Max Factor

Max Factor is the father to on screen and modern cosmetics, he is the one who transformed the way the big screen was viewed, cosmetic wise. He opened up ladies eyes to self image and showed them that they are worth every bit of cosmetic beauty.

Where it all began:

Born in Lodz, Poland in 1877 he went into wig making as an apprentice and when he was twenty opened up his own wig shop. He started to do more cosmetics before the first world war. In 1902 himself and his family came to the St. Louis World’s Fair in the United States and they never returned to Poland, he began to sell cosmetic goods in St. Louis and greasepaints to local stage actors.

His big break:

Max had started to create a name for himself in St. Louis and later on actors started to come to Max for make up advice, this lead to the film industry hearing his name and in 1909 he moved to Los Angeles and got a job with the Pantages Theatre.

Involvement in film:

In 1914 he became to do make up for the starts in film, he had found a way to dye greasepaint but found that it didn’t look right on screen so he then perfected his method. His new and modified greasepaint allowed actors to look more natural in close ups on screen. Max then started to make false eye lashes, eye brow pencil, lip gloss and pancake make up. All of this make up where used on screen but as time went by the actors loved they way they looked so much that they started wearing it in every day life. This soon evolved into every women wanting to look glamorous in every day life.


In 1927 Max Factor released his own cosmetic line which was available to everyday women. Max then passed away in 1938 but not before leave behind such a great legacy. He did so much for film and cosmetics that it can not be forgotten. He is still an inspiration to everyone and continues to influence cosmetics today.

Joanne Gair

Joanne Gair is not a new comer to the cosmetic and art industry. She is the worlds most renown body painter and cosmetic artist, this love of body painting stemming from different mediums of art. Originally from New Zealand she later moved to the United States to continue and start her career.

Big Break:
The 1992 cover of Vanity Fair featuring Demi Moore in a body of paint depicting a suit and tie. This caused Joanne to have world wide recognition after this issue. Later in 1999 she was able to be part of a twelve page, six model layout in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her work with Sports Illustrated can be seen every year.

People she has worked with:
She has work with such celebrities as Madonna, Cindy Crawford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kim Basinger, Christina Aguilera, Sophia Loren and Celine Dion and Donna Karan. Being involved with there changing make up look. She has worked with Madonna for most of her career during the 80’s spanning a long period of time.

Companies she has worked with:
Joanne as worked with many fashion and cosmetic lines, such as; Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Playboy, Black Book, Harper's Bazaar, fashion campaigns, Versace, Victoria’s Secret, Guess, bebe, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon, Olay and Rimmel.

Other Recognition:
Gair has also been featured on may tv shows such as Ripleys believe it or not, E Style on and a New Zealand show called ‘Coming home’ which features the lives of famous Kiwis. She has said that one of her highlights in her career happened when over 50 of her art pieces where featured in the Vodafone Body Art Exhibition at the Auckland Museum in New Zealand. All of the pieces that were included showed the span of her career and the many photographers she has had a chance to work with. She has also written two novels and been featured in one. Her first book was called Paint A’ Licious was released in 2005 and show cased 40 images of her work. The second book was named Body Painting
Masterpieces and was released in 2006 and went through her life as a body painter. Sports Illustrated wrote a book in 2007, ’In The Paint’ featuring all of Joanne’s work which was featured in Sports Illustrated throughout the years.

Joanne Gairs work as spanned all types of media including Television, magazines, adversiting, music videos and the list goes on. She shows that it may take a lot of hard work to accomplish what you set out to do but in the end you may just be that trendsetter that everyone wants to see.

Aaron de Mey

The New Zealand native Aaron de Mey may be a newer and younger face to the cosmetic industry but he has sure made a grand entrance. His fresh and daring looks have been seen in; Vogue, Prada, McQueen, Givenchy and he is now the new member of Lancôme. His love for cosmetics started at a young age and he has been inspired by his surroundings.

His love for cosmetics started to bloom when he was a student at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland. Aaron always showed an interest in painting and this love later transitioned into a passion for cosmetics and fashion. In the 90’s Aaron spent a vast amount of time working in the fashion industry in New Zealand, once he felt he had done the most he could there he moved to New York City where he planned on specializing in fashion. Friend Trish Goff introduced Aaron to François Nars, which lead him to participate in New York fashion week and be a part of the Nars team. This would be known as Aarons big break into the fashion industry thus creating a name for himself. Later introduced to stylist Patti Wilson who in turn introduced him to Edward Enninful, fashion director of i-D magazine. From this point on Aaron dove deep into the world of cosmetics, this meeting resulted in Aaron being the make up artist for the December 1997 cover of i-D, featuring Naomi Campbell. Within two years of arriving in the US, De Mey had become a highly regarded fashion editorial Cosmetic artist and had gained a lot of run way experience as part of the Nars team. Later Fashion label Comme des Garçons soon came knocking because they were intrigued by his ability to make a solid look that was outstanding and unique. His latest work can be seen through the Lancôme team, where they have just launched the ‘declaring Indigo’ champagne.

Many creative people are influenced by there surroundings Aaron de Mey is no acception to the rule. Drawing inspiration from his family and friends mostly and then from everyday things such as movies he has seen, books he has read, travels he has taken and even words that people have said to him. Many people through out the world gain inspiration from the music they listen too, everyone listening to a variety of things which helps the creative world. Aarons favourite music is said to be anything from the 60’s, rock and punk. His favourite band of all time he has said is Nirvana. Aaron shows us that inspiration can really be taken from anything in our everyday life, you may just have to look around to find it.

Aaron de Mey can be looked at in the cosmetic industry now as a trooper who has done his fair share to get exactly where he is today. With a personality that shines and models loving to have their cosmetics done by him. Aaron is doing very well for himself and I hope that continues and he continues to amaze the industry with his creative looks.