Max Factor Sr Businessman, founder of the company 'Max Factor' Date of Birth: 15.09.1872 Country: USA

Biography of Max Factor

Max Factor, a businessman and the creator of the company 'Max Factor', is often referred to as the "father of modern cosmetics". Born Maximilian Faktorowicz in 1872 in Zduńska Wola, Poland, Max Factor was a Jew in the Russian Empire. He grew up in a family of four children, with his mother, Cecylia Tandowska, passing away when he was just two years old. His father, Abraham Faktorowicz, struggled to raise the children while juggling multiple jobs.

At the age of eight, Max began working as an assistant to a dentist and also helped out at a pharmacy. His passion for the theater led him to work as an apprentice wig-maker and sell sweets in theater lobbies. By the time he was 15, Max was already living and working in Russia as a makeup artist at the Imperial Opera House. At the age of 22, he opened his own shop in Ryazan, where he sold cosmetics and expanded his knowledge about cosmetic products.

In the early 1900s, Max decided to move to America due to the rising anti-Semitic sentiments in Europe. His wife, Esther Rosa, also made the decision to join her brother and immigrate to the United States. In 1904, the family settled in the U.S., and by 1908, Max managed to open his own shop in Los Angeles, trading in cosmetics. During this time, the film industry was booming, and Max became a pioneer in introducing innovations such as false eyelashes and foundation. Despite facing personal tragedies, such as the death of his wife and betrayal by a business partner, Max persevered and gradually built up the reputation of his company. More and more young actresses sought his advice and products, and the fame of his firm grew.

In 1912, Max became an official American citizen. In 1914, he made a significant breakthrough by inventing a foundation that perfectly matched skin tones and was invisible both on and off camera. This success led Max Factor to proclaim his famous rule that "good makeup is invisible to others." He continued to work on expanding the color range of his cosmetic products, understanding the importance of catering to different skin types and shades.

The reputation of Max Factor's miracle cosmetics extended beyond Los Angeles, and the brand "Max Factor" became a favorite among actresses and ordinary women alike. The official founding year of the company "Max Factor & Company" is considered to be 1909. Max constantly traveled the world, experimenting and improving his products. During one of his trips to Paris, he received a threatening note demanding money in exchange for his life. Despite attempts by the police to set up a trap, no one showed up at the designated time to collect the money. Devastated by the incident, Max returned home and fell ill. Shortly after, he passed away due to heart failure at the age of 65. He was buried in the Beth Olam Mausoleum at Hollywood Cemetery, but his remains were later relocated to Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City.

Max Factor's cosmetic empire was passed on to his family, with his son Frank Factor becoming the main manager. Max had six children and was married three times. He was known as the "Hollywood magician" who laid the foundation for a massive empire that enriched not only himself but also brought happiness to millions of women around the world. His breakthroughs were continued by his sons, and it was "Max Factor" who later introduced long-lasting cosmetics, waterproof lipstick, blush brushes, and many other inventions that are now essential for the modern woman's life.