In case you were wondering why the blog has been so quiet the past 6 weeks or so, it's because I've been working feverishly on the latest exhibition. And I'm pleased to announce it's finally here! Well, you'll have to... Read more →
Over the past 4 years or so there has be... Read more →
CW/TW: racist imagery and slurs for Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and Black populations as well as those of Middle Eastern descent. It's been nearly a decade since I discussed one of the many ugly parts of the beauty industry: cultural appropriation... Read more →
Belated April links. - I was saddened to hear of the very untimely death of makeup artist A. J. Crimson. I hope someone will publish a biography and catalogue of his work. - Interested to check out this new documentary... Read more →
Vilhelm Hammershøi, Interior with Ida Playing the Piano, 1910 NARS, NARSissist eyeshadow palette, spring 2014 Read more →
Today the Museum is featuring a flash-in-the-pan brand from the 1940s. Shem el Nessim was a very short-lived line, lasting only about 6 months during the second half of 1946. I couldn't find much info, but one thing I can... Read more →
Get ready for some cute overload this Easter! I'm pleased to finally highlight 5 bunny-themed collections, 3 of which were released in spring 2019 (when I was preoccupied with other things) one from 2018 and one from 2016. Interestingly, all... Read more →
Links for one of my least favorite months. - In beauty history, Lucy Jane Santos discusses both the historic dangers and scientification of beauty, while Minsooky takes a look at the rather sordid history of Dr. Palmer's skin whitener. If... Read more →
Curator's note: For several years now I've been wanting to discuss the trend of non-makeup merch being sold by beauty brands but was having a difficult time getting around to it. Fortunately, another wonderful MM volunteer and aspiring beauty editor,... Read more →
It's another incomplete history, but I wanted to highlight the few bits I was able to locate about the makeup line founded by supermodel Naomi Sims, born on this day in 1948.1 (This post will not cover her collection of... Read more →
Took a while, but I'm pleased to finally talk about Mikimoto's gorgeous collection from holiday 2020. As with the holiday 2018 and 2019 collections, the company enlisted an artist to create the packaging. For the Twinkle Pearls lineup, Mikimoto collaborated... Read more →
Late late late links, once again. - I was truly honored and overjoyed to be interviewed by the great Arabelle Sicardi for an article on makeup and beauty packaging over at SSENSE magazine. - Congratulations are in order for the... Read more →
On average, the Museum receives one inquiry a week. It doesn't seem like much, but if it's something that can't be identified easily or a broad question about historic trends, they can take up quite a bit of time. Here... Read more →
Stanley Whitney, How Black Is That Blue, 2020 Hot Topic, Blockbuster palette, 2021 Read more →
It took me way too long to return to Dream Teams, but it's back in time for Black History Month! The second installment features five more Black artists whose work I think would make fantastic beauty packaging. Sadly, since the... Read more →
Whew! It's been a while since Curator's Corner made an appearance. Links from January (and maybe a few from December.) - I so wish I could see this exhibition of exquisite powder boxes. Fortunately there's an interview with the collector... Read more →