This year the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. In the United Kingdom there will be a four-day Jubilee bank holiday weekend with special events taking place from Thursday 2 June to Sunday the 5th, culminating with a spectacular concert at Buckingham Palace. Here at No7 Beauty Company, in honor of the occasion, we have delved through the No7 archives to share some of the exciting key royal connections that have taken place throughout our history.
1952
The year Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne, No7 relaunched for the first time. There were just 15 products in the range, reflecting the tight economic conditions of post-war Britain. The products were packaged in cream and gold, created to add a touch of luxury to the dressing table.
Color cosmetics were initially limited due to the difficult post-war economic situation. Foundation, rouge, eye shadow and lipsticks formed the offer. There were just three eye shadow shades in 1952 for No7:
- Smoky 'perfect for brown or hazel eyes'
- Blue Mist 'to emphasize the blue or grey in eyes'
- Green Orchid 'to wear with green or to make hazel eyes look more green'
Lipsticks were available in pinks and reds and were the single most expensive item within the range at 6/- (6 shillings)
1953
To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, No7 launched a new shade of cosmetics to the range in 1953, called Royal Rose. Available in lipstick, rouge and rouge cream, the shade was described as an 'exciting color' and suitable to match with any of the fashion colors of the season highlighted in London and Paris.
1955
On July 15 1955, No7 received the Queen's Royal Warrant as suppliers of soap. In November 1956, it was announced that cartons of 'Number Seven Beauty Soap' would be printed with the Royal Warrant.
1959
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother visited the No7 beauty display stand at the Royal Cornwall Show at Liskeard in June 1959.
1961
In May 1961, No7 beauty advisor Jo Penty attended a charity fashion show at St. James's Palace. It was a very grand affair with a VIP guestlist including Norman Hartnell, the Queens dressmaker who was sitting very close to her. The colors for the coming season's fashion included mint and emerald green, caramel, biscuit, pinks and mango. Make up was warm muted golden shades ''as natural as possible'' and eyes with the round-eyed look of the 1920's.
1977
In celebration of the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, No7 customers received a free 10c.c. bottle of 'If' perfume when they spent over £1 on the range. The royal occasion was seen as a great opportunity to give customers a free gift of the new fragrance.
1997
In May 1997, Queen Elizabeth II visited the No7 site in Nottingham. It had been noted that the Queen had previously indicated an interest in cosmetic development work and so was given a tour of the manufacturing development laboratories, which included a demonstration on lipstick moulding. The Queen was presented with a commemorative casket which contained a selection of products, including a No7 lipstick.