Old School Beauty Is Our New Obsession
As The Body Shop revives Dewberry - the ultimate 80s schoolgirl scent - The Beauty Ed® team rediscover the beauty classics enjoying a 2026 revival
Happy Monday! And happy 2nd of Feb.
I’m not sure if it’s the lingering energy from yesterday’s New Moon but I can already feel that heavy, ‘slow motion’ January fog feeling finally lifting.
And while I’m all for fresh starts and new intentions, lately I’ve found myself leaning back into old and familiar beauty habits. There’s a certain comfort in rediscovering the routines and products you just know work.
And the industry seems to agree. Last month, The Body Shop sent all us into a frenzy by reviving its iconic 80s and 90s schoolgirl staple scent line - Dewberry - after it topped their most requested list for over 2 decades. Smart! And while they have updated the 2026 scent slightly in order to meet new safety and sustainability standards, I am reassured that the updated version is as juicy as the original, if a bit more grown up. (Note to The Body Shop people if you’re listening: when will it be available in the US too?)
But The Body Shop’s Dewberry isn’t the only beauty classic enjoying a 2026 revival in The Beauty Ed® towers. I recently dug out my old editors’ tearsheets from Boots Health & Beauty Magazine, InStyle and Grazia to see which ‘past-self’ picks have stood the test of time. Turns out, a few classics have remained for good reason.
The Mascara: Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel
I still swear by this plastic wand. As I wrote in 2017, its comb shape reaches those tiny, hard-to-reach inner lashes and gives a lift that’s perfect for my droopy lashes.
The SPF: Bioderma Photoderm Spray SPF50
Again in 2017, I raved about this product in Boots Health & Beauty magazine for its incredible finish. I’d been using it while on a photoshoot for the magazine in the Maldives. Little did I know then that I’d eventually move to Florida, where SPF50 isn’t just a ‘photoshoot pick’ - it’s a non-negotiable daily essential. While I’m currently loyal to Vacation sunscreen for it’s classic sun cream scent, wearable textures and retro vibes, Bioderma remains a gold standard for reliable, high-tech protection that paved the way. I just wish it was available in the US!
The 2006 Updates For My Fav Discontinued Fake Tan
In 2006, I named Johnson’s Holiday Skin my product of the year in Grazia Magazine for that ‘no-hassle’ glow. Since that classic was discontinued, I always recommend gradual tans by St. Tropez, e.l.f (I’m a big fan of their Bronzing Drops) and Isle Of Paradise.
The Bath Oil 2009 Update (For The Shower)
In 2009, I was writing about Chanel No5 Bath Oil for InStyle. These days, my lifestyle calls for less ‘long soak’ and more ‘quick shower’ and I love Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil. I apply it to my skin before stepping into the shower - the steam evaporates the gorgeous blend of frankincense and cardamom, turning my bathroom into a relaxing spa. It’s my go-to on days when my mood feels a little fragile.
Here are the best retro beauty product picks from the rest of The Beauty Ed® team:
💖 The Beauty Ed® Team Picks: 8 Iconic Staples
♡ Gia
1.M.A.C. Spice Lip Liner
A true ’90s icon, worn by supermodels and still dominating makeup bags today. MAC lip liners remain among the best on the market: creamy, long-wearing, and reliably flattering. Spice, a cinnamon-pink brown, adds definition without heaviness and suits virtually every lip tone. Cindy Crawford’s long-standing loyalty to the shade says everything!
2.Sparkle Nail Polish
Glitter never disappeared; it was simply waiting for its return. Growing up with an older sister meant early exposure to noughties nail trends: sparkles, crackle finishes, unapologetic colour. Our polishes lived in a chaotic Paperchase box, and I always ran through the pinks first. I still gravitate towards glitter when I tire of neutral nails; it’s playful, expressive, and refreshingly unpoliced. Clean girl minimalism had its moment; maximalism is back.
3.Victoria’s Secret Body Mists
If you are Gen Z, this scent is a part of your muscle memory. Weekend trips to Victoria’s Secret, mist bottles lined up on bedroom shelves, PE changing rooms permanently scented with sweet florals; Love Spell was a rite of passage. Nostalgic, yes, but also genuinely wearable: light, fruity, and perfect for on-the-go spritzing. Some cult favourites endure for a reason.
🤍 Hayley
Beauty is so fun because it allows you to express yourself through the products you choose. I love trying the newest innovations, but a few have earned a permanent place in my routine, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. 💖
4. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
There are a few beauty products I always come back to, and Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair is absolutely one of them. I first tried this serum while working in a beauty buying office, where I received it as a gift - and it completely transformed my skin. In no time, my complexion looked more radiant, fine lines appeared to fade, and my skin tone became noticeably more even. It truly is a miracle product that I’ve been using for over a decade.
P.S. Their “Night Night Club” marketing campaign a year back with Nicole Richie was genius - check it out here in Vogue if you didn’t see it!
5. Lancôme Juicy Tubes
Having a Lancôme Juicy Tube in middle school was a true rite of passage (right up there with a Coach wristlet). I remember my mom taking me to the mall, where I carefully swatched every shade before settling on a classic early-2000s frosted pink. The formula is never too sticky and delivers the prettiest shine, whether worn alone or layered over lip color. My love for this product was reignited this year when I picked one up in Marshmallow Electro - it’s one that I can’t leave the house without.
6. TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray
I love hairspray but the hair category has become incredibly crowded over the past few years, sparking my curiosity to experiment with different brands, holds, and formulas. Still, TRESemmé is the brand I always return to. I love the scent, and it does exactly what I need it to do. I have a ton of flyaways, so I need a soft yet strong hold when I wear my hair back, and my hair also tends to fall flat quickly - something that never happens with this formula. It’s truly one of my household essentials.
🌟Paloma
As much as I love getting my hands on new beauty launches, sometimes you just can’t outdo the originals! My love of beauty partly comes from always watching my mum get ready when I was younger and testing out/stealing her products. These are some of my favourite iconic products (that have been around longer than I have!)
7. Clinique Almost Lipstick, Black Honey
For the longest time, I used to buy the Boots dupe of this product, but I actually received the real deal for Christmas - and I LOVE it. I find it to be a universally flattering tint, and it gives a sort of “just-bitten” effect. From what I gather, it was super popular in the ‘90s and has made a resurgence in recent years (as all trends do!) The product itself is hydrating, light - almost like a lip balm, but with buildable colour. Clinique have been taking advantage of the Black Honey popularity and has added to the collection with a lip liner and gloss too for a full-on lip combo.
8. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
I grew up doing dance shows, and I was wearing a full face of makeup when I was eight. But my favourite part of makeup has always been eyelashes, and this is the first mascara I ever put on. Launching in 1971, it is over 50 (!) years old, and is still just as popular as it was then. I’m a firm believer that mascara isn't something you have to spend a lot of money on, and the Maybelline ones are the best I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot). The best part? It’s only £7.99!
Are you familiar with any of these? We’d love to know in the comments.
We hope you have a great week 🐞
Donna & The Beauty Ed® Team!