Last Updated on May 17, 2024
Over the last few decades, the market has been flooded with beauty products that promise to turn back time, plump our thin lips, and make our real eyelashes look fake. Between celebrity cosmetic line releases and iconic brands constantly churning out new things to stay relevant, it feels like consumers are awash in a sea of pretty packaging and false promises.
However, some beauty products have stood the test of time and found a permanent home in our makeup bags and on our bathroom counters.
You may be surprised to know that all of these products are still available, and many are super affordable and easy to find at your local drug or department store. So here are 15 of our favorite retro beauty products that combine quality, value, and a healthy dose of nostalgia!
Pantene Pro-V Shampoo and Conditioner
Anyone who grew up in the 80s probably remembers the glamorous TV commercials where the gorgeous Kelly LeBrock coos, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful,” as she tosses her shiny brunette locks over her shoulder. While it’s true that Pantene reached peak popularity along with the actresses and supermodels who starred in their commercials, the brand is still sold in drugstores today. I’ve been using it on my naturally curly hair for decades, and I would argue that the quality has increased over time while the products have remained affordable. They’ve also expanded their line to include products for curly hair, ethnic hair, and more.
Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner @ Walmart
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara
When it comes to volumizing mascaras, this one is the GOAT. It’s available at most drugstores, costs under $10, and holds up against the priciest of luxury brands. Originally released in 1992, the iconic mascara is now offered in a waterproof formula and several different colors. While many luxury mascaras promise the *falsies look* for upwards of $25 a tube, even the priciest brands can’t hold a candle to this timeless classic. The formula is rich, silky, and packs a voluminous punch that is super buildable.
L’Oreal Voluminus Mascara @ Walmart
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
You can’t talk about retro mascara without mentioning the OG of them all, Great Lash. Released in 1971, this budget-friendly option has been a staple for teenage girls for decades. Why? Because the formula is simple and at under $10, you can afford to buy it with your leftover lunch money. Don’t ask me why I know that; my mom might be reading this.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara @ Walmart
Cover Girl Cheekers Blush
Another 90s high school favorite, this long-wearing blush comes in a wide range of colors and can be found just about anywhere for under $5 a pop. While many of the color offerings look good on various skin tones, Soft Sable is an iconic 90s fave that looks great on just about everyone. To modernize the look, brush a bit onto the apples of your cheeks after contouring for a bronzy, well-rested glow.
Cover Girl Cheekers Blush @ Walmart
POND’S
The name probably makes you think of your grandma, but chances are your granny had great skin thanks to POND’S. Available in tons of different formulas, the original creme has been keeping us young for generations, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. In fact, the POND’S line has been expanded to include many different cleansers, moisturizers, and face wipes.
Pond’s Daily Facial Skin Cream Moisturizer @ Walmart
Lip Smackers
This childhood favorite kept our lips glossy and poppin’ even before we were allowed to wear makeup. Plus, as the name indicates, they come in an array of yummy flavors. These days, you can still find the classics like bubble gum and strawberry, plus more modern flavors like Coca-Cola, Fanta, and seasonal offerings like Pumpkin Spice.
Lip Smacker Liquid Gloss @ Walmart
Benetint
Urban legend says that Benefit Cosmetics founders Jean and Jane Ford created this product in the 70s for a San Francisco-based exotic dancer who wanted her nipples to look a little more pink on stage. It turns out the legend is true, which makes this holy grail product even cooler than we thought it was. Made from a base of rose petals and carmine, the tint has since been giving a rosy tint to everything from lips, to cheeks and even eyelids. International superstar Karol G swears by the stuff and even uses it as a part of her DIY 5-minute makeup routine.
Benetint Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tint @ Walmart
Clinique Happy Perfume
If this delightful fragrance is good enough for Elle Woods to spritz on her wrists in the opening sequence to “Legally Blonde,” it’s good enough for a permanent spot on our fragrance roster. Since the late 1990s, the citrusy scent has been lifting moods with a light, citrusy floral aroma we can’t get enough of.
Clinique Happy Perfume Spray 3.4 oz @ Bloomingdale’s
Ralph Lauren Romance Perfume
For those days when we wanted to strut around campus smelling a bit fancier, we had Ralph Lauren Romance. Because who doesn’t want to smell like a country club your family can’t afford to get into while you’re sitting in 5th-period biology?
Romance by Ralph Lauren @ Walmart
Revlon Fire and Ice Lipstick
Before we had MAC Ruby Woo and Russian Red, we had Revlon Fire and Ice. The creamy formula has been keeping our pouts perfectly red since the 1950s, and it’s still widely available today in drugstores worldwide. And while many a brand has tried to nab the title of most iconic red lipstick, Fire and Ice has stood the test of time like no one else.
Revlon Fire and Ice Lipstick @ Walmart
Nars Orgasm Blush
Titillating name aside, this iconic blush is nothing short of a show stopper, with a glowing coral hue that highlights the cheeks and makes it look like you’ve been sunning yourself in the Bahamas instead of typing your life away in a cubicle. In fact, it’s still the #1 selling blush in the United States.
Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner
Speaking of orgasmic beauty products, I’m sure anyone who owned a TV in the 80s and 90s remembers the risque Herbal Essences commercials. You know, the one where some beautiful lady washes her hair in an unnecessarily sexy fashion, then shakes her freshly dried and curled ‘do whilst screaming out “yes, yes, YES” like she was having an “entanglement” with Jason Mamoa in a beachside van somewhere along the shore. While not nearly as fun as a coastal romp with Aquaman himself, the line of shampoos and conditioners still smell great and are available at a store near you.
Herbal Essences Clarifying Shampoo @ Walmart
Salon Selectives Shampoo and Conditioner
Seriously, they still make this. And yes, I was shocked, too. Apparently, the company has rebranded several times since its heyday in the 80s and 90s and can now be found in dollar stores across the country. I picked some up during my last trip to Dollar Tree and was shocked to know that despite paying just over $2.50 for a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, the product is still just as good as it was back in the day. The green apple scent transported me right back to my childhood bathtub, and the creamy conditioner was really moisturizing for my parched, curly hair. Salon Selectives may sound like a relic of the past, but it’s just as good as it ever was.
Salon Selectives Shampoo and Conditioner @ Dollar Tree
Hard Candy Cosmetics
In the 90s, Hard Candy was known for vibrant nail polish, adorably packaged eye shadows, and the shiniest of lipglosses. Then, after seemingly going under, the brand resurfaced in 2010 online and at Walmarts across the country with a new look and all-new products. What’s truly astounding about the revamp is the company somehow managed to keep the quality up despite being sold at Walmart prices. The viral Glamoflague Foundation, for example, sells for just $6 and really stands up to luxury brands in terms of formula and coverage.
Wet N’ Wild
If you went to high school in the 90s, chances are you either you or one of your friends stood in the bathroom melting the tip of your Wet n’ Wild eyeliner with a lighter before gliding it across your waterline. These days, the brand is still going strong. And while the $0.99 eyeliner is still a best seller, they also have a full line of affordably priced products, including foundation, eye shadow palettes, and a liquid eyeliner that’s hard to beat for $4.99.
Wet N’ Wild Cosmetics @ Amazon
Noxzema
Few things are more refreshing than watching a young Rebecca Gayheart splash water on her face in the 1990s Noxzema commercials. And while it’s not necessarily a brand that gets a lot of mentions these days, it’s still going strong at a drugstore near you. My pores feel clearer already!
Noxzema Moisturizing Facial Cleanser Cream Daily Face Cleansing for All Skin Types @ Walmart