Great Lash Mascara turns 40!

Posted by on Aug 18, 2011 in Features, Maybelline | 6 comments

This literally just plopped into my inbox and I HAD to share it.

I love the Maybelline story…

It all started in Chicago in 1913. Mabel Williams was in love with a man who was in love with another woman. In order to enhance her looks, she applied soot from her oil lamp to her lashes to darken them. Her younger brother, Thomas, a chemist, afraid that his sister would go blind, formulated a safer mix of carbon dust and vaseline.

In 1915, Mabel won back the love of her life and eventually married. Thomas founded what would become the global industry giant, Maybelline (Mabel + Vaseline).

What an amazing start to an amazing brand. Great Lash Mascara has just turned 40 years old (finally, something older than me) and, I have to say, I always have at least two of these in my kit at any one time. When it comes to a solid, dependable mascara, nothing beats it.

And check out the advertisements below! I love seeing old ads and this is no exception, especially that last one from 1946!

So retro and yet she still looks gorgeous!

Le Sigh, Christy Turlington

This one just blows me away. Is anyone singing the Bewitched theme in their head right now?

  • Akuma Kanji

    Ahahahah, indeed, lovely story! ^__^ It’s amusing when there is a sort of puzzle involved :P I remember my next door neighbour used to have the mascara on the second image, I used to be the one that applied it on her :P

  • Anonymous

    Given how long this mascara has been in the market, I would not be surprised if there are lots of lovely stories like your Akuma. They make me smile because it shows that some things – mascara – are universal.

  • Sandi

    Something older than you, grrrrrr. I was old enough to wear it when it came out you young whippersnapper you, lol. Too bad it’s such a crappy (on me anyway) mascara.

  • Anonymous

    On me, it’s ok. Not perfect but a good day-to-day mascara.

    How come it doesn’t work on you?

  • Lucy

    I just don’t think that this is all that great.  It does the job by darkening the lashes.  I like seeing the old ads.  My Mom used to have a cake mascara where you had to wet the little brush and rub it on the cake.  I used to love to play with it.  She also had the Maybelline eye brow pencil.  I used to use that also.  I prefer Tarte mascara & Lancome.  It’s nice to see the old ads wheter I use the product or not.

  • Anonymous

    I remember those mascaras with the cake! That’s showing my age isn’t it?