• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

Nostalgic Beauty Brands Are Like Comfort Foods

April 29th, 2011 by Karen 25 Comments

My parents have lived in the same house since the ’70s, and it’s weird how my memories of it all sort of blur together. In my mind’s eye that house is like a temporal vortex caught between worlds. One, the modern era of Blu-ray players, wifi and universal remote controls; the other, a land of tan bathroom counter tops and Oil of Olay.

Olay… It’s funny how some memories stick with you forever. As far back as I can remember, my mom has liked Olay, and I can’t remember ever not seeing a jar of the Beauty Fluid somewhere in the house.

Sometimes, when I’m out browsing beauty aisles, my eyes will settle for a moment on something from Olay, and I’ll feel a little closer to home.

Nostalgic brands are like comfort foods

There’s a neat article in the April issue of Global Cosmetic Industry (GCI) magazine about nostalgic brands (Aspirational Consumers Turn Nostalgic, by Miriam Quart, GCI, April 2011) and how some brands that were once considered “the bee’s knees,” but have since fallen out of the limelight, are now staging comebacks. For many of us, beauty, fashion and personal care products from Olay, St. Ives, Infusium23, Pert, Levi’s and others still conjure up memories of “the good ole days,” and consumers tend to think of their old standbys as tried-and-true gems.

It’s a sign of the times

“Marketers used to be able to bank on ‘aspirational’ consumers indulging in affordable luxuries…” Quart says in the article, “but there has been a dramatic shift in consumer behavior during the recent economic downturn.” Some feel a little less optimistic about things, more unsure, and they’re turning to those old familiar, comfortable brands they’ve long known and loved.

Sometimes it just takes a reminder

Smart companies are capitalizing on the goodwill they earned over decades by reminding people that they’re still around, and instead of focusing on completely new lines, they’re attempting to leverage their legacies by repromoting classic products, sometimes “with a firty twist,” the focus of St. Ives’ new campaign.

Many of us grew up with St. Ives at home, but over the years, after similar offerings from Aveeno, Bath & Body Works, Healing Garden and Dove, St. Ives seemed to drift away. Today, the company is hoping to reconnect with younger consumers interested in natural ingredients and value.

I’m all for seeing classic products stage comebacks. I figure if I liked something once, maybe I’ll like it again. 🙂

How about you? What are some nostalgic brands (beauty or otherwise) you’ve found yourself returning to lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Nostalgic Beauty Brands Are Like Comfort Foods / Originally published April 29th, 2011

There are 25 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Previous Post: Stila Stunning in Sayulita
Next Post: Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Is a Surfer’s Delight

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa S. says

    April 29th, 2011 at 10:47 am

    As far as I’m concerned St Ives never really left. I have had various incarnations of their products for as long as I can remember.
    Lisa S. recently posted … Life gets in your eyyyyyes! sung to the tune Smoke gets in your eyes

    Reply
  2. Rads says

    April 29th, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Olay for me 🙂 I had heard so much about this Oil of Olay from my mom, but we didn’t have Olay in India some time back…so the first time I spotted an Olay product (cleansing cloth when I went to Canada), I somehow felt absolutely sure it will be great …and I do like it a lot 🙂
    Rads recently posted … Thann Sea Foam Cool and Refreshing Aromatherapy Salt Scrub Review

    Reply
  3. Tammy says

    April 29th, 2011 at 10:54 am

    I’ve been St. Ives body lotion user for ages. The Restoring 24 hr moisture is my fave. I also have a thing for Ponds Cold Cream. I don’t use it anymore, but my mom still does. It makes me think nice things about her whenever I see it.

    Reply
  4. Kelly says

    April 29th, 2011 at 10:55 am

    For me it’s gotta be Wet n Wild. They were “the” makeup to buy when I was a barely a teen not only because the colors but they were so cheap! Now they are coming back and their stuff has improved SO much, I’m really happy about it. 🙂
    Kelly recently posted … VV Friday Poll- The Flower Edition

    Reply
  5. Monica says

    April 29th, 2011 at 11:03 am

    Noxema and Ponds. I keep both even with all my other products.

    Reply
  6. Kim says

    April 29th, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Nivea (in the blue bottle) reminds me of home. I’ll have to ask my mom if she still uses it. 🙂

    I think the biggest heritage brand refresh has to be Old Spice. To go from the white glass bottle with the ship graphic in every dad’s bathroom to the awesome I’m a Man on a Horse commercials has been really fun to watch.

    Reply
  7. Rachel says

    April 29th, 2011 at 11:12 am

    Noxema! First cleanser I used as a teen, and now I find it’s the perfect match for my clarisonic!

    Reply
  8. lexi says

    April 29th, 2011 at 11:54 am

    St Ives lotion – I reconnected with it at a gym I signed up for temporarily. They had deodorants (spray) and lotion out for communal use. I haven’t used St. Ives in ages and I remembered why I liked it so I bought a bottle of my own. I wish it moisturized as much as my Curel but that’s okay – loving the milk/honey scent.

    Also, enjoying Wet n’Wilds re-vamp!

    I would love to find classic Charlie and Jovan perfume bottles. I’m sure it would be rancid in scent but I am a sucker for 70’s Nostalgia!
    lexi recently posted … Testing out a new MAC Lipstick Formula

    Reply
  9. Nina says

    April 29th, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    ive always loved St Ives body washes – the one in our shower now is called Triple Fusion and has got coconut milk in it – big hit w/ the Hubs.

    of course – how can i forget st ives’ apricot scrub! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Coral says

    April 29th, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    I say Noxema. I remember using the pads to clean my face, but not being completely sold. Even then I knew I was a product jumper. But I started using them again, just because I know they’ve been around for a while and I’m a sucker for pretty packaging.

    Reply
  11. Courtney says

    April 29th, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    I love Finesse shampoo and conditioner. The only place I can find it is Walgreens and occassionally at Wal-mart. It makes my hair so shiny and bouncy! I haven’t been using it recently though since I switched to sulfate free shampoo (makes my highlights last sooooo much longer), but I still love Finesse!

    Reply
  12. Nicky Bromow says

    April 29th, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    for me, Dove is a classic brand and I keep returning to it. Olay also, for a good complete moisturizer. Recently, after trying Marcelle’s whole anti-acne solutions, I went back to my teen’s favourite products, Clean & Clear. It does an amazing job and makes my skin feel as clean as possible, feels great!

    Reply
  13. Joy says

    April 29th, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I was thrilled to see the return of 10-0-6, which was an iconic brand of my 60s teenhood.

    Reply
  14. Vijaya says

    April 29th, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    When I was two and a half, I heard these commercials for “Oil of Olay”. Being little, I misheard the products name. I thought it was “oil-a-boil-ay”. My grandma found that 1) adorable and 2) hilarious.
    Vijaya recently posted … Inglot Polish 138

    Reply
  15. Mandy says

    April 29th, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Don’t forget about Pond’s Cold Cream! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Kristi says

    April 29th, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    I just purchased a fragrance that reminded me of when times were a little better or easier. It’s Jovan White Musk. I put it on and it felt like a big hug, and I need a lot of those lately. Also if you’re listening St. Ives: bring back your peppermint hair treatment!!!! That stuff was da bomb for my curly unruly hair. And it smelled so good!

    Reply
  17. Jessi says

    April 29th, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    I agree with you Karen about the oil of Olay. The smell of it is pure nostalgia for me because my mom always used their products.
    Jessi recently posted … MACs Fashion Flower Collection- Ever Hip lipstick

    Reply
  18. Michelle C. says

    April 29th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    I find it interesting that so many women find Olay to be such a great brand, since I cannot use any of their products. They make my face burn like my skin is on fire! Makes me cherry red, too.

    Reply
    • Courtney says

      April 29th, 2011 at 4:18 pm

      I agree Michelle, Olay burns my skin so bad! I do like their skincare brush though (Clairsonic knockoff), I just can’t use it with Olay products.

      Reply
  19. Kate Williamson says

    April 29th, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    For me, it’s Clairol Herbal Essence shampoo and Coast soap. When I was little, I used to love the way Herbal Essence made my hair smell. I also loved the emerald green color of the shampoo and the drawing of the hippie lady/Earth goddess on the bottle. Too bad it turns my hair into a haystack. Coast soap reminds me of my grandmother. She used to keep bars of it in her drawers to make her clothes smell nice. it’s so drying though that it makes Irish Spring seem moisturizing!

    Reply
    • mn says

      April 29th, 2011 at 6:56 pm

      I miss the original green Clairol Herbal Essence shampoo from the 70s. Is it being sold somewhere? I thought it had been discontinued as I found an on-line petition to bring it back.

      Reply
  20. Chris25 says

    April 29th, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    My mom used to buy Caress soaps. When I was a kid, I thought of them as a “grown-up” soap. 🙂 I also remember Ivory soap, Revlon Flex shampoo (Cindy Crawford ads!) and Coty Airspun powder.

    Reply
  21. marmar says

    April 29th, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    my #1 classic of all time: coty’s airspun powder. it’s such a shame they nixed the vintage cardboard packaging for plastic.. but alas, the product is still the same. i’ve been using since i was a teenager and still use it now.

    also, rose balm is a classic for just about everything.

    Reply
  22. jess says

    April 29th, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    I love st. Ives apricot scrub, irish spring soap and herbal essences shampoo. I do think these economic times affect our willingness to try new things. People do want the quality name brand product that has been around for years. U know it works well n can trust it. People want familiar practical n reliable products they have used before. We all know it sucks to take a risk which disappoints n u go buy the old favorite anyways. People wanna know what there getting. Plus I love the vintage packaging we see everywhere

    Reply
  23. xoxotoe says

    April 30th, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    gee your hair smells terrific!!!
    babe fragrance!
    kissing potion!!!
    xo

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

honest beauty smudged cat eye side

Smudged Cat Eye | Day 4 With the Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

honest beauty get it together classic smokey eye

Classic Smokey Eyes | Day 3 With the Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

honest beauty get it together eye palette

Mauve Smokey Eyes | Day 2 With the Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette

honest beauty get it together eyeshadow palette

A Soft, Springy Plum Look With Bronze and Mocha (and Warm Nude Lips)

you will figure it out

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 666

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.