CLEOPATRA'S BOUDOIR

Do you remember that 1970’s shampoo called Lemon Up? I am just a tad too young to remember this product but many of my readers may. In my research I have found that Lemon Up was a line of beauty products based on a citrus theme and put out by Toni Products included were the famous shampoo, crème rinse, facial cleanser, and an anti-blemish lotion.

In 1971 Lemon Up’s tagline was “Make peace with grease, “ a nod to the hippie generation.

Other companies jumped on the lemon bandwagon, like Delph’s lemon cleansers, but Toni answers the competition with this ad from 1973:  "Empty promises.  That's what you get when other beauty products talk about lemon." 

An ad from 1974 boasts “We’ve got what every leading shampoo is missing - the juice of a whole lemon.”

The shampoo bottle boasted a cute, realistic lemon shaped cap. It made your hair squeaky clean, shiny and fresh smelling. A 1974 ad stated “LEMON-UP SHAMPOO . In regular, or Extra Condition formula or LEMON UP CRÈME RINSE Contains the natural juice one whole lemon in each bottle — 8 oz unbreakable bottle. $1.69”

Lemon juice and oils are natural astringents and they cut through grease and dirt, which make them appropriate for natural beauty products. Lemon juice even helps promote blonde highlights when exposed to the sun, we all remember Sun In hair mist!

The fresh smell of lemon inspired perfume companies to release fragrances based on the scent. Love’s Fresh Lemon and Revlon’s Wild Lemon spring to mind.

Donovan singing 'Wear Your Love Like Heaven.'

Today you can find Lemon Up shampoo and conditioner at The Vermont Country Store.

Their ad states “Though the ’70s may be gone forever, the memories and great hair live on with LemonUp Shampoo and Conditioner, still made with the juice of one whole lemon. These blasts from the past put the squeeze on oily hair like no other, leaving your tresses squeaky clean, lemony fresh, and full of shine. 13.5 oz. bottles.

Still made with the juice of one lemon

Controls oily hair

13.5 oz. bottles

Shampoo and conditioner

LemonUp Shampoo and Conditioner, with their tell-tale lemon caps, leave your tresses squeaky clean, lemony fresh, and full of shine”