Founders of Jolen
It was in the year 1947, founders John and Evelyn Kossak invented the formula for facial bleach, and soon it became one of the world’s biggest beauty revelations. But it was the urge of 27 year old Evelyn Kossak to create a product that could get rid of unwanted facial hair that inspired her to develop and co-create the product with her husband, John Kossak.
A chemical engineer by profession, John concocted the formula of the Creme Bleach in their tiny fold-out closet kitchen in a studio apartment in Chelsea, New York City. While living in Boston in 1958, Evelyn took the first step by taking the item to Filene’s Department Store. With the challenge to sell the bleach on the floor, and if it sold, they would stock it, she successfully exceeded expectations. This marked the beginning of Jolen Creme Bleach’s retail presence.