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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Kelly's Quest For Flex Conditioner


If you were ever on a desperate quest for a beloved but discontinued beauty product or a fragrance you'll surely sympathize with Kelly's search for a supply of Flex conditioner by Revlon. I know I'd do all that and more to obtain a Suqqu S eye brush and too many vintage perfumes to even count here. Is there anything you've been hunting high and low? Do you have any advice for Kelly?
(and how gorgeous is Cyndi Crawford in that 80s Revlon ad?)

28 comments:

  1. This is a link for Kelly- there seems to be a few promising links, but she'll need to check it out:
    http://www.thefind.com/beauty/browse-revlon-flex-shampoo

    I fondly remember Prell shampoo, and loved the scent so much. I haven't even thought of looking for it, but I wouldn't mind a capful to huff occasionally. :)

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    1. Prell Shampoo can be found at many Walgreen's drugstores. And online; but it is rather detergent strength for hair.

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    2. There's a new version for colored hair that looks to be much gentler, and with the same smell.

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    3. Yes, it always had that nice scent.

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  2. There used to be a Revlon company store here in New York that carried a lot of discontinued items, it's since closed but I believe there are others and they used to ship. I'd google Revlon Outlet Store or Company Store--good luck!

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    1. The Revlon outlet store was my first thought as well. The one here was called [town name] Beauty Outlet- no mention of Revlon in the store name, but most of the store was full of Revlon products. If it hadn't closed a few years ago, I certainly would've checked it for the Flex line. I remember seeing Aquamarine shampoo there and was always tempted to pick up a bottle.

      Not sure if it'll help, but here was the description of the store: "Discontinued cosmetics, skin care, beauty products, fragrances, manicure pedicure tools discounted up to 75 off We carry such brands as Revlon, Almay, Ultima, Streetwear, and Charles of the Ritz." I never saw the last three lines (unless Jean Nate counts!)

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    2. Ultima and Charles of the Ritz are two brands I haven't heard of in years! I used several products of theirs. Wonderful stuff, really.

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    3. I loved Charles of the Ritz and Ultima-they were my gateway into good cosmetics lines.

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  3. Am I missing something here? It is still available as far as I know. I see it in people's bathrooms frequently; unless there is a type I do not know about.
    Here's one source (hope it is the right product):

    http://beautifile.blogspot.com/2008/09/review-flex-balsam-protein-frequent-use.html


    I have never been a fan of Cindy Crawford. I just don't see what the fuss is about her.

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    1. Totally agree! I think SHE thinks she is 'it' - but I don't think Cindy Crawford is particularly attractive . . . her personality is even worse . .

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    2. I so totally agree.

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  4. That link is from 2008. Flex was permanently discontinued in 2010. It is no longer sold except for about $25 a bottle on Ebay or the discount web site in the UK I mentioned in my piece.

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    1. These people must have two year old bottles around then. Which is not unrealistic- I notice some people keep scads of hair care products around and never throw things out!


      Yes, Have seen it in the U.K. as well. I used to use it, and it is quite good. Have you tried the Vermont Country Store?

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  5. Hope you see this Kelly! I live in the UK, and have bought those exact bottles of Flex that you tried to get. The good/bad news is that they don't really smell like our much loved original, so don't be too disappointed that they never got to you. If only there was a hair perfume that smelt like Flex balsam..... now there's an idea.....
    Jillie

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  6. Well, I never tried Flex when it was widely available; now I'd like to try it!

    When I was about ten, Revlon came out with a youthful flanker for Jean Naté called Petite Naté. I absolutely loved it, although I don't know how my tastes in it would have held up.

    I also which the companies that have extensive archives (Arden, Lauder, Revlon, etc.) would release more colors from their archives.

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  7. Two things: Courreges original fragrance from the seventies, which is never, ever mentioned in any fragrance blog and seems to have been totally forgotten by everyone but myself and a friend of mine. I actually hired a perfume detective to (unsucessfully) find it, but since found a lifetime supply on ebay.
    Second: Cornsilk translucent loose powder, which I've used since I was a teenager. Nothing comes close. Recently broke down and bought ten on Amazon paying a very pretty penny. So worth it!

    BTW, yours is the first of the very few blogs I look at every day! Your word's as good as gold as far as I'm concerned!

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    1. Anon-You may be able to find Courreges at a store called Diva in St. Helena California. The owner is a collector/perfumista who has several stunning bottles including vintage Guerlain, Hermes and the like. She also had several Patou fragrances. I purchased Courreges in Bleu last year but don't know if she carries the original. Give her a call!
      She does have a website but it's better to call vs. email.

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  8. Does anyone remember the Estee Lauder brand shampoos and conditioners? Oh, those were so good. I miss the conditioner in a jar - there was nothing like it. In fact, I'm rather surprised they haven't 'expanded the brand' into haircare again. They did the huge Aerin expansion, which is too natural/biege/bronze for me!

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    1. Oh my goodness, yes I do! And I was trawling the internet only the other day to see if I could dig up anything about the hair masque. I first used it in 1980 (to make my hair shine for my wedding). EL then stopped producing it, but brought it back under a different name in the mid 90s. I think it was then called Azuree (presumably to tie in with the perfume). I just loved that conditioner, and the smell was absolutely amazing - I used to toss my waist-length locks around a lot, just so I could breathe in the scent! I so wish they would bring it back.
      Jillie

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    2. I remember estee lauder AZUREE shampoo... was the best in the 70's ...the smell was like being at the ocean !.discontinued!!!

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  9. My much-missed item is Loreal's Lash Out Mascara. I've used it on and off since high school for over 25 years. It gave nice long lashes without clumping or irritating my eyes, and it was only $5.99 per tube! The other mascara I miss is MAX Faxtor's 2000 calorie mascara. Another great product that's gone the way of the dodo...

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  10. The Vermont Country Store sells many older, discontinued beauty products. Don't know if they sell Flex, but it's worth checking their website. They also provide a link for customers to send them suggestions of products they are searching for and would like to see revived.

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  11. This makes me long for my favourite shampoo of all times!

    Schwarzkopf No. 1 shampoo concentrate (a German product), which existed for a few short years in the 90s. Best shampoo I ever bought in a drugstore, bar none! In fact best shampoo I bought anywhere. But
    probably too good and classy for your average shopper in that price range... or so it seems, because they discontinued it. When I saw it on the clearance shelves, I bought up as much as I could get, but alas, all stock must run out, and afterward it took me years to find another moderately priced shampoo even worth buying again.

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  12. I, too, was on the hunt for Flex and Wella Balsam shampoos and conditioners (I am in LOVE with the scent, and wish someone really would bottle it). Since I had no real luck in locating them, I stumbled across Nature's Gate Herbal Shampoo and Conditioner and...score! The smell is not only creamy/balsamy and a near match to the originals, but this is such a great company. They are environmentally friendly and cruelty-free. You can find this brand at most health food stores, and even some major grocery stores these days, but here is a link to their online store: http://www.shopnatures-gate.com/

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  13. In the early/mid seventies, my friends and I adored the scent that resulted from using Yucca Dew shampoo with Flex conditioner...

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  14. Why does Revlon discontinue their best selling classics? Ultima II one of the best foundations ever made. I bought a boat load on eBay several years ago and am running low. Can't find my shade online either.

    And the heavenly scent of Flex Balsam original, which lasted for hours, not the latest and last formulation which left a funky smell.

    Why Revlon, why do you alienate your most loyal customers with your stupid marketing decisions?

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  15. In Europe, the shampoo is available in a discount shop called 'Action' for 1,80 euro per bottle. I don't know if you are still looking, but maybe you know someone in The Netherlands/Belgium/Germany? I bought 4 bottles as well, love the shampoo.

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  16. There used to be a faux version at various dollar stores that smelled pretty close, but I haven't seen even that for a few years. Apparently you can buy flex from India, via ebay, but it appears to be very expensive. I also fondly remember the original green herbal essence, and body on tap, which all smelled good, too. Nowadays I settle for part, which smells very clean and nice. Perhaps there might be Mexican versions available?

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