View source for Revlon

{{short description|American-based multinational personal care company}}
{{for-text|the court case on hostile takeovers|''[[Revlon, Inc. v. MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc.]]''}}
{{Infobox company
 | name             = Revlon, Inc.
 | logo             = Revlon logo.svg
 | type             = [[Privately held company|Private]]
 | foundation       = {{Start date and age|1932|03|01}} in [[New York City]]
 | founders         = Joseph Revson<br />[[Charles Revson]]<br />Charles Lachman
 | location_city    = [[1 New York Plaza]], New York City
 | location         =
 | locations        =
 | area_served      =
 | key_people       = [[Ronald Perelman]]<br />{{small|(Chairman)}}<br />Michelle Peluso<br />{{small|(CEO)}}
 | industry         = [[Cosmetics]], [[skin care]], [[perfume]]s and [[personal care]]
 | products         =
 | services         =
 | revenue      = {{increase}} [[US$]]2.078 Billion (''Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021'')<ref name=Annual10K2021>{{cite web |title= Revlon, Inc. Full Year 2021 Form 10-K Report |url= https://investors.revlon.com/static-files/efe91571-1cbe-4322-9248-7734ab12a567 |website= investors.revlon.com |accessdate= 23 June 2022 |date= 31 December 2021 |archive-date= 4 October 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231004151034/https://investors.revlon.com/static-files/efe91571-1cbe-4322-9248-7734ab12a567 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
 |operating_income  = {{increase}} [[US$]]0.103 Billion (''Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021'')<ref name=Annual10K2021 />
 | net_income  = {{decrease}} [[US$]]0.206 Billion (''Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021'')<ref name=Annual10K2021 />
 | assets       = {{decrease}} [[US$]]2.432 Billion (''Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021'')<ref name=Annual10K2021 />
 | equity        = {{decrease}} [[US$]]2.014 Billion (''Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021'')<ref name=Annual10K2021 />
 |num_employees = approx. 5,800 (''Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021'')<ref name=Annual10K2021 />
 | owner           = [[MacAndrews & Forbes]] (84.7%)<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887921/000114036118019964/s002209x1_def14a.htm#tSO Revlon Proxy]</ref>
 | divisions        =
 | subsid           =
 | homepage         = {{URL|https://www.revlon.com/|revlon.com}}
 | footnotes        =
}}

'''Revlon, Inc.''', is an American [[multinational corporation|multinational]] company dealing in [[cosmetics]], [[skin care]], [[perfume]], and [[personal care]]. The headquarters of Revlon was established in New York City on March 1, 1932, where it remains. Revlon was founded by brothers Charles and Joseph Revson, and chemist Charles Lachman. Revlon products are sold in 150 countries and the company has many global locations including [[Mexico City]], [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Indonesia]], [[Sydney]], [[Singapore]], and [[Tokyo]].

In June 2022, Revlon filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-17 |title=Cosmetics maker Revlon files for bankruptcy in US |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61835796 |access-date=2022-06-18}}</ref> It emerged from bankruptcy in May 2023.

==History==
===Founding and Charles Revson control (1932–1975)===
Revlon was founded in [[New York City]] on March 1, 1932, in the midst of the [[Great Depression]], by Jewish American brothers [[Charles Revson]] and Joseph Revson along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jun/17/revlon-to-buy-elizabeth-arden-870-million-dollars|title=Revlon to buy Elizabeth Arden|last=Kollewe|first=Julia|date=2016-06-17|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-08-29|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The three men started with one single product, a new type of [[nail enamel]]<ref name=":0" /> and pooled their resources to develop a unique [[manufacturing]] process. Using [[pigment]]s instead of [[dye]]s, Revlon developed a variety of new shades of nail enamel.<ref name=":0" /> In 1937, Revlon started selling the polishes in [[department stores]] and [[drug stores|pharmacies]]. In six years, the company became a multimillion-dollar organization. By 1940, Revlon offered an entire [[manicure]] line and added [[lipstick]] to the collection. During [[World War II]], Revlon created [[makeup]] and related products for the [[United States Army]], which was honored in 1944 with the [[Army-Navy "E" Award]] for Excellence. {{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

By the end of World War II, Revlon was the number two cosmetics producer in the United States.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Geisst|first1=Charles R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5dGig0fYlj8C&q=By+the+end+of+the+war%2C+Revlon+was+listed+as+one+of+America%27s+top+five+cosmetic+houses&pg=PA362|title=Encyclopedia of American Business History|last2=Gargano|first2=Ambassador Charles a|publisher=Infobase Publishing|year=2014|isbn=978-1438109879|pages=362}}</ref> Expanding its capabilities, the company bought ''Graef & Schmidt'', a [[cutlery]] manufacturer seized by the government in 1943 because of German business ties. This acquisition made it possible for Revlon to produce its own manicure and pedicure instruments instead of buying them from outside supply sources. {{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

====Stock market====
On February 28, 1996, Revlon was listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] as a public limited company.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/29/business/revlon-public-offering-priced-at-24-a-share.html|title=Revlon Public Offering Priced at $24 a Share|last=Collins|first=Glenn|date=1996-02-29|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-17|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The [[Initial public offering|IPO]] price was $24 per share.<ref name=":1" />

==== Divisions ====
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2022}}
In the 1960s, Revson segmented Revlon Inc. into different divisions, each focusing on a different market. He borrowed this strategy from [[General Motors]]. Each division had its own target customer:<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Bender |first=Marylin |date=1972-02-27 |title=Revlon: One-Man Show |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/27/archives/revlon-oneman-show-revlon-a-oneman-show.html |access-date=2022-09-15 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

* Revlon, the largest and most popular-priced brand
* [[Princess Marcella Borghese]], upscale/international
* [[Ultima II (cosmetics line)|Ultima II]], premium
* [[Natural Wonder (Revlon subsidiary brand)|Natural Wonder]], juniors
* Moon Drops, dry skin
* Etherea, hypo-allergenic

====Early acquisitions ====
{{advert|section|date=July 2020}}
{{More citations needed|section|date=June 2022}}
In 1957, Revlon acquired ''Knomark'', a shoe-polish company, and sold its shoe-polish line [[Esquire Shoe Polish]] in 1969. Other acquisitions, such as ''Ty-D-Bol'', the maker of toilet cleansers, and a 27 percent interest in the Schick electric shaver company, were soon discarded. Evan Picone, a women's sportswear manufacturer with a price tag of $12 million in 1962, was sold back to one of the original partners four years later for $1 million. However, the 1967 acquisition of the U.S. Vitamin and Pharmaceutical Corporation made Revlon a leader in [[diabetes]] drugs.

The company began to market its products overseas at the end of the 1950s. By 1962, when Revlon debuted in Japan, there were subsidiaries in France, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, and Asia. In Japan Revlon used its basic U.S. advertising and models instead of adapting its advertisements and using Japanese models. Sales for 1962 came to $164 million.

In 1968, Revlon introduced Eterna27, the first cosmetic cream with an [[estrogen]] precursor called ''Progenitin'' (pregnenolone acetate). Later Revlon launched ''Braggi'' ''Pub,'' ''[[Bill Blass]]'' for men, and a line of wig maintenance products called Wig Wonder.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nemy |first=Enid |date=1975-08-25 |title=Charles Revson of the Revlon Empire Dies |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/25/archives/charles-revson-of-the-revlon-empire-dies.html |access-date=2022-09-15 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1970, Revlon acquired the [[Mitchum]] line of deodorants.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.revloninc.com/our-company/our-history.php |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=www.revloninc.com |language=en}}</ref> In 1971, Flex shampoo and conditioner were introduced. In 1973, Revlon introduced [[Charlie (fragrance)|Charlie]] perfume. It was aimed at people under 30 and promoted by model [[Shelley Hack]] who was wearing trousers in the advertisements.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} Shelley Hack appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show|Oprah]]'' in 2007 to talk about the power of the Charlie advertisements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Classic Americana |url=https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/classic-americana |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=Oprah.com}}</ref>

After the introduction of Charlie, Revlon's net sales figures were $506 million in 1973 and $606 million the following year. 

''Jontue'' perfume also sold well.{{Clarify|date=September 2025}} Revlon also owns the perfume brand Jean Nate.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Jean Nate Perfume for Women by Revlon | url=https://www.fragrancex.com/products/_cid_perfume-am-lid_j-am-pid_1434w__products.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318101109/http://www.fragrancex.com/products/_cid_perfume-am-lid_J-am-pid_1434W__products.html | access-date=2025-02-22 | archive-date=2005-03-18 | url-status=live }}</ref>

====Models====
In 1973, model [[Lauren Hutton]] signed an exclusive modeling contract, agreeing to pose for Revlon's Ultima line for $400,000 for two years, and was portrayed on the cover of [[Newsweek]].<ref>Model, by Michael Gross, 1995, page 212.</ref> [[Richard Avedon]] was signed on as the exclusive photographer for the brand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.andrewtobias.com/fireandice18.html |title=Andrewtobias.com |publisher=Andrewtobias.com |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-date=2011-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612190312/http://www.andrewtobias.com/fireandice18.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Michel Bergerac control (1975–1985)===
In 1975, Charles Revson died. [[Michel Bergerac]], whom Revson had hired as president of the company, continued to expand the company holdings. Revlon acquired Coburn Optical Industries, an Oklahoma-based ophthalmic and optical processing equipment and supplies manufacturer. Barnes-Hind, the largest U.S. marketer of hard contact lens solutions, was bought in 1976 and strengthened Revlon's share of the eye-care market. Revlon purchased ''Armour Pharmaceutical Company'', a division of [[Armour and Company]], from [[The Greyhound Corporation]] in 1977. Other acquisitions included the Lewis-Howe Company, makers of ''[[Tums]]'' antacid in 1978. These health-care operations helped sales figures surpass the $1 billion mark in 1977, bringing total sales to $1.7 billion in 1979.

In the mid-1980s, Revlon lost ground to [[Estée Lauder Companies|Estée Lauder]], and Armour Pharmaceutical's haemophilia product "Factorate" infected many people worldwide with [[HIV]] and [[hepatitis C]].<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Drug Maker Turned Aside Alert on AIDS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/06/us/drug-maker-turned-aside-alert-on-aids.html |work=The New York Times |date=6 October 1995}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Revlon health firm knew it was infecting people with hepatitis C |last1=Taylor |first1=Rosie |last2=Donnelly |first2=Laura |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |via=PressReader |date=4 November 2018 |url= https://www.pressreader.com/}}</ref> Estee Lauder spent millions of dollars on numerous magazine ads featuring Czech supermodel [[Paulina Porizkova]], shot by famed Chicago fashion photographer [[Victor Skrebneski]]. Revlon's share dropped from 20 percent to 10 percent of department store cosmetics sales. Sales at the drugstore also declined as Revlon lost shares to Noxell's [[CoverGirl|Cover Girl]] brand.  Revlon compensated with more acquisitions; [[Max Factor]], Ellen Betrix, [[Charles of the Ritz]], [[Germaine Monteil]], [[Almay]], Fermodyl, Lancaster, Aziza, and [[Halston]]. The 1977 acquisition of ''Carlos Colomer'', a Spanish professional beauty supply distributor, brought ''Fermodyl'' and ''Roux'' and helped introduce Revlon to the world of ethnic care: ''Creme of Nature'', ''Realistic'', ''Lovely Color'' and ''Milk and Honey''. In 1983 the company attempted an unsuccessful [[hostile takeover]] of [[Gillette (brand)|Gillette]]. In 1989, Revlon became one of the first companies to replace animal tests with alternative safety testing methods.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/02/business/cosmetics-companies-quietly-ending-animal-tests.html | work=The New York Times | first=Douglas C. | last=McGill | title=Cosmetics Companies Quietly Ending Animal Tests | date=August 2, 1989}}</ref>

[[File:Revlon Farmers Dunedin 2013.jpg|thumb|250px|Revlon counter in [[New Zealand]] department store [[Farmers Trading Company|Farmers]]]]

===Ronald Perelman control (since 1985)===
On November 5, 1985, at a price of $58 per share, totaling $2.7 billion, Revlon was sold to [[Pantry Pride]] (later renamed to Revlon Group, Inc.), a subsidiary of [[Ronald Perelman]]'s [[MacAndrews & Forbes]]. The buyout—engineered with the help of junk bond king [[Michael Milken|Michael P. Milken]]—saddled Revlon with a huge $2.9 billion debt load, which became an albatross around the company's neck for years to come. Pantry Pride Inc. offered to buy any or all of Revlon's 38.2 million outstanding shares for $47.5 a share when its street price stood at $45 a share. Initially rejected, he repeatedly raised his offer until it reached $53 a share while fighting Revlon's management every step of the way. [[Forstmann Little & Company]] swooped in at $56 a share, a brief public bidding war ensued, and Perelman triumphed with an offer of $58 a share. Perelman paid $1.8 billion to Revlon's shareholders, but he also paid $900 million of other costs associated with the purchase.<ref name="2.7Billion">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Stevenson |title=Pantry Pride Control of Revlon Board Seen Near |work=New York Times |page=D5 |date=1985-11-05 }}</ref> Perelman filed suit in the [[Delaware Court of Chancery]] to force Revlon to accept Perelman's offer, and the resulting appellate decision, ''[[Revlon, Inc. v. MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc.|Revlon v. MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings]]'', was a landmark case in determining the obligations of public company directors in hostile takeover situations under Delaware law.

Perelman had Revlon sell four divisions: two for $1 billion, the vision care division for $574 million, and the National Health Laboratories division which became a publicly owned corporation in 1988. Additional make-up lines were purchased for Revlon: [[Max Factor]] in 1987 and Betrix in 1989, later sold to [[Procter & Gamble]] in 1991.<ref name="fu">{{cite web |url=https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/macandrews-forbes-holdings-inc-history |title=MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. |access-date=2008-05-16 |work=Funding Universe }}</ref> Also in 1991, Revlon sold the [[Clean & Clear]] brand to [[Johnson & Johnson]].

==== Timeline (2013-2024) ====
2013

* In August, Revlon Consumer Products Corp. bought the Colomer Group from [[CVC Capital Partners]], a private equity firm, for $660 million.<ref name="revon">{{cite web |author=Young, Vicki M. |date=5 August 2013 |title=Revlon Acquires Colomer Group for $660 Million |url=http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/financial/revlon-acquires-the-colomer-group-7076124?src=nl/mornReport/20130806 |access-date=6 August 2013 |publisher=WWD}}</ref>
* After suffering business loss in 2011 and 2012, at the end of 2013, Revlon announced that it will exit the Chinese market, which employs 1,100 people. The business in China accounted for just 2 percent portion of net sales of Revlon's international operations.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 1, 2014 |title=Revlon to Exit Operations in China, Cut 1,100 Jobs |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-31/revlon-to-exit-operations-in-china-cutting-940-beauty-advisers.html |website=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref>
* On November 1, Revlon named Lorenzo Delpani as president and CEO.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20131031/retail_apparel/131039972 |title=Revlon Names Lorenzo Delpani President, CEO |date=October 31, 2013}}</ref>

2014

* In March, Revlon announced leaving [[Midtown Manhattan|midtown]] to relocate its headquarters to the top two floors of [[1 New York Plaza|One New York Plaza]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2014/03/04/revlon-says-so-long-to-midtown-hello-to-one-new-york-plaza/|title=Revlon says so long to Midtown, hello to One New York Plaza|date=2014-03-05|work=New York Post|access-date=2017-11-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
* On September 22, Revlon's board of directors elected Roberto Simon as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective as of Sept. 30.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/REV/key-developments/article/3074837|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213013417/http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/REV/key-developments/article/3074837|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 13, 2015|title=Revlon Inc announces election of Roberto Simon as executive vice president and chief financial officer - Form 8-K |website=[[Reuters]]|date=September 23, 2014}}</ref>

2015

* On April 30, Revlon completed the acquisition of U.K. based fragrance management company CBBeauty including its U.K. distributor SAS & Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150430006773/en/Revlon-Completes-Acquisition-CBBeauty-SAS-Company|title=Revlon Completes Acquisition of CBBeauty and SAS & Company|date=2015-04-30|website=[[BusinessWire]]|access-date=2017-10-31}}</ref>

2016

* On June 16, Revlon announced its intention to purchase its competitor [[Elizabeth Arden, Inc.]] for $870 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-elizabeth-arden-m-a-revlon/cosmetics-maker-revlon-to-buy-elizabeth-arden-in-870-million-deal-idUSKCN0Z22NE|title=Cosmetics maker Revlon to buy Elizabeth Arden in $870 million deal|date=2016-06-16|website=[[Reuters]]|access-date=2017-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-09-07 |title=Revlon Announces Completion of Elizabeth Arden Acquisition |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160907006742/en/Revlon-Announces-Completion-of-Elizabeth-Arden-Acquisition |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Businesswire |language=en}}</ref> The acquisition was completed that September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160907006742/en/Revlon-Announces-Completion-Elizabeth-Arden-Acquisition|title=Revlon Announces Completion of Elizabeth Arden Acquisition|date=2016-09-07|website=[[BusinessWire]]|access-date=2017-10-31}}</ref> 
* Revlon acquired [[Cutex]] from [[Coty]] Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US |first=FashionNetwork com |title=Revlon acquires Cutex from Coty Inc. |url=https://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/revlon-acquires-cutex-from-coty-inc-,700423.html |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=FashionNetwork.com |date=6 June 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref>

2017

* In January 29, the company announce that CEO Fabian Garcia would leave the company at the end of February. Board member Paul Meister would become executive vice chairman of the board and run the day-to-day operations.
* A quarterly report from the end of 2017 estimated its quarterly loss falling approximately between $60 million and $80 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/01/29/revlons-ceo-stepping-down/1076841001/|title=Revlon's CEO departing amid expected steep losses|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2018-01-30|language=en}}</ref>

2018

* In May, the company announced the appointment of Debra Perelman, the daughter of Ronald Perelman, to the position of chief executive officer. She was the first ever female CEO of the company after serving as COO starting in January 2018 and serving on the board since 2015.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff Writer |url=http://fortune.com/2018/05/23/revlon-debra-ronald-perelman-ceo-woman-first/ |title=Revlon Just Appointed a Woman CEO for the First Time Ever |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=2018-05-23 |access-date=2018-05-24 }}</ref>

2019

* In January, ''[[Seeking Alpha]]'' published an article regarding trading anomalies on the Revlon stock (REV); it is under investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pre IPO Swap |date=2019-01-25 |title=Raiders Of The Lost Corporate Ark - Revlon |url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4235639-raiders-lost-corporate-ark-revlon |access-date=2019-07-24 |work=Seeking Alpha |language=en-US}}</ref>

2020 

* In August, American bank [[Citigroup|Citi]] wrongly wired $900 million to creditors of Revlon. The wire sparked a "protracted legal fight". In October of the same year, the bank was fined $400 million by the US bank regulators as a result of their risk in control systems and was ordered to update their technology.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/84c831fb-5088-41cd-bcb6-0f0daf968c43 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/84c831fb-5088-41cd-bcb6-0f0daf968c43 |archive-date=2022-12-10 |url-access=subscription|title= Citigroup fined $400m over internal controls 'deficiencies'|work=[[Financial Times]]|date=8 October 2020|author=Robert Armstrong|access-date=8 October 2020}}</ref>

2021

* [[PETA]] removed Revlon and other high-profile cosmetic brands from its list of companies who do not test their products on animals after the organization learned they were paying Chinese laboratories to [[Animal testing|test their cosmetics]] on rabbits and other animals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Animal testing for cosmetics: Chinese law elicits "ethics dumping" from EU brands despite cruelty-free claims |url=https://pci.cnsmedia.com/a/aXUjt0r4PgY= |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=.personalcareinsights.com/ |language=en}}</ref>
* On September 28, the [[Infected blood scandal in the United Kingdom|UK's Infected Blood Inquiry]] heard evidence about Armour's use of [[hemophilia]] treatment products during the 1970s and 80s, which caused [[Hepatitis C]] and [[HIV]] infections, including its period under the control of Revlon Healthcare.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Hearings Timetable |url=https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/public-hearings-timetable |website=www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk |publisher=Infected Blood Inquiry |access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref>

2024

* In October, it was announced [[Michelle Peluso]], formerly of [[CVS Health]], [[Gilt Groupe]], and [[Travelocity]] would be joing as CEO of the company.<ref>{{cite web |last=WWD Staff |title=Revlon's New CEO Michelle Peluso on Why She Left CVS Health |url=https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/beauty-features/revlon-ceo-michelle-peluso-cvs-health-1236678555/ |website=WWD |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=October 26, 2023 |access-date=October 27, 2024}}</ref>

====Bankruptcy protection====
On June 16, 2022, Revlon filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection]] after struggling with debt, rising competition, supply chain challenges, and falling behind evolving beauty standards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=Revlon files for bankruptcy protection amid heavy debt load |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/revlon-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-amid-heavy-debt-load-1.5949519 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616132625/https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/revlon-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-amid-heavy-debt-load-1.5949519 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Jordan Valinsky |title=Revlon files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/16/investing/revlon-bankruptcy/index.html |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=CNN|date=16 June 2022 }}</ref> A few hours after the bankruptcy announcement, Revlon's shares lost more than 13% of their value.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61835796 |title=Cosmetics maker Revlon files for bankruptcy in US |date=17 June 2022 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=2022-06-17 }}</ref> According to a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|Southern District of New York]], Revlon listed assets and liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion. Revlon which had been managed by Perelman's daughter Debra Perelman since mid-2018, had long-term debt of $3.31 billion as of March 31, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-16 |title=Cosmetics company Revlon files for bankruptcy protection |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/revlon-files-bankruptcy-protection-2022-06-16/ |access-date=2022-06-16}}</ref> The company narrowly avoided bankruptcy in 2020 after restructuring its debt.<ref>{{cite news |title=Revlon avoids bankruptcy after getting bondholder support |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/revlon-debt-restructuring/revlon-avoids-bankruptcy-after-getting-bondholder-support-idUSL4N2HY3T7 |access-date=2022-09-15 |work=Reuters |date=2020-11-12}}</ref> It was one of the last remaining holdings of Ronald Perelman.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Biswas |first=Becky Yerak and Soma |date=2022-06-16 |title=Cosmetics Maker Revlon Files For Bankruptcy |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/cosmetics-maker-revlon-files-for-chapter-11-11655360992 |access-date=2022-06-16 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' reported that the company's bankruptcy process could be "complicated by financial controversies."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-16 |title=Revlon Files Bankruptcy Facing High Debt, Supply Chain Pain |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-16/revlon-files-for-bankruptcy-facing-high-debt-supply-chain-pain |access-date=2022-06-16}}</ref> ''[[MarketWatch]]'' quoted industry analysts and commentators as saying that bankruptcy would allow the firm a chance to refresh and regroup as it attempts to compete with newer brands, like [[Kylie Cosmetics]] or [[Fenty Beauty|Fenty]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Tonya |title=Revlon's bankruptcy filing will give it a chance to catch up with Rihanna, the Kardashians and other hot names in beauty |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/revlons-bankruptcy-filing-will-give-it-a-chance-to-catch-up-with-rihanna-the-kardashians-and-other-hot-names-in-beauty-11655475064 |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=MarketWatch |date=19 June 2022 |language=EN-US}}</ref> ''[[CNBC]]'' reported that Revlon's bankruptcy might be the start of broader bankruptcy problems for the retail sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lauren |date=2022-06-23 |title=The retail industry is facing a potential wave of bankruptcies – here's why |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/23/why-retail-industry-is-facing-bankruptcy-wave.html |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> It was delisted from the [[New York Stock Exchange|NYSE]] on October 21, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bankrupt-meme-stock-favorite-revlon-to-be-delisted-from-new-york-stock-exchange-11666309756?mod=markets_lead_pos5 |title=Bankrupt Meme-Stock Favorite Revlon Plummets After New York Stock Exchange Delisting |publisher =Wall Street Journal |date=October 21, 2022 |first1=Becky |last1=1Yerak |first2=Josh |last2=Beckerman}}</ref> In December 2022, Revlon announced plans to raise $650 million in equity and transferring majority of the ownership to senior leaders. The company also announced plans to wipe out the interests of [[Ronald Perelman]] by striking an agreement with creditors to give lenders and bondholders ownership of the bankrupt cosmetics maker.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Jeremy |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Revlon's Bankruptcy Plan Would Wipe Out Stockholders, Hand Ownership to Lenders. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-19/revlon-s-bankruptcy-plan-would-wipe-out-stockholders-hand-ownership-to-lenders |website=Bloomberg |access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Indap |first1=Sujeet |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Ron Perelman's Revlon stake to be wiped out in bankruptcy settlement. |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3ab49585-e0c3-458f-9d1e-9fddd123174d |website=Financial Times |access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref>

In February 2023, Revlon reached a lender settlement that would allow the company to exit from bankruptcy by April.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Knauth |first=Dietrich |date=2023-02-21 |title=Revlon reaches lender settlement, sends bankruptcy plan to vote |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/revlon-reaches-lender-settlement-sends-bankruptcy-plan-vote-2023-02-21/ |access-date=2023-04-20}}</ref>

==Advertising==
[[File:HK Des Vouex Road REVLON Tram.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Tram with Revlon advertising in [[Hong Kong]], June 2007]]
Until the 1940s, Revlon's magazine [[advertisement|ads]] were drawn by hand and mostly in black and white. In 1945, Revlon began launching full-color photographic advertisements in major magazines and stores across the country. Revlon introduced matching nail polish and lipsticks with exotic and unique names. These ads were taken by the top fashion photographers of the day including [[Richard Avedon]], [[Cecil Beaton]], and [[John Rawlings (photographer)|John Rawlings]]. Some of these ads were for "Paint the Town Pink" and 1945's "Fatal Apple" with [[Dorian Leigh]]. In 1947, Revlon introduced "Bachelor's Carnation" and in 1948, "Sweet Talk".{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

In 1950, Revlon introduced a red lipstick and nail enamel called "Where's the Fire?", and later used "Fire and Ice" ads. One of the world's first supermodels, [[Dorian Leigh]], starred in some of Revlon's most memorable advertisements of all time. In 1946, Dorian was covered in purple flowers and wrapped in a pale purple sheet for "Ultra Violet." In 1947, Dorian appeared in "Fashion Plate." In 1953, at the age of 36, she appeared in "Cherries in the Snow." Later that year she appeared in the legendary "Fire and Ice" ad shot by Richard Avedon. Originally, Dorian appeared in a tight, silver-beaded dress with an enormous red wrap. Her black hair had a silver swirl in it and she had her hands, with long red nails, positioned in front of her breasts. Charles Revson rejected Avedon's original ad as "too sexual."<ref>The Girl Who Had Everything, The Story of 'The Fire and Ice Girl,' by Dorian Leigh and Laura Hobe, 1980, page 88.</ref> They re-shot the ad, this time with her open hand in front of one hip, the other in front of her cheek. The advertisement became and advertising legend because of the full-page quiz next to the sensual ad.  Almost 50 years later, in November 2010, Revlon re-created 1953's "Fire and Ice" magazine ad with actress [[Jessica Biel]], and announced that they were issuing a limited-edition Fire and Ice lipstick and nail color, calling this campaign, "lips and tips."

Dorian Leigh's 15-years-younger red-headed sister, [[Suzy Parker]], also shot numerous Revlon magazine ads in the 1950s. Suzy and [[Charles Revson]], who wanted to marry Dorian at some point, despised each other. At one point, he refused to hire Suzy anymore because she complained about the "peanut" paycheck she received from Revlon. [[Richard Avedon]], however, after photographing other models for a particular Revlon ad, would call in Suzy at the last minute, sometimes late at night, to do re-takes with him.  This happened with "Stormy Pink," an ad Suzy shot very late at night with a wild white horse in the ocean.  Avedon would then tell Revson that it was not Suzy in the ad, but a model named "Bubbles" or another made-up name.<ref>''The Girl Who Had Everything. The Story of the "Fire and Ice Girl,"'' Dorian Leigh and Laura Hobe, 1980, page 89.</ref>

In 1970, Revlon became the first American cosmetics company to feature an African American model, icon [[Naomi Sims]], in their advertising.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tell Me More |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111572300 |title=Naomi Sims Showed The World That Black Is Beautiful |publisher=NPR |date=2009-08-05 |access-date=2011-04-06}}</ref>  In the late 1970s, Revlon also made history when it created their line of cosmetics, specifically for women of color, called "The Polished Ambers Collection" and selected fashion model icon [[Iman (model)|Iman]] to be featured in the advertising campaigns.  Revlon was also noted for featuring models of a wide age range in the 1980s, including 13-year-old [[Milla Jovovich]] and 60-year-old [[Audrey Hepburn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millaj.com/model/revlon.shtml |title=The Official Milla Jovovich Website :: Gallery - Revlon |publisher=MillaJ.com |access-date=2011-04-06}}</ref> Despite the successful campaigns of the 1980s and 1990s featuring models, in particular [[Cindy Crawford]], Revlon decided to drop fashion models and focus on movie stars, among them [[Kate Bosworth]], [[Jaime King]], [[Halle Berry]], [[Susan Sarandon]], [[Melanie Griffith]], [[Julianne Moore]], [[Eva Mendes]], [[Jessica Alba]], [[Jennifer Connelly]], [[Beau Garrett]], [[Jessica Biel]], [[Olivia Wilde]], [[Emma Stone]] and [[Bond girl]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2009/05/04/jessica-biels-new-role-face-of-revlon/ |title=Stylenews.peoplestylwatch.com |publisher=Stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-date=2011-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006102045/http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2009/05/04/jessica-biels-new-role-face-of-revlon/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, Australian supermodel [[Elle Macpherson]] became one of a [[List of Revlon spokesmodels|long line of spokesmodels]] for the company. American actress [[Jessica Biel]] modeled for the brand, first shown in advertisements in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.happi.com/articles/2009/06/marketing-news |title=Marketing News |publisher=HAPPI |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-date=2011-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720070559/http://www.happi.com/articles/2009/06/marketing-news |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2008, celebrity makeup artist [[Gucci Westman]] was hired as Revlon's Global Artistic Director, representing the company at runway shows and brand events and designing collections.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Edgar |first1=Michelle |url=http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/revlon-taps-gucci-westman-1022645 |title=Revlon Taps Gucci Westman - Beauty Industry and Products News |work=WWD |date=24 April 2008 |publisher=WWD.com |access-date=2011-04-06}}</ref> In 2017, [[Gwen Stefani]] became the global ambassador of the cosmetic brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gwen Stefani Named Global Ambassador For Cosmetic Brand Revlon |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/hollywood/news/2017/gwen-stefani-named-global-ambassador-for-cosmetic-brand-revlon-250739.html |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Film Beat |date=3 January 2017 }}</ref> In 2020, Korean-American singer, actress and fashion designer [[Jessica Jung]] was announced as the new global ambassador for the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allure.com/story/jessica-jung-revlon-beauty-interview|title=Jessica Jung Shares How Her Approach to Beauty Has Changed Since Her Idol Days |website=[[Allure (magazine)|Allure]]|last=Abelman|first=Devon|date=April 30, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In 2023, the digital artist Nailea Devora became the new Revlon Global Brand Ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web |title=REVLON ANNOUNCES NAILEA DEVORA AS NEWEST GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/revlon-announces-nailea-devora-newest-140100173.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAB8dwHCTsB8U_osfLDzNQNdHZDzME6aQtBydFLBohYG4F-gAYyxWYW3ZE7kgAwbcQfO3oosnNYTIXJDxjdxdnls88d3x0qXMwEEE2G-HsU-8qt6ViRH62DN6YvA0u-_JXVDyvNyNB1Rm-STwBeveQ_ZGtaHKx3C7eM6VOhWEjeZ2 |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Yahoo!Finance| date=6 September 2023 }}</ref> In January 2024, [[Madelyn Cline]] became Revlon's Global Brand Ambassador.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Madelyn Cline on Her Outer Banks Beauty Essentials and Brand-New Revlon Role |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/madelyn-cline-revlon-ambassador-outer-banks |access-date=11 January 2024 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=8 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revlon names Madelyn Cline Global Brand Ambassador |url=https://www.globalcosmeticsnews.com/revlon-names-madelyn-cline-global-brand-ambassador/ |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=Global Cosmetics News |date=11 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revlon names Madelyn Cline new ambassador |url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Revlon-names-madelyn-cline-new-ambassador,1594350.html |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=Fashion Network |date=16 January 2024 }}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
Revlon is a corporate sponsor of several charity projects. The largest of these is the [[Revlon Run Walk]], founded in 1994, in partnership with the [[Entertainment Industry Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revloninc.com/sustainability/corporate-citizenship|title=Corporate Citizenship|website=Revlon Inc}}</ref> It is a run and walk event held in New York and Los Angeles to raise money and awareness for [[Breast cancer|breast]] and [[ovarian cancer]], which has raised and distributed more than $70 million to women's cancer research and support programs since its inception. Revlon also supports other cancer charities such as Look Good Feel Better and the [[National Breast Cancer Coalition]] and operates a mobile [[mammography]] clinic in and around Oxford, North Carolina, where the company's primary manufacturing operations are located.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Revlon-Corporate/RevlonCares.aspx |title=Revlon Cares |publisher=Revlon.com |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-date=2011-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027223516/http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Revlon-Corporate/RevlonCares.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1996, Revlon supported the development of a breast center at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]]. Renamed [https://www.uclahealth.org/locations/revlon-breast-center Revlon/UCLA Breast Center], the center is a well-known institute for treatment and research of breast cancer and other breast diseases and disorders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://breastcenter.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=18 |title=About Us |publisher=Revlon/UCLA Breast Center}}</ref> A Revlon lip gloss shade whose proceeds support Revlon's cancer charities was also created in 2009.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In September 2010, Revlon, with global artistic director [[Gucci Westman]] and spokesmodel [[Halle Berry]] hosted an event at Fashion's Night Out in New York City to raise funds for the Jenesse Center, a Los Angeles organization for [[domestic violence]] victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100914007361/en/Revlon-Halle-Berry-Celebrate-Fashion%E2%80%99s-Night-York |title=Revlon and Halle Berry Celebrate Fashion's Night Out New York |publisher=Business Wire |date=2010-09-14 |access-date=2011-04-06}}</ref> Revlon also hosted luncheons and various other events to benefit the center and partnered with then-online retailer [[drugstore.com]] to donate portions of lipstick sales to the organization.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Bobbie |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34417346 |title=Shop for change! Top gifts that give back - Holiday Guide - TODAY.com |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |date=2009-12-15 |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-date=2011-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130231318/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34417346/ns/today-today_holiday_guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2015, Revlon donated $1 million through its LOVE IS ON million-dollar challenge dedicated to women's cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Revlon to Donate Over $1 Million Through Its LOVE IS ON Million Dollar Challenge {{!}} Revlon, Inc. |url=https://investors.revlon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/revlon-donate-over-1-million-through-its-love-million-dollar |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=investors.revlon.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, hosted its second LOVE IS ON million-dollar challenge to raise for women's health-related causes.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Revlon Announces Its 2nd Annual Groundbreaking LOVE IS ON Million Dollar Challenge Crowd-Funding Competition |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160711006249/en/Revlon-Announces-Its-2nd-Annual-Groundbreaking-LOVE-IS-ON-Million-Dollar-Challenge-Crowd-Funding-Competition |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Business Wire|date=11 July 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia Wilde Voices Support for Revlon Million-Dollar Challenge |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/olivia-wilde-voices-support-revlon-929810/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=16 September 2016 }}</ref>

In 2018, the company launched an Employee Volunteer Program (EVP) which was created to provide each full time U.S. employee with eight hours of time to engage in community service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revloninc.com/sustainability/corporate-citizenship|title=Corporate Citizenship|website=www.revloninc.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}</ref>  

== Controversies ==

=== Quiz Show Scandal (1950s) ===
In the 1950s, Revlon sponsored the TV Quiz Show ''[[The $64,000 Question]]'', an alliance that tripled cometic sales. Charles Revson allegedly pressured producers to coaching popular contestants that boosted publicity for Revlon's ads. Suspicion rose after [[Joyce Brothers]] won by answering boxing questions, though she was not implicated in cheating. Congressional hearings in 1958 revealed widespread rigging across networks, prompting cancellations and leading to the [[Communications Act of 1934|1960 Communications Act]]'s ban on fixing broadcast contests.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Revson {{!}} American Experience {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/quizshow-charles-revson/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=www.pbs.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1958-08-28 |title=DA Widens Quiz Probe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal-da-widens-quiz-probe/61296743/ |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=The Ithaca Journal |pages=1}}</ref>

=== Pharmaceutical Health Scandal (1970s–80s) ===
From 1977 to 1986, Armour Pharmaceutical, a company owned by Revlon, manufactured plasma-based treatments for [[Haemophilia|hemophilia]]. During this time, thousands of patients worldwide were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after using the products.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Rosie |last2=Donnelly |first2=Laura |date=2018-11-03 |title=Healthcare firm formerly linked to Revlon gave British patients blood it knew was infected |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/03/healthcare-firm-formerly-linked-revlon-gave-british-patients/ |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ungoed-Thomas |first=Jon |date=2024-05-26 |title=Infected blood scandal: call for drug firms to pay part of £10bn compensation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/may/26/infected-blood-scandal-call-for-drug-firms-to-pay-part-of-10bn-compensation |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Hair Relaxer Lawsuit (2024) ===
Revlon and other cosmetics companies were sued after a U.S. government study linked chemical hair relaxers to higher risks of [[uterine cancer]]. Thousands of women, many of them Black consumers, alleged that manufacturers failed to warn them about potential dangers despite long-term marketing toward communities of color. In 2024, a federal judge allowed a [[class action]] to proceed for reimbursement claims, while separate lawsuits accuse the companies of negligence, defective design, and inadequate safety warnings.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Diana Novak |last2=Jones |first2=Diana Novak |date=2024-09-30 |title=Hair relaxer class action over reimbursement for products can move forward, judge says |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/hair-relaxer-class-action-over-reimbursement-products-can-move-forward-judge-2024-09-30/ |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hair straightening chemicals associated with higher uterine cancer risk {{!}} National Institutes of Health (NIH) |url=https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hair-straightening-chemicals-associated-higher-uterine-cancer-risk |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=www.nih.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Study Finds Possible Link Between Hair Straightening Chemicals and Uterine Cancer |url=https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/study-finds-possible-link-between-hair-straightening-chemicals-and-uterine-cancer.html |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=www.cancer.org |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Revlon spokesmodels]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.revlon.com/}}
{{Finance links
| name = Revlon, Inc.
| symbol = REV
| reuters = REV.N
| bloomberg = REV:US
| sec_cik = REV
| yahoo = REV
| google = REV
}}

{{Revlon Inc}}
{{MacAndrews & Forbes}}
{{Quiz show scandals}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Revlon| ]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Chemical companies established in 1932]]
[[Category:Cosmetics brands]]
[[Category:Cosmetics companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:History of cosmetics]]
[[Category:Perfume houses]]
[[Category:Personal care brands]]
[[Category:Private equity portfolio companies]]
[[Category:Nail polish]]
[[Category:1932 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022]]
[[Category:Companies traded over-the-counter in the United States]]