I thought about compiling this discussion post whilst sorting out my vast makeup collection for my new much reduced in size dressing table. It turns out that when I find out something I really like is limited edition, I do sometimes go a bit overboard with the whole back-up situation. Take this Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in the shade “Badine” for example. It’s the perfect pretty “brightens your face” yet is still fairly neutral/natural pink with a pleasantly sheeny luminous yet non gloopy finish. Your lips but better as it were.
It was part of the Chanel Spring 2015 launch and my go-to counter at John Lewis only had a few left when I had myself a butchers at what was on offer. So impressed was I with this gorgeous hue I purchased 3, one as a replacement for when mine ran out and a third for a friend’s birthday.
I have consequently bought three more – another for me, and two further black glossy tubes for other friends (it’s a real suits all shade folks!). As I write this post there still appears to be stock in House Of Fraser and interestingly also John Lewis.
A cosmetics brand launching anything as “limited edition” know exactly what they are doing obviously, they will attract crazy make-up junkies like me who will buy all of their stock up in a heartbeat…and they move on to the next month’s “limited edition” launch.
Possibly the most renowned “I am going to make this collection so covetable you will queue outside the damn door” is MAC. They put something or other together every month if not more often, packaged and marketed to perfection, not to mention always always completely unique. You’ve got to hand it to them for originality and whoever it is that looks after their PR. After certain collaborations I’ve witnessed products on eBay for literally hundreds of pounds, really quite unbelievable.
Along with the short time span availability of these limited edition products before they become discontinued, there are discontinued products in general. Usually really really great pieces as well – or at least I think so. Only I’m guessing sales can’t be all that hot otherwise they wouldn’t discontinue them in the first place…right?
Does anyone remember Almay? it’s still available in the States but I can’t think for the life of me why they pulled it from the UK. They did some wonderful bits and bobs, all for ultra sensitive types too. The same goes for Margaret Astor, they used to do the most amazing liquid lipstick and what was THE BEST MASCARA IN THE WORLD (I had a friend of a friend buy up all of the remaining stock in a department store in Barcelona some years ago, yes, it really was that immense)… I have never been able to find anything that quite compares since.
Do you ever purchase anything limited edition, fall in love and then invest in replacements before they sell out?
What are your hall-of-fame now discontinued products?
Ever been lucky enough to have a brand “bring something back” or make it part of their permanent line? (MAC did that with my beloved Sunny Seoul lipstick, if they hadn’t I may have resorted to paying some bonkers price on eBay)
This is quite possibly going to be a completely frivolous shallow kind of discussion but I just know it will be heaps of fun.
Hate to fuel a habit but the lippy is in stock in Debenhams, currently with 10% off all beauty online and instore. Filling my basket with bits as I type!! Lx
Excellent Lynne – I’m sure I need at least 5 more 🙂
My beloved wedding lipstick ‘Uber pink’ by Bobby Brown. It wasn’t as pink as the name suggests, just a lovely bright, but not too bright, rosy pink colour that really suited me perfectly. It took me forever to find the right wedding lipstick for me – I spent an entire afternoon in Selfridges beauty hall trying everything available before I came across the Uber Pink. And when I found it I was overjoyed – only to then be told it was being discontinued. And the worst thing is I can’t find the one I bought for the wedding 🙁 I check every time I’m near a counter hoping it will have been brought back. Fingers crossed!
I bought some Bobbi Brown creamy lip colour in uber pink just a couple of months ago. They had it at my local John Lewis, but I bought it at the BB counter at Manchester airport. Fingers crossed you can get hold of some!
Just to disclaimer – I don’t work for Debenham’s and have no affiliation! haha. But I’ve just gone back on to order a couple more things whilst they have 10% off beauty and for some reason I checked on your uber pink Bobbi Brown and it’s in stock with 10% off! Load up!
x
Haha, I’m literally such a loser, Charlotte, that if something is ‘limited edition’, I’m always too scared to buy it in case I adore it and, when they cull it, I mourn forever! I’m itching to buy that lipstick you’re talking about but I keep thinking “WHAT if they stop it and no lipstick will ever do in comparison?!”. Surely better to have loved a lipstick and lost than never to have loved at all or something!
Ha ha Kate true! It’s the discontinuing that is more annoying – because then you don’t have the knowledge to stock up!
Oh Charlotte, you’re going to bankrupt me with these lipstick posts!! That lipstick is BEAUTIFUL but I’ve only just bought Dior’s Mazette on your recs (its bloody lovely and summery and springy and not too bright for the office!).
Yes on the discontinued front, although Chanel have now made the Khaki Precieux eye pencil permanent, its a lovely metallic khaki and I have re-bought since it came back into the permanent collection.
Bloody Smashbox discontinued their chunky waterproof eye crayons (they did not budge one bit!) and now they are rationed out!! I’ve yet to find a really good alternative (Rimmel’s are okay and v.v. cheap…).
Oh Clarins reformulated their extra comfort cream cleanser recently and its just not the same ( I have a stockpile of the old ones, sooo good on winter ravaged skin!)….
Why do brands do this!!
Hi Vicky! Mazette is a winner, will definitely be wearing that a lot this summer 🙂
I have no idea why all these reformulations occur, even worse when they don’t say anything – I’ve had a few allergic reactions as a result x
Jo Malone also must have a great PR team as there is always a looooong waiting list for the latest season’s limited edition perfume at my local store! Thankfully my fave limited edition perfume which they have brought out so far (wood sage and sea salt) they have made part of their permanent collection. Lucky me 🙂
Not makeup, but I bought Jo Malone redcurrant & cream perfume for my wedding day & now having used it with merry abandon throughout the lead up to the wedding (menu tasting, dress fittings & hen do), I now have very little left & it’s being rationed for wedding anniversaries only! x
Charlotte which dressing table did you go for in the end ? 8 am facing a similar small person safety dilemma x
Hi Becky! I did a bit of a DIY job in the end – post coming soon! x
Ah I love this post! There was a nude Chanel lipstick that I absolutely adored circa 2008 (so I really should have gotten over it by now!), bought it before embarking on a ski-season, think I wore it every day and by the time I got back to the UK it was discontinued. I must have tried every other nude under the sun and have never found one that equaled its perfection!
On a beauty note – can ANYONE recommend an excellent (facial) moisturiser for very dry skin. I have recently bought the Philosophy ‘Hope in a Jar’ and the accompanying ‘When Hope is Not Enough’ serum but they’re not really doing it for me!
A xx
I recently changed from Lancome hydrazen which wasnt working anymore on my pregnancy-hormone-laded skin to Hope in a Jar. It took a while for it to do its magic but now I love it so maybe if you havent been using it for a while stick with it? Its a funny texture and needs to kind of melt into your skin.
Hi Victoria,
It is weird because I do kind of like it and it was really good for a week or so and then it was like the novelty wore off for my skin…I will keep with it though, and as you said, it might just need a while. I also bought their double ended eye cream though and that is amaaaaaazing, noticed a difference within days, really recommend x
I’ve been trying the ‘Yes To..’ range recently and their ‘Yes To Carrots’ moisturiser has sorted out my super dry forehead a treat and you can now get it in Boots (though ASOS also stock it and it’s often in the sale section). Would recommend. Also, can’t beat a bit of E45 if things are getting super-duper dry x
Ahh I will take a look at the Yes To range – been hearing about that watching the beauty vloggers too 🙂 thanks Lynne x
Alexandria,
I really like the Vichy aqualia serum (its in a blue bottle) and I use this under any of the Clarins hydraquench moisturisers or Clinique mositure surge (either the normal or intense one are good).
I also use the Clinique Mositure surge overnight mask (it really boosts moisture levels) and the face spray which you can use of make up etc ( its is like a liquid moisturiser if that make sense!)
Ah I used to use the overnight mask all the time and loved it – I might need to go and pick up another tube! I keep on hearing loads of good things about the Clinique moisturisers these days too. I hate the yellow one and that has kind of put me off for life, but maybe I should re-visit with the Moisture Surge when I run out of Hope in a Jar. Thanks Vicky x
Alexandria, I swear by Aveeno cream. I lather it on like water. Sometimes I put a really thick layer on and then jump in the shower to let all the steam do….something!
It’s so gentle I even use it on my eye lids x
Thanks Charlotte – I’ve never tried Aveeno (or the shower idea) so might give both a go! Had such great advice from all of the girls on here 🙂 x
Vicky I have always wondered if this serum was any good Vicky (STILL searching for one!) do you notice a definite difference? I have always had dry skin but since Mabel it’s ridiculous, i thought it would improve now we have the heating on less and less but nope, still as delicate as ever.
The face spray sounds amazing! x
Hi Charlotte,
It definitely makes a difference layered under moisturiser (more than my Clarins hydraquench one!). Its thicker than other serums but doesn’t feel really siliconey so feels like its sinking in and really adding hydration.
The spray is amazing and fragrance free, god knows how they do it!! I spray it on after cleansing then put on my serum and moisturiser and sometimes (especially in the winter) I’ll spray again after putting on make up. I never fly with out it ( or travel anywhere without it!!)
Both were Sali Hughes and Caroline Hirons recs so can’t take the full credit!
I’m enjoying early pregnancy mental skin (really dry, shiny, and spotty with occasional flawless days !!!) which is a joy to behold.
Ha ha Vicky I remember that skin! I had no clue I was pregnant so thought I was obviously using the wrong products/drinking too much wine! Mine did improve, very dry but generally ok.
I am now going to purchases the serum (can’t stand silicone-y) and the spray, here’s too hydrated skin! x
I am pretty poor at picking up limited editions but I have got the above lipstick and their spring lip liner and another one of their spring lip colours! Uh oh. I don’t wear it everyday though it’s mainly going out I wear lipsticks so they tend to last me forever, I have literally never got to the bottom of a lipstick or gloss yet! This possibly pains my lovely husband even more when I relentlessly buy more! I was gutted at Crimbo when I couldn’t get hands on that Chanel eye pencil you spoke of on here that was limited so I’m hoping it comes back this year! I have a couple of Mac limited stuff but again I never seem to run out! I really need to think about my make up habits lol, I just don’t wear much day to day cos I’m up so early if I’m working I just Bob some Bb cream or concealer on and some mascara and blush, there it is! I try sometimes to put lipstickp or gloss on but once it’s worn off the next 12 hours at work are unlikely to include me topping it up sadly! I was sad when Bobbi stopped those gel type shimmer shadow pots before I got a few more! I’m on a big spending ban anyway now as its house buying time hopefully! However in July when we go back to Paris I will need some tips! X
Alex they have super HUGE Sephoras in Paris, make sure you give yourself at least an hour to peruse! Maybe you should try a gloss with a tint? Kind of leaves a stain behind so you don’t have to re-apply. YSL do a good one called tint-in-oil, My sister and I both have the rose shade, number 4 x
Oh yes I am def allocating a decent percentage of a day in Sephora! Only saw one last time obv need to find more! Galleries lafayettes was also my heaven! Thanks for the tip on the gloss will check it out, hardly have any YSL stuff! X
I used to really love the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula face wipes, which have sadly been discontinued in the UK (but are still available in Germany). They were (and are) the only wipes I can use on my ridiculously sensitive skin. I really am desperate to find find a good alternative, which won’t leave my skin red and angry… All suggestions welcome, I think I’ve tried everything…
On a happier note, I visited the Chanel counter yesterday after reading this article and had a sample of Badine… Just wow! It brightens and is just the right colour ‘pop’ for work and play; excellent choice Mrs O! I’m off to order it now… xxx
Pleasure Sarah! How annoying ref the wipes, I actually never tried them – and like you my skin can’t tolerate any wipes I’ve tried thus far.
I recently bought the Norwegian Formula Visibly Renew hand cream – it’s got SPF 20 and is AMAZING. Literally instantly makes your hands look 100% better. And mine are truly awful at the moment – red, flaky and sore x