I understand that the summer 2018 exhibition themes are, once again, not original or thought-provoking, but they definitely got me dreaming of lazing in a hammock under some palm trees on a tropical island filled with exotic colorful birds. Flamingos and palm trees as well as a pink and green color scheme appear to be everywhere this year, even more so than in past seasons, and I wanted to celebrate these trends with some of the most summery makeup we've ever seen. Consider 2018 an updated version of the Museum's 2015 jungle/safari themed exhibition, that, astonishingly enough, does not contain a single mermaid! I'll be sharing all the images that inspired me in a follow-up post, but for now let's feast our eyes on some pretties.
Top row, left to right.
I'm very intrigued by this vintage Bulgarian face powder box and sample packet. And while I'm not a fan of the Kardashian/Jenner clan, I think the April Vogue cover made a perfect modern example of advertising's love affair with pretty birds. (See also these images of Jennifer Lawrence and Liz Taylor, as well as this 1957 Harper's cover.)
I believe this is the first time I've worked in a print by an illustrator in an exhibition. This print by Kendra Dandy pairs well with some of the pieces from the Charlotte Tilbury/Norman Parkinson collection. I've been a fan of Kendra's since I discovered her via an Anthropologie collection a few years ago, and I'm still kicking myself about not getting anything from it (especially the flamingo-printed lip balm, which would have been perfect for this exhibition.) Fortunately she consistently puts out amazing illustrations so I'm at least able to buy those.
Vintage Rex palm tree compact (ca. 1950s) and Woodbury Tropic Tan ad:
These flamingo-themed Violet Voss and Nomad palettes were a total surprise, which is one of the reasons I had to delay the exhibition launch. It was worth it though. :) I know they look very cramped but I really wanted them on the same shelf since they're both new and by indie brands.
Second row, left to right.
Sephora lipstick case and Paul & Joe Face and Eye Colors:
I adore the packaging for this new Japanese line (look at the little flamingo tracks!), but the story behind its creation is interesting too.
I love the palm tree pattern of the By Terry palette, it's so elegant. The ArtDeco items are actually from last fall, but they read more summer to me. I ordered the Beauty Box Trio and the Blush Couture so the embossing on the blush and design on the outer cases are visible at the same time, but unfortunately they screwed up my order so I'm still waiting for the Beauty Box Trio.
I'm so pleased that Collecting Vintage Compacts and "Cap'n Rexall" (the author of this blog) had the full story on Jonteel. And when I say full story, I mean they were somehow able to track down every bit of information on this vintage line. As always, I weep at the fact that I will never come close to this level of research.
Third row, left to right.
Another print by Kendra Dandy, I just couldn't resist! Looks right at home next to these Pai Pai and Etude House lipstick cases.
Here's the palm-tastic Urban Decay Beached collection…well, not the whole lineup since there is a bronzer with palm trees on it as well, but I didn't want to invest any more in this collection.
How cute is this Dorothy Gray ad?! The Stratton compact is lovely but I also really appreciate the kitschy vibe of the hand-painted souvenir compact. If I were a tourist in the golden age of compacts I definitely would have gotten one from every destination I visited.
Bottom row, left to right.
Wet 'n' Wild Flights of Fancy items and Morphe Babe in Paradise palette:
Another vintage powder box which admittedly I bought before trying to come up with information on it. Alas, I wasn't able to find much save for a couple of newspaper ads. But the design is just too exquisite to pass up.
Clarins 2017 and 2018 bronzers:
Why Paul & Joe is recycling a print from their 2016 spring collection I don't know, but it was a good fit for this year's summer exhibition.
And that concludes the summer 2018 exhibition! Any favorite items?
Wow! Amazing collection, beautifully presented.
Wow! Amazing collection, beautifully presented.
OMG they all look so awesome.. I didn’t know that all these gorgeous makeup products has a beautiful history and story behind them.. You are doing such a great job…Awesome work.. I am inspired.. ❤️
http://www.geniusenough.com
OMG they all look so awesome.. I didn’t know that all these gorgeous makeup products has a beautiful history and story behind them.. You are doing such a great job…Awesome work.. I am inspired.. ❤️
http://www.geniusenough.com
Oh yes, the Astalift highlighter and lipstick, so streamlined yet so poetic!
Thank you for all the work and passion you put in the MM exhibitions!
Oh yes, the Astalift highlighter and lipstick, so streamlined yet so poetic!
Thank you for all the work and passion you put in the MM exhibitions!
Hi F! The Astalift is indeed amazing – I loved the design but even more so when I found it was based on the same antioxidant that gives flamingos their color! So cool! Thank you so much for stopping by the exhibition and for the kind words, glad you enjoyed it!!
Hi F! The Astalift is indeed amazing – I loved the design but even more so when I found it was based on the same antioxidant that gives flamingos their color! So cool! Thank you so much for stopping by the exhibition and for the kind words, glad you enjoyed it!!
Hello Ms. Genius! Thank you so much for taking a spin through the exhibition and for the very kind sentiments!! So glad you enjoyed it and are inspired. 🙂
Hello Ms. Genius! Thank you so much for taking a spin through the exhibition and for the very kind sentiments!! So glad you enjoyed it and are inspired. 🙂
Hi there! Thank you so much for checking out the exhibition and for the lovely words, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!
Hi there! Thank you so much for checking out the exhibition and for the lovely words, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!
I am SO curious about the Astalift cosmetics line – I remember when the skincare line first launched – it was one of the fastest selling skincare products in Japanese beauty industry’s history – and the flamingos are so cute! I’m always amazed at how fast technology develops, decorated powders used to be so rare!
My favourite item is admitted the Laduree bird cage – it’s just so delicate and well done and it would look beautiful on my mantle. I resisted, but I’ll have to live vicariously through you!
I am SO curious about the Astalift cosmetics line – I remember when the skincare line first launched – it was one of the fastest selling skincare products in Japanese beauty industry’s history – and the flamingos are so cute! I’m always amazed at how fast technology develops, decorated powders used to be so rare!
My favourite item is admitted the Laduree bird cage – it’s just so delicate and well done and it would look beautiful on my mantle. I resisted, but I’ll have to live vicariously through you!
Hi Justine! Thank you so much for checking out the exhibition! I had no clue about Astalift, had never heard of it before I saw the makeup! You’re right, embossed powders are fairly new, I can’t say I’ve seen any prior to the late 90s. Glad you liked the Laduree…but you should consider treating yourself! 😀
Thank you so much again for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it!!
Hi Justine! Thank you so much for checking out the exhibition! I had no clue about Astalift, had never heard of it before I saw the makeup! You’re right, embossed powders are fairly new, I can’t say I’ve seen any prior to the late 90s. Glad you liked the Laduree…but you should consider treating yourself! 😀
Thank you so much again for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it!!
I absolutely love the deatil, the research and the obvious amount of work that went into this post. My hat is off to you in a major way. I recall Charlotte Tilbury’s Norman Parkinson Collection, the only thing I got was the lipstick in 1975 red which I still adore to this day.
How chuffed I am as well to realise one of the compacts was taken in the sister island of my native home. I wish I’d realised that at the time as I would have jumped on that. Plus, you’ve now made me work up a desperate need for the Les Merveilleuses 6th Anniversary blush, what a thing of absolute beauty and a modern day collector’s item. Lastly, I was always curious about Astalift but it was never available in my part of the world. Now that they’ve ventured into makeup, I am that much more intrigued, thank you for bringing it into focus for me. So amazed, well done you:)
I absolutely love the deatil, the research and the obvious amount of work that went into this post. My hat is off to you in a major way. I recall Charlotte Tilbury’s Norman Parkinson Collection, the only thing I got was the lipstick in 1975 red which I still adore to this day.
How chuffed I am as well to realise one of the compacts was taken in the sister island of my native home. I wish I’d realised that at the time as I would have jumped on that. Plus, you’ve now made me work up a desperate need for the Les Merveilleuses 6th Anniversary blush, what a thing of absolute beauty and a modern day collector’s item. Lastly, I was always curious about Astalift but it was never available in my part of the world. Now that they’ve ventured into makeup, I am that much more intrigued, thank you for bringing it into focus for me. So amazed, well done you:)
Hi Marie! Thank you so much for stopping by the exhibition, so glad you enjoyed it and found it informative! It’s funny you mentioned 1975 – it was an item I was debating to buy (to actually wear, not as a collectible) and I’m still sad I didn’t get it! Tell Laura is pretty similar though. The LM Laduree is truly exquisite, although I could never put it on my vanity for fear of knocking it over, so on the shelf or in storage it shall stay!
Thank you so much again for reading and for the kind words!!
Hi Marie! Thank you so much for stopping by the exhibition, so glad you enjoyed it and found it informative! It’s funny you mentioned 1975 – it was an item I was debating to buy (to actually wear, not as a collectible) and I’m still sad I didn’t get it! Tell Laura is pretty similar though. The LM Laduree is truly exquisite, although I could never put it on my vanity for fear of knocking it over, so on the shelf or in storage it shall stay!
Thank you so much again for reading and for the kind words!!
I love all the Flamingo themed items!!! Especially the lipsticks!!!
I love all the Flamingo themed items!!! Especially the lipsticks!!!
I love the Zuane powder compact! What a gorgeous collection 🙂
I love the Zuane powder compact! What a gorgeous collection 🙂
Hi Ms. SarahJean! Thank you so much for checking out the exhibition! The flamingos are so cute…I think my favorite part of the Asta Lift collection are the little flamingo tracks!
Thank you so much again for checking out the blog and for always being so supportive on IG!!
Hi Ms. SarahJean! Thank you so much for checking out the exhibition! The flamingos are so cute…I think my favorite part of the Asta Lift collection are the little flamingo tracks!
Thank you so much again for checking out the blog and for always being so supportive on IG!!
Hi Alex! The Zuane is so lovely, I just wish I had more info on it. Thanks so much for checking out the exhibition!!
Hi Alex! The Zuane is so lovely, I just wish I had more info on it. Thanks so much for checking out the exhibition!!