perfumes in movies

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

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In 1968 Noodles (Robert De Niro) pays a visit to Deborah (Elizabeth McGovern): she’s in her dressing room in the Broadway theatre where she’s performing as Cleopatra in a play.

Her vanity is packed with beauty products and perfumes but one specific bottle has caught my attention.

It’s the fluted bottle with black stopper of Lanvin Eau de Lanvin Arpège, one of the many versions of the historical floral/aldehyde fragrance created by Paul Vacher and Andre Fraysse and launched in 1927.

Thanks to Carolina for submitting this post.

beauty accessories in movies, cosmetics in movies

Les Filles d’Olfa (2023)

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Ichraq Matar is a professional actress who plays the role of Ghofrane Chikhaoui. In the scene above she’s having her make-up done before filming a scene of the documentary.

The make-up artist is applying Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre loose powder on her with a MAC 150S face brush.

perfumes in movies

Basket Case 2 (1990)

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The beautifully poetic advert for Guy Laroche Fidji can be seen on a stack of magazines. This is the 1984 version of one of the most evocative perfume adverts from that decade. “The woman is an island [1], Fidji is her perfume,” says the caption, which transfers the exotic location of the advert (supposedly the Fiji islands) to the woman who will wear the perfume (she becomes “an island”).

This warm spicy fragrance was created by Josephine Catapano and launched in 1966.

[1] Probably the copywriter who wrote the caption didn’t know about John Donne’s sonnet according to which “no man is an island, entire of itself” 😉 Or maybe they knew the poem and wanted to give it a twist.

Thanks to Szymon for submitting this post.

nail polish in movies

Talk to Me (2022)

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Jade (Alexandra Jensen), Mia (Sophie Wilde) and Daniel (Otis Dhanji) are hanging out together in Jade’s bedroom.

There are three nail polishes on her bedside table. Here’s those I have managed to identify.

The first on the left is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel, possibly in the shade Shock and Mauve.

On the far right there’s a bottle of OPI Infinite Shine 2. The shade is probably Trading Paint.

cosmetics in movies

Margot Robbie Takes You Inside the Barbie Dreamhouse (2023)

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Last June Architectural Digest released an exclusive behind-the-scene video from the set of Barbie, the summer blockbuster directed by Greta Gerwig. The protagonist Margot Robbie gave a tour of the Dreamhouse and the movie set; moreover, Gerwig herself, production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer explained how they created such a unique world which pays homage to Palm Springs mid-century modernism and to the whimsical Dreamhouses of the past.

It’s not a secret that Chanel had a key role in the costume department (Barbie’s transparent wardrobe contains an extensive collection of Chanel clothes and accessories), but the influence of the French maison didn’t stop there.

As a matter of fact, Barbie’s Chanel collection includes three tubes of Coco Baume hydrating conditioning lip balm in a very pale pink shade. Simple and chic in their white and gold packaging, the tubes are displayed alongside tweed suits and gorgeous bags.

Don’t miss the video: getting a glimpse of the talent and creativity of those who worked on the set is fantastic.

cosmetics in movies, perfumes in movies

Kung Fu Master! (1988)

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There are several Guerlain products in Mary-Jane’s wood-lined bathroom.

The first is a box of Les Météorites pressed-powder pearls sitting on the marble sink counter.

On the wooden shelf by the bath tub there are a flacon chauve souris of Shalimar and a flacon abeilles of Eau Impériale.

bodycare in movies, cosmetics in movies, perfumes in movies

Kung-fu Master! (1988)

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There are some interesting items on a marble counter on Mary-Jane’s bathroom.

The miniature bottle on the left is Chanel 8° 5 Lotion Fraiche.

The tall cardboard box on the right contains Manetti & Roberts Borotalco, probably the most iconic talcum powder made in Italy.

In front of it, another cardboard box contains Coty Airspun loose face powder.

haircare in tv shows

Feud S02E03 (Masquerade 1966)

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Lee Radziwill (Calista Flockhart) is getting her hair done, while the Maysles brothers are filming her for their documentary [1].

Her hair stylist’s spray of choice is Adorn by Toni.

[1] The real documentary (A Visit with Truman Capote) doesn’t go behind the scenes of the Black and White Ball, but focuses on Truman Capote in the aftermath of the huge success of In Cold Blood.

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