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!

I have the following empties:

27. The White Company Kyoto Oud two wick candle.

Lovely and would rebuy but have enough scented candles for now.

28. Sephora Argan Exfoliating Body Granita 250ml.

I really liked this. It's a good and cheap option if you don't want any chemical exfoliation.

29. Omorovicza Moor Cream Cleanser 30ml.

I got this in a Liberty beauty drop at least two years ago. It's fine but nothing special so won't be rebuying.

30. Manucurist Nail & Cuticle Oil.

I love this and go through a lot of nail oil but already had a replacement in the stash. Will rebuy when that one gets low.

31. Mirror Water Smooth Body Oil 50ml.

Love this and already have two spares in the stash. At some point I'll see if I can pick up another on Vinted.

Also in make-up:

13. Claire’s Rose Gold Nail Polish.
14. Nails Inc Baby It’s Gold Outside Nail Polish.
15. Nails Inc Love In Leather Nail Polish.

I knew I had some more nail polishes lurking somewhere.

16. Benefit Goof Proof eyebrow pencil shade 01.

I love this as my everyday eyebrow pencil (I use Benefit Gimme Brow for an evening look). I'll be replacing this ASAP.

I've done well this week on not buying skincare but I have bought more make-up items. My make-up really needs a good sorting out and I've started with make-up brushes - got rid of five this week, which feels like a good start.

A few more empties this weekend…

Baylis & Harding Dark Amber & Fig hand wash. Nice scent, would buy again.

Pure Herbs shampoo and shower gel, from a hotel a while back. Nice enough but hotel is abroad so won’t be using again 🤣

Molton Brown shower gel Clementine and Vetiver, I loved this scent as a shower gel! Lots more MB to get through though as I have a gift set of small shower gels

Empties

Kate Somerville Age Smart eye cream - really liked this which is a shame as it's discontinued. Bought this from TKmaxx for about £20 - it used to sell for nearly £90.

MediK8 C-Tetra Advanced - another big hit. I have another one but I'm going to use some others up. I could see this being No1 choice when I do have a need to buy more. Applies nicely, doesn't irritate or interfere with other products.

Valmot L'Elixir Des Glaciers 15ml - From Harrods advent. This is the face cream that is close to £700 for a 50ml jar. Ignoring the cost for a minute I have mixed feelings about it.

It's a bit too fragranced and I didn't find it hydrating enough for dry, winter skin. You can't layer it for more hydration because it starts pilling. I used it as a night cream but I don't think that's it's actual purpose.

Having said that I do think my skin looked particularly nice and radiant during the period I was using it so did feel a slight twang of regret when it was done. I can't be sure that had anything to do with the cream though.

None of this really matters though because it was never going to become a purchase but if they stick one in another calendar or it shows up in TKmaxx for £30 I'd use it.

Beekman 1802 Milkshake Hyaluronic and Squalane Mist - Didn't like this at all, felt a bit greasy and didn't spray brilliantly well.

More eyemasks - just got 5 out of 24 pack box to use now.

BoJ - Centella Calming face mask - very nice, I have a few more left I think.

Throwing away

Hairgain Scalp Foam - From a beauty box around a year ago. Used a few times but just seems a bit pointless. Maybe it does something long term but I think you'd have to commit to a few months trial to find out.

SDJ Bum Bum Cream - I don't like the scent of this and not a big fan on the texture. There's about a quarter left but I'm throwing in favour of using one I prefer. Trying to actively avoid getting any more of these which is tricky because they're in all kinds of edits.

Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask 15ml - This must have been in a beauty box. Used it once and didn't like it so it's languished in a drawer ever since. I'm not going to finish it.

31. B&BW Confetti Daydream body mist. Nothing special, ended up as a room spray to use it up.

32. Erborian CC Cream. I go between this and the BB, and i do prefer this one. I dont like the feel of full coverage foundations anymore, so this is perfect for me. Leaves my skin looking fresh, glowy and healthy. Will always RP.

33. Boots sheet mask. A repeat offender in my empties.

34. Farmacy niacinamide night mask sample. I had only ever used their cleansing balms. I liked it, but there isn't much to say as I only got a few uses from it.

35. Tatcha Dewy Cream mini. I've spoken about my love for this cream before, but I'm moving on to other ones before I return to Tatcha🥲

Some more empties:

Highlights include
Kate somerville Exfolikate - really like this
DE eye cream – surprisingly good tho tiny bottle
Aurelia Night Cream – this is lovely and smells great

Then some fragrances that were OK, a cleanser, CT moisturiser, Bum Bum Cream, I quite like actually.

Total for year: 22 empties

I’ve used up 2 sachets this week.

Round Labs Birch juice moisturiser and Birch juice moisturising sunscreen. I got 3 applications from each one. Nice but not really enough of a go to know if I’d buy. But didn’t itch! Which is always a good start!

Oooh @thereisalight you’ve reminded me, I’ve got an Aldi Hotel Collection Body Wash and Body Lotion, but its not accounted for in my stash. I’ll need to have a search.

Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Radiance Jelly – this is so old, you cant even buy this anymore.

Clinique Happy body lotion – this really didn’t have much of a smell. I’m not sure if its because I opened it and forgot about it. Lesson learned. Once products are open, use them up! Probably wouldn’t RP

Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash. I like Q+A products and this was no exception. Does exactly what it says. Would RP but I don’t need any more at the moment as I have 10 shower gels/body washes, not including what I was given for Christmas.

The Scottish Fine Soaps Company Bath & Shower Gel - Sea Kelp. A wee 30ml that I took from a hotel. Rather lovely.

Holy grail products:

Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash – basically shampoo for curly girls. I don’t use anything else. I have a jumbo size that I’ve just opened and that should do me a year or so.

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion – I love this for wee sore bits on my skin and had another one in the stash

Aromatherapy Associates Breathe Bath and Shower Oil. I got this in a beauty box and the RRP is £58. It is utterly heavenly. I’ve used it sparingly since I first opened it last May. If I’ve got a cold coming on, its just the best thing. I would definitely RP. I have another one that will probably get used up this month or possibly March and I’m going to buy more. I use these in addition to a body wash/shower gel.

I have the curlsmith wash but my hair either loves it or hates it depending on the day. Will look and see if ive still got one lurking x

Couple of empties and far too many items to bin than I should admit to.
Three full-size fragrances Guerlain Orange Soleia. This is so good in the summertime here. Smells like sorbet. Thierry Mugler Aura EDP. Another stunner. Suspect it’s discontinued. Smells like a wet rainforest in a good way. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lotus. Not my favourite version of this line. It’s just… fine. Again, Summer freshie. Cheap enough for the handbag.
Four very ancient mini Fenty lip glosses. I like them, but they had settled and separated. They were all holiday specials. I have two or three full-size ones as to bin as well. L’Oreal Kajal Eyeliner. Great depth of colour. Wish it would stay where I put it.
*Desperate for a decent black eyeliner (soft) for waterline that sets down.
Peripera Mascara. It’s good, but I prefer Etude or Clio.
Every matte lipstick in my box. Who am I kidding? I hate wearing these things. Goooooone!

Adding that I’ve just finished a bottle of Trinny The Elevator. I love this and have 2 in reserve, so my next one is locked and loaded!

Oohhh please tell me about the itchy skin? I am knee deep in peri menopause and have tried EVERY cream and supplement under the sun but my back and stomach just itch non stop.

And hello, I'm a self confessed beauty addict and would love to join this thread. I am away right now but am coming home to a Nix Beauty box and a Cohorted beauty box. Neither of which I needed....on the plus side I am refusing to buy any more hair care until I have used up the four sets I have in the shower!

@OnlyFoolsCats welcome to the thread!
Sorry to hear about your itchy skin 😢
I have been diagnosed with two skin conditions... I am on the wait list for phototherapy as the antihistamines I take do not even touch the sides. I am a bit 🤬that no consideration seems to have been paid to the fact that fluctuating levels of oestrogen maybe impacting my histamine response. I did speak with the HRT specialist Dr a few days ago and suggested that perhaps a higher does of progesterone would be in order to help stabilise the mast cells which release histamine. She had no clue about this but agreed to increase my progesterone does for another reason.
In terms of creams, I actually have reduced what I use right down and now only routinely apply to my Lady Garden (Aveeno) and then where it is itchy - I get sudden itchy flare ups. I have found Dermocool to be effective, plus the Vaseline aloe body lotion spray as well as Aveeno and Epimax oatmeal and Balneum Plus.
You have my every sympathy xxx

Bunch of things:

Nivea and Grown alchemist hand creams - actually preferred Nivea one, but neither are anything special.

Kerasilk hair mask - smells really nice, but lacks the “keratin” effect. I think there are better options for the price.

Moroccan oil hair oil - used it after Abbey Young recommended it (pre-shampoo). I think it works somewhat, but quite messy.

Living proof hair treatment - will have to buy a bigger tub to really test it.

Lancome night cream - not quite rich enough for my dry skin.

Liz Earle face cream - awful. Binning it as causes skin irritation.

Milk blush and lip colour- really liked this (first blush I’ve ever finished, possibly). It’s not pigmented at all and that suits me very well.

Rituals shower foam - a bit meh, foam over substance.

Gisou hair mask - would like to have a bigger sample, but I liked how thick and nourishing it was.

Sol de janeiro glow skin sample - not my favorite scent, the same as the light pink version.

kerastase gloss mask - I expected more. Didn’t like the scent either.

Murad face serum - again, not as pleasant as my good ol’ Lancome. Felt a touch drying too.

Morphe lip gloss - the colour is not for me but the sparkling bits looked really nice over a clear gloss.

Clarins lip oil - very pleasant, but stains lips.

Milk lip oil, Clarins samples and perfume samples - all repeats, I think.

I threw away a Lush scrub bar thing. It was years old and mouldy. Yuck!

@ITookYourJoob wow you finished a blush! I'm impressed. I could only imagine such joys. 😂

@Doglover73 – interesting! I don’t get on so well with the Curlsmith jelly, but I am determined to use it up before opening a tube of Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly, which is another Holy Grail product for me.

@TragicMuse – may I ask how old you are? I do enjoy a neck cream, but my current preference is Prai and I did have an amazing Strivectin some years ago.

Hello @OnlyFoolsCats and welcome

Prior to @ITookYourJoob Has anyone managed to actually finish a blush ever? That’s very impressive stuff. I feel you deserve a prize of some description 👏

@Tarragon123 I don’t mind! I’m 61 on Wednesday! I’m blessed in the skin department in that I have hardly any wrinkles - my mum isn’t either and neither was my Grannie. I have a couple of tiny crow’s feet but that’s it.

But I have lost rather a lot of weight in the last year and have a bit of sagging going on around my neck so I’m embracing the neck cream with gusto. And a renewed obsession with skincare! I had completely forgotten about Prai, I think I had it in an M&S advent calendar or gift years ago. I should try it again!

Thinking about age, maybe that’s why I like Trinny. I feel she gets the challenges of our age and I like how she continues to experiment with style and challenge her own perceptions.

Thank you! I'm 56, 57 later this year. I've also lost a lot of weight over the past few years, although I dont think that my neck has suffered too badly lol.

I do like Trinny as well. I particularly like her clothing videos, but I havent invested in any of her skincare. I've got a couple of make up items from various beauty boxes over the years. I guess I worry that she's at the upper end of what I would consider paying.

@Tarragon123 Thank you very much, I was hoping someone would notice 😁 I adopted a rule for myself a few years ago of only using one blush, lipstick, mascara and brow pencil at the time and it has payed off (obviously I’m not super strict about it). With this rule, Milk blush lasted me “only” about 6 months, I think. I suspect pressed versions would take much longer. Lipstick takes about 9 months to over a year depending on formula.😬 I have actually finished a lipstick before and I have about month worth left in my current one, so stay tuned 😁 Lip oils in comparison go really fast, can be just a few weeks it’s a 5ml one.

@Tarragon123 if you’ve dry skin- I really don’t rate the moisturiser - energise me. My skin felt very tight after using and I had to layer another moisturiser on top.

posted on wrong thread again!

Hi @OnlyFoolsCats and welcome. The itchy skin thing can be several things. Do your feet and hands get itchy too? (Esp soles and palms?) If this is the case, you need your liver and kidney function checked. (ELFT blood test) and a Full Blood Count (FBC) while you’re at it. Obviously hormonal changes can cause this itchy crap. Maybe see if you can get some oestrogen gel or patches. In the meantime, I find showering with an emulsifying oil (Cerave/LRP/Avene - all good) and moisturising with an unscented lotion that sinks in better than a cream. Don’t be afraid to liberally apply cheap hyaluronic acid serum underneath on damp skin. (Hada Labo comes in giant bottles and is still pretty cheap, but don’t get the UK shiz, order from K or J beauty website and get the yellow premium one. Gokujyun. Looks like the bottle below. I feel like the itch is potentially caused by collagen loss. It happens pretty quickly and decreasing inflammatory foods may have a small benefit.

Empties - mini hotel freebie Elemis shower gel - ancient, didn’t smell of much. Foschino - hyaluronic acid and bakuchiol (“plant retinol”) serum, left my face nice and soft

Oh my word ladies i had a sort out again yesterday and the amount of particularly body lotion hand cream and lip balms I had is just shameful. Do u all use these items and how long usually does it take to use them up? At this rate I feel like a may be 90 and still smell like ive fallen through the body shop 🙈

I’m using body creams up on my feet. I find rubbing cream into my feet just before I settle helps me fall asleep and as a bonus my feet no longer grate the sheets 😄. Do make sure you’ve had your last wee before bed though as it’s either slippery on a wooden floor or potentially leaves residue on carpet

@Mackemlass79 I stopped counting after about 17 lip balms 😀