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.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn sounds like your leg skin is irritated? If you can give them a break, it’s January so hopefully can do, it might help. When my legs are itchy it’s because of ingrown hairs, so something exfoliating like This Works Perfect Body Smoothing Wash helps, but I wouldn’t put that on irritated skin. I used to use this blue ingrown hair gel Shaveworks “The Cool Fix”, it really helped ingrown hairs and razor bumps, used to be stocked in Space NK, seems like it’s fallen off trend now https://approvedfood.co.uk/40026568-shaveworks-the-cool-fix-targeted-gel-lotion-156ml . Must be similar products now on UK shelves. I manage it by having Epsom salt baths and moisturising now and using an exfoliating body wash now and then.

I received an Avene Spring Thermal Water spray free when I ordered Avene Hyaluronic serum. https://www.boots.com/avene-thermal-spring-water-spray-for-sensitive-skin-300ml-10139903 i used it after cleansing and before I put on the hyaluronic serum in the morning. I did like it but should I repurchase? Feels a bit of a con to buy a can of water for £15. I liked that it was refreshing and the hyaluronic serum spread easily and it did just seem to make my routine easier and my face look better. Just wondering what experts here think, is it a good step in the routine, or if cheaper alternative. I finished it a couple of weeks ago now and I do miss it.

@BakeOffRewatch sounds unnecessary to me. Is it any more refreshing than tap water, and did it make your HA serum spread any more easily than tap water? Mind you, I live in a soft water area so that may be influencing my answer.

My skin goes drier eith things like that. Its like the moisture evaporates and leaves my skin drier even if I put moisturiser onuickly after.

Oh I live in a very hard water area and I notice a huge difference to my hair and skin on my face and hands when I go somewhere soft water.

I thought I'd try shaving them before my leg surgery so they'd be able to find my knee to operate (okay, slight exaggeration but I'm fair with dark hair and beauty standards and whatnot) but I think leaving them now until the warmer weather is a good idea.
Did someone recommend veet and IPL? These are both good options. It hadn't occurred to me to look for a post shave balm and there are loads so that should help in the meantime, thank you!

Re: £15 canned evian for the face btw - it made the routine easier, your skin look better and you miss it - Holy trinity of rebuy bingo, go for it I say.

Would it be better to invest in a tap and shower head filter then? I don't know if they work, I've just heard a lot about them.

I buy some of that when I’m flying or on a long train/car! Really helps keep my skin refreshed. Air con and the like really dries my skin out fast - I’m glad I no longer work in an air con office. My DP mocks me for buying water but I really like it for a refresh on hols

@DidILeaveTheGasOn fair skin with dark hair is ideal for IPL. I wouldn't recommend it while your skin is so fragile but once you've got on top of the itch and dryness give it a go. Shaving less is a game changer.

Thank you @owlpassport! (Your username always makes me wonder where owls would go on holiday).

We tried but it made the water flow from the shower very slow. It did work though.

We ended up investing in a water softener when we got our kitchen done last year. It is very good.

Recent re-buys

• Clinique active glow serum (3rd repurchase)
• Cerave moisturising cream (use as body cream and have done for years)

Bought recently and loving so will repurchase probably:

• No7 good intent dew bank water cream

Thanks @DandelionPockets , I repurchase LaNeige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturiser all the time, which that Boots Good Intent is a dupe of so I’ll definitely purchase it next.

Hi, joining this thread as I think it’s appropriate as I’ve rebought full size staples that I always go back to or work really well for me. I rarely buy full price any more unless I have to, so I buy on vinted or when there’s a sale on:
Kate sommerville goats milk cleanser - I’ve tried other cleansers but I just really miss this one. So great for my dry and dehydrated skin, I’ll be gutted if they ever discontinue it.
O’Keefes overnight lip treatment - the best lip balm for me. I’m currently trying to finish up a Laneige which I don’t like much (they are overhyped imo but I know they are popular) but this is a staple that I’ll go back to.
Replica by the fireplace - I finished the smaller size of this and have bought a bigger size in the sales. This one makes me feel warm and cosy and I have nice memories attached to it. Not a going out scent for me, more of a evening home scent before bed.
Theres a few other fragrances I’d love to buy too but I’d like to use up a certain amount first.

Bought Beauty of Joseon Aqua Relief SPF 50 today. £15.50 for 50ml. https://www.boots.com/beauty-of-joseon-relief-sun-aqua-fresh-rice-and-b5-spf50and-50ml-10357359

It’s the more fluid lightweight version of their original SPF. https://www.boots.com/beauty-of-joseon-relief-sun--rice-and-probiotics-50ml-10348088

I wasn’t sure which to get. Has anyone tried them both? Some of the reviews says it pills, and some had an allergic reaction. My eyes are very sensitive and SPF can aggravate and sting. I thought I’d try it as my usual SUQQU SPF50 is running out, £68 for 50ml though I always buy when there’s a 20% or 25% off at Cult Beauty. I’ve seen the brand mentioned a lot here.

I’ve just bought another pot of M&S sleep cream. I had a break post Christmas when I was using up various bits and pieces from gifts and beauty calendars but this is definitely the best thing to make my skin glow in the mornings.

I’ve repurchased Medik8 liquid peptides advanced MP and Medik8 C-tetra
I also recently purchased YSL blush and liked it so much that I’ve purchased in another shade.
All of the above are spendy but I have purchased whilst discounts were available

Do you have a link to the M&S sleep cream @DancingNotDrowning ? I’ve heard so many good things about the Medik8 peptides and tetra c @Thelifeofawife . I’m swimming in serums and moisturisers though

I've not done too well on my no / low buy so far 😕 it's been more of a case of see it, love it, buy it for me 🙈🤣 oops!

To be honest so am I, but I really like these so decided to restock while I could get them cheaper - realistically I could have waited but I was buying other things so was on a roll 🙈😅

I do really like them. I can’t specifically say why I like the peptides so much, I just prefer my skin with it than without.
The tetra C is my overall favourite. My absolute fave is the Dermalogica biolumin C but given the price tag and how much I do like the tetra C, it doesn’t feel worth the spend unless I can get it cheaper on Vinted.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/sleep-and-replenish-ultimate-sleep-cream-50ml/p/hbp60704557?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I’ve tried so many serums, moisturisers and night creams, including many high end versions and this is one of the few creams that really makes a difference to my skin

So February went pretty well on the slow and considered buy front. I ran out of my foundation and decided to try something new - ended up buying two different shades but am reasonably happy with one of them so will use it for now - it’s a Givenchy Prisme Libre, bought from Allbeauty at a decent discount. Only other purchase was the Lisa Eldridge Betty palette which I absolutely love and have worn loads already. Both colours and formulas are fantastic.

In fact, I have already made what will hopefully be my only March purchases - the LE Fawn palette and the Liberty Mother’s Day kit, plus my one impulse buy - a Diptyque candle - which got me to the minimum spend for the current Liberty GWP. The GWP isn’t earth shattering, but I will use almost all of it so I decided it was worth while.

I’ve just purchased the full size Elemis cleansing balm and energising cleanser. I had been using the Clinique cleansing balm and mild facial wash for the past year but fancied a change (I bought the travel size of the Elemis products before committing to the full size as my skin is quite sensitive and they are expensive!). I managed to get them with 25% off on ASOS! Also repurchased the Hourglass tubing mascara but went for the espresso brown rather than black

Thanks for sharing @AprilLady and @LBB2020 . The Lisa Eldridge palettes are lovely, I have the Cinnabar which is discontinued and I really must buy some new eyeshadow as that’s 1.5 years old now. I think I’ll get the Byredo Vesuvius though, waiting for it to be stocked at Liberty. Everyone keeps talking about the Lisa Eldridge Betty! I had been waiting for the Liberty Mother’s Day edit, as past two years I’ve asked for that as my gift but I wouldn’t use most of it. Some of the stuff I might use, like gel cleanser and hand cream, I have lots of from edits. I’ve asked for framed and hung photos instead. That’s a good ASOS discount and I didn’t know they stocked Elemis.

@BakeOffRewatch ASOS stock quite a few higher end beauty brands now and often have good discounts

Ended up buying the Avene thermal spray for £10 at Boots today. Needed to spend £10 to recycle. I think it will make a difference now it’s warmer.