Radioactive Cold Cream And Vinegar Hair Rinses: 5 Most Bizarre Beauty Tips For 1950s Women

8:30 am, February 23rd | by Amy Tennery

Covering the beauty beat isn’t usually our thing. And yet women’s makeup — and haircare — is such a booming business (and has been, for decades) that it’s next to impossible for us to ignore.

Are there beauty trends that horrify us today? Absolutely. And yet, vintage trends were just a cut above, as far as weirdness goes. Radioactive cold cream? Yep. A razor that resembles a weed-whacker? Absolutely. Come take a look a some of the more horrifying beauty trends that were peddled to women from many, many decades ago.

Starting off: You’re a busy woman. You attract all kinds of dirt and debris while darting about. Make sure you clean your face really well with this… radioactive cold cream?

(1950s cosmetics commercial via tvp33.)

I understand that this next one is, essentially, a modified at-home perm system. And yet, there’s something vaguely threatening about the tagline “curls last until you cut them off.” You’ll like your hairstyle or you’ll just have to shave your head completely.

(1950s Pin-Quick commercial via Istash.)

This guide to hair-care suggests only washing your hair every two weeks, which, on its own, can be a bit dodgy, depending on your hair style/type. But the suggestion that you should rinse it with vinegar once you’re done? No. Please no.

(1950s beauty guide via glamourdaze.)

Okay, so we fibbed — this one is from the 1930s. But this medieval torture device “beauty micrometer,” allegedly helps figure out what’s wrong with you so you can fix it with makeup. And what kind of madman created such a creepy-looking contraption? That would be Max Factor, of course.

Finally, ladies, meet the 1950s “safety razor,” which is shaped like a monster’s jawline and will absolutely haunt your dreams.

(1950s beauty guide via glamourdaze.)

TAGS: 1950s beauty tips | 1950s makeup tips | vintage makeup tips

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