François Nars launches NARS with twelve lipsticks at Barneys New York. In 1996 he shoots his first advertising campaign for his brand, and continues to do so
today.
1995 Frustrated by the lack of bold, vibrant colors, Vincent Longo launches his own line.
1996 Crème de la Mer, a potent cream developed by aerospace physicist Max Huber, is relaunched.
Laura Mercier launches her line of cosmetics.
1999 Sonia Kashuk launches the Sonia Kashuk Professional Makeup collection for Target. This marks the first partnership between a high-profile makeup artist and
mass-market retailer.
2000s–Present Fake tans, sun beds, and tanning products are all the rage, mineral-based makeup enters the marketplace, and makeup brands explode.
WHO’S WHO in MAKEUP
These are the pioneers who helped shape the beauty industry and also greatly influenced me as an artist.
Helena Rubinstein (1870–1965)
Born in Poland, she was the eldest of eight daughters. After immigrating to Australia, she opened the world’s first modern beauty salon. She later relocated to the
United States, opened a salon in New York City, and became a lifelong rival of Elizabeth Arden. In 1962, Rubinstein’s salon was the first to introduce the concept
of a “day of beauty.” It consisted of an exercise class, massage, lunch, facial, shampoo, hairstyling, manicure, pedicure, and makeup session and cost $35.
Max Factor (1877–1938)
Born in Poland as Max Faktor, his name morphed into Factor in 1904, when he went through Ellis Island on his way to becoming an American. In Los Angeles, he
began selling his lotions and makeup, and soon he had developed a new type of makeup formulated specifically for the movies. It was called “flexible greasepaint”
because, unlike standard film makeup, it didn’t crack. In 1920, Factor introduced his cosmetics to the public, giving the average woman a chance to buy a little bit
of Hollywood glamour at her local drugstore.
Coco Chanel (1883–1971)
Although primarily remembered as a fashion designer, Chanel also created some of the world’s most memorable perfumes. In 1922, she introduced Chanel No. 5,
which to this day is a worldwide best seller.