Accumulated stuff...

[HeraInTheHereAndNow]

I’ve been having a sort out and seem to have accumulated a fair bit of beauty stuff which I thought was good (at the time) but actually, never use. I always drift back to my Max Factor and steady old Clinique blush.

I’m sick of looking at it. It’s all been dabbled with so, I guess it’s just the bin.

I went through a phase of feeling like shite recently and was drawn in by online shopping and read too many reviews of things that were going to help. They didn’t 😂

Anyone else find they think something is going to “work” and then find it either doesn’t or worse, looks bloody awful? Do you plough through? Or get rid?

if you have tried it several times and it still makes you sad then get rid, unless someone can suggest a different way of using/applying it. i've recently got rid of some clothing because although i could possibly where it if i lost a bit of weight i have other stuff i can use so it was just bunging up my cupboard

If it's unused, I give it away to either the local homeless hostel or to the volunteers at a charity I work for. I clear out a lot of samples this way or things I've bought 2 of then never used / didn't like.

If you really won't use it or don't like it then throw it away or give it away

Depends what it is. If it's skincare and I just find it a bit meh I'd plough on (maybe alternate with one I liked more) but for makeup where it actually looked shit or if it was skincare that caused a bad reaction I'd just bin it.

I also have a friend who is close enough that we can say to each other "I bought this but didn't like it, want to give it a try?" but think that depends on the friendship and there's only one person I'd do this with. Wouldn't do this with anything manky, obviously, usually something I'd taken a gamble on and hadn't liked.

Offer it on freegle or freecycle. Say that it is partly used.

I get rid and try not to think of all the wasted money .

Skin care I generally use up unless its causing a reaction. I have recently binned some 10 year old blushes and eye shadows. Feeling mild guilt I binned a couple of expensive lipsticks I was given as gifts years ago and didnt use. Everything else I'm working my way through slowly. If you hate it just get rid! Make up and skin care should be a pleasure.

I've seen recycling bins for make up in Boots, maybe you could use those.

I spent 2019 and 2020 trying loads of different, new products, as I thought I was stuck in a rut by using the same Estée Lauder products that I’d used for the last 20 years or so. So I tried masses of things in brands that were new to me like Elemis, Pixi, Ren, nip n fab etc. I thought I was missing out on maybe slightly cheaper, more modern products.

None of them agreed with me, not that it was immediately apparent. I ended up buying even more products to correct problems that the new products had caused. So I had loads of things left. I’m using them on my neck and chest, and have gone back to the same Estée Lauder products that I’ve always used, and my skin is fine again!

@WellTidy I have a little experience of that. I started using a glycolic product because everyone was and it made my face so sensitive to products I’d happily used, even for years. I also love Aveeno Cream. Best body moisturiser ever and started using a well known supermarket dupe which gave me a rash. I’d bought a job lot so, gave them to my sister who also came out in a rash. A false economy that one.

I’ll probably do the recycling in Boots. I couldn’t see any Freecycle personal products listed but thanks for the tip, @KirstenBlest.

@FreshFaceTime... I like the idea of passing items on to a friend but what with Covid, it’s not something I’d do. My niece usually would have a look at stuff I’m passing on but she lives miles away. Might keep some stuff for her as there’s nothing old or gone off. I bought a Bobbi Brown foundation which is so dry for my skin. It ages me 20yrs and at my age now, that’s not good.

Is there any point to using it? I bought a foundation too dark for me, but I quite like that it makes me look a little tan and decided to use it on home/video days!

Hera that’s exactly what happened to me with a glycolic toner. I bought it again and again before I realised that it wasn’t only not helping, but was causing problems. I have a 250ml bottle of the Pixi glycolic sitting here unopened as it isn’t right for me. I might eBay it now that I’m thinking about it.

I think there’s too much choice out there.

And 3 for 2 is a bloody nightmare IMO. End up with all kinds of stuff I just don’t need.

Here's an example that was on my local freegle page recently.

OFFER: Shampoo and conditioner (Areaname)
Almost full bottles of Lidl shampoo and conditioner
Photo of 2 bottles

If it is make-up, put part-used on it. If it is in a tube or pump, it should be fairly clean, pencils can be sharpened etc.

I’ve retrieved foundations that are too dark/the wrong consistency by blending them with moisturiser to make a tinted base. Anything you could recycle that way? Lipsticks that are the wrong shade sometimes work blended under or over another colour.

My bugbear is eyeshadow palettes - embarrassing number that have gone to waste over the years.

I don't like palettes. I always end up using only one or two of the colours, and I'd much prefer a full size version of those. Over time they loo messy.