The real Max Factor

Born Maksymilian Faktorowicz. Yes, really.

Alex Q. Arbuckle

1920s-1930s

Max Factor takes measurements of actress Marjorie Reynolds' facial features using a beauty micrometer. Credit: KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Getty Images

Born in 1872 in what is now Poland, Maksymilian Faktorowicz started work at a young age in the wigs and cosmetics industry. After serving in the military, he opened a cosmetics shop near Moscow and soon rose to become the official cosmetics expert for the Imperial Russian Grand Opera and even the royal family. Despite his success, he was fearful of rising antisemitism, and in 1904 emigrated to the United States with his wife and three children.The family passed through Ellis Island, where a customs officer shortened their surname from Faktorowicz to Factor.Factor settled in St. Louis and later Los Angeles, where he hoped to get in on the ground floor of the nascent motion picture industry with his custom-made wigs and face products.

Factor applies lipstick to Hollywood star Louise Fazenda. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

He founded Max Factor & Company in 1909, selling everyday cosmetics while researching and experimenting with new concoctions.His experiments helped him break into the film business with innovative makeups designed specifically for the screen, without the caking and cracking of traditional theatrical greasepaint.Soon he was giving personalized makeup consultations to the biggest stars in Hollywood, and marketing his cosmetics with the promise that with the right application any woman could attain A-list glamour.He also contributed to the invention of the “beauty micrometer,” an intimidating metal contraption that could precisely measure the contours of a woman’s face to determine how makeup should be applied for filming.In 1929, Factor was awarded an honorary Oscar for his contributions to the craft of film. One of his most lasting contributions, however, was linguistic — he was the first to refer to his products as "makeup" rather than "cosmetics."

Factor advises actress Renee Adoree on a new kind of rouge. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Factor demonstrates a technique for applying lipstick. Credit: Margaret Chute/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Factor applies hair oil to music star Ella Shields' hair. Credit: Margaret Chute/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Actress Kathleen Burke applies lipstick with the help of Factor. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Factor applies lipstick to silent film star Madge Bellamy. Credit: Margaret Chute/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Factor applies eyeshadow to actress Josephine Dunn. Credit: Clarence Sinclair Bull/Margaret Chute/Getty Images

Factor and Ray Judd look over an array of lipstick shades. Credit: Keystone/Getty Images

Factor applies makeup to actress Dorothy Mackail. Credit: Margaret Chute/Getty Images

Factor takes measures of a woman's features with a beauty micrometer. Credit: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

Factor takes measurements of a woman's features with a beauty micrometer. Credit: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

Factor takes measurements of a woman's features with a beauty micrometer. Credit: FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Visit Premier Exhibitions at 417 5th Avenue to see the past become present again at "Retronaut's New York." This pop-up exhibition of extraordinary, digitally restored photographs captures New York City at the turn of the 20th century. It's only open until May 15, so be sure to get down there before it’s gone.