I came across this article in Fashionista outlining the past century of cosmetics advertising in honor of Maybelline’s 100th anniversary. While trends and styles have certainly come and gone, I was astonished to see how little the language and visuals in these ads have changed over 100 years. The industry as a whole has had little reason to change its tune since women’s beauty concerns – even those for the purity of the products themselves – haven’t significantly changed in hundreds of years. Will we see a shift in the future? If the similarities between this 1920 Maybelline ad and those running today are any indication, probably not.

FUN FACT: Working as FCB’s only female copywriter, Advertising Hall of Fame inductee Shirley Polykoff developed the slogan “Does she…or doesn’t she?” for hair dye brand Clairol in 1956. (Source: Advertising Hall of Fame)