6 Beauty Products Gen X Will Clearly Remember Using

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Max Factor. L'Oréal. Avon. If those names instantly take you back to the beauty counters of the '70s, '80s, and '90s, congratulations, you're a true Gen X-er. These were some of the heavy-hitters in an era when frosted lipstick and Pan-Cake foundation were super popular. Some products stood the test of time, and others have quietly faded, but most people born in the 1960s through 1980 only need a picture to unlock core memories.

Back then, the approach to beauty was different, and bold, experimental looks that were full of personality and maximalism were the norm. So, it's no surprise that beauty marketing was different, too. Sales reps knocked on doors with their "Avon Calling!" pitch, and cult products spread through word of mouth. Maybe this personal, nostalgic, and peer-driven connection to beauty is why Gen X still ranks among the biggest beauty spenders today. From pressed foundation to Lip Smackers and hair crimpers, here are some of the beauty products that defined Generation X.

"Pan-Cake makeup" is now slang for heavy and overdone looks, but Gen X knew it as a foundation. The original Pan-Cake, developed by the brand Max Factor in the 1930s, was a water-activated foundation that came in a compact and found its way to the masses years after being introduced to Hollywood. To use it, you had to dampen a sponge or puff and then rub it across the cake to pick up product. It gave a matte, full-coverage finish that only hit the mark if you managed to find the right shade.

Wearing heavy, full-coverage foundation is one of the makeup mistakes Gen X remembers all too well, and much of it was thanks to Pan-Stik, a solid cream foundation created by Max Factor in the 1940s that later achieved common usage. It's packaged in a chunky twist-up tube that looks just like an oversized lipstick. The finish is dense, thick, and mask-like in a way that just doesn't go with the no-makeup makeup look that's popular today, though the product is still sold today despite increased market competition.

These days, every mascara seems to come in a tube, but Gen X would remember cake (or block) mascaras that came in a tin or plastic container. These mascaras were completely solid and included a small brush, and you better bet that Max Factor sold them. To use them, you'd add a drop of water and rub the brush across the block before applying it. Sure, it took a few extra steps compared to today's wands, but they were more sustainable — and you could easily wash the brush. Unfortunately, they're yet another old-school makeup product that people don't use anymore.

Who could forget the ritual of plugging in a crimping iron and risking serious heat damage for that zigzag look? If you were fancy in the '70s and '80s, you spritzed on hairspray first; if not, you went straight in. Crimping irons had textured plates, so you could achieve that retro effect, and while they lasted into the millennial era, Gen X will never forget originating this trend. 

If you never got over this fad, you'll be pleased to know that crimped hair is one of those '80s hairstyles that made a major comeback in recent years. To get started, check out the DSHOW Crimping Iron that has thousands of fabulous reviews on Amazon.

Lip Smackers were the trifecta of lip care for Gen X. They were part chapstick, part tint, and part candy. Some of the most popular flavors were Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola, and Bonnie Bell classics, as well as the fruit and candy variations. Lip Smackers became collectibles, the kind you could trade like baseball cards. Just like Kissing Koolers and Kissing Potions, they became one of the most unforgettable beauty staples of Gen X — that is, until they weren't so trendy anymore. If you're feeling nostalgic, you can order the Lip Smacker Original & Best Party Pack on Amazon for $13.

For Gen X, Finesse Haircare was so popular that even if you didn't use it, you knew someone who did. It smelled really good and was marketed for all hair types, which is another reason it was popular. Plus, it had the type of tagline that made you roll your eyes a little but was impossible to forget: "Sometimes you need a little Finesse, sometimes you need a lot!" The idea was that it was controlled by time and that a few seconds gave you light conditioning, while a few minutes gave you deep conditioning.

At Glam, we only recommend products with high ratings and solid user testimonials. We scoured Amazon to find both the original products here, if still available, and suitable alternatives based on high review counts and positive ratings, especially when they came from Gen-X folks. We don't recommend products below a 4-star rating, and we made sure through the reviews that any alternative products achieve the same results as the originals from decades ago. That way, you can relive your early years — or try something new!