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 a few more empties, I now get a buzz when I finish something!

*Skin Cycles eye mask - nice and tingly when I put them on but I didn’t notice much difference TBH

*Lush Snow Fairy bubble bar- this was great, jus crumble a little bit off at each bath and you get LOADS of bubbles

*Jo Malone Peony body creme, lovely scent and a thick lotion that smells all day

*Jo Malone BlackBerry Bay hand lotion, was good but I got sick of the scent after a while!

*Shay & Blue Atropa Belladonna perfume- got in an AC years ago, nice enough but wouldn’t buy

*Emma Lewisham serum- liked putting this on but can’t really tell much difference or know what serums are meant to do?!

*Ciate nail polish- love this colour and would RP although I have loads of nail polishes to get through first!

One empty - Q+A hyaluronic hydrating cleanser.

When I bought it, I thought it was a bit boring, now that's exactly what I like about it - no fragrance, not too much foam, light. However it's very much a second cleanse - it will not remove sunscreen.

Will I RP? Probably not as it slightly irritates my eyes. But I'll definitely check out other Q+A products.

I've got a box of empties to report but I'm hanging on as I've got 3 things that are so close to done. Why is it those last few ml drag on? Every time I use them I think these will be done tomorrow yet still going. Definitely think it will be this week though.

@Fleecy – I am very envious of your BioEffect EGF serum stash. I’ve loved that when I used it.

@TryingToFindMyStyle – oh no, that reminds me that I got a L’Occitaine Verveine body lotion as part of a quiz prize. I choose the Verveine because I thought it was a shower gel and I love the smell. You’ve just reminded me how rubbish it is to get out of the bottle.

@Ilikeyoursleeves – it depends on what your serum is meant to do or perhaps, what you want your serum to do. I like a hydrating one for the day. I had a quick look at your Emma Lewisham one. As it has niacinamide and vitamin C, it should be hydrating and brightening and even out skin tone.

Thats very annoying @OvaHere I had a couple more that I was hoping would make it into the February stats, but no joy.

I used up 11 products in February, 9 full size, 2 travel size. Total RRP £290. Gulp. I also had to chuck out a soap that I tried to use, but I just could not get it to lather. I even tried to leave it in the sink for a couple of hours but no joy. The soap was Folk Crushed Chamomile and Powder Musk Soap. Needless to say, I will not RP.

The Ritual of Namaste Velvety smooth cleansing foam. I’ve had this for a while, and was pleased to finally use it up. I think my skin has possibly changed in the time I’ve had it and it did feel a bit drying. So probably not an RP for me.

TempleSpa Toning Essence. Very nice, but ultimately an expensive water, so wont RP. If I’m going to use a toner, I want it to do something, like moisturise.

Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil. I love this. I have some smaller one kicking about in the stash, but I will need to RP.

Cultured Biome Fortitude Face Mist – I prefer my 3 euro one from a French supermarket to be fair.

Fearne Cotton Happy Place Energise Body Butter – this was lovely but quite a small pot, only 120g, so I used it up quite quickly. Would RP, but I don’t think Boots still do this. Looks like only available on Ebay and Vinted. Lots of other option out there that I would be happy with anyway.

MUA ProBase Banana Brightening Primer – I was really disappointed in this. It’s the first time that I’ve been let down by MUA. I rate their other products, but this is a big no. The product itself is fine (although I think that there are better primers), it was getting it out of the container that was the problem. As you can see from the photo, there are traces. More than traces actually. Another couple of days worth, but despite my best efforts with a cotton bud, I couldn’t get anymore out.

I reported on the Aveeno in my last post, but was photographing my empties to do the Boots recycling and got mixed up!

16/100 poor use up by me in Feb and bought more products on the plane off on hols….

liberty 1875 perfume - lovely, suits me more than most of the other Liberty scents. Not a purchase as huge frag stash.
SdJ beja flor cream (aeroplane kit buy… FFS no willpower) this is actually great on me, hate that it doesn’t absorb easily but fab skin texture results and I like the scent.

Rodial bee venom face mask - very nice! Not too wet, did moisture my skin well.

Patchology eye patches - not that great.

RiVive eye patches - good, but not worth the price. Also, too much plastic.

Fresh cosmetics rose face cream - really disappointing. Didn’t do anything. Glad I got it on sale.

Fresh rose serum - better than cream but still quite unimpressed. Used it as a toner after a while.

Redken all soft conditioner - love it, will get the full size again. I’ve using it before and always liked the results.

Drunk Elephant protini- nice cream, very soothing. Wouldn’t mind a full size to really test the long term effects.

Clarins hand cream - ok.

Essence eye patches - they are ok, but I wouldn’t repurchase.

Bobbi brown primer/mousturiser - mmm, not really needed for my skin. I have a full size as well, maybe it will “grow” on me.

Bunch of samples - all too small to actually make a difference.

@OvaHere I am using the Açaí one atm. It has the faintest berry smell. Still lovely product, but as all my other products are unfragranced, I want more. Also, it has a Powerpuff Girl on the front and that’s not my speed.

We are possibly moving to a much colder climate so I am going to strengthen my skin barrier with every ceramide product I can find. Anyone used the Aestura Barrier Cream???

I am doing so well. Only purchased a stock of Moo Goo deodorants so far for my daughter and I.

Used up a Avene daily moisturiser. Nothing special. Bought it when skin was being sensitive. Has a spf15.

Currently focusing on using ends of various moisturisers including samples. Resisting hard at the moment. I want a new moisturiser but don’t know what!

Used up loads of stuff in February, I'm positively glowing 🤣

16/17. LOreal Glycolic Shampoo & Conditioner - it was nice but as with most shampoo's it made my head itch
18. Nizoral shampoo - to combat the head itching. Would recommend, but I use it quite sparingly
19. Yes Cleanse - really good for me would recommend for washing your bits. RP
20. Plantur shampoo - I bought this ages ago and never used it. I'm quite scared of putting any dyes on my hair, so am still going grey gracefully
21. Bionsen deodorant - love this RP
22. Wild deodorant - also like this refill and it works to stop sweating. RP
23. Sana Jardin - Sandalwood Temple. Smelt nice but I ended up using it as a room spray
24. Apothecary Restful - night time room spray which I have suddenly gone off. Must be my hormones.
25. Lacura Sleep Pulse Point Oil - didn't do much for me.

Following on, I've had a bit of a clear out of some makeup that I no longer like.

26. Saltworks L'Orangerie - nice but wouldn't RP
27. Saltworks Purple Haze - ended up as a room spray, was a bit sickly.
28. Votary Star serum - really good serum, lasted ages too.
29. Lancome Genefique - too small to see if it made a difference but it did go on my skin nicely.
30. Stila Eyeshadow - really nice texture would RP if I remember.
31. Autograph lipstick - don't like the colour or texture so binning
32. Rimmel - lip gloss, see above
33. Estee Lauder - lip gloss, ditto.
34. This Works, 5% Retinol - really nice texture, used it about twice a week 35.MZ Skin eye cream - used it frequently but took ages to use up. Very thick texture.
35. Saltworks Brown Sugar perfume - really nice scent, a bit like cookies. Already RP.
36. Eyeko Black Magic liquid eyeliner - really good, goes on well. Binning as it's out of date.
37. Maybelline Tattoo Brown - really hard to use, can't get the product out. Also has been sealed up with the stickiest sticker which has left loads of residue and I CBA to scrub it off.

Moving house so trying to get my empties out asap! Possibly purchase the SNK gwp too, as i feel like i need a treat🤣

47. Body Shop Glowing Cherry Blossom Body Cream. I prefer this over the body butters, but I wouldn't go out of my way to order from BS, so I won't repurchase.

48. DE Protini cream. To be honest, I haven't bought a DE product for years and don't see myself rushing to do so anytime soon. It was nice enough.

49. Umberto Giannini hair mask. Smelled kinda funky towards the end. Had it for years. Nothing spectacular. Won't repurchase.

Hopefully finding out about a possible move today myself @Caggie09. Waiting is stressful:. May have done some stress-shopping. (Shampoo & a cushion foundation. All needed am unable to buy in physical stores if we move. Plus 70% off atm, so ai purchased three refills for the shampoo.)

This week’s empties!

29 Dove anti-perspirant aerosol. I normally use the stick so wouldn’t usually choose a spray but it did the job.

30 2 Blistex lip balms. This is my HG. It’s really the only one I like. I have them everywhere and am replacing one by the bed and one at work. I buy them in bulk and have 7 in my stash!

31 Ritual of Jing relaxing body scrub. It’s ok but not a repurchase. I can get a similar result with a scrubby glove! And it makes the bath slippery.

32 2 x Erborian CC cream sachet in Porcelain. I can’t tell if it actually does anything! Colour didn’t seem too pale and it has spf 30 so does the job for winter sunscreen. The teen said my face was shiny, like a vampire in Twighlight! 🤷‍♀️

33 Milk Shake Whipped Cream leave-in foam. 50ml. I love this! It really works on my hair to leave it styled and soft. This was a mini I bought after my hairdresser used it on me, it’s lasted ages actually. It smells gorgeous, like a vanilla custard! It’s insanely priced because it’s a salon product so I stalk Vinted for better prices. So far have 2 full size in my stash.

34 Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0. Sample of 2. Didn’t itch or sting and that’s all I can say with such a small trial! I’d try a full size.

I only have a few empties this week:

Sisley tonal lotion- no idea why this did for me other than remove the last bits of my eye make up! At £58 a bottle I won’t be buying it! (it was in the Liberty AC)

Body Creme sample Tranquility, I got this in a spa and it smells amazing and is lovely and thick.

Some empties. Finally finished a couple of full size skincare things that have been going for ages.

Round Lab Dokdo cleanser - 150ml. This was better once I worked out it needs lots of water so better used in the shower, but I still don’t understand why this is such a popular cleanser. It’s nothing special.

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner - 100ml. A thicker essence like texture but so should have been hydrating, but it managed to make my skin feel drier than before I put it on.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence - 120ml. The most moisturising essence I’ve tried, basically liquid moisturiser. Really good for winter. This bottle lasted four or five months of using it twice a day, so you get your money’s worth.

Laneige Berry lip sleeping mask - HG lip balm. Now using the vanilla one.

Fragrance samples/minis - Shay & Blue White Peaches (nice but not full bottle worthy), Kenzo Flower (too powdery), Lush Sweetie Pie (Haribo) and This Works pillow mist (OK but prefer Lush Sleepy).

Future Primitive Spiced Strudel whipped soap - 25g. A bit drying on the skin. Fragrance was amazing though.

Lush Lord of Misrule shower gel - 120g. Loved it, one of my favourite Lush scents.

Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple body cream - 226g. I prefer the B&BW body lotions to the creams and I wasn’t that keen on this scent.

@CorneliaStreet agree the Haruharu essence is very good. I tend to just use it on a night so now I'm slightly concerned how long it might last. I've been using it as an extra moisture layer over winter but now it's getting warmer I won't really need it, but neither do I want it hanging around open until the end of the year. It's one of those bottle designs where you really have no idea how much is left.

@OvaHere I was using it on my face at night and then on my upper chest but not on my face in the morning in place of moisturiser as I break out there if I use body lotion or too heavy a face cream. I don’t think I would have got through it in one winter otherwise.

@CorneliaStreet it might have to start going on the neck and chest.

A reasonable number of empties from me this week:

44. 111 Skin Cryo De-Puffing Eye Mask.

Felt nice enough but not sure it actually did anything.

45. Maria Nila True Soft Argan Oil.

Got this in the Liberty advent calendar. I hated the smell and was also disappointed because I was expecting an oil but it's actually a serum. Was ok to use but I prefer my Philip Kingsley Gloss.

46. Verden Nocturne Magnesium Night Balm 75ml.

Had this in the Liberty advent calendar then bought another on Vinted. I really want to buy more but I have lots of body lotion so I'm forcing myself to wait a bit then will see if I can pick one up cheap on Vinted again.

47. The Natural History Museum x Dunelm The Museum By Day candle.

Fine but nothing special. Not a rebuy.

48. Beauty Pro Rose Infused Sheet Mask.

Felt nice. Was moisturising enough that I forgot to put on moisturiser afterwards.

49. Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser 50ml.

Ok, nothing special. I actually cheated with this one. The hand wash in the bathroom smells very similar and was getting low so I topped it up with this then used up the dregs as a face wash. Not a rebuy.

Also one cosmetics item gone:

17. Bobbi Brown Extra Plump Lip Serum Bare Cocoa.

I like this but I have several similar in the stash so don't need to rebuy.

I have a few empties to report:
Living Proof perfect haor day advanced clean dry shampoo: one of the better ones I have tried over the years but adds too much texture. I have come to the conclusion that dry shampoo is not for me. On day two I just brush my hair, add some oil to the ends and done. Still have quite a lot to use up though.

Garnier Color Sensation color retouch brown: second time trying this. Managed to spill all over bathroom. FFS. Colour result ok but already faded a week on.

Simple age resisting cleansing wipes: very mild... like they glide over skin and you have to rub quite hard to get make-up off.

@AndeanFlamingo I've just put a large exfoliating Grown Alchemist hand wash in the downstairs bathroom. The rest of the family are complaining about it being gritty so I might have to repurpose that to the shower.

I have an old bottle of Bobbi Brown foundation I think I’m going to have to chuck. I just don’t use liquid foundation and it’s years old so probably not great now.

Just a few empties 🤣
Bioeffect face mask - a love and have many of these in my stash. They're great for calming and rehydration.
Helloskin bio collagen firming mask - honestly didn't notice anything different after using this mask apart from my face feeling more hydrated and there's much cheaper masks on the market that do that. Won't be rebuying.
Nip+fab salicylic fix mask - great mask for the price. I buy these when they're in the boots £10 Tuesday deal. I think you get 4 in a box.
Grace&stella eye mask - nice, very thick, i like to put a face mask over eye patches so I probably wouldn't repurchase these.
Bioeffect eye mask - love these and have many more in my stash, great for calming and rehydrating the eye area.
Garnier eye sheet mask - I really rate the Garnier masks and this one is no different. They're full of serum and you can really notice a difference after using them, they're great for the price.
Muncho bond - left my hair feeling nice and soft but I really hate the smell of it. Still used it though 🤣
Kerastase densifique shampoo - my go to shampoo and will repurchase when I've finished my stash.

Virtue shampoo and conditioner - I used them but I didn't notice anything great. Won't be rebuying.
Oribe resilience shampoo - I like oribe but this isn't my favourite shampoo that they do. So if I were to rebuy, I'd get the gold one instead.
Hourglass mascara - nice, like it which is good as I have so many of these 🤣
Vb vast lash - love this mascara, if I ever get through my stash of mascaras, I'm buying this one.
Orveda serum - this is great for barrier repair and one that you can't tell does a good job until you stop using it. Unfortunately it's too expensive for me to repurchase even though I absolutely love it.
Bioeffect eye serum - I'm not keen on this, it made my eyes itch if I used it too many days in a row. I do have a FS in my stash that I'll use but then I won't be repurchasing.
Augustinus bader the soothing cream - not for me, I prefer the rich cream.
Lancome triple serum sachet - I like this, it's great that it's an all in one but all kept separate. I would buy a proper bottle of this if I ever get to the end of my stash of serums 💁🏻‍♀️
Innisfree sunscreen spf30 - probably the best one I've used, it's light and doesn't clog pores.

Lancome night cream - repeat.

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour mist - really nice and refreshing. Shame I didn’t save it for summer. Would rp.

Molton Brown mini perfume - very masculine, like most of their stuff.

Davines hair milk - very good product, however the packaging is super cheap. The spray broke so I definitely over used it. Scent is pretty bad too. Although the results were good, I wouldn’t buy again.

Sol de Janeiro blue body spray- very strong and synthetic.

Mini Shiseido serum - loved it, would like to buy a full size.

Tatcha setting spray- strange scent and altered the texture of my makeup. Wouldn’t buy again.

Purology shampoo and conditioner- lovely scent and very mild on scalp. Would gladly buy again.

Oribe hair mask - umm, not bad but not super wow either. I would buy again on sale, just because I liked the scent and texture.

Beauty pro face mask - very good but super saturated. I prefer less messy stuff.

Sam McKnight hair oil - watery and smells of sunflower oil. I think there are better products on the market.

@ITookYourJoob I've got quite a few of your reviewed products in my stash. I've just started using the davines and I agree about the smell, it's very strong! I think ouai is my favourite spray in conditioner.

I have a FS bottle of the SDJ spray that I've not yet opened, would you recommend that I sell it? I do have a lot of perfume and your review doesn't make it sound great 🤣

I also have 2 of the Sam mcknight oils, the thought of sunflower oil doesn't sound nice at all 🙈

I also have the face mask, oribe hair mask, lancome cream and shiseido serum. Oh and I'm currently using the tatcha, I really like it though.