What do you do when your favorite product has been discontinued?

I loved Cover Girl's Advance Radiance Age-Defying Compact Foundation. I've been using it for almost six years. Then, like NothingButBonfires, I couldn't find it anywhere. A clue could have been when the last compact I bought was on clearance at my local store. I was in denial.

I've since tried using their Aqua-Smooth compact foundation. It's not aqua-smooth, and I don't like it. I guess I'll have to try the new "You'll love this" foundation, but things will never be the same.

It was also similarly disappointed when St. Ives discontinued their purple Collagen-Elastin gel over ten years ago. I used that for about four years, and then it was just gone. I would use it on my face and under my eyes, and swear to this day that I did not age a day in four years.

When they discontinued it, I went so far as to call the company and ask them if they would ever bring it back. They referred me to their cucumber gel. Silk purse to a sow's ear.

Why do cosmetic companies discontinue products that work for many women and that women would continue to buy?  

With my hair products. I was (and still am) IN LOVE with Redken 22 concrete. Used it every day. Then my stylist told me they discontinued it. For NO reason. Argh. Now I'm resigned to paying way too much for it on eBay. People still have it out there, not sure why Redken decided not to make that formula anymore, but I'm pissed. Also a Revlon lipstick. "Flesh". They discontinued that brand. So when I found that out, I bought like 4 at a time until that color was all gone. Sniff.

 Why do they do that??

GREAT post!

I think most women feel a sense of loss when their favorite products get discontinued.  Hence, I've decD)ided to start memorializing them in the form of Haiku's (http://blog.beautyxpose.com:8080/?p=865) and Obituaries (to be written this week). 

If you'd like me to memorialize one of your fav's, shoot me an email:  bellab@beautyxpose.com

Bella B.

www.beautyXpose.com

Oh man, I hate nothing more! It happens every time I find a product I love and it's so frustrating because I'm very product loyal. If a foundation works for me I want it FOREVER. Probably long after I should be be using it in fact.

There are a few sites that sell discontinued perfumes like Aunt Judy's Attic ( http://auntjudysattic.com )- I found an amazon listing for Gap Om ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001SHPVRQ/... ) here but it's $99 (eek).

 IVillage also has an article with this great list of resources to find discontinued cosmetics ( http://beauty.ivillage.com/makeup/0,,8z32jl4x-p,00.html ) from brands like Revlon, Almay, Clinique, MAC, Chanel, and a lot more. It mentions a company in NY called Three Custom Color ( http://threecustom.com )that will recreate a favorite product for you. It's not cheap, so it might not be worth it for a drugstore brand unless you reeeeeally love it.

Of course I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case - as these things often go.

Mom-101 ( http://mom-101.blogspot.com )
( http://coolmompicks.com )

Cool Mom Picks.com ( http://coolmompicks.com )

I feel the same way about my make up!  I'm a cafe au lait AA woman and it's tough to find a perfect match.

However, it may sound scary and strange, but I've found a few of my discontinued favorites at some of the discount stores, like the Dollar Tree. BUT make sure it's not expired. I called Almay once and they advised me (over the phone) whether the product was safe to use.

Good Luck! 

"So Much To Say!!!"
( http://sistershelpingsisterskc.blogspot.com/ )Sisters Helping Sisters
"Celebrating the Sistershood between

There's really nothing to be done when a product is discontinued, other than sigh heavily, accept it, and move on to another product.

A few years ago, Neutragena discontinued it's Rain Bath spray on oil.  I used so much of this stuff, I practically drank it.  Instead of trying to find a substitute, I tried to MAKE a substitute myself - I bought baby oil, I bought other Rain Bath products, I combined them - just an oily mess.  What made me think I was a chemist!?!

And, then, there's the delight in finding the perfect replacement - and the fun in trying other products 'til you get there!  I found a perfect replacement - Bliss's Plum Spray on moisture oil.  I loved it more than Rain Bath.  And?????  Discontinued.  I tried everywhere, I tried ebay - I kept getting out bid. 

 And now, eh, I can't have my heart broken again - it's just boring old Cetaphil moisturizer for me.  That'll never be discontinued, right???

Wendy

http://www.lemontines.com ( http://www.lemontines.com/ )

There are a number of products that I've loved & have been discontinued over the years.  It's always heartbreaking and ground-shaking.  It. Wrecks. My. World.

There was this particular loose powder that had just the slightest shimmer to it back in the late-80s/early-90s.  Perfect for dates, going out, etc.  It didn't bother my sensitive skin.  And then it was gone.

There were countless fragrances, much loved and then POOF!  Gone in an instant, before I could stock up.  Don't get me started on lotions.

Makeup.  Oh, makeup.  My skin is so very pale and sensitive that only a few things have done the trick--those products all go the way of the dodo bird sooner or later.  Because they're perfect for me, that's why.

And don't get me started on reformulations.  I used to use Pantene Pro-V hair products religiously.  For YEARS.  It was the scent that I left on the pillow, and part of why my husband fell in love with me in the first place.  Then, out of nowhere, they 'reformulated' the stuff and I was allergic to it.  Not only was I horrified, my husband was heart-broken.  No more of that pretty fragrance on the pillow.

I suspect this is a marketing strategy to keep us shopping for different products.  Diabolical.  Simply diabolical.

Amanda
Mrs.W's Kitchen ( http://mrswskitchen.blogspot.com )

I LOVED it and was genuinely upset when I realized they stopped carrying it. I'm not really a product loyalist so it felt more upsetting, like "Hey! I care about so few things in this department, can't you leave them alone???" The drama. ;) The replacement bath line was so underwhelming in comparison.

Now, if Mac ever gets rid of their #3 perfume, I am in serious trouble. I can't even think about it.

Laurie

LaurieWrites ( http://lauriewrites.typepad.com )

And I'll be on the lookout for the Body Shop banana conditioner! Thanks, Maria!

I can only imagine the look of panic on my face when I walked in to a Body Shop one day years ago and discovered that it was discontinued. I've found others that are fine but nothing that I love the way I did the banana conditioner.

If I spot any foundation I'll send 'em your way :)