Beauty Hoarders Anonymous: you have got to be in it to win it!!!

[Experiment627]

Carrying on the great tradition of this thread - where those that are addicted to beauty products come together and support one another!

Empties over the last few days:

Mitchum deodorant
Dove bar soap

Body shop Shea butter hand cream - not sure if I mentioned this previously.

I’m
Feeling the stress at present and usually would splurge. Feel unique have a gwp. But I’ve resisted. Am keeping on ploughing through my stuff.

@Experiment627 Maybe the theory behind the formaldehyde in your beauty products is to mummify your face? Can’t say I’d like it. It’s used in nail hardeners and it stinks, too! (Don’t mention the carcinogenic effect!)
I have been gifted a tiiiiiiiny sample of La Mer Essence. Pretty sure it’s at least a billion dollar’s worth. I’m afraid to use it in case I love it.

Oooooh, enjoy La Mer

I think it’s 2ml... I won’t be enjoying it for very long!

I can't recall what I last reported but I think I have used:

Two sheet masks from the stash (off work this week so trying to do one a day, plus use my teeth whitening strips once a day), another sun block (I had two the same which were both nearly finished, I have a full one from stock started now), and an Elemis collagen day cream sample size from CB gwp.

Incoming though - two Simple soaps (I have enough soap to sink a battleship but my skin is acting up so I'm trying to pull away from scented stuff), an anti fungal nail cream (I have about four anti fungal nail things, none of which seem to be working, but had the chiropodist round yesterday and she advised this one) and two liquid talc (they come in a pack of two, my bras seem to be rubbing under my boobs and normal talc is actually a big scratchy so liquid talc might help, though the Lush silky talc I have is on my "use up" list, I may have to deploy it away from the boob area!).

I Forgot! Two hair products done and dusted. Pureology Color Fanatic 21 Benefit Multitasking Spray. Bloody awesome. This was my second one. Will repurchase. (Today.)
Kerastase Masque Ultraviolette - meh. It did what it said on the tin, but not as well as a separate purple shampoo and a cheaper masque that can be purchased for a lot less. At least it didn’t burn my scalp off. The cost is ridiculous. I won’t justify Kerastase products again.

@Justilou1 I was fortunate enough to be gifted a fair few samples of Creme de la Mer some time ago and was so looking forward to trying but they broke me out (and I rarely get spots) plus I hated the smell!!! I was so relieved!
Loved what you said about being mummified 🤣🤣

I believe the original formula of Crème de la Mer is remarkably similar in content to the original Nivea in a tin. Both are cult items at different ends of the price spectrum @Experiment627. Happy to experiment with Nivea and some perfume.

LOL! Really? Why am I not surprised! And this is one of the reasons I tend to stick to budget beauty.

Speaking of perfume I saw some time ago Nivea brought out a perfume... I resisted buying at the time...

Nivea perfume I can live without! But yes! There are lots of articles about the similarities between CDLM & Nivea. I’m pretty sure the marine botanicals are added to OG Nivea (my theory) not sure I’m buying the schtick about it needing to be tucked in at night and having music played to it before bed, though.

Some more empties to report:

• MaxFactor miracle prep lip scrub: ended using this up on my body as the lipstick broke and I just could not be arsed to deal with it. Really not a patch on the Lush one.
• Space NK Laughter bath & shower gel and body lotion: I really liked the fresh citrusy fragrance, somewhat reminescent of Jo Malone lbm but does not linger plus found the shower gel really drying.
• Masque Bar gentle exfoliating foot mask: this is way cheaper than the Footner one - lets see how it fairs!

Just had a glorious time sorting through my stash and deciding what to use next. LOVE it!

@BookShark I used to be an avid traveller as well, and the majority of my samples were kept/acquired under the same assumption. But my financial situation has significantly deteriorated + the COVID restrictions, so I’ll have to use them up at home. It sounds like you have a good chance of reaching your target numbers by the end of this year. Good luck! 😘

@SlatternIsMyMiddleName the recipe for my disaster is as follows:

🍒 Almost never use anything up. Start, get bored, open a new product, push the old one to the back of the drawer
🍒 Search for a ‘holy grail’ in each product category through continuous buying and testing of full-size products and samples
🍒 Bulk buy backups, especially when they go on sale
🍒 Buy more than you need in order to reach the minimum required spend for a GWP or to get free shipping
🍒 Never say no (feel bad about saying no) when others choose to dump their unused/unloved products onto you
🍒 Wear makeup only once or twice a month, and slack on hair/body/facial care multi-step routines
🍒 Get tempted by certain products in GWP offers, and receive a bunch of additional items that you find hard to enjoy but feel guilty for chucking
🍒 Have serious hoarding tendencies that make you uncapable of proper decluttering and make you hold onto expired products and hate-pan
🍒 Create a fantasy self and buy her things that she would enjoy using, then fail to regularly use those things because your real self is not her

@Experiment627 and @AprilLady oh yes, the ‘shop my stash’ method usually helps me overcome my apathy but this time round absolutely nothing lights a spark. Maybe I just need a break from the skincare/makeup world, and go cavewoman style 😅 May your no-buy be successful, @AprilLady 🙏

P. S. I’m grateful for relative anonymity of this thread because allowing myself to be so vulnerable and honest about my ‘dirty secret’ does help, I think.

@CherryMargo I just want to acknowledge you being so open on here. I think the fact that you know what is going on is very positive. I would just say, do what you need to do to feel good. So if that means going cavewoman then do that. Just don't beat yourself up about it all. Is it what it is. You are a lovely person. Sending you a mahoosive hug.

@CherryMargo, thank you for the honest and insightful post. I think I have a number of the same issues, including natural hoarding tendencies and feeling I have to use up everything (even samples that came in GWPs, gift sets and advent calendars that I knew when purchasing I wouldn’t use.) Also buying too much to get to GWP spends and bulk buying back ups when on discount.

Something else which is an issue for me, is convincing myself that some offer is such a good deal that I can’t miss it. There is definitely an element of FOMO and I fall into the marketing trap of convincing myself I’m “saving” money when actually spending more than needed.

I’ve also found the second lockdown mentally really hard (despite knowing I am very fortunate with a good job, nice home and generally happy family) and I’ve used beauty products - researching, buying, using, posting about it on here - as a distraction I think.

Your last point about your “fantasy self” has also struck a cord. I definitely do that too, though probably more with clothes/bags than beauty.

On a positive note, I have not gone for the Liberty GWP, despite being so tempted I got as far as filling my basket and getting to the checkout before managing to stop.

@CherryMargo thank you for replying. Already it is quite clear that some/all of your post rings true for others. Marketing departments certainly know how to tap into our psyches (sp?).

I definitely have an issue with finishing things off. I feel that I have to get every last dreg out of a tube/ pot/ whatever. So I end up with all these bits and pieces of things lying about that don’t remotely inspire me.

In relation to the last point on your list - I wonder why we don’t let ourselves be our fantasy selves. Why does there have to be such a gap between the fantasy person we buy for and the ‘ordinary’ people we are.

Anyway, sorry if this is too serious for what is a rather lovely thread about beauty products. As you were.

@CherryMargo - you are me

Ah,yes, the fantasy me.

Real me just loves buying things, getting them, opening the box. Fantasy me uses/wears etc everything and looks fabulous. Real me plonks the new items on the stairs to be taken up where they stay for about two months.

Items don't get used and certainly never used up, but even if they did I wouldn't look fabulous, because that is a fantasy. I might look the same but with slightly less dry skin......

I also hate finishing things. It's a real struggle to use things up, or admit I don't like them and will never use them and thus throw them away! Some things I don't like I even have back ups of!

I daren't count my products, it would be hundreds of items.

I've finished a superdrug vit C 10% serum. I really do feel like this has helped to brighten my face but I've not repurchased yet as I want to try a Vit B3 serum which is supposed to help texture, my main issue at the moment.

I'm a bit unsure about using several serums, does anyone else do this?

The Vit B3 serum I'm now using is by The Ordinary.

@CherryMargo your posts are so honest and helpful.

Not sure If I am overstepping, I apologise if I am. I really recognised the feeling of having to use up and not waste, but when I read your post about your eyes stinging, I did wish you had given up on that product. Could you think of this as being kind to yourself rather than wasteful?

@AprilLady we buy the same things ! I have resisted the Liberty GWP and I am trying to give all my unopened products that I know I won't use to my niece. I need to do clothes and bags next .

The psychology is fascinating and for me definitely (get that right since line of duty !) childhood related.

I am thinking of starting to wear red lipstick again, tempted by the Charlotte Tilbury red carpet. Figure thats ok if I wear on a night out planned for May.

Long post alert. I've been thinking a lot about this thread recently. Mainly because my skin is looking the best it ever has, mainly as a side effect of trying to control my stash. It's funny how the incentive of great skin hasn't motivated me but the satisfaction of finishing things up and regaining control of all my beauty stuff.

@CherryMargo you hit the nail on the head as to the reasons my stash is so big. It is not far off yours.

The thing is it can apply to other things in my life too. Food in various cupboards and the pantry, money stashed in all sorts of bank accounts.
I've applied the using up principle to the food too. I've got about 7 different jars of chutney for example. I didn't realise how much this stashing has affected my mind. I feel that as I use up things and gain control of my space, I feel the same happens in my mind. I totally get why people live minimalistically. Although that's never going to happen to me.

Things that have helped me change my behaviour (recent Harvey Nichols GWP nothwithstanding are):

1. Unsubscribe to emails and offers.

1. Don't buy 3for2. There are enough discount codes and Cashback.

1. Apply stuff you don't like liberally. Or just Chuck it.

1. Delay gratification- I will try X product only when I've finished the current equivalent where possible.

1. But samples of stuff you want to try off eBay. Don't purchase full size high end beauty as it takes a lot of trial and error to find the HG.

I have pretty much all I need to get me to Christmas GWP apart from face wash and Paula's choice BHA. So my aim is to unsubscribe to everything make up and beauty until then and shop my stash meanwhile. Then I will wholeheartedly treat myself. I am planning to keep a wish list so that when I do need to RP, I'll be ready.

Thank you to this thread and @Experiment627 for helping me gain control of my stuff, and more importantly the best skin of my life so far!

@CommanderBurnham same re food and money. I need to think more around this. I feel stressed when I gave too much ‘stuff’ I need to address.

Lots to unlock ! Who’s have thought on the back of a thread about beauty products!

Sorry too many exclamation marks.

I'll add clothes to that mix as well. I have a wardrobe full of things I don't wear, because I bought them wanting to be that person, but in reality I'm not. I need to be a bit ruthless and just accept that (a) I'm not slim enough to wear them and keeping things that don't fit will just depress me and (b) some them are not my style and never will be, no matter how good they look on my friends.

Unfortunately you can't use up clothes, so I near to bite the bullet and just get rid!

A couple of small empties today - a sample Ellie Saab perfume from goodness knows when, and a travel size Molton Brown shower gel. Quite like the shower gel - posh soap is a nice treat and feels very decadent!

@LivingDeadGirlUK I generally use a couple of serums at a time - so lactic acid, then polyglutamate or hyaluronic then a CBD serum I have.

I am loving all the honesty on this thread.

@CommanderBurnham thank you so much for your acknowledgement... I highjacked an existing thread back in 2015... but I am glad I did as this thread brings me a lot of JOY.

I too stash in other parts of my life but I am trying to hard to stop that... and believe that actually there is enough to go around, that things will not run out and that generally life is abundant.

I am trying hard to streamline as I know if I create actual space in my life, more JOY will flow in to it.

I love this thread, what great posts from people, thank you so much for opening up.

I am a stasher when it comes to money tbh, I have only recently realised this. So I won't spend even though I have the cash. I mean why not? (within reason of course) - we are only here once.

SO I am trying to move from that and (while not spenidng frivolously) trying to assess th evalue - eg I bought DS2 a much nicer laptop (£600 not £300) when he needed a new one as I know it will improve his life (he is in sixth form and hopefully off to uni) - it has been well worth it in lockdowns so that shows.

I was hoping to have more empties to post this week - got a couple of things nearly done so will try to finish today and post a pic as that is inspiring too.

Tearing up now how daft!