12 Obsolete Beauty Products from the ’80s
These once-popular ’80s beauty staples have long vanished from vanities — and honestly, we're kind of glad.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The ’80s were all about bold beauty routines that now feel more bizarre than beautiful. From frosty lipsticks to roll-on body glitter, these cosmetic fads were everywhere — and then disappeared almost overnight. This list highlights the forgotten beauty products that defined the era but didn’t survive into modern makeup bags.
1. Aqua Net Extra Super Hold Hairspray
twitchery on Flickr
This wasn’t just hairspray; it was a helmet in a can. Used to keep teased bangs defying gravity, its scent alone could clear a room. The sticky mist left hair crunchy and flammable.
2. Maybelline Kissing Potion Roll-On Lip Gloss
twitchery on Flickr
Sticky, shiny, and sickly sweet, this gloss came in flavors like bubblegum and cola. It rolled on like syrup and doubled as a magnet for every strand of hair. Kids loved it, dermatologists didn’t.
3. Bonne Bell Lip Smackers Jumbo Tubes
Sharon Young on Flickr
These oversized lip balms were candy-scented and practically pocket-sized missiles. Everyone had one rolling around in their backpack, even if it was mostly used for the scent.
4. Roll-On Body Glitter
KoolShooters on Pexels
From school dances to mall trips, glitter was a beauty must-have, and we rolled it on like it was lotion. It sparkled, stuck to everything, and was impossible to fully remove.
5. Electric Blue Mascara
Maria Morri on Wikimedia Commons
Your lashes weren’t cool unless they looked like neon tinsel. This daring mascara was more theatrical than wearable. It clashed with everything and did little for lash length.
6. Noxzema Cold Cream in the Jar
Gsaltzman on Wikimedia Commons
Stored in that iconic blue tub, this face cleanser tingled and left a lingering menthol smell. It was part skincare, part punishment. While still around in limited forms, most have traded it for gentler, dermatologist-approved cleansers.
7. Tinkerbell Peel-Off Nail Polish
Dan Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash
Marketed to kids but worn proudly by teens, this watery polish peeled off in one satisfying piece. It never lasted more than a few hours but was fun while it lasted.
8. Sun-In Hair Lightener Spray
rchappo2002 on Flickr
A spritz and some sunshine were all it took to bleach your hair — along with your dreams. It promised beachy highlights but often left users with uneven orange streaks.
9. Press-On Nails (The Original Kind)
Madeline Liu on Unsplash
Forget acrylics — these plastic nails were glued on in minutes and popped off just as fast. Often oversized and oddly shaped, they made everyday tasks impossible.
10. Dep Gel (Blue Hair Gel)
gingerbeardman on Flickr
Thick, tinted, and sticky, this goopy gel molded hair into place with zero forgiveness. It dried stiff and crunchy, perfect for spikes or slicked-back looks.
11. Frosted Lipstick in Pale Pink
Lana Graves on Unsplash
This icy lip color was a staple in every purse, even though it made most people look borderline ghostly. It shimmered like tinfoil under sunlight and clashed with nearly every skin tone.
12. Perfumed Powder Puffs
CCBY on Wikimedia Commons
Housed in fancy tins with oversized puffs, these scented body powders were a glamorous mess. They left a fine dust trail and a scent cloud that lingered for hours.