Among the things my late mother left behind are empties of beauty products she used. It’s as if they serve as one of the last pieces of advice she’s offered me. And they’re, excuse the pun, the motherload.
There are two things to consider why I find these empties fascinating. First is how these products have been around for a few decades. Second is how these products are still in the market, albeit slightly different packaging. Meaning, they’ve stood the test of time.
When a skincare item or makeup product possesses these traits, that’s when you can call them truly iconic. In fact, these are the type of beauty items that are so well-loved, they’re synonymous to the brands that produce them.
These products have also maintained their status by keeping to the classic elements but improving upon with them with the newest technology.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
A real “mom product,” if there ever was one. This was always a fixture in our bathroom when my mom could afford it. I’ve also seen it on TV shows and countless reviews. When it comes to moisturizers, nothing beats this one which perhaps remains to be Clinique’s most popular product of all time.
I understood the hype immediately when I tried it via a deluxe sample tube I received around four years ago. Now, I’ve got a full sized bottle of the yellow cream but with an updated colored cartridge: CliniqueiD.
In the past few years, the Clinique Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Lotion + amped its original formula. It also introduced new siblings in the Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Gel and the Dramatically Different™ Hydrating Jelly. They furthered the update with Clinique iD: four different cartridges that offer an extra boost and are formulated to a specific skin concern.
MAC Prep + Prime Fix +
In the world of setting sprays and makeup boosters, the MAC Prep + Prime Fix + is still number one. The fine mist combines green tea, chamomile, and cucumber for a workhorse of a product. Elle Australia put together a list of the 12 ways you can use it.
Beauty vloggers still pull it out during a tutorial or two, despite the plethora of makeup mists around. I have yet to see a makeup artist who doesn’t have it, even just as a back-up.
It’s not hard to surmise why MAC just had to update the Fix + with scented versions: rose, lavender, and coconut. They’ve also introduced a shimmer version that uses pearlescent particles with two variants: Pinklite and Goldlite. Plus they also have a matte formula, best for getting excess oil in control.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
I found a few of these amber bottles immediately when I went through my mom’s collection. As the brand will quickly tell you, this is their #1 serum. Released in 1982, the serum was one of the first in the market to use hyaluronic acid. They also caught on the link between aging and DNA.
In 2009, Estee Lauder introduced the Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex. This contains a ground-breaking Chronolux™ Technology which boosts the anti-aging mechanisms of the cell exactly when it needs it.
Other than the serum, Estee Lauder also offers various products under the Advanced Night Repair line. These include the Eye Concentrate Matrix, Micro Cleansing Balm, and the Intense Recovery Ampoules.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
There are two things that instantly enter my mind when you say Elizabeth Arden. The first is the red lipstick Ms. Arden herself gave out in support of the suffragettes. The second one is this cream.
Created in 1930, this cream is some sort of a magic potion. It’s a powerful moisturizer for face, lips, and hair ends. There are eight different uses to this creams which include relieving cracked heels. The kind of product that is perfect when going on a trip abroad.
In my carry-on, I will also bring a few picks from their Eight Hour line which include the Lip Protectant Stick Sunscreen and the Miracle Hydrating Mist.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Cherries in the Snow”
Revlon is one of those brands that connect with the current audience even if it’s been around long enough to be the first makeup purchase of your grandmom. In the post-war Amazon Prime series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the lead character takes on a job at a Revlon counter to re-claim her life after a cheating husband. In one scene, she recommends the lipstick shade “Cherries in the Snow” to a customer.
This shade has been around since 1953 and is perhaps one of the most iconic lip shades of all time. It even has a nail polish counterpart.
For those with pink tones in their skin, this will work great with when you’re in the mood to rock a bold lip.
Killer combo: Revolutionary lipstick plus the best brows ever
