Face by Stace

Rudolph Valentino: What Was on His Vanity Table?

If Clark Gable embodied rugged refinement, Rudolph Valentinoembodied romantic beauty. His vanity table was not simply a grooming station — it was the birthplace of a cinematic archetype: the exotic, smoldering, impossibly polished leading man.

Valentino understood image better than anyone of his era. His grooming rituals were deliberate, sensual and deeply tied to the persona he crafted on screen.

1. Skincare & Complexion Rituals

Valentino’s skin was famously smooth, luminous and camera-ready — a necessity in the 1920s when film stock exaggerated every pore and shadow.

His vanity table included:

Cold cream (ubiquitous in the 1920s)
Glycerin-based moisturizers for suppleness
Astringents to refine pores
Tissue papers for blotting shine
Studio powders to even out complexion

He was known to be meticulous about his skin, often re-applying powder between takes to maintain his signature velvety finish.

2. Hair Grooming

Valentino’s hair — thick, glossy and perfectly waved — was central to his allure.

On his vanity table:

Brilliantine for shine and control
Pomades to sculpt his waves
Fine combs for precision
Natural-bristle brushes
Barbering tools for maintaining his iconic silhouette

His hair was not rugged; it was romantic, styled to perfection and instantly recognizable.

3. Makeup & On-Screen Enhancements

Silent film demanded exaggerated features and Valentino embraced this with discipline.

His vanity table held:

Pan-cake makeup (early formulations)
Dark brow pomade to intensify expression
Eyeliner — yes, subtly used to define his eyes
Lip tint to prevent lips from disappearing on film
Matte powders to withstand studio heat

These tools helped create the hypnotic gaze and sculpted features that made him a global obsession.

4. Fragrance & Sensory Details

Valentino was known for his refined taste in scent. His choices leaned toward:

Oriental-style perfumes (popular in the 1920s)
Amber and musk notes
Spicy colognes
Barbershop aftershaves with warm, resinous undertones

His fragrance profile matched his screen persona: sensual, exotic and unforgettable.

5. Vanity Tools & Personal Luxuries

Valentino’s vanity table reflected his love of elegance:

Silver shaving sets
Straight razors
Ivory-handled brushes
Polished hand mirrors
Nail buffers (men used these frequently in the 1920s)
Imported grooming tools from Europe

He was known to enjoy luxury — not ostentatiously, but with a refined, continental sensibility.

Rudolph Valentino didn’t just act — he constructed an aesthetic. His vanity table reveals a man who understood the power of beauty, ritual and image. He shaped the template for the romantic leading man, blending sensuality with discipline.

His grooming wasn’t vanity. It was craft, identity and cinematic architecture.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Beauty Recipes: The Apple Series: Closure

Across this series, apples have shown their full spectrum. They’ve been brightening, soothing, hydrating, exfoliating, and protective. They’ve offered vitamin C for radiance, malic acid for refinement, quercetin for defense, and pectin for softness. Each recipe has revealed a different facet of their character — from the glow‑forward AHA facial to the calming oat mask, from the hydrating overnight serum to the delicate brightening eye treatment. Together, they form a portrait of an ingredient that is humble in presentation but powerful in performance.

Historically, apples have been tied to ritual. Early Canadian homesteads relied on them for winter nourishment; European households preserved them in cellars as symbols of comfort and continuity; ancient cultures associated them with knowledge, healing and domestic care. That lineage gives apple beauty rituals a sense of heritage — a reminder that skincare has always existed in kitchens, orchards, and gardens long before it lived in laboratories.

What makes apples special is their quiet reliability. They don’t promise transformation overnight. They offer steadiness — the kind of beauty that accumulates through consistency, gentleness, and care. They support the skin the way they’ve supported generations: with nourishment, protection, and a subtle glow that feels earned rather than manufactured.

This series closes with the same feeling apples evoke: warmth, home, and the soft beginning of autumn. A reminder that beauty can be simple, seasonal, and rooted in tradition — and that sometimes the most powerful rituals come from the ingredients that have been with us all along.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Makeup Autumn Collection 2026

Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle makeup collection celebrates the launch of the new Coco Mademoiselle fragrance. A makeup collection that defines luminous skin, bold smoky eyes and lips that balance innocence with intention. Each product feels like an extension of the fragrance’s personality: crisp, elegant and un-mistakably confident. The textures are refined, the tones are Parisian, and the finish is that effortless Chanel polish that never tries too hard yet always lands perfectly. This collection isn’t about transformation; it’s about amplification — taking what is already there and elevating it with precision, subtlety and a touch of Mademoiselle’s charm.

^{Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Makeup Collection/Courtesy from chanel.com}

Les 9 Ombres The New Smoky

New & Limited-Edition

The New Smoky — a curated nine‑shade palette designed for depth, clarity, and modern definition. High‑intensity pigments meet multi‑effect finishes, allowing you to build everything from a soft daytime contour to a full evening smoky eye. The tones are balanced and architectural: cool charcoals, muted taupes, luminous neutrals, and a refined metallic accent that adds dimension without overpowering the look.

Each shade blends seamlessly, giving the eyes a sculpted, polished finish that feels unmistakably Chanel — elegant, controlled, and quietly dramatic. A palette created for women who prefer sophistication over spectacle.

COMPOSITION

The Les 9 Ombres eyeshadows are formulated with:
– Mineral pigments for optimal colour expression.
– Plant oils for effortless application.

Ophthalmologist tested.
Suitable for contact lens wearers.

Price: $160

Rouge Coco Crush

New & Limited-Edition

Crush — a luminous satin pink that melts into the lips with hydrating, smoothing comfort. Fresh, feminine and quietly polished, this shade adds a soft glow without overpowering the face. Its refined radiance makes it an effortless everyday colour — the kind you reach for when you want to look awake, composed, and elegantly understated.

Stacey Says: Rouge Coco is a beautiful, well made lipstick. I’m a fan of matte lipsticks, preferably the kind of lipsticks that are hydrating, such as with Rouge Coco. I have found their lipsticks to deliver long-lasting results and true to their colour. It may be the reason as to why I have many Rouge Coco lipsticks.

Price: $69

Le Vernis Coco

New & Limited-Edition

Coco — a refined, luminous nude‑rose that feels effortlessly Parisian. This shade delivers a polished, understated finish: soft, feminine and impeccably clean. Its smooth, high‑shine lacquer creates a modern, elegant nail that pairs seamlessly with the Coco Mademoiselle aesthetic — fresh, confident and iconic. A timeless neutral designed for women who prefer sophistication.

INSPIRATION

Longwear Nail Colour — Shade 469

Coco is a hallmark shade within the CHANEL nail family— a soft, luminous nude‑rose that embodies Gabrielle Chanel’s founding principle: every creation must be deliberate, personal and un/paralleled. This refined hue delivers a clean, elegant finish that feels unmistakably Parisian.

A modern neutral with quiet confidence, Coco reflects the House’s avant‑garde spirit: timeless, free and never dictated by trends. Its high‑shine, longwear formula offers impeccable hold and a smooth lacquered surface, creating nails that are polished, feminine and effortlessly chic.

Shade Character: A fresh nude‑rose with subtle warmth — understated, sophisticated and universally flattering.

The CHANEL Signature: More than a colour, Coco is a cultural marker. A shade that illustrates CHANEL’s vision of beauty: intentional, iconic and eternally modern.

Price: $48

For more information and to view the Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Makeup Collection, please visit:Makeup & Beauty – Foundations, Eyes, Lips & Nails | CHANEL

Have you tried any items from the Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Makeup Collection? Please, let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Olive Oil for 1940s Victory Rolls

During the 1940s, beauty rituals were shaped as much by necessity as by glamour. With rationing in full effect and salon access limited, women relied on pantry staples to maintain the polished, structured hairstyles that defined the decade. Olive oil became one of the essentials of wartime beauty — a simple, accessible product that offered both practicality and elegance.

For Victory Rolls, olive oil served two essential purposes. First, it provided moisture and flexibility to the hair, making it easier to sculpt the iconic cylindrical rolls without frizz or breakage. Women often warmed a small amount between their palms and smoothed it through the lengths before setting curls or teasing the base. This added slip helped the hair coil neatly around the fingers or rollers, creating the clean, sculpted silhouette associated with factory workers, pin‑ups and Hollywood stars alike.

Second, olive oil offered a natural shine that mimicked the glossy finish seen in studio photographs of the era. A tiny amount applied after the rolls were pinned gave the style a polished, camera‑ready sheen — especially important at a time when commercial serums and finishing sprays were scarce.

Today, olive oil remains a useful, historically authentic tool for recreating Victory Rolls. Used sparingly, it softens the hair, enhances manageability and delivers that un-mistakable 1940s glow. It’s a reminder that even in challenging times, beauty was crafted with creativity, resourcefulness and a touch of everyday luxury.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

What Was on Elizabeth Taylor’s Vanity Table?

Elizabeth Taylor one of the most glamorous Golden Age icons, a vanity table reflected the kind of glamour only she could carry — bold, jewel‑toned and un-mistakably cinematic. Her beauty rituals were disciplined, indulgent and rooted in the studio-era techniques that shaped her iconic look.

Kohl Eyeliner

Her signature cat‑eye began with soft black kohl pencils. Makeup artists elongated and smudged the line to emphasize her almond-shaped violet eyes.

Thick Black Mascara

Taylor’s naturally dense lashes (she had a double row) were amplified with rich black mascara and lash combs to create dramatic definition.

Cold Cream

A studio essential. She used cold cream nightly to dissolve heavy film makeup and keep her skin soft, hydrated and luminous.

Rich Moisturizers

Taylor preferred thick, luxurious creams that left her complexion glowing rather than matte — a hallmark of her on‑screen radiance.

Ruby and Garnet Lipsticks

Her vanity always included saturated reds and berry tones. These shades matched her bold presence and became part of her signature look.

Perfume Bottles

Fragrance was identity for Taylor. Crystal bottles, atomizers and early prototypes of her own scents often sat on her vanity.

Hairbrushes & Styling Tools

Boar‑bristle brushes, rollers, combs and shine products kept her raven hair glossy and sculpted.

Powder Compacts

Pressed powders and soft puffs helped maintain her luminous finish under studio lights.

Jewelry Trays

Taylor famously said, “Big girls need big diamonds.” Rings, earrings and bracelets were part of her beauty ritual, not an afterthought.

Taylor’s vanity table reveals the discipline behind her glamour and the beauty history of mid‑century Hollywood — a blend of ritual, artistry, and iconic style.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Pumpkin + Oat Soothing Mask

A calming, restorative mask that softens, hydrates, and reduces redness using pumpkin’s vitamins and oat’s natural beta‑glucans. Ideal for sensitive, dry, or post‑exfoliation skin during cooler autumn weather.

Ingredients

1 tbsp pumpkin purée
1 tbsp finely ground oats (colloidal texture)
1 tsp honey
1 tsp aloe vera gel
½ tsp jojoba oil
Optional: 1 drop chamomile extract or lavender water for extra soothing

Instructions

Grind oats into a soft, powdery colloidal texture.
Combine pumpkin purée and oats until they form a creamy, comforting base.
Add honey and aloe gel; blend until smooth.
Stir in jojoba oil and optional chamomile or lavender.
Apply a generous layer to clean skin.
Leave on for 12–15 minutes.
Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Beauty Benefits

Pumpkin: vitamins A + C for gentle renewal and nourishment
Oats: beta‑glucans for soothing, calming, and barrier repair
Honey: hydration + softness
Aloe: cooling + anti‑inflammatory support
Jojoba oil: barrier strengthening + moisture retention
Chamomile/Lavender (optional):added calming benefits

Historical Context

Oat‑based skin treatments date back centuries, used in both European and Indigenous traditions to soothe irritation, dryness, and inflammation. When paired with pumpkin — a long‑standing autumn harvest ingredient — the combination becomes a seasonal, comforting ritual that restores balance and softness to the skin.

Storage Notes

Best used fresh.
Can be refrigerated for 24 hours in a sealed container.
Stir before use if separation occurs.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?