Max Factor is a globally recognized cosmetics brand with a history spanning over a century, currently operating as a subsidiary of the beauty giant Coty. Founded in 1909 by Maksymilian Faktorowicz, the company is famously credited with inventing the term "make-up" and pioneerring numerous modern beauty essentials, including foundation, concealer, and wand mascara. Originally established as a specialist supplier for the Hollywood film industry, it transitioned into a consumer brand based on the philosophy that any woman could achieve "movie-star glamour" with the right tools.
Core Business Operations
Primary Industry:
Personal Products / Color Cosmetics.
Ownership:
Owned by Coty Inc. since 2016, following a $12 billion acquisition of several beauty brands from Procter & Gamble.
Global Presence:
The brand is available in 127 countries worldwide.
Headquarters:
Currently based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA.
Product Portfolio
Max Factor offers a comprehensive range of professional-grade cosmetics for both daily use and stage performance. Key product categories include:
Face:
Foundation (e.g., Pan-Stik, Creme Puff), concealer (Erace), powder, blushes, and primers.
Eyes:
Mascara (e.g., 2000 Calorie, False Lash Effect), eyeshadow, eyeliner, and eyebrow styling products.
Lips:
Lipsticks (e.g., Lipfinity, Tru-Color), lip gloss (which the company invented in 1930), and lip liners.
Nails:
Nail polish and styling cosmetics.
Skincare:
Historical focus on a "skincare regimen" featuring cleansers and beauty aids to complement makeup.
Innovation and Historical Milestones
The company's legacy is defined by technical "firsts" in the beauty industry:
1914:
Created Flexible Greasepaint, the first makeup specifically for film.
1918:
Introduced the Color Harmony Principle, which matches makeup shades to natural skin, eye, and hair color.
1920:
Coined the noun form of "make-up".
1935:
Developed Pan-Cake makeup to meet the technical requirements of Technicolor film.
1954/1958:
Launched Erace, the first retail concealer, and the Mascara Wand, the first tube-applied mascara.
1971/2001:
Invented the first waterproof makeup and the long-lasting Lipfinity lip color.
Corporate Ownership Evolution
Max Factor has undergone several major transitions in ownership:
Family-Owned (1909–1973):
Owned and operated by multiple generations of the Factor family until its $500 million sale to Norton Simon.
Transitional Period (1973–1991):
Briefly owned by Esmark, Beatrice Foods, and Revlon.
Procter & Gamble (1991–2016):
P&G discontinued US sales in 2010 to focus on CoverGirl, while continuing international marketing.
Coty (2016–Present):
Coty relaunched the brand in 2018 and has since explored collaborations, such as with fashion incubators in China.