Maybelline's Power to change women's lives through Advertising.

The Maybelline Story starts 101 years ago. it takes the reader though the fascinating rags to riches life of founder, Tom Lyle Williams, and his fascinating family.  The reader will be enthralled from page one, as the story crisscrosses the country, from gangland Chicago to Star studded Hollywood.

Read how a simple product became an international sensation, changing women's perception of themselves.   Also, follow the Williams family through their ups and downs as their lives change in the most unusual and fascinating ways.  

Ask anyone who has read The book and they will tell you it's irresistible. 

The Maybelline Story has left a lasting impression upon America, yet not many people realize just how vital a role the cosmetic brand has played in shaping idealism for the last century.  The obsession with perfection was widely seen throughout Hollywood in the 1920's, and has reached unimaginable proportions today, with the help of plastic surgery.

Tom Lyle Williams, founder of the Maybelline Co. in 1915, inspiried woman, thorugh his artistic advertising, to embrace glamour and beauty with a simple swish of the eyes.

Maybelline was developed in a time when women were breaking free from oppressive traditon and demanding the right to vote as equals in their society.

The Maybelline story captivates the reader by its incredible survival through economic, social, and personal turmoil.  

The Maybelline Story takes you on a journey through 20^th century America. The memoir paints a picture of a fifty year, family owned business, now owned by L'Oreal Paris. A company that continues to thrive as an Icon on the world stage. 

You will be dazzled!!!

Read more about the founding of The Maybelline Company ...1915 to 1968 and beyond

For nearly a century, "Maybelline" has been synonymous with "eye cosmetics"-- yet little is known about how a tiny company offering a single product by mail order managed to grow into an international institution.

The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It,  aims to change that.  It could only be written by someone with insider knowledge. Sharrie Williams is the great-niece of Tom Lyle Williams, the charming and creative, yet remarkably secretive man who founded Maybelline along with his tight knit family, including his brothers and sisters -Noel, Preston, Mabel and Eva - catapulting a little mail order business in 1915 into the most successful and famous eye cosmetic company in the world.   

By digging through family documents, her own memories and the memories of the few remaining people intimately familiar with the founders of Maybelline, Sharrie slipped beneath the public facade of the company to reveal the amazing personalities at its heart. This is an exciting and thoughtful book, part memoir, part history, part family saga, that reveals the triumphs and tragedies behind the beautiful public face of Maybelline.

Chet and Mabel (Willliams) Hewes, and Ches and Eva (Williams) Haines, Hollywood, 1938.

Tom Lyle Williams with Mabel, Chet, Ches and Eva at The Villa Valentino - Hollywood, 1938.

Catalina California 1938 - left to right, My father Bill,
 great uncle Tom Lyle, my Grandmother Evelyn and my auntie Eva, auntie Mabel and uncle Chet.

Come Visit me at my Hilarious 1964 High School Blogcalled Saffrons Rule at, http://saffronsrule.com/

.

Excerpts from Maybelline Family Diaries during 1940's and 60's

My great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams, (founder and owner of the Maybelline Company, from 1915 - 1967,) moved from Chicago to California in the early 1930's...

bought Rudolph Valentino's, Villa Valentino,

with his partner, Emery Shaver and coined it Maybelline West.

The Maybelline Company, continued to run with his brother Noel J. Williams at the helm in Chicago,

but, all of Maybelline's Advertising was done in at the Villa Valentino, in the Hollywood Hills, where Tom Lyle contracted the biggest Stars to endorse his Maybelline products.

My grandparents, Preston and Evelyn Williams,

with my 11 year old father, Bill, followed Tom Lyle and Emery to California in 1935... and the rest is history.  Read all about it in my book...The Maybelline Story.

Here is an another excerpt from Jane Allen's diary, while she and her cousin Annette Williams, visited their uncle Tom Lyle, Emery Shaver and Arnold Anderson, at the Villa Valentino in 1940.  (Annette was Noel J. and Frances Williams daughter and Jane was a close cousin on from her mother's side.)


Monday June 10, 1940
We slept until noon, had a big breakfast and went down to the pool to sun.

 Heard President Roosevelt at 3:15 and then went shopping. Not much luck shopping. Got a late start today, 4:00 PM, but will try tomorrow. Had our usual cocktail before dinner and a delicious dinner.

Saw Joan Crawford in “Susan and God” at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Good picture and also saw hand prints of many stars in the concrete foyer.

As we were walking up the street to the theatre, we saw James Cagney,

and Frank McHugh standing talking.



Tuesday June 11, 1940
Slept until noon again which is wonderful. 

After breakfast we spent an hour or so at the pool. Had a shopping tour on for the afternoon, so couldn't sun very long.

Bought a formal and bathing suit at Bullocks. Rushed home in time for dinner at 6:30.

Saw a good show at Hollywood Troupers Theatre, “The Sixth Floor.” Judith Allen was one of the leading characters.

After the show stopped in at the “Jade,” a Night Club all Chinese and very unusual.

Read another excerpt from Jane Allen's diary click here.



Side note:  Hollywood Troupers Theatre, was renamed, the Las Palmas Theatre in the 1940's.

Las Palmas Theatre

1642 Las Palmas 

Avenue,

 

Hollywood,

 Los Angeles, CA 90028

This building was erected in 1927, according to assessor’s information.

An item in Daily Variety for June 18, 1941, indicates that at that time this was a playhouse operating under the name Hollywood Troupers Theatre.The Las Palmas Theatre is located around the corner from the Egyptian Theatre, Vogue Theatre and Newview Theatre..   Joe Vogel

I was born and raised in Culver City California and kept a diary of my 1964 High School diary, as well.

Excerpt from my diary

My great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams, founder of the Maybelline Company, invites us up to swim, (pictures of his estate in 1964)

by saffronsrule

August 9, 1964, Sunday. We went up to Unk Ile’s today. I went in his pool.

Woke up this morning with no feeling at all for Howard. He lied to me again.  He said he’d call me as soon as he get’s back from Santa Cruz next week. I can’t go out with him, I don’t want people to talk about me. Today Pearl and I drove to Toes and got a coke, but when I saw his car we left. The whole family went to Unk Ile’s  tonight, to try out the new Whirl Jet Jacuzzi, in his pool. We all got in the pool and it was so much fun being all together as a family for once. When we left Unk Ile insisted he pay for us to go out to dinner and gave Dad a bunch of money, They all went to the Golden Bull, but my sister Donna and I just kept our money and went home to wash the chlorine out of our hair.

My great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams, founder of the Maybelline Co. lived in Bel Air, not that far from our house in Blair Hills, on the outskirts of Culver City.  Here are some pictures of the exterior of his home.

It was always a thrill to drive through the electric gates and pull into our regular spot by the entrance to his steel and glass ultra Modern home.

The open garage allowed his cars to be on display, adding to the romance of a Tropical Paradise.

The statue “Aspiration,” created in memory of Rudolph Valentino, once overlooked the pool at Unk Ile’s Villa Valentino, in the Hollywood Hills, now welcomed us at the entry.

Here is the pool, which was actually very large and deep.  We had a lot of fun memories swimming here since 1950, when he built the home, after losing the Villa Valentino to the Hollywood Freeway.

The lush landscaping created a virtual Garden of Eden and created privacy, which was his main objective, not wanting to be scrutinized by the public for his lifestyle.

The property overlooked Los Angeles, from Beverly Hills to the ocean at Santa Monica and at night the twinkling city lights created a spectacular romantic ambiance .  I remember my dad asking Unk Ile, how much he thought the property was worth… and he humbly admitted $500,000.  Today the property is worth over 15 million. 

  

My Guest Blogger, Internationally renowned master cosmetic, corrective and paramedical tattoo specialist, Athena Karsant, featured on "The Doctors" Television Show

The Beauty of Coupling Permanent Makeup and Traditional Makeup: It All Started With A Mascara

by: Athena Karsant

Website-    FoolingMotherNature.com

Facebook- facebook.com/foolingmothernature

Blog -        AthenaKarsant.blogspot.com

Twitter -    @athenakarsant  

I remember, as a little girl, watching my mother get dolled up at her vanity each day. I would watch her as the beautiful bright lights surrounded her mirror and dream of the day I would be allowed to do my own makeup. I remember her giving me my very first Maybelline mascara; I must have been 13 years old. With excitement, I brought it with me everywhere I went. After that, I knew I had a love for all things beauty: makeup, hair, fashion, etc. Many years later I found what I was truly born to do: cosmetic tattooing and permanent makeup. If I had known then that I would be in the field that I am in now, I would have started my career a long time ago. I did not know that little mascara would open the door to something bigger and greater than myself. I naturally enhance my clients beauty rather than replace it. Coupling permanent makeup and traditional makeup makes daily life so much easier for all women, including those on the go, mature women, corporate women and everyone else in between. It's not only about the girly stuff; I have many male clients as well. Cosmetic tattooing can really make a man look 10 years younger.

It's amazing how shaping someone's lips and using a pigment that exactly matches their natural lip color can be an easy guide for women to apply their lipstick or lip liner. I can't express how many women can't wait to purchase a wardrobe of lipstick colors to apply to their newly shaped mouth after their permanent makeup procedure. I love how tattooing someones eyelash line with a fine line can open their eyes and give the illusion that theirs eyes are bigger, brighter and younger looking. Adding a touch of mascara afterwards is like the icing on the cake. Sadly, many women experience the occasional "oops! I smeared my eyebrow off!" But that never happens when they are artistically done with permanent makeup. I have had makeup artists tell me that they love when their clients have permanent makeup because their clients already have an eyebrow guideline to work with. Instead, they can spend their time on the fun things like contouring, eyeshadow, fake lashes, blush and a luscious lip color.

Cosmetic tattooing and permanent makeup have been around since the days of Cleopatra. It is an art that is has been around for thousands of years. Makeup itself has been used since practically the beginning of time. Coupling traditional makeup with any permanent makeup procedure is not necessary for every errand or outing that we do; however, not worrying if your lip shape is perfect or your eyebrows are even is a huge relief. I love makeup! While I do have my eyebrows, eyeliner and lips tattooed, I wear makeup every day to make dramatize my eyes or make my lips shiny. But, if my lipstick wears off... it's okay! It's crazy to think that the amazing career that I have started with something so small in size yet it was so powerful. It started with a Maybelline mascara.

Athena Karsant, an internationally renowned master cosmetic, corrective and paramedical tattoo specialist, is one of the few Board Certified instructors through the State of California. In 2012, Athena was featured on The Emmy-Award Winning Television Show The Doctors. Her segment highlighted her solution to thinning eyebrows. She is conveniently located in San Francisco and Beverly Hills, California.

To learn more about Athena Karsant, please visit FoolingMotherNature.com. 

I am so impressed with Athena Karsant's work, that I plan to have permanent makeup done on my eyebrows and lips. 

Athena Karsant, like my great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams..... is a Master of Before and After Perfection..... and that's what Maybelline is all about. 

Sharrie Williams is author of The Maybelline Story and a direct descendant of the Maybelline Family

Take a peek at my new tell all, slightly scandalous, but definitely hilarious blog, taken from my 1964 High School diary.....

3 YEARS BEFORE THE MAYBELLINE COMPANY SOLD, I WAS A WILD CHILD.

                                 SAFFRONS RULE
                                      click to view

The secret life of a 16 year old girl coming of age between Kennedy's Assassination and the Vietnam War. 

In the midst of frustration and struggle to become an adult during the 1960's, Sharrie and her friends, seek to find meaning in their lives - while growing up in the fast lane of LA.  

This song sets the tone for Saffrons Rule, "Be My Baby."
By the Ronettes.

• 
  

  
  

  Recent Posts

  
  
  • Just like in 1964, Titos Tacos, still has the best chips in Los Angeles.
  • 
    
  • Six weeks after President Kennedy’s Assassination, November 22, 1963, I’m clueless
  • 
    
  • Day 1, of my 1964 Diary
  • 
    

Guest Blogger Alicia Dufour says "Check out Sharrie Williams new website at sharriewilliams.com"

In response to the post I wrote on Marjorie Woodworth http://www.maybellinebook.com/2012/08/sexy-glamor-shot-of-maybelline-model.html Alicia Dufour writes about what she has learned from Miss Woodworth's Hollywood career.

I am an actress, model and singer/songwriter. I am also a professional belly dancer and vintage pin up model. I have been performing on stage for over 20 years and recently filmed my second movie. I was honored to bring life to deputy Karen Harper for the Lunatopia/Baylor Film production of Vertical (starring Marshall Bell, Irene Bedard, Elsie Kate Fisher and Wolfgang Bodison, with director Stephen Savage). I am just at the precipice of what I hope to be a long and fulfilling career. I have learned the value of having a great makeup artist, and how important makeup and beauty are in my industry.

I grew up watching my mother wear Maybelline products and always associated Maybelline with what was beautiful and with glamour. And now as an adult, I have a makeup kit worth well over $800 (in addition to my rather large collection of makeup that I use for daily wear) and have used makeup to make me both beautiful and glamorous... as well as frightening. And Maybelline has always been a staple in my house and my career.

The lovely Marjorie Woodworth was both glamorous and at the start of her career when she became a Maybelline model. (wow! wouldn't I love to be featured by Maybelline at this point in my career!!) But for all of her looks and talent, she had a surprisingly short career. She was out shined by other rising talent and her career never took off and she is now remembered in a collection of amazing and beautiful photographs and B movies. She truly was a stunning beauty and it is sad to think what could have become of her talent.

In an industry so driven by looks and beauty, I've already learned that I need to enjoy each moment because I never know how long I will have to enjoy it! For all of the hard work that every actor, musician, producer, director, cinematographer and photographer (atc) does, we need to remember to fully embrace each and every moment we get to do what we love.

I remember a story I heard once about another couple of beauties: Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton.  While filming Steel Magnolias, Julia commented to Dolly regarding how cool she kept in the sweltering heat. Dolly's response was simply that she was doing the one thing she had always wanted to do, so what was there to complain about? I love this. I know the road ahead of me is long. But every 'no' I get is one step closer to the next 'yes' and the next opportunity to bring life to some new character. And to me there is nothing more beautiful than that.

Vintage 1950's - 1960's Pin-Up girl Alicia Dufour.

 

                                                     Alicia Dufour.
Photos caption info:

photo by Mikel Healy

photos by Brandy Nichole Photography

Alicia Dufour as Karen Harper - movie still from Vertical by Lunatopia/Baylor Films

Alicia Dufour as Zombie - makeup by Alicia Dufour, Redlands Shakespeare Festival Haunted Grove

Alicia Dufour as Allie Kat, Pin Up Model

photo by Sven Ellirand

Contact information for Alicia Dufour.

dufour.alicia@yahoo.com
www.webstarts.com/AliciaDufour
www.imdb.me/aliciadufour
www.wix.com/dufouralicia/

actress
www.twitter.com/alicia289
http://www.youtube.com/user/
AliciaDufour

www.facebook.com/

AliciaDufourActress

www.facebook.com/AllieKatPinUp

www.tunecore.com/music/

aliciadufour

Alicia thank you for the great post.  I agree with you about appreciating the the good times when they into your life and not taking them for granted.  Someone once told me that when the Rolls Royce pulls up, get in and enjoy the ride while it lasts and when it's over, get out and be grateful for "the time of your life" you had..... while riding in it. So when we think of Marjorie Woodworth's fairly short career in Hollywood, we should be happy for her, because she did something few people will ever experience in their lifetime and she left us a legacy of beauty, glamour and dreams of a 15 year old girl with beautiful Maybelline eyes!!!!  

I look forward to hearing about your career and when anything exciting comes up please come back and do another great post.

My Sincere Best, Sharrie Williams

The feature film Alicia is working on now is called Vertical by director Stephen Savage premieres in Jan 2013: http://t.co/0eQ4bYIM Vertical will premiere at the Idyllwild Cinema Festival http://t.co/hPY4Ul4Z