Enter Monsieur Bourjois. Inspired by the theater and his love of the stars and the stage, he set out to create superior quality makeup for his muses. The result—a major innovation for its time—was the world's first powder blush. Pastel Joues, as it was called, was a baked, colored powder that blended beautifully and was perfumed with the delicate scent of rose. A far cry from the greasy, pore-clogging formulas they were used to, the actresses wasted no time spreading the word about this new and revolutionary "little round pot."

Over the years, Bourjois' collection of "little round pots" has been enhanced to include creative, color-coded packaging that perfectly matches the shades and expanded to include eye shadows. And, in the spirit of bringing a bit of joie de vivre (or, fun) into makeup, many of their products and shade names offer a humorous twist on French words and phrases, all of which remain a signature of the brand today.

As a brand that has become synonymous with Parisian beauty, Bourjois continues to lead the market by continually perfecting new concepts, textures, and technologies. Case in point: Coup de Theatre False Lash Illusion Mascara was the first double-ended mascara on the market, while the pioneering Suivez Mon Regard Multi Shimmer Loose Eye Powder was an industry marvel with its ingenious, spill-proof packaging. One of Bourjois' newest innovations—mascara accessories—ended up creating an entirely new makeup category.

But cutting-edge innovations and smart packaging aside, there is one thing that lives at the heart of Bourjois: color. In fact, its reputation as a color specialist is a cornerstone of the brand. With a staggering 18 shades of blush, as well as an impressive array of eyeshadows (24 to be exact), the line offers colors to suit every mood, occasion, and personality—from muted neutrals to bright, vivid hues.

From the very first "little round pot" to the countless beauty-breakthroughs that followed, Bourjois has successfully combined practicality and playfulness, peppered with its signature Parisian flair. They continue to push the envelope with innovations that are both trendsetting and technologically advanced. And if its rich history is any indication of the future, Bourjois will keep us looking pretty way into the next century.