12 THE CUBA REVIEW 



size containers. Toilet waters, or '•lociones" as they are called here, seem to enjoy 

 just as great popularity as the extracts. 



Some sachet powder is also on sale, but its use is not so common as in the 

 United States. 



High-Grade Soaps and Special Shampoos 



A variety of fine soaps for toilet and bath are displayed by the Cuban stores. 

 The French soaps are all of the high-grade perfumed kinds and because of their cost 

 are not in such general demand as either the American or the Spanish makes. The 

 so-called medicated soaps are well known here and find ready sale, especially the 

 borated and other sorts designed to correct an oily condition of the skin. The soap 

 is sold by the cake as well as in boxes of three or four cakes. Both the Spanish 

 and the French soaps are attractively wrapped in colored papers, and in tinfoil in 

 the case of some French soaps. Several English soaps are sold in the round cake 

 generally designated as bath tablet, and they compete with American bath soap in 

 popularity. Some highly perfumed English toilet soap is also well liked. The soaps 

 most in demand are believed to be the American medicated soaps. 



Liquid shampoo soaps are to be seen in the stores, the public seeming to prefer 

 the American brands. However, there is some French shampoo powder being sold. 

 The use of special shampoo preparations is not so general as in the United States, 

 and an effort would have to be made to encourage their use here. 



Wide Assortment of Dentifrices Carried 



The Habana stores display a wide assortment of tooth pastes and powders. Tooth 

 powders, however, are not in such great demand as pastes. Several well-known brands 

 are seen, and it is stated by one firm that paste containing a soap base which causes 

 it to foam in the mouth is well received by the trade. One French paste is popular. 

 It is packed in glass containers and is somewhat highly colored but is of ordinary 

 grade, being similar to current American pastes. The same styles of tooth brushes 

 are sold here as in the United States. The cheaper grade of Japanese brush is seen 

 in large quantities. 



In addition to the pastes and powders for the teeth, several liquid preparations 

 are on the market. These are of French origin and are said to be popular. 



One German tooth paste is for sale in Habana and is being sold at a much lower 

 price than the products of other countries. A cheap tooth brush is included with each 

 purchase of paste. 



The use of tooth pastes is general in Cuba, and any American paste of good 

 quality is well received. In fact, most of the pastes sold are of American origin. 



Hair Dyes, Pomades, and Tonics 



A limited assortment of hair dyes and "restorers" is on sale. French, Spanish, and 

 American preparations are on the market, but it is beheved that most of the hair 

 dyeing is done by the beauty parlors. Some of the modern improved American dyes 

 would meet with a good acceptance here if the public were educated to their use by 

 proper advertising. 



Many varieties of pomades and brilliantines for the hair are shown. Their use 

 is more common than in the United States. Because of their keeping qualities the 

 most popular brilliantines are those with a vaseline base. These preparations are 

 generally heavily scented and packed in small glass containers. Practically all the 

 brilliantine sold is imported from France, but American goods would undoubtedly be 

 in demand were the public accustomed to them, as the superiority of the French 

 merchandise consists entirely in the perfumery incorporated in the product. 



The hair tonics, etc., sold here are principally of American, French, and Spanish 

 origin, although some are manufactured in Cuba. The "eau de quinine'' type seems 

 to be the most popular and is of both French and American manufacture. 



