Feel the temptation to indulge in beauty treats? Is your collection overflowing with treasures? Come unite with fellow beauty enthusiasts in this lovely group!

[Experiment627]

Are you a beauty product addict? We are your PEOPLE!!!!

En empty! Banila Co Mandarin C Brightening Cleansing Balm..
Utter perfection! Has a very strong citrus scent that I adore, but I know it’s not for everyone. Scented wash-off problems I have zero issue with.o Not remotely vitamin C-ish. This one is described as having, “sorbet” texture. Like it’s the very welcome love child of the Heimish and maybe the Curel Makeup Melting Gel. It’s smooth and creamy. This is my second one. Maybe third. Tonight I am trying the Farm Stay Collagen Waterfull Cleansing Balm. It’s been in my stash for about a year. I haven’t tried it. Shall report. I suspect I shall be missing the uplifting scent of mandarin.

@Thereislightattheendofthetunnel so glad that you like it!

Am now wondering if there IS room for a channel that combines these things….?

Bit chubby Sauvignon and mint chocolate fan would say so.

I’ve just realised I forgot the pic! Sorry 😣

Me too! This is my latest empty…
BTW, decided not to use the unopened collagen water full balm but the Glow Recipe expensive experiment fail. I don’t love it. It’s gluggy when you try and emulsify it, and leaves a residue. I would absolutely not recommend this if you use a balm cleanser as a one and done or to those of us prone to congestion. I am so missing the lovely mandarin scent of the Banila Co. Not at all the reason why this is such a good formula, but it adds to the experience. (They have a ceramide one and another brightening one I will eventually try.)
On another page entirely, I just found a recipe for Japanese Sakura Rice Wine. It’s a milky 2% drink made by fermenting rice. If I can get my paws on some Sakura flowers, I’m absolutely going to try making this! It may very well be the recipe for fermented rice toner. (Can’t hurt!) I figure that if it’s gentle enough that Japanese give this to toddlers, it won’t burn my face off.

First Aid Beauty hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid - inoffensive but don't think it did anything. Wouldn't buy.

Skin Cycles hydrating face mask - thankfully I read the instructions after putting on, as I then realised u hadn't removed the protective layer this was nice enough but no more effective than other sheet masks for me, so wouldn't buy as these are more pricey.

Dermatica serum - they changed up my formula and added benzoyl peroxide.. I should have phased it in as it was SO drying. By the end of the tube I was up to using it 5 times a week (prior to change was 6). Still happy with my skin progress though and tolerating the BP much better.

Clinique moisture surge moisturiser - I like a gel moisturiser so this was up my street. I probably won't rebuy, but only because I have cheaper ones I like as much.

Also used a garnier hyaluronic and sakura sheet mask, really liked (love sakura) will probably buy again at some point.

More empties:

L'occtaine intensive repair shampoo - My normal shampoo will RP

Seated queen cold night mask - can't RP as they're out of business. Gutted. Have one more tube kindly sent to me by a mumsnetter.

Rituals of mehr body lotion - pleasant smell decent body cream not much else to day

PK elastisiser been using this as a conditioner as can't seem to get on with it used properly - have a couple more tubes in stash

Dove go fresh deodrent - really like this one effective and a fresh smell

Skin cycles hydrating mask was in recent Liberty BD. Very wet but I think my skin felt a bit softer and smoother after use. Probably not an RP

Aromatherapy associates deep relax sleep mix- I suprised myself by really liking this. I was drifting off to sleep more easily and it reminded me of a lovely flower bed in spring

Barbara Sturm face cream - not sure why there's so much fuss about BS. However I think it was OK but I've had much the same impact with far cheaper products.

L'occtaine ultra rich body lotion - I really like their ultra rich range will probably RP a big bottle at some point

66/100

Also chucking out Rituals of Jing night hand mask. I do not usually chuck stuff out but honestly this stuff is horrible (in my opinion) really strong chemically smell which kept me (and dp) awake, felt really slimy and had no impact on my hands whatsoever - shame as usually love the Jing range. I am throwing it away with no regrets (not counting it in my total as that feels like cheating)

Here is an idea. If you have unwanted items post them on this thread and if someone wants it ageee a price . Or does that break MN guidelines ?

Hello, can I join? Having got into the princessing threads last year I’ve got much more into skincare, and since I had a bunch of empties I thought I’d do a report!

Origins Night A Mins: really like this, it has a lovely rich texture and I love the scent. I’ve started using retinol so have been using it only on non-retinol nights, as I don’t want to overdo the actives. Would RP.

Medik8 Intelligent Retinol: mixed feelings, I liked the squalane oil formula but not the strong patchouli scent. No irritation or purging but not as marked improvement as I’d hoped for. Probably wouldn’t RP.

M&S Pure Rose Cleansing Balm: LOVE this. Gets all my makeup off, doesn’t irritate my eyes, perfect for a double cleanse. Huge tub lasted for ages, will definitely RP.

Neals Yard rose hand cream: lovely fragrance, sinks in quickly. Would RP, but I always get hand cream for birthdays/xmas so I have lots in the stash to work through first.

@Wherediditgoto I am not sure if that breaks the rules... but bear in mind we are not all in the same country so it make become somewhat costly?

Welcome to the thread @MotherWol 💜

I have an empty to report:

• Superdrug Optimum collagen gel to oil cleanser: really liked this - great at make-up removal and also gives just the right level of slickness to be able to do a lovely facial massage (which has become part of my daily routine... not sure if it does anything but makes me feel like I am taking good care of myself).

It might be better to start a separate thread for that and those who are interested could follow that thread (assuming it's lawed of course).

I'm trying to cut down on purchases so would find the temptation too much on this thread😀

Hi @MotherWol, welcome.

A few more empties:

Le Petit Olivier shower cream in coconut - 500ml. From TK Maxx. Really lovely. I love the smell of coconut and it felt nice on the skin. As I find it impossible to buy only one of anything in TK Maxx, I have another bottle in the verbena scent.

Shay & Blue Melrose Apple Blossom body wash and body lotion - 100ml each. These were both really strongly scented, to the point of being overpowering. The scent was ok, though the lotion in particular had a bit of a screechy green note that I wasn’t keen on.

Beauty of Joseon rice and alpha arbutin Glow Deep serum - 10ml. I’ve liked all four of the BoJ serums I’ve tried. The calming one is my favourite but this one was lovely too. Feels very hydrating and gentle.

Burts Bees lip balm in Honey.

Nivea intensive moisture hand cream - 100ml. Good, it sank in well and was nice and moisturising.

Nice idea @MotherWol but I think a dedicated buy & swap thread is a better idea as I think it would be a huge hit with ppl. Of course you would have to be VERY clear that you have no personal responsibility for the state of the products people contribute. There are always going to be CF’s out there.

Some empties to report.
Gillette after shaving balm type thing. I have no idea how effective this is as I feel like I needed to use it for longer but when I went to rebuy I couldn't find it.
Random mud mask. I do like a mid mask and will buy another one but not necessarily this brand.
Boots lactic acid. Again, wanted to use it for longer to see if it helped with bumpy skin but couldn't find it to rebuy
Ren day cream sample. Nothing to get excited about
A truly ancient Rimmel powder blusher in a peach colour. Rediscovered this having not used it for ages and loved it. More blushers to use up yet but I will try to find another like this one when I need to rebuy

@MyRabbit79 - finishing an entire blush is miraculous! Well done!!! Was looking at mine the other day and I have barely made a dent in them. I have so many (most ancient) and I rotate them seasonally, etc….

I have to report back on the Glow Recipe cleansing balm that I hated. It’s not as bad as I thought (but by far my favourite). I was using too much. Despite the fact that it’s obviously going to last longer than I thought, it’s still WAAAAAY overpriced.
I finished a tube of Canmake Mermaid Skin SPF clear. This used to be my favourite but they changed the recipe making it a hybrid sunscreen. It left a caste on me and was drying. I forced myself to finish it. *Am now using Numbuzin no1 SPF. Up there with BOJ Sun Essence to provide a non-greasy glow for us parched-skinned reptiles. No 1 fave sunscreen is now a tie! (Good to have two, as one is almost always going to be on sale)

@Fraaahnces thank you! It felt very satisfying!

What is a CF @Fraaahnces 🧐

I went to Superdrug Presents yesterday... goodie bag even better than last year!

The photo is just of the goodie bag and I got an extra one at the Eylure Masterclass.

Basically a whole tonne of false eyelashes. I am giving the surplus to a friend with teenage daughters.

My stash is currently in a right old state! I will have loads to donate to the womens shelter!

@Experiment627 It’s a term I learned here on Mumsnet. CF= Cheeky Fuckers

I love it! Thanks @Fraaahnces 💜

@Experiment627 Wow! That bag looks amazing. Shame that the nice things are in London 😑.

On another note, I got myself the M & S summer bag. I haven’t removed the paper sleeve yet but I am happy to try new things.

I came to the realisation that I should try nicer brands than Lacura 🤣. Nothing wrong with it, I love Aldi, specially for perfume but I have not had the same luck with their skincare range. It is time that I accept that and move on.

@Experiment627 - Looks like Christmas at your place! (Apart from the false lashes which I haven’t worn since I was performing a billion years ago.)
CF isn’t a term commonly used here in Aus but it has become part of my family lexicon. I have been known to quote “ODFOD” when being nagged by teenagers, and I am smug in the knowledge that I am telling them “Oh Do F-Off, Dear”. Mumsnet is very handy for this. I have recently discovered NARFUTA (Needs A Rocket Firmly Up Their A—e). Going to use that too.

@Thereislightattheendofthetunnel definitely no harm in branching out. Variety is the soice of life, after alll. I am actually keen on quite a lot of Superdrug own brand skincare. Currently I am trying out the B. By Superdrug menopause range and some itrems are fab.

BTW Superdrug if you are watching you are definitely missing a trick not having an affiliate program!!!

@Fraaahnces I have taken screenshot of your latest message 🤣 I am so going to use these! Most likely setting: work but we will see.