Max Factor Jr.

Max Factor Jr.
Born	Francis Factor Template:Birth date St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	June 7, 1996(1996-06-07) (aged 91)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, cosmetics executive
Known for	Head of Max Factor Cosmetics; creator of Pan-Cake make-up and Tru-Color lipstick

Francis Factor (August 18, 1904 – June 7, 1996), also recognized as Max Factor Jr., was an American entrepreneur who served as the head of the Max Factor Cosmetics company.

Early life

Frank was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Max Factor, a trailblazer in the Polish-Jewish cosmetics industry. In 1908, his family relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he began participating in the family enterprise from a young age.

Career

During the period when Max Factor Sr. was recuperating from an injury, Frank took charge of creating a novel make-up specifically designed for Technicolor productions, resulting in the introduction of "Pan-Cake" make-up. Initially intended for studio use due to its darker tone under everyday lighting, this product soon gained popularity outside film sets. Identifying its market potential, Frank broadened manufacturing and developed lighter hues, which led to its commercial launch in 1937, backed by a nationwide advertising campaign emphasizing color. Pan-Cake swiftly became the top-selling individual make-up product and the preferred choice for Technicolor cinema.

Following his father’s passing in 1938, Frank legally adopted the name Max Factor Jr. As company president, he worked alongside relatives to grow the family-owned cosmetics business and drove innovation by introducing "Tru-Color" in 1940—recognized as the first lipstick resistant to smudging.

Personal life

In 1933, Max Factor Jr. wed Mildred “Milly” Cohen; their marriage lasted until her passing in 1970. The couple were longtime participants in Thoroughbred horse racing. He resided in the Deep Well area of Palm Springs, California. Max Factor Jr. died in 1996 and was laid to rest at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery located in Culver City, California.