Oldies but Goodies: Beauty Then & Now

A fragrance can take you back on the floor of a high school dance. A flavor
can remind you of your first kiss. A commercial ditty can remind you of a day
at college. And a lotion can be like a member of the family. Thousands of
beauty products are introduced every year but few actually stay. There are a
select few beauty products that have made the cut year after year. And some
are celebrating 50+ years of success. How have they made it this far?
Because they have proven time and time again to be trustworthy, effective,
and safe. They are familiar, with minimal to no changes through the years.
And we are loyal to them. Not just because we have used them for so long,
but because they are reliable; they ALWAYS deliver results.

COVER GIRL PRESSED POWDER

What: A highly fragranced pressed powder in a thin, round
compact

Then:

1961 Cover Girl launches a line of powders independent of their former
Noxema “skin healing” name. 1978 Grandma Vee gives young Holly Vee
Stone her first very own compact of Cover Girl pressed powder and shows her
how to use it.

Now: Still available, still popular, more refined, more colors, not as
thin and now also oval, but still the same fragrance. To this very day, the
smell of that powder evokes powerful memories of kissing my Grandma’s
soft cheek. I will never forget sitting at the card table in her trailer, watching
her do her makeup and imitating her every move with my powder, lipstick
and blush. With her strong southern drawl, she would say “Darlin’, you are SO
Purtty”. I have to admit, I keep a compact of CG powder on hand and open it
ever so often and smell. The memories of Grandma Vee return instantly.

AUSSIE 3 MINUTE MIURACLE RECONSTRUCTOR

What: A hair conditioner that packs a punch in just 3 minutes.

Then:

1979 The concept is born from the lush Outback. A creamy conditioner that
feeds starved hair with extracts from the richest flowers and oils. Spread by
word of mouth to become a household name in AU and UK. Once this Aussie
product hit the US, sales exploded.

Today: Same name, same fragrance, new packaging design. Boasts
Avocado Oil – to tame frizzies, an oil produced by crushed stone of
Australian Wild Peach helps hair retain its natural moisture, and Australian
Kangaroo Paw Flower for shine.

CETAPHIL

What: A creamy cleanser which soothes sensitive skin.

Then:

1989 Created for those who suffer with eczema. Highly recommended by
dermatologists for sensitive skin. Soap free and fragrance free. Can be
washed off with water or simply removed with a dry towel leaving behind a
protective moisture barrier. Sold only at pharmacies.

Now: Same formula , evolved packaging, expanded line of
complimentary products. Still highly recommended by dermatologists. Now
sold everywhere, including Costco.

OIL OF OLAY BEAUTY FLUID

What: A fluid lotion created for dry skin.

Then:

1950 Created out of love by a chemist whose wife had very dry skin. The
creams on the market at that time were waxy and very heavy. Oil of Olay
Beauty fluid was revolutionary at the time because of its powerful ability to
moisturize with a light weight texture.

Now: Today, called Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid – Original,
the product is no different and delivers light and silky moisture. Available at
most drugstores.

AQUA NET HAIR SPRAY

What: Hairspray designed to hold up even the highest of 80’s
bangs.

Then:

1984 What do Charlie’s Angels, Brut Cologne and Aqua Net Hairspray all have
in common? The brand Fabergé. A line of hair care was branded with Farah
Facetts hair and a new hairspray was launched by the demand of the big hair
era-the 80’s. Soon after, aerosol hairsprays came under fire when discovered
that they had potentially harmful ozone chemicals. Those questionable
chemicals chloroflourocarbons or CFC’s were quickly removed and…

Today: Those harmful chemicals are no longer found in aerosol
hairspray so their use is based on preference. This hairspray has AMAZING
hold but isn’t sticky. It claims that minerals are added to stiffen the hair. The
fragrance takes me back to a BananaRama Cruel Summer.

MAYBELLINE GREAT LASH MASCARA

What: Mascara

Then:

1971 Maybelline was looking for a mascara with wide appeal. Gave the
packaging bold colors to catch attention.

Now: Celebrated its 40th birthday last month. This mascara’s
performance has been heavily criticized by artists and every day users but
continues to be the most recognized and best -selling mascara in the world,
with 1 sold every 1.5 seconds. Maybelline launches collectors or limited
edition tubes from time to time but maintains the same formula. I think this
will be around for me to give to my granddaughters.

BONNEBELL LIP SMACKERS

What: A lip balm with cute packaging (think competition=black
chapstick )

Then:

1973 Flavors from the most popular Strawberry to Watermelon and Bubble
Gum were found in pockets and purses of young women everywhere.

1979 BonneBell added Dr. Pepper to their line up and hit a slam dunk. When
this flavor was paired with their jumbo tube, sales quadrupled.

Today: BonneBell separated their name to re-brand lip balms as Lip
Smackers. Found in the pockets of celebrities like Rachel Bilson (IN STYLE
what’s in your bag?) and Jessica Simpson. Still in jumbo size and still
available in Strawberry and Dr. Pepper. At just $1.85, it is the cheapest and
most delightful walk down memory lane!