Lydia O'Leary
Lydia O'Leary | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1900 Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | 1982 |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Creating foundation makeup to conceal birthmarks and skin discolorations; founder of Covermark Beauty |
Lydia O'Leary (1900–1982) created foundation makeup specifically designed to conceal birthmarks and skin discolorations, earning a patent for her invention in 1932. Her enterprise, Covermark Beauty, continues to operate today as a division of Pias Intercosmex.
Early life
O'Leary was born in Bedford, Massachusetts with a prominent port-wine stain on her face. She completed her education at Fitchburg Normal School for Teachers in 1921. After spending two years working as a teacher, she relocated to New York to pursue opportunities in retail sales. However, she encountered significant challenges securing employment due to her facial birthmark, highlighting the rigid beauty ideals of that period.
Inventing and patenting
Her interest in developing specialized makeup began after correcting an error on painted cards during a job. Although her initial patent request was rejected, she ultimately obtained U.S. patent 1877952 by presenting her own birthmark as evidence during the appeals process.
Covermark
O'Leary established Covermark and expanded its offerings to include a range of beauty and skincare products. Throughout World War II and the years following, she partnered with plastic surgeons and dermatologists to aid in the rehabilitation of injured veterans. In the mid-1900s, Covermark became a trailblazer in corrective cosmetics aimed at camouflaging scars and uneven skin tones, shaping industry practices. By the 1980s, the brand broadened its focus to reach new demographics such as men and children who were less familiar with makeup usage. O'Leary is celebrated as a pioneer within the field of corrective cosmetic innovation.
Personal life
In 1945, she wed James Reeves (1890–1957), a prominent grocery business owner from New York. O'Leary was actively involved with various charitable organizations and cultural institutions across New York City, holding roles such as trustee or committee member at St. Vincents Hospital, the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. Notably, Salvador Dali painted her portrait in 1954. At the time of her passing, she lived at 740 Park Avenue in Manhattan and owned a summer residence in Southampton on Long Island. She is remembered for her leadership as an entrepreneur and company president.