Bésame Cosmetics built its reputation on nostalgia, craftsmanship, and a playful embrace of vintage glamour. In its heyday, the brand delighted beauty lovers with whimsical collaborations, like an eyeshadow palette inspired by paint swatches from the original Snow White film frames and a range of nostalgic products from vanilla-scented under‑eye powders to a boutique perfume line. Yet, many long‑time fans are now asking: What is going on with Bésame Cosmetics lately?
Below, we explore the brand’s rise, the concerns voiced by its community, and what might lie ahead for Bésame Cosmetics.
The Golden Era: Creativity and Vintage Charm of Bésame Cosmetics
At its best, Bésame Cosmetics melded historical accuracy with modern performance. Early highlights included:
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Snow White Collaboration: Eye‑opening palettes whose shade choices were literally drawn from movie frames.
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Signature Vanilla Under‑Eye Powder: A cult favorite for brightening and setting.
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Perfume and Nail Polish Lines: Extended the vintage aesthetic beyond makeup.
Fans felt that Bésame had carved out a unique niche, recreating colors and packaging from the 1920s through the 1960s with meticulous research. For many, discovering a new Bésame release was akin to finding a lost relic at a flea market: exciting, fresh, and full of personality.
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Signs of Stagnation: “Same Few Shades Over and Over”
In recent years, however, community members have noted a troubling trend toward repetition:
“Now it feels like they’re releasing the same few shades over and over again and I haven’t seen any interesting collaborations in years.”
Indeed, new launches often revisit core lipstick colors, roses, reds, and soft nudes, while promising vintage inspiration that never fully materializes. Even when a product does debut, the accompanying imagery and swatches can vary wildly between the website, social media, and third‑party retailers, making it hard for customers to trust what they’ll actually receive.
Pricing vs. Perceived Value of Bésame Cosmetics
Bésame’s premium pricing once felt justified by handcrafted formulas and detailed packaging. Today, many feel otherwise:
“I like them but they’re soooo expensive and their lipstick formula is nice but not $30 nice.”
“The 1941 red lipstick is $40. I can’t justify it even though the color is so beautiful.”
When a brand sells a lipstick for well over $30, often without providing trial sizes, it raises expectations for flawless performance and dependable visuals. Without new innovations or reliably consistent swatches, long‑time fans find it increasingly difficult to justify the cost.
The Skincare Experiment That Flopped | Bésame Cosmetics
In an attempt to diversify, Bésame launched a skincare line featuring creams and cleansers. It vanished almost as quickly as it arrived:
“I bought a bunch of the creams at TJ Maxx on clearance for $3. Nobody wanted them. They’re okay, but nothing fantastic, and they smelled kind of ‘off.’”
This venture into skincare not only failed to resonate but may have distracted from the brand’s core strength: vintage‑inspired color cosmetics. In the minds of many customers, Bésame’s name still evokes beautifully packaged powders and lipsticks, not hydrating lotions.
Limited Editions and Repackaging: A Missed Opportunity
Bésame’s limited‑edition collections once felt like genuine events. Unfortunately, more recent launches have relied heavily on repackaging existing products:
“They did a Marilyn Monroe collection but a lot of it was repackaged items they already sold.… Biggest letdown ever.”
As one enthusiastic collector noted, a $300 boxed set might include only one new item, with the rest being familiar products under a new label. While some customers did appreciate the quality of the collectible compacts, many others saw little value in limited editions that did not meaningfully expand the brand’s palette or innovation.
Social Media Presence: Fading Engagement
A vibrant social media presence once kept Bésame at the forefront of the vintage beauty conversation. Now, interactions feel sparse and repetitive. Fans report that:
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New shade announcements are met with crickets rather than excitement.
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User‑generated content is rarely shared or amplified by the brand.
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Behind‑the‑scenes craftsmanship, once a Bésame hallmark, is scarcely visible.
In an era where audience engagement drives growth, a waning social media strategy can quickly translate into reduced relevance.
Competition Steps In
Meanwhile, other brands, both indie artisans and major manufacturers, have filled the niche once dominated by Bésame. Affordable vintage‑inspired lines and bespoke Etsy sellers now offer:
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Historical formulations recreated from period recipes.
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Customizable shade ranges at a fraction of the cost.
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Mini and trial sizes to allow customers to sample before committing.
As one Redditor pointed out, “My wife and I gave up on Bésame when we realized we can get Revlon shades from the ’50s‑60s for under $10.” The availability of genuine vintage hues at mass‑market prices undermines Bésame’s premium positioning.
Is Ownership or Strategy to Blame?
Some fans speculate that changes in ownership or management priorities may underlie Bésame’s shift. While the brand has not publicly confirmed any leadership changes, the pivot away from skincare, the repetitive product drops, and fading collaborations all hint at possible internal restructuring.
Whatever the cause, the effect on customer loyalty is clear: many feel Bésame has lost sight of the creativity and authenticity that made it special.
Community Wishlist: What Fans Want Next
Despite the frustrations, a core group of vintage‑makeup enthusiasts still roots for Bésame’s revival. Popular suggestions include:
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New 1960s‑inspired shades (think frosted pinks and unique mid‑century finishes)
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Mini and trial sizes to reduce the barrier to first-time purchases
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Genuine historical collaborations (e.g., a proper Yardley or Golden Age Hollywood collection)
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Consistent, accurate swatches across all platforms
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Transparent storytelling about formulation, ingredients, and design inspiration
“If they did a Marilyn Monroe collection again, with fresh shades and proper new items, it would do really well,” one fan noted. Many believe that a robust, well executed limited edition release could reignite excitement.
Looking Ahead: Can Bésame Reclaim Its Niche?
Bésame Cosmetics stands at a crossroads. To revitalize the brand, it may need to:
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Return to Innovation: Revive genuinely new collaborations and historically accurate formulations.
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Improve Consistency: Standardize product photography, swatches, and shade naming.
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Engage the Community: Leverage social media to showcase behind‑the‑scenes work and highlight user content.
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Offer Trials: Reintroduce minis or samples to build trust and lower the entry price point.
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Refine Pricing: Align price with perceived value or introduce a tiered product offering.
By listening to its core customer base and recommitting to the creativity that first set it apart, Bésame Cosmetics can once again lead the vintage inspired beauty movement. Whether you’re a nostalgic collector or a casual beauty enthusiast, the question remains: What is going on with Bésame Cosmetics lately? Only time will tell if the brand reconnects with its roots or continues down a path of repetition. In the meantime, vintage makeup lovers are keeping a close eye, and hoping for a renaissance of true innovation.
