Room VIII · The Studio
Hollywood and the Maybelline stars
Great-niece of Tom Lyle Williams, keeper of the family archive, and the author of The Maybelline Story. How the boxes came to her, and what she has done with them for nineteen years.
- Writing here since
- 2007
- The archive
- Photographs, letters, ledgers, film
- Also
- Speaker, podcast guest
On the work
Method, sourcing, and the questions readers and journalists ask most.
- 30 Sepsensation through word-of-mouth among teens. Visual Legacy: An illustration of Davis’s eyes was even printed inside Maybelline’s signature little red boxes, reinforcing the brand’s focus on eye enhancement. She headlined the “fetching face of the decade” for Maybelline in the 1917–1920s era, preceding vamps like Viola Dana (“Eyes That Charm”) and later stars like Gloria Swanson. This partnership exemplified Maybelline’s early strategy of tying cosmetics to cinema glamour, boosting sales during the flapper boom. Davis’s involvement ended with her 1923 retirement, but her ads left a lasting mark on the brand’s history.For more on this era, including vintage ads and family stories behind Maybelline, check The Maybelline Story by Sharrie Williams (@SWMaybelline on X), which draws from Tom Lyle’s archives.5 min
- 11 AugMy Uncle Robert MacDonald won two Oscars for MGM for special effects.2 min
- 6 JulHarold Lloyd and the MacDonald Brothers: Behind the Scenes of Silent Comedy Masterpieces6 min
- 19 JunMGM and Andrew Mac Donald played a special part in The Maybelline Story.7 min
- 4 MarMaybellines “It Girl” Clara Bow unleashes the excitement of the Roaring 20’s.2 min
- 15 SepOld Hollywood Glamour at the Star Studded Premiere of… “All This and Heaven Too4 min
Everything in this room
About the author and the work · 215 posts2025
- sensation through word-of-mouth among teens. Visual Legacy: An illustration of Davis’s eyes was even printed inside Maybelline’s signature little red boxes, reinforcing the brand’s focus on eye enhancement. She headlined the “fetching face of the decade” for Maybelline in the 1917–1920s era, preceding vamps like Viola Dana (“Eyes That Charm”) and later stars like Gloria Swanson. This partnership exemplified Maybelline’s early strategy of tying cosmetics to cinema glamour, boosting sales during the flapper boom. Davis’s involvement ended with her 1923 retirement, but her ads left a lasting mark on the brand’s history.For more on this era, including vintage ads and family stories behind Maybelline, check The Maybelline Story by Sharrie Williams (@SWMaybelline on X), which draws from Tom Lyle’s archives.30 September
- My Uncle Robert MacDonald won two Oscars for MGM for special effects.11 August
- Harold Lloyd and the MacDonald Brothers: Behind the Scenes of Silent Comedy Masterpieces6 July
- MGM and Andrew Mac Donald played a special part in The Maybelline Story.19 June
2023
- Old Hollywood Glamour at the Star Studded Premiere of… “All This and Heaven Too15 September
- “Once you become a star, you are always a star!” Maybelline Girl, Mae Murray, rose to fame during the silent film era and was known as “The Girl with the Bee-Stung Lips” and “The Gardenia of the Screen”2 March
2022
- ANITA LOUISE ADLER, Maybelline’s Scarlett O’Hara. Anita Louise, may not have won the part of Scarlett O’Hara, but she was most assuredly, one of Maybelline’s most stunning models in 1938.18 October
- Old Hollywood’s Heyday was born in Whitley Heights during the Silent Film Era25 September
- Maybelline memories of my childhood Love, for MGM Star Ester Williams12 July
2021
- Rudolph Valentino, Silent Films greatest Latin Lover22 November
- Magic Wand: The Maybelline Interview…MOVIE STAR MAKEOVER features Author Sharrie Williams and The Maybelline Story16 May
- Rudolph Valentino’s Villa in the Hollywood Hills becomes “Maybelline West” headquarters12 April
- Sharrie Williams is an award-winning Celebrity Columnist, Commentator and author of The Maybelline Story.29 March
- Old Hollywood Glamour 1940 style Tuxedos, False Eyelashes, Daiquiris and Dancing the Conga.29 January
2019
- Excerpt from The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.10 December
- Hollywood Star’s featured in original Maybelline Ads30 September
- Silent Film era of the 1920s and Maybelline Family kids23 September
- Old Hollywood Glamour at the Star Studded Premiere of… “All This and Heaven Too”3 September
- Maybelline deeply impacted everything from legendary Hollywood movie stars to every day working people’s lives throughout so many generations.20 May
2018
- Interview with Glamourdaze – History of Mascara – Maybel Williams and The Maybelline Story26 October
- Maybelline featured Hollywood Star Loretta Young in glamorous 1950 glossy ads21 September
- Maybelline provided an inexpensive eye beautifier that mirrored a woman’s favorite Glamour Queen14 August
- Watch Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story on American Masters podcast12 June
- “It all began with the “eyes.” In the book, The Maybelline Story, by Sharrie Williams, she tells the fascinating account of the early beginnings of her family in rural Kentucky, from 1911, to their glory days in Hollywood with Joan Crawford appearing in Maybelline print ads in the late 1940’s, to the 1970’s as fortune affected the family.30 May
- MGM, Louie B. Mayer, and the Star Factory is very much part of The Maybelline Story5 April
2017
- Ladies we owe a debt of gratitude to a young lady called Maybel Williams Maybelline’s namesake21 November
- What does Beauty mean to you. Here are some fun Quotes from your favorite Celebrities11 October
- The Beach Boys16 September
- Sharrie Williams comments on our fascination with the Kardashians, especially Kim Kardashian and whether she personifies a new Hollywood very different for the old Hollywood.23 August
- Rudolph Valentino’s statue, “Aspiration” is still inspiring us to achieve our ambitions20 April
- False Eye Lashes were patented in 1911, three years before Maybelline was born in 191527 February
- Maybelline’s Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher will be forever in our hearts8 January
2016
2015
- Chica Chica Boom Chic! Excerpt from The Maybelline Story featuring Fox Star, Betty Grable12 November
- Tom Mix a legend in his own time…The highest paid Star at Fox… until Talkies made his’ future uncertain.5 November
- Maybelline’s Glamorous Film Goddess Rita Hayworth a favorite GI Pin Up Girl.2 November
- Maybelline’s Silent Film Models, Colleen Moore and Louise Brooks, both Beautiful and Brilliant in their own way6 October
- : VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD MAKE UP 1938 Maybelline ad featuring “Good Housekeeping Stamp of Approval”7 September
- Loretta Young, Maybelline’s Hollywood Madonna, a symbol of beauty, serenity, and grace. But behind the glamour and stardom was a woman of substance.27 July
- 1940’s Maybelline Model, Lenore Aubert, Known for having “The most beautiful eyes in Hollywood,”20 July
- “It all began with the “eyes.” 100 years ago28 May
- Tribute to Irene Rich, 1927 Maybelline Model – Silent Film and Radio Star7 May
- Woman can’t be truly independent and free without being financially independent…..16 April
- MAGIC WAND: BY MOVIE STAR MAKEOVER, Maybelline Story interview with author Sharrie Williams11 March
- March is National Women’s History Month and 100 years of Maybelline5 March
- Ultra Chic English Speaking Mall in Cambodia and Viet Nam features Maybelline New York19 February
2014
- Secure and Confidential Your email address will NEVER be rented, traded or sold!! A perfect gift for all readers who love TRUE STORIES full of love, glamour, beauty, power and family dynasties, set in a glorious vintage era.17 December
- Glamourdaze talks to author Sharrie Williams.21 November
- Hollywood’s biggest Stars represented Maybelline during it’s Golden Age17 November
- Beautiful Silent Film Stars endorse Maybelline and promote the Women’s Movement23 June
- Mabel Williams, ‘Secrets from the Harem,’ from Photoplay Magazine…1915, inspired the birth of Maybelline19 June
- Maybelline’s Super Star Models, during the Golden Age of Hollywood17 June
- My 1977 Series 1, Clenet, # 13 out of 250 is back on the road again in Newport Beach2 June
- Silent Film Star Mildred Davis “INSPIRING CHANGE”… Maybelline was a simple idea that answered the call of women everywhere who desired enhancement of their natural beauty.5 March
- Glamour in Old Hollywood…Friday, June 14, 1940…Things that aren’t here anymore3 February
- Red Hot Lipstick and Maybelline Eyes, Personified 1950’s Hollywood Stars and still does today.30 January
2013
- Gloria Swanson, Erte’, Lash-Brow-Ine and Maybelline kick of the 1920’s30 December
- Old Hollywood Glamour at the Star Studded Premiere of… “All This and Heaven Too”19 December
- Polish Edition of The Maybelline Story in Hard Cover takes on a Cutting Edge New Look12 December
- Maybelline – Queen of the Drug Store in the 1930s25 November
- Hilarious Old Hollywood Glamour at the Brown Derby in Beverly Hills, 1940…7 November
- Review From a Guy’s Point Of View4 November
- Review…..A great story about the beautiful mortals10 October
- Bette Davis and Leslie Ann Down with Hollywood Borderline Producer, David Van Houten23 September
- 1930s Makeup – The Jean Harlow Look….. by Glamour Daze @glamourdaze29 August
- Maybelline splashed magazines with glitz and glamour, using Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford and Betty Grable in the 1940’s.19 August
- Vintage Hat Designers Lilly Dache’ and Marion Valle’ agree – EYE MAKE-UP IS AS NECESSARY TO CHIC AS THE SMARTEST HAT.15 August
- Sharrie Williams Summer Fashion Picks – Understated Glamour, my Favorite Look. What’s yours, tell me about it.8 July
- Rudolph Valentino, Silent Films Sexiest Man Ever…26 June
- Tribute to my childhood idol, Hollywood Legend Ester Williams – dead at 9115 June
- Mad Men’s Don Draper continues to represent Maybelline in 1966 and 68 and Roger Sterling identify’s with Beach Boys song “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” while taking LSD in 196610 May
- Old Hollywood Glamour 1940 style – Tuxedos, False Eyelashes, Daiquiris and Dancing the Conga.3 May
- VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD MAKE UP…1938 Maybelline ad featuring The Good Housekeeping Stamp of Approval19 April
- OLD HOLLYWOOD,- Maybelline print ads that rocked the world between 1930’s – 1960’s, now considered works of art.15 April
- VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR – BLACK AND WHITE MAYBELLINE ADS, 50’s STYLE10 April
- REVIEW…..Maybelline Story reads like the best fiction but with real characters and plots that take us on an American dream wild ride.22 March
- REVIEW…Maybelline deeply impacted everything from legendary Hollywood movie stars to every day working people’s lives throughout so many generations. A20 March
- Take a glance at the fascinating topics featured in my book12 March
- IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS MAYBELLINE…a never-before-told story that spans a 100 years and paints the picture of the American Dream.26 February
- “Once you become a star, you are always a star!” Maybelline Girl, Mae Murray, rose to fame during the silent film era and was known as “The Girl with the Bee-Stung Lips” and “The Gardenia of the Screen”23 February
- Walk with me through a 4 hour photo shoot at Glamour Shots16 January
- Loretta Young, Maybelline’s Hollywood Madonna8 January
2012
- Hollywood Royalty, Rudolph Valentino and Natacha Rambovia’s home was purchased by Maybelline founder Tom Lyle Williams and his partner Emery Shaver in the 1930’s.21 November
- When Women gained the power of Financial Freedom they chose the right to be noticed with MAYBELLINE..14 November
- JOAN CRAWFORD – MILDRED PIERCE – HEDY LAMARR – PAUL HESSE HOLLYWOOD – 1945 ACADEMY AWARDS7 November
- I hate to be pushy but if you Love Vintage, Romance and Nostalgia? Check this out26 October
- Maybelline “It-Girl” Clara Bow passed away 47 years ago on September 27th 196528 September
- HEDY LAMARR in H.M. Pulham ESQ flaunts makeup in public after WW l..24 September
- Officially Plugged features Author Sharrie Williams, article by Mandy Raytik. Arranged by my Publicist Wendy Shepherd.21 September
- A Question about Arron Eckhart leaving the film about Dennis Wilson called The Drummer17 September
- In the 1964 most Airline Stewardesses carried Maybelline in their over-night bags15 September
- Vintage Maybelline make-up bags are here!!!3 September
- Not much for glamour but did Amelia Earhart carry Maybelline with her on the plane?31 August
- MARILYN MONROE IN FASHION, A FABULOUS NEW BOOK.28 July
- Erich Maria Remarque and Paulette Goddard…A TRUE HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY…19 July
- BEACH BOY CARL WILSON AT THE July 4th 1980 concert in Washington DC.4 July
- MOVIE STAR MAKEOVER features Author Sharrie Williams and The Maybelline Story25 June
- BEACH BOY DENNIS WILSON MOVIE THE DRUMMER SHELVED.21 June
- LOUISE BROOKS, LULU FOREVER.13 June
- THE BEACH BOYS REVIEW AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL 6-2-1210 June
- MARILYN MONROE – CARLYLE BLACKWELL JR – BRUNO BERNARD.10 May
- PLAYMATE PHOTOGRAPHER, CARLYLE BLACKWELL JR.9 May
- PAUL HESSE STARS ON PARADE.8 May
- MERLE OBERON – PAUL HESSE – MAYBELLINE AND THE STUDIO/STAR SYSTEM.7 May
- JOAN CRAWFORD – PAUL HESSE – MAYBELLINE4 May
- HEDY LAMARR – PAUL HESSE – MAYBELLINE .3 May
- PAULETTE GODDARD AND “HOLLYWOOD’S PHOTOGRAPHIC ZIEGFELD” PAUL HESSE,2 May
- MARK HARMON’S MOTHER, MAYBELLINE MODEL, ELYSE KNOX DIES AT 94.1 May
- Dick Clark’s AMERICAN BANDSTAND in the 1950 AND 60’s.12 April
- RITA HAYWORTH… DANCING WITH THE STARS…1940’s..11 April
- TOMMY DORSEY BAND WITH FRANK SINATRA, OPENS THE PALLADIUM IN 194010 April
- 1956, with Sharrie Williams, author of The Maybelline Story8 April
- Maybelline’s Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher will be loved forever7 April
- THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW TRANSFORMED WOMEN’S ROLES.6 April
- Mad Men Returns Which Means Don Draper Is On The Prowl …20 March
- Newport Beach Ladies, welcome Sharrie Williams and The Maybelline Story.17 March
- Silent Film Beauties become Maybelline models in 1920..5 March
- 1920’s dance craze, sprang from Harlem.4 March
- Chicago’s, Elaborate Movie Palaces,3 March
- Stunt Queen, Pearl White – a box office sensation in 1914..2 March
- Sexiest Silent Film ever – The Son of the Sheik – Valentino and Banky, 192629 February
- Theda Bara, Silent Film’s original Vamp, promotes Maybelline in 1915.28 February
- More Classic cars from the 1920, featured in The Maybelline Story26 February
- Happy Presidents Day, with the Beach Boys.20 February
- ZACA LAKE, Santa Barbara’s romantic wilderness.16 February
- Lisa Kudrow’s new show Web Therapy, Maybe she’s born with it, Maybe it’s Maybelline.3 February
- It’s okay, to be just pretty, with Maybelline…2 February
- Maybelline’s first, “Big-Screen” sex symbol, Jean Harlow.1 February
- Rita Hayworth, Maybelline’s sexiest model, ever.31 January
- ANITA LOUISE ADLER, Maybelline’s Scarlett O’Hara.30 January
- Paulette Goddard, playing the Hollywood game.29 January
- Hedy Lamarr, mini-make-up bag is now available28 January
- New York Film Critics and Golden Globe, name “The Artist” Best Picture15 January
- Louis B Mayer, TL Williams and Emery Shaver at MGM.13 January
- MGM – Louis B. Mayer – Maybelline – in the 1930s.12 January
- Glamour during the Golden Age of Hollywood.11 January
- Hedy Lamarr’s new book, Hedy’s Folly!!!10 January
- Old Hollywood Glamour in Newport Beach CA..9 January
- Art Deco, avant-garde, slightly naughty, glamour..4 January
- Ziegfield, 1920s nudes, considered fine art today..3 January
- Happy 2012 from Sharrie Williams and The Maybelline Story1 January
2011
- HEDY LAMARR, a plan for mixing beauty with brains, in 1938.19 December
- African-American models pose for the camera, in 1968..9 December
- GLORIA SWANSON – Sunset Boulevard – Maybelline.2 December
- Maybelline’s, Yankee Doodle Dandy!!!30 November
- Adorable Vintage Hollywood, Movie Star make-up bags.29 November
- Maybelline’s Supermen save the Planet!!!26 November
- The decline of an era, gone with the wind.18 November
- Betty Grable and Harry James – Hollywood’s Dream Duo.20 October
- Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis – Hollywood Royalty!18 October
- Old Hollywood’s sexy, power-couple, Viola Dana and Lefty Flynn, featured in The Maybelline Story..17 October
- Photo’s of Misty Roe as Marilyn Monroe in Goodbye Norma Jean.2 October
- Whitley Heights, Paradise during Hollywood’s silent film era.29 September
- Old Hollywood means, The Maybelline Story.28 September
- Maybelline models on vintage Photoplay magazines.27 September
- Norma Jean Baker transforms into Marilyn Monroe at Casa Guillermo, 1975.25 September
- Maybelline during Prohibition and Hollywood’s Heyday -1920’s.21 September
- Viola Dana, Super Star and Maybelline model from the 1920s,20 September
- Mildred Davis one of Maybelline’s first beautiful models.19 September
- Women clamor, for the promise of Provocative, Alluring Maybelline Eyes!16 September
- Rudolph Valentino’s Aspiration, sets the tone for positive thinking.9 September
- The statue created for Rudolph Valentino in 1930, lives on.8 September
- The Beach Boys sing, God Only Knows.4 September
- Love Vintage, Romance and Nostalgia? You will Love The Maybelline Story!28 August
- Summer with the Beach Boys in California.7 August
- An exhausted Tom Lyle Williams let’s go of Maybelline in 1967.1 August
- Maybelline Story helps young girls in Mali, Africa, gain an education.31 July
- Rudolph Valentino’s pool tile, 1940.24 July
- A great story about the beautiful mortals23 July
- Audrey Hepburn’s Maybelline Eyes in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.20 July
- Maybelline’s Teenage Diva in the 1960’s.20 July
- Maybelline Story will be performed as a One Woman Show!17 July
- Maybelline Story makes it’s way across the Country, as it tours America.16 July
- Maybelline introduced Eye Cream in 1955.13 July
- Debbie Reynolds ushers Maybelline into the 1950’s6 July
- Maybelline launches it’s brand on television in the 1950’s.1 July
- Maybelline’s California Girl, Norma Christopher, 1947.29 June
- Maybelline and the teenage market, Post WW ll, USA.29 June
- Maybelline and the Gibson Girl, 1915.24 June
- LILLIAN GISH, Maybelline’s long suffering heroine, 1912.24 June
- Maybelline and the Child Bride, 191722 June
- Maybelline’s stunning Cover-Girls from the 1940’s17 June
- Maybelline’s Love Goddess, Rita Hayworth, 1946.14 June
- Maybelline – 20TH Century Fox and Betty Grable – 194013 June
- Maybelline’s Exotic Super Model, Hedy Lamarr 194510 June
- Maybelline model and actress Marjorie Woodworth – 19419 June
- MAYBELLINE MODEL LOIS COLLIER and the Hollywood Star System.7 June
- Maybelline Wins Runner-Up in 2011 Best Beach Read4 June
- Miss Maybelline looking like a million bucks rocks the Wild West in 193527 April
- Miss Maybelline Capitalize’s on the word chic!6 April
- Maybelline’s own original Blond Bombshell, Jean Harlow!!31 March
- Maybelline Super Model from the 1920’s, Viola Dana.29 March
- Maybelline Targets the Flapper in the 1920’s with film star Phyllis Haver.25 March
- Silent Film Star Mildred Davis was Maybelline Model in 1922.24 March
- Author of The Maybelline Story – Today on Good Morning Arizona!22 March
- Hollywood Super Stars clamored to be featured in Maybelline color advertisements during the 1940s8 March
- Maybelline Story – what people are saying about it today!7 March
- Valentino’s death mourned at grave site by Lady in Black for over 50 years.24 February
- Love sick women tear Rudolph Valentino’s toilet apart.23 February
- Rudolph Valentino’s Villa in 1936 in black and white photography.21 February
- Maybelline has always represented style, glamour, confidence as well as beauty.8 February
- Two fabulous photos of Misty Rowe taken during the filming of Goodbye Norma Jean in 19753 February
- MAYBELLINE GLAMOUR ADS created at Valentno’s Villa in West Hollywood during the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s.18 January
- MGM Studio Brat meets, The Maybelline Kid.4 January
- Maybelline Prince meets MGM Princess in 1939.3 January
2010
- Maybelline Mascara’s 1940’s Queen of the Silver Screen.3 December
- Merle Oberon, one of Maybellines Super Models in the 1930’s and 40’s.30 November
- A Teen’s dressing table in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.23 November
- What’s in a Maybelline slogan?14 October
- King of Advertising, TL Williams1 October
- Never Give Up On Your Dreams22 September
- Rollin on the Westside!17 September
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