUTEX, United States
1911 - Present
Northam Warren sold Cutex originally as a cuticle treatment in New York, New York. Its great success led to sales of full manicure sets. Cutex became a global brand. Due to trends in matching nail polish and lipstick, Cutex expanded into lipstick production. Today, Cutex is a subsidiary of Revlon and continues to produce products internationally.
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DE PREE CHEMICAL COMPANY, United States
1913 - 1942
Cornelius De Pree started De Pree Chemical Company as a pharmaceutical company in Holland, Michigan. De Pree Chemical Company released drug store cosmetics in 1913. They were acquired by United Toilet Goods Company and their brand was maintained until the 1940s.
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DEBUTANTE, United States
1913 - 1962
Daggett and Ramsdell started the Debutante makeup line in New York. Debutante was the main cosmetics line of Daggett and Ramsdell. After a relaunch in 1947, two mergers and changes in ownership Daggett and Ramsdell maintains a reputation to this day.
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DORIN, France
unknown - Present
The details of how French cosmetic company, Dorin, came into being are a mystery, but Marguerite Brunet is credited with launching the enterprise in 1780 because of her close relationship with Queen Marie-Antoinette. She and King Louis XVI chose Dorin as the official royal supplier of cosmetics, perfume and powder. With their reputation, Dorin continued to expand globally and grew in notoriety among theatrical productions. The great success of Dorin continued until World War II where its production did not survive the destruction of the war. It wasn't until 1998 when Dorin was reconstructed by the manufacturer, French Excellence, that production of cosmetics resumed. Now, Dorin perfumes are available for sale internationally, online and in boutiques.
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DOROTHY GRAY, United States
1916 - 2008
Dorothy Gray worked for Elizabeth Arden in New York, New York as a treatment girl. Through her expertise, she developed her own skin care and makeup brand. Dorothy Gray had salons where she used her products in beauty treatments. She was successful and grew into an international market. Through youth campaigns and surviving the business impacts of World War II Dorothy Gray operated until the brand was sold almost 100 years after its establishment.
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DUO, United States
1957 - Present
DUO eyelash adhesive pioneered a new formula of eyelash adhesive developed to be more gentle on the eyelid as well as easier to be removed. It was produced originally by the Knomark company, but was then acquired in 1957 by Revlon. DUO eyelash adhesive is still available today and is known as a top eyelash adhesive.
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EDNA WALLACE HOPPER, United States
1922 - 1942
Edna Wallace Hopper established her cosmetics company through her reputation of youthfulness and her acting career in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She developed creams promising the youthful beauty she possessed. Edna Wallace Hopper continued to be a figure in the beauty community after her cosmetic sales stopped.
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ELGIN AMERICAN, United States
1919 - 1968
Elgin American began as a wholesale jeweler founded by Max and Solomon Eppenstein in Chicago, Illinois. They began selling compacts in 1919. Elgin American sold a compacts in a wide range of prices and materials. Elgin American was one of the most popular compact companies until 1968 when the brand discontinued all manufacturing.
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ELIZABETH ARDEN, United States
1910 - Present
Elizabeth Arden began in a Saks Fifth Avenue Salon in New York City. The beauty brand is credited with offering the first makeover in store, creating a lipstick shade as a symbol for the suffragette movement and the first to create travel size products amoung its achievements. Elizabeth Arden became one of the largest female founded beauty brands and continues to operate today. Since the death of Elizabeth Arden, the company was purchased by Eli Lily, until it was sole again to its current owner, Unilever.
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ELMO, United States
1908 - 1956
Mary Haley and Margaret Dryden, also known as the Elmo Sisters, ran their cosmetics company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The sisters split their business into two companies ran by one sister respectively: Elmo, Inc. and Elmo Sales Corporation, Inc. Many new product ranges were released by the company and manufacturing increased. The success of the company was due in large part to the sales strategies developed by the Elmo Sisters. After Mary's death in 1953, the company was rumored to sell, and in 1956 Elmo cosmetics sold.
EY-TEB, United States
1933 - 1970s
In 1933, Marjorie A. Birk patented strip eyelashes. Her design attached the eyelashes individually to a strip of material rather than have a large application band. This innovation was applied to the New York manufactured, Ey-Teb eyelash models. Further innovation in false eyelashes included trimming the bands to fit the user's eye shape, making this model of eyelashes blend more seamlessly with the natural lash-line. Ey-Teb was a leading brand of false eyelashes until the 1970s.
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FASHION FAIR, United States
1973 - Present
Founded by Eunice Johnson, Fashion Fair was the first international prestige brand for deep skin tone. They continue to expand and develop products under their expertise. Fashion Fair is available internationally and online. Its manifesto echos the trailblazing work of its founder.
FLORIAN, United States
1929 - 1930s
Carl Weeks of Armand created a men's cosmetics line. This was a rarity of the time. And although it was not around for long, Florian created a men's powder and compact case.
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FRANCES DENNEY, United States
1910 - 1990
Frances Denney started as the Victoria Toilet Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The brand invested in tinctures and treatments. Then it expanded into makeup. Frances Denney operated in the family until it was sold.
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GEMMA TACCOGNA, Mexico
1940 - 2007
Gemma Taccogna was a Mexican artist that is responsible for popularizing papier-mache. During her career she produced many sculptural works including lipstick dolls. These dolls were recognized for their aesthetic and were copied by other artists. Gemma Taccogna made art until her death until 2007.
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GERMAINE MONTEIL, United States
1929 - 1968
Marie Germaine Moratille established Germaine Monteil in Paris, France. At a fashion show in New York City Germaine Monteil premiered its line of cosmetics. Despite launching its makeup line during the Great Depression, Germaine became a luxuary brand known for its high end perfumes, lipsticks and skin creams. It prospered until Germaine Monteil was sold in 1968.
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GUERLAIN, France
1828 - Present
Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain established his first boutique in Paris, France. And in 1870, Guerlain created the first lipstick tube in a refillable case. Among their other accomplishments, Guerlain institute was founded. Guerlain continues to produce luxury cosmetics and beauty products sold internationally.
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HAZEL BISHOP, United States
1948 - 1991
Hazel Bishop studied Chemistry and worked as a physician's assistant before creating a cosmetics line. Bishop is famously known for her lipstick advertising with one of the most expensive campaigns of its time. Later Bishop became part of costly legal battles with her business partner. The business was up and down, but continued to pioneer in both pricing and formula until it was sold in the 1990s.
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HELENA RUBINSTEIN, United States
1917 - 1953
Helena Rubinstein opened salons in 5 continents before releasing her line of beauty aids. She studied dermatology and began making medicated skin creams as her first products. Helena Rubinstein amassed a large fortune from her business ventures and with that fortune, Helena Rubinstein established the Helena Rubinstein Foundation that coordinates her philanthropies, including gifts to museums, colleges, and institutions for the needy with a focus on women and children.
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HENRIETTE, UNITED STATES
1930s - 1959
The Wadsworth Watch Case Co., established in 1890, was a gold maker operating out of Dayton, Kentucky. In the 1930s the company started producing compacts under the name, "Wadsworth," as well as the name, "Henriette." Henriette compacts were made in novelty shapes, most notably their hat-shaped compacts. The company made compacts until the end of the 1950s.
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HERBERT ROYSTONE, United States
1917 - 1928
A New York City based cosmetics company created by Herbert Roystone. Initially Herbert Roystone sold multiple brands, but over time, La May became the primary line. Unfortunately, the business failed in 1928.
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HI-HAT, United States
1923 - Present
Founded by Morris Shapiro and Joseph Menke, Hi-Hat was manufactured by Keystone Laboratories in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time of its creation, United States segregation laws prevented Hi-Hat products from being sold in stores. They were distributed by brand representatives through social networks. Keystone Laboratory is still a functioning company; however, its line of Hi-Hat products is no longer for sale. The products in production are now available for sale in stores and online.
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HOUBIGANT, France
1775 - 1994
One of the oldest cosmetic brands, Houbigant was founded in 18 century Paris, France by Jean-François Houbigant. In its over 200 years of business Houbigant expanded internationally and developed two lines: Chantilly and Quelque Fleurs. Houbigant remained popular for its fragrances and powders.
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HOUSE OF WESTMORE, United States
1935 - 1978
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IRRESISTIBLE, United States
1932 - 1952
Joseph Lindemann, the son of a drug store owner, created Irresistible cosmetics through three successful ideas: using one of the most popular pin-up artists in their advertising, keeping the products affordable to most consumers and the name itself. Irresistible was successful among many new companies in the market, and it wasn't until a merger that the brand stopped producing new products.
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J. GROSSMITH & SON, England
1935 - Present
In 1835 John Grossmith established his first perfume house in London, England. Grossmith formula books were internationally renowned with over 300 products. The innovation drew the attention of royalty, and J. Grossmith & Son served generations of kings and queens. The business is still run by family and maintains their archive of fragrances.
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J. R. WATKINS COMPANY, United States
1868 - Present
Joseph Ray Watkins founded a cosmetics and hygiene brand doing door-to-door sales in Plainview, Minnesota. The company specialized in natural remedies. J.R. Watkins developed one of the first systems for a money back guarantee. With over a century of successful business, J.R. Watkins expanded into spirits, spices and baking products.
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JOLIND, United States
1934 - 1950
Joseph Lindemann created Jolind by abbreviating his name. The cosmetic company was one of several released in the 1930s that only sold until the 1950s. Joseph Lindemann merged with Nestle Le Mur, and Jolind products, among others, were no longer produced.
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KARESS, United States
1921 - 1940
C. B. Woodworth established a toiletry company in 1856 in Rochester, New York. One of the major cosmetic lines released by C.B. Woodworth was Karess. Karess was marketed as a luxury line, and Karess established an international presence in France to compete with the French market. Shortly after, Bourjois, a French company, and Woodworth merged to create The International Perfume Company Inc. Karess compacts were produced after the merger until 1940.
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KIGU, England
1939 - 1980s
George Kiaschek, a third generation goldsmith, founded Kigu in London, England as a jewelry and vanity business. His designs were popular and were even worn by British royalty. Kigu products were given as gifts on special occasions. Kigu was a successful business that was acquired by A.S. Brown and Company.
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KISSPROOF, United States
1923 - 1940s
James Leslie Younghusband developed Kissproof in Chicago, Illinois. The Kissproof brand invested in a marketing campaign using the "Kissproof Girl." The brand embraced kissing as a test of the true permanent quality of the products. Kissproof sold until the 1940s.
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KLEENEX, United States
1924 - Present
Kimberly Clark developed a filter for gas masks during World War I then used the technology to support menstruating people in her partner company, Kotex. After this success, Kleenex marketed its tissues as a hygienic way to manage colds with a single-use product. Kleenex cosmetic tissues and cold cream became Hollywood staples. Now, Kleenex is the leading brand in facial tissues.
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KURLASH, United States
1923 - 2001
No additional details available.
L.T. PIVER, France
1774 - Present
One of the oldest established cosmetics companies, L.T. Piver was established in 1774 with its innogural fragrance, Eau de Cologne de la Reine des Fleurs, which was also the name of the first boutique. The company remains known for its perfumes. L.T. Piver celebrated its bicentennial in 1974.
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LA JAC, United States
1923 - 2019
Founded by Morris Shapiro and Joseph Menke, La Jac was manufactured by Keystone Laboratories in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time of its creation, United States segregation laws prevented La Jac products from being sold in stores. They were distributed by brand representatives through social networks. Keystone Laboratory is still a functioning company; however, its line of La Jac products is no longer for sale. The products in production are now available for sale in stores and online.
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LE RAGE, England
1940 - unknown
Evans Components Co. Ltd. produced Le Rage compacts Birmingham, England in the 1940s. Their compacts featured photographic portraits and unique thematic designs. Some of their products could be worn as jewelry making them discreet. Le Rage played on the phrase, "It's all the rage," as a strategy to place their compacts into a prominent position in the market.
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LEICHNER, Germany
1873 - 1989
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LUCIEN LELONG, France
1914 - 1990s
Lucien Lelong built his fashion house in Paris where he successfully catered to famous clientele and employed some of the best designers of the era. His cosmetics line was just as prestigious. Both the quality of the product and the unique design put his products into a luxury market. The fashion house ran until it was purchased in the 1990s.
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LUXOR, United States
1910 - 1948
Philip Armour started Armour & Company originally as a soap producer. The soap idea came from his successful Chicago, Illinois meat packing business and a zero-waste philosophy. Armour & Company created a new line, Luxor, and it came with the expansion into cosmetics, perfumes and toiletries. For years Luxor competed as one of the top brands in the market until it was acquired by The Lever Brothers Co. in 1948.
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LUZIER, United States
1923 - Present
Thomas Luzier started his cosmetics company in Kansas City, Missouri with a skin care line. What differentiated Luzier from other skin care, was its emphasis on facial massage. The "5 minute facial massage," is still taught today as part of the Luzier legacy.
MAC, Canada
1984 - Present
Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo founded MAC Cosmetics in Toronto in 1984. The brand operates currently as a subsidiary of Estee Lauder and is one of the top three global makeup brands.
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MARIE EARLE, France
1909 - 1970
Marie Earle was created as a business name established by Janet Juanita Barnstable in Paris, France. Marie Earle started out with creams and beauty treatments pioneering science-based beauty practices. The cosmetics company was purchased by Coty in 1928 and its makeup line was rebranded. The Marie Earle name went through several sales before it stopped producing new products in 1970.
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MARINELLO, United States
1905 - 1963
Ruth Maurer created a beauty schools internationally named after Giovanni Marinello. They were an accredited school that also released their own cosmetics. The cosmetics company was purchased by Scope in 1963 and the school was later shut down after the U.S. Department of Education declared widespread misconduct.
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MARY QUANT, England
1955 - Present
Mary Quant, Alexander Plunket Greene and Archie McNair started a fashion house in London in 1955. Their signature style became internationally recognized and lead to the creation of their beauty line. Both the clothing and makeup embrace freedom of expression to best fit their clients.
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MASCOT, England
1947 - 1980s
A. S. Brown & Company produced Mascot compacts in London, England. Mascot entered the market with hundreds of designs. Their advertising campaigns made them highly collectable. Mascot sold successfully until they were acquired by Stratton.
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MAX FACTOR, United States
1910 - Present
Founded by Max Factor (Maksymilian Faktorowicz), Max Factor was the first product to be called, "Make-Up." In fact, Max Factor himself authored the article for "makeup" in the 14th edition of The Encyclopedia Britanica. The Max Factor brand was family run until 1991 when it was acquired by Proctor & Gamble. Max Factor is a makeup brand born out of the need for cinematic makeup. Max Factor developed formulas for the screen and then introduced others for those wishing to achieve the same look they had seen on screen.
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MAYBELLINE, United States
1915 - Present
Founded by Tom Lyle Williams in Chicago, IL. Maybelline was formerly know as Maybell Laboratories, The Maybelline Company and Maybelline New York. Maybelline is an international makeup brand that is available in over 129 countries. Maybelline produces over 200 products, and it continues to grow. Their commercial presence has hosted over 20 spokespeople and continues to collaborate with events that inspire creativity in the field.
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MEHRON, United States
1927 - Present
Mehron Melik started Mehron cosmetics company in New York City catering to Broadway theaters in 1927. Now, their cosmetics boast high performance with prosthetics and special fx professional products. Mehron cosmetics can be purcahsed today online, internationally.
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MELBA, United States
1905 - 1931
Melba was founded by Francis W. Jones in Chicago, Illinois. The namesake for Melba was an Australian soprano, Dame Nellie Melba. Her celebrity helped market the cosmetic brand. Melba was a top company for at least a decade. The untimely death of Jones put stress on the company, and by the time of the Great Depression, Melba had gone out of business.
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MOLINARD, France
1900 - Present
Established in Grasse by Albert Sittler, Molinard has been in operation for five generations. The signature for Molinard is in its fragrance. From innovations in chemistry, to personalized perfumes, Molinard has maintained its reputation as a fine perfumer for over one hundred years.
MYRURGIA, Spain
1919 - 2000
Raymon Monegal founded Myrurgia in Barcelona, Spain. His son, an artist, Esteban Monegal took over the company and focused on its advertising campaigns, labels and packaging. Myrurgia was recognized for its aesthetic appeal and thrived. Myrurgia merged with Puig Beauty & Fashion Group in 2000.
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NESTO, United States
1903 - 1940s
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NORIDA, United States
1923 - 1930
Joseph Baer of The National Trading Company released Norida as a perfume and cosmetics company. It was most famous for its Fleur Savage line. Originally produced in Chicago, Illinois, the operation and sales moved to New York City. Shortly after, the company was bankrupt.
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OUTDOOR GIRL, United States
1912 - 1960
Myram Picker founded Outdoor Girl Cosmetics in New York, New York. He successfully ran Crystal Chemical Company manufacturing toiletries and cosmetics. The brand focused on an American audience of women who spent time outdoors and wanted to wear makeup while doing it. The brand sold to Affiliated Products.
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OVERTON'S, United States
1898 - 1947
Founded by Anthony Overton Jr., Overton's was established as a Hygienic Manufacturing company in Kansas City, Kansas to Chicago, Illinois. It is credited for having the first marketed success in selling face powder for women with deep skin tone. Overton's Hygenic Manufacturing Company was one of many businesses created and operated by Anythony Overton. He was responsible for opening a grocery store, a national bank, a newspaper and a life insurance company among others. His awarded legacy celebrates his place in history as the first African American to lead a major business conglomerate.
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POMPEIAN, United States
1901 - 1967
Fred W. Stecher started Pompeian as a skin cream company in Cleveland, Ohio. Pompeian experimented with many promotional materials, but came to be known for their beauty posters. A range of cosmetics under the name, "Nymfaun," were released and briefly sold under the Pompeian brand. Because of this and other economic issues of the time, Pompeian was acquired by Colgate in 1927. After the sale to Colgate a high end, professional line was released and packaging was revamped. A U.K. office opened and a scare campaign was created by stressing the putiry of their ingredients. Shortly thereafter, the company was sold and its U.K office liquidated.
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POND'S, United States
1846 - Present
Pond's patented their own witch hazel extract used in a cream that treated many regular skin issues. However, their extract's efficacy was investigated leaving their patented extract to be easily replicated. A new marketing strategy was developed for a cold cream product. Sales increased and nationwide advertising began. Because of its success the company grew internationally, developing new cosmetics. Pond's has continues to innovate, and their products can be purchased today.
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PRINCESS PAT, United States
1907 - 1960
Founded by Patricia Gordon in Chicago, IL as a family run business in Chicago's south side. Patricia "Fannie" Gordon was a chemist, business executive, writer, lecturer, radio host, and advertising guru for the company. Princess Pat weathered government regulation of advertising as well as a factory fire as an American cosmetics company. Patricia Gordon ran Princess Pat with her husband Martin Gordon until his death in 1955. Five years later, Patricia Gordon died, and with her death, the cosmetic company ended.
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PYGMALION, England
1942 - 1956
Salo David Rand established Pygmalion in London, England with a cosmetic packaging patent. Pygmalion became well known for souvenir compacts including a famous, globe-shaped compact. The company functioned by importing their products and marketing them; however, Pygmalion was not the manufacturer. Because of this, Pygmalion went out of business.
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REVLON, United States
1932 - Present
Founded by Charles Revson, Joseph Revlon and Charles Lachman in New York, NY. Revlon is an international makeup brand sold in 150 countries.
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RICHARD HUDNUT & DU BARRY, United States
1880 - 1973
Richard Hudnut began his business producing perfumes and travel boxes. Hudnut purchased stores and began producing compacts, lipsticks, creams and more. Du Barry, Marvelous and Gemey lines were released within the Richard Hudnut brand. Production continued until its sale to L'Oreal.
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RIGAUD, France
1852 - Present
Jean Baptiste Rigaud was a perfumer in Paris, France who passed his master craft through generations. The Rigaud company produced toiletries and cosmetics with their famous scents. One of their greatest inventions, the scented candle, can still be purchased today.
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RIMMEL, England
1834 - Present
Eugene Rimmel, an innovator in cosmetics and hygiene, founded Rimmel in London, England. He was a well known perfumer and chemist known for many achievements chief among them producing one of the first non toxic commercial mascara products. In marketing, Rimmel coined its motto, "Get the London Look," and has hired recognizable spokespeople. Today, the company still manufactures cosmetics internationally.
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ROGER & GALLET, France
1862 - Present
Over one hundred years ago, two brothers by marriage, Armand Roger and Charles Gallet, inherited a widely recognized eau de cologne and built the house of Roger & Gallet. Their line of cosmetics, perfumes and toiletries were all driven by their scent history. Today, their reputation holds and their products are sold internationally.
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SCHIAPARELLI, France
1927 - Present
Elsa Schiaparelli starts her fashion house with the iconic trompe l'oiel sweater. Shortly after the fashion house was created Schiaparelli released their first fragrance. Schiaparelli fostered collaboration with surrealist artists like Salvador Dali. After Elsa Schiaparelli passed away, the brand was reimagined and continues to be in the forefront of fashion innovation.
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SCHNEIDER, Germany
1859 - 1974
Schneider was founded by Karl Unger and Carl Schneider in Germany. Relying on Unger's background as an aritst, they produced unique table sets instead of copying other popular designs of the 1850s. Because of this, Schneider won an award at the Santiago World's Fair. Schneider began international export and expanded beyond table sets. Now their products contain a "G" with a crown for anything produced before 1950. The company dissoled in 1970s due to decreased demand of reissued molds.
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SCHUCO, Germany
1912 - 1976
A toy company founded by Heinrich Muller and the businessman Heinrich Schreyer in Nuremberg, Germany also made cosmetic compacts, They became known for their animal-shaped, plush compacts. They were successful in their cosmetic and toy ventures until their bankruptcy in 1976.
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SHISEIDO, Japan
1872 - Present
Shiseido's long legacy as a makeup company began in Japan's first Western-style pharmacy. Shiseido released magazines, created their own beauty institutes and grew as an internationally recognized beauty company. Sheseido holds conferences and councils where professionals meet. They have acquired other brands and continue to operate today.
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SHU UEMURA, Japan
1967 - 2004
Shu Uemura was a makeup artist and hair stylist from Tokyo, Japan. He worked in the film industry, and through his work, gained notoriety. Shu Uemura cosmetics began with a cleanser, that also works as a moisturizer, which is still popular today. Shu Uemura ran an internationally successful company and eventually sold to L'Oreal in 2004 where Shu Uemura remained creative director for the cosmetics line until his death in 2007.
SPIRO, United States
1905 - unknown
In the development of personal hygiene, deodorant became more popular than perfume for controlling body odor. The idea of controlling body odor was created through marketing targeting an insecurity people may have about how they smell, further that perspiration was a problem to be managed. Spiro deodorant was advertised in 1905 for controlling the odor of sweat in the under arms. Spiro deodorant was one of the first major brands available in drugstores. Its end of production date is unknown.
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STENDHAL PARIS, France
1946 - Present
Roger Thirion launched the Stendhal Paris cosmetics company with a mascara product. But the company became widely known for an innovation in anti-aging treatments. Stendhal Paris maintains its research in natural beauty formulas at their laboratory in France.
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STRATTON, England
1923 - 1990s
Originally a knitting needle company, Stratton became an internationally recognized compact and cosmetics producer. They patented self-opening lids and were widely sought after. A shift in beauty standards made powder compacts less popular, and Stratton was sold.
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TABU, SPAIN
1932 - Present
Jean Carles with House of Dana created Tabu, a perfume and cosmetics line. Tabu was known for its strong and original fragrance. Tabu was produced in France until World War II when production was forced to move to the United States, where it remains today.
TANGEE, United States
1920 - Present
George W. Luft was trained as a pharmacist and created his own cosmetics company with one brand, Tangee. He produced and sold the first lipstick to change color once applied. It is known for its tangerine color, which inspired the brand's name. It sold well in the youth market because of its claims of enhancing natural beauty with an undetectable finish. Tangee products are still available today.
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TATTOO, United States
1930 - 1949
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TERRE DE RETZ, France
1920 - unknown
Terre De Retz powder jars were sold in Parisian deparment store, Galeries Lafayette in the 1920s. Georges Duchesne is the artist responsible for painting the papier mache designs. However, some Terre de Retz powder jars were left unpainted. Advertisements for these popular powder jars can be found throughout the 1920s, but when exactly the department store ended sales is unknown.
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THE TERRI COSMETICS CORPORATION, United States
1924 - 1935
Founded by Terence Emmett Ryan Jr., Terri was manufactured through the American Perfumers' Laboratories Inc. created in Providence, Rhode Island. Although, the creator sought after a European aesthetic for its packaging, focusing most on an affinity for Spanish cultural markings. Another aesthetic driver for the company was to add a chain or a strap to the compacts. The Terri Cosmetics Corporation was driven by its founder's aesthetics and innovation. After he left the company to start a new venture, Terri did not last. It seemed that Terrence Emmet Ryan Jr. was able to keep up with the quickly changing needs of American women wearing makeup.
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THE TETLOW COMPANY, United States
1880s - 1920s
Henry Tetlow ran a successful soap company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His Brother, Daniel Tetlow joined the business where they began selling beauty products in the 1880s. The company is best known for its powders and rouge products. The Tetlow Company produced the brands: Swan Down, Gossamer Complexion Powder, Pearl Plume, Blue Moon, Pussywillow and Sweet Sixteen. Nearing his death in 1889, Henry Tetlow sold his company to his successor John Tetlow, who ran the company until the 1920s.
TOKALON, United States
1907 - 1973
E. Virgil Neal was involved in many, sometimes fraudulent businesses, and in order to escape some of his bad investments, Neal created a cosmetics company, To-kalon. The business would later get rid of the hyphen in its name, and became, "Tokalon." The personal life of Neal often got in the way of business, and later caught up with the company. Tokalon was purchased and traded in mostly European markets before its last product was sold in Switzerland.
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TRE-JUR, United States
1923 - 1942
Albert Solomon Mosheim developed House of Tre-Jur as a New York- based, American company with a French name as to insinuate that his company was affiliated with a French perfume house. Mosheim took a competitive spirit into every aspect of his business by competing for the patent on a, "triple compact," a case for a complete makeup set. In naming the design a "triple compact," as opposed to a, "vanity case," Mosheim is credited as creating the first, "compact," even though that technology was in use for a long time before Tre-Jur was established.
VENUS RAY, United States
1946 - unknown
1946 is the first registered patent for the self-illuminating compacts manufactured by Venus Ray. The Venus Ray compacts were briefly produced and sold. The exact end date of their production is unknown.
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VERSACE, Italy
1978 - Present
Founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace as a luxury fashion brand, Versace released its first perfume in 1981. Following death of Gianni Versace in 1997, the company was run by his family. Versace sold to Michale Kors Group in 2018, but still maintains the brand legacy with Donatella Versace as it creative director.
VIOLET, France
1827 - Present
François-Étienne Violet founded Violet in Paris, France. The perfumer won many international awards, has been one of the longest established perfumers, and was once the official supplier for Spanish royalty. Today Violet is still an internationally respected perfumer.
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WADSWORTH, United States
1930s - 1950s
The Wadsworth Watch Case Co., established in 1890, was a gold maker operating out of Dayton, Kentucky. In the 1930s the company started producing compacts under the name, "Wadsworth," as well as the name, "Henriette." The collectible designs were highly sought after. The company disappeared in the 1950s.
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WOODBURY, United States
1874 - 1901
John H. Woodbury began treating skin ailments after working in podiatry. He created toiletries to treat minor skin imperfections before opening his own dermatological institute in New York City. After the success of his practice and an expansion of its services to the public, Andrew Jergens began selling Woodbury skin soap and acquired half of the institute. John H. Woodbury died and Jergens kept the name, "Woodbury," leading to legal disputes years after his death. Many federal regulations forced the company to adjust, but they continued to be a success producing cosmetics, facial exercise regimens and movie star ad campaigns until the brand sold to American Brands.
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WRISLEY, United States
1862 - 1963
Allen B. Wrisley founded Wrisley in Chicago, Illinois. Thee company produced a line of toiletries most well known for their soaps. Wrisley released over 50 perfumes used in their scented products. In 1963, Jacqueline Cochran Cosmetics purchased the Wrisley.
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YARDLEY, England
1841 - Present
Born out of the Cleaver Soap and Perfume business, Yardley and Statham began in London, England. It ran as a family business passed through four generations as a wholesale company. They transitioned to retail and built larger factories for new lines of compacts. Their success pushed the company internationally growing their cosmetics lines. The lavender scent signature to their products continues to sell in stores today.
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YBRY, France
1925 - 1940s
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ZANADU, United States
1927 - 1933
Released through Valentine's, Zanadu was a line marketed with the Zanadu Girl. The products were distinct because of their milk ingredients and their innovative compact designs. Zanadu's advertising waned and production haulted making the objects rare.
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