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What Is an Ice Water Facial?

Here's Why Leonardo DiCaprio Dunks His Face in Ice Water in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, from left: Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, 2019. ph: Andrew Cooper /   Columbia Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection

In the new film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio plays a somewhat washed-up actor named Rick Dalton, who just happens to live next to Sharon Tate. When he finally has the opportunity to star in a movie alongside a younger, more popular actor, he practices his lines for hours the night before he needs to be on set, while sipping on many beers. For anyone who has ever had an alcohol-fuelled late night, you may notice that your face looks swollen and puffy the next day. The following morning, as the director opens up Dalton's trailer, the actor has his face submerged in a bowl of ice water — an Old Hollywood beauty trick that Joan Crawford was long rumoured to love for its ability to perk up the face.

According to board-certified dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, this was actually the best course of action for the fledgling star. "The ice does a few things: it reduces the puffiness around the eyes where fluid likes to collect overnight, and it also helps to tighten the face in general given the vasoconstriction," he explained.

So for the first time, you can thank Quentin Tarantino for suggesting a pretty awesome (and retro) beauty tip.

Image Source: Everett Collection
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