The Maybelline Story
Room VIII · The Studio

Maybelline during Prohibition and Hollywood’s Heyday -1920’s.

By Sharrie Williams · Written September 2011 · 1 min read

Women became aware of Lash-Brow-Ine, as Hollywood broke the Victorian code of sexual silence. 

Maybelline during Prohibition and Hollywood’s Heyday -1920’s.
Risque photographs in the early 1900’s revealed skin, as well as theatrical make-up – still not accepted on the street yet!

Maybelline during Prohibition and Hollywood’s Heyday -1920’s.

Hollywood introduced a new standard of beauty through the lens of a camera, and the public slowly replaced virtue – as a measure of beauty – for vanity.


Maybelline during Prohibition and Hollywood’s Heyday -1920’s.

Tom Lyle, through Hollywood Star endorsements, promoted Lash-Brow-Ine, as films were being pumped out and sent to theaters all over the country.

Maybelline during Prohibition and Hollywood’s Heyday -1920’s.

In 1920, Gloria Swanson, one of Hollywood’s biggest Stars, endorsed Lash-Brow-Ine – raising the bar for courageous women to makeup their eyes – the same year women got the vote and Prohibition became the Law of the land.


Read more about Hollywood Silent Film Stars, Lash-Brow-Ine and Maybelline in The Maybelline Story.


Watch PBS PROHIBITION (click here)


Maybelline during Prohibition and Hollywood’s Heyday -1920’s.

Check out the trailer for Season 3, Boardwalk Empire, and get the feeling of Prohibition and the 1920’s. 

 

The Maybelline Story, also captures Prohibition in gangland Chicago and Hollywood. Be sure to purchase a copy at www.maybelliebook.com

Coming soon · Next from Sharrie Williams

Maybe She’s Born With It

The next chapter of the Maybelline family story. Get a text the day it’s out.

Where it began: The Maybelline Story — Amazon · Ebook · Signed copy

© 2026 Sharrie Williams · All photographs from the Williams family archive