Maybelline may have served as your introduction to all-things makeup as a teen and there's a good chance your first foray into the joys of eyelash lengthening involved a certain iconic pink and green tube of Maybelline Great Lash mascara. But how much do you actually know about the beauty brand? Here are 7 fun facts about Maybelline.
[Photo: Instagram]
Maybelline's first product was called Lash-Brow-Ine.
Maybelline had a small and humble start. In 1915, chemist and entrepreneur Tom Lyle watched his sister Mabel apply a combination of Vaseline, coal and ash to her eyebrows to hold them in place and create an appealing and dramatic sheen. Lyle got the idea to create a similar formula for lashes and brows and called it Lash-Brow-Ine, which was sold in two sizes, for $0.50 or $1 a tube. In 1917, an everyday product called Maybelline Cake Mascara was launched. And, in 1923, as their company began to grow, they named it Maybelline, after Mabel and Vaseline.
Maybelline has always relied on famous spokesmodels.
Long before Gigi Hadid and Christy Turlington appeared in Maybelline ad campaigns, the company enlisted the help of famous actresses and models to show women how to rock a red lip or fierce eyeliner. In the '20s, actresses like Joan Crawford, Ethel Clayton, Jean Harlow, and Natalie Moorhead represented the company and its growing roster of celeb spokesmodels would soon include famous names like Adriana Lima, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Josie Maran, and Jourdan Dunn.
[Photo: Instagram]
Maybelline is owned by L'Oreal.
The French company acquired Maybelline in 1996. The U.S. brand has helped transform L'Oreal into one of the most successful beauty brands in the world. Forbes reported L'Oreal is the number three top global beauty brand with a $7.7 billion brand value in 2012.
[Photo: Instagram]
Maybelline Great Lash mascara has remained true to its packaging.
Maybelline is one of the most famous and celebrated mascara brands of all time launched in 1971. Over 20 million tubes of Great Lash are sold every year and its popular green and pink packaging remains more or less the same as it did 45 years ago.
[Photo: Instagram]
Baby Lips Balm is a smashing success.
One of Maybelline's most successful products adds both intense hydration and light, pretty color to lips. Seven tubes of Maybelline Baby Lips balm is sold every 15 seconds.
[Photo: Instagram]
Its informative makeup videos will turn you into a beauty guru.
You'll find a lot more on Maybelline's website than a list of its many products. Maybelline's makeup videos feature both behind-the-scenes looks at Fashion Week and the making of its commercials and incredible makeup tips from professionals. You can search by your skill level (simple, moderate, or advanced), the facial feature you want to play up, and even the occasion — everything from daytime and work looks to wedding makeup tips are included.
The Maybelline Story' is a successful book.
Curious about the family that started it all? The Maybelline Story: And the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It is a tell-all book about Maybelline by authors Sharrie Williams and Bettie Youngs. Learn more about Tom Lyle Williams, his wife Evelyn, sister Mabel, and how they turned a small family business into a beauty giant.
