40 years of beauty

Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo: Originally without the "s" at the end of its name, Clairol Herbal Essence was launched via a cartoon commercial depicting an Eve type of woman in a garden of earthly delights, emphasizing luscious hair and a fresh floral scent with nary an orgasm reference to be heard.

Great Lash Mascara: Over 40 years later, the pink and green tube is universally known the mascara. ($6.50, maybelline.com)

Yves Saint Laurent Opium: Mon dieu! A fragrance named after a drug! Aptly dubbed, it turned out, since women became seriously addicted to the French designer's scent that broke all the rules and was in a class by itself. ($85, yslbeautyus.com)

Calvin Klein Obsession: Eight years after Opium debuted, the "NOTICE ME!" olfactory gang really took over in the Eighties. Other members included Giorgio Beverly Hills and Dior's Poison. ($28, target.com)

Botulinum Toxin (aka Botox): Canada-based dermatologists Alastair and Jean Carruthers discovered that treating patients with blepharospasm, a condition involving uncontrollable eye blinking and spasming, with a diluted solution of botulinum toxin, the lines around their foreheads were erased. It turns out many, many more people suffer from hating their frown lines than from blepharospasm.

MAC Russian Red Lipstick: Another Canadian import, the vast beauty line was first embraced by makeup artists. Then Madonna started wearing this shade, and that certainly helped put it on the beauty map. ($15, maccosmetics.com)

Frizz Ease: Perhaps the biggest hairstyling breakthrough since the perm, Brit hairdresser John Frieda's silicone based serum turned blow-drying into a much easier task for many. ($10, drugstore.com)

Angel by Thierry Mugler: The Nineties own NOTICE ME scent. 20 years later, this cotton-candy smelling fragrance continues to elicit mighty powerful opinions. You either love it or you hate it.

Nars Cosmetics: Makeup artist Francois Nars debuted his eponymous makeup line with a dozen lipsticks, including shades that are still hot today, like Jungle Red and Honolulu Honey. ($24, narscosmetics.com)

Chanel Nail Colour: The sleepy category of manicures didn't know what hit it when Chanel introduced a super-dark plum polish that, for all intents and purposes, looked nearly black on nails. Originally created for Chanel's Fall/Winter 1994 show, it hit counters the following Spring. Since then, it's been the brand's top selling color. ($26, chanel.com)