COLUMN: A look back at the beauty of women
Near the turn of the century a good portion of advertising was directed at prospective female customers—just as it is day.
Here are some of the products that were advertised to our feminine ancestors at the beginning of the 20th century.
Atwood Cologne (delicate bouquet, delightful fragrance, lasting odor)
Ayer’s Wrinkle Remover
Borix Toilet Powder
Bouquet de Violette Perfum (“the delightful odor of a bouquet of fresh violets”)
Bran-u Nail Powders
Cassidy’s Beau Brummel Finger Nail Polish
Chevalier’s Life for the Hair (lead and iron sulphide, flavored with rosemary and rose geranium)
Christadoro’s Hair Dye (gum Arabic)
Circassian “Two Lip” Rouge
Conkling’s Curling Cream
Crystal Mask Facial Preparation
Curry’s Dime Cologne
Derma Royale (a perfect skin is insured if used & it is endorsed by women of refinement)
Dr. Campbell’s (Safe) Arsenic Complexion Wafers (endorsed by society women, praised by pretty women, longed for by homely women, purchased by all women)
Dr. T. Felix Gouraud’s Oriental Cream, or Magical Beautifier
Eastman’s Perfume ($7 per pint)
Freeman’s Medicated Face Powder (the best face powder made)
Heinisch Beautifying Cream
Hess’ Rouge de Theatre No. 12
Hess’ Youthful Tint Cream
Hoyt’s Nickel Cologne
Hudnut’s Extreme Talcum
Lady Howard Pearl of Beauty Powder
Linden Bloom Perfume (highly recommended by Mrs. Grover Cleveland)
Lorrimer’s Hair Curling Fluid
Lurbin’s Liquid Rouge
Marshall Eye Brow Stimulant
Martha Washington Face Powder
Mrs. Allen’s Hair Restorer (sulphur, perfumed water)
Mulford’s Perfumed Bath Tablets
Nailene Manicure Powder
New Angel Soap
Ostrander’s Pink Shampoo
Polly’s Face Powder
Ponquaee Wrinkle Remover
Purt-Ei-Curl Soap
Royal Worcester and Bon Ton Corsets (“preserve the figure”)
S&H Fat Free Tincture Digitalia (1st use of fat free nail polish)
The Ladies’ Friend: A Beautifying Lotion for the Skin
Velocipede Hair Oil (highly perfumed)
Vestro (for perfect curves, gives women a beautiful figure, fills out all hollow and flat places, adds charm and attraction to the plainest women)
“Vita Nueva” Hariet Hubbard Recamier cream
Wolcott’s Natural Beautifier (for hair and skin use)
Yale’s Eyelash Grower