There’s nothing more disappointing than falling in love with a beauty product and then bam — it’s gone! Believe us, we know what it’s like to be heartbroken. Editor’s note: My personal all-time favorite product from high school was an amazing yellow aloe vera-like gel moisturizer that was the bomb.com. I can’t remember the name or find the product #beautygirlproblems.
So, who better to find the perfect replacements to your fave discontinued products than the experts themselves. We spoke a handful of experts to find out to learn about the best #TBT products were, plus have them divulge on their new (possibly improved) replacements.
Favorite Cream Blush
Who: Julie Harris, Celebrity Makeup Artist, @Makeupqueennyc
Client(s): Sarah Paulson, Idina Menzel, Allison Williams, and Olivia Wilde
“One of my all time favorite cream blushes Laos by NARS Cosmetics—it was a beautiful warm pink I loved for the apples of cheeks. Now, I’m a fan of Bobbi Brown Cream Blush in both the ‘Blushed Rose’ and ‘Pale Pink’ shades.”
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks, $30; Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
Favorite Hair Clay
Who: Nate Rosenkranz, Celebrity Hairstylist, @nathanrosenkranz
Clients: Julia Stiles, Diana Gordon, Julie Klausner, and Anna Chlumsky
“When Alterna discontinued their Bamboo Style Form Ultra-Hold Sculpting Clay, you could say that I was a bit disappointed. I used it on almost every grooming shoot I did and for detailing on women's shoots. Luckily, they have just replaced it with an even better product that gives the same results with the added benefits of their [new] Caviar line.”
Alterna Caviar Style Concrete Extreme Definition Clay, $28; Alterna Haircare
Favorite Mascara
Who: Desirae Cherman, Celebrity Makeup Artist, @desiraecherman
Client(s): Lucy Boynton, Candice Accola, Debby Ryan
“My heart was a little broken when Maybelline stopped making one of my favorites, their ‘Lash Discovery Mascara’. It came with a small brush perfect for coating each individual lash, it didn’t clump, and it defined to perfection. The product wasn’t heavy so you could layer it until you had the desired effect! Thankfully, Kevyn Aucoin came out with an amazing replacement! His ‘Volume Mascara’ is hands down one of the best on the market. [It boasts] a small defined brush, plus smooth creamy formula that has tons of pigment and even little fibers to help build volume.”
Kevyn Aucoin ‘The Volume’ Mascara, $28; Sephora
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Favorite Lipsticks
Who: David Tibolla, Celebrity Makeup and Hair Stylist, @davidtibolla
Client(s): Bolly Menard, Anne Heche
“For years, I used ‘YSL Rouge Pur Shine Lipstick’. The light, silky texture coupled with solid pigment and finely milled gold flecks were absolutely magical! I was so sad when they discontinued the range that I stocked up on my three favorite shades. YSL replaced them with a new, modern formula, Rouge Pur Couture Radiance Lipsticks, which are beautiful, but I miss still the old formula.
I haven't really found anything like the old YSL Rouge Pur Shine in any other lines. The closest I've found in terms of texture and of similar pigmentation would have to be Dior Addict Lipstick, which I love. They're gorgeous and similar in that they're light and silky, but not the same range of color, and although they have a lustrous shine, they don't contain that magic gold shimmer which was what I loved about the YSL Rouge Pur Shine.”
Dior Addict Lipstick, $35; Dior
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Satin Radiance Lipsticks, $37; YSL Beauty
Favorite Pink Lipstick
Who: Blondie, Celebrity Hairstylist, Makeup Artist, and Groomer, @blondiemua
Client(s): Sofia Richie and Cara Delevingne
“I was devastated when Revlon discontinued their Living Lipstick in Orchid Beach No. 36. It was the perfect "Barbie" pink lipstick. So I went on the hunt for a replacement and came across Lime Crime lipstick in Countessa Fluorescent — it's the perfect hot pink!”
Lime Crime Lipstick in Countessa Fluorescent, $16; Walmart
Favorite Eyelash Curler
Who: Maureen Burke, Celebrity Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and Groomer, @spygirlmo
Client(s): Adriana Ugarte and Tegan & Sara
“Although the Shu Uemura line of products has not been fully discontinued, it is no longer available in brick and mortar stores in the United States. That being said, they took my beloved eyelash curler with them over the pond. As we know, almost anything can be purchased on the internet these days. However, there's nothing like actually going into a store the good old fashioned way!
The Kevyn Aucoin curler is a very close second to the Shu Uemura favorite. This precise, Aucoin tool is currently available at Nordstrom and Sephora stores. Just think about all of the new products you might be missing out on by not going to shop 'til you drop?!”
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler, $21; Nordstrom
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Favorite Strobe Cream
Who: Anthony Nguyen, Celebrity Makeup Artist, @anthonyHnguyenmakeup
Client(s): Katy Perry, Tove Lo, Die Antwoord, Brooke Candy, and Fifth Harmony
“One of my all time favorite discontinued beauty products would have to be this iridescent face gloss by M.A.C Cosmetics called ‘Astonish.’ It created a next level glow on the skin that was incredible for editorial shoots. Since it's been discontinued, I love recreating that look with M.A.C's Strobe Cream and any clear lip gloss on the skin, highlighting the high points of the face to give an ethereal sheen.”
M.A.C Cosmetics Strobe Cream, $33; M.A.C Cosmetics
Favorite Brow Pencil
Who: Paul Blanch, Celebrity Makeup Artist, @paulyblanch
Client(s): Skyler Samuels, Kaitlin Doubleday, Charlotte McKinney, Francesca Eastwood, Emily Robinson, and Jennette McCurd
“One of my favorite discontinued products was the M.A.C Impeccable Brow Pencil. It gave soft buildable definition with a waxy finish to keep the brow hairs in place. Now, I love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer as a replacement—they have a great color range for all hair colors — finished off with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel.”
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer, $23; Sephora
Favorite Makeup Brush
Who: Kendra Richards, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Groomer, @1kendrarichards
Client(s): Cindy Crawford, Tilda Swinton, Hilary Duff, Ali Larter, Justin Timberlake, and Tom Ford
“Makeup brushes are beyond important and I have a favorite makeup brush that is discontinued [insert huge sad face here]. It's the Shu Uemura #14 synthetic fiber brush. Great for applying powder to small areas of the face — specifically under the eye or around the nose. My favorite replacement is Kat Von D. Precision Powder Brush #25.”
Lock-It Precision Powder Brush #25, $32; Kat Von D Beauty
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Favorite Leave-In Conditioner
Who: Brian Zinno, Education Director at Antonio Prieto Salon, @brianzinno
Client(s): Toks Olagundoye, Ali Wentworth, and Callie Thorne
“My all time favorite product was Kérastase Soleil Gelee Aqua Proof. It was a transparent protective gel for sun-exposed hair. Features [included] a UV filter for hair, water resistance, flexible, light hold, and a shiny, stylized wet look. My new favorite replacement is Elixir Ultime Créme. It’s considered a leave in conditioner/styling cream hybrid. It has a UV filter, natural shine, hydration properties and repair with frizz control.”
Kérastase Elixir Ultime Créme Fine, $42; Kérastase
Favorite Highlighter
Who: Matin, Celebrity Makeup Artist, @itsmatin
Client(s): Claire Danes, Lupita Nyong’o, Idina Menzel, Rachel Bilson, Camilla Belle
“My top three discontinued products are (without hesitation) Chanel Les Plumes de Chanel highlighter, Laura Mercier ‘Lip Kisses Nude Beach,’ and Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick #418. My kit is so lonely without them. However, I have found a few replacements that go above and beyond and are a wonderful replacement to Chanel’s highlighter, especially Cover FX’s ‘Celestial’ shade."
Cover F/X Enhancer Drops (Celestial), $42; Sephora
Favorite Lip Choice
Who: Matin, Celebrity Makeup Artist, @itsmatin
Client(s): Claire Danes, Lupita Nyong’o, Idina Menzel, Rachel Bilson, Camilla Belle
"Instead of Laura Mercier’s and Guerlina’s lip colors, my go-to lip choice is Chapstick’s total hydration plus tint. Chapstick has a lot of tint choices, but I usually go for a rose-toned lip to emulate those discontinued lip colors.”
Chapstick Total Hydration + Tint, $4.99; Target
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