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© History Oasis
Discontinued: Original formulations were discontinued in 2009; reformulated versions continue
Hard Candy burst onto the beauty scene in 1995. It was founded by Iranian-American sisters Dineh and Pooneh Mohajer with Ben Einstein. The brand revolutionized nail polish marketing with $12 bottles featuring plastic rings wrapped around unique bottle shapes. Colors like “Sky,” “Trailer Trash,” and “Pavement” captured the 1990s rebellious spirit. LVMH acquired Hard Candy in 1999, later selling it to Falic Fashion Group. The original high-end formulations and iconic packaging disappeared, replaced by mass-market versions.
Discontinued: Original matte formula discontinued; reformulated versions available
MAC Punk Couture, in its original matte formulation, was described as a “deep blackened grape” with a semi-matte finish. The lipstick became a favorite for its rich purple pigmentation and comfortable wear. Multiple reformulations were launched over the years, with collectors seeking the original A18 formula.
Discontinued: 2019
Persistence was “the GOAT of mattes for black women in MAC’s matte shades.” The warm-toned nude brown became a signature shade for many users who wanted a sophisticated everyday color. The discontinuation announcement sparked panic buying, with users expressing frustration: “I am so frustrated. I love Whirl so much, and Mehr is another good one.”
Discontinued: The original version was discontinued, brought back in a limited edition in 2024
Fleshpot was a warm-toned light beige satin lipstick. One celebrity was reported “so devastated when this shade was discontinued that she had to scour all of MAC stores, including those in Europe, to build her stash.” The shade perfectly surfed the early 2000s nude lip trend, offering beige tones that compliment multiple skin undertones. MAC brought back eight iconic discontinued shades for its 40th-anniversary celebration.
Discontinued: 2010
Lash Perfection set itself apart for its buildable formula. One user praised it, saying, “It separated my lashes perfectly, and the wand was strong and did not bend.” The mascara’s discontinuation devastated users, who said, “I absolutely fell in love with this mascara and was heartbroken when Max Factor discontinued sales in the US.” It was discontinued because Procter & Gamble refocused resources on CoverGirl.
Discontinued: 2016
Baby Lips are remembered for their “vibrant packaging and sleek tube design” that “oozed coolness” among teenagers. The product promised an 8-hour moisturization with tinted color options. The colors included “Too Cool,” “Crystal Kiss,”and “Grape Vine.”
Discontinued: The original UK formulation was discontinued when Bourjois temporarily exited the UK market
“Hot Pepper will go down in history as the best bright-red lipstick shade ever, in my opinion. Whenever I wore it, someone would say how great it looked—and they weren’t wrong”. Said one fan. The liquid lipstick was a favorite for its comfortable matte formula that avoided the drying effects typical of liquid lipsticks.
Discontinued: 2000s
The foundation stick offered convenient application and long-wearing coverage. Some users praised specific shades: “I stocked up on eBay in sand beige, which blends into my skin like no other color I’ve ever tried.” The product filled a unique niche for full-coverage foundation in portable stick form. It was popular for touch-ups and travel.
Discontinued: Late-2000s
The HiP line included “Studio Secrets,” “Color Chrome/Crystal/Truth Eyeliner,” and various eyeshadow formulations targeted at professional makeup artists and enthusiasts. The eyeshadow duos featured names like “Ignited,” “Electrified,”and “Magnetic,” with metallic formulations designed to create dramatic looks.
Discontinued: 2010
Max Factor pioneered the first cosmetic made specifically for motion pictures (1914), the world’s first clear colorless mascara (1988), and the mascara wand application method. The brand’s False Lash Effect mascara became its best-selling product. However, Procter & Gamble chose to discontinue US operations and focus more resources on CoverGirl.
Discontinued: 2020s
The original Simply Powder Foundation promised coverage “like a liquid but feels like a powder” with a “hypoallergenic formula” that was “non-acnegenic and dermatologically tested.” Users appreciated the product’s ability to provide “coverage without a heavy foundation base” and praised it as covering “better than a normal powder but isn’t cakey.”
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