Category Archives: stars’ vanities/make-up cases/cabinets in real life

Isabelle Huppert’s Dressing Room (2019)

If you, like me, are a fan of Isabelle Huppert, you’ll be delighted to see this backstage picture, taken on April 15th, 2019 at the Linda Gross Theater in New York. For roughly two months the French actress performed as the Mother in the namesake play by Florian Zeller, under the direction of Trip Cullman.

From left to right there are:

 

dovedeodorant_bornunicornDove spray deodorant

avene_hydranceoptimale_bornunicornAvène Hydrance Optimale light hydrating cream

byterry_terryblydensilissfoundation_bornunicornBy Terry Terrybly Densiliss foundation

chanel_rougecoco_bornunicorn

Two Chanel lipsticks

esteelauder_doublewearfoundation_bornunicornEstee Lauder Double Wear liquid foundation

narsblush_bornunicorn

nars_softvelvetloosepowder_bornunicorn

NARS blush and loose face powder

As a die-hard fan of Diptyque, I must admit I jumped on my chair when I saw an eau de toilette bottle on Isabelle’s table. I’m not 100% sure of my id because the front label is partially hidden, but my guess is that she uses Do Son, a tuberose fragrance created in Fabrice Pellegrin and launched in 2005.

sergelutens_lorpheline_bornunicornNext to the Diptyque bottle there’s a Serge Lutens fragrance. In this case, it’s impossible to tell what it is.

tigerbalm_white_bornunicorn

 

There are also two items that not beauty-related but are very nice: a small jar of Tiger Balm (one of my staples) and a tin box containing Gommose Leone, delicious Italian liquorice gummy candy.

Thanks to Scentimentalist for the foundation id.

Picture source.

Anna May Wong’s Dressing Table (1933)

annamaywong_bornunicorn

This beautiful picture of the American actress was taken backstage at the Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen (Scotland) in October 1933. Among the beauty products on her dressing table there are two particularly interesting items.

maxfactorsupremefacepowder_bornunicorn

The first – in the round tin box – is Max Factor Supreme face powder, which was part of a theatrical make-up line.

The second is the iconic flacon bouchon coeur by Guerlain. The label cannot be read, so it’s hard to tell what fragrance it contained. We can make some assumptions, though.

guerlainflaconbouchoncoeur_bornunicorn

This bottle was originally created for the extracts of L’Heure Bleue, Fol Arôme (both released in 1912) and Mitsouko (released in 1919). All of them were released way before 1933, so one of these could be sitting on Wong’s table.

Picture source.

Oscars 2019’s Dressing Table Round-Up

The big night happened and delivered lots of glamour! I was really looking forward to reading the Oscars winner list this morning but my mind was actually on the red carpet. I loved many outfits and beauty looks, even if the neutral trend seems to go still strong and no extravagant trends were seen. As usual, I’ve collected the most interesting kits that make-up artists have posted on Instagram, starting from Sarah Uslan, who did Olivia Colman’s make-up.

sarahuslan_oliviacolman_oscars2019_bornunicorn (1)

Cosmetics by Pat McGrath Labs, skincare by Emma Hardie (Plump & Glow hydrating facial mist, Midas Touch revitalising eye serum and face serum duo, Moisture Boost vitamin-C cream) and Lashify lashes were used on the British actress who won as Best Actress for The Favourite by Yorgos Lanthimos.

sarahuslan_oliviacolman_oscars2019_bornunicorn (2)

In this picture, Sarah is applying a red lipstick.

moanilee_kaceymusgraves_oscars2019_bornunicorn (2)

Another kit by Pat McGrath Labs was used by Moani Lee, who did Kacey Musgraves’ dreamy make-up to match the baby pink tulle dress by Giambattista Valli.

alexbabsky_tessathompason_oscars2019_bornunicorn (1)

alexbabsky_tessathompason_oscars2019_bornunicorn (2)

tessathompson_oscars2019_bornunicorn

Chanel make-up in neutral and golden tones was used by Alex Babsky on Tessa Thompson, who wore a black Chanel dress with silver and gold accents. The eyeshadow palettes seen above are Les 9 Ombres in Édition N°2 Quintessence and Les 4 Ombres in Codes Élégants #274.

adambreuchaud_oscars2019_bornunicorn (1)

Adam Breuchaud did Sarah Paulson‘s make-up using Tom Ford products.

carissaferreri_YalitziaArapacio_oscars2019_bornunicorn (1)

carissaferreri_YalitziaArapacio_oscars2019_bornunicorn (3)

Make-up artist Carissa Ferreri used Arbonne products on Yalitza Aparicio. In the picture she’s applying the blush Blossom.

jilliandempsey_emiliaclarke_oscars2019_bornunicorn (1)

jilliandempsey_emiliaclarke_oscars2019_bornunicorn (2)

Last but not least, Jillian Dempsey‘s kit for Emilia Clarke had Dolce & Gabbana cosmetics only. In the picture above, she’s holding the Sicilian Lace palette, which includes four eyeshadows, one blush, one highlighter and two lipsticks. What I love in the first picture is not only the nice packaging of the make-up products but the presence of a perfume bottle, too! It seldom happens to see what fragrances celebrities wear on the red carpet, so this is a fortunate coincidence. The perfume here is The Only One eau de parfum, launched in 2018 as a variation of the 2006 perfume The One. In the first picture we can also see Dempsey’s Gold Bar, a 24-carat, gold plated, vibrating t-bar used as skin sculpting and contouring tool.

What do you think of the dressing tables I’ve selected? What are your favourites?

Golden Globes 2019’s Dressing Table Round-Up

I’ve had a passion for people’s make-up cases and bathroom cabinets since I was a child, so you can imagine my enthusiasm when it comes to celebrities’ dressing tables. I am not really interested in knowing the products they use because I want to replicate their looks, but because what they use tells a lot about beauty habits and trends.

Today, the day after the 76th Golden Globes,  I’ve selected some make-up kits that artists have posted on their Instagram accounts: seeing all these beautiful items displayed on tables, bamboo mats or towels is such a feast for the eyes!

goldenglobes2019_camillabelle_bornunicornThe first kit has been used by Hung Vanngo to achieve the beautiful tropical look seen on Camilla Belle. It only includes Chanel products.

goldenglobes2019_thandienewton_bornunicorn (1)This kit was used by Georgie Eisdell for the soft smokey eye look on Thandie Newton. It includes Chantecaille cosmetics and skincare, like the Rose de Mai face oil and the gold energizing eye recovery mask.

goldenglobes2019_lupitanyongo_bornunicornThis picture, posted by make-up artist Nick Barose, includes the source of inspiration (Yves Klein’s blue) for the look seen on Lupita Nyong’o, which included eyes lined in bright blue and matching Lashify eyelashes.

goldenglobes2019_elisabethmoss_bornunicornDaniel Martin did a “sparkly bruised eye” look on Elisabeth Moss, using Dior, Honest Beauty, Clé de Peau and Charlotte Tilbury products.

goldenglobes2019_rachelbrosnahan_bornunicorn (2)I love the old Hollywood glamour of the Charlotte Tilbury kit used by Lisa Aharon for the neutral look seen on Rachel Brosnahan.

goldenglobes2019_rosamundpike_bornunicornMélanie Inglessis snapped a picture of her Chantecaille kit after using it on Rosamund Pike. I really like the lip colour she used on the actress – Lip Chic lipstick in Amour.

goldenglobes2019_amyadams_bornunicornThis is the Pat McGrath kit that Stephen Sollitto used on Amy Adams. Neutral tones and glossy pink lips to match her Calvin Klein dress.

goldenglobes2019_gemmachan_bornunicornMonika Blunder used Clé de Peau products on Gemma Chan, including the Lipstick Cashmere in Legend. On the table there’s also a Boy Smells candle in Cedar Stack.

goldenglobes2019_penelopecruz_bornunicornI am in awe of the massive kit Charlotte Tilbury displayed for Penelope Cruz. I guess it includes basically her whole make-up line.

goldenglobes2019_lilireinhart_bornunicornLast but not least, Lili Reinhart and the intense look created by Adam Breuchaud using Pat McGrath Mothership V: Bronze Seduction eye palette.

I can’t wait for the upcoming award ceremonies to see more dressing tables!

Judy Garland’s Make-Up Case (1968)

judygarlandtravelcase_bornunicornIf I think of all the make-up cases, dressing tables and vanities I’ve written about on this blog, I don’t think I’ve ever been excited like this time. The present entry is something special, because it features the make-up case of Judy Garland (circa 1968). Just from the picture above, you may see why I’m so happy: there’s a superlative selection of perfumes and toiletries! All of them are part of a lot sold at an auction: besides the make-up case, it included a sewing basket and a travel mirror, several make-up items and hair accessories, some documents, pictures and one Salvatore Ferragamo black suede pump.

Let’s see what perfumes she carried in her case.

carven_magriffessencepourlebain_bornunicornFirst, not really a perfume, but a bath fragrance. It’s Ma Griffe by Carven, originally created by Jean Carles and launched in 1946.

guerlainvoldenuittalc_bornunicornThe stunning white bottle with black label and gold lettering is a Guerlain talc; the fragrance is Vol de Nuit, one of the most famous creations by Jacques Guerlain, launched in 1933.

lanvinarpegenaturalspray_bornunicornIt’s not surprising that the perfume bottles she travelled with were spray (and not splash). The fluted one with black and gold stopper is Arpege by Lanvin, a creation of Andre Fraysse launched in 1922.

rochasfemmerefillableatomiser_bornunicornThe lace-like bottle is none other than Femme by Rochas, created by Edmond Roudnitska and launched in 1944.

I wish I could identify the make-up items too, but they unfortunately have no labels and a pretty standard packaging.

Picture source.

Marc Almond’s Dressing Room (2018)

On December 19th and 20th, 2018, Marc Almond performed with the Jools Holland Orchestra at the Newcastle City Hall. The pictures he takes of his dressing rooms are the best, because they always feature interesting cosmetics (in this case, interesting books too!)

beccaevermatteporelessprimingperfector_bornunicornThe tube on the left is Becca Ever-Matte poreless priming perfector.

benefit_browzings_bornunicornThe silver compact just under the EcoTool brush sleeve is BeneFit Brow Zings, an eyebrow shaping kit.

kikocreamcompactfoundation_bornunicorn

One of the two Kiko Milano silver compacts definitely contains the cream compact foundation; the other could be a pressed powder.

kikoconcealer_bornunicornThe round black pot by Kiko could be the full-coverage concealer.

moroccanoil_luminoushairspray_bornunicorn.pngThere’s also a can of Moroccanoil Luminous hairspray.

diorskin_nudeaircompact_bornunicornThe silver compact is Dior Nude Air powder.

Picture source.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bathroom (2018)

sjpbathroom_bornunicornYesterday Sarah Jessica Parker posted this picture on her Instagram account. Needless to say, I am in awe of all these perfume bottles sitting in her bathroom. From left to right I can see:

lelabo_patchouli24_bornunicorn

Le Labo Patchouli 24, a patchouli perfume with vanilla base note, created by Annick Menardo in 2006.

annickgoutal_bornunicorn.jpgTwo very big bottles of Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien (old packaging). This citrusy fragrance, inspired to Mémoires d’Hadrien (1951) by Marguerite Yourcenar, was created by Annick Goutal herself in 1981.

dana_lovesbabysoft_bornunicornFirst launched in 1971, this powdery musky creation by Ron Winnegrad is still on the market. When the actress launched her first fragrance, Lovely, in 2005, she explained one of her sources of inspiration was Love’s Baby Soft, which she wore as a teenager.

bulgarieauparfumeethevert_bornunicorn.jpgBulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, a quintessentially 1990s perfume created by the master Jean-Claude Ellena and launched in 1992.

guerlainvetiver_bornunicornLast but not least, Guerlain Vetiver, originally created by Jean-Paul Guerlain and launched in 1959. It’s not clear whether this is an old version (with the beautiful opaque glass bottle by Robert Granai) or the Eau Glacée or Sport versions, respectively launched in 2004 and 2006.

On the table there are other two bottles I’m quite on the fence with. One, on the left, is Narciso Rodriguez For Her, but the bottle is different from the black one on the market (see the rounded edges). The other is the small bottle on the front: it looks like a Hermès perfume but the cap is not rounded, so I’m not sure.

esteelauder_youthdew_bornunicorn

santamarianovellacologne_bornunicornOn the bottom shelf I can see Youth Dew by Estee Lauder and a perfume by Santa Maria Novella.

The two tulle Mickey Mouse ears seen in the picture are by L’Wren Scott (right) and by Gigi Burris (left). She wore the first at the unveiling of Barney’s Electric Holiday collection in 2012 and the second at the recent opening of Mickey: The True Original Exhibition in New York.

Thanks to Lee in the comments for the Estee Lauder id.

Picture source.

Judi Dench’s Dressing Room (1985)

Gemma Levine took this backstage picture in 1985: Judi Dench was getting ready to perform as Amy O’Connell in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Harley Granville-Barker’s Waste at the Lyric Theatre in London.

diorissimo_houndstooth_bornunicornOn the shelf in front of her there are many bottles; among them, the unmistakable houndstooth pattern characterising Dior cologne and eau de toilette bottles. There’s no way to tell exactly what scent this was, but we know that this bottle was used for classic creations like Miss Dior, Diorama, Diorella, Diorling and Diorissimo. I can see her wearing the lily-of-the-valley triumph that is Diorissimo. What’s your guess?

Picture source.