Did you know the Poles coined the word makeup?
They also gave us our first ever sun protection cream, everyday wear foundation, waterproof mascara, eyelash extensions, and more
dubai is a city that understands beauty very well. Fashionistas here are fanatical about looking good — wearing false eyelashes, bold kohl lines, and heaps of bronzer, out and about town. The shopping malls are filled with a number of cosmetic stores, both local and international — everyone loves makeup!
But, there is one cosmetics brand in particular that has a special association with Dubai. The Polish company Inglot, which today has over 100 stores across the UAE, took the makeup scene by storm when it first opened in Dubai in 2006. Wojciech Inglot, a chemist by profession, founded the brand in Poland in 1983. The products were first sold at supermarkets and pharmacies in Poland, but were later moved into standalone stores. Inglot started making nail polish in 1987, offering a dash of colour in a grey country recovering from economic struggles. Canada was the first destination for Inglot’s expansion abroad and it was there that a Middle Eastern businessman saw its appeal and brought the products to Dubai. Today, the company sells its products in 600 outlets around the world. One of Inglot’s most innovative inventions is the Halal O2M (Oxygen and Moisture) nail polish that comes in a range of striking colours and allows air and water to pass through it. The polish uses a polymer similar to that used in contact lenses and is known to sustain the health and natural beauty of nails.
The Polish cosmetics industry is the sixth largest in Europe and is worth paying attention to. Besides Inglot, some other local brands paving the way for Polish cosmetics are Synesis, Dax Cosmetics and Yonelle, among others.
The industry has gained international acclaim over the years also thanks to Polish beautician Maksymilian Faktorowicz, referred to as the ‘father of makeup’, who created the renowned line of cosmetics called Max Factor in the U.S.
In 1920, Faktorowicz invented the word makeup as an alternative to saying cosmetics. He is also credited with inventing the tube packaging of cosmetics and modern eyelash extensions and the company was one of the first ones to produce everyday wear foundation. Faktorowicz was also a famous Hollywood makeup artist, who got actresses of the era, such as Bette Davis and Judy Garland, camera ready. His ‘Colour Harmony’ range of face powder was able to provide more consistent makeup for each individual performer. He also won an Oscar in 1929 for his contribution to the film industry.
Another Polish who has contributed to the development of cosmetics was Helena Rubinstein, the founder of Helena Rubinstein Incorporated Cosmetics Company. She is also known for one of her most controversial quotes, “There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.” Her feisty spirit made her stand out from the crowd and she played an influential role in changing the face of the beauty industry. Throughout her 60-year career, she encouraged women to embrace their individualism.
Rubinstein’s story is truly inspiring. At the age of 22 she left Poland for Australia to start a new life. Her mother worried she wouldn’t have enough face cream abroad, so she slipped a dozen little pots of it into her luggage. In Australia, she was able to successfully recreate the formula of her face cream and women started coming to her for beauty tips.
Rubinstein is credited with manufacturing the first ever sun-protection cream and popularised colour face powders. She was the brains behind waterproof mascara and Mascara Matic, the first pre-moistened mascara tube with a wand inside. Before this, women used cakes of mascara separate from the wand, which they had to moisten with water. Today, we can’t even imagine going through so much hassle to apply this makeup essential!
Apparently, Rubinstein and the founder of the American cosmetics company Elizabeth Arden were said to be fierce rivals and this was translated into a successful musical War Paint.
With so many well-known names and faces from the land, Poland’s cosmetic industry is full of intriguing cosmetic and skincare brands that are sure to be found in the must-have lists of beauty bloggers and in the makeup bags of Dubai’s beauty connoisseurs.