Maybelline founder Tom Lyle Williams

Two Sister's Romantic Day Dream, transformed into a magical reality, Maybelline's "Sleeping Beauty" and "Princess Bride"


Every little wallflower, dreams of becoming a Princess someday, according to this 1945 Maybelline ad.

Annette, Noel A. and Helen Williams, 1929.
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Helen, who dreamed of being a Princess, waiting for her handsome Prince Charming to come along and  sweep her away on his white horse.  




Ten years later, sweet Helen - no longer a portrait of a wall flower - evolved into a Princess, with the most beautiful, Maybelline Eyes. 




 "Maybe she was born with it - Maybe it's Maybelline,"  certainly applied to Helen Williams, who, not only was born into the Maybelline family - (her parents being Noel J. and Frances Williams,) but was as beautiful as any Star in a Maybelline ad. 




So Helen, lived the storybook dream - married her childhood sweetheart, George, aka, "Cook," Huber, had seven children and lived happily ever after.  Here they are at Helen's brother, Noel A. and Jean Williams Wedding, with their son, John, in 1949.



Cook and Helen (Williams,) Huber, looking like Royalty, in a Romantic Novel, at Helen's baby brother, Dick and Ann (Flynn) Williams Wedding, in 1955.  



Stay tuned for Maybelline Family   storybook Romances this week



"Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally - satisfying and optimistic ending."







Maybelline's Princess Bride.

If there ever was a Princess, so cherished by her betrothed, it was - Annette Louise Williams - The Princess Bride!




Once upon a time a long time ago, there was a sweet little Princes, who's father held a very important position in a land called, Maybelline.  Annette Williams, led a sheltered life, within her family, but when she was old enough, her father offered her a special position as secretary, within the Maybelline world.  Annette, loved her special position, of course, but deep down inside she yearned for her Prince to come and whisk her away. 






One day, out of the blue, and much to her surprise, Annette was introduced to a handsome, charming man, wearing a WW ll, Army Air Corps uniform and her heart skipped a beat.  Within a short time Annette was engaged to this wonderful man named, George Corbett, and her family rejoiced!!  Soon the Wedding invitations were sent and the Wedding of the year was planned.

After the fairytale Wedding was over, Annette and George sped off in p The Father of the Brides car - for a long, long, romantic honeymoon.   





The Father of the Bride, Noel James Williams, walks his darling daughter down the isle to her betrothed.  Below Annette Williams, takes a picture at their family home, in Sauganash Illinois,  with her brother Noel A. Williams, sister, Helen Williams-Huber and brother, Dick Williams, before becoming, Annette Williams-Corbett.



George and Annette cut their Wedding cake, while below, the Father and Mother of the Bride, Noel James and Frances Williams, have a moment together, before he makes his toast to the young newlyweds.
An added surprise, The Bride's uncle Ches Haines, honors the young couple by singing several of their favorite love songs.



                  
    And George and Annette lived Happily Ever After!!!!


Romance week continues with Maybelline's Enchanted Maiden, Jackie and Bob Haines Love Story

There once was a little boy named Robert (Williams) Haines, who was so adored, it seemed nearly impossible, he'd ever find a bride acceptable to his doting family





After two adorable daughters, named, June and Marilyn,  Eva and Ches Haines, rang the bells with delight,  announcing the birth of their baby boy.  Bobby was as close to a cherub as any child ever born, and with his curly brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and a sweet disposition, he was like no other




Little Bobby, though having two doting sisters, was
all-boy, growing up loving fast cars, cowboys and pretty girls. (Like most every little boy in the family!!)   Bobby's parents encouraged his adventurous nature, believing, someday he'd grow up to be a man they'd be proud of.





And yes, Bobby did grow to be a fine young man, devoted to God, Country and Family, wanting nothing more than to someday find the perfect girl, settle down and raise a family.



Bob, with his sister's June and Marilyn.

So it wasn't that unexpected, when he was bit by the love-bug while a senior in high school.  Enchanted by the most remarkable young Maiden, named Jackie, four years his junior - Bob knew, she was the one!  Jackie was the new girl in school, from out West in Arizona, a cowgirl, really - now living in the big city of Chicago for the first time.  Independent, adventurous - with beautiful blue eyes, and a stunning figure, Bob vowed to follow her to the ends of the earth.  But when her family returned to Arizona in her senior year, Bob's family said, not so fast - she's too young son, you might be making a mistake.  However, they'd raised him to be his own man, and this was the woman he wanted.  So he followed 16 year old Jackie out West - willing to face what ever fate dished out. 




As soon, as 17 year old Jackie graduated from High School, in 1953, she married her sweetheart in Prescott Arizona, and they soon started their own family.  Bob and Jackie were so in love, nothing was going to stop them, no matter what!!


Jackie and Bob Haines, of the left, followed by Dick and Marilyn Haines-Westhouse, John and June Haines-Gary, Eva Williams-Haines.  Below is David and Jerry Westhouse and June and Johns little girl, Kathy.


Soon the Enchanted Maiden, was part of the Williams-Haines family and over the years gave Eva and Ches, 6 grandsons, who grew up to be fine young men, just like their dad and granddad. 





Bob and Jackie will celebrate their 62 Wedding Anniversary this year, and as Bob approaches his 83rd, Birthday in August, they remain the longest married couple in the entire family.  Now that's a Love Story.

Stay tuned for more romantic love stories from The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty, as Valentines Day approaches February 14th.

Romance Week: Two beautiful Maybelline sister's looking for the right guy during WW11.

Maybelline's tale of two sisters.

A long time ago, in another time and place, there were two lovely sisters named June and Marilyn Haines - who wrote to lonely servicemen during WW ll. 



Never, was there a more romantic time in history, than World War ll.  Young girl's just couldn't help but be caught up in it and the magic of advertising only fanned the flames of desire, for true love.   

 
Marlene Dietrich dancing with a Service man at the Hollywood Canteen.
 
The Hollywood Canteen was a place where young people hooked up, and exchanged address.  Even Movie Stars showed up to dance with out of town Soldiers, Navy men and Marines. 


Movies made writing Love Letters, the most romantic thing a girl could do, and being a pen pal hinted at the promise of having a guy home to your arms.


June and Marilyn Haines.

So that's how this Love Story began, with two young ladies,
 doing their patriotic duty.


When June graduated from high school in 1943, she realized there were no eligible young men to be found.  Which sadly meant, no Saturday night dates, no Summer picnics, and definitely no New Years Eve, kisses under the mistletoe.  Being a self reliant girl, she decided the best way to meet a nice man, was to write a lonely soldier overseas and build a friendship.  

Marilyn Haines with her cousin Tony.

Her younger sister, Marilyn knew plenty of boys from high school, but none of them seemed as exciting, or worthy, as her new pen pal, Dick Westhouse.  After all, he'd grown up in an orphanage and obviously needed her!!  





Before long, Marilyn's pen pal letters, turned into love letters, and people began to say, " Marilyn, seem more interested in the mailbox, than anything else in the world."



After the War, Dick Westhouse and Marilyn began dating
 and talking marriage!



As fate would have it, June never had any luck with her Soldier Boy letters, so Marilyn and Dick, decided to bring their two closest people together, on a blind - double date.  You see, Dick had grown up with John Gary at the Orphanage - and they were best friends....   
when June met Sergeant John Garysecretary to a General at Fort Sheridan a flame ignited, true love. 


Though Eva and Ches Haines, weren't too thrilled about their 17 year old daughter, marrying Dick Westhouse, right out of High School, they gave them their blessing and a beautiful Wedding as well. 


As for June and John Gary - they dated for a while, before he was sent to Germany and when the long distance romance got old, John returned to the US and they married.

  

By 1955 all the Haines kids were married,  in this picture we see, Jackie and Bob Haines - Dick and Marilyn Westhouse and their two boys - David and Jerry - John and June Gary, with their daughter Cathy, and their mother Eva Williams Haines.



And so the two sisters made their dreams come true!!! They got their Soldier Boys, and lived Happily Ever After..... at least for a while!!!



Tomorrow will continue Maybelline Story, Romance week - as we head towards Valentines Day, Feb 14TH.

Maybelline's Runaway Bride and Groom. Tom Lyle Williams Jr and his Bride Marquerite Neel Williams

Once upon a time, in 1936, there was a young man named Tom Lyle Williams Jr., who was so shy, he'd rather cancel his Wedding and elope, than face all the drama.  So his beloved - Marquerite Neel - agreed, but not without a loophole.



Marquerite's mother had sent the invitations, the gifts were arriving and the Church was reserved.  Marquerite, had to save face, so when her dear father became seriously ill, the loophole was found.



The big Church Wedding was canceled, and a small intimate ceremony was set at the Brides home.  The Groom breathed a sigh of relief, and the Bride saved face.


Marquerite killed two birds with one stone.   She pleased her family and her new husband - and was forever remembered as a beautiful Bride.

And when the ceremony was over, Tom and Marquerite were out of there, as fast as their legs would carry them.. But the good news is,

 They Lived Happily Ever After.......


 Tom Lyle Williams, owner of the Maybelline Co. with his son Tom Lyle Williams Jr.

Valentine's Day Romance Week, Maybelline founder Tom Lyle Williams and Bennie Gibbs.

My cousin Cooper Aston found this awesome article from 1893 regarding Shawneetown as a lovers destination for quick marriages resonates from Tom Lyle and Bennies journey.


Shawneetown, Gallatin County, Illinois has long been the destination of young couples wanting to marry quickly and secretly. This is especially true of those living in western Kentucky counties bordering the Ohio River. The following is one account of such a marriage and is from the Evansville, Indiana Courier of 31 July 1893.


Morganfield, – Quite a breeze of excitement was created on the street last night by the rumor that Tom Sales and Miss Minnie James had gone to Shawneetown for the purpose of getting married. It seems there was some opposition on the match on the part of the young people’s parents so they decided to steal a march on them and hied them to Gretna Green, where loves young dream might be consummated without let or hinder. Mr. Sales called at the Givens House, where his lady love was boarding with her mother about, ostensibly for taking a moonlight drive. To disarm suspicion, they started out on the Sulphur Springs road, but turned about soon, came back by a street skirting the Givens House to the Shawneetown road.

They drove rapidly to the river opposite Shawneetown, were ferried over, and at kthis morning were married by Justice Hart. The happy twain returned at once, arriving about 2 am in the morning.

Mr. Sales is a popular young salesman in the dry goods firm of Newton, Robinson and Waller and the bride is the attractive daughter of Mrs. McIntire, formerly of Union City, Tenn., who has been a resident here several months, engaged in teaching music and dancing.




Want to know the real story about Maybelline founder, Tom Lyle Williams and his childhood Sweetheart, Bennie Gibbs, Romantic elopement to Shawneetown in 1912... click on the link and sign up for a free chapter of my book and become a subscriber of my 100 year Maybelline Anniversary Celebration. I will be giving a book away every month for the next year. 


Stay tune for another Maybelline Family Love Story tomorrow.

"EYE MAKE-UP THROUGH THE AGES" featured in UK, VITALITY MAGAZINE.



It's a beauty industry magazine, mailed out to 15,000 members of BABTAC    (www.babtac.com/vitality-magazine).

In the January issue there is a feature about eye make-up through the ages.  I gave permission to use two of my Maybelline ads and was given a credit as you can see below.  Here is the article.  It's very nice, but actually the birth of Maybelline was in 1915, while the birth of Maybelline Mascara in the little red box was in 1917.  Enjoy!!!


Enlarge by clicking the box on the bottom right side of the article, than clicking the little magnifying glass when it opens. 



[1] http://www.babtac.com/vitality-magazine [1]
[2] http://www.maybellinebook.com [2]
[3] http://www.cwcontentworks.com [3]

Helen Frances Williams, first little Princess born into the Maybelline Family, 1918


Helen Frances Williams (Huber,) was the first child born to Noel and Frances Williams on May 31, 1918.  The first baby girl born into the Maybelline Family she was a  little Princess while Tom Lyle's son Tom Jr certainly was it's Prince.  It was Helen's father Noel who loaned his brother Tom Lyle $500 to launch  Maybel Laboratories in 1915.   Noel was Vice President of the Chicago based company from 1917 until his death in 1951.

Helen was the only member of the Maybelline family who modeled for a Maybelline Ad before marrying and having a large family. Her beautiful deep set eye's were perfect for showing off Maybelline mascara and eye shadow during the late 1930s ,when Hollywood stars still insisted on glamor at all cost.  Helen was not only glamorous she was a natural beauty inside and out.

Very few members of the family actually worked for the Maybelline company and because of this there was no one prepared to carry on after Tom Lyle sold Maybelline in 1967 to Plough Inc.  At that time Tom Lyle and Tom Jr. could no longer handle the stress of a growing cosmetic company that continued to out sell every other eye make up on the market.

Read more about Noel and Frances and their role in the birth of the Maybelline Co., as well as their 4 children, Helen, Annette, Noel, and Dick Williams, in the Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. 

Maybelline Family's unsung hero, from the Greatest Generation, my grandfather, Preston Williams.

             Evelyn, Billy and Preston Williams in Chicago, 1925.

On Nov. 26, 1923, though Preston and Evelyn were unprepared for a Child, their son William Preston Williams Jr., Billy, was born.  Preston was crazy about the child that brought sunshine back into his soul, and not since the Great War had he felt a desire to "make something of himself."

However, when the pressure of daily responsibilities became too oppressive for him he once again turned to alcohol for self medication as the torture of Post Traumatic Stress disorder clouded his thinking. 

Like so many men from the "Lost Generation" his fear of cheating death and survivors guilt caused great anxiety and a need to run away from those he loved the most.

Read more about Preston Williams and his struggle to survive in a changing world that he felt, "left him behind."  

In Memory of Maybelline Heiress, Jean Williams, on what would have been her 89th Birthday

                      Jean Kilroy Williams  1927 - 2006




It was a freezing cold February morning in Chicago when the Bride arrived at the church soon to be wed to Maybelline Company's Vice President Noel James Williams son Noel Allen.  Jean Kilroy and Allen met in High School and now 7 years later the wedding of the year was finally taking place



                 The Bride assisted by her her parents.  


200 guests waited patiently for the Bride to make her appearance as the Groom watched with quiet excitement next to his brother, and Best Man, Dick Williams.



Jean was a stunning Bride and it proved to be worth the wait to see the beautiful gown she chose to wear. 




This was a true love match and Jean and Noel Allen remained married until his death in 1994. 




Read more details about the never before told story of the family behind the Maybelline Company and about Noel Allen and Jean's life together in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.



             Noel Allen and Jean on the way to their reception



The Bride and Groom with their parents and bridesmaids. 






Jean and Noel Williams were the parents of Chuck, Nancy and Jim Williams and the grandparents of John, Darren, Steven and Matthew Williams-Clark


Happy Birthday aunt Jean,  I will hold your memory in my heart forever. Jean and I may have clashed when I was a teenager, because she didn't approve of my bleached blond hair and short skirts, but over the years I matured and she mellowed to the point of admitted I was a good kid.  I was with the family at her death and was deeply touched when she kissed me goodbye and said I love you.  She was a stickler on Etiquette and will always be remembered for her quick wit and the undying love for her husband Noel A Williams and her family.