30 Years of the Best Beauty Products: Chanel, MAC, OPI and More

30 tried-and-true products that have changed our looks—and lives.

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1982: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

This hyaluronic acid–laced serum was one of the first to improve skin as you snoozed. Two updates later, it’s also packed with free-radical fighters that help reverse environmental damage.

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1982: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer

($20; tweezerman.com)

Angled edges grip hairs without pinching skin; a lifetime guarantee makes certain they stay sharp.

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1982: Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow

($57; chanel.com)

An eye do: Chanel’s smudge-proof, four-pan palettes have always offered women a fashion-forward way to indulge in the latest makeup trends.

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1984: Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers

($8; Essie.com)

This always-elegant lacquer is a go-to for women everywhere. Even Queen

Elizabeth gives the sheer pink shade a royal thumbs-up.

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1984: Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder

($49; sephora.com)

Inspired by the color of Moroccan earth, the tawnyhued bronzer makes a safe, sun-kissed glow achievable any time of year.

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1985: MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Spice

($13; maccosmetics.com)

A staple in every makeup pro’s stash, this creamy nude liner lends definition to lips without leaving a telltale outline.

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1989: Aveda Shampure

($11; aveda.com)

Celebs buy this gentle shampoo by the caseload because they’re so enamored with its signature scent—a blend of more than two-dozen botanical essences.

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1990: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Formula Hair Serum

($10; johnfrieda.com)

A bottle of this silicone-based strand smoother is sold every 13 seconds in the

U.S. Why? It really works!

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1992: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat

($40; yslbeautyus.com)

One click is all it takes to unleash the power of this highlighter/concealer pen. Dotted on cheekbones, it creates radiance, while a dab under eyes erases dark circles.

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1995: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation

($26; bareescentuals.com)

Ideal for dry, sensitive, and oily skin types alike, this loose powder foundation, made with naturally occurring minerals, transforms from sheer to full coverage with a few strokes of the brush.

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1995: Proactiv 3-Step System

($20; proactiv.com)

Building a buzz via infomercial, this dermatologist-formulated

benzoyl peroxide regimen is a triple threat for treating existing pimples and simultaneously preventing new ones.

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1996: Crème de La Mer

($135 for 1 oz; lamer.com)

The price of this rich moisturizer initially raised eyebrows, but it quickly proved it was worth such a sizable chunk of change due to some superior anti-aging abilities. (Just ask A-list devotees like Brooke Shields.)

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1996: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

($42; lauramercier.com)

For the minimalist, Mercier (a notable French makeup artist) developed this hybrid: a light hydrating cream with a hint of color that can be used in place of traditional foundation.

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1999: Kérastase Nutritive Lait Vital

($39; kerastase-usa.com )

Until this lightweight, color-safe hair conditioner became available stateside, obsessed beauty insiders smuggled it across continents in their carry-ons.

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1999: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

($22; rocskincare.com)

Derms love retinol for its wrinkle-eradicating benefits, and RoC was the first to stabilize the ingredient in a cosmetic treatment. The updated formula (2004) gets high marks for plumping skin without the accompanying irritation.

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1999: OPI Nail Lacquer in I’m Not Really a Waitress

($9; opi.com)

The cherry-red polish with a clever name boasts mini flecks of mica that reflect light, bestowing a flattering cast on nearly all skin tones.

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1999: Nars Orgasm Blush

($27; narscosmetics.com )

This scandalously named cheek topper became a cult favorite for its universally flattering pinky-peach hue—designed to mimic a post-coital flush.

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2000: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel

($78; nordstrom.com)

Introduced by a New York City dermatologist, this skin slougher brings the in-office treatment home in a two-step glycolic and salicylic acid exfoliator that dissolves dead cells, restores radiance, and boosts collagen production.

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2001: Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips

($55; 3dwhite.com )

Crest’s groundbreaking teeth brighteners provide an easy, at-home way to eliminate surface stains without costly, dentist-administered light treatments and mouth trays. The version here—launched just this year—clocks results in only two hours.

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2001: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

($59; giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com)

Developed because the designer wanted a no-makeup look for his fashion shows, the weightless liquid formula layers effortlessly, without caking.

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2002: Dior DiorShow Mascara

($25; sephora.com)

A star was born when formulators saw makeup artists using toothbrushes to apply models’ extra-large wand fans out your fringe, resulting in a false-lash look.

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2002: Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolor

($10; drugstores)

Unlike stay-put pout enhancers of the past that left lips feeling dry, this two-sided product contains polymers and chamomile to soften and maximize shine.

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2005: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30

($10; drugstores)

Helioplex, Neutrogena’s breakthrough complex, contains a more stable version of the UVAblocking ingredient avobenzone, to better protect skin from premature aging and cancer.

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2005: Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer

($9; jergens.com )

Aimed at anyone who finds self-tanner scary, this goof-proof formula hydrates skin and delivers low levels of DHA, so color builds gradually over several days.

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2005: Clarisonic Classic Sonic Skin Cleansing System

($195; clarisonic.com)

From the creators of the Sonicare toothbrush, this gadget changed the face of cleansing by gently buffing skin and removing more dirt and oil than soap alone.

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2005: Clairol Nice’n Easy Root Touch-Up

($7; drugstores )

The first mass-market permanent hair color to address re-growth, this comb-through formula extends the time between dye jobs by up to three weeks.

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2008: L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold

($15; amazon.com)

Coveted by stylists, beauty mavens, and celebrities the world over, this sweet-smelling spritz is a runway and red carpet fixture that instantly freezes coifs in place—without a hint of crunchiness.

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2009: Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

($78 for 1 oz; lancome.com )

By identifying the proteins responsible for radiance, texture, and tone, Lancôme developed an anti-aging serum that helps the body ramp up their production. One drop a day leads to a noticeable difference in just a week.

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2009: CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush

($11; covergirl.com )

Color meets correction: An age-defying injection of niacinamide helps smooth skin’s texture while imparting a natural-looking flush.

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2011: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

($10; sallyhansen.com)

An array of fashion-forward colors and designs (neon! lace! denim!), zero drying

time, and the opportunity to stay chip-free for up to 10 days make these press-on polishes both cool and convenient.

Replay gallery

Account

30 Years of Beauty All-Stars

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1982: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

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1982: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer

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1982: Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow

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1984: Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers

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1984: Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder

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1985: MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Spice

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1989: Aveda Shampure

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1990: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Formula Hair Serum

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1992: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat

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1995: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation

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1995: Proactiv 3-Step System

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1996: Crème de La Mer

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1996: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

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1999: Kérastase Nutritive Lait Vital

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1999: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

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1999: OPI Nail Lacquer in I’m Not Really a Waitress

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1999: Nars Orgasm Blush

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2000: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel

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2001: Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips

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2001: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

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2002: Dior DiorShow Mascara

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2002: Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolor

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2005: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30

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2005: Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer

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2005: Clarisonic Classic Sonic Skin Cleansing System

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2005: Clairol Nice’n Easy Root Touch-Up

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