perc westmore
"Glamour is something you can't bear to be without once you're used to it." -Loretta Young
setting the stage
Perc began his career at First National Studios, in 1923, before it became Warner Brothers Studios. While still under contract with Warners, he and his twin Ern were in charge of the wig department of the Max Factor Company for six years. They partnered with Max Factor to further the art, techniques, and methodology of the newly formed craft of motion picture make-up artistry. Together, the twins founded the Hollywood Art School of Make-up, whose purpose was to train others in the highly specialized art. According to Perc, "the knowledge that he and his brothers acquired at so great an effort was given freely to those who proved themselves capable of carrying on and extending the activities of this new part of the motion picture industry- and no other group of artists have contributed more to the progress of the artistic development of realistic photography and beauty than these men." While at Max Factor Company they also were responsible for introducing the principles of street makeup. This included the proper relation of powder, rouge, and lipstick to one another which played a very important role in the success of the Max Factor Cosmetic line. The twins left the Max Factor Company in 1934 to open the House of Westmore Salon with their brothers.
The Warner Brothers Makeup and Hairdressing Department. 1937. Perc, 2nd row, end. Edith Westmore, seated front row middle, black pants.
career man
Perc spent 26 years heading up the Makeup, Wig, and Hairdressing Department at Warner Brothers. He became such an institution, people often referred to him as the 5th Warner Brother.
