Saturday mornings are usually the ideal time for me to watch a Hollywood classic from the Golden Years. However, this past Saturday morning had me reaching out for “Don’t Bother to Knock,”an exciting film I had yet to watch. As the credits opened up this 1952 psycho-thriller starring Richard Widmark and Marilyn Monroe, a name caught my eye: Ben Nye, the renowned Makeup Artist and Creator of Ben Nye Makeup Company. It is safe to say that I always get twinkle in the eye, and a creative boost when I see his name on my big screen. And therefore, I’d like to chit chat about the one and only Ben Nye.
While no longer with us, Nye’s legacy to makeup artistry still endures today. Each of the films he worked on serves as a course in true artistry and presentation. His career spanned the entire Golden Years of Hollywood –a period which produced some of the best films in my opinion. He work often worked on the sets of 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and Warner Brothers. As 20th Century Fox Makeup Director, he is credited with having contributed his talents and skills to over 500 films, including “Cleopatra,” “The Sound of Music” and “The Planet of the Apes.” The legacy he left behind continues to play an impact in the makeup artist community around the world.
Interestingly, Nye also maintained a unique makeup lab where he designed and created his specialty products despite easily juggling being on 6-8 different sets on any given day. For film and stage actor Yul Brynner, he designed a bronzing body tint specifically for the film “The King and I“. This product is still widely used today amongst makeup artists.
Another favorite film nestled in my library of Nye’s work is the 1947’s “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. Even though the film is in black and white, Nye’s signature sense of detail cannot be missed. Simply masterful. He had the keenest eye for realism. One of the most well known films in his belt is the Oscar award winning film, “Gone with the Wind”. Even to this day, it is incredible to see his most flawless and spectacular art on the actors. He also worked his makeup magic on a variety of sets and on many movie icons, including Marilyn Monroe. You can see his magic in “Don’t Bother to Knock“. Nye officially retired in 1967 and went off to create the distinguishable Ben Nye Makeup Company.
A makeup connoisseur myself, it’s always a treat to see a brand put all their passion in their products. The Ben Nye makeup is no exception. While many will have heard of the famous Ben Nye banana powder Makeup Artist Mario Dedivanovic uses on Kim Kardashian, the brand showcases a range of innovative products from HD foundations and concealers to blushes and more. All a testament to Nye’s iconic style of realism. In fact, I am currently waiting with bated breath the arrival of my Ben Nye’s Lustrous Lipstick LS-33, Marilyn Red.
So as I sit here and share my respect and awe for Ben Nye, I feel truly inspired by his tremendous work. Even to this day, his career continues to inspire countless makeup artists. It is said that during his 30 year career in Hollywood he was known to have the thrill of going to the studios every day. If we could all be that lucky or leave such a resilient legacy for future generations.
