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The 60s didn’t have anywhere near as huge a selection of cosmetics as we do today (and forget modern inventions like ‘primer’ or ‘setting spray’) – but the graphic eyeliner, bold lips and shimmery foundation looks reminiscent of the decade are far from old news in 2026.
Young models and influencers are ditching barely there make-up looks for loud eyeshadows as social media continues to drive a surge for ‘retro’ make-up – but how many of the products we used back then are still available today?
While some nostalgic items like Maybelline’s chunky cake mascara and Yardley’s sticky ‘slickers’ glosses are long gone, you can get your hands on Revlon’s icy raspberry ‘Cherries in the Snow’ lipstick and Max Factor’s trusty ‘Pan Stik’.
Elsewhere, while Mary Quant‘s vibrant ‘Jeepers Peepers’ didn’t stick around, Bourjois’ Little Round Pot Blush is still on the market.
‘Retro beauty is powerful because it gives young people something that many modern trends do not; a unique personality and the chance to explore themselves in a different way than the current generation does,’ beauty consultant Dominique Tufa told the Daily Mail.
‘A 1960s inspired look, for example, has shape, attitude and personality. It’s no wonder, then, that many of us are gravitating toward bright liner, fluttery lashes and pastels.
‘Similarly to fashion, beauty has a tendency to come back. Trends from the past get repeated, readjusted to modern times and Gen Z loves innovating older looks.
‘People get tired of seeing the same face over and over again, and older styles start to feel exciting, especially when they come back through a new lens. The most important reason is that younger generations are open to vintage beauty and love the nostalgia behind them, the feeling of old glam.
‘To them, the past, as discovered via Pinterest, TikTok, celebrity touchstones and 30-to-60 second tutorials, feels accessible rather than remote.’
She added however, that the retro looks have evolved into more modern reimaginings.
‘Rather than mimicking the ’60s, though, they are adopting the style’s most recognizable elements and tailoring them to suit their current-day aesthetic,’ Dominique added.
‘The result doesn’t feel costumey, but rather a modern look with personality. There are certain beauty trends that seem destined to come back around every few decades.
‘They hit all the right notes, and each new generation tweaks them just enough to feel like it’s making it its own.’
Read on to see how many of these discontinued products you can still remember from back in the day – and see which ones you can still get your hands on…
WHAT YOU CAN’T BUY ANYMORE
Maybelline Cake Mascara
Before we had high-tech bristles, mascaras consisted of a block of dark pigment and a tiny brush for application. People used to spit in the tub to wet the mixture and apply it on the eyes – and while the tools appear fiddly to modern eyes, they achieved surprisingly theatrical results.
Yardley Slickers
Yardley’s association with 60s stars like Twiggy make them a staple of the decade – and in particular demand were its shiny, sticky glosses
Woolworths’ Baby Doll Sheeners
A brand called Baby Doll optimised shine and shimmer – but also sold the legendary long, spidery lashes of the time
Mary Quant ‘Jeepers Peepers’
It’s not a 60s look without a powdery dash of colourful pigment across the eyes; and Mary Quant’s eyeshadows were a classic go-to
Rimmel Translucent Blush
Rimmel is still popular with shoppers today – but no longer produces its memorable translucent blushes
Yardley False Eyelashes
Twiggy was the It-Girl of the 60s, so it’s no wonder Yardley used her as the face of its false lashes
…AND WHAT YOU CAN
First released in 1938, Max Factor’s Pan Stik foundation continued to be popular throughout the 60s and was one of the mainstream brands offered at the time. Its signature roll on foundation product is still available to buy, touting a creamy formula and quick application.
Emerging in 1953 and maintaining its status as a must-have make-up item, Max Factor’s crème puff powder is ‘medium to high coverage pressed powder with a flawless matte finish’. And it appears to have stood the test of time.
These little pots of blush date back as far as the 1860s – initially invented as a less fussy alternative for stage make-up – but continued to be a popular cosmetics staple throughout the 60s, in part due to its memorable packaging.
Elizabeth Arden has maintained its legacy as a sophisticated yet accessible cosmetics brand for British women. And particularly famous is its ‘Flawless Finish Sponge On Cream Make-up’. The creamy formula is particularly recommended for mature skin, as it won’t accentuate fine lines.
This near fuchsia shade screams 60s, opulence meeting romance – and has continued to remain popular. Launching in 1953, it also became known as the lipstick Bell Jar author Sylvia Plath wore.
The 60s were all about the eyes – and Khol eyeliners began to kick off, helping achieve the heavy, smoky look everyone was after. Lancôme’s pencil variant has been around since the 1930s, but became a go-to as dramatic smudges and graphic lines began to take over trending maquillage.
