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[Experiment627]

This is "Beauty addicts anonymous", a wonderful community of beauty product addicts & we have been going a hot minute... some may say we are enablers... many would say that they are much more intentional about their stashing and usage since joining this sisterhood.

Have picked up order from Boots... but am too scared to open in case The Ordinary conditioner is missing again...

97/100.

Im so close!!

Just 3 empties today and my Liberty beauty drop arrived too!

• Radox Donut shower gel. Ohh this smells like a fairground to me!! The fresh smell of sugary donuts being baked. Yum. It did dry my skin a little though.

• honey sheet mask.

• Elemis apricot soothing toner. This has lasted me AGES. So good value for money. Very gentle and refreshing, does the job for me. I wouldnt go out my way to buy it, but always welcome it, if its in a QVC offer.

Liberty beauty box is a mix of hair oil, shower gel, perfume, body lotion, scrub, sisley mask and a CBD oil!

It was in the box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Ooooh @Caggie09 I want the Radox Donut shower gel .... I've been so good and not bought any shower gel yet this year, trying to use up the stash .. but I don't think I can resist a cheap sugary smelling new shower gel!

Narciso poudree - was too powdery and lasted ages so I got bored of it.

Dr Sebagh serum repair- not sure it does anything. Last one of a AC stash.

Also used some samples on a weekend away. Loved Neals yard face balm.

53/100
8 samples.

Molton brown shower gel. What can I say? It's shower gel.

Ren night cream. Lovely consistency, nicely moisturising but no way would I rp given the vomity scent.

@OchonAgusOchonOh agree re that scent - I don’t think I finished it.

I’ve just finished a kate Somerville exfolikate - was quite good, but I think probably doesn’t not warrant the price tag. Not as good as Dermalogica.

54/100
8 samples.

A good haul here.
*
Rodial exfoliating glycolic cleanser* I'm almost too embarrassed to include this as I've had it for years - it was in a GWP from Liberty or Space NK back when they used to hand out a load of full sizes. Gave it a whirl, really loved it, and obviously it's discontinued because, did I mention, I've had it for years

Emma Hardie moringa cleansing balm used to be my go-to balm before I fell for Elemis. Still excellent but the Elemis is ahead for me.

Illamasqua hydra veil gel only a teeny pot and the gel feels like the jelly you get in a pork pie. Wouldn't rush to RP!

L'Oreal Elvive 8-second wonder water a bit witchcrafty, with the heating-up trick, but does smooth my knotty hair nicely. Have already RP.

Dr Botanicals pomegranate eye serum was supposed to be brightening and I think it was, a bit, but I prefer a cream round the eyes and this was very liquid.

Another day, another empty.... Actually, a couple of empties. Sioris Time is Running Out Mist. Weird name. Lovely Mist. It was the Citrus Juno (Yuzu) Extract Oil in water version and it smells divine. I have two mini's left and I keep one in my handbag and one in my car. (Those are the green plum ones - very refreshing and equally delish.). They're more moisturising than I would have given them credit for and the mist is perfect. Gentle, no splotches, great to rehydrate makeup in the afternoon. I have replaced the large one with COSRX Balancium Ceramide Comfort Mist, and it is definitely winning. AMAZING product. Could use alone as moisturiser in summer.

Oh, forgot to mention the rest of the empties... idiot. Olay Regenerist 24 Retinol Night Serum. I used only on Neck & Dec. Irritating on sensitive neck area even when applied as per my usual "Intro schedule". Have swapped out for Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil. Soooo much better. Can use twice a day and no irritation or itches. Still using ceramides on top, and virtually instant results!
Olay Eyes Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream. Not a miracle worker. Might see if the oil is better.
Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser sample pot (10ml). This is lovely. It feels like a Korean Gel Cream moisturiser. I wouldn't pay that much for it.
Mediheal Vita Lightbeam Essential Sheetmask. Smelled lovely and it was cool because I put it in the refrigerator for a bit first. Did it do much? Nope

I've had a loss of will power and acquired some new bits.

I used to love The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid. I felt it really made a difference. But then they discontinued it. They claim to be reformulating but no sign of it. I was checking on their site again and they suggested a few alternatives. - Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%, Pycnogenol 5%, EUK 134 0.1%. I had a load of points on Boots so I decided to order the 3 of them. Then I needed to get it up to €40 for free postage so, as it was tuesday, I ordered one of their Tuesday €12 products, reduced from €26 (a total bargain) - Pureessential Beauty sleep kit

I probably should have come on here and asked for advice for a replacement for the alpha lipoic acid but I'm nothing if not impulsive. Plus it was tuesday evening so the Pureessential set would have gone back up to €26. Anyway, it was all free as I used points.

That said, if anyone has any suggestions for a replacement for The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid, I would appreciate it.

The best-rated products I could find with Alpha Lipoic Acid in them are Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Serum, Perricone MD High Potency Classics Face Firming Serum and Zelens Intense Defence Antioxidant Serum. I suspect that The Ordinary has discontinued their ALA formula because from what I have read, it is a very unstable ingredient and it degrades very quickly. I imagine the other products have other ingredients that are much more stable and don't simply rely on the ALA for their efficacy. You can take it orally too, but I'd read up on it first to ensure you don't have any contraindications.

@Fraaahnces

The best-rated products I could find with Alpha Lipoic Acid in them are Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Serum, Perricone MD High Potency Classics Face Firming Serum and Zelens Intense Defence Antioxidant Serum. I suspect that The Ordinary has discontinued their ALA formula because from what I have read, it is a very unstable ingredient and it degrades very quickly. I imagine the other products have other ingredients that are much more stable and don't simply rely on the ALA for their efficacy. You can take it orally too, but I'd read up on it first to ensure you don't have any contraindications.

Thank you. I'll have a look.

Can I join as a long time lurker?

My recent empty is Huda Get Even Rose oil, it really evened my skin out. Has anyone else tried it?

Im trying the Charlotte Tilbury super facialist oil now, it’s very thick at first but seems nice so far, my skin looked very plump this morning.

Welcome @Jackdawface!

I have an empty:

• The Inkey List collagen booster: supposed to plump the skin... hard to tell is it did its job as my face is quite well-padded I think it is quite drying. Will not rp.

Oh and I have started The Ordinary shampoo and conditioner - will report back when I have a bit more intel 🤓

I have another empty:

• The Inkey List vitamin B, C and E moisturiser: feels nice going on but actually I think it is a little too drying for my skin. TBH think it is designed for oily skin and mune is combination. Works ok under The Inkey List's SPF

Afternoon fellow hoarders. I have lots of empties that have accumulated, too many to go through them all but some highlights:

• Drunk Elephant protini moisturiser, nice but feel my skin wants something richer these days. Really nice when mixed with a few drops of oil. Was using Pai fave oil which is fine but I don't like the smell so won't repurchase.

• No7 Restore and Renew night cream and eye cream ( and almost finished the day cream) . Used to use the Protect and Perfect range but moved on to this as thought I needed more sustenance. Not so keen on this range and the eye cream is too light and watery.

• No7 Lift and Luminate serum, meh, again mixed with a couple of drops of oil it's ok but can't say it does anything for me.

• Fresh citron hand cream, love love love this but as it works out even more expensive than printer ink it is a special occasion purchase only. But wonderful smell, texture, makes my hands smooth with the tiniest amount.

• Drunk Elephant Rosi Drops, a light cream blusher, just a sample tube but lasted a few months. Really like this.

• Lancôme Monsieur Big mascara, was a present which I'm having to bin as it is horribly clumpy and really not my thing.

• By Terry rise lip balm, love this , really seems to coat the lips and last. Have repurchased.

Currently trying to stay away from all the Easter offers / sales and keep my skincare routine fairly simple. Have been using Skin and Me for a couple of months but not noticing any changes yet.

Holy Moly @Ponks printer ink is SO expensive!

Good morning all!

So a few empties to report:

• Aldi No.1 lime, basil & mandarin hand gel: at least this smells nice as it strips the F off my hands
• Natura Siberica taiga daily hand cream: actually found this quite drying! From H&B advent.
• The Inkey List Ceramide Night Treatment: also found this drying! I think my skin no likey ceramides as have had similar with another ceramide product
• The Body Shop Fuji green tea body butter: absolutely adore this smell (a dupe for Bulgari green tea) and am currently using the EDT too... me thinks this line has been discontinued as I bought on sale which is traumatic but at least I could always still smell again with Bulgari even if I would have to sell a kidney to afford

I made it! 101/100.

Will now try and do 250 by Black Friday to treat myself in the sales then

So i done my big birthday haul and im stocked up for a while. The only thing i will need soon is, SPF, a hydrating serum and a mist. Im thinking of trying the Inkey List Polyglutanic acid, has anyone tried it??

-Hydro gel snail mask. Didnt blow me away, ive tried better gel masks. I didnt feel like i got that instant soothing from it.

• Diptyque Eau Capitale. I love this scent, such a fresh scent. Im not great with notes but its one i may purchase in the future. I have birthday money that i might spend in Duty free..

• Dr Dennis Gross c+ collagen vit c. Apart from the first pungent scent of vinegar, its a good vit c! The dark spots on skin which are from old spots, were reduced and my skin looks brighter every morning! Its not sticky either! I would RP in the future.

• Cosrx Triple moisture ampoule. This was worth the money. 40ml, so lasted longer than usual. It was a silky serum and my skin was so soft after i applied it. I will be making a Stylevanna order in the future to top up on this!!

Well done @Caggie09 !!!!

I have not tried The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid but I am on day 2 of the Boots Ingredients one... so far my face has not fallen off but that said my fine lines have not vanished either....

Been plodding along.

Elemis Pro-collagen Marine cream - really like it, can get past the smell, cannot get past the price for full size.

CeraVe facial moisturising lotion - the tiny pea amount that was in this sample bottle was as far as I can tell, fine. It seems like a good simple moisturiser which I'm debating purchasing as a layerer with Cicaplast and for after Tret.

Beauty Pie Plantastic apricot butter cleansing balm - I really really like this. It's almost infallible and there's only a hair between this and the HG of Take the Day Off balm. Will RP when I do a Beauty Pie restock before I close the account.

Bliss bright idea vitamin c + tri-peptide serum - I don't know if this actually does anything. It feels ok, but it's not rich enough to replace a moisturiser and either morning or night and tbh, it smells weird. I really don't like the sort of battery acid crossed with oranges smell that so much vitamin c has. I haven't actually finished this bottle, but not only am I not convinced it does anything, the pump broke this morning and I don't care enough about it to find a receptacle and decant it.

Tret update

Am up to 5 nights a week and using the normal retinol on the other 2 - I work 2 nights a week and can't bring myself to do a full double cleanse and Tret and cicaplast etc there so it's a basics plus retinol those nights. It doesn't feel unpleasant or tingly anymore but I definitely look forward to putting moisturiser on after it, it starts to feel a tiny bit tight, which moisturiser solves immediately.

I do think it's starting to make a difference. My cheeks and forehead particularly are looking fresher. I wish I'd taken better before photos now!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY @Caggie09 !!! Enjoy your new stash!!!! (Photos please!!!

If I tag people I get a huge black mumsnet error banner down the middle of my screen.
I don’t get on with Monsiour Big mascara either, Ponks. I donated to my teen who has Tarantula leg eyelashes. She looks like a female Terence Stamp in a Clockwork Orange. As for Natura Siberica Experiment, I think we get the dregs sent here to Aus. Everyone I know reports mould in their products. They fester untouched on the bottom shelf at the chemist.*shudders….

I have an empty to report. I FIIIINALLY used up my travel-sized pot of bloody BUM BUM cream. It’s not nourishing. It’s just thick and sits on top of the skin like I’m greasing up to swim the English Channel or something. I’m not even fond of the vaguely vomity scent that lingers for hours after the initial pistachio ice cream scent has gone