Ben Nye designs and manufactures most of their products in their own facility in Los Angeles.
By Ed Avis
Ben Nye is one of those brands that evokes an unquestionably clear image in peoples’ minds: a maker of high quality professional make-up products. And that image makes sense, given that the company is rooted in Hollywood make-up artist Ben Nye, Sr., who founded the company in 1967 to serve professional artists and actors.
Ben Nye Sr.
The company, now run by the second and third generation, is still creating new products and striving to grow. To help with the latter, they are hoping some NCA members who don’t currently carry their products will consider adding the line.
“We welcome new dealers, and we hope that after reading this article, some NCA members reach out to us,” says Dana Nye, who is Ben’s youngest son and the current president of the company.
History of Quality
Ben Nye Sr. was the 20th Century Fox Makeup Director and was responsible for over 500 feature films and TV shows during his four-decade career. He worked with Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, Julie Andrews and other legendary performers. No wonder then that when he opened his company, he made sure his products were absolutely top quality.
Dana Nye
Dana Nye followed in his dad’s footsteps and joined the company in 1970 after studying business administration at the University of the Pacific. At the same time, he began working as a professional make-up artist and spent the next two decades improving the looks of actors in commercials and television sit-coms.
“I eventually became a member of the Make-Up Artists Guild Local 706 in Los Angeles and had one or two shows a week,” Nye says. “That experience of working in the industry still influences everything that we do today.”
The professional backgrounds of the Nyes is reflected in the company’s product line.
"From a product design standpoint, our products are designed for professional artists, but anyone who wants great looking professional results will benefit by using our makeup,” explains Eric Nye, Dana’s son and the company’s sales and marketing manager. “We focus on palettes that are easy to use and very pigmented, which give the artist the flexibility to create whatever look they want. We give artists a wide set of tools.”
Despite the professional focus, these days the company sells countless products to school, university and community theater programs through its dealer network.
Design, Production in Los Angeles
Ben Nye’s quality control is made easier because of the fact that the majority of their products are created and manufactured in their facility in Los Angeles.
New products often start based on input from artists. The company has created many colors for artists working at Cirque du Soleil, for example, and Dana recently visited professionals working in theater and opera in Stockholm, Oslo and Munich and learned about their new color trends. They employ a lab chemist who creates the colors and products their customers are seeking.
“When an artist tells us that they need something, we do our very best to create it,” he explains.
Seeking New Dealers
The company would like to expand its dealer network by adding more NCA member stores. Dealers must have a brick-and-mortar location to qualify.
“We would like to hear from any member and learn about who their existing customer set is,” Dana says. “Some of them may be more focused on dance and theatrical performance, and others may be old school costume shops. In any case, a member of our sales team will talk to them and find out what customers they are trying to reach and then recommend the products that are best suited for their store.”
An important advantage of selling Ben Nye products is that company does not compete with its dealers – they don’t sell their products online and don’t allow sellers on Amazon or other third-party platforms. They are committed to selling through their dealer network.
The company does not require a minimum order, and provides new dealers with a welcome packet of resources to get them started.
If you are interested in becoming a Ben Nye dealer, reach out to Eric and the Sales Team at info@bennye.com.