(pictured: my HR items…and I want more!)Helena Rubinstein is the one that said “There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.” Whether you agree with it or not, it cannot be denied she more than made her mark in the beauty industry.
I always think there is a sense of sophistication and intelligence in her makeup line. The packaging during the 1990’s incorporated colors and finishes that resembled marble and gold. There was a great deal of quiet confidence and assertiveness about it, which really appealed to me. The current reflective copper-tone packaging has a very glamorous edge.
Helena Rubinstein’s mascaras (along with Lancome’s Extencil) started the craze for ultra long, voluminous, and curly eyelashes in Japan about a decade ago, lasting all the way until today. HR’s various mascaras have continued to be on the best-selling lists there as well.
Skincare-wise, I used to really like their cleansing and toning products, as they were gentle to my sensitive skin.
I am aware that her cosmetics line is still available in many countries (see the list on the Helena Rubinstein website), but it is no longer available in the UK or US. I really hope it will be available again soon! (By the way, it is available in Japan…that’s one more reason to go to Japan for……)
Any HR product that you have used and liked? Let me know!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, we don’t have them here in my country, too. Sniff. Even Biotherm ( since we’re in the tropics and I think , some brands are more suited for those in temperate zones ). I’ve seen Helena Rubinstein in one of the booths in the trade fair I’ve attended last Feb in Shanghai, and they looked promising:)
Hello Charmed One,
Thank you very much for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Yes…I believe HR is currently available in China, according to the webpage I linked to.
Biotherm (a French brand, as you know) became available in the UK about 2 to 3 years ago, after it had been quite successful in Asia and Continental Europe for much longer.
By the way, may I ask what country you are in?
I’m polish and I love Helena Rubinstein cosmetics. In my country, Poland, we have this mark, but it’s even more expensive than Dior, Chanel or Lancome and now it will be available only in the most important shops in the biggest cities. But I adore its
simple, modern and elegant design and the very subtle shine of the eyeshadows…So sophisticated…
By the way, I really like your blog, congratulations!
Lots of Love:)
Alicja
Hello Alicja,
Thank you very much for leaving a comment and contributing to the topic!!
Great to know that Helena Rubinstein is available where you are. But I am surprised to learn that it is more expensive than Dior, Chanel, and Lancome. I remember that when it was available in the UK, it was about as expensive as those brands (the same in Japan, as far as I know). It sounds like it is marketed as a really high-end luxury brand in Poland!
I adore the packaging as well. Yes, very simple yet modern.
As you might know, HR is available in many countries in Continental Europe. I will have to get myself some when I get a chance to go across the English Channel!
Thank you very much for your compliment on my blog. Please stop by again! :)
I was not aware that HR was no longer available in the US! I am sorry to hear that, especially since the lipsticks in the photo look gorgeous!
Hello,
Thank you for your comment!
Yes, sadly it is not available in the US or the UK.
It has quality products that are right up there with products of brands like Chanel and Lancome. I do hope they will consider bringing it back…
I love Helena Rubinstein skin care!
I’m currently using the lip sculptor balm and the eye sculptor lift and they’re great products! I never listen to store recommendations… I buy most my skin care online(reading tons of blogger’s reviews and ingredient lists helps me not to fail)and sometimes HR from Italy.
Hello Maddie,
You reminded me that I nearly bought the lip sculptor balm. It seemed that it would be a very emollient lip moisturizer that would really suit my lips.
It is great that you look through ingredient lists before you decide which skincare products to purchase. It is a very sensible thing to do. After all, the actual ingredients are the only things that count, not (necessarily) the ads or what the sales assistants says.
Thank you very much for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment! Hope to hear from you again! :)
I definitely would hate seeing HR disappear from the market. We still have it here in Amsterdam which is a good thing. My favorites from them are their mascaras and the concealer. Great stuff!
Hello Grayburn,
I have always been aware that Helena Rubinstein’s mascaras are very popular. It also seems they are continuously coming up with good formulations.
I certainly hope Helena Rubinstein will hang on to the Continental European market. I would love to visit the counter again!
Thank you for commenting! :)
Hi PJ,
No problem, it is always interesting to see what is available where. Thanks for a good read!
grayburn @ blogspot
Hello Grayburn,
You are very welcome. Thank you for reading my blog!
I will be reading yours too! :)
Hello,
well i am from Saudi Arabia and we do have Helena Rubinstein brand available but only in the most high, uptown malls. i have used it’s pore perfection and moisturizer cream once, and fell in love with it since i have flaky dry skin. umm, well when i compared its price with chanel moisturizer, chanel was more expensive, like 40 dollars extra, but this brand did justice to my skin and i was extremely happy with the results. even after trying the clinique 3-step, i had terrible breakouts. i have NEVER had breakouts my entire life and when i used clinique 3-step, i got em….lol that’s why i think helena rubinstein is awesome…even if u just use the moisturizer alone with a face wash, the results are perfect. :D
p.s. i hope this brand doesn’t run out here…
Hi,
Thank you for reading my blog and for letting me know that Helena Rubinstein is available in Saudi Arabia.
It is great that their skincare items are working for you, as suitable skincare products can be hard to find. (I also have problems with some of Clinique’s 3-Step products.) As I mentioned, I used to like one of Helena Rubinstein’s cleansers and one of their toners. They really worked well for me.
I definitely hope the brand stays available where you are!
Thank you very much for your comment! :)
i LOVE LOVE LOVE HR’s lash queen waterproof!! i’ve gone thru my 2nd tube! unfortunately it seems to have disappeared frm my country =( when i found outthe counter where i used to buy it frm was gone i nearly freaked out lol..thank goodness i’m going to japan next month so i’ll definitely be stocking up on my HG masacara =D
Also, i love your blog and i’m using it as a guide as to what brands i shld check out when i’m there =) oh oh, and i oso used your beauty city guide to tokyo to plan where i shld “attack” the makeups hehe..
Hi Fridagal,
I am so glad that you have found my blog to be useful to you. I am especially happy that you have read my post on beauty shopping in Tokyo. I hope my blog will continue to be worth your time.
It’s great that you are going to Japan next month. It seems that Helena Rubinstein is still doing well there, and there are still new items coming out every season. I hope you are able to stock up on Lash Queen when you are there!
Thank you very much for posting your comment again, have a wonderful time in Japan! :)
I have a box with Helena Rubinstein name across the top and it is about 4 by 5 ins. and has two little drawers in it, just wondering what was in it.I have had it a long time!!
Hi Doreen,
I see. I am not entirely sure what it is, but I think it could be a lipstick, jewelry, or trinket case from Helena Rubinstein as a gift-with-purchase item. (It could also be the case for a Helena Rubinstein lipstick gift set.) It sounds quite lovely!
Thank you very much for stopping by! :)