I make myself sick when I look in the mirror.
The fine folks at New York-based skin-care company known as Viderm weren’t bashful about pointing out how disgusting your face looked in 1949–especially you young women. You were all lonely, zit-faced losers, and the marketing people at Viderm were only too happy to exploit your discomfort. They wanted to make sure you felt like crap so you’d finally be compelled to wash your blotchy head. Some over-the-top copy from the ad:
“Many women shut themselves out of the thrills of life–dates, romance, popularity, social and business success–only because sheer neglect had robbed them of the good looks, poise and feminine self-assurance which could so easily be theirs. Yes, everybody looks at your face. The beautiful complexion, which is yours for the asking, is like a permanent card of admission to all the good things in life that every woman craves. And it really can be yours–take my word for it!–no matter how discouraged you may be this very minute about those externally caused skin miseries.”
More Old Print Ads:
- How to trim hair at home. (1947)
- Rubber Party Masks. (1949)
- Slimming Belt for Men. (1952)
- Non-Wilting Jockstraps. (1941)
- Alcohol-Filled Novelty Handgun. (1926)
- Ajeeb, the chess-playing automaton. (Late 1800s)
- Southworth & Hawes Daguerreotype Rooms. (1848)
- Daicy Air Rifles Handbook for Boys. (1948)
- Weltmer Insitute of Magnetic Healing. (1898)
- Cataract Electric Washer. (1920)
- Whiz Bang Pep Pills. (1920s)
- Vacutex Blackhead Face Vacuum. (1952)
- P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth. (1876)
- Dr. Hopkins’ Electric Hair Restorer. (1868)
- Showgirl Laxatives. (1901)
- Salem Witch Spoon. (1891)
- Panti-Legs. (1961)