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!

Ladies have you seen the CB GWP - need to spend £170... I have a list of things I want so may have to go for it! What do we think, some nice things on there?

I had a look and wasn’t so sure. There seemed to be a lot of sheet masks!

I actually think it looks pretty good. Only two sheet masks, and quite a few full size products. Value overall is pretty good considering that it’s mostly due to the full size and decent travel size items, rather than tiny amounts of stupidly expensive products (the Barbara Sturm mask excepted, but at least it’s a mask rather than the HA or face cream.) But quite a few make-up items, so value to you might depend on whether you are likely to use them or not.

I am in the middle of a full-house declutter. I am trying to decide if I CBA trying a sheet mask per day or dumping the whole lot of them…. I have a whole basket of them!

A full house de clutter?! I shudder at the thought.

Empties

Embroylisse Lait creme concentrate - this is my summer HG moisturizer.

Dior cleansing gelee for face lips and eyes - very nice but I won’t be RP as it doesn’t do anything other, much less expensive, cleansers do.

I have hmmmmd and awwwwwd over the Cult Beauty goody offer for 2 days. Have put things in and out of the basket etc. Anyway, this evening I decided to just go for it but I had to reset my password. After I faffed around with that (apparently I can’t type the same word twice in a row), I went to pay and ……. My basket was empty. The fates have decreed that it wasn’t meant to be (and I couldn’t be arsed going round the houses filling my basket again).

Full house declutter is on the go. (Currently considering hiring an arsonist.)

A full house de clutter sounds so good but I only have the energy to tackle small areas at a time. Last week I reorganised part of my wardrobe, just sorting through piles of T-shirts really, but it felt great to get rid of the old/ tired/ no longer fitting tops. They're now in a bag under the bed but it's a start!

I've also de cluttered some lipsticks, throwing out a few which I realise don't suit me, or where I put it on then almost immediately wipe off.

Couple of empties:

• Elemis pro collagen marine cleanser travel size, love this lightweight gel cleanser, does a great job.
• Tropic fruit peel resurfacing serum mini, smells lovely.

Oh my.....I seriously need a whole house declutter. Maybe that's something I should focus on once the kids are back at school.

Anyway............I have a few empties to report:

Aveda Damage remedy - nothing special so won't RP. I have some much more effective and cheaper hair treatments that I'm currently working my way through.

Superdrug Vitamin E SPF15 day cream - I like this. It's super cheap, gentle, smells nice & absorbs easily. I've bought previously & will probably RP again once I've used up a few others in my stash that came as GWP's.

The Ordinary Buffet Serum - Already RP'd as I really think this has made a difference to the luminosity of my skin.

In other news, I have been trying to use up some sheet masks which are supposedly single use but they are still really wet even after I've used them. I have been folding them back in the packets and sealing them up. So far I have got 2 uses out of the sheet mask and 3 out of an uninspiring 7 second morning mask! I'll never de-clutter at this rate but I do hate waste!

Thank you @Experiment627 ! I feel resolved to use things up! Hoping some accountability here will help. I enjoy reading everyone's mini-reviews.

Ohh @Experiment627 the Nivea perfume sounds interesting. I keep getting ads for it too!
I was going to do a declutter and sort out today, but went with hiding away in the bath, and tbh, i cba In my defence i am using products up while in the bath! So not all lost.

I also looked at the Cult GWP. Im waiting out for SpaceNk one though. I mean i dont really need anything, but wishlist is ready!

Only 2 empties.

Colab dry shampoo Mind my language, but its the shittest dry shampoo ever imo. Hair doesnt look refreshed or clean with it at all. Ill be staying clear from now on!!

Caudalie Grape water Much calmer over here with this product. Very refreshing especially when its been roasting hot here. The mist is a fine rush to the face and really soothes my dry eczema patches. Always looked at this as a pointless product, why would i pay for water? Its well worth it and ill RP in the future!

@Caggie09 I love the Caudalie Grape Water too - I find it really hydrating as well as refreshing plus it is way cheaper than the elixir.
With regards to the Nivea perfume: it is quite subtle and does not last long. I do like it and it is perfect for every day.

I so so so need to do some major decluttering - mainly of clothes and papers. I know I will feel better once done... it is just fitting it in. I think I will have to take the 15 minute alarm approach and do in short spurts.

I love the idea of the grape water. I have a heap of mists to use up first though!!!

I had a wine spa experience once - it was amazing - bathing in wine, drinking wine...

Okay so here are my recent empties:

• The Body Shop pink grapefruit shower gel: this smell just reminds me of summer
• Revolution 5% caffeine solution & hyaluronic acid targeted under eye serum: I LOVED this - so easy to apply and no stinging
• Aldi No1 lime, basil & mandarin hand & body wash: amazeballs dupe for Jo Malone - great pump too - used as a handwash
• Boots baby bath bubbles (blue): I loved the smell of this, alas not enough bubbles for Kwicklet (who seems to prefer my shower gels...)
• Odylique breathe ease for children essential oil blend: this was amazeballs and I would RP however did not want to spend loads for free delivery from Odylique so went with a different oil from Amazon, plus the new Children's Olbas Oil. Really hard to get blends without tea tree oil which I cannot stand

Happy Friyay everyone!

Morning 👋🏼

Just two things to share:

• I was watching a Jen Luvs video yesterday & she was talking about an app (Beauty Keeper) where you can record all your beauty purchases and it alerts you when they are going off & other things... looks interesting
• I was gifted an Urban Decay eyeshadow palette for my birthday!!!!! Complete surprise gift but absolutely GORGEOUS!!! It is the Born to Run one... I cannot wait to use it!!!!

It does indeed look rather exciting. And ….. Happy Birthday!!!

Thanks! It was last week - so unexpected do get this gift!

A few empties this week.
Aveda shampure shampoo - I love this shampoo, I tend to alternate between this and Aveda rosemary and mint, but have a few other brands I need to use up.
REN Ready Steady Glow - I really like this and use it daily, already got some more to keep me going.
Percy and Reed wonder balm - okay product, happy to use up but wouldn't RP.
Clinique SPF30 face cream - this has been kicking around for ages, almost gone but chucking as it has split.

That Percy Reed wonderbalm stuff smells wonderful but made my hair feel sticky unfortunately. I've had it a while so think I'm going to have to be ruthless and bin it

Apologies for the late reply @Experiment627 I really appreciated your explanation and the time you took. I will down load the app you suggest and get myself equipped with knowledge !

Lots to catch up with on the thread. Hope everyone is doing well.

Votary superseed serum, I thought I was underwhelmed but actually I think this is really good and I would repurchase. I felt it was plumping and brightening, too many ings there....
I started an Ilody serum which was a GWP item, and had a terrible break out. Will see if a friends wants to try. Also felt it had an awful scent.
Origins Ginseng mosituriser. Like the fragrance, think it's a good every day cream.
ZenSpa heel repair cream, Liked it but think there are better and cheaper options,
Garnier body lotion, regular purchase for me, perfect for dry skin.

I've made room in my stash for the Autumn GWP - pleased about that.

@PomRuns thanks for the acknowledgement 😘😘😘
I got the patches - which fall off and itch... think I will be asking for the body identical gel at my 3 month review. The Dr said I could only have gel if I had an IUD fitted... which I have since learnt is a load of shite. The lack of knowledge about something HALF the fekking population goes through just outstands me!!

Hello friends! Long time no see! And happy belated birthday, @Experiment627! 🌹

I am still abstaining from multi-step skincare routines and makeup, so I had nothing to report in June 😓 My July empties were as follows:

1-5) TONYMOLY Runaway Strawberry Seeds 3 Step Nose Pack x 5 (£3.80 per pack) – I used them once a month over the period of five months (March – July 2021). I loved the scent and the result but something in those strips made my skin itch for a couple of days after use (the strips weren’t expired so it definitely was the ingredient not the age of the product that caused the itch).

6. Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Cleanser (198 ml; £15.20) – it expired on May 4th but I persisted. Fortunately, my skin didn’t react. I really enjoyed how my skin felt after using it, and it also reduced redness very noticeably!

7. Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Grapefruit Deodorant Stick (50 g; £28.28) – HG and my favourite scent from the range. I always use it up well before its expiry date.

The total number of products left: 61 foil sachets, 52 deluxe samples and 222 full-size products.

@Experiment627 Happy Birthday!!! Thought I’d explain the Mirena/IUD reasoning for you. When you take medications orally, it is absorbed through the gut, then processed through the liver (as a toxin would be) and then released back into the bloodstream to circulate and find it’s way to the area it needs to affect. Because it travels around the body, via other organs, etc, taking medications orally has much higher risks than the Mirena, or patches, gels, creams, etc. The Mirena IUD is absorbed directly into the affected area, and topical meds are absorbed through fat into the bloodstream, bypassing the liver, (no damage). The dosage is MUCH lower (daily dose of progesterone from Mirena is approx one tenth that of oral progesterone.) as most of the medication is not excreted by the liver.

Thanks for this @Justilou1!
Is the Mirena the one made with yams?
I have heard there is a gel you can use that is made from yams which works better, with less side effects. It is not easily available on the NHS in the UK but your GP can make an application to their commissioning group and request it.
I still have so much to learn about HRT!
All I do know is that the thought of an IUD just brings me right back to a test I had when carrying Kwicklet and they thought I was miscarrying (would have been my third) and I get very upset & don't want to go there.

@Experiment627 IUD is the regular hormonal/contraceptive IUD that should be regularly available everywhere. For MOST people it does a great job to thin the uterine wall and reduce/minimize (even stop) bleeding. There can be a “settling in” period with any IUD device as it is a foreign object sitting on your cervix. Once your body becomes accustomed to it and it is settled into it’s proper place, most women barely remember it’s there. If it helps, my 15y/o DD had one put in under GA about two weeks ago and is fine. (For Adenomyosis…). Can understand your reticence to have this procedure. Pretty sure a sedation could be arranged if done privately. (I am in Aus, so am aware that things are done differently and Covid has decreased choices for everyone there.)
As for the natural ones, there is a lot of speculation about whether they are as safe and effective as the regular medical ones. Most “bio identical” hormones are sold to you by someone who charges a lot of money to have your blood tested privately for a hormonal “baseline”. This is nice in theory, but hormones fluctuate dramatically daily and even throughout the day. All medications (natural or not) can have side effects and the regular HRT meds and their strengths have been very thoroughly researched. In fact, the latest evidence about oestrogen replacement is that it protects your heart, your brain, your bones, your mental heath and your skin and hair. Same can’t be said for all of the natural alternatives. The way these are marketed and sold to vulnerable women who are told that these are better products with less side effects is unethical. (Especially when there are safe, regulated ones available for free.) While I definitely think you should feel empowered to research and discuss these things, be aware that most women only try one or two kinds of HRT. That is their entire experience. It takes some time to work and it takes a while for the body and mind to catch up. The best thing for you to do would be to find a doctor that you REALLY feel is listening to you and takes the time to explain what they think you need and why, so that you make empowered choices for yourself, rather than the old “You’re going through menopause and I will prescribe this… off you go.” Approach.

Thanks @Justilou1 I so appreciate you taking the time to explain things. I hope the GP will take that approach, if not I will keep trying- the practice has lots of Drs so I can see others if I want.