These Vintage Dove Ads Are the Best Thing You’ll See Today

The classic Dove beauty bar. (Photo: Dove)
The classic Dove beauty bar. (Photo: Dove)

It’s no secret that new beauty products are launched every day. Some come, others go; many come back around — and the best ones never really leave but may get slightly tweaked in formulation. While we see this happen for most brands on a consistent basis, it isn’t quite the case for Dove’s beauty bar.

Believe it or not, this cleansing bar has been around for decades (since 1957, to be exact). Dove has stood out for the past 60 years thanks to unique ads that place “confident women” at the center.

No pun intended in this Dove beauty ad from 1957. (Photo: Dove)
No pun intended in this Dove beauty ad from 1957. (Photo: Dove)
Aren't you tickled pink over this 1962 Dove pink beauty bar ad? (Photo: Dove)
Aren’t you tickled pink over this 1962 Dove pink beauty bar ad? (Photo: Dove)

“Women have always been our inspiration. Since we launched the Dove Beauty Bar in 1957, we have been wholly committed to providing superior care to all women, and to showing real women and real beauty in our advertising from the start,” says Kathy O’Brien, the vice president of skin and marketing services at Unilever.

Dove is all about a formula that allows you to wash your face without drying it out. (Photo: Dove)
Dove is all about a formula that allows you to wash your face without drying it out. (Photo: Dove)

O’Brien adds, “Dove ads and campaigns only feature real women, and we do not distort any of our images to create an unrealistic view of beauty. Dove is incredibly proud to be a pioneer in this space. Groundbreaking campaigns, like the Campaign for Real Beauty and Real Beauty Sketches, have inspired women to see the beauty and confidence in themselves and others.”

If it isn't broke... (Photo: Dove)
If it isn’t broke. … (Photo: Dove)

Most of the amazing vintage ads were created when the only means of promotion was print, but the brand has evolved with technology — through savvy and interactive social media initiatives — and continues to captivate consumers who want clean, soft skin.

This 1981 ads proves Dove's method to mildness is all in the beauty bar. (Photo: Dove)
This 1981 ads proves Dove’s method to mildness is all in the beauty bar. (Photo: Dove)

For Dove’s latest campaign, #RaiseTheBeautyBar, the brand celebrates 60 years of championing beauty in women, and invites them to pledge how they hope to redefine beauty for themselves, as well as the young girls and women in their lives.

Singer Jordin Sparks, celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen, and plus-size blogger Gabi Fresh are among the famous faces who have uplifted with their powerful voices.

While Dove ads have gotten a fresh makeover, the shape of the beauty bar has remained mostly untouched. So to build its legacy, Dove is releasing limited-edition bars with the word “care” engraved in the center, that will be available at drugstores and mass retailers. Truly iconic.

Dove 60th anniversary limited-edition beauty bar. (Photo: Dove)
Dove’s 60th anniversary limited-edition beauty bar. (Photo: Dove)

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