Local resident Sharrie Williams, author of “The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It,” will bring to life the story behind the well-known brand with a noon presentation Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at the Woman’s Club monthly Brown Bag Chic, 286 St. Ann’s Dr.
Using vintage Maybelline ads and family photos, Williams narrates the story of Tom Lyle Williams’ vision and founding of make-up giant Maybelline Cosmetics.
After witnessing his sister Mabel, “replacing” her singed eyebrows and lashes with a mixture of burnt cork and Vaseline, he makes a tremendous discovery. Tom realized that the way actresses made their eyes so compelling on screen could be easily replicated for non-starlets with a few ingredients in their proper ratios. The roaring ‘20s and the flapper era would provide a devoted following for the eyelash and eyebrow beautifiers that Maybelline produced by the truckload. So wanton was the demand for Maybelline products that, even through the Depression the company weathered the storm, its fortunes hitched to the star of patented Maybelline glamor.
The free event features a new speaker each month. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Coffee and dessert will be served.
