The Beauty Industry's Legalizing Absinthe

Oscar Wilde once said, "After the first glass of absinthe, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not." The outlawed hallucinogenic drink of choice from the 19th century is making a comeback. But, this time, instead of being poured out in Parisian bars filed with boozy bohemian artists like Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh, it's being burned, spritzed and slathered on.

 

The potent liquor is finding its way into fragrance formulas and hand creams, mostly due to its spicy woody scent. Even though the reincarnated version that's lining our vanity will not get you drunk, the scents are just as intoxicating as the original.

Pre de Provence Private Collection Cardamom, Absinthe & Sandalwood Hand Cream, $13, saksfifthavenue.com