The discontinued beauty product. Everyone has one. You find a product you love, you bond with it, form a relationship and then… it disappears. Discontinued. Finished. End of story. Cue beauty-induced meltdown: How could they do this to me? Did they not realize how long it took me to find a mascara that didn’t give me raccoon eyes?
Sounds familiar? Has this ever happened to you? What do you do when one of your favorite products suddenly disappears from the shelves? This is my personal Holy Grail – the products I miss and seek years after they have slipped into history. If any of these brands are reading this, can you please bring them back into production? Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty please?
Now tell me your story… sadness loves company, after all. And who knows, someone out there might just listen to your prayers like MAC did last year!
Lancôme Juicy Rouge
The perfect perfect perfect blend of gloss and lipstick – buttery, lightweight and long staying. And I’ve yet to see a chocolate brown that’s as swoon-worthy as #234. I still have a minuscule amount of this shade left and am guarding it with my life.
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eye Liner in Rose Platine
A pretty, almost-invisible platinum-pink hue that has just the right touch of shimmer… perfect for creating that no-makeup-on-eyes look while still adding definition. It’s my go-to eye pencil for daytime and when I am rocking bright lips at night. Dreading to think what happens when this one runs out.
Chanel Beauté Initiale Energizing Multi-Protection Fluid
The original multi-tasker, way before BB creams took over the world. Firstly, this moisturizer addressed the much-ignored ‘early signs of ageing’ requirements, protecting late 20- and early-30-something skin from free radicals and everyday sun damage. Plus, it energised the skin, giving a radiance boost that you would normally get by mixing an illuminating fluid with your moisturiser. Thirdly, mattifying powders kept skin looking nicely cool and fresh throughout the day. Finally, it was light and absorbed very easily. Tears were shed when Beauté Initiale vanished from the shelves.
Clarins Eau Dynamisante Satin Finish Body Oil
This dry oil was splashed on post-shower and left skin feeling super-soft and really silky, with a subtle sheen and no greasy residue. As an added bonus, it smelled amazing – all citrusy and flowery – and made my legs glow.
L’Occitane Rose Bon Bon Lip Balm
It smelled like crushed rose petals, tasted like candied rose and left lips looking like you had rubbed fresh pink roses across them. Soft and shiny, sans any glitter or shimmer, this lip-balm-meets-gloss came in a gorgeous old fashioned glass pot that was a pretty collectable all on it’s own.
What is it for you? Do you have a much loved beauty product that has been discontinued?
combines a lightweight, flaw-minimizing powder with a high value, natural SPF AND lauroyl lysine, a naturally occurring amino acid that conditions the skin. Plus, it’s innovative mineral powders naturally absorb excess surface oil without drying the skin, thereby doing double duty as a finishing powder that simply melts into the skin. The product is completely invisible and doesn’t affect the way my makeup looks underneath. The (refillable) tube with the built-in brush is travel-friendly and ideal on the go – I’ve come to rely on it for quick touch-ups through the day. If there is one drawback, it’s that the Chantecaille built-in brush is definitely not in the same league as any of my favorite Kabukis’. Still, the quality of the powder and the convenience are unbeatable, so Chantecaille Protection Naturelle SPF 46+++ Loose Powder Sunscreen is my constant companion these days.
is a superb option.
was one of the first brands to bring out powder sunscreens and they have a great lineup. There are multiple shades – including all clear (no color), perfectly clear (hint of color) and almost clear (a bit deeper color). You can even choose to have a little sparkle, if that fits your personality. Personally, I always opt for the shimmer because that lets me skip the illuminator and highlighter. Plus, you can pick between a self-dispensing brush, a shaker (sprinkle the powder and apply with a puff) or a roller ball for even application. The powder itself is lightweight and can easily double up as a sheer base or be called upon to set your makeup, while simultaneously tackling greasy skin or shiny spots.
is the one I bring out when my skin is feeling particularly sensitive or acne-prone. The formula is pretty light and it totally kills the shine, making it perfect for sweaty afternoons. There is also a good choice of colors – from tinted, which helps even out the complexion to sheer, which is simply for sun protection. The only problem? Some people find the brush to be a bit rougher than natural bristles, so try it out before buying.
has a puff-like applicator and in-built mirror that make applying on-the-go super-easy. The label says it’s best used on moisturized skin, so I put it on about 20 minutes after applying my moisturizer. It goes on cleanly and doesn’t clog my pores. However, there are only 2 color options: Translucent and Tan. And since “tan” can mean different things to different people, either try out the product before you buy or stick to Translucent.
seriously versatile.
is great for broad spectrum sun protection, the high amount (45%) of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide make it exceptionally drying and difficult to blend. And though the cylindrical packaging seems ideal for on-the-go use, the powder tends to over-dispense onto the built-in brush so there is a lot of wastage. Between that and the fact that powder tends to get all over the container no matter how careful you are, this is a tough sell.
contains a combination of natural sunscreens and yet is totally smooth, transparent, fine and natural-looking. Skin-balancing, it blends perfectly and leaves no chalky residue. Available in several shades, you can swipe it on bare skin or on top of your makeup to provide sheer, long lasting protection that can easily be reapplied throughout the day. Perfect for UV-sensitive complexions.
This one is another star. Not only are the 2 shades – Translucent and Creamy Natural – a perfect fit for all kinds of complexions, the antioxidants from chamomile, ginseng, ginko biloba and green tea actually improve skin quality with every application. And that’s not all: the 
applies evenly and blends easily to give a natural-looking complexion with a glowy finish. Available in 12 shades, it provides coverage that can be built up from sheer-to-moderate, while also concealing dark spots and blemishes. Toss it in your tote and don’t look back!
. That’s because there is some pretty fancy colour-adjusting technology in play here, which makes the almost-clear liquid react with the humidity of your lips to give the most perfect swipe of rosiness for your individual complexion. Plus, it’s got major hydrators to smooth and protect. Oh, and it’s totally not sticky or gloopy, which is a major bonus. In short, it’s genius!
that are designed to banish dry skin and bad odors, while leaving behind a fabulously fresh sensation. Use this when you want hands that are clean, refreshed, beautifully moisturized… and laced with the seductive air of danger.
