Revlon and the Romance of Color

Charles Revson, founder of Revlon Cosmetics, was a genius at marketing. He understood that the way to sell more cosmetics was to entice women with romance, allure, and a touch of class. Revson was the one who came up with the idea of introducing new colors in lipsticks and nail polishes twice a year, to co-ordinate with fashion trends. Where before, a woman would buy one lipstick and use it until it was gone, now she had to have a wardrobe of lipstick colors to match different outfits and occasions.

The real genius, however, was the introduction of alluring names. Red wasn't red - it was "Fire and Ice" or "Fatal Apple".


Pink wasn't just pink - it was "Pink Lightening" or "Acapulco Pink".

Here is a television commercial for Revlon's newest color for 1960, "Berry Bon Bon". Even though the ad is in black and white, can't you just "see" the rich red/pink shade? And don't you want to own it? By the way, "Berry Bon Bon" was one of Revlon's best selling colors, and was in the line for years and years. It has been discontinued, but you can still find this now rare color online at a couple of places.



And if you must have a sparkling "theatre ensemble" like the one shown from Bergdorf Goodman at 55 seconds in, may I suggest this evening coat and gown set at my website? It's not perfect, but is a steal of a deal at just $75.

1960s beaded evening ensemble.