beauty

"My hair is crying for it." The 23 discontinued beauty products we need back in our lives.

 

Beauty is a fickle business.

Just when you think you’ve found ‘the one’ – be it a lipstick, foundation, or the texturiser that makes your hair sit just right – you can bet it’ll be ripped from shelves, and discontinued. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a few good years together, before you inevitably use up the last dredges of your tried and true staple, attempt to make a repurchase, and realise it’s no longer in production.

To use the word ‘devastating,’ is not an exaggeration.

Mamamia’s resident beauty expert, Leigh Campbell takes us into her beauty bag. We’re taking notes. Post continues below.

Video by MMC

Should this happen to you, there are a few things you can do about it. The brands themselves will be able to help you track down leftover stock, or similar products in the line, while sites like Buy Me Beauty specialise in stocking discontinued beauty products, for dedicated fans just like you. Estee Lauder in the US even have an actual ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ program where a team of beauty sleuths will track down your long-gone favourites, and failing that, there’s always eBay.

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However, eventually you’re going to have to accept your fate, let go, and move on.

In honour of our beloved discontinued beauty products, we asked 23 women to share their #gonebutnotforgotten pieces they wish would return to their stash.

Claire – Australis, Forever EDT

“This was the perfume that EVERYONE used (along with your Impulse body spray) when I was in High School.. I really want to smell it again!”

discontinued beauty products

Georgie - M.A.C. Cosmetics Eyeshadow 'All That Glitters'

I was devastated to find out that the eyeshadow I wear every day (and have done so for seven years) has been discontinued! It was the MAC 'All That Glitters' eyeshadow and was the perfect shade to quickly dust all over the lid to look more put together. So pigmented, easy to wear, no fall out and stayed on all day!

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Jessica - Revlon, Absolutely Fabulous perfume

My sister bought me my very first bottle of perfume when I was in my teens and I loved it so much. It was Absolutely Fabulous by Revlon and I used to get complimented on it all the time until the bottle ran out. It was discontinued and I haven’t found another perfume that I love as much or received any compliments for. I’m always on the search for something similar but still no luck.

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Leah - Dr Perricone, No Bronzer Bronzer

Turned my ghostly physical SPF into a perfect tinted moisturiser.

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Angela - John Freida, Sheer Blonde Chunky Funky Sheer Veneer Texturizer

This product was my all time favourite hair texturising serum, and they bloody discontinued it. My hair is crying for it. Never found a substitute.

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Natascia - Aramis, New West for Her

I have such sweet memories of this! Teenage Thursday night shopping was not complete without a liberal spray of New West.

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Angela - Hugo Boss, Orange by Hugo Boss

It was so light and lovely; I never got sick of the scent and wore it daily until it was discontinued.

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Vanessa - Poppy Industries, Shine Pots

I remember them having the consistency of a melted lolly pop and were equally as sticky but there was nothing else quite like it at the time. That being said, they felt very nice on the lips. The packaging was super solid and it came with so much product. It was very fancy as far as lip glosses were and I miss them terribly!

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Erin - L’Oréal, Exfotonic body scrub

It was kind of oily but exfoliating and smelled divine!

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Kelly - Napoleon Perdis, Lip Lacquer

I have worn this for 15 years, and always bought a few when I needed to top up. I found out earlier this year that it is no longer available (it may have been unavailable for longer, but I only needed to restock earlier this year). I have since paid too much buying some from eBay, but my luck seems to have run out.

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Clare - Rimmel, Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Ever since I was a teenager I've been obsessed with liquid eyeliner. But the best, of all the ones I ever tried, was Rimmel waterproof gel eye liner. It was perfect. It lasted forever, didn't dry out, never smudged, was easy to remove and the brush never frayed. Oh, that's right, and it was also $12. I could buy it from Coles or Woolies and it was PERFECT.

A few years ago, I realised I wasn't finding it in the supermarket anymore. At that point, I started ordering it from London, but with shipping, it became really expensive, and then I could no longer buy it from overseas anymore. It's still a goddamn tragedy.

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Jess - Revlon, Colourburst Lipstick in Soft Rose

I recently realised that I've had this lipstick for nine years (don't @ me), went to replace it, and found out that IT NO LONGER EXISTS. To be fair, it still applies just as well, although I'm a bit scared to wear it. The shade 'soft rose' was the perfect rosy pink, and the texture made your lips look plump, and healthy.

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Michelle - L’Oréal, Xtreme Resist Infallible Mega Gloss in All Night Long

Love the peachy colour and glittery shine. When I found out they were discontinuing it, I found an online discount chemist and bought the last nine they had in stock.

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Jo - Poppy Industries, Seven Deadly Sins Lipsticks in Avarice

Mine is a lipstick too - well a range of lipsticks actually! Showing my age here, but the Seven Deadly Sins lipsticks by Poppy were amazing. One shade in particular called Avarice was my absolute fave. I’ve never found one like it since.

Courtney - L’Occitane, Shea Cotton Ultra Comforting Mask

I went through tubes and tubes of this back in the day. I’ve been known to hassle them every six months to bring it back. It was really soothing and nourishing and helped with my redness. Fabulous before an event.

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Tina - NYX, Intense Butter Gloss in Chocolate Crepe

Perfect pinky-brown lip for darker skin tones! Was only $6 but currently rationing like gold for special occasions only.

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Felicity - The Body Shop, Japanese Washing Grains

The Body Shop used to do little bottles of 'Japanese rice washing/cleansing grains' about 10 years ago. They were SO good! It was a coarse, clay-like powder that you added a few drops of water to and used as an exfoliant or mask.

Shannon - Stila, Color Balm in Olivia

I am holding on to my manky AF favourite lipstick, even to the point where the aluminium wrap is separating on to the product and sometimes goes on to my lips (no judgmentally please). Stila Color Balm in the shade Olivia RIP.

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Chitra - Clinique, Superfit Foundation

I swore by this because everything else made me breakout and they discontinued it. I haven’t able to find anything similar.

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Candice - Origins, GinZing Mascara

This amazing hypoallergenic mascara. I am on the last dry dregs and can only find super expensive (possibly fakes) on eBay. My eyes react to everything else.

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Rachel - Clarins Lipstick in 'Lovely Honey'

This lipstick has the best natural, complimenting colour and feel.

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Lareina - With Love by Hilary Duff

If there ever was a scent that I’d wear all my life this would be it!

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Erin - The Body Shop Vitamin E Hand and Nail treatment hand cream

This was the best. Moisturising but not greasy. I bought so many tubes from the USA using a mail forwarding service. Have used it for 20+ years.

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What's your favourite discontinued beauty product? Tell us in a comment below!