9 Vintage Makeup Brands Worth a Small Fortune

Makeup doesn’t last forever. But just because you can’t wear it, doesn’t mean it’s worthless. Believe it or not, vintage makeup has quite the stronghold over collectors these days.

Storied brands like Elizabeth Arden and Rimmel have a variety of products that, even when used, are worth a pretty penny on the secondhand market.

These nine vintage makeup brands are worth a small fortune and certain retro products from their lines could help you make extra money online .

1. CoverGirl

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Launched in 1961, CoverGirl was the first makeup brand to employ famous models in their ads, encouraging brand recognition. They also launched the first liquid makeup and pressed powders to the market.

Products from the original CoverGirl release are now worth a pretty penny. A Luminesse Toffee Glaze Satin Finish lipstick can be found on eBay for $59.99 in its original, semi-warped, packaging.

2. Max Factor

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Launched in 1909, Max Factor became a leading product of Hollywood studios and coined the term “makeup” in 1920. If you find an old product rolling around a family member’s drawer, it’s worth checking its value.

Most top-dollar Max Factor options on eBay come in their original packaging, like a discontinued Stay Fresh Lip Color in Pink Soufflé for nearly $34, but some, like the cult hit Bold Brown, going for $26, do not.

3. Maybelline

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This iconic makeup brand, started in 1915, has several products that are worth thousands for resale — and some aren’t even that old.

In 2016, an eye pencil sold for $2,880 and an eyeliner in velvet black went for $1,664 in 2012. While there are less true vintage options listed currently, you can grab a Melon Mist lipstick for $59.99 on eBay in its original packaging.

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4. Rimmel

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Eugene Rimmel opened his own perfumery in 1834. Branching into hygiene products and non-toxic mascara, Rimmel became a staple for London fashionistas.

Greta Garbo famously used Rimmel products, and her collection sold for $3,200 in 2012. An unused 1960s Rimmel cake block of Brun (brown) mascara is currently listed for $132.90.

5. Elizabeth Arden

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Elizabeth Arden is known for its eye-popping lip shades, like the red that suffragettes wore during female emancipation..

Arden lipsticks can be found in “like new” condition or in their boxes for around $30, along with vintage compact cases like a 1940s Deco Gold Mirror Case that’s up for $275 on eBay.

6. Revlon

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Initially a nail enamel brand, Revlon started to formulate their own lipsticks in the 1950s, which they quickly became notorious for. Hollywood icons were regularly spotted wearing their shades.

Marilyn Monroe’s bachelor’s carnation lipstick went for $18,750 at auction in 2016. Several Moon Drops lipsticks from varying releases are available for as nearly $100.

7. Volupté

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A vintage cosmetics accessories company that isn’t as much a household name as others on this list, Volupté, created stylish pressed-powder compacts starting in 1920. In the 1940s and 1950s, they began to produce multi-use and novelty compacts, cigarette cases, carryalls, and vanity cases.

There is a Golden Gesture compact currently available for $695 and a 1950s cigarette case clutch for $139.99.

8. Lancôme

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Armand Petitjohn and Guillaume d'Ornano founded Lancôme in 1935. Then in 1964, L’Oréal acquired Lancôme — which is why Lancôme products released before then are considered a hot resale item.

Grab a bottle of vintage Magie Noire for $2,000 on eBay. A Climat perfume is currently listed at $1,499.95. Even full-sized vintage lipsticks without boxes can go for as much as $79.99. Vintage powder compacts can also be worth some money.

9. Benefit Cosmetics

Courtesy of eBay/Retro-Rankin

It may be one of the comparatively newer brands on this list, but Benefit, started in the 1970s, already has some vintage products worth some money on the resale market.

A used, now discontinued Kitten Sparkling Powder Shimmer Body Puff in pink is currently available on eBay for $89.95.

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Bottom line

The commercialization of makeup began in the 1910s, so it’s likely you — or someone you know — may have an old product or box lying around that’s worth checking the value of.

You may even be able to supplement your income by taking advantage of the worth of these vintage products.

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