The cosmetic firm Max Factor was named after Max Factor, Sr (b. 1877 Lodz, d. 30 Aug. 1938 Los Angeles), a make-up artist for the Russian royal ballet who emigrated to the United States in 1904. Max Factor is presently a brand owned by Procter & Gamble Co.

In the 1930s and 1940s, during the glory days of Hollywood, Max Factor became intimately associated with the world of movie make-up.

Jean Harlow, Claudette Colbert, Bette Davis, and virtually all of the major movie actresses were regular customers of the Max Factor beauty salon, located near Hollywood Boulevard. His name appeared on many movie credits, and Factor himself appeared in some cameos.

Many of his celebrity clients also appeared in full-color magazine ads to promote his cosmetics, so the brand name Max Factor soon became world-renowned.