Can’t stop buying & hoarding beauty treats? You’re in good company here!

[Experiment627]

Welcome to our little corner of beauty bliss! If you can’t resist trying the latest beauty launches or your shelves are bursting with favourites, you’ve found your tribe. This is the place to chat, share reviews, swap tips, and celebrate all things beauty — from budget gems to luxury treats.
This thread has been around for ages, and many of us have even tamed our beauty-buying habits thanks to the wisdom and support shared here. We post our empties and chucks, helping each other make smarter, more satisfying choices next time we shop.
All beauty product addicts welcome!

@Francestein ( and @paristotokyo when you've had a chance to try ) please tell me more about the Numbuzin no.9 - this has been on my list of things I want to try for a while, although post Black Friday and mid-advent, I definitely won't be buying anything for a while.

@LightandBreezy I really like it, but suspect the VT PDRN is slightly better for me. The Numbuzin has a thinner texture and I use a lot more because I have dry skin. The VT one feels similar to the TirTir Ceramic Skin which I adore also. Regardless, it’s soothing and cooling which I like. The toner is both hydrating and pretty. I like to use it in the morning. I’m sticking with my milky toner for night time.

@AnonAnonmystery how did you find the Superfacialist cleansing oil? I have been meaning to try for yonks.

@AndeanFlamingo that is amazing progress! Well done!

I have empties to report:

• Vaseline dry skin healing balm: I bought this thinking it would be very similar to the Neutrogena deep moisture multi-purpose comfort balm, which I adore... but it was not - leaves a bit of a greasy feel. Love that it is in a tub though.
• E45 itch relief cream: got this to travel with as my Balneum Plus cream (which is also a urea and lauromacrogols mix) was too big for hand luggage. It is ok but thing the formula is a bit different and prefer the Balneum Plus. Also one is in a metal tube. WTF! So much wastage as unable to truly get all out.
• Clairol Colour Studio hazelnut brown: sorry if I mentioned before. Actually quite disappointed with results of this one. Honestly with hair dyes often the less you pay, the better the results!

@Experiment627 it was just by chance, my friend mentioned it and the next day I popped into TK Maxx ( High Street Kensington) and it was just there so I grabbed it. Haven’t used it yet but I love sll
their products. I find going to TK maxx but In posher places = more beauty finds x

Has anyone made a frankenskintint out of foundation, moisturiser and serum? I have some MAC foundations that are too thick for me now, and I'm wondering if I could still get use out of them by mixing them with skincare.
Does it work? Do I need to be a scientist or cosmetologist (is that a word?) I'm worried it'll separate and make me look pixelated.

I once found the perfect combination by mixing 2 foundations together so I used to have little pots and a brush and sit at my dressing table mixing little batches up 🤣 unfortunately, the one that I only needed a little bit of was discontinued and by the time I realised it was too late to buy anymore, so my scientist days are now over.

This has also just reminded me of the time that my friends fountain pen ran out at school and I tried to squeeze in some ink out of mine into hers. It just resulted in her still not having any ink to be able to write, us both being covered in ink and in detention 🤭😕

I can't actually help you with your original question though as I've never mixed a serum, moisturiser and foundation 🤣

I found the Super facialist cleansing oil this week in our local TK Maxx also - in a not very posh part of outer London.. but great tip... I may take a wander down to Kensington HS this week!

I received a bottle on a beauty box or advent (can't remember) and really like it , so when I saw for almost 1/2 price compared to Boots, I thought I'd better just get it :)

@JoRaRaRa That reply had just the right amount of chaos 😆
I'll get myself a little lab set up on the weekend and report back.

Oh, that's a really good idea. I have a bbq cream that is heavier than most foundations that I could try that with.

I do mix foundations to get the right colour but they are the same brand/type, just different shades.

@OchonAgusOchonOh I've mixed shades but not sure what would happen, I'll give it a go! Vaguely aware of something about it being water based or... something else? Silicone maybe? I think there's going to be lots of trial and error!

Also your comment made me want chicken.

😂

I had to go back and check. I meant BB cream and as a vegetarian I wouldn't be encouraging you to eat 🐔🐥🐣🍴

How about some nice 🍆🥒🥕🫑🥔🍅

@Experiment627 i really rate the cleansing oil, might be my favourite.

Lush Snow Fairy Milkshake shower gel. I prfer this over the original formula. Seems more hydrating and creamy on the skin.

Vieve glossy lip oil. Even thiugh it was only teeny tiny, i really loved it. Such a nice formula. I think its my favourite lip oil ive ever used. I will RP when ive got through more lip products!💗

Simple sheet mask. Would RP⭐️ Either get these or Garnier when on offer at Boots to use my recycle voucher.

Creed Carmina sample. Nice enough👍

Lush Yog Nog body lotion. Like the scent, but wouldnt RP. It has a yellow colour to it, and it stains my pjs🙈

🤣🤣

@DidILeaveTheGasOn I would recommend mixing it in your palms rather than in a bottle or pot. You just don’t know what the long-term mix of ingredients (esp actives) and up doing. *Ask me how I know…. (The pigments solidified)

Kate Sommerville goats milk cleanser - a sad day! Gutted to have used this up. Actually I do have a small amount left in a 30ml tube my travel/gym bag. It’s too expensive to buy full price so I pick them up off vinted. My relative is posting me some things and I’m certainly going to include a couple of these in that package. Likely to receive in a few months. Booo. HG cleanser for me.
Rexona deo - must have. Literally bomb proof. Going to run to the shops to replace.
Esprique eyebrow pencil - well this was a pile of dung. Completely dried up and useless. Binning.
Not pictured:
Glossier Ultralip in shade pony - I love a lip product. This one is great and easy to wear. The lid is rubbish though (this is a well known phenomenon, no idea why glossier don’t sort it out). Another item I’m rp to be sent to me as can’t buy it where I live now.
Glossier lipliner in the shade bit - best lip liner ever, the shade is perfect for me. Another rp.
O’Keeffes night lip mask treatment - in the pot. The BEST lip balm. My toddler stuck his yucky fingers in it. I tried to salvage what I could but then I saw a hair inside and decided it was probably best to part ways at that point 🤢 will also rp this to be sent.

Some satisfying empties to report

4 x eye patches - 1 Summer Fridays and 3 x Grace and Stella. I like the Grace and Stella ones as they don't slide around too much. Got a box for a bargain on BF deals. Generally though I prefer patches in tubs for less waste.

EM 02 perfume sample - Liked this but it smelt almost the same as EM01 to me

The Ordinary eye serum - forced myself to finish this as it's just okay and it had been hanging around with a quarter left for some time.

Augustinus Bader cleanser - Really liked this and would RP but it's expensive for a cleanser. May pick one up in the future when I can get 20-30% off.

MediK8 Press and Glow - This is a good exfoliating toner. Very gentle. Would RP but not sure how much I need this sort of product regularly.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask sample - is an okay cream, don't find it to be that special.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence - Fine but didn't feel it did anything.

Tatcha Essence - As above it's fine but don't feel it does anything.

Elemis cleansing balm - great, will always use these up. Don't ever want to pay the full RRP for one though. Doubt I will have to because they are always on offer or in a beauty box.

MediK8 Crystal Retinal 6 - This is a great retinal, best one I've tried and lasts quite a long time. Already have another.

Beauty Pie Happy Face Centella Gel cleanser - Really love this. It's my favourite sort of morning cleanser. A gel that doesn't foam much, is light, soothing and cooling. It's a huge bottle for around £12. Have another one in the stash.

Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas eye cream - Wasn't sure about this at first as it's quite a thick cream but I ended up really liking it. I got this one in an edit but to buy it's very expensive. In it's defence it lasted way longer than most of my eye creams as the pump is very effective at giving you a tiny amount which is all you need. Would purchase when they have a sale.

Ritual Shower Foam - can't remember what scent this is, might be a Ltd ed. I didn't like the smell so left hanging around too long. Forced myself to finish and it didn't foam up properly any longer. In general the Ritual shower foams are fine if I like the scent.

Summer Fridays mini lip butter balm - hidden from the photo as it ended up under the jet lag mask sachet - had this hanging around in a handbag for ages so forced myself to use it up by putting it on my work desk and reapplying several time a day. Took about a week and a half to finish up. I quite like these and potentially would RP. I have quite a few similar products I'm intent on panning over the next 6 months inc another SF mini.

Satisfying empties here too:

Oskia Renaissance cleanser travel size: Love this and have 2 more in my minis for travel bag.
L’Occitane almond shampoo & conditioner travel sizes: enjoyed using these.
Zelens Power C: This was in a Caroline Hirons kit. Nice, but have other serums to use and it’s pricey.
LRP SPF: Did the job.
Medik8 mini night cream: Nothing spectacular and not keen on the smell.
Fugazzi Vanila Haze sample: Love this and could be tempted by a full bottle.
Aveda Shampure conditioner: Nice, but a bit expensive.
Nursem Handcream: A staple. I have another on the go.
The Body Shop Argan body lotion. Discontinued 🫣 2 more in the cupboard and that’s it!

@RoseTeaLady

The cult beauty fragrance stocking has 8ml of Vanilla Haze Extrait and is currently 30% off - £20.79 with code ANNIIECB plus you get 3 other scents.

@OvaHere Thank you!

@JoRaRaRawhat a great story about your fountain pen! Sorry about detention though.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn I do not mix up in advance but have been mixing in my hand Fenty primer (more like a serum) and Fenty eaze drops, mixing with finger, then applying. And now primer is an empty, doind the same with some Simple light hydrating lotion. Works a treat.

I feel like I need to make a trip to TKMaxx now! Plus @BlueLimesI definitely need to try out the oil!

@RoseTeaLadyfor TBS argan stuff - have you tried Amazon? Got some of the shower gel there for a crimbo gift.

@DidILeaveTheGasOnwhat a great GIF!!!