Imagine getting a box where five of your favorite Hollywood actresses leaped out: that's seriously how I will remember the Erno Laszlo Limited Edition Hollywood Collection ($125).
Presented beautifully in a sleek, black lacquered box with a collection of one 15g and four 50g products, this collection is fit for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, and is necessary for every serious skincare collector.
First of all, let's start with Erno Laszlo: who was he? Laszlo was the world's first dermatologist brand, created in 1927. He was feted by Hollywood and his clientele included Katharine Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe. In fact, Monroe loved his products so much that she would purchase them as gifts.
"We've gone to our vast archives and when you see a handwritten note from Jackie Kennedy talking about the sea mud soap (Laszlo's black iconic cleansing bar was something Jackie Kennedy loved)" says a Laszlo expert. "He was the first person to recognize the properties of sea mud including exfoliation--he put it in a bar in the 1940s." Dr. Laszlo was the original dermatologist skincare brand. He was Hungarian and much beloved by his clients. He started his practice in 1927 and one of his tasks was to heal the Austrian Princess Stephanie's cystic acne, and she didn't want to wear makeup. Dr. Laszlo took her under his care and helped heal her cystic acne. "Shake It" --the product that Dr. Laszlo used still remains true to the original formulation --10% color, 90% treatment.
Fragrance is used in the formulation to mask the smell of the ingredients.
There are four steps to Laszlo's rituals (and that's what Laszlo liked to call them-- "rituals"): cleanse, tone, moisturize and finish. So the Limited Edition Hollywood Colllection contains everything a pinup actress would need (and we're talking about you).
- Ava Gardner - Instant Eye Repair ($85)
- Marilyn Monroe - Morning Beauty Rescue ($95)
- Katharine Hepburn -- Intensive Porcelain Veil ($140)
- Grace Kelly - Refresh Moisture Infusion ($125)
- Greta Garbo - Velvet Night Cream ($175)
All the prices shown above are for 1.7 oz jars except the Instant Eye Repair which is 0.5 oz.
Now, let's get down to how each product looks and feels:
The Instant Eye Repair has apricot kernel, shea butter and rosemary and pays homage to Ava Gardner's beautiful eyes. It is a delicate gel texture and feels light and cool when you apply it (a pale blue color). One of my favorite eye repair gels now, it goes into the skin easily and is absorbed. The Morning Beauty Rescue looks positively metallic and a bit like a sorbet (and that's because the formula contains semi-precious gems and liquid pearls-- so that's Marilyn's secret, ladies!). The Intensive Porcelain Veil gives you feather light coverage and it's unexpectedly a pale lilac color! I love the colors in the Laszlo creams and gels--they're pretty Willy Wonka, in my opinion. The Refresh Moisture Infusion is a precursor to what I think is Clinique's outstanding Moisture Surge (not an equivalent--but you get the idea). It is a pale gel like texture with a silky gem texture and tourmaline technology that promises suppleness and vitality. As for the moisturizing component, it wins! Seriously two thumbs up. My skin stopped looking so parched. The Velvet Night Cream is a generous, thick cream to apply during the evening hours before you retire to bed.
Do I love this collection? I am really and truly sold. For $125, this is such a valuable addition to your beauty regimen and vanity, you can't not pass it up. Get your pinup paws on this lacquered box of goodies before it sells out!
After 85 years, Erno Laszlo has been recently acquired by Charles Denton, who has vowed to restore this American legend.
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