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

370 replies

Experiment627 · 22/03/2026 06:02

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!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
103
Beautyfox · 14/05/2026 17:42

@GreaterCassowary so sorry to hear you’ve been having a tough time. I hope your flare up is settling.

it’s been really interesting reading through your empties because I’ve been holding up using anything that I purchased since October until I’ve used up all my old stash and I know I have a lot of the products you have mentioned waiting in the wings. I’ve just finished my old stash of eye cream and was going to open the AB next but after what you’ve said I think I’ll hold onto it until later in the year. So thanks for that tip. Now decisions Mz skin, Sisley black rose or Tata harper eye cream. If anyone has any suggestions on ones that are better this time of year I’m all ears.

Fillybuster · 14/05/2026 23:23

@SheilaFentiman I hugely recommend the soap and glory tubs of lime & brown sugar body scrub. Cheap, cheerful, amazing smell, does the job. Leaves my skin super soft too, and doesn’t block the drains. I’ve tried loads of fancier brands and not come across one that comes close.

I appreciate & am grateful that this is not a place for politics, but I need to say @Francestein that there’s nothing inherently bad about a jewish family (the Lauders), or anyone else for that matter, supporting the existence of the state of Israel or doing business in a legal, recognised, official country. Zionist is not / should not be a dirty word. It doesn’t mean that they ( or I) in any way condone the actions of the government or are not horrified by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I am, and would hope they are too.

Francestein · 14/05/2026 23:49

@Fillybuster I couldn’t agree more. I am neither religious or political. I am technically also ethnically Jewish (but didn’t know until about ten years ago because of the prevailing attitudes of elderly relatives. Very, very weird, but I guess Australia is a very different place now than my grandparents times in the 40’s and 50’s) Anyhow, I wasn’t expressing my own feelings, but the reasons why (other) people are boycotting those companies. For me it has more to do with transparency and patent ownership, etc. as well as animal testing. I have always preferred that J&K beauty are much more open about these things and you know what you’re getting.

Lifeisforliving2025 · 15/05/2026 00:09

Hi, I'd like to join in after lurking for a while 👋

You have all inspired me to start using up what I have before I buy more. I will only be making essential purchases until I get my stash down a bit.

Since beginning of May I have finished

Rituals Ayurveda shower foam - love this scent so will repurchase once I have used everything up

Decleor night Balm sample - probably won't repurchase, have started another tube tonight

Rituals Ayurveda body cream - again love this so will rp once I need body lotion. I usually buy on Vinted as people sell lotions from gift sets pretty cheaply

Elizabeth Arden ceremide Capsules x 14 - felt quite greasy on my skin. Am now using EA retinol and hpr Capsules and like the texture of these better

  1. L'occitane Almond milk concentrate 50ml - loved this would like to rp
  1. Clarins gentle exfoliating sample - like this, have full size product to use still to use
SheilaFentiman · 15/05/2026 08:17

@Fillybuster thanks for the scrub tip!

welcome @Lifeisforliving2025

LightandBreezy · 15/05/2026 11:57

@GreaterCassowary good point about counting what comes in as well as what gets used up, and thank you, that may deinfluence me - I've been eyeing up the Harrods GWP but just totted up my numbers for this year, I've used up 56 things and sold 10. But if I buy the GWP I'll gain 28 products - bringing my total of products in this year to exactly 66.

Experiment627 · 15/05/2026 12:37

@GreaterCassowary they do not do hair mist, just perfume but Dossier have "Woody Sage" which is a dupe for the Jo Malone fragrance - I adore it.

OP posts:
Experiment627 · 15/05/2026 12:42

@GreaterCassowary and hope you feel better soon xxx

@Lifeisforliving2025 a very warm welcome to you! Love your user name - could not agree more!

I have an empty:
Redken acidic bonding concentrate leave in treatment: not completley blown away by this - think the K18 one is better for damage repair. That said am COMPLETELY blown away by the Monday Repair leave in conditioner - very good value too.

OP posts:
MsMarch · 15/05/2026 21:28

Pure cleansing balm - really great product. It had a strong, eucalyptus/medical scent and an exfoliating feeling which I really like, and at around £10, its a no brainer repurchase. Only thing that stops it from.being a potential, "my every day cleansing balm" is that its quite... invigorating? Which, at night, is not always my preference.

The alpha h wild orange cleansing balm - lovely, soft balm. Awful fake scent. I bought it as I love a citrus scent but its horrible. Made worse because I think the shelf life is short. I jist used it for the first time in a couple of weeks and the scent is unbearable. So eill be tossing. Probably a sign of high quality ingredients and few preservatives but awful awful awful.

Eucerin urea repair - i am terrible about using body cream but I like this and will RP when I can track it down. Its not greasy at all and definitely is a good moisteriser.

Also just finished a lipstick- Mac frost in plum Dandy. I always have multiple of these so finishing one is a big deal!

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
MsMarch · 15/05/2026 21:30

I have also realised I am addicted to cleansers. I have 11 actively in use, 9 of which I would repurchase. And a couple of others I dont use as traditional cleansers! My skin is dry and dehydrated so I havr long found that a cleanser makes all the difference. But perhaps I am now going too far?! 🤣🤣🤣

TryingToFindMyStyle · 15/05/2026 21:56

Just one item Ecover 5l handwash but this has taken years to use up. Partly because the container is so big it was tucked in a less accessible cupboard and forgotten and partly because it was a mare to refill smaller containers from this container so we used carex refill bags. I was disappointed to see the container was ‘virgin’ plastic not recycled plastic.

I also realised I don’t like clear liquid soap. If you refill a container that has residue from a different liquid soap it goes a weird grubby grey colour. So for all those reasons most definitely not a RP.

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
TryingToFindMyStyle · 15/05/2026 21:59

MsMarch · 15/05/2026 21:30

I have also realised I am addicted to cleansers. I have 11 actively in use, 9 of which I would repurchase. And a couple of others I dont use as traditional cleansers! My skin is dry and dehydrated so I havr long found that a cleanser makes all the difference. But perhaps I am now going too far?! 🤣🤣🤣

Why so many in active use? Do you use different cleansers in different circumstances? Or is it pick one at random/as the mood takes you?

I realised though I’ve 3 in active use, a scrub one and a regular wash off in the shower and a cleansing balm on the sink.

JoRaRaRa · 16/05/2026 06:47

MsMarch · 15/05/2026 21:30

I have also realised I am addicted to cleansers. I have 11 actively in use, 9 of which I would repurchase. And a couple of others I dont use as traditional cleansers! My skin is dry and dehydrated so I havr long found that a cleanser makes all the difference. But perhaps I am now going too far?! 🤣🤣🤣

Which ones would you repurchase? I'm constantly on the lookout for a good cleanser and also have dry skin. I've been using an allies of skin cleanser but it's expensive so even though I'd love to RP, I'm not sure I'll be able to 😕

CorneliaStreet · 16/05/2026 07:07

@JoRaRaRa I’m currently using the Krave Matcha Hemp Hydrating cleanser and it’s lovely. It genuinely does feel hydrating, so I think it should work for someone with dry skin.

I stuck a mini of it on a Cult Beauty order to get up to free postage, but I think I’ll be getting a full size.

OvaHere · 16/05/2026 07:32

@MsMarch I also love a cleanser. I try to limit myself to 4-5 open at once. I seem to be able to get through them fairly quickly which is a bonus.

I've been wanting to try the Alpha H cleanser but not sure I'll love a strong citrus scent. The orange scent is why the Then I Met You cleansing balm isn't higher on my favourites list.

MsMarch · 16/05/2026 09:22

@JoRaRaRa @TryingToFindMyStyle
I know, I was a bit surprised myself! I do definitely like different cleansers for different moments, plus I've been on the lookout for replacements for my Farmacy Green Clean because it's very expensive and since they changed the formula and the scent is less strong, I'm just that little bit less willing to pay for it even though, I do in fact keep going back to it.

So most nights, I like a balm cleanser - I find they clean my skin but don't leave it feeling dry or dehydrated and that discovery a few years ago has been life changing (I used to use milk cleansers and to be honest, they were also good but less pleasant to use). So when I did my count I had my (1) Farmacy and the (2) Alpha AH one and the (3) Pure one and I'd FINALLY tracked down the (4) Elf one which, for some reason, I'd never been able to get hold of locally (it's absolutely fabulous - I'm really impressed. Just doesn' thave much scent which is a pity for me because I do like a good scent).

Then I also have a (5) micellar water (Simple) which I don't use a lot but keep on hand for emergency make up fixes or occassionally if I'v ebeen out and wearing a lot of make up then I would use that as a double cleanse (which mostly I refuse to do).

Then in the shower, I mostly use Clarins cleansers in the morning. I didn't used to do proper face cleaning every morning but I think a combination of peri, aging, night sweats, more product at night means I do need to do a gentle clean every day. And I don't like acid exfoliators so I like a cleanser with a gentle exfoliating action, in different levels.

So I have the (6) One Stop Gentle Exfoliating cleanser which I use about once a week or even a bit less.
Then the (7) Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser which I am convinced is Clarins version of an acid exfoliator. It's totally smooth going on but it leaves my skin feeling completely smooth. Almost too smooth and squeeky sometimes Grin but I like the feeling of very clean skin.
Then I have the (8) soothing gentle foaming cleannser which I don't lke as much because it feels a bit too gentle and pointless but I keep it for days I am feeling fragile! Grin
And then the (9) Purifying Gentle Foaming Cleanser which has a mild exfoliating feeling with tiny little beads. I probably use this one the most.

I also do haved a (10) Clarins Millk Cleanser which is a sample and I won't buy again - it's fine, works well, but I don't like the sensation of milk cleansers.

And I have a (11) cerave salicylic acid cleanswer which I use mostly on my chest and neck rather than my face. Also, on my legs before I use fake tan (so about 5 itimes a year and it lasts for ever!)

I think that's the current 11. I wont' ever touch the AHA stuff again, and I won't rebuy the milk cleanser. But otherwise, I probably will keep repurchasing everything else!

Edited to add, I think I excluded my Cerave in the original count as I don't use it on my face and actually number 11 was a Clarins face oil cleanser. I used to use almond oil as a cleanser and really liked that and the Clarins one I got in a small travel size and I won't rebuy probalby but I quite like to use it if I want to clean my face while having a bath. so that's 12!

In my defense, my night cream is a bog standard, Neutrogena one that I never deviate from and my day cream is Nivea Q10 with SPF.

MsMarch · 16/05/2026 09:23

OvaHere · 16/05/2026 07:32

@MsMarch I also love a cleanser. I try to limit myself to 4-5 open at once. I seem to be able to get through them fairly quickly which is a bonus.

I've been wanting to try the Alpha H cleanser but not sure I'll love a strong citrus scent. The orange scent is why the Then I Met You cleansing balm isn't higher on my favourites list.

the scent isn't particularly citrussy which is why I didn't like it.

But it definitely doesn't last so if you did buy it, get a small one. There's no doubt the shelf life is short and the scent goes from "not really citrus" to "awful".

CorneliaStreet · 16/05/2026 10:53

@MsMarch Have you tried the Heimish All Clean balm? I think it’s similar to the Farmacy Green Clean.

MsMarch · 16/05/2026 11:26

I went for a shower after I typed the above.... and realised I made a mistake! When I counted, I didnt have a farmacy clean green as I have t replaced it yet! The 11th is actually the Origins Youthtopia apple.butter balm. I dont love it so its in the shower for the odd time I want to do make up removal in the shower. Scent is ok but not fab and the texture is more face wash than balm.

@CorneliaStreet I have not heard of that one - will check out!

TryingToFindMyStyle · 16/05/2026 11:40

That’s really helpful thank-you @MsMarch one of the most significant benefits I’m getting out of using up products and this thread is being more thoughtful about what I want to use and when. Which is a huge bonus as I only joined because I wanted a less overcrowded bathroom cupboard 😂

I feel like I use cleansers almost at random, and not as often as I should because I don’t know what to use when, so this explanation really helps me think about it.

Lifeisforliving2025 · 16/05/2026 13:51

Another couple of empties

Gucci Flora Orchid sample - love this, bought a pack of 12 samples from Direct Cosmetics so I had small fragrances for car, work and weekends away. Would RP full size once I need a fragrance

Valentino Donna 50ml - this was purchased in 2017 and had dregs in the bottom so I made it my mission to finish it completely - won't repurchase - used to be my favourite scent

Ogx argan oil conditioner - used up the dregs of this in the shower this morning - won't rp

Throws- been kicking around for too long

Flexitol heel Balm- bought ages ago, never use it

Elemis Cleansing Misceller water - stuck at back of cupboard, only about 2cm left in bottle but has been open for years. Won't rp

Snipped open the tube of Estee Lauder perfectly clean cleansing wash but has loads still inside despite nothing squeezing out. I think it will take a couple weeks till its done - I was looking forward to opening another new cleanser as this one seems to have lasted for months! Bought in £10 Tuesday at Boots - would buy again at this price but not at RRP

Made me realise I should be snipping open all my tubes

TragicMuse · 16/05/2026 15:58

I have a tube squisher and I still have to cut tubes open to get the last bits out @Lifeisforliving2025

Some more empties - mostly small things.

70-75

Pomegranate face mask. Nice and hydrating but there was loads of product left in the sachet which felt wasteful.

Votary Super Barrier Balm. Very greasy. It felt like a real effort to get through and I didn’t enjoy it. Not a rp. And if I got it again in an edit I’d be passing it on/reselling.

Nip + Fab vitamin C tonic. The teen has been using this. Not sure if it’s a repurchase or not. I’ll have to ask!

Pro:voke purple shampoo. A regular for my bleached hair, I have a large one ready to go next. A rp as long as I keep this colour!

Badedas shower gel. Another regular, I’ve just stocked up on another 12 bottles.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 3ml. As before, not sure what it’s done for redness but it didn’t sting or anything bad. I have had that things for a regime-change to explore.

I also opened a Suqqu Aquafons gel moisturiser but I do not like the texture at all and it feels very heavy on my skin. I passed it to the teen for them to try!

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 16/05/2026 17:39

Does anyone find themselves separating skincare into seasons? This past winter, I experienced dry skin for the first time in my life and was almost entertained by how much face cream my skin drank. Now it's a bit warmer, I don't seem to need much moisture.

Beautyfox · 16/05/2026 17:45

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 16/05/2026 17:39

Does anyone find themselves separating skincare into seasons? This past winter, I experienced dry skin for the first time in my life and was almost entertained by how much face cream my skin drank. Now it's a bit warmer, I don't seem to need much moisture.

I need to! The only issue I have is unless I’ve already tried it then I have no idea which season it’s best for. Although the lovely people on here help when they review their products. Someone on here stopped me from opening the AB eye cream now and holding it for later in the year because it’s soo rich. I often find the moisturisers that I try now that are too heavy for this time of year make great night creams.

ITookYourJoob · 16/05/2026 20:39

Aveda leaving in treatment- really meh. Don’t think it did much and didn’t smell nice either.

Aveeno skin oil - very sickly scent, otherwise a nice oil.

Sisley black rose face mask - again, not sure if it did anything.

Innisfree serum - nice, very light. Nothing groundbreaking though.

Youth to the people face wash - difficult to say if it did anything as it was used in shower for a minute.

Rituals body foam - very strange concept. Just stick to the body lotion.

Amika hydro rush set - very heavy. I normally like heavier products for my hair but this is too much.

Peter Thomas Roth face cream - very, very light almost like water.

Laniege lip treatment- actually really liked it. Better than the original.

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