Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips

[Experiment627]

Welcome back (or welcome in!) to our little corner of beauty bliss, where shelves are full, wish lists are longer than ever, and there’s always something new to try.
This thread has been around for ages (since at least 2015), 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!

Thank you for your helpful comments. After all that, I cant find the Lord and Berry! I suspect that because it was a powder, I gave it away. My preference is for a liquid/cream primer, so I’m cracking on with the Bobbi Brown.

I have never heard of Susan Yara and I hear amazing things about Naturium. Bah.

I have a few empties, but I have a hand cream that I’m hoping to finish off, so will hold off posting until I have that. Also possibly a serum too. Roll on the month end!

I totally forgot about it!

Two empties:

Clinique Chubby Stick in Baby Pink: has taken me prob a decade to use it up, finished after being motivated by this thread. I like the stick and being able to use it easily in the car, on the other hand now it's warmer it started melting.
Also one of those 'adapts to the individual colour of your lips' things that were all the rage but actually just go an unnatural pink colour.
Would like something similiar but won't RP

Mitchum Women Unscented Antiperspirant Stick: didn't need to RP as always have a stack in the bathroom

@TryingToFindMyStyle
Sorry only seeing your post now.
Hg means holy grail

Just reading back - so sorry for all the typos! And when I said Jo Malone was following me on TikTok I mean that she has started to appear on my feed. All the time.

Thank-you! I’m so glad I asked, I’ll keep an eye out for future HG products

I’m in that annoying space of cutting open what feels like a nearly empty tube to reveal DAYS worth of product! It’s great value etc etc but I want to use a new thing now!

So now I have the cognitive dissonance of being glad about the value for money and annoyance at still having loads left!

One day a Gruum SPF will be added to my empties. Today is not that day.

So… What do you call someone who can’t buy any more skincare or hair care because she is moving and needs to use up what she has even if she doesn’t love it…… so she buys new bed linen instead? *A lot of damage was done today.

I call her Frances 😀

@Francesteinlove getting new bed linen!!!

Lots of my ‘odd’ products are from Rocca boxes, great value boxes and I loved getting a box of shiny new potions but doing this I’ve realised I wouldn’t RP many of the products. Trying not to buy another box until I’ve cleared my cupboard..

frank body cacao coffee scrub - I used this a couple of times and finally decided to throw it away. It smelt lovely but was very messy to use and made me anxious about the possibility of it blocking the drain. Wouldn’t RP

frank body caffeinated face moisturiser- didn’t like the smell on my face although it was subtle, used up on my feet and hands, left both lovely and soft however I wouldn’t RP

Espa shampoo liked it on my fine hair but won’t RP (I have another I’m currently using up)

Nip+Fab glycolic daily cleansing pads I loved these, if they didn’t feel bad for the environment I’d RP. May still do so when I’ve used up some other cleansers and toners 😬

Sure anti-perspirant a basic would RP

Deep sleep pillow spray wouldn’t RP almost no scent didn’t make any difference (although to be fair I’ve no idea how long I’ve had this in the cupboard)

MooGoo leave in conditioner only use it occasionally so tube took ages to use. Worked better on slightly longer hair, left my short hair shapeless but when my hair was longer left gentle waves. Would RP but not until I’ve used up some of the other hair products I’ve got

Binned a Lidl body mist that was a dupe (I think) for the Sol de Janeiro, pistachio and salted caramel. Too sweet for me (to note, I haven't tried the original so no idea if this is a good or bad dupe!)

Some more long overdue empties here:

• Lumene Nordic Bloom Vitality rich day cream – nice in winter but too thick for summer

• Kayali Rose Royale sample – nice but doesn't last lon

• Sunday Riley CEO afterglow vitamin c serum – loved this but too spenny for me to buy

• Commodity Milk – love this in winter – wore it a lot, have more from the CB stockings

• Lancome Absolu soft cream – another one I love but is too £££ for my budget

This takes me up to 18 empties so far this year - I really need to up my game!

I have 2, both frequent repurchases:

Farmacy Green Clean. I loved the original. I have been less certain since they changed the formula, but having had loads of other balms also on the go, I have been using this travel size intermittently and I have realised it still is the best. Its just that the scent is less strong and I loved the scent. But it has the best texture, is most effective at removing make up etc. Will RP again. Albeit wincing at price so probably not immediately and I will keep using other products in between.

The Neutrogena hydro boost night cream / gel is one i have been using for years. I tend to switch between the cream (this one) and the gel, depending on what's available and on offer. I have RP the gel this time, and have decided I like both but actually have a small preference for the gel - i like the cooling affect on my skin. So I probably will only rp this if gel is unavailable or over priced (which to be fair, happens frequently so its probably just an ongoing switch out).

I have noticed quite a few clarins fans on this thread. Does anyone else wish they would do a cleansing balm?! The yellow range in a cleansing balm.... i am convinced it would be amazing. I just dont know why they refuse to do one (and their oil cleanser is ok but nothing special).;

This months est value, is the most so far 😬 £593! Nearly hit the 100 empties mark, which was my goal for the end of the year, so will go for 150.

86. Lush Sweetie pie perfume. Smells like blackcurrant, very fruity.

87. PDM Delina body cream. Beautiful scent. The scent lingered on my skin subtly. It was nice to layer it with the perfume too. I really liked this and would of RP, but it's super expensive so will do without.

88. Lush Scrubee. Already RP. Have another 2 in stash.

89. B&BW Pink Pineapple Sunrise mist. I don't go for these day-to-day, so just use it as a room spray or after a shower. I need to get through more body mists just lying around.

90. Lush Super Fairy body lotion. Leans more towards Supermilk, rather than Snow Fairy, which i prefer. One of my favourite scents from Lush i think. Have 2 more in stash.

91. Tatcha Rice Wash. Cleanses without drying my face. It doesn't beat the KS Goat Milk, but it's very close.

92. SDJ 71 Mist. Now that the sun's out in the UK, it's nice to use a summery scent. It reminds me of holidays.

93. Tatcha Matcha cleanse sample. Prefer the Rice wash.

Side benefit of using all my products is definitely an improvement in my skin, a couple of older ladies estimated my age at more than a decade younger and were exclaiming over my lovely skin yesterday. Now they were obviously being nice but I’ll take it 😁

@TryingToFindMyStyle I love this for you. What a lovely compliment!

My lates empties… All things I have been working on for ages. In hindsight, I smashed it this week!

1. Isehan Heroinemake Speedy Mascara Remover. The OG and the best. It never seemed to finish, but my eyes have been super-sensitive and as I have had it for more than 6 months it’s in the bin. I have an unopened one so no need to RP.
2. Medicube Vitamin C Capsule Cream. It’s nice, fun to use, smells delicious, but I need more than this. Not going to RP.
3. Hada Labo Gokujyun Aging Care Cream. I don’t know why I can use tretinoin but not retinol. This is supposed to be super gentle. I used it on my arms and legs and they were fine. Neck and chest - not so much.
4. Tocobo OG lip mask. It’s fine. It’s not as good as Laneige. I think my lips like the mild exfoliant effect of the Laneige.
5. Laneige Peppermint Lip Sleeping Mask. Delish. Love. Sad to see it go. (I have another in the car.)
6. Mixa body lotion with Panthenol. Good for dry skin itch. I really rate this drugstore brand for body care. It’s French, I think. Not as gluggy as atoderm.
7. Binned four mucky tinted lip balms. They had been left in the car and melted, but never re-set properly.
8. The dregs of a Muji cleansing oil. I love it and mixed it with the dregs of a Softymo one. Also fab. The combo got me through until today. I opened a cleansing balm.
9. Elizavecca Protein Coating Hair Mask. Fabulous product. Will buy again probably. I have a couple of hair masks in the stash to use first.

@Caggie09 Blossom Perfumery do a really good dupe for Delina from Parfums de Marly. Only the EDP no body stuff but maybe a good option?

I have an empty to report:

• Kingfisher fennel fluoride toothpaste - absolute staple for me, have already RPed.

@Experiment627 Will keep that in mind, thanks. Always like a good dupe, especially when it saves a ton of money!

@Francestein I have a couple of those Elizavecca Hair Masks after I saw them recommended somewhere last year. Not used them yet but good to know they are nice.

@OvaHere I’m sure you’re all over this, but my relationship with hair masks and conditioners has totally turned from despair to a love affair since I learned how to use them properly. I now know to flip my hair right over to the front & ensure it’s thoroughly rinsed. Squeeze out all the excess water from the hair and then rub a small amount of mask into my hands, then squish it through from the bottom up to the ear line. Keep it forwards while you wait for it to work then rinse so none is left on the scalp.

Olaplex hair set - I think I’ve posted all of these here already multiple times. Still the best are no3 and 6, for me.

YSL Libre perfume - my everyday perfume, already have 90ml one.

YSL all hours foundation- almost perfect but still a bit too dry. Would possibly RP.

YSL lipstick - a finished lipstick is rare 😁 My husband got it for me when it first came out (2 years ago?), so I’ve felt slightly pressured to wear it 😁 nothing special about it though, but looking good on my makeup stand.

Gisou oil, mask, shampoo and conditioner- all travel sized from a set. Really meh. The mask is ok and the oil seemed good too, but there are similar products out there. Nothing special.

Dermalogica face wash - have had this many times before. It spends about 2 seconds in my face, so I don’t expect any real difference.

Santuary skin cream - made by monks in Uk monastery- already have purchased more, will be my go to skin cream from now on.

Dermologica sample - seemed very oily.

Lancome night cream - repeat.

Decree PM serum - really liked it, my biggest regret is not buying more when it was on offer. I think long term use would give even better results.

Glow recipe toner - repeat.

Elizabeth Arden deodorant- repeat.

James Read self toner - chuck, as I don’t use these.

Numbers 57-65

Charles Worthington purple shampoo travel size. Would rp as I like the smell better than Pro:voke but depends on price and value for money! I can get Pro:voke from Savers so it’s cheap!

Dove roll-on. Everyday basic, I normally use the stick and have them in my stash ready to go.

Rodial Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel 15ml sample size. Took me ages to figure out where it fitted in my routine. Not wild about the smell and I can’t see any noticeable effects that I could directly attribute to this. Full size is expensive so not a rp.

Verden D’orangerie hand and body wash, 55ml. Lovely! Great smell, foams nicely. I really like this. Would rp - I’ll have to check the price though!

Dr Paw Paw hydrating face mist 50ml. Lasted very well so seems good vfm though I don’t know the actual cost. Not wholly sure what it has done but it’s pleasant. Probably not rp, I’d like to be more sure that it’s doing something.

Badedas shower gel. A standard for us. I’ve loved it since I was a kid and now my teenager loves it too! I have it on subscribe and save!

Mary Greenwell Lemon EdP. 50ml. It’s a beautiful lemon chypre. I have been eking this out because it’s discontinued and I love it. When it got disconned I went to the local stockist and bought everything they had. Now I have one bottle left and then it’s all gone.

Round Lab Dokdo cleanser. Lovely! I like the texture, it leaves my face feeling really soft and smooth. Would rp if my stash gets depleted.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster. Lasted well. Not sure it’s reduced redness though. Not a rp as far as I can tell though I think I have a mini left in the stash.

Two empties to report - Lisa Eldridge Enhancing Skin Tint (love it, already bought a replacement) and Davines Hair Refresher Dry
Shampoo (ditto!).

I’ve been a busy bunny. Lots of empties to report. this thread is helping me to concentrate on using up my older things first. So I’m currently running down my stash of pre October 2025. I’ve almost used all my old stash of eye cream, face wash but I have quite a way to go on moisturiser. 🙈

134..Rollr deodorant. I love the applicator. Feels really luxurious and special to use and is a thing of beauty but despite trying 3 different refills this just isn’t for me. They either smell quite odd (curry, sweaty feet) or do absolutely nothing to stop BO. Such a shame as I love the applicator which I will keep in case I find something else to refill it with.
135.. neals yard rose deodorant. Love it and regularly rp. My only annoyance is it is used up soo quickly but it works and smells lovely.
136..Paula’s choice body spot smoothing lotion. Love this. It works well on my spots on my back and last forever as I only use it on this area. I have RP.
137..hermetica perfume. Really nice complex summer fragrance. I have loads of this and so much perfume so won’t rp.
138..clarins beauty flash balm. I really don’t like this how it’s suppose to be used under foundation as u find it goes flaky however I was reading about using it as a face mask and when used that way it’s lovely. It brightens my complexion. Wouldn’t rp but would use as a mask if I get more samples.
139…votary resurfacing peel. Lovely gentle peel. Skin looks clear afterwards without overly drying it out.
140..espa hydration mask. Awful texture like putting shampoo in my face. I washed it straight off so no idea how effective it is. binned.
141..clarins hydra Essential mask- lovely very softening and hydrating. Would rp if I ever run out of my stash.
142..medik8 serum. Love it, would rp.
143…Kate somerville foaming cleanser. Nice
144.Bum bum cream. Lovely smell and softening. I still have 8 in my stash.
145..AB rich cream. Lovely when my skin needs heavy hydration but can give a slightly oily appearance.
146..benefit cleansing oil. Ok but not as good as others. Oddly felt a little drying.
147..centells cleansing oil. Tiny sample would retry.
148..avene serum. Ok. Didn’t wow me but would happily reuse.
149..eerborian night serum. Quite an earthy smell but nice. Would reuse but maybe not rp.
150..dermalogica cleansing gel. Perfectly fine face wash. I seem to have picked up quite a few of these in edits. They are a fab size for travelling.
151..111skin repair serum- nice enough but didn’t wow me.
152…drink elephant brightfacial mask. Lovely nice smooth skin afterwards and felt tighter.
153..votary moisturiser light. Really lovely calming moisturiser after I had got a bit carried away with skin peels.
154..origins ginzing serum. Lovely fresh smell and very refreshing. This was better than I expected and a little goes a long way.
155..kale cleanser. Perfectly great face wash.
156… AB soothing cream. Lovely when my skin needs extra care after treatments. Very pricey though.
157…VG perfume. Nice but quite strong. Happily use it but not my favourite.