My new novel, “The Curtain Falls,” is set in 1900, the early beginning of the Edwardian era. I’m definitely in an Edwardian mood, and since I love beauty products, I thought I’d share some antique brands that have been around for at least as long as the Edwardians!
There are some modern products at the drugstore and online that your Edwardian great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother used as well! These products are not only beautiful, they also have a hint of old-fashioned gentility and will get you gorgeous just like the great beauties 100 years ago.
Caswell-Massey
This delightful bath and beauty product brand has been around since 1752! So it was definitely used by Edwardians and was already 150 years old in 1902. Its most Edwardian products are:
- Rosewater – use as a modern facial toner after cleansing
- Goat’s Milk and Honey Soap – a classic combination that was well-known at the turn of the last century
- Milk Bath – used by Cleopatra and famous Edwardian beauties, too
- Castile Soap – another classic soap used by Edwardians
- Rosewater and Glycerine Hair Wash – Edwardian women had beautiful hair and kept it clean with this classic formula
Pond’s
Hailed as a wonder product in 1846, Pond’s brand skin cream has been around since before the Civil War. Its amazing cold cream was a favorite of Marilyn Monroe, my own great-grandmother and many other past beauties. Pond’s Edwardian products include:
- Pond’s Classic Cold Cream – the original, a staple for generations
Rosebud Perfume Company
The famous Smith’s Rosebud Salve is still around, but was first introduced as an Edwardian company in 1892! Their long-lasting strength is a great testimony to their wonderful product.
- Smith’s Rosebud Salve – a multipurpose lip balm that is excellent for chapped skin, too!
Pears
Another brand around since the 18th century, Pear’s glycerin soap is still being manufactured and sold on big-box and drugstore shelves today. It’s pretty amazing that something so ‘old’ can be so amazing and useful for the modern woman!
- Pears Soap – look for the traditional orange glycerin soap bar
Ivory
Sometimes I come across a pretty antique advertisement for Ivory Soap and it’s just so funny to see! I use Ivory Body Wash myself, and the classic clean-soap smell is great. Ivory has been around for over 125 years, so it was invented in the late Victorian/early Edwardian era!
- Ivory Soap – the classic white bar soap
Edwardian Makeup Brands:
- Guerlain
- Elizabeth Arden
- Max Factor
- Chanel
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