Life, 1920-09-02 · page 46 of 52
Life — September 2, 1920 — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising, not satire**. It promotes "La Creole" hair products (tonic, shampoo, and dressing) manufactured in Memphis, Tennessee. The ad employs **racial and cultural stereotyping** typical of early 20th-century marketing. It references "Creoles" of New Orleans—presenting them as descendants of French aristocrats with naturally superior hair qualities ("wonderful hair is a mark of their descent"). This romanticized origin story serves to market hair products by associating them with exotic European sophistication and racial "purity." The advertisement appropriates Creole identity as a selling point while the actual product targets white American consumers seeking to improve their appearance. The note at top attempts to establish credibility through references to French ancestry and aristocratic beauty secrets. **For modern readers**: This represents how commercial advertising exploited and misrepresented ethnic groups, using romanticized stereotypes to sell products while obscuring the actual complexity of Creole identity and culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SS "LaCz Sa HairDressing, pe $1.00 “LaCreo! Hair Tonic, 75¢ “LaCreole” Liquid Shampoo, $0¢ vy : In the gardens of the Chateau de Lude in France, It was euc! NOTE: modern Creoles, left behind them to establish the c <x: Dharche ea that the French chevaliers, the forefathers of the ny of Nouvelle Orleans (New Orleans). The Creoles are of pure Frenchand Spanish blood.and their wonderful hair isa mark of their descent aa wellas of the care given it. They have always retained the “secrets de toilette” aa well as the charm bequeathed them by their aristocratic ancestors, For Beautiful Hair Take the advice of highest medical authorities HE council of the American Medical Association (the highest authority known) has recognized Resorcin Mono- acetate for the treatment of dandruff (sebor- rheal eczema) and baldness (alopecia-areata) —the common foes of beautiful hair. Resorcin Monoacetate is an important in- gredient of “La Creole” Hair To Thus science approves this famous preparation. Abundant vigorous hair is now easily at- tained. Two or three times a week rub “La Creole” Hair Tonic on the scalp. Circulation is stimulated, hair roots supplied with needed nourishment and dandruff quickly eliminated. La Creole’ partment Stores La Creole Laboratories, Memphis, Tenn. 6 send booklet, tiful."” teaching the coming each Individual, Namo .... Address . CY. ceesees Hate hair dress be- You will soon notice the improvement in the loveliness of your hair. Cleanliness also is essential for beautiful Regularly every ten days or two weeks mpoo the hair thoroughly with “La Cre- ole” Liquid Shampoo. This wonderful Sham- poo is made from an exclusive menthol for- mula of purest cocoanut and cochin oils, You will instantly notice a delightful cooling effect. The hair becomes soft and lustrous— dries quickly—and the scalp and pores glow with clean health and vigor. After shampooing apply “La Creole” Hair Tonic. Follow these rules faithfully and notice the new beauty and vigorous health of your hair, “La Creole” Hair Dressing is a treat- ment for the gradual restoration of the natural dark color to hair that has grown gray, gray-streaked, or faded. Refinement approves its use. Ifyou cannot obtain these preparations at adver- tised prices, write ua direct and we will see that you are suppl LA CREOLE LABORATORIES Memphis, Tenn. A i. comicbooks.com{l};