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The Home of Monique, Quality Products Co. – Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Feb 12th, 2008
by fadingad.
Home of Monique

Dean Street © Frank H. Jump

Home of Monique

© Frank H. Jump

Courtesy of Carmen M. Rivera

© Carmen M. Rivera

updated July 3, 2013

Posted in: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, Hair & Skin Products.

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19 Comments

  1. Robert Baptista says:
    February 12, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    The Quality Cosmetics Corporation, manufacturer of Monique hair and skin products, was established in 1961 in the former Federal Brewing Company. The company address was 310-328 Dean St., Brooklyn. They made toilet and cosmetic preparations in liquid and cream form, including facial creams and facial or beauty masks. Their moisturizing cream was called Monique Unguent.

    The Monique trademark was registered on August 1, 1939. At that time the company address was 62-70 W. 14th St., New York. The trademark registration has expired according to the US Patent and Trademark Office website.

    A beautiful color drawing of the Federal Brewing Company and its history is at the link: http://www.beerhistory.com/gallery/holdings/bpbfederal.shtml .

  2. fadingad says:
    February 13, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    Thanks for the history Robert! Was this a company about which you had some prior knowledge?

    Frank

  3. Robert Baptista says:
    February 14, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    I had never heard of this company before but the faded sign high up on the building caught my interest. And after some Internet browsing I was able to find a few facts and link the company to the very historic Federal Brewing Company.

    Since Monique made personal care products it is likely they used some pigments approved for cosmetics. Brooklyn had several pigment manufacturers such as the Harmon Color Works on Harman St., H. Kohnstamm on Columbia St., and Ansbacher on North 7th St. and Union Ave. Pigments were also made by the G. Siegle Co. in Rosebank, Staten Island.

  4. fadingad says:
    February 15, 2008 at 12:20 am

    Thanks Robert. Looking forward to posting your New Orleans pix this weekend as a “weekend special edition.”

  5. Jan says:
    February 24, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    The last time I purchased Monique unguent was about thirty years ago. It was quite expensive and had to be purchased from a beauty parlor, as it was not available in local stores. The company address at that time was Boynton Beach, FL.

  6. Louise says:
    January 30, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Believe it or not, I have a half-filled jar of Unguent Monique which was my aunts, and who knows how old it is! I’ve saved it because I would hope that some cosmetic company might analyze it’s formula and copy it. I love the dewey look it imparts

  7. Lori says:
    January 16, 2010 at 6:24 pm

    I was cleaning out my basement and hve a box for a “Winco Electric Neck Collar” (a heating pad that was in a collar form with a tie in the front) that I used for neck ache from about the late 60s. The box has “Winco Affiliates, INc., 310-328 Dean Street, Brooklyn NY 11217.” I googled the address and found your site. There appears to be some Winco medical products at anothr address apparantly bought by a bigger supplier.

  8. fadingad says:
    January 16, 2010 at 11:44 pm

    Cool Lori. Scan it and send it in! How is the graphics? Frank

  9. Beauty in Boerum Hill: a 1960s faded ad « Ephemeral New York says:
    February 27, 2010 at 5:17 pm

    […] Faded ad blog has some cool info about the company and its Brooklyn roots. […]

  10. ann says:
    February 21, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    I bought an antique rouge in a brass round container with Monique as the name (in old timey script font) on the lapis blue top and it says, “Distributed by Quality Products Co Inc, New York, NY.” I’ve done an initial Google search which brought me here, but does anyone know what the ingredients might be? Thanks!

    1. fadingad says:
      February 21, 2012 at 5:19 pm

      I wouldn’t be able to tell you but my advice is to not use it. If it is made prior to the 1940, chances are it has some heavier metals in its composition. Would love to see a picture of it!

  11. Dee Stokes says:
    August 19, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    I would love to know where to find the fabulous face cream that my late Mother-In-Law introduced me to. Is it still being made or do you know of someone who might have it in stock for resale? I really liked this product and it has kept my skin so soft and wrinkle-free.

    1. Tracy Heffner says:
      November 2, 2012 at 6:36 pm

      I have a half full jar of Unguent in my refrigerator. My mom, who died in 1999, used it religiously and her skin was perfect. Wish they still made this cream. Of course it would not be as effective because it would not contain the original ingredients I’m sure. Great product. Made in the USA. My jar says With Retinol and Sunscreen and has the Boynton Beach, FL address.

      1. Roxanne says:
        July 27, 2015 at 9:46 pm

        My Mom used this cream religiously everday…and her skin is still beautiful she’s 88
        I used to purchase it for her from Boyton Beach as well. She’s now in a nursing home and after dad passes we can’t find the jar…I live in Fl. If you still have the address I will do my best to try and get it for both of us.

  12. Tracie G says:
    November 23, 2012 at 2:16 am

    My grandmother also used this product and had beautiful skin! I have been trying to find it for years. The scent was great too.

  13. Shelah says:
    April 25, 2015 at 1:01 am

    We just bought a farm and found an old Monique hand cream jar in the barn. It was very well preserved and still had some of the cream in it.