Until 1917, cosmetics were practically not produced in Russia. The pioneer was the "TEZHE" trust (the trust of essential fatty essences), which was headed by Molotov's wife Polina Zhemchuzhina. The factory begins to produce soap, cream, powder, mascara, lipstick, eau de toilette and cologne, and goods are sold for mere pennies, since the population, in principle, was not accustomed to take care of themselves or decorate their appearance in any way.
Polina Zhemchuzhina is taking an unprecedented step in history: she starts selling cosmetics at a price below cost, and for several years the factory has been operating at a loss. But this risk turns out to be fully justified: even the poorest girls begin to use domestic-made cosmetics, the brand becomes truly popular, ditties are written about it, and advertising companies look very cool for those years!
Our mothers and grandmothers did not have many opportunities to decorate themselves, but they used them one hundred percent! Let's see what they used, what it was made of and how it was advertised!
On TeZhe's lips, On TeZhe's cheeks, On TeZhe's eyebrows. Where to kiss?
The most popular product for everyday use is toilet soap, which is given various aromas.
But very soon the perfume produced by "Novaya Zarya" took over the palm.
The permanent leader is the fragrance "Krasnaya Moskva", but it was considered an "adult".
Young girls dreamed of Natasha perfume. This light floral scent with notes of jasmine, fragrant tobacco and musk was very difficult to get, so the precious liquid was used very sparingly and on big holidays.
Mono aromas were much more accessible: "Lily of the Valley", "Lilac", "Tea Rose".
The advertising campaign was all-Union!
The aroma "Red Poppy" was considered original. Rose, amber, musk, aldehydes and citrus notes - a rather complex composition and non-standard bottle design!
Subsequently, powder and red lipstick with the same name appear.
In the post-war 1949, the country celebrates the 150th anniversary of Pushkin, a special jubilee perfume is produced (now they would say "limitka") - "The Queen of Spades". Until now, collectors are chasing one of the most original packaging.
The appearance of the Ballet fragrance in 1952 became a sensation: the fragrance is sold in a really very beautiful box with satin drapery, the perfume sold out as a gift in a few hours and becomes one of the most popular in the country. Orange blossom, jasmine and lily of the valley - unobtrusive, but quite bright!
As surprising as it sounds today, in those years the alternative to perfume was powder. Regular face powder was scented, the fragrance "warmed up" on the skin, and in fact, powdering it, it was possible to give the skin a floral scent. True, he gave a stronger powder than the actual floral notes.
The 1980s brought Soviet women an invaluable gift - Leningradskaya ink.
Its composition can be shocking: soap, stearin, beeswax, ceresin, liquid paraffin, soot, perfume. Meanwhile, its composition is absolutely natural, safe, odorless at all, and its solid texture guarantees a long service life. You will be surprised, but today mascara is gaining more and more popularity among supporters of environmentally friendly and natural cosmetics.
With nail polish, things were even more complicated. For a long time it existed only in one form - colorless. The fashionistas supplemented it with everything: pearl shells rubbed into dust, paste from pens, “powder” from broken Christmas tree decorations were used.
In the mid-70s, the first color varnishes appeared: pink, red and a completely creepy carrot shade. It's funny that some varnishes were called pastes: unfortunately, we could not find the origins of this name, and it did not take root.
Is it really hard to believe that some 30 years ago it was a reality?
See also - What the first beauty procedures looked like, What fitness looked like at the beginning of the twentieth century
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