1935...Maybelline products, mounted on a card, and placed on display racks, for easy accessibility,

the brain child of Maybelline's marketing man, Rags Ragland, in 1935.

What we consider common merchandising today, actually began at the Maybelline Company, as a way to display their products and gain more attention.

Vintage Maybelline eye-shadow, placed on a card in 1935.

Today when we go to a store, all Brands are displayed this way, but 80 years ago, products were haphazardly thrown on a shelf, causing, great frustration, for the consumer and the sales team.

Carded merchandise extended the promotional impact of Maybelline, increased impulse buying, attracted customer's attention,organized products, enhanced shoppability and drove sales, to a higher bottom line. 

By the 1950's and 60's, all beauty products were carded and set on free-standing, twirling racks, also the brainchild of Maybelline's Rag's Ragland.

 By 1964,  ULTRA LASH MASCARA, was  born, taking the place of Maybelline's first wand mascara,  MAGIC MASCARA.  Some of you might remember buying a carded Maybelline ULTRA LASH,  for 69 cents.  

                             Those were the day's..

 Before ULTRA LASH,  the little red box, with a black cake of Maybelline, or this Maybelline cream mascara, was the only choice available to ladies.

This is what a 1950's, make-up bag was filled with, when Maybelline was advertised television for the first time and no longer a little mail order business, advertised in the classifieds. 

Maybelline has remained a Giant in the cosmetic field, as well The King, of Advertising and Marketing.

Thank you for following the Maybelline Blog, tell your friends and be sure to get your copy of The Maybelline Story, you will love it !!!!

Be sure to visit my Hilarious 1964 High School Diary Blog called Saffrons Rule at http://saffronsrule.com/

Glamour, Style and the Confidence to dress like a million bucks...An American tradition found only in vintage photos

My father and grandmother,
Bill and Evelyn Williams.

A picture's worth a thousand words I hear. This picture was taken in 1935 while Preston, Evelyn and Bill were driving across the country from Chicago to California, on their way to see Tom Lyle and Emery at the Villa Valentino.  They had just stopped at an Indian Reservation where Evelyn bought two turquoise beaded wrist cuffs and a rawhide jacket with long fringed sleeves.   I can't imagine dressing up like that  on a road trip, can you?  They even slept in a pup tent once or twice and yet every morning they were up at the crack of dawn and my grandmother made up her face, styled her hair and dressed like a star.   This picture could easily be a scene from a movie, made on location in New Mexico... and how do you like that pose?  Forever the diva!!! 

Evelyn was a stickler for perfection and even altered her son Bill's shirts and pants if they didn't fit just right.  The two of them kept up that standard of style and panache until the day they died and if I faltered in any way or looked less than perfect - I'd have to hear about it.  How could anyone keep up that level of perfection on a daily basis?  you'd have a heart attack! - But the Williams were like that and always had "The Right Look," for every occasion. 

I love this picture of my grandparents Evelyn and Preston Williams. You'd think they were Marlene Dietrich and Jimmy Stewart taking a break between scenes.   And, they were on a long road trip for heaven sakes !  Today people wear t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops, no makeup and their hair going every which way, but in 1935 it was Showtime everyday and "People- Watching" was a national past-time, like the Macy's Day Parade.  Yes, those wonderful Maybelline Days when it was cool to look beautiful, dress with style and make-up those Maybelline Eyes.

The day my 82 year old father, Bill, fell and hit his head, having to have two brain surgeries and ultimately dying, he walked into the hospital looking like two million bucks and when the nurse said, "are you ready to go Mr. Williams," he simply winked at her and said, "OK BABY!  

Charm, Wit and Style right to the end.

I hope you're enjoying my posts - and will tell your friends to check them out as well.  Also don't forget to purchase an autographed copy of my book, 

The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind 

It at http://www.maybellinestory.com/.

Be sure to stop by my hilarious Saffrons Rule Blog at http://saffronsrule.com/

Cowboys, Indians, and the Old West, with the Maybelline family, in 1935.

Cowboy's visit an Indian Reservation, while traveling across the country in 1935.

 My grandparents, Evelyn and Preston Williams, dressed for their road trip, from Chicago to California.

 

 Cowboy Bill is finally going to see a real 

Indian Reservation.

 

Wow, after growing up in Chicago, Bill experienced what it was really like to live in a tent on the land.  (This picture was developed a year after their trip.)

 

 My dad and grandmother dressed for the part everyday, while sleeping in a tent.

 Nana, always a glamour girl, looked like a million bucks, even sitting on a dirty car.

Here she is posing as if she's going to be on the cover of Vogue Magazine.

Of Course my grandfather, did model for Lord and Taylor and knows all the right moves.

 Outside an old adobe building in either New Mexico, Colorado or Arizona.

Draped on the wheel of an old wagon, Evelyn Williams will go to any length for a good picture.

A little more relaxed with one of the women selling the turquoise jewelry she came home with.

You can't get more Old West than this.  I think this picture is actually reality-art.

Another amazing closeup, of life on a reservation in 1935.

Animal skins drying in the sun.  They were sold to travelers along with turquoise jewelry and hand woven baskets.  Nana loved it all and wore the jewelry her entire life.

A view of daily life on the Reservation, click the picture to get a bigger view.

If you have read The Maybelline Story, I'm sure you've enjoyed seeing these incredible pictures, that go along with the story.  If you haven't read my book, please purchase a signed copy of this most fascinating, stunning, piece of historical nostalgia. Books also available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, and can be ordered from any bookstore around the world.

Stay tuned for Sheriff Thomas Jefferson Williams tomorrow and get ready next week for my over the top, depression era, deserts as I make them on AZTV, Arizona.