10 beauty classics worth revisiting

In a world of constant new beauty-product launches, longtime favourites can be almost reassuring. Here’s a round-up of oldies-but-goodies, classics still trusted by beauty pros as well as by us

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Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream

A bit of time travel in a jar, 95-year-old Noxzema is still around to kickstart a sluggish morning with that distinctive tingle and menthol+eucaluptus+camphor scent while it zooms you back to your first memory of it. If the original fragrance isn’t your bag, though, give the Noxzema Original Plus Moisturizers Deep Cleansing Cream a go; it has a softer, lightly floral fragrance.

$6.99 at drugstores and Well.ca

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Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream

Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream

A bit of time travel in a jar, 95-year-old Noxzema is still around to kickstart a sluggish morning with that distinctive tingle and menthol+eucaluptus+camphor scent while it zooms you back to your first memory of it. If the original fragrance isn’t your bag, though, give the Noxzema Original Plus Moisturizers Deep Cleansing Cream a go; it has a softer, lightly floral fragrance.

$6.99 at drugstores and Well.ca

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Elnett Satin Hairspray

For decades, Elnett hairspray was unavailable in this country, much to the disappointment of its Canadian fans, who loved it for its reliable hold and easy, flake-free brush-out-ability. First introduced 50 years ago, it kept popping up in countless non-Canadian beauty magazines and websites, disturbingly out of reach until just recently. Now it’s here in Strong and Extra-Strong Hold, and safely stowed in many a pro stylist’s kit.

$14.99 ( $6.99 for travel size) at Shoppers Drug Mart

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Elnett Satin Hairspray

For decades, Elnett hairspray was unavailable in this country, much to the disappointment of its Canadian fans, who loved it for its reliable hold and easy, flake-free brush-out-ability. First introduced 50 years ago, it kept popping up in countless non-Canadian beauty magazines and websites, disturbingly out of reach until just recently. Now it’s here in Strong and Extra-Strong Hold, and safely stowed in many a pro stylist’s kit.

$14.99 ( $6.99 for travel size) at Shoppers Drug Mart

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Elnett Satin Hairspray

For decades, Elnett hairspray was unavailable in this country, much to the disappointment of its Canadian fans, who loved it for its reliable hold and easy, flake-free brush-out-ability. First introduced 50 years ago, it kept popping up in countless non-Canadian beauty magazines and websites, disturbingly out of reach until just recently. Now it’s here in Strong and Extra-Strong Hold, and safely stowed in many a pro stylist’s kit.

$14.99 ( $6.99 for travel size) at Shoppers Drug Mart

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Elnett Satin Hairspray

For decades, Elnett hairspray was unavailable in this country, much to the disappointment of its Canadian fans, who loved it for its reliable hold and easy, flake-free brush-out-ability. First introduced 50 years ago, it kept popping up in countless non-Canadian beauty magazines and websites, disturbingly out of reach until just recently. Now it’s here in Strong and Extra-Strong Hold, and safely stowed in many a pro stylist’s kit.

$14.99 ( $6.99 for travel size) at Shoppers Drug Mart

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Elnett Satin Hairspray

Elnett Satin Hairspray

For decades, Elnett hairspray was unavailable in this country, much to the disappointment of its Canadian fans, who loved it for its reliable hold and easy, flake-free brush-out-ability. First introduced 50 years ago, it kept popping up in countless non-Canadian beauty magazines and websites, disturbingly out of reach until just recently. Now it’s here in Strong and Extra-Strong Hold, and safely stowed in many a pro stylist’s kit.

$14.99 ( $6.99 for travel size) at Shoppers Drug Mart

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v05

Alberto VO5 Hot Oil Treatment

“I love it because it’s a miracle worker-bad frizzy hair one second, gorgeous shine the next,” says makeup artist Andrea Claire about Alberto VO5 Hot Oil, which was developed in the early ’50s to restore hair damaged by hot Hollywood-studio lights. Claire, who has worked with Sarah Slean, Coco Rocha and Tayane Leao (Brazil’s latest supermodel), is also a hairstylist and colourist of note. She recommends VO5 to seal in a fresh colour job as well as to protect hair against environmental aggressors.

$4.99 per box of three tubes, at drugstores

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Q-Tip Cotton Swabs

Q-Tip Cotton Swabs

We’d be surprised to find a Q-Tip-free home these days, frankly. In the 87 years since Q-Tips launched, no-one’s come up with a handier… thingie. And you know makeup artists love them too: “Applicator, blender, smudger, quick-fixer-it’s an all-in-one tool,” says Claire, who dips one into makeup remover for light cleanups of lip liner or mascara blips.

$4.49 per box of 400 at drugstores and Well.ca

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Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers

Tweezerman’s claim to classics fame began back in 1982 (ironically, the beginning of a fuller-brow trend), when the company launched the now beloved Slant Tip Tweezer, which snared brow-expert hearts with its precision pinch. From mid-September and for a limited time, the Pink-Ribbon version will direct $1 from every purchase toward Rethink Breast Cancer, a Canadian non-profit organization that helps to educate and provide support for young people touched or affected by breast cancer.

$28, at drug and department stores

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Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers

Tweezerman’s claim to classics fame began back in 1982 (ironically, the beginning of a fuller-brow trend), when the company launched the now beloved Slant Tip Tweezer, which snared brow-expert hearts with its precision pinch. From mid-September and for a limited time, the Pink-Ribbon version will direct $1 from every purchase toward Rethink Breast Cancer, a Canadian non-profit organization that helps to educate and provide support for young people touched or affected by breast cancer.

$28, at drug and department stores

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Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers

Tweezerman’s claim to classics fame began back in 1982 (ironically, the beginning of a fuller-brow trend), when the company launched the now beloved Slant Tip Tweezer, which snared brow-expert hearts with its precision pinch. From mid-September and for a limited time, the Pink-Ribbon version will direct $1 from every purchase toward Rethink Breast Cancer, a Canadian non-profit organization that helps to educate and provide support for young people touched or affected by breast cancer.

$28, at drug and department stores

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Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers

Tweezerman’s claim to classics fame began back in 1982 (ironically, the beginning of a fuller-brow trend), when the company launched the now beloved Slant Tip Tweezer, which snared brow-expert hearts with its precision pinch. From mid-September and for a limited time, the Pink-Ribbon version will direct $1 from every purchase toward Rethink Breast Cancer, a Canadian non-profit organization that helps to educate and provide support for young people touched or affected by breast cancer.

$28, at drug and department stores

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Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers

Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers

Tweezerman’s claim to classics fame began back in 1982 (ironically, the beginning of a fuller-brow trend), when the company launched the now beloved Slant Tip Tweezer, which snared brow-expert hearts with its precision pinch. From mid-September and for a limited time, the Pink-Ribbon version will direct $1 from every purchase toward Rethink Breast Cancer, a Canadian non-profit organization that helps to educate and provide support for young people touched or affected by breast cancer.

$28, at drug and department stores

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Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Another longtime makeup-artist favourite, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream first hit the market in 1930 and continues to garner praise and loyalty for its intense moisturizing properties. Makeup artist Hanoch Drori, whose well-known canvases include Julianne Moore, Jordan Sparks and “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” host Leah Miller, thinks it’s great for our fall/winter climate. “I use it only on areas where skin is dry and ‘peely,’ and it works wonders on lips,” he says. “You can mix it with lipstick leftovers to create great lip gloss shades, too.” Plus, a little goes a looooong way.

$25, at select Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques and department stores

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M.A.C StudioFix Powder Foundation

For many women, M.A.C StudioFix, which launched in ’92, was their first cool, professional-brand foundation. MTV Canada’s key makeup artist Lucky Bromhead says it’s still a go-to for her. “I work three live shows, so I need things to be quick and reliable,” she says. “With a fluffy brush, StudioFix is super fast and matte. It doesn’t change colour on skin, nor look blotchy on TV.” Who knew getting ready for your closeup could be that easy?

$31, at M.A.C boutiques or maccosmetics.com

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M.A.C StudioFix Powder Foundation

For many women, M.A.C StudioFix, which launched in ’92, was their first cool, professional-brand foundation. MTV Canada’s key makeup artist Lucky Bromhead says it’s still a go-to for her. “I work three live shows, so I need things to be quick and reliable,” she says. “With a fluffy brush, StudioFix is super fast and matte. It doesn’t change colour on skin, nor look blotchy on TV.” Who knew getting ready for your closeup could be that easy?

$31, at M.A.C boutiques or maccosmetics.com

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M.A.C StudioFix Powder Foundation

For many women, M.A.C StudioFix, which launched in ’92, was their first cool, professional-brand foundation. MTV Canada’s key makeup artist Lucky Bromhead says it’s still a go-to for her. “I work three live shows, so I need things to be quick and reliable,” she says. “With a fluffy brush, StudioFix is super fast and matte. It doesn’t change colour on skin, nor look blotchy on TV.” Who knew getting ready for your closeup could be that easy?

$31, at M.A.C boutiques or maccosmetics.com

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mac

M.A.C StudioFix Powder Foundation

For many women, M.A.C StudioFix, which launched in ’92, was their first cool, professional-brand foundation. MTV Canada’s key makeup artist Lucky Bromhead says it’s still a go-to for her. “I work three live shows, so I need things to be quick and reliable,” she says. “With a fluffy brush, StudioFix is super fast and matte. It doesn’t change colour on skin, nor look blotchy on TV.” Who knew getting ready for your closeup could be that easy?

$31, at M.A.C boutiques or maccosmetics.com

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Maybelline Great Lash, L’Oréal Paris Voluminous and Lancôme Definicils mascaras

Few subjects hit a beauty hot button like mascara. For instance, Maybelline Great Lash, which launched in 1971, has been a pro favourite forevah but leaves some women wondering what the fuss is about. The deal is, no one product is going to satisfy everyone. Here’s why the artists we consulted like the mascara they like:

Cristina Bartolucci, founder of DuWop Cosmetics, used Great Lash a lot on the set of “Felicity.” She likes it “because it’s a buildable mascara that creates a natural look with one coat, or more drama with three. It allows total control over the look you’re creating.” Drori and Claire, however, prefer L’Oréal Voluminous: “It layers well, does not bleed, and has great depth to the black,” says Claire. And Hollywood makeup artist Bruce Grayson, whose clients include Rosario Dawson, is loyal to Lancôme Definicils. “It separates and really leaves lashes looking defined and natural,”  he says.

Maybelline Great Lash, $5.99; L’Oréal Paris Voluminous; $9.95, Lancôme Paris Definicils, $30. All available at drugstores; Maybelline and L’Oréal Paris also available at Well.ca

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mascara

Maybelline Great Lash, L’Oréal Paris Voluminous and Lancôme Definicils mascaras

Few subjects hit a beauty hot button like mascara. For instance, Maybelline Great Lash, which launched in 1971, has been a pro favourite forevah but leaves some women wondering what the fuss is about. The deal is, no one product is going to satisfy everyone. Here’s why the artists we consulted like the mascara they like:

Cristina Bartolucci, founder of DuWop Cosmetics, used Great Lash a lot on the set of “Felicity.” She likes it “because it’s a buildable mascara that creates a natural look with one coat, or more drama with three. It allows total control over the look you’re creating.” Drori and Claire, however, prefer L’Oréal Voluminous: “It layers well, does not bleed, and has great depth to the black,” says Claire. And Hollywood makeup artist Bruce Grayson, whose clients include Rosario Dawson, is loyal to Lancôme Definicils. “It separates and really leaves lashes looking defined and natural,”  he says.

Maybelline Great Lash, $5.99; L’Oréal Paris Voluminous; $9.95, Lancôme Paris Definicils, $30. All available at drugstores; Maybelline and L’Oréal Paris also available at Well.ca

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Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Another tool in the pro arsenal is Vaseline, which launched in Canada in 1951 (its as-we-know-it origins seem to date back to the 1800s, however). We’ve heard for years how makeup artists mix it with eyeshadow to get that editorial glossy eye. DuWop’s Bartolucci also combines it with a little powder blush to create a cheek gloss, and with lip liner to create a natural-looking lipstain. Of course, on its own it barricades moisture in super-dry skin when applied over a little dampness, and provides relief to chapped lips.

$3.49 to $4.99 at drugstores, mass retailers and Well.ca

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Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Another tool in the pro arsenal is Vaseline, which launched in Canada in 1951 (its as-we-know-it origins seem to date back to the 1800s, however). We’ve heard for years how makeup artists mix it with eyeshadow to get that editorial glossy eye. DuWop’s Bartolucci also combines it with a little powder blush to create a cheek gloss, and with lip liner to create a natural-looking lipstain. Of course, on its own it barricades moisture in super-dry skin when applied over a little dampness, and provides relief to chapped lips.

$3.49 to $4.99 at drugstores, mass retailers and Well.ca

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Witchcraft Nail Hardener

Witchcraft Nail Hardener

Although it’s been around for about half a century, Canadian brand Witchcraft flies under the radar most of the time. Give it some love-pro artist Diana Carreiro says the Witchraft Nail Hardener “does what it says: hardens nails and gives them super glossy shine.” The company now offers re-tooled formulas that exclude DDB, formaldehyde and toluene; the updated version is the Witchcraft Protein Hardener with amino acids sourced from brazil nuts and sesame seeds.

$9.99 at Wal-Mart, Zellers, drugstores and Well.ca

We could have mentioned so many more classics-Nars Orgasm Blush, Revlon Cherries in the Snow lipstick, French Formula hairspray, Dove soap and St. Ives Apricot Scrub, to name a few-but we’re curious. What are your beauty oldies-but-goodies?

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