Finding "unicorn" products requires looking beyond your typical beauty counters.

: Sites like BuyMeBeauty specialize specifically in discontinued and hard-to-find cosmetics.

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Discontinued Makeup: How to Find Your "Holy Grail" Safely

: Some parent companies offer "Search and Rescue" services. For example, Estée Lauder’s Gone But Not Forgotten program helps customers track down products from their brands (MAC, Clinique, etc.) discontinued within the last 36 months. 2. The Golden Rule: Check the Batch Code & PAO