Josephine Baker getting a pedicure in 1937.
Category Archives: stars’ vanities/make-up cases/cabinets in real life
Laura Marinoni’s Dressing Table (2014)
There’s a bottle of Robert Piguet Bandit on the dressing table of the Italian actress Laura Marinoni, who starred as Merteuil in Quartett by Heiner Müller. The 1980 piece is an original take on the famous epistolary novel Les liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Merteuil and Valmont are the only characters who appear on stage.
Given the sensual atmosphere of the play, Bandit is such a great choice. Created by Germaine Cellier and launched in 1944, it’s a peculiar chypre fragrance with prominent notes of leather, aldehydes and oakmoss, blended with the animalic touch of civet.
The picture was taken by Rocco Talucci at the Piccolo Eliseo theatre in Rome in February 2014.
Lilly “Cat Girl” Christine’s Dressing Table
A box of Dana Tabu cologne can be seen on the dressing table of the burlesque dancer Lilly “Cat Girl” Christine. Created by Jean Carles in 1932, Tabu is a sensual warm spicy/woody scent which starts with fresh citrus and spicy notes; according to Fragrantica, its warm oriental base includes amber, resins, civet and precious woods – sandal and patchouli. In Scent and Subversion Barbara Herman explains that “it’s said that Dana’s brief to Carles was along the lines of, ‘Make a perfume a prostitute would wear’”.
Dominic West’s Dressing Room (2016)
There’s a tube of Aveeno daily moisturising lotion on the dressing table of Dominic West at the Donmar Warehouse in London, where he’s currently acting as the Vicomte de Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, adapted and directed by Christopher Hampton.
Edward Petherbridge’s Dressing Table (2010)
A bottle of CK Be, vitamin E face mist and a cushion pin large hairbrush by The Body Shop, Kryolan cake make-up and The Body Shop coconut oil hair shine can be seen on the dressing table of Edward Petherbridge.
The picture was taken by Dora Petherbridge (Edward’s daughter) at the Duchess Theatre in London in July 2010, when the actor was appearing in The Fantasticks.
Thanks to my friend Jennifer for the face mist id.
David Bowie’s Dressing Room (1976)
David Bowie putting his make-up in Paris in 1976. The picture was taken by Andrew Kent.
Britney Spears’ Dressing Room (2015)
Britney recently posted a picture of her dressing room in Las Vegas, where she’s back with her Piece of Me show. Let’s see what’s on her dressing table, starting from the left.
There’s a NARS pro palette on the black nylon make-up bag. I wonder what is inside: blushes or eye-shadows?
There are also a can of Klorane dry shampoo with nettle and one of Bumble and bumble Bb Does It All styling spray.
The tiny plastic bottle with pink cap is Bioderma Sensibio H2O make-up removing micelle solution.
There’s a tube of MAC Dazzleglass lipgloss, not sure about the exact shade.
There are also two bottles of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation.
Behind the foundation bottles there’s a NARS illuminator. Judging from the colour, it could be Orgasm, Super Orgasm or Hot Sand.
Not beauty-related, but there’s also a tin box of Altoids Curiously Strong mints in Spearmint.
Thanks to Emily in the comments for the Klorane id.
Shirley Manson’s Dressing Table (2015)
Last September Shirley Manson, Garbage’s frontwoman, posted this picture on her Facebook account. On her dressing table I’ve spotted Sephora Smoky Eyes palette, Dior Diorskin Nude liquid foundation, Color Wow One-Minute Transformation styling cream, Illamasqua compact, Laura Mercier compact and invisible loose setting powder, Dior compact, MAC lip liner, Wet n Wild eyeshadow palette in #334 I’m Getting Sunburned and Christopher Kane for NARS compact.
Sam Smith’s Dressing Table
The British singer Sam Smith recently posted this picture on his Instagram account. It was shot in Mexico City, where the singer attended the premiere of Sam Mendes’ Spectre, the new James Bond movie.
A bottle of Le Labo perfume can be seen on the table. It’s impossible to read the label, so we don’t know exactly what fragrance he wore. What do you think it’s his perfume of choice?
Thanks to my Instagram friend Mustapha for the id.
Monica Vitti’s Dressing Table (1961)
This beautiful picture of Monica Vitti was taken by photographer Rodrigo Pais on August 1st, 1961 in Rome: the Italian actress was on the set of Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’eclisse.
My attention was caught by the square glass bottle sitting on the left of her dressing table. It’s an Atkinsons cologne, very popular in Italy. I’m not sure if it’s English Lavender or Gold Medal, though.
I’ve also spotted another popular drugstore beauty product, Roberts rosewater. You may remember the same bottle was seen in a film starring Vitti, Modesty Blaise (1966) by Joseph Losey.
World Wide Aura 
