I used to work for the brand from 2016 to 2021 and at that time the market was getting full with new make up brands and excellent fresh marketing strategies for any target audience (MF target audience's age is 35 plus). Unfortunately Max Factor fell behind and didn't follow through, so it lost many costumers, despite the fact that the products were great. In addition, the brand is clearly not a priority in Coty, the budget is limited and the marketing is criminally awfull.
What fascinating insight, you can tell the budget is limited with how confused the current branding is. But then, if it has consistent sales theres really no motivation for them to push and risk that. Its an issue with being in a conglomerate, but at least they help brands weather less profitable times, so its a trade off. I do often wonder when the rebrand will be
@underskinYT yes, it's very true that is not really the best practice to follow the trending mass as a "traditional" brand, for example, Maybelline took the lead in social media (and sales), but at the expence of L'Oréal. Saying that, at least in my country, the sales in Max Factor are down by a lot in comparison to 10 years prior. So I think it's not consistent sales or loyal costumers anymore. I hope for the best, because I love the brand and it breaks my heart that it missed such an opportunity to rebrand and rebuilt through the best years makeup market has ever seen..
Isn't it about time for Hollywood to produce a biopic of this legend that made their movie stars look like etherial beings on screen? Such an inspirational and human story.
it would also be such an oportunity to cash onto the fuzz around the movie. I think they should really lean into the golden age of the brand and try to embrace the vintage/old hollywood aesthetic
I don't even wear makeup but I love your deep dives on both channels, so well researched, placed within the wider cultural context and you're a joy to listen to.
Ah! I was just telling a friend about Max Factor and how important he was to the cosmetics / makeup industry yesterday! If Steve Jobs and Bill Gates get mentioned as revolutionaries in the 20th century, so should Max Factor and Kevyn Aucoin.
I visited the museum located in the old Max Factor building in Hollywood, and it was FASCINATING. So many incredible artifacts from that era (Marilyn Monroe’s black USO dress, a pair of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers), and so much information about the relationship between makeup and actresses in that time. Highly recommend going if you’re anywhere near LA!
I could be interested in seeing relaunching as Maximilian and going for an "antique" looking packaging. Golden Age glamor at the drug store. But that's just me
Bargaining his wigs for spots in movies for his children was such a ingenious move. Especially because it meant having watchful eyes on them. What a brilliant operation.
That was really interesting! I'm German and I was a teen in the 90's...and for me they were always a 'better' drugstore brand. I had no idea about them struggling or leaving the US market or anything like that, either. I would agree, that it doesn't seem that their target audience is young people. I would think, it's probably women my age? Kinda, sorta interested in make up, but not overly influenced by social media and with a tendency to stick to long established brands. I don't really know, what's the hot new product at any given moment, I would never buy cosmetics online (I want to try it first, for one and it is often an impulse buy while shopping for other necessities) and while I'm not wealthy enough to be tempted by more upscale brands, I can afford the 'nicer' drugstore ones. So it's usually Max Faktor or L'Oreal, I reach for.
Back in the late ‘90s Max Faxtor was huge in Serbia. I distinctly remember their commercials starring Madonna. Everyone wanted their 2000 calories mascara, the wet and dry pan foundation, the stick foundation and the lipfinity lipstick. In many European countries there were at that time and even today no comparable products. I think they could have a major comeback if they would hire someone like Lisa Eldridge or Charlotte Tilbury to be their art directors. Both of them were instrumental in either reviving old brands (LT for Lancôme) or coming up with an entire vision and lines for startup brands (like CT for Tom Ford).
This was extremely informative, my grandmother was in show business in the US during the 30s and 40s so MF was a name that was everywhere in my life. I had no idea of the Smashbox connection and I was surprised to see Caroline Barnes in this video! Thank you, I look forward to more videos!
Great video. When I was younger, the Andrew Luster rape trial was a big deal, and the fact that he was the great grandson of Max Factor was brought up every time, in every news report. I’m sure that had little to do with the brand’s removal from the US, but for a while, it was the only time the brand was ever mentioned in the press.
This video is so interesting! I had no idea about the history behind Max Factor. I'm so glad you included everything leading up to the Factors' immigration to America, it was so interesting!
What an unexpected Sunday surprise. I know l keep saying it but l TRULY appreciate all of the research you put into all of your videos. I remember Max Factor from back in the day.I had no idea Max Factor was an actual person. I also didn't know that the grandchildren started SmashBox. Yes- please do a video on them because l had forgotten about them. I agree that Max Factor needs to hire a good marketing/advertising agency because the have an INCREDIBLE legacy/history that they should be leveraging. They created so many of the products that people use today and they have the Hollywood history....
I cannot believe I did not know all this history about max factor. I knew the brand casually from shopping a tj maxx and never used it. I had no idea that the original owner was an inventor and visionary. So fascinating and I want to learn more ❤ thank you for such an amazing video
I miss Max Factor. As a redheaded American with Scottish ancestry, they were the only brand in the 90’s that made a Deep Auburn shade in mascara. They left the US in the early 2000’s and are unavailable to us now. We have Cover Girl which has some similar products but they really aren’t the same. Warm Regards from Seattle, Washington State USA.
Yes it did, because the other Polish person who is massively overlooked nowadays and literally pioneered the language and phrases we use to talk about skincare today was Mme. Helena Rubinstein herself! Thanks Poland!
@@cudii5420 just wait till you find out who invented Nivea cream. All jokes aside, unfortunately there will be no monuments to those visionaries in Poland as government shies away from “promoting” any historical person of Jewish heritage. I wonder if you knew about founder of Tesco or Mr Marks ( from Marks and Spencer).
I love your biographies! My study productivity levels shoot through the roof when I have your videos for accompaniment and the biographies are always informative but relatively low effort to listen to.
He was EIGHT?! 😂 My goodness kids moved different in those days. I’ve just had a word with my 10 year old son, asking why he doesn’t have a side hustle and apprenticeship by now. Biography vid asap yes please it’s fascinating.
I would love to see this brand make a come back. I would be interested to see a video on Ben Nye makeup. That was a huge stage makeup brand in the 80s. I'm not sure if it's still around.
I bought some lipstick for my mother from max factor the other day. When I saw it in the store I had forgotten the brand existed. The lipstick is really nice and my mother likes it. The marketing is weak, you are right.
I remember using mom’s makeup in middle school and high school. I remember the smell of eye and brow pencils. And a blue eye crayons! Later I was saving up money to buy 2000 calories mascara and their Lasting performance foundation to “cake up” my face 😂 In Serbia where I live it is still on the expensive side, but I moved to L’Oréal and other brands because it felts so heavy on the face
@@TeazTeaz you are correct but we don’t usually put the same value on these brands. Although they have some good products they are still considered as cheap. But MF is there somewhere in the middle with L’Oreal, Burjois, Revlon (back when it still was available on the market), even Avon and offers a better value for the money. It’s actually positioned very well for a proper comeback if they target the right demographic which they definitely are not doing with having someone like Priyanka Chipra as their spokesperson.
you have included details of the brand that I was unaware of from his early days, a biography would be a fantastic add on to this video with a look at the Westmore clan as well perhaps? *smashbox bio would be a really interesting addition as well.
Thats so funny, the westmores dont come up in any of the books about max factor, Ill look into it more to see if its left out of it the story just wasnt interesting enough to make the cut 😂
Thank you so much for this analysis! I always saw Max Factor as an inspiring story of a persistent genius who changed history in spite of circumstance. I've been looking for a good video that covers his immense legacy, and this is some really amazing work! Immediately subscribed.
I knew Max Factor was a makeup artist from reading the credits of the many I Love Lucy reruns I watched as a child 😄But I didn’t know about the rest of the amazing history behind the brand - thank you for another fascinating video! I also remember being intrigued by Smashbox’s connection to the Max Factor legacy. But was Smashbox really a competitor? The line between “drugstore makeup” and “department store makeup” was pretty clear back when Smashbox launched, even if it’s become blurred more recently.
He invented her strawberry shade of hair!! I thought that was such a cool detail. Also, youre right in positioning that they were different, it was more in legacy that they competed, because they were cut from the same cloth it meant competition
What a fascinating man and what a well-researched documentary. Thank you for your amazing effort. I thought Max Factor was a brand name as well. This man was a genius and if he were alive today, he would have done so many amazing creations. It's too bad that his dream company fell apart. The moment his family stopped their association, the brand went downhill and no one could restore it back to its glory days.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, I’m glad to have shed some light on a forgotten legend, but its funny how so so often these brands fall to greed. They try to wring the brand dry and that seems yet again what happened here
This was so interesting, especially how closely the first two generations were tied to the company. Yes please to a bio video, and could you please include the sons? And yes please to a history of Smashbox: sad the shop at the Bullring was there so briefly. I see your point about the pricing attracting younger customers, but I still see it as a brand my grandmother would have worn, and she was born in the late 1890s.
Bio is definitely in the works, but on what you said about the brand today I agree, its confused. Why the marketing targets a millenial+ audience but the price is for younger? Very confusing
Truth to be told I've realised Max Factor isn't popular only when I accessed beauty UA-cam. Here in Poland the brand is still very popular, their mascaras are cult classics (esp 2000 calories one) and have great base products. MF is a staple in my daily makeup
I think its those cult classics that hold them back from a rebrand, rn I would guess theyre consistent and profitable and until the last few interested fall off I dont see them trying to risk that
This is a great docu-video on the history of makeup. I visited the maxfactor museum on Hollywood Blvd in the mid 90s. It was fun and a blast from the past. Chopra is a mess!!!
Max factor still sells well especially facefinity powder foundation and mascaras as they do brown black waterproof and navy which are hard to find in other budget brands. I love their new miricle pure skin reset serum foundation i feel like it gives me a more youthful appearance. Im nearly 45 and i recently got asked for ID in a pub. I also like their blush and eyebrow pencil when i can afford them as they arent so cheap as you say they are. I know if i get something from max factor i know it will be good quality. They dont need a rebrand they are a classic brand and ladies my age love them. I dont buy things because some young person recommends it on tic toc because they were paid to.
Really I think that’s what holds them back, especially in Europe they do see steady sales whicg for a parent company is enough. But with the legacy that they have, they could see much much bigger heights, and they don’t actually need to change the product at all, just market it better
Recently discovered your videos and I am obsessed! I live in Australia and your videos made me think about similar concepts about our own beauty brands/companies. If you have the time I feel like an analysis on MECCA would be interesting as in my own experience MECCA (a retail makeup store chain) is so much more popular than Sephora here, and i’m not sure why it is. Another topic is the controversial rise of McoBeauty, who unashamessly dupes viral makeup brands, and there have been many opinions, both negative and positive about it. Only if your interested since Australia is really interesting regarding makeup and beauty as many fans of makeup before MECCA’s popularity had to rely on Priceline (a pharmacy chain here) and department stores in order to buy makeup in person; i feel like it is unique in that regard when compared to the USA and UK.
I keep tabs on Aus just from personal interest but I honestly dont think those videos would perform well for me here sadly, I just dont have enough of an Australian audience to get it hitting the algo. But, I can still answer why Mecca has done so much better. So before Sephora was really big in Europe especially (i do have a video on their hisyory) Mecca was already gaining traction very fast in Australia and was far outcompeting there thanks to exclusivity contracts with big names (I forget exactly who now), but that meant that when Sephora came over, they could almost only sell brands under the LVMH umbrella who didnt have exclusivity contracts already, massively cutting back on the interesting brands available. It left the launch lacklustre and Mecca far outweighed it in terms of desirability. They failed to expand, failed to keep up sales and eventually just pulled out. This is off the top of my head, if you do look up which brands Mecca had exclusivity contracts with lmk because they were seriously big names at the time. Also, the founder seems really cool, I saw her in an interview just on insta the other day, she seems just nice, Id be happy to support a business of hers
@@underskinYT Thank you for the reply! that’s so interesting yes I don’t know much about MECCA’s history but I definitely want to research now, thank you again :)
I can remember as a teen buying and loving max factor products I could get them at the drug store and then shortly after seeing them disappear off the shelves. I was truly did not know the fascinating history.
I think thats why Coty wont change it tbh, I think its sales in the UK prop up the whole company in a way that holds it back from a genuinely great rebrand
My earliest recollection of seeing Max Factor’s name was in the credits by “Make-Up” for “I Love Lucy” - which I watched religiously as a kid. I never didn’t think he wasn’t a person b/c of that and always held him/the brand in high regard because of the tie to one of my favorite shows. I was born in 1992. He and his work/company will live on forever in my mind; a biography would be stupendous.
@@underskinYT: I did not know that - what a wonderful start to my day!! As a huge I Love Lucy/Lucielle Ball fan, thank you very much for sharing that bit of additional knowledge, as well as for your thorough work! I’m new to your work/channel, but your quality shines through immediately. Can’t wait to binge the rest of your videos on both of your channels. - much love from Chicago
A biography on somebody like Jack Pierce (one of the first special effects makeup artists in Hollywood) would be a great idea for a Halloween special Maybe Ben Nye (both the person and the theatre kid staple) too
In the 00s, Max Factor was quite popular in Russia, though here, it was considered almost a luxury brand, somewhere in between Maybelline and Lancome. I have never been a fan, although I learned about Mr Factor himself quite early, and I've always had a distinct feeling that the brand was marketed towards more mature ladies. I still liked some of their products though: the 3-in-1 foundation worked pretty well for me, and the shade I picked was decent for that time, Lipfinity lipstick was super popular here at some point, and my personal favourite was their Clump Defy mascara (I remember buying that one more than once).
In a sense, given his history I think it’s a really good thing that it was considered a luxury brand in Russia, it’s a shame that it’s disappearing now though
The rise and fall of Fashion Fair makeup and fashion shows. The makeup is still around but unlike in my mom’s day, the 70-90’s, you never see or hear of it anymore. I haven’t heard of a FF fashion show in a decade.
I have been using Maxfactor mascara since i was 24, i tried numerous brands and no sir, nothing gives me those fantastic full lashes without smudging like Maxfactor false lash effect. I have been using the mascara for the last 14 years and I have also used their lipstick 'Pink brandy' for the last 14 years, its the perfect summer coral! Maxfactor counters are fast disappearing from drug stores across europe, they are no longer in the Indian market and this really makes me sad! I dont understand why the brand doesnt get any love! they have some fantastic products!
Yes , Max Factor the inventor of the Pan- Stick 😉which was also known as 'PanCake Stick' this is where the phrase ' To cake one's face' comes from. Later women started' to powder down 'their faces like in the 1800's for a more matte result.
I wonder if the term “The it factor” came to be because of or from Max Factor makeup? And if I was Max Factor now, I would lean into a marketing campaign with “The It Factor”. Especially on a platform like TikTok where people would make it trend on the phrase alone. P.S. Sounds like ColourPop took a page out of Max Factor’s book about doing things in house from start to finish.
Interesting video!! Love the deep dives. 👏👏 As you also pointed out in this video; they're only going to bounce back if the IP owners actually care enough to do it well and fix all the problems. To me it seems like they would be well suited to run two separate brands - at different price points - to hit all their targets. Max Factor has all the history and nostalgia to reposition that brand like what we see from Besame Cosmetics for example (with more elevated packaging like Carolina Herrera). Then a separate brand, with a completely new name, accessible prices, and better suited to what a younger audience is looking for. I'm often reminded how just 1 or 2 hero products can keep a brand alive for decades. P.S - I also laughed at the E.l.f shade. 😂 What an awful company built on copying the work of others.
The truth is theyre probably profitable enough at the moment for them not to care. Because theyre owned by Coty, they have no motivation to care about anything other than the bottom line 🤷
Oh wow, so basically Max Factor was in decline before I was even alive. When have I seen the last TV Ad .. maybe in my teens? They always seemed outdated and I wonder how they STILL manage to be located in EVERY drugstore in Germany.
If they are targeting very young customers, why are they using much older women in their adverts. The whole brand seems to have no harmony in what they are doing and no vision. Quite sad really to have a brand with such a history to not be cared about and have no vision for.
@underskin, few comments: Łódź is a city, pronounced “Woodje”, word in Polish means “boat” His original surname is pronounced “Fakto-rovich” Poland wasn’t under Russian occupation, Zduńska Wola ( pronounced “Zdoo-nya-ska Volaa” ) was within Russian Empire, under partitioned territory. Poland did not exist as independent country at the time, so therefore could not be considered occupied. The partitions of Poland were at the end of the 18th century, and Poland ceased to exist as an independent nation for 123 years. The territory, was split among the Habsburg monarchy, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Russian Empire. This meant that native population was Polish, but also Russian or Prussian or Austro-Hungarian.
Oh how informative, thank you so much. Im just recovering from tonsillitis atm so I havent been able to film my biography, but this will help a lot thank you 🩵
I would be happy to assist with anything you need. I enjoy your videos and admire analysis work. I noticed that you didn’t share any business contact information on your page, perhaps something to consider?
Tbh I don't care about their failing marketing etc MF is seriously my fave makeup brand. I tried other brands such as elf NYX L'Oréal etc... it's just hype and nothing else. The hybrid foundation does wonders for my skin, their mascara is just great, the pure miracle concealer is superb...lipfinity was amazing when I used it in the UK, really long lasting even during a night out, however in Italy it doesn't last...I tested other well promising brands and they didn't deliver at all.
Genuinely the products are good, I think its only the marketing thats not really great and its really just that thats cost them so dearly. Its good in that sense that you can recognise a product you like despite the bad marketing, at least you know you really like it and its not just what youre told to like
@@underskinYTI'm a jack of all trades business-wise, so I'd like to dig deeper in the reason behind their choice. However, I think that they are an household name for a specific demographic that doesn't need further reinforcement. For sure with a brand new marketing strategy MF would be able to implement awareness, reach, engagement resulting in a higher sales volume. Again I give a try at NYX and elf...but their products are not delivering. Maybelline is also an household name but they are better at positioning themselves into the current market scenario with a great emphasis on GenZ. On a side note, your channel is truly fascinating as you touch many talking points of beauty brands, also providing a strategic business perspective behind a set of initiatives. ❤
Also their formula is not geared towards young ppl, it is in fact the very opposite. It is targeted for mature skin lol. They make their products in UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and South Korean. Yet ppl love to buy made in china ELF and NYX because TT made me buy. Lol.
@@underskinYT brain fart, perhaps it's to attract the Indian population. It's only odd if you choose to view it that way. Such a backward view on your behalf.
@@underskinYT Priyanka is very popular in India, but for the Indian market and Bollywood, I feel like Deepika Padakone or Alia Bhatt would have been a better choice.
omg you missed a whole major thing. they didn't just pull out of the usa bc of sales. max factor was a staple. but one of the grandsons i think was caught in a scandal .... charged with something realllllllly bad. and after that, the company pulled out of the usa. there was even an episode of this celeb interior designer show on bravo had the wife on one of the episodes and she was mental! the reason why it's gone is bc of that scandal. not that no one wanted it.
Wow that has been scrubbed from the internet then, damn, I had no idea. Im sure it mustve been news in the states but it cant have reached the UK otherwise I wouldve heard it (which was multiple SAs and date grape drooging people)
The demographic they were trying to reach were the Indian population and to the extent the South Asian diaspora, the richest ethnic group in the west. That was the target. But problem is no one have ever heard about Max Factor here.
@@underskinYT well Maxfactor just had a premium night in Mumbai yesterday so they have not pulled out, maybe they're relaunching because no one buys MaxFactor here, they're too late to the game. With ecommerce sites like Nykaa and Tira most of the international from Fenty to YSL is available in India. Like what niche is Maxfactor gonna fill? Movie makeup??? That is already filled by brands like MAC
I used to work for the brand from 2016 to 2021 and at that time the market was getting full with new make up brands and excellent fresh marketing strategies for any target audience (MF target audience's age is 35 plus). Unfortunately Max Factor fell behind and didn't follow through, so it lost many costumers, despite the fact that the products were great. In addition, the brand is clearly not a priority in Coty, the budget is limited and the marketing is criminally awfull.
What fascinating insight, you can tell the budget is limited with how confused the current branding is. But then, if it has consistent sales theres really no motivation for them to push and risk that. Its an issue with being in a conglomerate, but at least they help brands weather less profitable times, so its a trade off. I do often wonder when the rebrand will be
@underskinYT yes, it's very true that is not really the best practice to follow the trending mass as a "traditional" brand, for example, Maybelline took the lead in social media (and sales), but at the expence of L'Oréal. Saying that, at least in my country, the sales in Max Factor are down by a lot in comparison to 10 years prior. So I think it's not consistent sales or loyal costumers anymore. I hope for the best, because I love the brand and it breaks my heart that it missed such an opportunity to rebrand and rebuilt through the best years makeup market has ever seen..
Isn't it about time for Hollywood to produce a biopic of this legend that made their movie stars look like etherial beings on screen? Such an inspirational and human story.
The owners themselves should invest in that that is a great idea that would make the brand go through the roof more than anything
it would also be such an oportunity to cash onto the fuzz around the movie. I think they should really lean into the golden age of the brand and try to embrace the vintage/old hollywood aesthetic
I don't even wear makeup but I love your deep dives on both channels, so well researched, placed within the wider cultural context and you're a joy to listen to.
What a lovely compliment, thank you so much 🥰
Same here, I don't wear makeup and I love this channel!
Ah! I was just telling a friend about Max Factor and how important he was to the cosmetics / makeup industry yesterday! If Steve Jobs and Bill Gates get mentioned as revolutionaries in the 20th century, so should Max Factor and Kevyn Aucoin.
Oh undoubtedly. Steve and Bill gave us computers, Max gave us make up, whcih is just as big of a revolution
Imagine them going back to the golden age of art deco with their packaging and styling. I would eat that up
Please please I would love Max Factor’s biography video
Same
Yes me too, pretty please 😅
Yes me too, pretty please 😅
!!!!!!!!!!
Yes!
I visited the museum located in the old Max Factor building in Hollywood, and it was FASCINATING. So many incredible artifacts from that era (Marilyn Monroe’s black USO dress, a pair of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers), and so much information about the relationship between makeup and actresses in that time. Highly recommend going if you’re anywhere near LA!
I could not be more jealous! I did visit the Walk Disney Family Museum in San Fransisco, but I think thats the only museum Ive done in LA
I could be interested in seeing relaunching as Maximilian and going for an "antique" looking packaging. Golden Age glamor at the drug store. But that's just me
That would be INCREDIBLE
I would love that!
Bargaining his wigs for spots in movies for his children was such a ingenious move. Especially because it meant having watchful eyes on them. What a brilliant operation.
As someone who is a huge fan of 1920’s Hollywood, this video is right up my alley. Thanks for doing this. Very well done.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching 🥰
I would honestly really love a biography on Max
Research has started 🤔
@@underskinYT Personally I would do a duo biography of both Max and his son Frank, as both revolutionise the company.
This was so insightful! Please make a video on Smashbox
That was really interesting!
I'm German and I was a teen in the 90's...and for me they were always a 'better' drugstore brand. I had no idea about them struggling or leaving the US market or anything like that, either. I would agree, that it doesn't seem that their target audience is young people. I would think, it's probably women my age? Kinda, sorta interested in make up, but not overly influenced by social media and with a tendency to stick to long established brands.
I don't really know, what's the hot new product at any given moment, I would never buy cosmetics online (I want to try it first, for one and it is often an impulse buy while shopping for other necessities) and while I'm not wealthy enough to be tempted by more upscale brands, I can afford the 'nicer' drugstore ones.
So it's usually Max Faktor or L'Oreal, I reach for.
Back in the late ‘90s Max Faxtor was huge in Serbia. I distinctly remember their commercials starring Madonna. Everyone wanted their 2000 calories mascara, the wet and dry pan foundation, the stick foundation and the lipfinity lipstick. In many European countries there were at that time and even today no comparable products. I think they could have a major comeback if they would hire someone like Lisa Eldridge or Charlotte Tilbury to be their art directors. Both of them were instrumental in either reviving old brands (LT for Lancôme) or coming up with an entire vision and lines for startup brands (like CT for Tom Ford).
I still use 2000 calories 😅 yes in Europe
I agree. I love Max Factor and some of those makeups that have been around
This was extremely informative, my grandmother was in show business in the US during the 30s and 40s so MF was a name that was everywhere in my life.
I had no idea of the Smashbox connection and I was surprised to see Caroline Barnes in this video! Thank you, I look forward to more videos!
Wow what an incredible connection, was she in anything we would know?
@@underskinYT She was one of the original Radio City Rockettes =)
You make my comfort videos. Whenever I'm anxious or depressed , I watch your work, zone out, calm down, and learn something new. Thank you!
I remember the Max Factor foundation sticks were absolutely amazing. Full coverage and hydrating. Once set with powder it wouldn't budge.
A lot of drag queens would use it before graduating to Kryolan
Great video. When I was younger, the Andrew Luster rape trial was a big deal, and the fact that he was the great grandson of Max Factor was brought up every time, in every news report. I’m sure that had little to do with the brand’s removal from the US, but for a while, it was the only time the brand was ever mentioned in the press.
This video is so interesting! I had no idea about the history behind Max Factor. I'm so glad you included everything leading up to the Factors' immigration to America, it was so interesting!
In my opinion it was fair to say thats when the brand began because it was the same products. I know legally the company cant claim it, but I can 😂
Max Factor: the makeup of makeup artists ❤ awesome video! Best quality as usual!
When is e.l.f. cosmetics coming? 🥰
Probably in the new year, Ive got one video for next month and then the max bio and smashbox videos to come too
What an unexpected Sunday surprise. I know l keep saying it but l TRULY appreciate all of the research you put into all of your videos. I remember Max Factor from back in the day.I had no idea Max Factor was an actual person. I also didn't know that the grandchildren started SmashBox. Yes- please do a video on them because l had forgotten about them. I agree that Max Factor needs to hire a good marketing/advertising agency because the have an INCREDIBLE legacy/history that they should be leveraging. They created so many of the products that people use today and they have the Hollywood history....
Please do Max Factor’s bio, he’s live sounds marvelous
His life is so facinating
I've never found another mascara that has come close to MaxFactor mascara. I still wish today it would make a come back!! TY
❤❤
The product is fantastic, no complaints about the product, just complaints about the marketing
I cannot believe I did not know all this history about max factor. I knew the brand casually from shopping a tj maxx and never used it. I had no idea that the original owner was an inventor and visionary. So fascinating and I want to learn more ❤ thank you for such an amazing video
TJ MAXX 🩵😂😂🥰😂😂😂😂😂
Crazy to me that max factor isn't a big deal state side. Max factor is everywhere in Scotland!
I miss Max Factor. As a redheaded American with Scottish ancestry, they were the only brand in the 90’s that made a Deep Auburn shade in mascara. They left the US in the early 2000’s and are unavailable to us now. We have Cover Girl which has some similar products but they really aren’t the same. Warm Regards from Seattle, Washington State USA.
So Poland basically invented makeup as we know today and I had no idea, as a polish person?!
Yes it did, because the other Polish person who is massively overlooked nowadays and literally pioneered the language and phrases we use to talk about skincare today was Mme. Helena Rubinstein herself! Thanks Poland!
A person from Poland, not Poland.
@@louiseburns9681It's more Jewish community than actual Poles.
I would love Helena Rubinstein biography on this channel. I loved the book “War Paint”. Highly recommended.
@@cudii5420 just wait till you find out who invented Nivea cream.
All jokes aside, unfortunately there will be no monuments to those visionaries in Poland as government shies away from “promoting” any historical person of Jewish heritage.
I wonder if you knew about founder of Tesco or Mr Marks ( from Marks and Spencer).
I love your biographies! My study productivity levels shoot through the roof when I have your videos for accompaniment and the biographies are always informative but relatively low effort to listen to.
Thank you so mcuh 🙏
He was EIGHT?! 😂 My goodness kids moved different in those days. I’ve just had a word with my 10 year old son, asking why he doesn’t have a side hustle and apprenticeship by now. Biography vid asap yes please it’s fascinating.
Twlen year old son?? Not working?? What a SLACKER 😂😂😂
@@underskinYT he’s mugging me off, living in my house rent free
@@YaBasicMilleniala complete leech if you ask me 😹
it was fascination to watch. i am really impressed with max such a determation and a talented men.I never knew the brand had such a cool history.
Even just researching this video I learnt so much, Im quite grateful for that
I would love to see this brand make a come back. I would be interested to see a video on Ben Nye makeup. That was a huge stage makeup brand in the 80s. I'm not sure if it's still around.
I love my ben nye powders when I used to do drag, but I just dont know if anyone would click on that video
Hi, a Max Factor biography would be amazing.
I Loved, Loved, Loved MF's Featherblend Kohl Eyeliner w/brush. The Best eyeliner I've ever used. Have never found any liner that compares to it.
I bought some lipstick for my mother from max factor the other day. When I saw it in the store I had forgotten the brand existed. The lipstick is really nice and my mother likes it. The marketing is weak, you are right.
The product is good, no complaints about the product, it’s just the marketing
I miss my max-factor pan stick makeup for my dance performances ! It was the perfect and the best!!!!!
They still sell it on Amazon
I was always a Kryolan fan for stage makeup
I would love a Max Factor Bio !!!!
I loved their mascara. It was the best. The only mascara I’ve found that’s close is Lancôme lash Idôle.
Thank you for doing this! I loved the 2000 calorie mascara.
imagine being named Max Faktor and not do something incredible like inventing modern makeup
I remember using mom’s makeup in middle school and high school. I remember the smell of eye and brow pencils. And a blue eye crayons! Later I was saving up money to buy 2000 calories mascara and their Lasting performance foundation to “cake up” my face 😂
In Serbia where I live it is still on the expensive side, but I moved to L’Oréal and other brands because it felts so heavy on the face
Is it popular in Servia?
@@underskinYT I wouldn’t necessarily say it is popular but it definitely has a devoted fan base. And its Serbia 😉
@@underskinYT Not anymore, there are more affordable options now days, like wet n wild, essence etc..
@@TeazTeaz you are correct but we don’t usually put the same value on these brands. Although they have some good products they are still considered as cheap. But MF is there somewhere in the middle with L’Oreal, Burjois, Revlon (back when it still was available on the market), even Avon and offers a better value for the money. It’s actually positioned very well for a proper comeback if they target the right demographic which they definitely are not doing with having someone like Priyanka Chipra as their spokesperson.
this was super interesting, would love the max factor biography as well
Coming soon!
you have included details of the brand that I was unaware of from his early days, a biography would be a fantastic add on to this video with a look at the Westmore clan as well perhaps? *smashbox bio would be a really interesting addition as well.
Thats so funny, the westmores dont come up in any of the books about max factor, Ill look into it more to see if its left out of it the story just wasnt interesting enough to make the cut 😂
Thank you so much for this analysis! I always saw Max Factor as an inspiring story of a persistent genius who changed history in spite of circumstance. I've been looking for a good video that covers his immense legacy, and this is some really amazing work! Immediately subscribed.
Thank you so much, Im glad you enjoyed it. The bio is on its way 🩵
I knew Max Factor was a makeup artist from reading the credits of the many I Love Lucy reruns I watched as a child 😄But I didn’t know about the rest of the amazing history behind the brand - thank you for another fascinating video! I also remember being intrigued by Smashbox’s connection to the Max Factor legacy. But was Smashbox really a competitor? The line between “drugstore makeup” and “department store makeup” was pretty clear back when Smashbox launched, even if it’s become blurred more recently.
He invented her strawberry shade of hair!! I thought that was such a cool detail. Also, youre right in positioning that they were different, it was more in legacy that they competed, because they were cut from the same cloth it meant competition
I'd absolutely love to see a bio of Max Factor.
What a fascinating man and what a well-researched documentary. Thank you for your amazing effort. I thought Max Factor was a brand name as well. This man was a genius and if he were alive today, he would have done so many amazing creations. It's too bad that his dream company fell apart. The moment his family stopped their association, the brand went downhill and no one could restore it back to its glory days.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, I’m glad to have shed some light on a forgotten legend, but its funny how so so often these brands fall to greed. They try to wring the brand dry and that seems yet again what happened here
This was so interesting, especially how closely the first two generations were tied to the company.
Yes please to a bio video, and could you please include the sons? And yes please to a history of Smashbox: sad the shop at the Bullring was there so briefly.
I see your point about the pricing attracting younger customers, but I still see it as a brand my grandmother would have worn, and she was born in the late 1890s.
Bio is definitely in the works, but on what you said about the brand today I agree, its confused. Why the marketing targets a millenial+ audience but the price is for younger? Very confusing
Truth to be told I've realised Max Factor isn't popular only when I accessed beauty UA-cam. Here in Poland the brand is still very popular, their mascaras are cult classics (esp 2000 calories one) and have great base products. MF is a staple in my daily makeup
I think its those cult classics that hold them back from a rebrand, rn I would guess theyre consistent and profitable and until the last few interested fall off I dont see them trying to risk that
That's Awesome it thrives somewhere I as an Australian girl love it! But it's not so popular here which is a shame
I had no idea! Thank you. All of your content is beautifully done and informative so I’d love to see a biography.
Thank you so much 🥰
This is a great docu-video on the history of makeup. I visited the maxfactor museum on Hollywood Blvd in the mid 90s. It was fun and a blast from the past. Chopra is a mess!!!
I had no idea that Max Factor had this much history, thanks for the video and information
Oh its fascinating. Im almost certain my biography when it comes out will flop, but its a story that has to be told
Max factor still sells well especially facefinity powder foundation and mascaras as they do brown black waterproof and navy which are hard to find in other budget brands. I love their new miricle pure skin reset serum foundation i feel like it gives me a more youthful appearance. Im nearly 45 and i recently got asked for ID in a pub. I also like their blush and eyebrow pencil when i can afford them as they arent so cheap as you say they are. I know if i get something from max factor i know it will be good quality. They dont need a rebrand they are a classic brand and ladies my age love them. I dont buy things because some young person recommends it on tic toc because they were paid to.
Really I think that’s what holds them back, especially in Europe they do see steady sales whicg for a parent company is enough. But with the legacy that they have, they could see much much bigger heights, and they don’t actually need to change the product at all, just market it better
This was a fantastic video!!!!
Recently discovered your videos and I am obsessed! I live in Australia and your videos made me think about similar concepts about our own beauty brands/companies. If you have the time I feel like an analysis on MECCA would be interesting as in my own experience MECCA (a retail makeup store chain) is so much more popular than Sephora here, and i’m not sure why it is. Another topic is the controversial rise of McoBeauty, who unashamessly dupes viral makeup brands, and there have been many opinions, both negative and positive about it. Only if your interested since Australia is really interesting regarding makeup and beauty as many fans of makeup before MECCA’s popularity had to rely on Priceline (a pharmacy chain here) and department stores in order to buy makeup in person; i feel like it is unique in that regard when compared to the USA and UK.
I keep tabs on Aus just from personal interest but I honestly dont think those videos would perform well for me here sadly, I just dont have enough of an Australian audience to get it hitting the algo. But, I can still answer why Mecca has done so much better. So before Sephora was really big in Europe especially (i do have a video on their hisyory) Mecca was already gaining traction very fast in Australia and was far outcompeting there thanks to exclusivity contracts with big names (I forget exactly who now), but that meant that when Sephora came over, they could almost only sell brands under the LVMH umbrella who didnt have exclusivity contracts already, massively cutting back on the interesting brands available. It left the launch lacklustre and Mecca far outweighed it in terms of desirability. They failed to expand, failed to keep up sales and eventually just pulled out. This is off the top of my head, if you do look up which brands Mecca had exclusivity contracts with lmk because they were seriously big names at the time. Also, the founder seems really cool, I saw her in an interview just on insta the other day, she seems just nice, Id be happy to support a business of hers
@@underskinYT Thank you for the reply! that’s so interesting yes I don’t know much about MECCA’s history but I definitely want to research now, thank you again :)
Yes also a smashbox video! I used to have so much smash box back in the day omg
Its firmly on the list now 🙌
I can remember as a teen buying and loving max factor products I could get them at the drug store and then shortly after seeing them disappear off the shelves. I was truly did not know the fascinating history.
Please make both a video about the Life Of Max Factor and the making of Smash Box.
My grandmother loved this makeup.... I kept looking for this ... No wonder I can't find it easily in SM in the Philippines
Shame really
I would love to see Max Factor bio also would love to see Smashbox story
Max Factor is up now on Patreon for early access, it'll probably be on UA-cam at the end of next month
I miss max factor makeup!
We’ve upgraded 💅💅
max factor is still pretty popular in the uk
I think thats why Coty wont change it tbh, I think its sales in the UK prop up the whole company in a way that holds it back from a genuinely great rebrand
"it's no wonder how elf cosmetics did not just sprout up from the ground then" 😂
Would LOVE a Max Factor bio
Its coming 🤍
My earliest recollection of seeing Max Factor’s name was in the credits by “Make-Up” for “I Love Lucy” - which I watched religiously as a kid.
I never didn’t think he wasn’t a person b/c of that and always held him/the brand in high regard because of the tie to one of my favorite shows. I was born in 1992. He and his work/company will live on forever in my mind; a biography would be stupendous.
Did you know he formulated her hair colour!! That exact shade of strawberry red he designed specifically for her
@@underskinYT: I did not know that - what a wonderful start to my day!!
As a huge I Love Lucy/Lucielle Ball fan, thank you very much for sharing that bit of additional knowledge, as well as for your thorough work!
I’m new to your work/channel, but your quality shines through immediately. Can’t wait to binge the rest of your videos on both of your channels.
- much love from Chicago
A biography on somebody like Jack Pierce (one of the first special effects makeup artists in Hollywood) would be a great idea for a Halloween special
Maybe Ben Nye (both the person and the theatre kid staple) too
In the 00s, Max Factor was quite popular in Russia, though here, it was considered almost a luxury brand, somewhere in between Maybelline and Lancome. I have never been a fan, although I learned about Mr Factor himself quite early, and I've always had a distinct feeling that the brand was marketed towards more mature ladies. I still liked some of their products though: the 3-in-1 foundation worked pretty well for me, and the shade I picked was decent for that time, Lipfinity lipstick was super popular here at some point, and my personal favourite was their Clump Defy mascara (I remember buying that one more than once).
In a sense, given his history I think it’s a really good thing that it was considered a luxury brand in Russia, it’s a shame that it’s disappearing now though
Gosh I loved that makeup and that mascara was it back in the day. I wish it was still so popular.
P.s living for your videos
The rise and fall of Fashion Fair makeup and fashion shows. The makeup is still around but unlike in my mom’s day, the 70-90’s, you never see or hear of it anymore. I haven’t heard of a FF fashion show in a decade.
Brilliant work always, I love your content ❤
Thank you so much 🩵
i had a max factor ad playing before this video
Thats so funny 😂😂
I have been using Maxfactor mascara since i was 24, i tried numerous brands and no sir, nothing gives me those fantastic full lashes without smudging like Maxfactor false lash effect. I have been using the mascara for the last 14 years and I have also used their lipstick 'Pink brandy' for the last 14 years, its the perfect summer coral! Maxfactor counters are fast disappearing from drug stores across europe, they are no longer in the Indian market and this really makes me sad! I dont understand why the brand doesnt get any love! they have some fantastic products!
It is good product, are still around, but they do need better marketing
Yes , Max Factor the inventor of the Pan- Stick 😉which was also known as 'PanCake Stick' this is where the phrase ' To cake one's face' comes from. Later women started' to powder down 'their faces like in the 1800's for a more matte result.
Please, also the smashbox story ❤
It will come 🩵
I wonder if the term “The it factor” came to be because of or from Max Factor makeup? And if I was Max Factor now, I would lean into a marketing campaign with “The It Factor”. Especially on a platform like TikTok where people would make it trend on the phrase alone.
P.S. Sounds like ColourPop took a page out of Max Factor’s book about doing things in house from start to finish.
Interesting video!! Love the deep dives. 👏👏 As you also pointed out in this video; they're only going to bounce back if the IP owners actually care enough to do it well and fix all the problems.
To me it seems like they would be well suited to run two separate brands - at different price points - to hit all their targets. Max Factor has all the history and nostalgia to reposition that brand like what we see from Besame Cosmetics for example (with more elevated packaging like Carolina Herrera). Then a separate brand, with a completely new name, accessible prices, and better suited to what a younger audience is looking for. I'm often reminded how just 1 or 2 hero products can keep a brand alive for decades.
P.S - I also laughed at the E.l.f shade. 😂 What an awful company built on copying the work of others.
The truth is theyre probably profitable enough at the moment for them not to care. Because theyre owned by Coty, they have no motivation to care about anything other than the bottom line 🤷
Oh wow, so basically Max Factor was in decline before I was even alive. When have I seen the last TV Ad .. maybe in my teens? They always seemed outdated and I wonder how they STILL manage to be located in EVERY drugstore in Germany.
They do see some success in Europe, but nothing like what they deserve. Imo its what holds them back from a really great rebrand
I loved 1000 calorie mascara! It was the best but I hated that they tested on animals.
Brilliant, yes please to the bio
🙌
Please Do Both, A Smashbox Video And Biography
Ive started the biography, smashbox will come after 🩵
@@underskinYT Thank You 💛
Waiting patiently on ESTEE LAUDER
It will happen one day I promise 😅
Very. Ice, they should make a movie about his life
My next video is a biography on him, youre going to love it 🥰
Max was to makeup what Beau Brummel was to men's fashion.
(9:28) The Great Train Robbery was not the world’s first movie, as there were movies/films in the 1890s.
I’m pretty sure I said the roundhay garden scene was the first movie, I think I said it in this video in in fact
If they are targeting very young customers, why are they using much older women in their adverts. The whole brand seems to have no harmony in what they are doing and no vision. Quite sad really to have a brand with such a history to not be cared about and have no vision for.
Smashbox ftw!
Brilliant doco
Thank you 🩵
@underskin, few comments:
Łódź is a city, pronounced “Woodje”, word in Polish means “boat”
His original surname is pronounced “Fakto-rovich”
Poland wasn’t under Russian occupation, Zduńska Wola ( pronounced “Zdoo-nya-ska Volaa” ) was within Russian Empire, under partitioned territory. Poland did not exist as independent country at the time, so therefore could not be considered occupied. The partitions of Poland were at the end of the 18th century, and Poland ceased to exist as an independent nation for 123 years. The territory, was split among the Habsburg monarchy, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Russian Empire. This meant that native population was Polish, but also Russian or Prussian or Austro-Hungarian.
Oh how informative, thank you so much. Im just recovering from tonsillitis atm so I havent been able to film my biography, but this will help a lot thank you 🩵
I would be happy to assist with anything you need. I enjoy your videos and admire analysis work. I noticed that you didn’t share any business contact information on your page, perhaps something to consider?
Would love a biography please 🥺
Its coming! My next video in fact 🥰
Tbh I don't care about their failing marketing etc MF is seriously my fave makeup brand. I tried other brands such as elf NYX L'Oréal etc... it's just hype and nothing else. The hybrid foundation does wonders for my skin, their mascara is just great, the pure miracle concealer is superb...lipfinity was amazing when I used it in the UK, really long lasting even during a night out, however in Italy it doesn't last...I tested other well promising brands and they didn't deliver at all.
Genuinely the products are good, I think its only the marketing thats not really great and its really just that thats cost them so dearly. Its good in that sense that you can recognise a product you like despite the bad marketing, at least you know you really like it and its not just what youre told to like
@@underskinYTI'm a jack of all trades business-wise, so I'd like to dig deeper in the reason behind their choice. However, I think that they are an household name for a specific demographic that doesn't need further reinforcement. For sure with a brand new marketing strategy MF would be able to implement awareness, reach, engagement resulting in a higher sales volume. Again I give a try at NYX and elf...but their products are not delivering. Maybelline is also an household name but they are better at positioning themselves into the current market scenario with a great emphasis on GenZ. On a side note, your channel is truly fascinating as you touch many talking points of beauty brands, also providing a strategic business perspective behind a set of initiatives. ❤
smashbox vid plsss they are real good
Bio on max factor please!
Its coming 🩵
Wao didn't know this cosmetics have to deal with Russian empire, I wonder how his reaction about the downfall of Russian empire
If only he was alive to tell us 😂
they produced the best mascara
Iconic in the 2010s
Also their formula is not geared towards young ppl, it is in fact the very opposite. It is targeted for mature skin lol. They make their products in UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and South Korean. Yet ppl love to buy made in china ELF and NYX because TT made me buy. Lol.
Completely agree on priyanka being such an odd choice - it’s a brand that could be revitalized but needs the correct approach and ‘face’….and brain
There are soooo many celebrities that would be better, so confused by the choice
@@underskinYT brain fart, perhaps it's to attract the Indian population. It's only odd if you choose to view it that way. Such a backward view on your behalf.
@@underskinYT Priyanka is very popular in India, but for the Indian market and Bollywood, I feel like Deepika Padakone or Alia Bhatt would have been a better choice.
@@underskinYT yes!!!! and it’s an opportunity to reach new people
B R A V O 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much 🥰
omg you missed a whole major thing. they didn't just pull out of the usa bc of sales. max factor was a staple. but one of the grandsons i think was caught in a scandal .... charged with something realllllllly bad. and after that, the company pulled out of the usa. there was even an episode of this celeb interior designer show on bravo had the wife on one of the episodes and she was mental! the reason why it's gone is bc of that scandal. not that no one wanted it.
and.... where the museum is a major major area for traffic and hollywood things. it's a corner where everyone passes. it's great advertisement.
Wow that has been scrubbed from the internet then, damn, I had no idea. Im sure it mustve been news in the states but it cant have reached the UK otherwise I wouldve heard it (which was multiple SAs and date grape drooging people)
AGE 8...WHAAAAT
Was a different time 😂😂
The demographic they were trying to reach were the Indian population and to the extent the South Asian diaspora, the richest ethnic group in the west. That was the target. But problem is no one have ever heard about Max Factor here.
It was in India, they’ve just pulled out I believe
@@underskinYT well Maxfactor just had a premium night in Mumbai yesterday so they have not pulled out, maybe they're relaunching because no one buys MaxFactor here, they're too late to the game. With ecommerce sites like Nykaa and Tira most of the international from Fenty to YSL is available in India. Like what niche is Maxfactor gonna fill? Movie makeup??? That is already filled by brands like MAC
Bio please
Its on the way 🩵
💕💕💕