Who founded Max Factor & Company in 1909?

Who founded Max Factor & Company in 1909? The answer is Maksymilian Faktorowicz.

Born in Congress Poland, Maksymilian Faktorowicz later became known professionally as Max Factor. He founded Max Factor & Company in 1909 after building experience as a wig maker, cosmetician, and supplier of theatrical cosmetics. His company eventually became one of the most influential names in American beauty.

Factor moved to the United States in 1904 and settled in Los Angeles, where the growing film industry created demand for makeup that looked natural on camera. In 1914, he developed flexible greasepaint, a product better suited to early motion pictures than traditional stage makeup.

The company’s influence extended beyond products: Factor helped create signature looks for Hollywood stars and popularized the modern use of “make-up” as a beauty term. A common mix-up is identifying Max Factor as the founder’s birth name; Max Factor was the professional name adopted by Maksymilian Faktorowicz.