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!

Few empties from me. Thought the Eve Lom would never end - I got a bit bored of it. Plus it’s very expensive and I don’t think really worth it.

@Caggie09, I agree with @ememem84, the only dry shampoo that has worked for me is Batiste, and it is currently the only one I use. And I say that as someone normally pretty biased toward the higher end, luxe products.

@BookShark, well done on finishing a whole perfume, I seldom manage to finish anything bigger than sample sized!

@Pomegranatespompom, I actually do quite like Eve Lom, but have a cleanser that size in my stash I keep putting off opening, because I know I will be pretty tired of it by the time it’s done.

This week’s empties attached.

I think a Make Up Brush cleanser counts? I have the tool that goes with this, and it does make cleaning brushes really easy. Downsides though are: it doesn’t work for all brushes (especially anything double sided) and that the solution is pretty expensive for what it is.

Liked the Drunk Elephant moisturiser - nice and light for day use.

Retinol was quite gentle, hard to tell if it is effective.

Wishful sheet mask was quite good, claimed to hydrate and I think it did that.

I've stalked this thread for a while but never commented because it intimidates me due to me being very much in an acquiring phase of skincare after working my way through GAZILLIONS of ancient lotions and potions during lockdown 1 (I didn't keep a log!)

@Ponks you sound like you know a bit about vitamin c I feel like my cheapo one is like the ones you've described... nice enough to apply but can't tell if it's actually doing anything. Any recommendations for a really good one?

Also, I noticed a mention of the Inkey retinol serum. @Experiment627 would you recommend that one as a good starter retinol? Think I'll have to wait a while as currently pregnant but can't hurt to have a plan, right?

@AprilLady I quite Eve Lom too - I think I just got bored of it.

@FreshFaceTime hello and I am also interested in vitamin C.

@LivingDeadGirlUK I am trying out the Simple Calming Moisturiser imwitg hemp seed oil - which is nice but has no SPF

@Caggie09 if you find a dry shampoo that works let me know! That Colab one was awful!

@ememem84 I may have to give the original Batiste another go, I have the Bare one at the mo and it is shite.
My hair is greasy and has to be up by day 2 and so far no dry shampoo has prolonged things.

Ah!!! @justilou1 this is where I am going wrong then!!!!

@AprilLady EVERYTHING counts!!!

@FreshFaceTime Welcome!!!!
Also congratulations on your BFP!!!
Yes stay AWAY from retinol and salicylic acid and rosemary in skincare!!!
Once you have your bubba then I would defo say the Inkey List one is a good place to start.

I do testing for different companies and end up with so many things that I hardly get around to using the ones I've bought.

Just got sent 5 eye products to test over the next few weeks. 3 days for each one. So I'll pack away the nice eye cream from M&S.

Also testing an exfoliating toner type thing and a face mask. Good job my face isn't sensitive.

Need something for my desperately itchy scalp though. It's been bad since Xmas. I've tried polytar and currently using the Avida shampoo& conditioner for scalp issues. Nothing working so I've taken a punt on a buzzfeed recommendation of Eclat. If it doesn't stop soon, I'll go to gp to see a dermatologist or trichologist. I wake up clawing my scalp. Just the back above my neck.

@Experiment627 that's good to know, although I do tend to go for a moisturiser with SPF as I've not found a stand alone facial SPF that doesn't make me spotty.

I've caved and bought another pot of the pure, I didn't appreciate it when I was using it but looking back my skin was in a really really good place when it was in my regime.

@Babysharkdoodoodood that sounds so painful!!! Have you tried Ethique shampoo bars? I got some trial ones in the H&B advent and was really impressed - may help?
How did you get to be a tester? That is my dream job!!!

@LivingDeadGirlUK have you tried the Body Shop skin defence SPF 50?

Ha @FreshFaceTime I'm no expert on vitamin C but I've tried a lot over the last couple of years, I have some pigmentation patches and uneven skin tone which vitamin c is supposed to help. The gold standard seems to be having L ascorbic acid in the serum but there are lots of other types of vit c which may suit different people. I also like trying lots of different serums in the search for the "holy grail" 😊.

Some I've tried include:

• The Ordinary 23%, have to use this at night, gritty and unpleasant, stained the pillow and too harsh for me (and I have pretty tough skin)

• Revolution 12.5%, this seemed ok, I can't recall any amazing effects but at least didn't sting like TO.
• Skinceuticals Phloretin, eye wateringly expensive, they are supposed to be the best and most effective vitamin c serums but hand on heart it was just a bit watery and I didn't notice any benefits.
• Sam Bunting Brightly serum, which also has niacinamide and azelaic acid in, this does seem to have some brightening effects, is more of a cream than serum, but I would get it again.
• Drunk Elephant c Firma, I like this and it lasts a long time, an oily sort of texture but sinks in well and does seem brightening, no irritation, pricey though.
• Lumene, No 7, Strivectin, all are pleasant to use but not noticeably "brightening".
• favourite to date is Medik8 white balance serum which has resveratrol and vitamin c, it is slightly oily but sinks in very well and was the first to noticeably lighten my pigmentation.

So you might think I would just stick with the Medik8, but I keep trying others to see if I can find something better. I quite like the more oily serums rather than watery or glyceriny types, that's just personal preference I think.

@Ponks oh wow thanks so much for that detailed reply. Will definitely have a look at some of those suggestions and give some of them a try.

Thanks for the warm welcome from everyone else too. What a lovely thread!

@Experiment627 only dry shampoo i love on a HG status is IGK Charcoal one. Its expensive though and not something thays in my stash all the time. It keeps me going for 2 days too! I really want a cheaper HG though!

Had myself a nice bath before. I love picking and choosing what products to put in! And with that i had 2 empties!

Weleda Arnica muscle soak. This is magical stuff! I cant get enough of the scent too. Its perfect for days when its been abit too much and you feel abit achy. Luckily i got another bottle for Christmas. Will RP, curious to try others in the range too.

Radox muscle soak bath salts. I dont buy these often enough, but i like these too. You could get plenty of baths out of them, but i use a box for 2 baths. Will RP!

@Babysharkdoodoodood have you tried massaging baby oil into you scalp and leaving it on overnight?

@Ponks you clearly know your vitamin c! I have just started the Nip Fab one, have you tried it and do you rate it?

@Experiment627 when you dry shampoo are you just spraying and brushing straight away? Because I found out a few months ago that you’re meant to let it sit for a bit then sort of rub it in or brush.

A friend applies hers at bedtime and apparently this makes a difference too. Although I’ve always used it in the morning.

I’m currently almost finished a prai beauty 24 carat gold wrinkle repair cream. And am a bit annoyed that although it’s in a fairly standard looking pot, on the outside, inside it’s almost conical. So looks like you’re getting a full pot. But probably only really 1/3.

I also don’t like the smell so much.

Ooh abd finished some vitamin d tablets.

Hi @SlatternIsMyMiddleName , I haven't tried that, I was put off Nip n Fab when I bought their Dragon's Blood serum, hoping it would smell as delicious as the Rodial one (had read they are related companies), but it smelt revolting!

I get most of my skincare advice from following Nadine Baggott on YouTube, she knows her stuff. Although she says Skinceuticals is the gold standard of vitamin c , she is very good at recommending more budget alternatives, eg Superdrug or Garden of Wisdom.

I have used Dragon’s blood in the past but didn’t notice any difference.

@Caggie09 I think I have tried that dry shampoo & not liked it. My hair is vair hard to please!
I really like the Weleda arnica bath soak too! Smells so good!

@ememem84 yes I let it sit before brushing out. I will try using before bed... but am loathe to as the smell is never great...

[quote Experiment627 ]@Babysharkdoodoodood that sounds so painful!!! Have you tried Ethique shampoo bars? I got some trial ones in the H&B advent and was really impressed - may help?
How did you get to be a tester? That is my dream job!!!

@LivingDeadGirlUK have you tried the Body Shop skin defence SPF 50?[/quote]
It's not a job. I just registered on sites like www.albavolunteers.com and www.bootsvolunteers.com/home

You have to fill in a lot of surveys but you get to try some good stuff. Never had a bad reaction yet.

I MUST learn not to fall for the hype. I finally bought myself the Shu Uemura bloody cleansing oil. It's my splurge item because I love oil cleansing. It cost $158 for 450ml here. (Admittedly I used a gift card, so really didn't spend any REAL money...) I don't like it as much as the Muji cleansing oil that costs $18.00 for 400ml. At least I know now. I mean, it works I guess. Is it better? No. The bottle is probably more durable, and it's yellow. It is not worth 8.8 times the price. Sigh...

Thanks @Babysharkdoodoodood

Ay bollackas @justilou1 you live & learn I guess...

I could have bought some lovely perfume instead..... sigh!