Imagine going out in search of your favorite shampoo and conditioner only to find that it’s not only sold out… it’s been discontinued. It happens more often than you think. The beauty industry churns out new products every day, each promising to be greater than the last. But as we chase down the new and improved version of the product du jour we sometimes lose sight of the tried and true products that worked so well that they earned the right to be a lifetime staple. Some of the biggest casualties are in the hair care market, where product acquisition tends to be on an as needed basis; that is, we only think of buying more when we run out of what we have.

STEMM by Deciem may have been one of the best hair care collections in terms of performance and price. Originally formulated to combat hair loss, the High Amino Acid Shampoo and Fulvic Conditioner went beyond simply cleansing and conditioning hair. It also encouraged hair growth and added density to hair, whether it was thinning or not. The potent formula got the job done quickly and effectively (you could literally put the conditioner and rinse it out seconds later, with the same effect as if you’d left it in for 15 minutes), and a little bit went a very long way. In the beginning of this year, Deciem deeply discounted both the shampoo and conditioner, and when it was gone… it was gone. There are rumors that it’s coming back as part of the The Ordinary lineup (which will keep the price point low), but we’re not sure what that means in terms of efficacy.

Natura Siberica remains ahead of its time in terms of merging nature and science to create beautiful hair and skin care products. But one of their most effective products, the massive 400ml Hair Masks, seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur. It began in late 2017, when the company shut down the Fresh Spa website, in favor of sites that featured the Natura Siberia brand as a feature. Then it released alleged ‘improved’ versions of the hair care line, which lacked both the ingredients and performance results of the original formulations. The products were also separated by country. On the old site, shipment was international. But the US version of Natura Siberica carries a limited selection of products that are better suited to the hair care aisles at your local CVS. At last check, the coveted Hair Masks were only available through the Greek website, and with shipping at nearly $75, it’s only worth it if you decide to place a massive order.

Here’s hoping that in the flood of new products that continue to saturate the beauty industry, something comparable to these hair care gems makes its way to market.