Goodbye Old Friend

Laura Mercier — Lip Colour — Shimmer in Courtisane ($20) is saying its farewell. I have loved this color for years. It looks like a purplish pink in this picture, but in reality it's more of a mauvey rose–coral color.

The texture is smooth, it makes your lips feel soft and nourished, it lasts long and it always looked great with either a coral, pink, or clear gloss on top. It's one of those colors that really makes your eyes pop.

Courtisane is still being sold online for a limited amount of time, and I've been told that stores will carry it until it's sold out. Also, FYI, there are two more classic colors in this category that are bidding adieu too — Iced Melon and Quartz. Oh well, life goes on, right. Hopefully the end of these shades means the birth of exciting new replacements!

Pout Cosmetics will be closing its doors at the end of the year. The fun, feminine playful and pink-packaged cosmetics company was founded in 2001 by three women: Anna Singh, Chantal Laren and Emily Cohen. Pout was bought nine months ago by venture capital group Crysallis.

The company was doing well in the UK and Europe, but US sales have been very weak. Since they weren't as profitable as hoped, the color (cosmetics) portion of the business will stop production. However, the fragrance, bath and body products will continue to stick around in retail stores.

If you're a fan of these cosmetics, you'll be pleased to find out that big sales are rumored to take place so that stockists can liquidate the line. So keep your eyes out for the chance to buy Pout products at a reduced price — which is nothing to pout about!

During a stay at a Beverly Hills hotel, I decided to treat my severely broken-out skin to a facial. The spa at the hotel used La Prairie products and I was really impressed with how clean and tingly my face felt when I was finished. The facialist told me that if there was one product I should splurge on (this brand is quite pricey), it should be the La Prairie Cellular Purifying System Blemish Control Gel ($70).

I bought it and within a few days I could not believe how dramatically my face had calmed down and cleared up. From that day on, every time I've gotten a doozy of a zit, my La Prairie Blemish Gel has been my go-to product. While of course I have tried many less expensive spot treatments this one always seems to do the job for the really painful, disastrous, cystic kinds of pimples.

What makes it so awesome is that you can feel the gel stinging, almost burning your skin. It's made with such a high concentration of salicylic acid that you can only use it for a few days or it will make your skin peel. Don't make me feel like I am some sicko for enjoying this sensation—you know as well as I do that when you've got a blemish to blast, you're counting down the minutes until it's gone.

Unfortunately, six months ago, I went to replenish my stock and was told it had been discontinued. I have since been able to find more bottles on the online grey markets, but I'm definitely bugging out thinking that my supply is eventually going to get cut off. Do you have any other amazing zit creams you can recommend?

After GiggleSugar read about the new Morbid Makeup trend, she looked over at me, shrugged and said, "Of course my signature L'Oreal Shine Délice Lipstick in Sheer Black Cherry has been discontinued now that deep reds, purples and maroons are officially back in style".

Poor Giggle! Although she was smart enough to stock up, she had to toss a few tubes once she realized how old they were. It stinks when your favorite product gets the kibosh, but before you go blasting Beyonce's Irreplaceable tune, I've done my best to match her L'Oreal shade with lipsticks that are still in production. I've got to get my girl giggling again! To check them out, read more

Don't you hate it when one of your favorite products gets discontinued? Obviously, it's not feasible to buy three of everything you love just in case there is an unexpected halt in production. But I will say, if you think you can't live without something, stock up!

I am sure by now you have heard of MAC Sundressing. It's an unbelievable tanning cream with a mousse-like texture that glides on as weightless and as airy as it dispenses. It's intended for your body, but I love it on my face too. So far, it hasn't made my sensitive skin break out. Also, it never ever leaves me looking the least bit orange or unnaturally peach.

When I wear it, I feel great. The color is so perfect that all I need is a little pop of pink blush, and I swear I see Brigitte Bardot looking back at me in the mirror! It comes in four shades and washes off easily with soap and water. When the limited-edition product was sold at MAC, it cost $22, but I see it selling here on the "grey market" for $28.99!

This leads me to a question I've been wanting to ask you for some time now: What are some of your favorite sites for finding discontinued products?