First Look: 'The Man Behind the Makeup'

For more than 50 years, Jerome Alexander has brought out the beauty in women by teaching them to become their own makeup artists. "The Man Behind the Makeup" documentary short film chronicles his life, career and how he changed the beauty world forever.

Jerome Alexander Cosmetics is releasing a documentary short film on August 22, 2020 to honor its founder, innovative makeup artist teacher, Jerome Alexander, a beauty legend who has continuously changed the beauty industry for over fifty years. Through his work as a celebrity makeup artist, Alexander instinctively knew how to make women feel beautiful and he sought to empower women across the globe to create their own best look.

This documentary short film portrays Alexander as an iconic figure whose influence had a direct impact on the global beauty industry. He got his start selling handmade ladies wigs in the 1960s when big hair and waves were the rage. In the 1970s, he transitioned into the world of beauty and cosmetics, where he further discovered that the average woman lacked the training and specifically the tools to apply makeup.

One of his biggest contributions to the industry was in 1976 when Alexander conceived the revolutionary idea of developing professional cosmetics brushes and applicators for home use. He then integrated these tools into "cosmetic kits" with makeup palettes so women had the makeup and tools necessary to apply their own makeup just like a professional makeup artist.

In the 80s and 90s, Alexander went on to become a household name with his acclaimed book, "Be Your Own Makeup Artist," and many television appearances as a beauty expert on national TV shows including Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Oprah and Regis & Kathie Lee, to name a few. He expanded into DTC advertising and was one of the first beauty experts to sell products through a worldwide network of home shopping shows like HSN and QVC. Often referred to as "The Man Behind The Makeup," Jerome believed that every woman can be their own makeup artist and in his own words, "every woman deserves to feel beautiful."