Page 18 | Those old make up brands that have gone- a bit of fun for the oldies.

JinglingSpringishBells · 2023-01-16T13:01:17+00:00

I was thinking today how many old brands have gone. I remember buying my first 'real' foundation in a dept store when I was about 15. The store was the House of Fraser group. I bought Yardley foundation and my Mum came along with me to look at the shades. It was in a turquoise tube, not unlike the packaging now of some Clinique products. The others I used were Outdoor Girl Miners Mary Quant ( a real treat as it was expensive.) Me and my friends used to spend ages on Saturdays in Woolies looking at Outdoor Girl and Miners. I used to love a tiny pot of Miners lip gloss.

Niftythrifter · 25/10/2025 17:57

GellerYeller · 25/10/2025 15:01

Gash was a reddish colour I think? I had a purple nail polish of theirs called ‘Bruise’!

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Sounds right about gash.

BobbyBrewstersMagicTorch · 26/10/2025 08:13

Did anyone buy from one of those parties you'd have at home? I had several eye shadows from there but can't recall the name.

Comefromaway · 26/10/2025 08:42

Mary Kay?

justasking111 · 26/10/2025 08:47

BobbyBrewstersMagicTorch · 26/10/2025 08:13

Did anyone buy from one of those parties you'd have at home? I had several eye shadows from there but can't recall the name.

I remember one that began with an O. American I think. They were parties.

WaggledMyAerialAndWolfedMyCustardCreams · 26/10/2025 12:39

I think that was Oriflame. Terrible parties, because it was almost impossible to escape without buying something.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 26/10/2025 16:03

BankfieldForever · 24/10/2025 02:40

My mum was a teenager in the war and she said this was extremely uncommon. The eye pencil maybe, but not often. They wore ankle socks a lot and cotton and wool stockings were available and worn, especially by mature women. Trousers were worn more than we’re told about.

Silk stockings were available to those who could afford them, coupons allowing.

And the dogs thing is a myth that probably came from later newspaper cartoons. Gravy browning was a flavourless caramel used to give colour to meat juices and flour and did not smell of meat, so would not attract dogs.

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My parents were late teens early 20s in the war and they always said it was rubbish. There was some kind of leg make up. Dad apparently was a dab hand at drawing seams and his sister and her friends used to get him to do it- which is a level of weird I don't want to think about.
I had Miners Panda eyes palette- yellow, purple, blue and grey/black so nomatter the combination you looked like the aftermath of a title fight.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 26/10/2025 16:03

BankfieldForever · 24/10/2025 02:40

My mum was a teenager in the war and she said this was extremely uncommon. The eye pencil maybe, but not often. They wore ankle socks a lot and cotton and wool stockings were available and worn, especially by mature women. Trousers were worn more than we’re told about.

Silk stockings were available to those who could afford them, coupons allowing.

And the dogs thing is a myth that probably came from later newspaper cartoons. Gravy browning was a flavourless caramel used to give colour to meat juices and flour and did not smell of meat, so would not attract dogs.

Show quote history

My parents were late teens early 20s in the war and they always said it was rubbish. There was some kind of leg make up. Dad apparently was a dab hand at drawing seams and his sister and her friends used to get him to do it- which is a level of weird I don't want to think about.
I had Miners Panda eyes palette- yellow, purple, blue and grey/black so nomatter the combination you looked like the aftermath of a title fight.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 26/10/2025 16:03

BankfieldForever · 24/10/2025 02:40

My mum was a teenager in the war and she said this was extremely uncommon. The eye pencil maybe, but not often. They wore ankle socks a lot and cotton and wool stockings were available and worn, especially by mature women. Trousers were worn more than we’re told about.

Silk stockings were available to those who could afford them, coupons allowing.

And the dogs thing is a myth that probably came from later newspaper cartoons. Gravy browning was a flavourless caramel used to give colour to meat juices and flour and did not smell of meat, so would not attract dogs.

Show quote history

My parents were late teens early 20s in the war and they always said it was rubbish. There was some kind of leg make up. Dad apparently was a dab hand at drawing seams and his sister and her friends used to get him to do it- which is a level of weird I don't want to think about.
I had Miners Panda eyes palette- yellow, purple, blue and grey/black so nomatter the combination you looked like the aftermath of a title fight.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 26/10/2025 16:03

BankfieldForever · 24/10/2025 02:40

My mum was a teenager in the war and she said this was extremely uncommon. The eye pencil maybe, but not often. They wore ankle socks a lot and cotton and wool stockings were available and worn, especially by mature women. Trousers were worn more than we’re told about.

Silk stockings were available to those who could afford them, coupons allowing.

And the dogs thing is a myth that probably came from later newspaper cartoons. Gravy browning was a flavourless caramel used to give colour to meat juices and flour and did not smell of meat, so would not attract dogs.

Show quote history

My parents were late teens early 20s in the war and they always said it was rubbish. There was some kind of leg make up. Dad apparently was a dab hand at drawing seams and his sister and her friends used to get him to do it- which is a level of weird I don't want to think about.
I had Miners Panda eyes palette- yellow, purple, blue and grey/black so nomatter the combination you looked like the aftermath of a title fight.

woodhill · 26/10/2025 18:18

BobbyBrewstersMagicTorch · 26/10/2025 08:13

Did anyone buy from one of those parties you'd have at home? I had several eye shadows from there but can't recall the name.

Yes

did they have a perfume thing that was like one of those pens that sprayed different scents when you turned it

whatsit84 · 27/10/2025 06:57

TheFormidableMrsC · 16/01/2023 17:56

Yes it was, I loved the pressed powder and bronzer.

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The Barbara Daly foundation was amazing too!

GellerYeller · 27/10/2025 20:05

Wasn’t Barbara Daly responsible for the first Body Shop makeup? Colourings? The most perfect nude lipliner ever. The shade was called Beech. I bought it for years. My flatmate used to get their bronzing pearls and stained all the bedding by swirling her brush in the pot, on the quilt! They used to spill and get trodden into the carpet too. Good times.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 31/10/2025 16:17

GellerYeller · 27/10/2025 20:05

Wasn’t Barbara Daly responsible for the first Body Shop makeup? Colourings? The most perfect nude lipliner ever. The shade was called Beech. I bought it for years. My flatmate used to get their bronzing pearls and stained all the bedding by swirling her brush in the pot, on the quilt! They used to spill and get trodden into the carpet too. Good times.

Oh yes - Colourings

Then Barbara Daly did her own brand -it was in Tesco for a while .
There was a brilliant primer that I used to use .

I bought a BodyShop make up set , in a tin , for travelling .
And there was a perfect pinky/nude lipstick that was a MMBB shade .
The mascara in the white tube was gorgepus and in different shades - brown, green, navy , purple as welll as black and black/brown.

As well as the Bronzing Balls there was a neutralising one -pink/lilac/green/beige that you swirl'n'tap .

ImWearingPantaloons · 31/10/2025 17:07

Remember Cutex when they relaunched around 1985?

And those lipsticks that were green and changed to a coral when you put them on

Crikeyalmighty · 01/11/2025 11:01

@BobbyBrewstersMagicTorch oriflame?

Crikeyalmighty · 01/11/2025 11:04

Defiantly41 · 24/10/2025 01:03

I remember so many of these. Jardins du Bagatelle perfume? Still mourning the loss of Ultima 11 Skinscent. And Organza? And Helena Rubinstein Apple Blossom

i think the mail order company mentioned way up thread was Yves Rocher, very sophisticated at the time

Apple blossom was my grand favourite- her house smelt of it !!

Crikeyalmighty · 01/11/2025 11:06

MrsBrianJones · 23/10/2025 12:25

I remember it, quite spicy in my memory, not dissimilar to Charlie.

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Yes they were quite spicy and as you say quite similar - it used to make my mum sneeze!!

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 03/11/2025 15:31

No idea why my previous reply was duplicated 3 times!
Just remembered Cosmetics to Go (Lush can fo) We loved getting the catalogue. My favourite was Ginger perfume, I have the merest smidgen left,was my early 90s scent. People actually used to stop me and ask what it was. And Smargadine body wash, just the right amount of patchouli. They also did make up, they did a fantastic brown eyeshadow which was just right. So many lovely things (and didn't give you a migraine, unlike Lush)

Gatekeeper · 04/11/2025 12:38

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 03/11/2025 15:31

No idea why my previous reply was duplicated 3 times!
Just remembered Cosmetics to Go (Lush can fo) We loved getting the catalogue. My favourite was Ginger perfume, I have the merest smidgen left,was my early 90s scent. People actually used to stop me and ask what it was. And Smargadine body wash, just the right amount of patchouli. They also did make up, they did a fantastic brown eyeshadow which was just right. So many lovely things (and didn't give you a migraine, unlike Lush)

Cosmetics to Go was brilliant. The catalogue was witty and well produced and the products fantastic. The current offerings in Lush are horrendous with lurid colourings and over scented and look cheap..although they aren't.
I still recall my first order from C.T.G in Poole as it had a stick of rock inside , as did subsequent orders. Isobar soap, a bath bomb (that looked like a comic bomb along with fuse) Tangled shampoo and conditioner (made from seaweed and brilliant) and Ginger perfume oil.

Jins · 04/11/2025 12:44

Cosmetics to Go was amazing. I still have a make up palette from them where you bought individual wedges with the colours you wanted. The best foundation I’ve ever had was one of theirs.

I was a big fan of Ginger perfume (still have half a bottle), Tangled, blackberry bath bomb and a face scrub that was almost pure honey. Most of all I loved the damp squib bath bomb with a beautiful fresh scent and you could use its muslin bag to scrub.

MrsBrianJones · 04/11/2025 12:55

pinkhousesarebest · 24/10/2025 23:27

Loving this thread. Does anyone remember à Lancôme body spray - green, very citrusy. I wore it on my wedding day in 1999 and I can still smell it. In a talk glass bottle?

Probably O de Lancome, you can still get it.

Middlechild3 · 04/11/2025 14:05

Imtoooldforallthis · 16/01/2023 13:36

What was the lip gloss in a glass bottle with a roller ball?

Max factor did the original with a red lattice/lace effect on the clear glass. One of the first makeup items I bought late 70s. I put so much on it ran down my chin in the summer heat.

Middlechild3 · 04/11/2025 14:30

Deathraystare · 17/01/2023 16:40

Revlon natural wonder
Max Factor Swedish formula and before that something California or California something - all foul pale beings and overcoloured 'sunny' looks!

Lemon Delph cleanser and the toner too. Lovely and lemony.
Also Anne French is no more. Boo hoo.

Boots 17 for a while did a lovely orange blossom cleaner, toner and moisuriser for dry skin. For combi skin they did a cucumber one (not the one Boots have now)

Coty airspun cleanser - avocado.

Max Factor did a really lovely milky cleanser.

Rimmel used to do an oatmeal face mask with lavender. I never used it myself but do remember it.

I bought some of that Boots 17 Orange Blossom cleanser whilst visiting my granny in Edinburgh aged about 12. It was gorgeous. Loved orange blossom ever since.

Middlechild3 · 04/11/2025 14:46

gelert5619 · 17/01/2023 17:00

JinglingSpringishBells
My spitblock mascara was either Outdoor Girl or Miners, I would not even consider looking at Elizabeth Arden, too expensive as you said.

Rimmel did the block mascara with a little toothbrush, Good stuff!

Middlechild3 · 04/11/2025 14:55

MrsBrianJones · 22/10/2025 13:24

Bumping this old but most excellent thread, does anyone remember An Original Formula by Boots No 7?

It was a lovely country themed range with bath products and a very strong herbal smelling perfume, I loved that back in 1980!

Also Boots Rainflower perfume was lovely, advertised with a wavy haired maiden posing in a misty meadow if I remember rightly, the perfume was a watery floral in my memory.

Drugstore products were brilliant back in the day.

Yes I inherited an empty glass hand cream jar with needles in from my mum by this brand . I also spent my first ever wages (£3.50 for a Saturday morning milk round) on some herbal conditioner from the brand(and a travel denman hairbrush). It smelt gorgeous 🙂.