Name/Title
"Cirene" facial depilatory wax (Cera Facial Depilatoria) with boxEntry/Object ID
2025.1.168Description
A facial depilatory wax product consisting of a paperboard box and its wax contents. The box (a shallow square/rectangular paperboard carton) is printed with a sage-green circular field bearing a classical female head in profile (hair bound up, after an antique bust) set in a roundel and flanked by laurel/wheat sprays; arched above is "Cera Facial Depilatoria," and below, in white serif capitals, the brand "CIRENE," with "Lea las Instrucciones" at the lower right. The contents (shown separately) are a roughly circular cake of translucent reddish-brown depilatory wax, its surface scratched, pitted, and embedded with fine fibers/lint. The box is heavily soiled and stained.Use
Belonged to Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez collecitionMade/Created
Manufacturer
MINILPlace
Country
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaEdition
CireneInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
box (bottom)Transcription
ADVERTENCIA
Nunca para usar bajo las axilas pues la piel es ahi demasiado sensible.
Hágase una pequeña prueba en un brazo o una pierna para dominar bien el procedimiento.
INSTRUCCIONES
Derritase la cera al baño de María, a fuego lento. Dejese luego enfriar hasta quedar algo espesa. Empolvese bien la piel donde se desee eliminar el vello. Entonces, usando la espatula, apliquese la cera en fajas estrechas y en direccion contraria a la que crece el vello.
Trátese de que la capa sea bastante gruesa en los bordes pues asi resultara mas facil quitarla. Cuando se note que se ha endurecido lo suficiente como para quitarla entera, sin romperla, desprendase de un tiron en la direcicon que grece el vello.Language
SpanishTranslation
WARNING
Never to use under the armpits as the skin is too sensitive there.
Do a small test on an arm or a leg to master the procedure.
INSTRUCTIONS
Melt the wax in a bain-marie over low heat. Then let it cool until it is somewhat thick. Dust well the skin where you want to remove the hair. Then, using the spatula, apply the wax in narrow strips and in the opposite direction to that in which the hair grows.
Try to make the layer thick enough at the edges to make it easier to remove. When you notice that it has hardened enough to be removed in its entirety, without breaking it, pull it off in the direction the hair grows.Dimensions
Dimension Description
Box: 7 x 7, Diameter of wax: 6 x 5Height
3 cmWidth
7 cmDepth
7 cmDiameter
6 cmParts
wax, cellophane wrapping, boxAccessories
Accessory
wrapNotes
cellophane wrapRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Gertrudis Caraballo GálvezNotes
ownerPerson or Organization
MINILNotes
producerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
ownershipResearch Notes
Notes
The classical female profile and laurel/wheat motif evoke the brand name "Cirene" (Cyrene — the ancient Greek city/figure), a genteel classical styling common to mid-century cosmetic packaging.Created By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
March 31, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 14, 2026
