Tempted by beauty treats? Addicted to buying beauty products? Is your collection bursting with favourites? Join fellow beauty lovers in this supportive group!

[Experiment627]

Welcome to this beauty product lover's haven! If you're constantly tempted by the latest beauty treats or find your collection overflowing with cherished products, you're in the right place. Whether you're looking to share your latest finds, swap tips, or simply indulge in some beauty chat, this is the perfect spot for you. Let’s unite, inspire, and celebrate our love for all things beauty!

This thread has been going for YONKS! Many have been "cured" of their beauty product addiction from the support this group gives... We share reviews and our empties/chucks - so when we do decide to buy something again, we can do so armed with collective wisdom.

10/100

Neom pillow mist - this is lovely but they're £23 which is too expensive. I'm including pillow mists are they are an accumulated item through advents/boxes.

Dr Sebagh lip balm - this works best for me over a lip cream rather than alone where I felt it sat on rather than sunk into my lips. Lasted ages. Not a repurchase

Liberty Eye Patch - like so many other people, this is a hit for me. Little goes a long way so I ended up using it was a night cream for my face as well. Beautifully moisturising and non-greasy.

I have empties and they are not exciting:

Method sweet water hand wash. Smells very similar to a discontinued edition called pink pomelo that I really liked. Nice on hands and smell clean. Would rp.

soft and gentle orchid desire deodorant. Meh , didn’t do much for me.

sanex expert shower gel. Ok does the job

head and shoulders apple fresh. Smells lovely and does the job well.

Cien nail polish remover. I quite like the pump of this as well and the smell is not too strong. I have already repurchased even though I rarely paint my nails.

3 winter of Venice bath bombs. They are very intense in the water. They colour it a lot. My DDs love them.

Colgate kids toothpaste. Quite meh. Didn’t like it.

Tesco bum wipes. I had them for hands and they smell really nice. Mine don’t go down the toilet though.

Nook organic shampoo. Nothing nice to say about it. Too runny, not good to make a nice lather, smells like rancid lemon and quite frankly I hated it.

L’occitane shower cream. Another dislike, very creamy, little bubbles, I had to read twice in case it was a body cream, that’s the thickness of it. I didn’t like it. The smell was not great either.

Calcot spa sleep bath gel. Loved it, nice bubbles, good texture. The smell of this reminds of a body was for babies called debe es which I love. I would rp when/if I finish my stash

Some more empties

Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner - (still have some of the shampoo left) I like this and would RP but I still have a few other S&C's to work through first.

Mitchum Ultimate Gel Deodorant -this has been my favourite for a while, already RP.

Elemis Frangipani Shower Cream - not keen on this scent, I know a lot of people love it but it's not for me. Glad I tried this first as I nearly blind bought a large one from QVC in their Elemis Christmas deal.

Amika Smooth Over Frizz Treatment -this was nice, was only one use for me as I have a lot of hair. Used it instead of conditioner one evening. It did make my hair feel quite silky. Would maybe RP depending on how much a full size is and how many uses I would get from it.

Estee Lauder ANR - for such a small bottle it lasted really well, I think I started using it late November. Really like how it feels on the skin so got some more for Christmas. Feel like it does do something although difficult to pinpoint what exactly.

Estee Lauder ANR Eye Cream - I also like this and 5ml lasted a decent amount of time too. I got a larger one for Christmas in a set with the ANR.

AB The Rich Cream - used another one of the 15ml bottles since my last empties. I like this as an extra moisture layer in winter. I buy them on Vinted because it's overpriced for what it is even though I like it.

AB The Eye Cream - this was a tiny sample - 3ml I think. Wouldn't say it was anything special, the formula was a bit thin. For the price I wouldn't RP.

Elemis Pro Collagen Vitality Eye Cream - used this as a morning eye cream. I do like it but would only RP it when on offer because I think it's a bit expensive. Do feel it pepped my eyes up a little though.

Glow Recipe Guava Brightening Eye Cream - Nice cream but nothing special really, would use up another sample but probably wouldn't RP.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Toner - like this a lot and already RP a full size for when I've finished my current exfoliating toner.

I'm From Rice Toner - I quite like this and would use again but I think I prefer the Tir Tir Milk toner as an evening moisturising toner layer.

Byredo Mojave Ghost perfume - (not pictured because I left it upstairs) 5ml sample I'd been using sparingly but I got a bottle for Christmas so finished this one off this week.

First empties of 2025. From left to right:

Dove invisible dry deodorant - been loyal to this for years. Not interested in trying anything else.

Caudalie thé de vignes shower gel. Love the smell and it's very gentle. I get horribly dry skin in winter so like this. I will very likely RP but am going to use up some other products first.

L'Oréal night cream - it was ok but nothing special so wouldn't rebuy.

Lumene Nordic c Glow moisturiser. Got this in their advent calendar which I really enjoyed. Lots of lumene products still to use up. This has a lovely citrusy scent. Have already RPd a full size in the Boots £10 Tuesday offer as they often have Lumene products I that. I must not do that with everything I like in the calendar as I already have about a year's worth of cleansers, serums, moisturisers and eye creams.

Aussie conditioner - been loyal to these 3 minute treatments for years. But I wonder if I should try other products. Then I realise I don't know where to start with trying something else so I buy more of these.

A slow start uo the year.
All 3 we’re ok but I wouldn’t repurchase.

3/80

Hi 👋
A long-time lurker and have picked up some good tips from you all. Just wanted to say that I totally agree with this....Mitchum Ultimate Gel Deodorant -this has been my favourite for a while, already RP. Had a radical mastectomy 2 yrs ago and 99% of deodorants were agony to use but this one, well, painless and totally odourless! Back to lurking x

Hello all. I was on these threads years ago but fell off.

Will you have me back?!

empties this year:

• Laura merrier primer sachet
• Molton brown perfume sample - sea salt and something
• Clarins day moisturiser
• Clarins travel size primer
• clarins travel sized mini mascara (black)

Chanel sample mascara gone. it did nothing for my lashes.

I was given a hoard of beauty products before Christmas by a friend. Two huge bags for life full. I had a cancer diagnosis in august of last year (finished chemo on Tuesday of this week) and this was her treat to me.

I’ve worked through so much and reckon I have sufficient in all beauty categories to last me until I’m 50.

Hi @ememem84. I think I joined these threads after you’d been on them, but welcome back and congratulations on finishing chemo.

Sounds like you have an amazing friend, but two bags for life of beauty products is going to keep you on these use up threads for a very long time!

@CorneliaStreet oh absolutely! She is amazing. Thankfully a lot is travel size or minis.

we have a holiday coming up so have packed some away in my toiletries bag to use whilst away

@Lifestooshort71 and @ememem84 you have both been through the wringer, haven’t you! I will keep an eye out for your recommendations for patients. It’s really great to have insight into the surprising minutiae that make your life just a bit better during those god awful times. So pleased you’re both doing so well!!!

@Lifestooshort71 welcome! Love it when a lurker joins :) What a trouper you are 💜 I am so glad you have found a deodorant that works for you. Just out of interest, have you tried any of the "natural" ones like Wild or Fussy? I love Wild but Fussy makes me stink! But I would like to know if those irritated?

@ememem84 so so nice to have you back! Congratulations on completing Chemo - how are you feeling?

I have an empty to report:

• Rimmel Thrill Seeker Extreme Volume Mascara: I REALLY liked this BUT it dried out so quick - maybe after a month of opening so it is fairly inexpensive but did not last long. Gives definition and volume to my lashes.

Empty!!! Sanctuary body scrub. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it. It’s been lurking in the bathroom for ages so today I finished it off. Probably used far too much! But it’s gone.

@Experiment627 im feeling all the feelings. Mostly relief that chemo is done.

I lost around 80% of my hair (it was below boob length thick and wavy) so am now sporting a pixie cut. Any recommendations for short hair styling products welcome!!!

also any recommendations for lash and brow regrowth welcome!!

@ememem84 hair loss must be really gutting xxx I know that lots of people swear by castor oil for hair regrowth - particularly eyelashes and brows. I actually have a bottle of the Fushi castor oil for just this purpose but have not found a way to get into my daily routine - cos consistency is key.
For the hair on your head my advice would be be very gentle with it when it is wet and make sure when you shampoo you are gently massaging your head. Not sure what you are using to comb/brush but again something like a Wet Brush that is gentle on the hair. Sleep on silk pillowcases and also use a microfibre hair turban. Like do everything you can to encourage growth by being kind to the hair you have currently. Please let us know how you get on xxx

@Experiment627 It was. I used the cold cap for my first 4 sessions of chemo (the Red Devil stuff) in the hopes it would save my hair. But it didn’t work for me. Seeing the hair fall oit was traumatic as it was only at this point I felt like a sick person if that makes sense. Appearance changed.

I had a wig for a bit but she was hot! But I felt more self conscious wearing her than without. Thankfully my hair started growing back the last 6 weeks. The last 12 sessions of chemo I had were a lower dosage and were “gentler” so regrowth started.

im using a caffeine shampoo. And am wearing a silk lined beanie with I sleep (this isn’t a cancer thing it’s something I’ve done for years). I have a couple of small patches on the top of my head. But the rest is around an inch in regrowth so (enough for extensions apparently but not allowed for at least 12m) so it’s coming!!!

@Experiment627 thank you for being so kind! No, I didn't try any natural deodorants but I've read very good reports of them.

Omg I love the gold face mask, lol!

Hello everyone! I really need to be on this thread, I have a lot to get through and some recs as well as avoids.

Love to hear others' too!

@ememem84 Most people I know who have been through the trials of chemo have found that their hair grows back, but entirely differently. (Often curly if it was straight prior to treatment.) I love a pixie cut, but the back of my head is wonky thanks to being in a humidicrib for the first four months of my life. Wasn’t a good look for me when I was forced to try it for myself. If you don’t look like a dropped potato, I think it’s a really sexy look!
I have two kinds of alopecia. (Because one is not enough!) My hair was my pride and joy. It was waist-length and naturally honey blonde, beach waves. Very mermaid. Always super fine and soft, but I had a LOT of it. Then when menopause hit along with some health problems and a lot of stress, it began falling out in rather like my dog’s hair used to during her seasonal shed. You could see clumps of unattached hair just sitting in with the rest just waiting to be tugged or brushed out. Over the course of two years I lost more than half of my hair and had very visible bald spots. Some were hot and sore. Most women in my maternal line had very visible scalps post-menopause and I wasn’t going to accept that if I didn’t have to. Luckily my GP is awesome and takes me seriously. She did a volley of blood tests and referred me to a private derm who did biopsies and a two week hairfall count. (So glad that’s not my job). The derm was really shocked at the amount of hair I brought in my little ziplock bags. I was prescribed two medications - Spironolactone and Minoxidil. I can no longer take the latter due to contraindications with heart meds, but seem to be doing okay without it. Hair is nowhere near the same, but it looks “normal”. Scalp is covered, except for one stubborn, sparse spot above a temple, and I have some length now. I baby it with products and styling. Sort of a mix between Abbey Yung and the Blowout Professor’s advice, but I tend to use Japanese hair products as they are cheaper and readily available here in Aus. (At least near me.) Basically, gentle products and treatment, always oil before washing and before bed, and heat protectant before styling (which I think is the biggest difference) and leave-in conditioner after towel drying.
If you would like some JBeauty & KBeauty hair product suggestions I am happy to advise. (Shampoo & Conditioner come in gigantic bottles so seem to be extremely good value IMO.)

@ememem84 sounds like you are doing all the things xxx which caffeine shampoo are you using? I have tried Plantur 39 & it did work but I found my scalp was not a massive fan.

Welcome @OVienna!!

@Fraaahnces you are a boss lady! So glad you were taken seriously and you had the tests and the meds.
I also mix up The Blowout Professor and Abbey Yung's advice with a sprinkling of Mary (she is over on TikTok).
I have yet time to try the hair oiling thing yet.

Thanks guys.

I am using plantur 39 for the moment as it was the only one I could find in boots. Seems to be doing ok. I’m also using a head and shoulders scalp treatment rinse once a week.

i managed 10+ “outs” not empties yesterday. We had a mums night. And I took some products I’m just not going to use with me and let the others have at it.

@ememem84 having a mum's night is a fab idea :) I pass on my not empties to a willing friend now and also send new stuff that I do not want to try out to a women's shelter (well to a friend who then bags up into handy first night sets & then donates).
With the caffeine shampoos I have been meaning to try out one marketed to men - I have a sneaky suspicion they are cheaper and also work just as well.

One empty to report:

• Dove Original anti-perspirant (the stick one): messy, single use plastic, Wild works better for me!

Emptied a body butter (soap and glory). Thick. Moisturising. Don’t tend to buy myself. This was a gift and a huge tub.

so please it’s gone.

About to move house to one with much less storage. God help me. Have to re-edit the edit and then declutter what’s left. Will do a proper master list of everything I am keeping and will use that for the year.

@ememem84 and @Lifestooshort71 - glad you are both hopefully through the worst.

I can imagine losing your hair was traumatic @ememem84 and @Fraaahnces. and Fraaahnces - you really don’t do things by halves do you? Two forms of alopecia!

I lost hair after menopause and use a caffeine shampoo sometimes. Currently using Nioxin though. I’m on Mounjaro and follow an American lady who recommended it for weight loss related hair loss. I’m also taking Viviscal which I found good in the past. I may try minoxidil at some stage. I have gone short although it quite a pixie cut and also stopped colouring my hair so I’m quite grey. Very grey in fact.

I’m spending the day chilling with the dc. And keep fuzzing my hair. Head massage apparently stimulates hair regrowth too. It’s amazing how quick it’s fuzzed back.

these photos were taken two weeks apart. In December.