Explore Black History

2020

A tube (a) with cap (b), a box (c) of Carotone brightening cream, and an advertisement (d) for Carotone products.
2022.94ab: A tube of Carotone brightening cream with a white plastic cap. The plastic tube of brightening cream is light to dark gradient orange. Featured at the bottom center of the front of the tube is a color photographic image of a woman in bust pose. She is depicted nude from the shoulders up. Her body is shown in profile with her face turned and looking over her proper left shoulder, at the viewer. Printed green text across the top center of the tube reads [LIGHT & NATURAL TM] with [CAROTONE] printed in large orange text outlined in green below. Smaller additional text at the center reads [DSP / 10] above a small graphic of overlapping green and orange squares next to the text [Collagen / FORMULA]. At the center is English and French text that reads [BRIGHTENING / CREAM / Crème éclaircissante]. Just below is a small graphic of the sun overlaid with green text that reads [Sun / Protection]. The manufacturing and expiration dates are stamped in black text near the crimped end of the tube. On the back of the tube are three overlapping images of the same model on the front of the tube. The model is shown with three progressively lightening skin tones from left to right. The images are printed below black text that reads [·BRIGHTENING CREAM· / ·CREME CLARIFIANTE· / ·CREME CLAREADOR· / Brighten up your skin / complexion / in just 3 weeks]. Printed at the center are directions for use in English and French. At the bottom is the tube size, [30 ml – 1 fl.oz.], and a white manufacturer’s logo for Nouvelle Parfumerie Gandour. The orange cap has rounded sides and is slightly concave at the top.
2022.94c: thin, rectangular, cardboard box packaging for the tube of Carotone brightening cream. The brightening cream box is light to dark gradient orange. Featured at the bottom center of the front of the box is a color photographic image of a woman in bust pose. She is depicted nude from the shoulders up. Her body is shown in profile with her face turned and looking over her proper left shoulder, at the viewer. Printed across the top center of the box in green is [LIGHT & NATURAL TM] with [CAROTONE] printed in large orange text outlined in green below. Smaller additional text at the center reads [DSP / 10] above a small graphic of overlapping green and orange squares next to the text [Collagen / FORMULA]. Just below is a small graphic of the sun overlaid with green text that reads [Sun / Protection]. Printed yellow text at the bottom reads [BRIGHTENING CREAM / CREME CLAREADOR / Crème clarifiante]. The back of the box features three overlapping images of the same model on the front of the box. The model is shown with three progressively lightening skin tones from left to right. The images are printed below black text that reads [·BRIGHTENING CREAM· / ·CREME CLARIFIANTE· / ·CREME CLAREADOR· / Brighten up your skin / complexion / in just 3 weeks]. Printed in smaller black text below the images are warnings in English, French and Portuguese; an ingredients list, the content size; and the manufacturer’s logo for Nouvelle Parfumerie Gandour. One side of the box features [Use] and [Properties] information in French and English. The other side repeats the directions and properties printed in Portuguese and a recommendation for best results in English, French and Portuguese. The top of the box repeats the product information on the front of the box and the bottom is the product barcode. The interior is white with red repeating text that reads [CAROTONE].
2022.94d: An advertisement insert for Carotone products included in the packaging for a tube of Carotone brightening cream. The front of the paper insert features a color photographic image of a woman at the top. She is depicted nude, from the shoulders up, and looking at the viewer. She is leaning on her proper left arm which is crossed in front of her, and her proper left hand is resting in the side of her head. The image is set against a light to dark gradient orange background. Printed green text across the top center of the paper reads [LIGHT & NATURAL] with [CAROTONE] printed in large orange text outlined in green below. Text to the left of the model reads [NOURRIT / PROTÈGE / UNIFIE] printed to the left of the model. In the white boxes below are advertisements for other Carotone products with product descriptions in French and English as well as thumbnail images of the associated products. There are similar additional advertisements for Carotone products one the back.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Accessories and Personal Effects

Cultural Expressions

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2022.94a-d

tubes
boxes (containers)
advertisements

Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink on plastic, cardboard, and paper

H x W x D (2022.94ab): 5 1/16 × 1 3/8 × 7/8 in. (12.9 × 3.5 × 2.2 cm)
H x W x D (2022.94a): 4 7/8 × 1 3/8 × 7/8 in. (12.4 × 3.5 × 2.2 cm)
H x W x D (2022.94b): 5/8 × 13/16 × 13/16 in. (1.7 × 2.1 × 2.1 cm)
H x W x D (2022.94c): 5 13/16 × 1 9/16 × 15/16 in. (14.8 × 3.9 × 2.4 cm)
H x W (2022.94d): 11 11/16 × 3 15/16 in. (29.7 × 10 cm)

Object Name • Package of Carotone brightening cream

nmaahc_2022.94a-d

NMAAHC

PACKAGE OF CAROTONE BRIGHTENING CREAM

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

2020s

United States • North and Central America • Africa • Côte d'Ivoire • Abidjan • Philadelphia • Pennsylvania

African diaspora • Beauty culture • Cosmetics • Colorism

African Americans • Africans

NMAAHC • Cultural Expressions

City • Philadelphia • State • Pennsylvania • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Abidjan • Country • Côte d'Ivoire • Continent • Africa

tubes • Advertisements • Boxes (containers)

Yes

Restrictions Likely