Are you addicted to beauty products? If so, please join - we are "Beauty addicts anonymous" 💜

[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.

Rushing out to boots today to replace my ted baker shower oil - raspberry & orange blossom. I've never loved a shower product so much! Got it as part of ted baker advent calendar & really liked it. Second empty this year. Also treated myself to Pat McGrath bridgerton collection blush palette & its lush.

Looking enviously at charlotte tilbury beauty wands but cannot justify to self.

Lord knows what is up with MN - really hard to see the thread on my PC!

@Fraaahnces that sounds gross with Natura Siberica 🤢

@Caggie09 Happy Birthday!!!!

I have an empty to report:

• The Inkey List retinol serum: really easy and nice to use, I think it made a difference... hard to tell

Evening all. I’ve been on previous threads but need to return after my hoarding has gone into over drive, and I’ve added the Liberty Beauty Drop into the mix.

empty today: KORRES Guava Showergel 40ml sample. This smells delicious and I have purchased a full size.

opened today: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt. Think I had it in an advent calendar or Cult Beauty box. Was a bit worried when I mixed it into my hair as it became glue like, but my hair looks good after washing. Will finish the pot but not sure if I’ll purchase.
Also opened a sample of AVEDA BOTANICAL REPAIR STRENGTHENING LEAVE-IN TREATMENT also a Cult Beauty sample. Left my hair really soft, but this could also be as a result of the scrub.

@Experiment627 tagging seems safe today. Perhaps they’ll re-enable bookmarks. Wish they’d stop dicking around with MN. re. Natura Siberica, all we’ve ever had available here is a body wash, body butter 🤢 and lotion. There was a tiny travel pack with the smallest shampoo and conditioner bottles known to man. They were the sort you find at Sephora. Bottle-shaped samples that have a tear-off sticker on the back, so when you pull them out of the box they’re really only half the size you originally thought. (I didn’t buy it

Damn! The Error Banner of Death swooped in again! Meanwhile, judging from the dust on the products and the fact that everyone has reported mould (according to the lovely girl who works at the chemist “Don’t buy that one!!!”) I suspect we only ever received one shipment of Natura Siberica and it’s been sitting there languishing ever since. Pity, as I think the scent profiles sound much more interesting than our usual chemist fare of tropical fruit or cupcake batter. (Barf - but still better than mould, I guess. I know I like cheese, but I don’t want to smell like it.)

Oh, I used up the last of my three wee pots of Ole Henriksen “Strength Trainer” Collagen Boost Peptide Boost Moisturiser. Combined, that’s more than half a pot, so I believe that I have enough experience to offer an informed opinion. Pros: Lovely scent, cooling, refreshing feel. No “slime factor.” Cons: I know it absolutely does not last long enough to justify the cost, nor do I believe it offers enough hydration compared to other peptide products I have tried. Having read it’s inci list, there’s nothing ground-breaking about the formulation (v. old-school) and low-weight. It’s also VERY whipped - compared to my preferred gel creme formulations - so in comparison, you don’t really get as much “active” formula for your money.I didn’t feel any of the tightening it promised. This is entirely subjective…Because I prefer a formulation to feel like it sinks into my skin, it felt too occlusive. Some people like that feeling - especially overnight, but it makes me feel like heavily buttered toast.

@Caggie09 Before you do your Stylevana order, check out Olive Young and Style Korean websites. They seem to have better prices atm and I have heard that at least Olive Young has MUUUUUCH faster shipping too.

Speaking of which, my mini Pat McGrath palette arrived today. I can’t play with it as am having headshots done. (Long, boring story). Only took six weeks. Postage here sucks balls.

Also decided to admit defeat with a mini Kat von D (from the olden days before she came out as anti-Vax and everyone cancelled the brand) eyeliner. A) Have never been talented with pen eyeliners despite loving the look. B) It’s drying up before I can get halfway across my lid. C) My lids are getting so crepey now I need a 4WD to get that shit done.

Thanks for the happy birthdays!

Also, yeah what the hell is up with mumsnet! Not liking this new set up!!

@Fraaahnces Oh ill check them out, thanks!! Quick shipping is a must, last time i waited so long!

@Caggie09 If you get in quick, Style Korea are doing a two for one deal. Anything you hurl into your basket, you get two. STOP ME FROM PULLING THE TRIGGER! (Peptide serum, Retinol Eye Cream, Cushion Foundation.... Could go on forever, really.)

Another empty to report & hopefully I will have another one in a fee days.

Katie Price Besotted perfume- this was in my cupboard for so long it had went off as the colour had changed 😳I didn't like this, it was very musky, not sure if it was because it had went off but going by reviews it wasn't a great perfume.

I am 100% a perfume hoarder so some of my collection is old 🙈 i'm trying to encourage myself to use them up before buying more.

full : 4
Sampled :0

My skin has absolutely gone to the dogs the last month. I'm having breakouts all over my forehead and chin, and little bumps on my cheeks. I've not changed anything :/ I can only assume its diet and stress related (easter chocolate anyone?). Anyway I think I may chuck out the remainder of my No.7 Anti aging face wash, it is ok but doesn't leave my skin feeling amazing like other cleansers, and I like things a bit more scrubby.

I've also finished two samples of Dior Joy perfume, I really like this and it's on my list to consider for purchase (my birthday is coming up).

I've thrown our a bottle of Primark perfume which made my eyes sting when I put it on!

When does the M&S summer beauty box return? I want to get a few bits from the Pure range.

@LivingDeadGirlUK - just be careful of scrubby cleansers on active breakouts. They can actually encourage infection by creating micro abrasions (some not so micro, if they’re nut shell ones.) Have you ever used chemical exfoliants to calm your skin instead?

@LivingDeadGirlUK
i find breakouts, especially in the chin area, are often hormone related.

Looking enviously at charlotte tilbury beauty wands but cannot justify to self
Oh my! This beauty hoarder hadn’t heard of this … sounds intriguing…

I have an AHA spray I could try but i've been a bit nervous about it tbh!

Good week this week.

Murad cleanser. I'm not a fan of foaming cleansers so just use them in the shower.
The Ordinary Buffet. Not sure what it was meant to do but I didn't notice any major impact.

Inkey Hyaluronic Acid. I like this. It does seem to plump up my skin and reduce the appearance of my wrinkles.

Wishful honey balm. I really liked this. It is very hydrating and leaves the skin with a lovely dewey glow so I only used it in the morning to get maximum use out of the glow. Lavender isn't my favourite scent but it isn't overpowering. Definitely considering a re purchase.

L'Occitane Immortelle Precieuse. It's nourishing. Not a major fan of the scent though. Don't think I would rebuy but perfectly happy to receive it.

@LivingDeadGirlUK I’d be very reluctant to ever recommend scrubby things for anyone. If you are breaking out on your forehead and chin you could have what is somewhat erroneously described as “fungal” acne. It’s really called pitysporum foliculitis. It’s actually best treated with ketoconozole shampoo like Nizoral 2% which you need to both shampoo your hair and wash your face and body with and leave the foam on for 3-5mins 2x week. I suggest you look on YouTube and see if you think that is what you have (avoid Cassandra Bankson. She’s got some good basic skincare facts, but she’s very into greenwashing. If you have this, it’s a medical condition and you need it fixed. My son had it.)

@Fraaahnces thanks for this, really appreciate it. I'll look into it now!

All mini and travel sizes this month. Which makes me happy coz the stash is reducing!

Estée Lauder - advanced night repair
My holy grail serum. Using others in the daytime to try them and this one at night

Lancet - nourish rehydration mask
This was heavy and sticky as it was meant to be. Can't say it was any better than a good night time moisturiser for me though

Caudalie - radiance serum
Weird smell, drying, more like a slimy lotion

Omorovioza - blue diamond concentrate
Lovely consistency, didn't irritate seemed like a good serum

Dr Dennis gross - c collagen brighten and firm serum
Nice texture, suits my skin but I wish it smelled of oranges haha I might repurchase but have other vit c serums in my stash to try

Dermalogica - sound sleep cocoon
This goes on last at night to protect your pillows. But to be honest I much prefer It Cosmetics version

Ren - ever calm global protection day cream
This was a good cream!I would happily use again but the fragrance wasn't my favourite

Susanne Kaufman - regeneration linie A
I've been wearing this as a day cream not realising it's a night treatment! And OMG the price!!! (£175 for 50ml). When you apply this runny lotion it immediately dries so you have to quickly rub it in. It's weird. BUT my skin looks and feels amazing!

Been away and used up a few stragglers and some samples. It's very motivating to know I'll have something to report on this thread!

White Company spa restore conditioner smells really lovely but not enough for my straw-like hair so it's back to the Olaplex.

White Company noir hand wash misread this and thought it was a body wash so happily used it up in the shower. Another lovely scent.

REN AHA tonic I have so many mini bottles of this! But I've come to realise I actually really rate it.

Aveda nutri-plenish conditioner way too small a sample! Barely did one wash. Hard to tell anything from that.

Aveda stress-fix body lotion tiny again but fine for what it did (about half a body!).

Ritual of Sakura body cream absolutely lovely scent and consistency, would consider a repurchase but stash is currently too big to justify.

Tidal water cream I fear I'd had this for too long as it was an odd texture, a bit separated. Oops.

Rodial bee venom moisturiser didn't really like the smell so wouldn't use again.

Emma Hardie brilliance facial oil LOVED this, would consider for RP.

@supadupapupascupa ANR has become an HG for me too. I have a new one to start but am trying to be good and use up other serums first!

Just went through my box (trough) of samples. Most are so old that any of the ones in tubes have degraded. Amazing what’s happened to them, really. There’s bloody nothing to them except a couple of drops of water in the bottom now. They obviously whip the sh*t out of them and fill them with air to give the impression that they contain some substance. That’s it… Never buying Caudalie, Darphin or Chantecaille skincare. (Suspect it’s the essential oils.) Meanwhile, I have a heap of others I’m going to prioritize using. Tonight I shall slather myself in La Mer and pretend I’m J-Lo. (She can keep Ben though. Bleurgh!)

La Mer sample. 3.5ml. I am unaccustomed to such highly fragranced products. I am pleased I didn’t use it around my eyes as it has made them quite swollen and stingy anyway. I thought the dinky wee pot would last a few days, but alas it was just enough to schmeer to the top of the cleavage. I broke into the Caudalie to do the rest of the patchwork.

In the first two months of spring, I managed to get through several embarrassingly and disgustingly old products. Disclaimer: I do not condone the use of expired products, please do not follow my horrible hoarder example ⚠️

1. Nivea My Silhouette Redefining Gel Cream* *(4 ml; GWP) – it expired in February 2010 🤮 It's similar to a regular aloe vera gel. I cannot fathom how/why I haven’t noticed it in my stash before, and it is a miracle that its texture and colour remained unchanged in all these years! I used it on my legs to be on the safe side, but – thankfully – I had no adverse reaction.

2. Yves Rocher Aloe Vera Pulp Dry Skin Moisturising Lotion (5 ml; GWP) – a thick white cream, absorbed quickly, the moisturising effect was OK. No clue how old this sachet was, but judging by the fact that it had no fragrance whatsoever when I opened it, it was probably just as ancient as the previous sample.

3. L'Oréal Prodigy Magnifying Satin Conditioner (60 ml; GWP) – my HG hair conditioner which was part of a box dye set. It expired in 2017 🤢 but still worked. IMHO (although many people agree with me) the L'Oréal Prodigy range was the best box dye EVER (especially the blonde shades) but… they've discontinued it 😭

4. Benefit It's Potent! Brightening Eye Cream to Fight Dark Circles (14.2 g; £30.55) – it expired in October 2018 🤢 A thick beige cream which contains alcohol, palmitic acid, stearic acid and citric acid. Many reviewers of this product experienced a burning sensation after application. I felt it, too, but it didn’t last long and was tolerable. It did what it claimed, and significantly reduced the appearance of dark circles under my eyes. I was really impressed, and might RP if I don’t need bigger guns by the time when I use up my eye cream stash.

5. ILIA Vivid Concealer in C1 Cassava (15 g; £25) – it expired in April 2019 🤢 Since day one it was pasty and impossible to blend out. An absolute failure of a product but I’ve managed to use it up by mixing it with a couple of my CC creams which were too dark for my skin tone.

6. Laura Mercier Oil Free Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover (100 ml; £16) – it expired in October 2021. I fell victim to another sales season’s cheat where they send you products which are about to expire. And what’s worse, I bought TWO of these removers, the reason being that I really wanted a non-oily eye makeup remover, and this is what the product NAME claimed it was. But in reality, it was so oily that I needed to wash my eyes twice with a face cleanser just to get rid of the yucky residue. Furthermore, the packaging was also quite annoying – too much spillage to my taste 😡 All in all, an utter disappointment!

7. Yves Rocher Muguet en Fleurs Eau de Toilette (0.7 ml; GWP) – a lovely lily of the valley scent, the longevity was quite short though. This fragrance was launched in March 2013, so my sample might have been nine years old 😬

Really not liking this new MN set up... only getting sporadic notifications too!!!

@Fraaahnces I really do not like Creme de la mer - so much hype but whenever I have used it I have had breakouts and I am not keen on the smell either.

I do not have any empties to report but must say I am most impressed thus far with:

• The Ordinary haircare
• Boots Ingredients range (finally my skin is beginning to feel good again!)

Happy Monday everyone!

@Maranello I was the same about Ren tonic. Would actually buy it 😂
2 empties:
Espa shower gel. Didn’t like the fragrance.
Neom perfect night sleep body butter. Liked it, have a full sized one from a Christmas box to use.

56/100
8 samples.

I think I trust samples in sachets more than ridiculous tiny tubes or pots. (Although pots are better than tubes for maintaining integrity.) All of the tubes were weird. Pots were ok. Sachets are little universes untouched until open.
My eyes are still stinging this morning. La Mer is never going to be my thing. Even if I win lotto, I will stick with my J&K products.