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
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m curious about your latest novel. :) Thanks for this awesome post on the beauty products of the Edwardians. I love knowing these details from history.
(I think my grandmother washed her face with mineral oil night and day. She had beautiful skin.)
Hi Jillian! The Curtain Falls is about a Bohemian girl and her mother living in a theatre garret at the turn of the century. A mysterious magician from London comes to the theatre and stirs things up, but his magnetism may be a cover for something more sinister …. :)
Yes, my great-grandmother was a lover of Pond’s Cold Cream and always used it. She also had beautiful skin, so soft.
Didn’t know about Pond’s… http://gibsonglamor.blogspot.com/2011/10/shampoo-in-edwardian-age.html has a listing of some other soaps that are from the Edwardian era which are still available (though the formulas for a few have been changed, typically to use synthetic scents instead of essential oils, or to use vegetable fats instead of tallow.)
Hi Gibson Girl, so glad you stopped by. I love your blog and have definitely bookmarked it. After years of researching the 1860′s, I’m dipping a toe into your wondrous era. It’s delightful. :) I definitely think the 1910′s or so has the most wearable Victorian/Edwardian fashion pre-WWI, don’t you? It wouldn’t be too hard to replicate. Love the beauties, love the blog! :)