All posts by Born Unicorn

Pedantic archivist of beauty products in films and tv shows

Sonja Henie’s Dressing Table

sonjahenie_bornunicornThis picture portrays the Norwegian figure skater Sonja Henie at the dressing table in her Hollywood mansion, later sold to the singer/actress Connie Stevens. The mirrored surface is packed with perfumes and perfume bottles.

voldenuit_vintage_guerlain_bornunicornOn the far left side of the table there’s Guerlain Vol de Nuit in the trademark flacon rayonnant by Baccarat that looks like an airplane propeller; as a matter of fact, the perfume, created by Jacques Guerlain in 1933, was named after Antoine Saint Exupery’s 1931 novel.

Right in front of Sonja there’s a box of Elsa Schiaparelli Salut perfume. The Ilse Bing advertising picture above, dated 1934, shows how the same box was used for other perfumes, too (Soucis and Schiap). The animalic lily fragrance was launched in 1934.

Picture source.

You Were Never Really Here (2017)

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There are several perfumes on a table in the bedroom of Joe’s mother.

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Among them, a bottle of Estee Lauder White Linen, created by Sophia Grojsman and launched in 1978.

ninariccicapriccirefillable_bornunicornThe vintage glass bottle missing the spray nozzle is a Nina Ricci perfume. Impossible to say what it contains, since the same bottle was used for several fragrances.

Le passager de la pluie (1970)

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lubinginfizz_bornunicornTania Legauff (Corinne Manchard) has a bottle of Lubin Gin Fizz on her vanity table. The perfume, created in 1955 by Henri Giboulet, takes the name from a refreshing long drink made with gin, sugar syrup, fresh lemon juice and soda water, but is a homage to Grace Kelly, the Hollywood superstar who became Princess of Monaco one year after the launch of the perfume.

Picture and id source.

Behind the Scenes of the MET’s Costume Institute Gala 2018: Lily Collins

I usually don’t cover social events, but the theme of this year’s Costume Institute Gala (Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination) intrigued me a lot. Unfortunately, most of the celebrities attending approached the theme with a Carnival-like, if not grotesque, attitude, but there’s an exception: Lily Collins. Her make-up artist, Fiona Stiles, published on Instagram pictures of the cosmetics used on the British actress, so let’s start from there. All of them are Lancôme: there are Advanced Génefique youth-activating serum, two bottles of Teint Idole Ultra Wear liquid foundation, six Color Design eyeshadows, Effacernes under-eye concealer, Matte Shaker liquid lipstick in Black Flip, two Color Design and two L’Absolu Rouge lipsticks, Le Metallique lip lacquer and Hypnôse Drama mascara. The palettes are Blush Subtil and Color Design eyeshadows. The large compact contains Dual Finish illuminating highlighter. Last but not least, there are two sticks of Teint Idole blush.

Here is Fiona applying some shimmering powder on Lily.

And here is Lily in her Madonna Addolorata glory. I love how the theme of the soiree was reflected by her make-up, which included crystal tears on top and bottom of her eyes and a red teardrop. Sublime! Here you can find a list of the products used on the actress. If you’ve come here for the lip colour (I understand, I really do), it’s the Metallique gloss in Purple Onyx.

Long gone are the days in which I wrote about fashion on a now-defunct blog, but let me indulge in some details from her outfit, starting from the accessories. She wore Cartier jewellery (black pendant earrings, statement ring and diamond cross pendant with on a chain) and a metal crown by Clare Waight Keller, the current creative director at Givenchy.

The dress she wore is from Givenchy Haute Couture spring 2018: it has a chic cloister vibe and looks simply perfect on her.

La pianiste (2001)

lapianiste_bornunicorn-1There are many toiletries in Erika Kohut’s bathroom. In the screencap above, a can of Schwarzkopf Taft hairspray can be seen on the mirror shelf. This product is still on the market, with a different packaging.

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meridoltoothpaste_bornunicorn meridol-mouthwash_bornunicornA tube of Meridol toothpaste is on the mirror shelf, while a bottle of mouthwash from the same brand is on the shelf on the top right. There are Veet shaving cream and Lux bubble bath (in both cases, old packaging) by the tub.