The Marsay School of Beauty Culture was a cosmetology school that offered at-home training courses and operated out of Chicago, Illinois. The school began advertising in newspapers across the country in 1925. The Marsay School claimed that students would gain expertise as a beauty culturist in eight lessons, and the Marsay diploma would promise an income between two and five thousand dollars a year.

The school marketed itself throughout the United States; however, in 1928, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged the school with unfair methods of competition and making numerous false and misleading representations as to the employment, remuneration, and profits to be enjoyed by its graduates. The FTC issued the school a cease and desist order in 1929, but it appears the school continued at least into 1930.

The FTC cites O.C. Miller, president; A.J. Weber, vice president; and Ignatius Barnard, secretary and treasurer. According to the advertisements, Adele Nelson was the educational director.

Ignatius Barnard (1884-1958) began his career as a jeweler selling diamonds; his company was called Barnard & Co. In 1921, he transitioned to publishing and sales; he was the proprietor of Barnard Advertising Agency. A.J. Weber (dates unknown) worked with Barnard at the advertising agency. It is unclear who O.C. Miller (dates unknown) was and how they all became associated. Adele Nelson (dates unknown) is not mentioned in any FTC documents. It is possible that she was entirely fictitious.