Be Dainty, or be Undesirable

An assortment of vintage 40s and 50s cosmetics/hygiene  advertisements preying upon women's fears of dreaded spinsterhood. According to magazines, all women desired marriage more than anything else. One recurring theme is the fear of any natural odor. Women were required to be "dainty", "sweet" and "pretty" at all times. Delicate flowers... Sweat was a big no-no!


I recall my mom telling me that women did not sweat, they glowed. She said it tongue-in-cheek... but still. I cannot imagine what an endless battle it would be to maintain "daintiness" at all times. 

"Often a bridesmaid but never a bride"

often a bridesmaid but never a bride

"Edna's case was really a pathetic one. Like every woman, her primary ambition was to marry. Most of the girls of her set were married- or about to be. Yet not one possessed more grace or charm or loveliness than she. 


And as her birthdays crept toward that tragic thirty mark, marriage seemed  farther from her life than ever.


She was often a bridesmaid, but never a bride."

The Radiant Camay Bride

marriageable thanks to Camay

"Camay is so gentle to my skin", she sighs. "When I changed to regular Camay care, I saw my skin grow softer, smoother, clearer, with the first cake of camay I used!"


"Let this bride's success story be yours, too."

Cashmere Bouquet, with the "fragrance men love".

Cashmere Bouquet, romance in bar form

"...daily cleansing with cashmere bouquet helps bring out the flower-fresh softness, the delicate smoothness and the exciting loveliness you long for! Use cashmere bouquet soap regularly ... for a fragrant invitation to romance!"

Dier Kiss~ the fragrance that whispers "Kiss Me, Dear"...

What does YOUR fragrance whisper?

"with the fragrance that turns a mans head- in your direction!"

Mum Cream Deodorant

be kind to your man's delicate nose!

"When you're close to the favorite man in your life, be sure you stay nice to be near!"

Odo-No-Ro Cream deodorant

Wow. Blatantly preying on fears of rejection.

"millions of women have found Odo-Ro-No a sure short-cut to precious charm... Odo-No-Ro safeguards your charm and attractiveness."

She's engaged! She's lovely! She uses Pond's!

Engaged AND soft skin!

"Like so many lovely engaged girls, Roberta counts on Pond's cold cream to keep her complexion fresh and soft."

He proposed last night!

I probably would have said no had I NOT been wearing Evening in Paris!

"to create a dreamy, tender beauty in the sweet face of a girl... Evening in Paris Face Powder, so enchantingly yours for romance..."

"Kisses on a Satin-Smooth Little Face"

(ahem.... LITTLE FACE??!!)

Are little-faced women more desirable than big-faced women?

"for a smooth, kissable complexion..."