A History: Revlon
- Emily Orourke
- Oct 6, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 5, 2024
The First Product: Nail Enamel Magic
It’s 1932, and the soon to be Revlon team, consisting of: Charles Revson, Joseph Revson and Charles Lachman, decide to shake up the beauty world. What? dare we ask is their debut act?
Nail enamel
But, not just any nail polish. Oh no, they were not playing around. Revlon’s nail enamel was a phenome of lacquers in the 30s—opaque, long-lasting, and ready to conquer the world one fingertip at a time! That little bottle of magic set the stage for everything that followed.
The First Ad: The New Yorker and Bold Moves
Fast-forward to 1935. Revlon’s feeling fancy and decides to make its own way into the advertising arena. Where? The New Yorker Magazine, of course! Which is where Revlon's first commercial ad makes its grand entrance. Imagine the glamour, the glossy pages, the intrigue, and the promise of beauty secrets soon to be revealed! Revlon knew the star potential it's nail lacquers had, and fully committed to the bit, and it spoke to the women of both high and low budgets alike. And just like that, Revlon became the talk of the town.
Iconic Products: Where Legends Are Born
ColorStay: Let's begin diving into the ColorStay universe. These beauties—foundations, lipsticks, you name it—have been around since the '80s. Imagine makeup that sticks around for hours! ColorStay is the OG of long-wear, and it’s still holding its own in a market that gets increasingly more competitive every year, or dare I say month!
Revlon Lipsticks: Let’s talk lips. Revlon lipsticks have graced more pouts than love letters. From flappers to silver screen sirens, these lipsticks have seen it all. The shade range varies from all your favorite reds, nude, mauve, browns, coral and so many in between! Revlon’s got you covered, and those sleek black-and-gold tubes withstand the test of time in aesthetic elegance.
Eight Hour Cream: Iconic, and debatably the stuff of legends. Meet the Eight Hour Cream—the Swiss Army knife of beauty. Dry skin? Moisturized. Chapped lips? Sorted. It’s like a spa day in a tube, no wonder its a cult favorite!
Most Iconic Campaign: Fire & Ice
Now, let’s talk iconic marketing campaigns. Revlon is know for its game-changer—the “Fire & Ice” campaign. Imagine sipping your coffee while flipping through a magazine. There she is—Dorian Leigh, engineer-turned-model, rocking a silver-sequined dress. But wait, there’s more! A questionnaire accompanies the glam shot. Questions like “Do you blush when you find yourself flirting?” and “Would you streak your hair with platinum without consulting your husband?” It’s like Revlon’s saying, “Hey, lady, you’re complex, and that’s fabulous!” The color? Fire & Ice. It’s not just lipstick; it’s empowerment in a tube. And the world fell head over heels for it.
Bottom Line: Revlon’s Still Slaying
Today, Revlon’s still making quality products and enticing campaigns. Their fragrances dance from New York to Tokyo, and that nail enamel? It’s probably winking at you from the beauty aisle. So, next time you swipe on a Revlon lipstick or dab on some Eight Hour Cream, we can thank the Revlon crew—the dream weavers who bottled magic and made it linger.
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