A landmark in my little town is closing. The old Jackson Square Pharmacy is now defunct, like nearly every other old business in my sad little town. A few months back, my high school class had their reunion. Prior to the reunion, an e-mail was circulated. People were adding names of businesses that were thriving when we were kids that are now closed. It numbered well over a hundred.
The Jackson Square pharmacy is where my mother took me to buy my first lipstick when I was thirteen years old. I don’t know the name or even clearly remember the face of the woman who worked behind the cosmetics counter, but it was she who helped me pick out my first lipstick color: Persian Melon. I still wear it. Revlon Persian Melon is my ‘go to’ color when I want to feel confident without being TOO made up (which I sometimes feel in red lipstick, but oh how I love red anyway!) Persian Melon is still my perfect pink: not too pale, not too bright, not too blue, not too peach…but just right!
When I was thinking about how many years I’ve been wearing Persian Melon, I started thinking about other ‘old reliables’ in my cosmetics drawer. I admit, I’m a sucker for a lot of the ads and manipulation of the cosmetics industry. I guess I really WANT to believe that the latest innovation can make me ravishing, radiant and restore lost youth. And when I buy a new product, I do get a rush, but I notice it doesn’t last very long and more often than not, I go back to the old reliables I’ve used, some for as long as I can remember.
Most of these old reliables haven’t been with me for as long as Persian Melon, but some do come pretty close.
Most are drugstore cheapies, and a (very) few are department store brands that I’m loyal to because they seem to be worth the cost.
Here’s my list:
- Persian Melon lipstick, Revlon
- Red Diamond lipstick, Elizabeth Arden
- Cover Girl Aqua Fresh foundation, Creamy Natural in the winter, Buff in the summer
- Nars Orgasm Blush (goes with any color lipstick, eye make up or clothing, so it’s probably cheaper than having several drug store colors)
- Revlon Brow Fantasy in medium brown (has pencil on one end, gel on the other)
- Cover Girl Eye Pencil in Brown/Black
- L.A. Pressed Powder in Dark (I use that as a contour under my cheekbones and in the crease of my eyes)
- Dior Show mascara in Black
- Dove unscented beauty bar
- Stridex Pads, sensitive
- Vaseline (around my eyes at night
- Blistex
- Clairol Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner
- Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion
- Buf Puff Singles (actually, I use the CVS knock off)
- Chanel #5
- Oil of Olay (I still like the original cream, but I'm using their Regenerist line now. I use the Regenerist moisturizer, SPF 50 every day before I step out of the house.)
And, there are a few products that I can’t find any more that I really miss. Two were lip pencils made by Nat Robbins: Sparkling Burgundy, which I used with Persian Melon, and Claret, which I used with Red Diamond. I don’t think Nat Robbins is even in business any more….I can’t find them at all.
The other product I really miss is Basic Eye Emphasizer by Clinique. It was a neutral powder in charcoal and taupe and I used it for shadow, liner and to fill in my brows. My favorite eye make up ever, and they went and discontinued it. So aggravating!
So, that’s my list. I love cosmetics and I’m curious about other women’s old reliables as well. I hope you’ll share yours with the rest of us.
Be Well and Good Luck, Martha Maria