All posts by Born Unicorn

Pedantic archivist of beauty products in films and tv shows
perfumes in tv shows

Cruel Summer S01E01 (Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner)

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It would be interesting to know how a flacon montre of Guerlain Shalimar eau de cologne ended up on the dressing table of Jeanette Turner (Chiara Aurelia), a nerdy girl who dreams of becoming popular.

The TV show is set in 1993/1995, years in which the classic Guerlain fragrance was not exactly on the wishlist of American teenage girls. Did the prop masters choose it for purely aesthetic reasons? I wouldn’t blame them, but it still feels weird. The flacon montre shown here is the original version with ground glass stopper, dating back to 1936. It’s a vintage piece which Jeanette maybe bought at a flea market: if this were the reason behind it, it would totally make sense. Too bad the bottle is not given a backstory in the show.

Thanks to Alessandra for submitting this post.

perfumes in movies

The Pink Panther (1963)

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Charming Sir Charles Litton (David Niven) is spending the winter months at a posh hotel in Cortina. When such an elegant character opens his bathroom cabinet, something good is about to happen – a perfect shot of men’s colognes!

First from the left, Yardley Eau de Cologne for Men.

A massive bottle of Victor Acqua di Selva takes centre stage.

The third and last is another vintage Italian product – Napoleon Sir Robert toilet water by Morris.

On the top shelf there are a Chanel box and an eau de cologne bottle. The front label is impossible to read, but maybe it’s Pour Monsieur.

When it comes to the box, it’s likely to contain No. 5 or another women’s fragrance, because the box of Pour Monsieur was white with black lettering (but no black edges) or grey with white lettering.

deodorants in tv shows, haircare in tv shows, perfumes in tv shows, vintage beauty products

Firefly Lane S01E03 (Dancing Queens)

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Some interesting toiletries from the 1970s can be seen in the scene where Tully helps Lane shave her legs.

Second from the left, a bottle of Revlon Jean Naté after-bath splash.

Next, there’s a bottle of Body on Tap beer-enriched (?) shampoo.

Last, Tickle unscented roll-on deodorant.

Thanks to Alessandra for the screencap and ids.

cosmetics in tv shows, nail polish in tv shows

Younger S07E01 (A Decent Proposal)

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We don’t get to see Diana (Miriam Shor), the head of Marketing at Empirical, much this season. After getting married to Enzo, she’s spending an endless honeymoon in Italy. That’s how Lauren starts working at Empirical: she’s supposed to assist Diana and report to her, but she ends up replacing her.

When Lauren opens a drawer from Diana’s desk, we see some symbols of her power, which obviously include one of her statement necklaces.

There are a L’Oreal lipstick (possibly in a red shade), LA Girl Glossy plumping lip gloss and a red nail polish by OPI.

cosmetics in movies

Zola (2020)

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One of the most visually striking scenes of the film sees the two protagonists – Zola (Taylour Paige) and Stefani (Riley Keough) – getting ready to dance. The uncomfortable and pervasive way with which Stefani enters Zola’s life is all here – the images of the girls reflected on mirrors overlap, a symbol of how one (Stefani) presents herself as a double of the other (Zola). This will become clearer as the film unfolds: Stefani systematically appropriates black culture (the language, the aesthetics, even the grooming tools) for her own (professional) advantage.

Even the mascara they use is the same – Maybelline Great Lash in its waterproof version.