2026 Full Size Buy - Slow and Considered Beauty Chat

[BakeOffRewatch]

Happy new year everyone!

This thread is for sharing our full size repurchases and patting ourselves on the back for buying only what we need and want. Rather than what’s marketed and hyped, it’s the anti-offers, anti-impulse buying thread to help the low-but resolutions and stash reducers.

Post when you repurchase or buy something full sizes based on reputation and reviews. Or if there’s something you’ve finished in your stash that you would buy full size - to encourage stash reduction.

I expect this to be a slooooow thread.

Since my tin of Nivea blue ran out a couple of weeks ago I have been trying to use up various moisturisers as a final layer over actives at night. I finally gave up this morning and bought more Nivea - nothing else leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated in the morning like this and we shall never be apart again!

At the other end of the price spectrum, I got the Medik8 Advance Peptides serum in the SpaceNK advent and have already rebought as, unfortunately for my wallet, it really is THAT good. Boots Future Renew serum - my previous MVP - I am using up on my neck and décolleté.

Have also stocked up on Lumene Glow Boost Essence in Boots £10 Tuesday as it works really well as a first layer under the peptides serums for me.

I really need to do a stock take on everything else I have lurking in corners and love the idea of a spreadsheet but any time I start to think about actually doing it I practically have an anxiety attack - it just feels overwhelming.

@Talisin I’ve never used peptides before but just picked up the Medik8 Clarity Peptides for 40% off on the Medik8 website. I might move up to the Advanced Peptides afterwards. It does look really good!

I love this description and totally relate!

I had £20 CB points due to expire this week (due to a cancelled purchase) so I bought a Kiehls set with the Ultra Facial Cream and Ultra Body Cream. The face cream was one of my HG discoveries of 2025, and both are full-size so I'm happy to spend on this. I also got the Biossance Bright set as it has a full size squalane + vitamin C rose oil and is cheaper than buying that alone. I love this oil, although it is pricey.

I organised my stash yesterday and the only thing I think I'll need skincare-wise over the next 6 months is hyaluronic acid. I'm using up The Ordinary Buffet serum so will likely repurchase that as it's quite affordable. I have four cleansers (two balm, one foam, one gel) but I've had issues with cleansers breaking me out before, so I'm not sure I'll finish them. My HG is Clinique Take the Day Off.

I should be all set for makeup, although do get through a lot of concealer so might need to repurchase that.

After doing my full inventory on products at the start of Jan; I knew I needed more toner, and also eye masks and face masks. So I used various discounts running and store credit I had at CB and Liberty to fill these gaps only. I have resisted so many other bits that I’ve put in and out my baskets - I so very nearly succumbed to the bioessence in the Harrods sale but I had a stern word with myself. Hopefully I can stay on a fairly straight and narrow and use up lots of what I have 🫣

Have bought a proper size Gucci Flora Jasmine after years of only having perfume in 'sampler' type sizes. I'm working through various stash ones so won't open it just yet but it's nice to have made a considered decision

What did you get @dc82 ? I’m interested in hearing what people are prepared to buy without an offer or FOMO driving them.

@SheilaFentiman sounds lovely. I just googled and the bottle is so pretty. I agree I prefer having one big bottle to go to. It sounds summery. https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Gucci/Flora-Gorgeous-Jasmine-75190.html

Sorry for missing out the key deets:

I got another box of the Skin111 rose gold face masks - I love these so much! …… and then a box of the biodance ones too!

Laneige lip mask - lips get so dry in this weather and whilst I’ve lots of lip oils I do like this for overnight

for more toning I got the Haru Haru Black Rice Wonder Probitoics essence and TirTir Milk Skin Toner

Abib collagen eye patches (got these last two from stylevana

I’ve made my first beauty purchase of the year! Totally with points so don’t know if it counts. It’s Liberty Beauty Drop week, where they do offers each day and it’s 20% off skincare today.

I bought the 30ml Reome Recovery Broth for £68. https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/active-recovery-broth-30ml-000798061.html I got this in the 2024 Liberty Founder’s edit called “Precious Potions kit” by the Vyrao perfume founder. It really worked with my skin. I like liquid and gel texture rather than cream and oils. The serum just managed to make me look a bit healthy. I hope it’ll help with my returning acne, though I think that’s post partum hormones settling down.

I thought about getting the set of minis of everything in the Reome line as I’d like to try the cleanser, but I definitely don’t need any cleansers this year (500ml Dermalogica bottle to get through from the Next Luxe edit) and have loads of moisturisers to get through. Have a huge Sunday Riley Autocorrect eye serum. I will think about it getting the mini set next January then.

I’ve used up all my serums so needed one and timed the purchase with the offer - I hope people think that stays in the spirit of the thread

Absolutely! A pricey purchase, but it sounds well-considered and something you need and will use all of, knowing it works for you (as much as any of us 'need' serums!). May as well take advantage of the offers, as long as you're not letting it tempt you into 'oh well I may as well get XYZ too...'.

I have to say, compared to the No Buy thread I think we're all doing fairly well. I feel like there's something about an absolute ban on buying/drinking/smoking/whatever that makes it consume your thoughts. This feels much more sustainable.

A non-beauty but clothing confession - I did buy my favourite jeans in cream for summer. I've had my eye on them for months when they were out of stock so I pounced when they came back in. Again, I think that's a purchase that I will use and enjoy. It wasn't purely a dopamine hit.

I have finished my HG eye cream, Shiseido benefiance. I have already repurchased in November when I saw an offer but have others from kits and edits to use first. Will be interesting to see if my eyes get worse/better with the change. Onto mz skin smoothing eye cream

I’m about to repurchase Prai ageless neck/throat night cream, think it’s brilliant and would hate to be without it. Forgot to get the huge size QVC do before Christmas, that would last me the year.

Good to know @Ponks I have a Prai in the cupboard but am finishing up a This Works neck and cleavage first!

Would definitely recommend it @SheilaFentiman, I only use the night cream version, have used it consistently for years.

Another repurchase will be Skin Rocks Hyperpigmentation serum, have had really good results with it. I’m currently using up a couple of other serums but will be returning to it later in the year. It’s mega expensive but I have bit the bullet and bought it full price - luckily you can get refills which are a bit cheaper.

I bought the Eborian CC cream and eye contour cream (with 20% off in Boots) as my Sculpted by Aimee hydratint and brightening concealer are both just about finished.
I had repurchased the Sculpted by Aimee products twice last year as I love them but fancied a change!

Can anyone suggest something from Liberty that might help my itchy legs? They are far drier in my 40s than they've ever been but shaving them makes them so itchy a couple of days later. I'm sat here desperately trying not to scratch. I have £40 in credit and don't mind going over if it's a decent sized product that will soothe my legs for a while.
Please help. Or send scratch mitts. Ugh.

Honestly rather than something from Liberty I'd go basic if your legs are really dry - E45 and Aveeno. It ain't glamorous but it works. The only brand I can see stocked at Liberty that I'd recommend would be Necessaire, but they only have the fragrance free serum which I haven't tried. The fragrance free lotion was lovely though.

What do you use in the shower? If it's soap or posh body wash it's probably irritating your skin. Swap to Aveeno body wash for a bit.

Agree with pp. I’d use something basic for your legs like Aveeno, E45 or Nivea Light and save your Liberty vouchers for something more fun!

I use Aveeno lotion in the morning and Eucerin urea repair in the evening and the itch is just a constant background noise. I was even grumpy with the cats and I'm never grumpy with the cats.
Aveeno body wash is a good shout. Could cheerfully scratch my legs with a fork at this point. Thought of liberty because I have the credit and there could have been some holy grail product that I wouldn't have gone for otherwise.

I have to use double base on my legs, mine were so dry, I used to scratch them until they started bleeding 😬

I don't know what double base is, I'm off to Google!

Would Veet work instead of shaving as the ends would be softer, or would the Veet end up being an irritant?

@DidILeaveTheGasOn I have exactly the same problem with legs being unbearably itchy a couple of days after shaving! It started last year, I’m early 40’s so wondered if it was hormone related. I’ve started getting them waxed as I just can’t stand the itching, I was leaving big red scratches all over my legs!

I shave with loccitane almond shower oil. Very hydrating. Expensive but does last as concentrated. I buy when on offer.

If IPL is an option I can't recommend it enough. Within 18 months I'd gone from daily stubbly legs despite shaving, to only needing to shave every couple of weeks.