Beauty hoarders anonymous – all beauty product hoarders welcome

[Experiment627]

Continuing the amazeballs work from the previous threads - come and join us and rejoice in the joy of using (up) beauty products.

Previous thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3056252-Ashamed-of-my-beauty-product-hoard-part-7

More pics

@DragonNoodleCake you can defo pull it off 😘😘😘

You are most welcome @Inthetropics!!!
My goal is to find holy grail products - and I guess ultimately reduce my stash... but I get so much joy from hauls that this may be a losing battle 😬
Also like @Treeballarae I get bored easily.

Haha @ememem84 18% magpie!!!!

I also need to declutter to make way for Kwicklet!

Wowzers @Inthetropics you gave a mighty fine stash! 😳

I have an empty!!

• Codage creme gommage facial scrub:this was a trial size. Was ok but I am not a big fan of scrubs full stop

Hello @Inthetropics. That’s an impressive stash. Here’s a photo of mine!

My goals are to find my best products and also best routines, as well as reduce what I spend/how much clutter I have. As you can see, one of my big weaknesses is sample and travel sizes, anything cute.

But I’m realising how likely I am to buy something or spend more with the offer of free samples or travel sizes, especially as I have to do most shopping online and it’s not easy for me to try stuff.

The thing is, I almost never buy the stuff I get samples of. Maybe like one or two things a year. If I get a sample of something I was interested in trying anyway, it’s different, but the random stuff, almost never. But I love the samples sachets themselves. Especially stuff I already like so I can use it when travelling.

My other big weakness is if I like one product from a brand, thinking I have to try everything else as well. I waste so much money trying a “hero” product then thinking maybe everything else in the range is as good. So I want to finish up and evaluate the discarded “Oh, I’ll try that too cos the moisturiser was good” things, to teach myself I don’t have to try everything else.

I have an empty: Love to B Bath Soak in Rose (sample size)- this was actually really lovely. I had a bad day yesterday and it really cheered me up, over and above how a bath always makes a day better. Rose petals floating in water was so pretty.

Went to have a wee look at the Glamour website today and saw they have a Beauty vote on, so thought I would add my tuppence worth so I could enter the holiday competition. In doing so, found out you have to be a member of the Glamour beauty club that sends you free samples through the post. Signed up for that in the hope it will help me the joy of the sachets without me having to buy something to get them.

@inthetropics yeah....you don’t need any more stuff!!!

Wow @Inthetropics that's a lot of stuff.

I include samples in my lists because samples are my big weakness so I've got all these small bottles, tubes and sachets that need using up. When one of the websites run one of their samples promotions I get to the minimum spend by buying old faithfuls and maybe one or two new things. It's the dozens of samples that I need to get through. That and the shampoo mountain. I can't claim all the credit for the shampoo mountain, there are about 10 half used bottles the DDs have left behind and I'm determined to get through them.

Like @ememem84 I'm a magpie too and as @Treeballarae said I often make the mistake of buying lots from the same brand, because I've found one hero product I try everything and it's not as good as that one really good thing.

DD2 has left a Dermalogica toning spray behind and she says I can have it so I'm going to try that when I've finished my current bottle of Omorovicza Hungary mist.

I've have a list, it's long so maybe I'll do weekly lists from now on.

• By Terry Detoxilyn city mask

I don't include make up in my lists much because that's a whole other mountain to climb but I really like By Terry products. I got this mask as a sample and it is weird. I put it on and it's like a foam that settles on your skin, which would seem to be fine but the fizzing foam felt like insects on my skin, it was a very odd. I wouldn't buy it!

• This Works Deep Sleep pillow spray.

I like this, it does work for me and I've bought more.

• No 7 protect and perfect eye cream.

It was ok but I think I can find something better.

• L'Oreal Elvive extraordinary oil hair treatment.

I've used this before, it's good but I prefer their coconut one so when I've used up my current pot I'm going back to that.

• Rodial rose gold serum.

It was ok, it didn't make my rosacea worse but I've yet to find a serum I want to keep buying.

• REN ready steady glow sample.

This is good stuff so I've bought a big bottle.

• Clarins kangaroo flower night moisturiser sample.

It was fine but no miracle product.

• Body Shop Hemp Hand cream.

This always features heavily in my lists because I buy it all the time and use it for everything.

• Dr Barbara Sturm Eye cream sample.

Like the no 7 it was fine but I'm still searching for a miracle eye cream.

• Shea moisture Jamaican black castor oil strengthen and restore shampoo.

Hah. My shampoo war continues, this didn't lather well and didn't do much for my hair. I was glad to get to the end of it.

• Weleda sea buckthorn massage oil 10ml.

Smelled nice and my skin was soft after application.

• REN evercalm ultracomforting rescue mask sample.

This is ok, it didn't irritate my skin but didn't make it look better either.

• Weleda pomegranate massage oil 10ml.

Like the other one it was a good oil.

• Soap and Glory sugar crush body scrub.

I liked this, smells good and my skin felt smoother after I'd used it.

• REN glycolactic radiance renewal mask sample tube.

I've not another one of these I'm using up now. It's good on my skin, I like it but prefer the Rodial vitamin c mask.

• Oribe Cote D'Azur restorative body cream sample.

Made my skin feel soft but I wasn't wild about the smell.

I don't normaly get samples i can't use in the next few days so it isn't a problem for me.

I already am getting rid of some products:

Mini lápis de olho, Natura - An eyeliner. I got it as a gift and had forgotten of it's existence as i don't normaly use this stuff. I've never even opned it's packaging. Expired 2 years and 3 months ago.

Lápis de olho, Tracta - Another eyeliner. I got it ages ago because i had a wedding ceremony to attend and i figured i should put on some makeup. I used it only this time. It was ok. Expired 3 years and 2 months ago.

Batom de doce de leite + Batom de acerola, Natura - Two Natura lipsticks. The doce de leite one i used a lot as it's a nice nude collour i like. The acerola one (acerola is a delicious brazilian fruit) was a bit orange for my taste so it was only lightly used. Both expired and no longer smell lovely, so i'm thowing them out. Natura ia a great makeup brand and exported to a few countries in Europe.

Corretivo, Contém 1g - If my translation is correct, this is a concealer. I bougt it on Rio's subway and was AMAZED at the fact it didn't melt on Rio's summer. This is such a feat! I used it a lot and yesterday it was gone after one last usage. Will be buying it again if needed.

Pó compacto, Tracta - Not sure of how it's called in english but it's a compact face powder (is this how you call it?). Not buying it again as it gave me an alergy. Threw it out.

Shampoo Pureza Detox, Seda - I consolidated two half bottles of it and am counting the one i threw out as one item less (i need to get motivated, people!). It has a nice green tea smell that i really like and it deep cleans my hair. It's nice, cheap and can be found anywhere. Not a favourite, but i like it.

Bruma de leite hidratante de maracujá da linha Ekos, Natura - It's a hydrating body mist made out of passion fruit. I LOVE it and will probably buy it again if Natura relaunches it; it was a limited summer edition of they standard passion fruit body lotion. Most brazilians could use it year-round as it's very light and refreshing but i live on a state that has a really cold winter and sometimes even snow so it just doesn't moisturize enough on the cold season for me. I'm giving it to a carioca friend or else it will expire without getting fully used because it's cold here now (expiration date is october 2018).

I didn’t like that By Terry Detoxilyn mask either @PurpleNailVarnish. Like weird face sherbet.

@LapsedHumanist have you tried the "pick & mix" monthly sample set you can buy on Feel Unique? I used to use to try stuff out. In the end I stopped as I realise that I never went on to full sizes. But take a look.

Great progress ladies!!!!

I have some empties!!!

• Johnson baby shampoo: was a stable - no longer - apparently it is full of nasties
• Extracts coconut & sweet almond shampoo - cheap as chips but not great
• Bio-oil sample - got in a goody bag; use this stuff all the time
• Body Shop pink grapefruit shower gel, travel size: I am keeping bottle and will refill with the mahoosive one I got this past week.

Thanks Experiment I’ll take a look

Finished a burst bees pomegranate lip balm. Yay!

Aargh @Experiment627 I've ordered some of those samples.

I looked at buying some beauty boxes yesterday but managed to stop myself.

SORRY @PurpleNailVarnish!!! But better than buying full size to get samples?

I have an empty!

• Dove Spa goodness3 body cream 300ml: sinks in well (which is a key criteria for moi) but the scent is a bit blah

don't be sorry, I agree. It's a cheap way to try things and will satisfy my lust for trying new products without going too far.

Last Sunday I nearly bought some non subscription beauty boxes. They would have come to £90 in total but I stopped myself because when I broke it down they weren't necessarily products I wanted. For example; I've found my best toner, moisturiser, face mask, lip balm, hand cream and body cream so I don't feel the need to try more samples of different brands of them.

I'm finding it difficult to find a good serum, so much so that I'm even sure that serums are for me and my hair is always a problem.

I've got some empties but I'll save my list for the weekend.

Oh and eye cream/serum. I can't seem to find anything that has become a go-to. I've still got plenty of samples to get through so maybe I'll find a gem.

Urgh I ended up buying more stuff last week! Avon book had offer on bath stuff 5 for £5. It's stuff I will use but still ....
My mum also bought this massive tub of Nivea cream, used it once and decided she didn't want it so last time I saw her gave it to me as she knows I haven't much money. I will probably have to use it as hand cream as it's a bit thick for body lotion.
As for using anything up i did finish a bar of Dove and me and dd used up a sun cream small travel size 50ml from Primark and the full size one is almost done too. I have bought more of this as important. This time from Aldi and Wilco.

I bought a face cleanser from Clinique. Oops. But with points from boots.

I am also almost out of dry shampoo (again). I think there’s one in the bathroom at work though which I think is mine. I’ll have to check with everyone at work though before I claim it...

@Experiment627 you introduced me to Feel Unique samples last year (thank you!) and I've bought every month since then apart from June, so maybe the novelty does wear off after a while! However, I might just go and have a look now you've reminded me......

I find the Pick n Mix service useful as I can try out products for a small outlay, can have the excitement of a parcel dropping through my letterbox and I've found some great products that I've eventually bought or will buy full sizes of when my stash is in a better state.

I think it's also good for perfume samples to put in my handbag or to keep at work and I've discovered 3-4 new perfumes that I like (but still about 10 perfumes to use up before that!)

One thing it did save me from was By Terry Baume de Rose, got a sample of that and my lips didn't like it - so glad I didn't just buy a full pot.

@PurpleNailVarnish - eye creams - I really liked Lierac eye creams, would also recommend the Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir - I'm late thirties so I'm mainly concerned with fine lines. Currently using a fragrance free one from Green People with is a decent moisturiser but does nothing fancy . I've got a sample of the Verso Super Eye Serum that I got from Feel Unique to try next. I hope you find the eye cream of your dreams in your samples!

Got back from a fortnight's holiday at the weekend. Managed to use up several shampoo and conditioner sachets as well as mini shampoo and conditioner bottles. Also killed off a perfume....a 30ml bottle of Green tea, which I love as a light summer fragrance....there may be another bottle in the stash......

I did resist making any duty free purchases though 😊

Thank you @Treeballarae I don't have crows and despite I don't have fine lines around my eyes, eye bags or puffy eyes. So maybe I'm not sure what to expect from an eye cream or serum.

In the interests of balance, I've got good skin but I'm one of those unfortunate short types who looks like a carthorse if I put on much weight and there's no serum invented to sort that out.

@IPokeBadgers how did you manage to get through duty free without buying anything? I can't walk through my local supermarket without products being magnetically drawn to me.

badgers I need to channel your vibes. I’m in Paris and visited Sephora. Argh. With 30% off everything sale too
New Sephora lipstick x2, marc Jacobs lipstick, Lancôme lip oil, 2 x eyeliner, 2x masks, 2x perfume, lip balm x2, small peony perfume, hair bobbles and face wash. All under €50 but still!!! And had a trip to parapharmacy too!

But finished a shower gel (body shop strawberry; nice), cleanser (LRP toleriane; ok but wouldn’t repurchase) and 3 perfume samples so not all bad right?!?

On a separate note, I’m using a travel size conditioner from primark and it’s gorgeous. Best 80p ever!

To be fair, we had had an enormous drama with my husband's passport that could have resulted in us not getting our flight, so by the time we were through security into duty free we were immensely frazzled and needed to sit down with a stiff drink so rushed through the shopping opportunities 😁

You were saved by the passport drama then @IPokeBadgers.

I'm going to Paris in a few weeks @AnotherPinkiePieStory and Sephora is definitely on my list, DD2 is putting together a list of stuff for me to get her while I'm there.

I'm motoring through products well so it shouldn't be too damaging.

DH who, as the my DH and the husband of 3 DDs has spent the last 30 years in a permanently bemused state looked at my bedside tables the other day and said 'it's like Boots in here' .

Well done on all the use-ups everyone!

@PurpleNailVarnish, if you don't have many concerns in the eye area, I can see why you wouldn't be that fussed about many of the eye products you've tried. If you don't mind sharing with us, I'd love to hear what your best toner, moisturiser, face mask, lip balm, hand cream and body cream are that you mention above. I assume the toner will be Queen of Hungary mist?!

@IPokeBadgers - sorry to hear about the passport drama, I'm glad it was resolved so you didn't miss your flight, but still well done on resisting duty free, that sort of stress would have been a catalyst for a spending spree for me!

@AnotherPinkiePieStory - Sephora sounds amazing!

Normally stress would have me reaching for my wallet too but husband was upset and I was a bag of nerves so sitting down to have breakfast and a drink after security was the only real option.

Pinkie that was some sephora haul!

I went out to a work do last night. And probably drank my body weight in free champagne. Today I was hungover as.

And went into feelunique at lunchtime. Bought dh some new aftershave as his had run out (10% off everything in store) and discovered 25% off ysl mascara. So bought the new primer and a purple mascara. Oopsy.