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!

OH! For some reason I hadn’t thought of that, but you’ve inspired me! I have SO MUCH body lotion, I’m going to offer it to the food bank…

thank you!

@TragicMuse lol, you’re welcome!! I have stuff that’s sat in drawers for years and if I’ve not used it now I’ll never use it! The main thing I have absolutely loads of is perfume so I’ve started having an afternoon and evening squirt of it too as I’d normally only apply it in the morning. I am smelling lovely all the time now 🤣🥰

@SheilaFentiman thanks for the recommendation, I’ve never heard of that brand, will check it out!

Just finished a Votary Brightening Hyaluronic Serum (15ml - so cheating a little!), loved it and already have a few more 15ml bottles to get through.

@AndeanFlamingo I Hope Guerlain gives you a refund… you might be able to buy a house or an island or something. Those things are expensive!

I have had a successful reply from the food bank, they would love any of my excess hand and body stuff. And my abundance of lip balms.

So I’ll be bagging up for them.

Does that count towards my destashing totals?!

In all seriousness, I am chuffed to bits that other people will benefit from my absurd habit and get to enjoy something nice.

@TragicMuse I’m so pleased the food bank are taking your bits and pieces! I donated a heap of unwanted (unused) makeup and skincare to a women’s shelter a couple of years ago. Such a fabulous thing to do when we have so much!

Speaking of donations - Anglo doorstep collections will also collect unused make-up and some used toiletries if they are a minimum of 50% full. I use them a lot for decluttering and they always take what I put out. You can choose which charity you would like to benefit from your donation:

https://anglodoorstepcollections.co.uk/donate-rehome-toiletries-pefumes/

Thank you! I have just booked a collection with them.

@user593 How did you use it? I have an unopened one to get started on.

thanks for this - I have also booked a collection!

I used it as a serum after cleansing, before moisturiser, day and/ or night. Can’t really pinpoint what it did but my skin just looked better! I also like the texture and ritual of using it.

Just had a bath and used a bath bomb from Lush, it was lush! Also used half a bath melt thing from an advent calendar over two years ago that I found when I went through my stuff yesterday. Smeared myself in the Verden lotion that was in the Liberty AC, it’s meant to help with sleep so I’ll see how I sleep tonight!!

@TragicMuse that’s great you’re able to donate your excess things to the food bank! 🎉

I’ve just found this thread. I had already promised myself no buying this year as I have a January birthday and I still have stuff from last year. So I’m going to do what @Caggie09 did and count my stash, it will be embarrassing because some of the products I get I save for special occasions and then forget that I have them.
I am a total sucker for special offers.

Counting existing stock does seem to help, although it requires an element of willpower. Alpha H had some cleansing balm (orange creme brulee scent) discounted today and I love a winter scent, but the fact that I have 15 (15!) Cleansers already has stopped me from buying it. I did get awfully close though.

First 2 empties of the year. Both from my advent calendar so started and finished since Dec 1st.

I liked both but won’t repurchase as the stash is too massive. And cost vs duration of use isn’t great.

I loved how soft the moisturiser made my skin feel. Would use again.

Less keen on the mechanism in the EL serum. It feels over-engineered. It lasted 5-6 weeks which I think is short, for the cost.

Hi everyone, newbie here but keen to reduce my stash!!
First empties of the year ( no photos sorry!), Aveda Invati shampoo. I used the original years ago and it made my coloured hair tangly and dry but the new one is much better ( thankfully as I have a large one to use now!!) and I can definitely feel the difference in my fine, losing clumps hair!
Sold a few non wanted beauty drop and advent calendar bits on Vinted. Does this count?! Also binned an Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream which I’ve had for a while, I know people love it but I just don’t, I hate the smell and consistency!
If I include the things I sold I’ve had 10 empties.

I've just used up a 50 ml Clarins Cleansing micellar water that I got in a GWP last year. It's ok, and was a good size for travel, but I wouldn't repurchase. I've also used up the MZ Skin The Rich Moisturiser from the Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar. I loved this but I'll need to find it on offer to be tempted to re-buy!

I've also got three ins to report from the Lumene advent calendar. I'd meant to open this during January but forgot so I'm now just opening it as I need things. I've opened three moisturisers that look like they should be good for dry skin. My skin isn't usually dry but the very cold weather isn't agreeing with it plus I think using vitamin C has caused some dryness.

• Lumene Nordic Hydra Moisture Balm 10ml.
• Lumene Nordic Hydra Intense Hydration Moisturiser 10ml.
• Lumene Sensitive Rich Night Balm 10ml.

Even though they're only 10ml, I think these should get me through the worst of the winter weather.

@RoseTeaLady – Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka is my absolute favourite Winter scent. But because I’m trying to use up 130mls worth of Clinique Happy, I’m using those bottles first.

@Doglover73 – because we cant have nice things on the Internet. Someone always spoils it!

Sorry @DidILeaveTheGasOn I shouldn’t laugh, cos I’m just as bad, but the tiny print is doing my head in! I did not know that Ameliorate was THG and assumed it was a niche wee company.

Hello @SheilaFentiman 👋– I am convinced that there is a link between hoarding books and beauty products!!

@dayslikethese1 – a bit late for recommendations, but I like Q+A and Haruharu Wonder for hydrating serums.

@cosmeticsaddict – great effort!

@TragicMuse – absolutely! Every quarter or so, I’ll check my stash and give away things to our local Womens Aid (not just toiletries, magazines and various wee bits and pieces that might come in handy). I’ll also have a think about gifts for the upcoming year, especially if there is a brand that doesn't quite suit me, like Votary. Personally, I count them separately, as I like to monitor what I’m actually usually myself, but you do what suits you.

I’ve seen quite a few ‘Project Pan’ updates on TikTok. I felt bad until one woman reckoned it would take her 33 years to use up her lipbalms! I’ve only got 6 on the go in various locations. 33 years! I’ll be dead by then probably!

First two products of the year.

Umberto Giannini Curly Jelly 50ml (travel size). My Holy Grail for curls. I’ve got a full size one and another couple of travel sizes, so no need to repurchase.

Rituals candle 25g. From my AC, I am going to get a whole load of candles used up! I also have a big stash of Scentsy wax melts, which I love. The only issue with wax melts I feel, is that I forgot to change them. Like, its obvious when a candle needs changing, but you have to think about the wax melts. Unless I just put a reminder on for every 5 days or something? What does everyone else do?

Hiya @Tarragon123 - well, I certainly have a spreadsheet for both now 😀

Oh i have the liberty advent. I need to use the mz whilst its still winter. Im sure I read somewhere they dont last too long stored but could possibly have dreamt it. 😍
I sold the emma lewisham as dont think it would suit my skin plus have loads of stuff.

@Tarragon123
I thought as much 😪

Books and beauty products? Definitely a link regarding hoarding. 🤣
Im sure my stuff breeds overnight. I cant even count my books. All over the house and I keep buying more from my vinted account. So technically free. 🤣
I need to get back into reading as I do love it but love reading on here more 🤣🥰
Since meno i struggle to concentrate on a story. 🤷

@Doglover73 It's really nice, definitely give it a try. I was surprised how much I loved it as I don't generally have dry skin but it was completely non-greasy and sank in beautifully. I really liked the Lumene moisturiser I tried this morning but I think I'm going to hunt down another of the MZ one on Vinted for comparison.

I think I'm going to sell the Emma Lewisham serum for the same reasons.

I spent several hours trying to change my am algorithm last night. I thought it might help if I like and follow “frugal chic” content and unfollow a lot of beauty sites. Let’s see how this goes! (Or how long it lasts..)

I started a Votary Super Renewal Serum last night - oh, it’s very nice! I followed it with a Zelens Melatonin mask which was in the same drawer in my Liberty BAC, My face feels so soft today!

Then this morning I used the Votary with a K-beauty moisturiser.

They’re all relatively small so won’t last that long, but they’re lovely.

And there’s no pilling! Just lovely smooth skin.