Fuck this shit. I've decided I'm going retro with my skin care.

[HoneyDragon]

It occurred to me the other day that I like Steam Cream because it's like a cold cream, but lighter.

I used cold cream (Nivea) every night throughout my teens and early twenties.

It's occurred to me that I've only ever adapted my skin care when stuffs been discontinued or because I've got older and you are supposed to change and you age.

In all honesty my skins no different to it was 15 years ago apart from the odd wrinkle.

I picked up some Nivea last week pm in pound,and and I had forgotten his much crap it gets off my face and how nice it leaves my skin.

So I thought back, and I've spent the last 10 years trying to find a cleanser as good as Himalaya cleansing milk, and non have been, not even close. Even Lancôme and Clarins. You could see the grime come off your skin, and it melted make up in seconds (stung the eyes though so used Nivea to remove eye up).

So I've ordered some on Ebay that is imported.

And ditto for Ponds Vanishing Cream. That was so good in the mornings that I could go without make up and it kept my shine free all day. And when I put make up no primer was required.

So I've sourced that too. Up till now never occurred to me to see if they were still been manufactured else where in the world.

I am happy and excited, and can't wait till they come

What other products were really brilliant that you just can't get in the UK anymore?

Rose water is the business used as a toner as it also moisturises. Plus it is really cheap. just make sure you get pure rose water and not stuff with lots of fake ingredients in. Most chemists sell it or you can get it on Amazon. It is lovley in summer.

Does any one remember Fenjal? It as a luxury bath lotion & expensive. I had the body spray too & loved it. It was in a turquoise & silver bottle.

I've just googled looks line it's still available in Boots but I not in the UK now.

Mark Constantine started off Cosmetics To Go. He was previously with Anita Roddick.

I've just googled & it's still available in Boots. I am not in the UK now.

Brennie

Is that Eau Fraiche, Eau De Jeune in the green glass bottle? It is still sold in French supermarkets and pharmacies everywhere.

It is my favourite and I still splash it about. If you want a costlier version then GEO Trumpers West Indian Lime cologne is very similar.

Brennie - you can still get that Fa stuff in France (and the Eau Jeune Eau Fraiche, which I also love) in the cosmetic "pound shops" called Presty Woman (yes, presty, that's not a typo!). The Fa stuff comes in a spray now, rather than in a decantable bottle.

Eau Jeune was lovely. Smelled like pure lemon juice.

We used to be able to get Fa here in Italy too, but haven't seen it for a while.

marmalade I read that as "Vosene in a tear bottle can be found in Poland" I was thinking - THAT'S dedication for you but a lot of trouble to go to . Maybe I should be thinking about new glasses rather than beauty products... (Old gimmer)

Well if we're on about Avon Soi Rouge was my all time favourite perfume, and I loved their talc I think it was dream something?

Both discontinued, they ditched Soi Rouge in the '90's

LOVE 4711 - very old fashioned and the smell doesn't last long, specially when I sprinkle it liberally over pillows and bedding . Takes me right back to being 7 years old and we flew to a land far away to visit family ( was considered sooo exotic in those days that school asked my dad to come in and give a talk about it! ) and they had sachets of 4711 wipes that they gave out on the plane. Twas considered the height of luxury and sophistication you know

I used to ^reek* of Jovan Musk in the early 80's. We (my friend and I) really believed the ads that told us it would turn us into raw animal sex goddesses.

ohhh..memories. I used to use that Eau Jeune; I had completely forgotton about it.
Anyone ever use Fidji perfume? I used to HONK of the stuff

Body Shop elderflower eye gel - amazing.

...or Cachet, by Prince Matchabelli !

I used the Country Born hair gel (Boots own line) in 1981-82 when there was precious little gels about. It was sold in a tub, pale
translucent green and I can still smell it in my head. I used to whack it on and dry my hair upside down.
I used 'Midnight Auburn' Harmony semi perm colour on it which was a lovely dark conker shade

When I was about 12, a terribly glamorous lady sitting next to me on the plane bought some Fidji duty free, and I decided there and then I needed a posh signature perfume.

I have been a perfume addict ever since.

I used to have a magazine called Melanie, before Jackie was the one and only mag to have. I remember cutting out an article saying that a perfume called Courant which cost 49p would be an ideal treat for your Mum on Mother's Day.

Gatekeeper

I used to wear Cachet too. I thought the name was Le Dernier Cri in subtle chic!

Ooh I remember getting those 4711 wipes on the plane. The smell always reminds me of my granny.

My mum loves Badedas and Fenjal. I did buy a bottle of Badedas a while back and dd and I both bathed in it once. Not sure what they put in it now but both of us has red raw fanjo's after that . I think I gave it away after sniffing it often.

Did you used to get Lace perfume? I see it still around now. That was my signature scent then .

And what ever happened to that V05 colour mousse? That stuff was great!

I used to buy CTG stuff in the late 80s/early 90s. I had a circular palette, into which you placed different eyeshadow colours you'd bought - genius! Especially since you had to buy eight of the damn things to fill it up even though you only used one or two.

I remember it seemed so outré to be ordering cosmetics by mail order!

Now I can't go near a Lush shop without my nose tockling and my eyes watering - they must use some vicious ingredients.

I remember having an Yves Rocher catalogue and feeling myself very posh indeed.

(still v nice stuff, have to say)

OOOHHHH Yves Rocher- DrankSangria. Loved their products and they used to be hard to get which increased their cachet. Am trying to recall my favourites...

Klorane have that wholesome retro appeal- their cornflower eye make up remover is really inexpensive but feels and looks luxe.

Talkie! that stuff is AMAZING!!!

I am loving this wander down memory lane. I loved cachet too and had some for Christmas (same year I got Wham Make it Big and a Choose Life T-shirt doncha know!_

ahhh life was simpler then