Last week, one of the most thrilling, 'nothing filled' excursions that Gitzi and I went on, was a visit to the Max Factor Make-Up Studio in Hollywood (now called the Hollywood Museum), where we found ourselves walking in the glamorous footsteps of some of the most beautiful and famous leading ladies of Hollywood's golden age.
Judy Garland...
Elizabeth Taylor...
Lana Turner...
Rita Hayworth...
And of course everyones most favorite and beloved red head...Lucy!
Not to mention Joan Crawford, Claudette Colbert, Bette Davis, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe (yes!)...and Jean Harlow, who along with Lucy is 'celebrating' her 100th birthday this year. They each had their very own special exhibit happening at the museum and both were beyond fascinating, we were completely entranced. The sheer enormity of personal items that were on display, along with the 'thoughts' from both ladies told through letters and quotes, ended up being an extraordinary experience...pure old Hollywood joy!
There was no flash allowed when taking pictures so it was a bit tricky (to say the least) to get some decent images so forgive me if they're a bit dark...and sparse, I wish we had taken ten times the amount and that more of what we did take had come out better.
We managed to get a few good ones though...
The ornamental details are exactly as they were in the thirties and forties...
So pretty and elegant...very Silver Screen!
The starlets had their own special rooms to get beautified in according to their hair color...red heads were in a mint green room, , brunettes in a pink, blondes in a pale blue, and...'brownettes' such as Judy Garland, were in a peach-ish room. I'm sorry to say that these images didn't come out at all, I'll have to try again next time...and yes, there will most definitely be a next time, as being touched by all that glamorousness needs to be repeated on a regular basis, so all of that old Tinseltown splendor can continue to work it's magic...if not on my face, then at least in my imagination.
I highly recommend visiting the museum if you are ever in Los Angeles. I grew up there and never had I felt so close to old Hollywood as I did while walking around this mecca of beauty where the starlets had perfected their celluloid persona's.It was a nostalgic delight to step back in time, and soak in the atmosphere that helped to create such polished and exquisite beauty.
To see some wonderful, historic black & white images of the Max Factor Beauty Salon in its heyday, click here.
(all images personal unless otherwise noted - image 1: here, image 2: here, image 4: here, image 5: here, image 6: here, image 7: here)
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8 comments:
Everything just to make you feel wonderful - mmmm
Hello Jessica:
This is so thrilling. How exciting to have 'discovered' this fascinating museum which clearly, as you say here, provides a wonderful insight into the lives and times of the stars of yesterday's 'silver screen'. And like you we are so taken with what you show of the building itself with all of those very stylish, and highly covetable, Art Deco details. That in itself would be worth a visit, the contents of the museum serving as additional highlights!
We are amazed to learn that Jean Harlow is still alive. We wonder what she thinks of it all?
On impulse we are escaping to the shores of Lake Balaton for a few days, minus the computer, to capture what is left of the summer. We doubt that we will fall across anything as fascinating and interesting as this.
Oh wow, this may be one of my favourite posts of all time, I can't believe I didn't know about this place, I must visit next time I am over.
I really want to paint my boudoir pale pink now.
I have quite a few photographs of Liz Taylor around my home, hubs once accused me of trying to pretend that Liz was my mum!
Please forgive me...I didn't realized when posting that my link to the museum hadn't connected...all is remedied now though! xo
Linnea...Wonderful and fabulously glamorous!!xo
Jane&Lance...The architecture of the building was amazng, as were some of the surrounding buildings. If only Hollywood could have kept architecturally authentic and pure, there's too much modernity flanking the beauty now...but at least we have these glimpses. I'm now obsessed with art deco!
Both Jean and Lucy are enjoying their centennial's very much, and also long for the good old days (in more ways than one) where beauty and grace went hand in hand.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to combine modern convenience with the style and taste of long ago era's?...wish, wish, wish.
Have a lovely get-away...
xo J~
B&P...I'm thrilled that you liked the post so much...you are going to love visiting it, and you'll be able see where Liz's unique beauty was cared for and cultivated. You couldn't have picked a more perfect beauty icon to have as a 'second mum', whether in full make-up regalia or au natural, she was the most beautiful of all.
Remember the gold and marble accents when you paint your boudoir pale pink...it all worked so lovely together!
xo J~
This reminds me of the dressing room scene in The Women. Remember that? The original, not the dreadful remake!
And Claudette Colbert. Loved her!!
Wonderful! Awesome!
Pamela&Edward...I loved 'The Women', most definitely the original...and now that you mention it, the studio does have the same feeling as the dressing room...the department store scenes do too, very glam. Such a great movie, need to watch it again...thanks for the reminder! xo
HappyFace...Thank you!! :)
Jealous am not in the USA and that I didn't know about this place when I visited LA a few years ago. I am big fans of most of these women! It sounds like you had a lovely time. I am glad.
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