Friday, June 25, 2010

Beauty aids of 1807

Friday, June 25, 2010
Loretta reports:

More of those fascinating advertisements from La Belle Assemblée, for June 1807.

Pears, we note, has been around for a long time.
~~~~~
AN INVALUABLE DISCOVERY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FEMALE PERSON.
   A. PEARS, Perfumer, No.55, Wells-street, Oxford-street, having, after a variety of experiments, brought to perfection his beautiful ALMONA BLOOM or LIQUID VEGETABLE ROUGE, respectfully presents it to universal attention, as an indispensible Companion to the Toilet, and for the introduction of which he has been so happy to meet with the concurrence of every Admirer of the Female Complection.
    This Composition is infinitely superior to all other preparations for admitting a free perspiration, by softening the Skin, preventing Eruptions, and firmly adheres without the least tint being removed so as stain a cambric handkerchief. It is of the consistency of Cream and of a most beautiful light red hue ; but to expaciate on the whole of its excellencies in this contracted space is impossible. The Inventor, therefore, contents himself, with observing, that a single experiment is sufficient to establish its superiority.
    Pears's White Imperial Powder is an admirable Companion to the above, being the most simple and effective cosmetic in fashionable use. It is produced from Vegetables only, and gives to the Skin a delicacy strictly consonant to true beauty, nor can the most circumspect observer perceive the application of it on the countenance. Price 2sd. 6d. and 5s. per box.—Pears's new Liquid Pink Dye, for colouring Silk Stockings, Gloves ribbons, &c. in a more bright and transparent style than can be given by any other preparation. Price 1s 6d. and 3s per bottle. Pears's Pink Saucers, an entirely new invention.—Sold, wholesale and retail, as above.

FOR CLEANING AND BEAUTIFYING THE TEETH.
   PREPARED CHARCOAL and CONCENTRATED SOLUTION.—CHARCOAL, from its antisceptic properties, has long been recommended by the first professional men as the most efficacious Tooth Powder that can be used for cleaning, whitening, and preserving the Teeth, removing the Scurvy from the GUMS, and destroymg the fætor arising from carious Teeth which contaminates the Breath, and is incapable of injuring the enamel.
   From the great reputation the genuine Preparation inherited by Edm. Lardner (Chemist to the Duke and Duchess of York), has acquired, many imitations are daily offered for sale; the true only is signed Edm. Lardner on the Label.
   It is sold wholesale and retail at No. 56, Piccadilly, corner of Albany, in Boxes and Bottles, 2s. 9d. each; it also sold retail, by Newbery, St. Paul's Church-yard; Rigge, Cheapside; Vade, Cornhill; Davison, Fleet-street; and Clarke, Borough.
~~~~~
Teeth courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

7 comments:

Barbara Wells Sarudy said...

Pears Soap is "an indispensible Companion to the Toilet" in our house today. Its antique origins & constancy are a comfort in the media-hype- cosmetic-frenzy of the 21st century.

Undine said...

And some health food stores still sell charcoal tablets to clean your teeth!

Finegan Antiques said...

Talk about a "wordy" advertisement! That would cost a fortune if it was either a TV commercial or billboard. I guess all things are relavent to it's own time period.

Donna

Lauren R said...

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Margaret Tanner said...

Fascinating blog, but charcoal for your teeth - Yuk.

Regards

Margaret

Shannon said...

I prefer a minty taste to charcoal myself. Ahh, not all aspects of a golden era are golden...

TCW said...

I've just quoted from this on my own blog, so thanks for the research help. You can read it at http://thewhiterajah.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/pink-for-girl.html

 
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