If you're obsessed with the golden age of Hollywood and dream of a vanity table that looks like it belongs to a 1940s film star, you're probably a fan of Besame Cosmetics. The brand is cherished for its meticulous recreations of vintage makeup, from bullet lipsticks in authentic shades to elegant cake mascaras that capture true old-school glamour.
Besame proves that timeless beauty never goes out of style. For those who adore their nostalgic aesthetic but are looking to explore more brands with a touch of retro charm, here are 18 similar brands worth adding to your collection.
Charlotte Tilbury is all about unlocking supermodel-level glamour, with luxurious products housed in stunning rose gold, art deco packaging. The brand offers iconic lipsticks, glowing face palettes, and "Magic Cream," all designed to create a red carpet-ready, bombshell look. Much of the brand's DNA is pulled from classic Hollywood allure.
While Besame curates historically accurate vintage shades, Charlotte Tilbury creates modern classics inspired by that same glamour. It offers a higher price point but delivers a similar feeling of luxury and timelessness, making it perfect for anyone who wants a vintage aesthetic with a modern glow.
Shop now at charlottetilbury.com
Hard Candy brings a playful, edgy energy to retro makeup. Known for its affordable price point and vibrant packaging, the brand offers bold lipsticks, shimmery eyeshadows, and statement blushes perfect for creating high-impact vintage looks with a modern, rockabilly twist. Think pin-up glam with a side of glitter.
Unlike Besame's dedication to classic elegance, Hard Candy is louder and more trend-focused. However, both brands share a love for powerful pigments and makeup that makes a statement, making it a great budget-friendly option for experimenting with retro styles.
Shop now at hardcandy.com
KVD Beauty is your go-to for dramatic, long-lasting makeup with a touch of gothic romance. The brand is legendary for its hyper-pigmented Tattoo Liner and Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks, which are perfect for achieving a sharp feline flick or a bold, smudge-proof lip that stays put all day. Its aesthetic is more "vamp" than "classic starlet."
While Besame embodies soft, historical glamour, KVD offers an edgier interpretation. If you love the staying power and intensity needed for a dramatic vintage look - like a perfectly defined "cupid's bow" lip - KVD delivers the high-performance formulas to make it happen a lá Morticia Addams.
Shop now at kvdveganbeauty.com
As the name suggests, this brand lives and breathes retro beauty. They offer a charming selection of makeup brushes, retro-patterned cleansing cloths, and adorable vintage-inspired beauty tools from eyelash curlers to cosmetic bags. Their floral prints and pastel tins channel pure mid-century femininity.
Besame focuses squarely on color cosmetics, while The Vintage Cosmetic Company specializes in the tools and accessories to complete your routine. The two are a perfect pair for anyone serious about building an entirely vintage-inspired vanity table.
Shop now at vintagecosmeticco.com
Lime Crime is where vintage aesthetics meet fairytale fantasy. Famous for its unapologetically bold colors and whimsical packaging, this brand is for those who like their retro looks served with a side of creativity. Their Velvetines liquid lipsticks offer unique shades that are perfect for a vintage-inspired look that breaks the mold.
Both brands deliver highly pigmented lip products, but where Besame is refined and historically precise, Lime Crime is avant-garde and magical. If you want a deep ruby red but also need a shimmering lavender for a fantasy pin-up look, Lime Crime has you covered.
Shop now at limecrimemakeup.com
Gucci Beauty is the epitome of luxurious, vintage-inspired glam. Housed in weighty, engraved golden compacts and floral-patterned tubes, the entire collection feels like it was unearthed from a chic Italian grandmother's estate sale. Their lipsticks, in particular, come in brilliant satins and sheers that channel 1950s screen sirens.
This brand sits at a much higher price point than Besame, taking the retro aesthetic into the realm of ultra-luxury. While Besame recreates vintage formulas, Gucci creates modern ones inspired by a vintage dream. It's the ultimate splurge for a makeup collector who loves nostalgic design.
Shop now at gucci.com/beauty
Beauty Bakerie blends retro charm with an irresistibly sweet, bakery-themed concept. Known for its "smudge-proof" formulas, the brand's Lip Whips, setting powders (packaged like bags of flour), and eyeshadow palettes deliver high performance with impossibly cute, vintage-inspired packaging.
Their vibe is more playful and kitschy-cute than Besame's sophisticated Hollywood style. However, if you adore the nostalgic packaging aspect but want it with a fun, whimsical twist and formulas that genuinely last all day, Beauty Bakerie is a delicious choice.
Shop now at beautybakerie.com
The Balm is famous for its tongue-in-cheek product names and playful, pin-up-style cardboard packaging. The brand offers a complete line of makeup, but classics like the "Mary-Lou Manizer" highlighter and "Bahama Mama" bronzer have reached cult status. Their products deliver everyday glamour that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Both brands draw heavily from mid-century aesthetics, but The Balm has a more casual, kitschy feel compared to Besame's refined elegance. It's perfect for adding a bit of everyday 1950s fun to your makeup routine.
Shop now at thebalm.com
This delightful Japanese-French brand is known for its collectible, intricately designed packaging that feels straight out of a Parisian flea market. With limited-edition lipstick cases featuring cats, florals, and other whimsical motifs, Paul & Joe turns everyday makeup into a decorative art piece.
Compared to Besame's American Hollywood inspiration, Paul & Joe offers a distinctly softer, more Parisian and romantic vision of vintage beauty. It's less about bold pigments and more about soft textures and the joy of owning beautifully made cosmetic objects.
Shop now at paul-joe-beaute.com
Lashify elevates the false eyelash game to a luxurious art form, specializing in DIY under-lash lash extensions that create a seamless, professional look. They offer various styles, many of which are perfect for achieving that fluttery, doe-eyed effect seen on Golden Age film stars like Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.
While Besame provides the color for your retro look, Lashify provides the essential finishing touch. It's a specialized brand that aligns perfectly with the vintage glamour aesthetic by focusing on creating show-stopping, timeless eye looks.
Shop now at lashify.com
Too Faced is known for its unabashedly fun and feminine approach to makeup, with kitschy and often retro-inspired packaging. Think heart-shaped blush compacts and beautifully ornate eyeshadow palettes that evoke a playful glamour. Their products deliver high-impact, full-glam results.
Compared to Besame's historical focus, Too Faced is all about a hyper-feminine, modern interpretation of nostalgic fun (more 60s pop than 40s noir). If you love makeup that feels joyful, smells delicious, and still packs a glamorous punch, this is your brand.
Shop now at toofaced.com
As one of the original purveyors of Hollywood glamour, legacy brand Revlon still offers timeless classics that are essential for any vintage look. Their Super Lustrous Lipstick line, dating back decades, includes iconic reds like "Fire & Ice" and "Cherries in the Snow" - the very shades our grandmothers might have worn.
While Revlon is a mass-market giant, its core lipstick and nail polish lines are steeped in the same history that Besame lovingly recreates. For an accessible, authentic hit of cosmetic history from the drugstore aisle, you can't go wrong with a classic Revlon red.
Shop now at revlon.com
This niche brand is deeply committed to recreating the iconic makeup looks from the 1930s and 1940s. They offer education, tutorials, and specific products designed to help you nail an authentic retro look, from the perfect brow shape to the ideal powdered matte finish.
Similar to Besame, Old Hollywood Makeup is driven by a passion for historical accuracy and the art of classic movie glamour. Where Besame focuses on the products, this brand shines in its dedication to teaching the techniques behind the looks.
Shop now at oldhollywoodmakeup.com
Majolica Majorca, a brand under the Shiseido umbrella, offers makeup with a whimsical, romantic, and distinctly vintage flair. Think magical-looking mascaras in ornate tubes and gem-like eyeshadow palettes. Its aesthetic is a mix of Victorian fantasy and fairy tale.
Like Besame, Majolica Majorca has a keen eye for beautiful, old-world packaging. However, its inspiration comes from romantic illustrations and lore rather than Hollywood, giving its products a unique, dreamy quality that stands apart.
Shop now at shiseido.com/majolica-majorca
For the true vintage beauty connoisseur who wants to go hands-on, Perfumer's Apprentice is a fascinating find. While known for fragrance concentrates, they also offer cosmetic ingredients and kits for creating your own makeup. It's a dream for DIY beauty lovers who want to recreate classic formulations.
This brand is very different from Besame's ready-to-wear products but shares a deep appreciation for the craft and history of cosmetics. It's perfect for anyone wanting to take their love of vintage beauty to the next level by making it themselves.
Shop now at perfumerapprentice.com
This boutique brand focuses entirely on recreating limited-edition makeup collections inspired by iconic Hollywood stars. Their products feature luxe packaging and carefully researched shades designed to evoke the specific glamour of legends from the 1930s and 1940s. It's all about channeling a particular silver-screen queen.
Like Besame, Old Hollywood Glam is dedicated to authenticity. The key difference is their tight focus on recreating entire looks from specific, named celebrities, making them a great find for loyal fans who want to emulate their favorite star's signature style.
Shop now at oldhollywoodglam.com
Another brand for the purist, VINTAGE Cosmetics offers makeup shades and formulas directly inspired by real cosmetic products from the early 20th century. They aim for historical accuracy in both texture and color, appealing to serious vintage collectors and re-enactors.
Its commitment to historical accuracy puts it in the same league as Besame. However, this brand tends to have a more niche, almost archival appeal, making it a wonderful discovery for those who want to experience shades and formulations as they truly were back then.
Shop now at vintagecosmetics.com
Vintage Queen is a niche brand offering limited-run, collectible makeup palettes, lipsticks, and accessories that channel the style of the 1920s through the 1950s. The beautiful packaging often features Art Deco patterns and classic retro motifs, making each item feel like a special keepsake.
Like Besame, this brand captures the spirit of nostalgic glamour through beautifully designed products. It's another fantastic boutique choice for someone who loves the thrill of finding unique, small-batch makeup that feels curated and special.
Shop now at vintagequeen.com
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