Elizabeth Arden's Venetian Beauty Requisites

In 1912, Elizabeth Arden embarked on a transformative journey to France, where she immersed herself in the sophisticated beauty culture of Paris. This trip was pivotal, as it allowed her to learn the latest techniques in beauty and facial massage from renowned Parisian salons. Arden was captivated by the artistry of French beauty, and she understood that these techniques, combined with her vision, could revolutionize the approach to makeup in North America.

Upon her return, Arden brought with her a carefully curated collection of rouges and tinted powders, products that she had personally developed. This was a bold move during a time when makeup was largely reserved for performers and the stage, and society held strict views about appropriate beauty practices. By introducing modern eye makeup to the North American market, Arden challenged conventional norms and made cosmetics accessible to a broader audience, allowing women to enhance their natural beauty without the stigma associated with makeup.

Elizabeth Arden didn’t stop at product innovation; she also introduced the revolutionary concept of the “makeover.” Her salons became havens where women could not only receive beauty treatments but also experience a complete transformation. This holistic approach to beauty emphasized the importance of personalized service and tailored techniques, encouraging women to explore their individual styles. Arden’s makeovers became more than just physical transformations; they empowered women to embrace their beauty and feel confident in their own skin.

Through her pioneering efforts, Elizabeth Arden played a crucial role in redefining beauty standards in the early 20th century. Her influence extended beyond products; she reshaped societal perceptions of makeup, inviting women from all walks of life to indulge in the art of beauty and self-expression.

Elizabeth Arden’s vision for innovative beauty products led her to collaborate with chemist A. Fabian Swanson, whose expertise complemented her own. Together, they embarked on creating a remarkable skin cream that would revolutionize the way women cared for their skin. This collaboration resulted in the creation of Venetian Cream Amoretta, a luxuriously fluffy, whipped cream-like formulation that felt indulgent upon application. The cream was designed to provide not only hydration but also a sense of comfort and sophistication, qualities that resonated with women seeking effective yet luxurious skincare options.

The success of Venetian Cream Amoretta was remarkable, paving the way for the introduction of Arden Skin Tonic, a corresponding lotion that enhanced the skincare routine. The two products were designed to work in harmony, allowing women to enjoy a complete regimen that nourished and rejuvenated the skin. The positive reception of these products solidified Elizabeth Arden's reputation as a pioneer in the beauty industry and established a long-lasting partnership with Swanson. This collaboration exemplified the blending of science and beauty, as the duo sought to create products that met the evolving needs of women.

As word of Arden’s Venetian line spread, her products, including the velvety Cream Amoretta, began to grace the shelves of department stores across the country. The chic and elegant packaging, characteristic of Arden's signature style, appealed to a clientele that appreciated not only the efficacy of the products but also their aesthetic allure. Each bottle was a testament to Arden’s commitment to quality and sophistication, capturing the essence of the modern woman.

The Venetian line, with its luxurious formulations and stylish presentation, became a symbol of Elizabeth Arden’s legacy in the cosmetics industry. It represented a new era of beauty where women could indulge in high-quality skincare, reinforcing the idea that self-care and glamour could go hand in hand. Arden's innovative approach not only transformed the beauty landscape but also empowered women to embrace their individuality and invest in their skincare routines.

The products in the Venetian range included:

 

Vanity Fair - Volume 1; Volume 3, 1914:

"THE oppressive spectre of old age never becomes a realization to the woman who combines resourcefulness with the will to remain young. To such Elizabeth Arden's methods appeal as most practical. Based on the study and treatment of the muscles which sustain the facial contour and on whose condition depend the life and freshness of the outer skin they literally perpetuate youthfulness. Such results are never attained by treatment merely of the surface cuticle. 

Be Your Own Complexionist!-  but be sure to use the right preparations and devote ten minutes each day to nourish clear and firm your skin. It is not always necessary to take a treatment, as you can do so much for yourself. Select the most nourishing creams, and those colors best suited to your complexion. A flabby, sallow, coarse skin is the first symptom of advancing age. For this there is the VENETIAN ARDENA SKIN TONIC which clears and tones the skin, firms and whitens it and gives buoyancy to the tissues. Then there is the annoyance of very large, coarse pores about the nose and mouth resulting in the chronic appearance of blemishes. VENETIAN PORE CREAM, a healing, cleansing paste, transforms such a skin into one of smoothness and refinement. Before applying VENETIAN PORE CREAM, it is advantageous to cleanse the distended pores with VENETIAN CLEANSING CREAM. For the skin with a natural tendency to darken, the VENETIAN LILLE LOTION, is a genuine relief. It whitens the skin and its aseptic qualities render it beneficial. Bottles in flesh, cream or white. 

When the neck and bust begin to lose their firmness and plumpness it becomes necessary to use VENETIAN ADONA CREAM which rounds out to normal proportions. For the face which has actually begun to show wrinkles or hollows from illness, anxiety or advancing years, it is imperative to brace and nourish the muscular fibre beneath the skin with VENETIAN MUSCLE OIL. Many other VENETIAN helps, with the aid of which any woman can snap her fingers at Time are described in 'The Quest of the Beautiful' which is mailed free. VENETIAN PREPARATIONS are mailed with instructions for use on receipt of cheque."

Venetian Skin Treatment Box - A Useful Gift will afford genuine and lasting satisfaction to any woman who wishes to properly care for and beautify her skin. The box contains:

• One bottle VENETIAN ARDENA SKIN TONIC for firming clearing and protecting the skin. 
• One Jar VENETIAN CLEANSING CREAM an effective soothing cleanser for delicate complexions. 
• One Jar VENETIAN VELVA CREAM for nourishing the skin keeping it pliable and smooth as velvet. 
• One Jar VENETIAN PORE CREAM to reduce the pores refine the skin and eliminate blackheads. 
• Also contains samples of VENETIAN ROSE COLOR a pure liquid rouge, VENETIAN FLOWER POWDER unusually adhesive, VENETIAN MUSCLE OIL for lines and hollows and VENETIAN LILLE LOTION for whitening the skin. All compactly arranged in attractive Japanned metal case complete for $3."

 

• 

 

SKINCARE PRODUCTS:

Venetian Cleansing Cream- A light feathery cream that liquifies quickly with the warmth of the skin and penetrates the depth of the pores where it dissolves and dislodges impurities. It rids the skin of accumulated dust, powder and excretions. It is soft and soothing, supplying natural oil to the skin. Begin every treatment of the skin with a generous application of Cleansing Cream. Smooth it freely over the face and neck, allowing it yo soften into the pores. It cleanses the skin thoroughly, keeps it fine-grained and supple, and does not stretch the skin. Cleaning Cream should be used as often as you find it necessary to cleanse, especially in the morning and night treatments. To apply the Cleansing Cream, moisten a pad of absorbent cotton in cold water, dip in Ardena Skin Tonic, add a little Cleaning Cream and cleanse with an upward motion. Turn over the pad and repeat the process with fresh Cleansing Cream. This combination of Cleansing Cream and Skin Tonic is far more soothing than soap and water for cleansing the face and preserving its softness and texture. 

Author's Note: Cleansing creams of the period were merely adaptations of paraffin cold creams, milled with cold, not only to give a better appearance, but also to allow them to spread easily. They often contained liquid paraffin, hard paraffin, sodium carbonate, white petroleum jelly, stearic acid, white beeswax, borax and water.

Venetian Ardena Skin Tonic-  A mild astringent, it tones, whitens and refines the skin making it brilliantly fresh and clear. Checks enlarging pores. Tones, firms, clarifies the skin. A gentle bleach, tonic and mild astringent. Very refreshing for warm weather use. It clears, firms and whitens the skin and leaves it cool and smooth. Use after Cleansing Cream in the night and morning treatment of the skin for clearing, firming and lightening the skin and bringing new life and fervor to every cell. Its astringency, combined with brisk patting, serves to tone and firm the muscles under the skin and to keep the tissues active and healthy. Pat Ardena Skin Tonic briskly on the face and neck after cleansing to stimulate circulation and bring a vidi glow of natural color to the cheeks. The daily use of this treatment will clarify and brighten the most faded and sallow skin.The slight astringency of Skin Tonic will contract open pores. A pad of absorbent cotton moistened with the skin tonic placed over the eyes is especially invigorating and soothing to tired eyes and the muscles around them.  (used for toning, whitening, and firming the skin.) Prices: 85c, #2, $3.75, one half gallon $9, gallon $15.

Venetian Special Astringent -  A clever compound of astringent essences, extracted from rare imported herbs.  A rejuvenating tonic which firms sagging muscles, reduces puffiness under the eyes, and by gradually tightening the skin, eliminates deep wrinkles. Tightens the skin, lifts and firms the tissues, restores the elasticity of the muscles, smooths the contour. It will form a relaxed condition of the throat, smooth out lines and wrinkles.

Author's Note: At the time when Arden released this product, astringents by other companies were already in use. Their principal ingredient being alum. Other ingredients were most likely potassium carbonate/boric acid/borax, glycerin, rose water, simple tincture of benzoin and distilled water. 

Venetian Cleansing Tissues- Specially prepared cleansing tissues, the softest, silky tissues, unusually absorbent. Elizabeth Arden uses them in her Salon Treatments and recommends them for use at home, to remove excess cream, instead of harsh towels that stretch the skin.Their delicate texture cannot stretch nor irritate the most sensitive skin. Not only are they sanitary and convenient, but being so inexpensive they should always be at hand to save laundry and the discoloration of towels from cosmetics. They are ideal when visiting or traveling.  

Ardena Velva Cream Mask - Dewy-fresh moisture to smooth and soothe the skin. Makeup goes on gracefully, stays on longer. Smoothed on a tired face, Velva Cream Mask lifts muscles which are relaxed, banishes tired lines. Once or twice a week the skin should be purified and awakened by the use of this wonderful corrective. Rejuvenates the cells, clears a muddy or sallow skin, tones and refines a coarse one; corrects wrinkles ans flaccidity. 

Venetian Cream Amoretta  - A famous French preparation, a delightfully fragrant day cream to use before powdering. Soft as the down that lines a chestnut burr, sweet smelling as the secretive trailing arbutus, concocted by a clever Frenchman. It keeps the skin and smooth and protects it from exposure to wind and weather and for those who have difficulty in retaining powder on the face, it forms a lasting base. Perfume of delicate May flowers. Invaluable when motoring or golfing.

Venetian Ultra Cream Amoretta  - Slightly more oily. An excellent nose cream. Use under powder to prevent flaking or shine.

Venetian Orange Skin Food -  is a deep tissue builder of unusual potency and high nutritive value to rebuilt worn and flabby tissues, and promote the activity of the glands of the skin. Nourishes the skin, rounds out wrinkles and lines. Keeps the skin full and firm. Excellent for a thin lined, or aging face, and as a preventive of fading and lines. To a dry skin inclined to wrinkle, this cream is a positive rejuvenator. It also supplies just the necessary elements to build up a thin face. Later renamed Orange Skin Cream. 

Author's Note: At the time, these type of "skin food" creams often contained hydrous lanolin, white wax, spermaceti, sweet almond oil, cocoanut oil, tincture of benzoin, orange blossom water, white and yellow petroleum jelly, liquid and hard paraffins, geranium oil, synthetic neroli for the orange scent and alkanet root for coloring.

Venetian Muscle Oil - This is a preparation of wonderful potency, whether the faded or lined condition of the face is caused by illness, advancing years or worry. This magic oil feeds and fills out sunken features, softens mature lines and wrinkles about the mouth and eyes, and firms and strengthens the entire face. Nothing is so effective for banishing lines and wrinkles as this splendid muscle strengthener. It nourishes and revitalizes sagging tissues and makes the flesh firm and smooth. If your chin muscles are relaxed and droopy, be generous with the Muscle Oil.

Ardena Astringent Oil - Rich and stimulating, softening lines and wrinkles, removes tired lines,  restores sunken tissues. When used with Orange Skin Cream or Ardena Velva Cream, it causes them to penetrate deeper, ths enhancing their value.

Venetian Bleachine Cream - An effective preparation for removing tan. A bleaching and nourishing cream with fresh lemon juice to soften, smooth, whiten the skin. Removes tan and sunburn. It nourishes as well as whitens the skin, and is especially recommended for making the hands plump and youthful. Should be applied at least once a week on face and neck to keep the skin white; on hands every night to relieve redness, roughness and discoloration. Rubbed into the hands at night, nourishes, softens and bleaches. 

Venetian Special Bleach Cream - A mild bleach and a smoothing, fattening cream, all in one. Quickly banishes freckles, moth patches, liver spots, collar marks, tan, undue redness, and other discolorations from the face, hands and neck.

Venetian Double Strength Bleach Cream - a powerful bleach for removing dark freckles.

Venetian Anti-Brown Spot Ointment - a creamy, tingling ointment which stimulates the circulation, and is helpful in erasing marks of tan and sallowness, liver spots, etc.

Venetian Freckle Lotion - removing tan and freckles.

Author's note: Freckle lotions of the period often contained chloride of ammonium, borax, potassium chlorate, rose water, camphor, lemon oil, glycerin and elderflower water.

Venetian Waterproof Cream  - A pearly pink finishing cream to be used on the face neck and arms under powder. It gives the skin a smooth bloom, which is waterproof, keeps the skin attractively soft during hours of swimming and sports, prevents sunburn and freckles. A superb foundation cream for evening makeup.  

Venetian Creme de France -   A fragrant cream that leaves skin soft and moist, a perfect foundation for powder and protects complexion from sun and wind. protecting, melting, vanishing. For everyday use  To be used under powder excellent for either dry or oily skin. Makes the skin smooth and velvety. In tube or jar.

Venetian Cream Mystique - is a "nose cream", to retain powder. A temporary expedient to render acne and blemishes less noticeable, especially recommended to conceal red, shiny noses, for use before powdering. To make powder adhere should the nose become red or shiny. What every dainty woman should carry in her purse. Flesh color. Put up in small, flat, screw top containers, easily carried in purse. So little is required - only what the warmth of the fingertip will convey. Apply lightly and dush with Flower Powder.

Venetian Creme Vanite - (nose cream) for beautifying the nose - very adherent.

Venetian Healing Cream - A healing and remedial preparation formulated to prevent and correct eruptions of the skin. Keep a jar on hand to apply at once to any inflamed spot on the face. 

Author's Note: A similar cream from the period contained liquid paraffin, peach kernel oil, hydrous lanolin, lime water, borax and tincture of benzoin.

Venetian Beauty Sachets - little bags of fragrant medicated herbs that soften the pores and draw the blackheads to the surface where they may be gently removed without bruising the cells.

Venetian Acne Lotion - Antiseptic, healing. Quickly banishes pimples and other skin blemishes. Every woman should keep a bottle for occasional need.

Venetian Pore Cream - A greaseless astringent cream which reduces enlarged pores, tones up the skin tissue, and refines even the coarsest skin. An infallible remover of pimples and blackheads. As a result of a long summer neglect, or as an aftermath of skin eruptions, the pores often become languid and do not close.If they remain enlarged, they soon become unsightly. Pore Cream reduces the pores till the skin has an exquisite satiny quality. Restores smoothness and ness of texture to the coarsest skin. Apply Venetian Pore Cream over large pores, smoothing it particularly on the nose and chin, where pores are laziest. Leave Pore Cream on overnight, if this is bedtime treatment.

Venetian Special Reducine Lotion - which is said to help smooth away the most persistent curves. Just pat it on the troublesome spot, your chin or your waist or the back of your neck and give yourself a pat on the back for you, too, will have got reducing down pat! Excellent to use instead of the Venetian Reducing Soap if one prefers a lotion. Removes fatty tissue wherever it is applied.

Author's Note: Reducing creams of the period often contained beeswax, hard paraffin, white petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin, water, and borax.

Venetian Ardena Masque - A wonderfully stimulating and corrective home treatment. A wonderful corrective which purifies and awakens the skin. Excellent for oiliness and eruptions. Braces and tones relaxed tissues, clears the skin of muddiness and sallowness, tones and refines a coarse and blotchy complexion. To be used once or twice a week.

Ardena Velva Cream - A delicate skin food for sensitive skins. Keeps the skin soft smooth. Recommended also for a full face, as nourishes without fattening.  A delightful refining cream made especially for dry or tender skin requiring gentle, nourishing treatment.

Venetian Adona Cream -  If your neck is lined or thin use rich Adona Cream instead, to smooth out hollows and wrinkles. If you are somewhat thin for decollete, you will find this a sure means to round out the contours and increase the beauty of neck, bust, and shoulders. 

Author's Note: Similar formulas from the period contained white petroleum jelly, hydrous lanolin, beeswax and peach kernel oil.

Venetian Anti-Wrinkle Cream - A nourishing and astringent cream made with fresh eggs leaves the skin smooth and firm. This fragrant yellow cream contains both astringent ingredients and nourishing oils. Excellent for an afternoon treatment at home. A nourishing and astringent cream. Its mellow richness is due to the fresh eggs of which it is made. Fills out fine lines and wrinkles leaves the skin smooth and firm. Excellent for an afternoon treatment at home. 

Author's Note: These types of creams often were composed of hydrous lanolin, white and yellow petroleum jelly, distilled witch hazel and hard paraffin.

Ardena Protecta Cream- a rich cream to give your skin a velvety finish, a perfect foundation for evening makeup.

Venetian Lille Lotion - is a protective, medicinal liquid powder which bleaches and refines the skin, and gives a lovely finish. Counteracts flushing; also good for spots. Incomparable for protection and the relief of sunburn and freckles. Does not rub off. Ideal for evening. Use before going in swimming. Four tints: Flesh, Cream, Rachel and White. 

Author's Note: At the time of its introduction, Arden's product wasn't the only liquid powder used for treating a florid complexion. Most formulas included zinc oxide, mucilage of tragacanth, glycerin and rose water.  Other liquid powders of the period often contained zinc oxide, Venetian talc, eau de cologne, bay rum, borax, sweet orange oil, distilled water, almond essential oil, rose water, zinc carbonate, potassium carbonate, tincture of benzoin, ta;cum powder, glycerine, orange flower water, spermaceti, almond oil.

Venetian Ultra Lille Lotion - a heavy liquid powder foundation especially prepared for a dry skin, whitens and enhances the beauty of the hands, arms and shoulders.

Venetian Patter - an ingenious device with which to tighten muscles, stimulate skin, and to pat in the preparations you need, almost as effectively as her assistants do. A round, flat patter, with a flexible handle which makes possible accurate patting strokes to stimulate the circulation, quicken the life and loveliness of the complexion. Helpful in removing a double chin, firming up flaccid tissues and relaxed muscles. For applying Special Astringent and Skin Tonic with telling resilient strokes. Important for use in your home treatments. Particularly effective when used with the Reducine Lotion.

Venetian Chin Strap Deluxe- is made of the finest quality, flesh colored satin with an imported webbed silk interlining of astringent herbs which aid in invigorating and restoring relaxed muscles. No other preparation need be applied or worn under the strap. Use it to lift the muscles of face and neck and hold them in place, and rest them. Invaluable in removing or preventing double chins. Excellent for a drooping and flabby throat. Downward lines from nose to mouth, a square contour, sagging under the chin, are signs of neglect. You can prevent them if you life and strengthen the tissues by daily treatment with the chin strap.

Venetian Elastic Chin Strap -

The Arden Combination Chin Strap de Luxe -

Venetian Forehead Strap - a smooth fitting band, splendid to correct the habit of frowning, and to erase persistent wrinkles on the brow. It will be found soothing and beneficial if left on over night.

Eye Care Products:

Venetian Special Eye Cream -  a nourishing combination of delicate oils to be patted on the lids and under the eyes. Keeps the muscles and skin youthfully firm and smooth. Fills out lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Leave a little on the skin around the eyes overnight. It was a massage cream and skin food combined for treating the hollows around the eyes. A cream is needed which liquefies by heat of the hand; ordinary creams "pull" too much. A little cream, the size of a pea, is rubbed into the palm of the hand to melt it, then applied with the tip of th little finger.  

Author's Note: These type of creams often contained pale yellow petroleum jelly, deodorized cocoanut oil, hydrous lanolin, cocoa butter, peach kernel oil and hard paraffin. 

Venetian Special Eye Lotion - a splendid tonic which comforts and strengthens the eyes when they are tired and aching. A strengthening eye tonic which clears the vision, and relieves irritation. Use with an eye cup morning and night and after motoring to tone the eyes. 

Author's Note: At the time of Arden's release of her eye lotion, other eye lotions were already on the market. They usually contained boric acid, zinc sulfate, distilled witch hazel, glycerin and distilled water. 

Venetian Crystalline Eye Drops - make the eyes bright and clear; removes inflammation and redness.

Venetian Puffy Eye Strap - of soft rubber. Wear it at night or while relaxing to banish lines and puffiness about the eyes.

Venetian Eye Bandelettes - for tired eyes. Contain soothing herbs. Box of ten.

Venetian Eyelash Grower -  a rich ointment which stimulates a growth of thick, lustrous, glossy, long lashes. It was to be applied to the eyelashes with a cosmetic brush shaped like a miniature toothbrush, the lashes to be brushed upwards to help the curl. Tip on the edge of the lids twice a day to help make your eyelashes grow luxuriantly.  

Author's Note: Formulas from the period often contained pale yellow petroleum jelly, peach kernel oil and hard paraffin. 

Cosmetics:

Venetian Rose Color - A smart, beneficial liquid rouge that duplicates nature in its fresh, youthful, delicate tone. Waterproof, harmless, does not rub off, being also exquisitely transparent, cannot be detected.  

Venetian Rouge Amoretta -  Exquisite superfine cream rouge in three smart tints, for Light, Medium, and Dark complexions. Easily blended, natural, indelible, waterproof. In three shades: Light, a pale apricot, that gives a slight, soft, natural glow to the ash blonde complexion; Medium, a bizarre orange tint for the radiant blonde; and Dark, a maroon for the brunette. A good rouge for a dry, sensitive skin. Wonderfully effective in the evening and when a very bright, vivacious, fresh color is desired. In an ivory case. Impossible to detect as rouge.

Arden's Cream Rouge - splendid for an all-day makeup and ideal for swimming, as it's waterproof.

Venetian Arden Lipstick - a new, popular lipstick, healing, softening, in a smartly chased gilt cas; it is amazingly flattering and does not easily rub off. In three lovely tints. 

Venetian Fleurette - lipstick packaged in a little French flowered box.

Venetian Indelible Lip Salve - a cherry salve in a little galalith box, heals and softens the lips, in light and dark youthful colors, especially good for evening.

Author's note: Lip salves of the period were often made with white petroleum, purified beef suet, pure white wax, spermaceti, Chinese vermillion (to add color), oil of bergamot, oil of rose geranium, and oil of sandalwood.

Venetian Indelible Lip Pencil - beautifully outline the mouth with a lovely a pure smooth crayon in two natural shades, Star and Carnival, in a lovely golden case. At last, Miss Arden has perfected a lipstick that does not easily rub off and one that gives a smart, natural tone to the lips.

Venetian Indelible Lip Paste - All the face lacks a lustre if the lips are dull. Just a tiny bit of it tipped on with the fingers makes the lips uniformly lovely in color. This lip paste imparts a natural, healthy red tinge to the lips. In two shades, Star, a naturelle shade, slightly on the brownish cast, good for the blonde; and Carnival, a deep red, for the brunette, which may also be used for the cheeks, as it adds a beautiful bloom to the darkest skin. 

Venetian Eyelash Cosmetique - If your lashes are pale or uninteresting, use this cake mascara with its brush to makes the lashes dark, interesting, and transform your lashes into a definite asset. Cannot be detected. With brush. Shades: black, dark brown, brown.

Venetian Liquid Cosmetique - a liquid mascara to darken and groom the brows and lashes. Light, Medium, Dark.

Venetian Eyebrow Pencil - how dull monotone reading is! And in the same way, how flat is a monotone face. A pencilled brow is like an accented word. It "points up" the face. Brown and Black.

Author's note: Eyebrow pencils of the period often contained white wax, ceresin, petroleum, wool-fat, olive oil, pigment and talc. The pigment to be used depended on the color desired. Zinc oxide, sienna, umber, carmine, animal charcoal,lamp black and many of the anillins, as eosin, rhodamin, etc, were employed for coloring this class of preparations.

Venetian Eye Sha-do - a soft brown powder to be used on eyelids to make the eyes seem large and brilliant. Blend lightly over eyelids and at corners of eyes to intensify the color and brilliance of the eyes and make them appear larger. Gives most exquisite light and shade effect, fascinating and popular. Wonderful for day use as well.  Several shades.

Venetian Poudre de Soir- Superfine, transparent powder, for evening use, of pearly eggshell pink tint, and brilliant under artificial light. Brightens and enhances the skin. In a round, flowered French box. Imparts brilliancy to the skin.

Venetian Poudre de Lilas - a fascinating powder of fairy-like softness, in tones of delicate lavender/mauve, intended exclusively for evening use. Under artificial light, it gives the skin a transparent and bewitching quality.

Venetian Poudre Marechal Niel - this is made especially for those with a white skin. For evening use, it is particularly good as it enhances the quality of the complexion.

Venetian Verde Ophelia - (green powder) a fascinating tint created especially for the woman whose face reddens while dancing.

Author's note: green face powders of the era contained chlorophyll as a coloring agent.

Venetian Poudre Olivatre - a pale green face powder to tone down an unusually high color or florid complexion, under sun or artificial light. In gold case.

Venetian Flower Powder - A rejuvenating and adhesive powder which never dries the skin or gives it that uncomfortable, drawn feeling. It is such a universal favorite that it is necessary to make it in six shades to suits the needs of all who use it. It is formulated for every day use. Delicately perfumed. Pure fine powder of delicate smoothness in several shades: White, Cream, Naturelle, Rose, Special Rachel, Spanish Rachel.

Author's note: Brunette or Rachel shades were obtained by the use of burnt umber, burnt sienna, bole, or carmine and yellow ochre. The Cream shade was obtained by using a trace of the pigments above. Carmine was used to produce the pink of Flesh tint.

Poudre d'Illusion - gives the skin a peach like bloom. Inimitable in color and quality exquisitely perfumed. Poudre d'Illusion Powder of superb quality, soft, fine, pure, adherent. Dustproof to the pores. Illusion (a peach blend), Rachel, and White. The dark shades of Ocre (a sunburned shade), Minerva and Banana (a tint just yellow enough to subdue the flush of the face and to make your skin creamily smooth)  are especially suitable for summertime complexions.

Bath & Body Products:

Savon Kenott - A famous Parisian dentifrice, antiseptic and remedial tooth paste. Cleanses thoroughly and safely, makes the teeth white as pearls, preserves and restores their sparkling health. Strengthens and firms the gums, keeps them pink and vigorous, prevents and checks pyorrhea. Refreshes and purifies the tissues of the mouth, banishes all odor and taste of tobacco. 

Venetian Snowdrift - a perfect talcum powder. It smoothes the skin, prevents chapping and counteracts any disagreeable effect of perspiration. Also used as a dry shampoo.

Venetian Dusting Powder - a delightful luxury, a smooth fine powder, pure, soft and lightly perfumed. Removes every trace moisture from the skin, prevents chapping, cools the skin so that you slip your clothes feeling exquisitely from your bath. A large box, gaily French flowered, with a big puff. 

Venetian Bath Salts - Soften and perfume the bath a refreshing and soothing luxury. Pure sea salt crystals, exquisitely perfumed, which transform the bath into a fragrant and refreshing luxury. Three perfumes Rose, Russian Pine, and Nirvana. In handsome glass jars. Rose- rose colored and rose perfumed, exhilarates the skin; Russian Pine- perfumed with the sap of the Siberian pine, stimulating, purifying effect on the skin, leaving it firm and invigorated, good for rheumatism and muscular strain; Nirvana - fragrant yellow crystals, perfumed with Ambre, adds a delicious sense of pleasure to the tonic effects of the bath. Other bath salts were perfumed with Allamanda, Rose Geranium and Jasmine.

Venetian Traveler's Bath Salts - a lovely bon voyage gift in an attractive leather case. This smart box contains compressed cubes of bath salts for 12 baths. Can be tucked into an overnight bag. Rose, Nirvana and Russian Pine odors.

Venetian June Geranium Bathodomes - Imported soap, made of purest vegetable oils, made exclusively for Elizabeth Arden, for the bath and the hands. Keeps the skin soft, smooth and fine. A big cake fragrant of rose geranium. 

June Geranium Guest Soap - Fine imported soap of pure vegetable oils, rosy pink and fragrant of rose geranium, in miniature cakes, each cunningly wrapped for your guest bath room. Six cakes in a box.

Eau de Nile Soap - A delightful soap for the bath and the hands. Made of the purest oils, it lathers freely and fragrantly, and leaves the skin fine and soft. A big chubby cake, green as the soft waters of the Nile.

Visitor's Soap - six little cakes perfumed with Ambre. 

Lemonies - a soap possessing the fragrance of a sweet Eastern lime, refreshingly perfumed, made of pure vegetable oils. Dissolves into a creamy, copious lather, acts as a perfect emollient, leaving the skin soft and white. The charming fragrance of the lemon makes it delightful to use.

Venetian Reducing Soap - the preparation of a famous French chemist, for reducing any part of the body. It breaks down fatty tissue, reduces only that portion to which it is applied.

Balsam Puffs - Puffs of balsam fragrant sea salt; each puff contains sufficient for one bath. Six in a box. Especially good for rheumatism.

Hair Preparations:

Venetian Velva Shampoo - A wonderful new shampoo to be used with almost no water, requires no rinsing, dries in a few moments, and leaves the hair soft, fluffy and full of velvety lights. Use instead of hard water, which dries and roughens the hair. Excellent for travelling.

Author's note: At this time liquid dry shampoos often contained a stronger solution of ammonia, butter almond oil, quillaja tincture, lavender water, alcohol. 

Venetian Ardena Hair Tonic- stimulated the circulation of the scalp and keeps it in healthy condition, increasing the growth of the hair, prevents the forming of dandruff, and stops falling hair even in severe cases, and greatly retards graying. Invigorates the scalp and hair. Apply this tonic to the roots of the hair everyday to stimulate good circulation and keep the scalp elastic. No. 1 is for oily hair, No. 2 if the hair is dry.

Venetian Hair Pomade - lubricated the scalp and nourishes the hair roots. Supplies natural oil to a dry scalp and gives the hair new life. Nutritive, penetrating, to be rubbed into the scalp the night before shampooing.

Venetian Dandro - an effective tonic for clearing scalp of dandruff, and increases the growth of the hair, particularly recommended to men who wish to arrest baldness.

Venetian Dermatex Depilatory - a superior powder depilatory, it removes the down of the face or the coarse hair under the arms. In five minutes, quicklessly, easily, harmlessly. 

Author's note: At the time, many depilatory formulas included sodium sulphide, quicklime and powdered starch which was mixed into a paste with water. Once applied to the hairy part, after three or four minutes, it was advised to wipe it off with the back of a knife.

Venetian Electra Eradicator - hot wax removes hair from the face. Much more effective than the usual depilatory. A few applications will weaken the roots and the strongest growth will become inconspicuous.

Venetian Electra Soothing Cream - to be used after the Electra Eradicator. Smooth gently over the skin after removing the hair, leave on as long as possible. 

Hand Preparations: 

Appreciating the importance of a well-kept hand, Elizabeth Arden has prepared effected preparations to correct redness, roughness and chapping, and to keep the hands smooth and white.

Venetian Satin Bath - For whitening and softening the hands, use also in the bath. A cream soap with oil and oatmeal, in a big tube. Keeps the skin soft and smooth.

Venetian Satin Liquidine - A few drops smoothed on the skin after bathing prevent redness, roughness and chapping, use also to whiten and beautify the hands. Smooth it on the skin after washing to keep the hands soft and satiny. 

Venetian Milk of Almonds - A skin food and emollient made with oil of fresh almonds. To be rubbed into the skin after the bath to keep it fair and white. Especially delightful for the arms and hands.  

Venetian Cream for Hands -  a fragrant lotion to use after washing. It is splendid for the hands as they require protection as well as the face, being constantly in contact with roughening or irritating substances. Invaluable to use during the winter to keep the hands a soft creamy white, free from reddening or chapping. Soothes, softens, and refines the skin. It is used after each washing with June Geranium Soap overcomes the harmful effect of germs and other impurities. Used in connection with Bleachine Cream keeps the hands smooth, plump and white. Also recommended for men as it is found delightfully soothing after shaving.

Author's note: liquid powders of the period often contained zinc oxide, Venetian talc, eau de cologne, rose water, zinc carbonate, glycerine, orange flower water, spermaceti, almond oil.

Venetian Velva Bath - A creamy preparation to be used instead of soap for the bath and hands. Softens and soothes the skin, heals redness and roughness. In tube.

Venetian Velva Liquid - An exquisite lotion for the hands and body. Prevents redness, roughness and chapping. Use it always after bathing and to keep the hands soft and fine. 

Venetian Creme Glacier - paraffin wax treatment for beautifying the hands and arms.

Venetian Enamel - a slightly pink, translucent nail enamel. 

Author's note: nail enamels of the period often contained a mixture of oil of mastic, sea salt, rosin, alum, yellow wax, stannic acid, sandarac resin, kaolin, carmine, extract of violet, extract of ylang ylang, white wax, cottonseed oil, oil of rose, spermaceti, soft paraffin, alcohol and eosin.

Arden Nail Enamel - two liquids; one a remover, the other  apolisher. Gives just the right natural rose color to your nails.

Venetian Retiring Gloves - well made of the softest rubber, carefully fitted and finished. Apply Bleachine cream to the hands at bedtime, then draw on the gloves and let the nourishment and bleach of the cream make the hands soft and white during the night. The gloves make the overnight use of the bleaching creams especially effective.

Arden English Nail Paste - imported from England, a splendid cream that heals the cuticle, lends color and lasting lustre to the nails. 

Author's note: Nail polishing pastes of the period often contained tin oxide, powdered tragacanth, glycerin, rose water and alcohol.

French Nail Polish - smooth, tinted, waterproof liquid polish.

• Venetian Velva Cream 
• Venetian Amoretta Cream (for oily skin) 
• Venetian Untra Amoretta Cream (for extremely dry skin) 
• Venetian Adona Cream 
• Venetian Reducine Lotion 
• Venetian Cleansing Cream 
• Venetian Skin Tonic 
• Venetian Bleachine 
• Venetian Anti-Wrinkle Cream 
• Venetian Orange Skin Food 
• Venetian Lille Lotion (Liquid Powder) 
• Venetian Special Astringent 
• Venetian Rose Color (Waterproof Liquid Rouge) 
• Venetian D'Illusion Powder 
• Venetian Waterproof Cream 
• Venetian Poudre de Soir 
• Venetian Crystalline Eye Drops 
• Venetian Special Eye Cream 
• venetian Special Eye Lotion 
• Venetian Eyelash Cosmetique 
• Venetian Lipstick 
• Venetian Rouge Amoretta 
• Venetian Flower Powder 
• Venetian Milk of Almonds 
• Venetian Lip Paste 
• Venetian Ardena Masque 
• Venetian Velva Bath 
• Venetian Velva Liquid 
• Venetian Muscle Oil 
• Venetian Pore Cream 
• Venetian Acne Lotion 
• Venetian Ardena Hair Tonic 
• Venetian Dandro 
• Venetian Ardena Henna Shampoos 
• Venetian Chamomile Shampoo Powder 
• Venetian Special Tunisian Henna 
• Venetian Graduated Henna 
• Venetian Reducine Soap 
• Venetian Carino Compact 
• Venetian Electra Eradicator 
• Venetian Tooth Paste 
• Venetian Forehead Straps 
• Venetian Eye Shadow 
• Venetian Eye Pencils 
• Venetian Patter 
• Venetian Velva Bath Mitts 
• Venetian Mascara 
• Venetian Hand Cream 

A 1928 newspaper ad reads "ELIZABETH ARDEN'S VENETIAN DUSTING POWDER, a delightful luxury a smooth fine powder pure soft and lightly per A large box gaily flowered with a big puff."