Revlon

Picking the partners for this match wasn't hard.The Cosmetic Center had been floundering after the death of its forceful founder, Louis R. Weinstein. Its growth was stymied, it was recording losses and the Savage-based hair care and cosmetic company was having difficulty with getting certain products.Along came Revlon Inc., displaying Prestige Fragrance & Cosmetics Inc., a wholly owned retail subsidiary it was ready to spin off.Prestige, with 197 stores in outlet malls nationwide, had been a useful outlet for excess Revlon inventory.

Cosmetic Center Inc. shareholders formally approved the merger of the Savage-based makeup and hair-care superstore chain with a Revlon subsidiary yesterday.The vote to merge with Prestige Fragrance & Cosmetics Inc., the retail outlet subsidiary of Revlon Inc., was made at the annual meeting.Under the merger, shareholders of Cosmetic Center Class A and Class B stock could elect to receive either one share of newly issued Cosmetic Center Class C voting common stock or $7.63 in cash for every share they held.

The words on the lips of almost every cosmetics company these days are "long lasting." In their search for makeup that stays put, companies are focusing right on the kisser.For decades, cosmetics makers have attached long-wearing claims to their products. But making a lipstick that really sticks has been the big challenge. Unlike eye shadow or even foundation, lipstick is worn off by eating, talking and contact with coffee cups.Now many companies say they have discovered the secrets for lipstick that lasts at least a full workday, as well as for other long-wearing color cosmetics.

Procter & Gamble Co. said yesterday that it will move the headquarters of its recently acquired Max Factor brand lines to Hunt Valley from Los Angeles by March as part of the consumer products giant's plan to make the Baltimore suburb a strategic site for its U.S. cosmetic and fragrance business.The Max Factor offices will be at 11050 York Road, sharing the same building with Noxell Corp. -- the maker of Cover Girl, Clarion and Navy perfume. P&G purchased Noxell about 18 months ago.James Schwartz, a Noxell spokesman, said that it was too soon to tell how many jobs the Max Factor move will create for Marylanders, but he said that Max Factor's headquarters at Revlon Inc. in Los Angeles employs about 125 people in finance, marketing, research and development, sales and administration.

Oscar presenters have much to look forward to: the coveted Oscar goodie bag. Originally created as a small token of appreciation to about 40 presenters, it has grown to a Hefty bag-size basket. According to Hollywood buzz, the gift basket, which was valued at $8,000 back in 1999, is now worth nearly $30,000. So, what's in the bag for 2003? Below is a partial list with manufacturers' estimated retail value: Estee Lauder Oscar Spa package (a custom-made Goyard travel case stuffed with Manolo Blahnik sandals, Hermes beach towel, La Grande Dame Veuve Clicquot champagne, gift certificate for spa services, Estee Lauder cosmetics)

Charles J. "CB" Busta III, a former Noxell Corp. executive who helped expand the company's Cover Girl cosmetic line, died Tuesday of a cerebral hemorrhage at the Heart Institute in Miami. The Monkton resident was 51.Mr. Busta, who left Noxell in 1996 to join Revlon in New York City, was vacationing with his family on Nevis, an island in the West Indies, when he was stricken.Hired as executive vice president and general manager of Revlon's Beauty Care USA, the company's hair and beauty-products division, Mr. Busta was named executive vice president and general manager of Revlon's Professional USA division last year.

The Cosmetic Center Inc., hoping to stem losses in its struggling business by cutting operating costs, is closing nearly half its cosmetics retail and outlet stores and laying off 875 employees.The Columbia-based cosmetics retailer said it will pull out of the Chicago and North Carolina markets and close all but one store in Philadelphia to concentrate on a core group of stores in the mid-Atlantic.Spokeswoman Wendi Kopsick said yesterday that the moves "follow a comprehensive analysis of the business and are intended to reduce operating costs and position the company to be successful in the future."

Faithful readers of fashion magazines no doubt noticed the dual stories in September's Glamour and Vogue celebrating the personal style -- and the big new Revlon contract -- of supermodel Veronica Webb.So what's so different about another model getting an exclusive contract with a huge cosmetics company? Christy has Maybelline, Cindy and Claudia have Revlon, Paulina has Estee Lauder and Vendela has Elizabeth Arden.Veronica Webb is the first black model to join the club.With the launch of Revlon's new line -- ColorStyle, targeted principally at black women -- Ms. Webb is set to become a high-profile role model of black beauty.

NEW YORK -- Procter & Gamble's agreement yesterday to buy Revlon's Max Factor and Betrix cosmetics companies for $1.14 billion could have major implications for Hunt Valley-based Noxell Corp., acquired by Procter & Gamble only 18 months ago.Procter & Gamble has already made several shifts in Noxell's businesses, including transferring to its Cincinnati headquarters responsibility for both Lestoil, a household cleaner, and the international operations for Noxell's cosmetics business. Bigger changes may follow.

The judge ruled that the president was only boorish and offensive. Which, thank God, is still legal in America or Howard Stern wouldn't be getting a TV show.Ms. Jones claimed in her lawsuit that her career did not advance. But, hey, Vernon can't get everyone a job at Revlon.The judge said that not only was Ms. Jones' career not adversely affected, but she is driving a Mercedes and has several hundred thousand in the bank, despite being married to an unemployed actor.Pub Date: 4/09/98