July 7, 1936: Ted Allan photographs Jean applying lipstick, rouge, and powder by Max Factor, to bolster an ad campaign promoting the company’s line of “Color Harmony” products. This is one of various promotional shoots Harlow did for Max Factor over the years. She wears a tailored yellow hostess slack suit by Dolly Tree, worn by her character Gladys in Libeled Lady (1936), which was in production during this shoot.
Factor and Harlow shared an extensive working relationship dating back to Hell’s Angels; just months before this shoot, in November 1935, Harlow (no longer blonde) was formally invited to open the “Blonde Room” in the new Max Factor Building on Highland. The same year, Factor developed and publicized his famed “Pan-Cake” make-up. Originally created to help conquer cosmetic imperfections on Technicolor film, it soon went into general release and helped define the current day cosmetic market. Pan-Cake was first seen on screen in the Joan Bennett/Warner Baxter vehicle Vogues of 1938 (1937).
The Max Factor Building still stands and operates today as one of my favorite places in the touristy part of LA, the Hollywood Museum. It’s of course been home to the Jean Harlow exhibit and other related displays, including original Max Factor makeup not unlike what Jean herself is seen with here. Here is an extra photo I took of some authentic Max Factor product on display at the museum:
Lastly, an original ad with Jean featuring another portrait taken this day. Factor’s “Color Harmony” ads ran well into the next year, after Jean had completed Personal Property, so publicity was adjusted accordingly:
Harlow Heaven 
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