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!

One empty, Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream. Perfectly pleasant but will not rp, not too sure why I bought it the first place as I don’t have dark circles, and there are many other eye creams I want to try (I have Medik8 Retinal 6 ready to go, and also want to try BoJ).

I chucked out some hard-panned pressed powders (random brands that didn’t impress me at all.) I think there were four.
Finished a TirTir cushion blush mini that was a freebie. I liked it but wouldn’t necessarily RP alone.
Threw out a couple of ancient kohl pencils that smudged so much I looked more like a Jackson Pollock than a Michelangelo.
Gorgeous mini mascara by Etude in the colour “Blackened Plum”. Loved.

@Tarragon123 interested to read that there's an aldi dupe for the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched stff. I love that stuff - less as a primer and more just when my skin feels a bit sad. I don't use it all the time so it lasts forever but I will bear this mind when my current stash runs out as it is very expensive and hard to justify just becuase it makes me feel soothed!

@MsMarch there's a mini Bobbi Brown Vit Enriched Base in the Boots holiday beauty bag, which might work out as good value if you like anything else in there.

https://www.boots.com/boots-mini-holiday-beauty-bag-10385684

Thanks for that. There isn't anything in there that I particularly want and I actually have a bit of a glut at the moment as DH bought me a big one for my birthday... and SIL bought me a small one!

Two more empties:

Versed Day Maker Exfoliator 90ml - A £10 Tuesday Boots buy, this is my second tube and I liked it less this time around, although it’s a fine physical exfoliater, I think I just got bored of it and I’m not a big fan of physical exfoliators. They don’t sell Versed in the UK anymore anyway so that is that.

Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream 250ml - I really liked everything about this, the consistency, the smell, and how it left my skin feeling. A probable repeat purchase in the future but I stocked up on (cheap) Vaseline Pro Age Restore Gluta Hya Serum Lotion, which I adore, when I was in SE Asia recently so I have a lot of that to get through first!

Its certainly worthwhile keeping a look out if you go to Aldi. I wouldnt recommend the eye cream though. Some of the dupes can be a real hit or miss. I love one of the eyeshadow sets, but I have no idea who its mean to be a dupe off 🙈

Empties

not pictured - 1.5ml Fugazzi Angel Dust. This was one of the 5 samples for £5 from cult beauty and I like the sweet smell. I like trying lots of samples but would otherwise RP and will keep an eye out for any discounts.

Geranium foot cream - this was part of a gift set with a scrub and I like the smell. I have some neutrogena foot cream to use next

Nivea Q10 handcream - this has been on the go for flipping ages, perfectly fine handcream but I didn’t notice any anti ageing effects 😀

Inkey List Hyalouronic acid serum - straightforward but I didn’t like the dispenser, too much came out at once and I have other serums to try

Simple spf 30 moisturiser with vitamin E - nice convenient travel size, May RP for travel but probably prefer the Olay Day regenerist for home

Prai Ageless Arms - this was a perfectly nice cream to put on my upper arms from a prai set. Unconvinced it did anything more than a regular body lotion, though!

Only 3 empties, I feel like I’ve been using some products for ages but there’s still loads left, maybe I’ll finish several at once.

• espa shampoo, 2nd from a roccabox ok nothing special wouldn’t rp
• 417 foot cream, really liked this, possible rp when I’ve worked through all my body lotions
• moogoo shea butter balm, I think I got this as a free sample when I bought a couple of their big refill bags. It was quite greasy so I was only using it on my hands. My hands got more and more dried out as I used it. A day of using another cream they visibly improved. Definitely not a rp, using nothing would be better. I didn’t finish the pot.

I used up the Thierry Mugler Aura travel-sized body washes and lotions that I have been hoarding. A bit sad about it, but the fragrance has been discontinued and I can’t buy it ever again.
Finished a bottle of Mixa panthenol body lotion. Made for itchy, sensitive skin and it’s really good. Will r/p when I move.
Dove gradual tanner binned. It’s great but I don’t want to move it with me and have no desire to use it atm. (Winter here and I am back to eau naturale pale green.)
Used up two sachets of Elizavecca Cera 100 Coating Treatment. Will r/p a couple before I move. I suspect stuff has replaced my previous fave, the Tsubaki one. It’s very, very good.
Finished a Japanese toothpaste. It felt great but was peach flavored. I really only like mint. Looking for a hydroxyapetite depositing one. If anyone has any recommendations I would be very grateful.

Boots is sling Clarins double serum ar a good discount and with a free gift online (although no details of the gift which is annoying). I have decided to only buy clarins products at boots from now on as clarins points expire so quickly and boots points are therefore more helpful.

Just flagging for anyone who needs new clarins stuff as there seem to be a few fans on this thread. I have a couple of weeks of double serum left but might take opportunity to benefit from discount. Pity there are no outlet stores near me - they might still be selling the old formula at an even cheaper price than when I picked up my last batch before Christmas!

@MsMarch i know you said you only buy clarins things from boots but it is def worth keeping an eye on clarins. They currently have the double serum gift set (50ml-I’m not sure if new or old formula) slightly cheaper than boots are selling the double serum and with a few extra products plus a free gift when you spend £70. I regularly buy from clarins so maybe I spend my points regularly too but if you don’t convert them to vouchers until you want to use them they last ages. My next points aren’t due to expire until May 2028. I don’t think it’s the best rewards scheme tbh but on occasion the offers are great. I can’t see a way to add a link from the app but I’ll attach a screenshot

@Beautyfox I agree re the sets. But they often aren't things I want. I must be doing something wrong because my points disappear all the time. Its so frustrating. I got double points on Boots so am happy enough.

The gift, fyi, isnt a good one for me. Hand cream, body lotion, eye cream.and the blue tube of moisteriser. So i landed up skipping gift and getting the smaller one. They last for ages so a small one will do me for about 4 months.

Have just splurged on Elavate collagen... am hoping it will solve a multitude of sins including joint and muscle pains. Am mentioning here as hopefully will also send all my wrinkles packing - will report back on a few months.

Is Elavate a collagen supplement @Experiment627? Let me know how you go!

@Experiment627 interested in how you get on. I bought vitamins for helping with joint issues but you’re supposed to take them with your main meal and I always forget. I must put in a renewed effort to remember them so that I at least use up the packet. I bought a tub of powered bovine collagen to put in drinks and hated it so that didn’t get finished.

In the past I’ve often used Imedeen prime renewal vitamins which you take morning and evening and done better at remembering as they are there on my bedside.

You can add the powdered collagen to yogurts,etc
I have willpowders but cant stand it in my drinks.
Have with Greek yogurt and a few seeds x

15 May empties, have split into would/would not repurchase.

Would RP
• Maria Nila Heal shampoo: really nourishing and made my hair beautifully soft.

•Lacura Healthy Glow Rose Oil. Absolute bargain from Aldi, and I get compliments on my complexion frequently when wearing it. Already have RP more than 10 😂

•Clarins Santal Oil. Have been using this for years. My skin really appreciates how nourishing this oil is.

•Korres Renewing Body Cleanser. I RP every time I’m at a Greek airport (often 2-4-1). Hydrating and good range of scents.

•Vihelm Basilico & Fellini and perfume. Wow! What a unique scent. The smell of summer!

•Alien Eau Extraordinaire perfume. Unfortunately discontinued or would RP.

Would not RP
•Rituals pearlescent body scrub. Too harsh for my skin.

•Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask. I do like this product, but too price for the effect it had.

•Charlotte Mesha oil conditioner. Had to be really careful to wash all of this out or would end up with dull hair.

•TWO PK Elasticizer!! Started using it as a regular conditioner after seeing that recommended on here. No RP as, like everyone else, have a full stash of this.

•Suqqu Aqufons. Didn’t really understand how to use this.

•Aromatherapy Associates Revive shower oil. Scent did not appeal.

•Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman perfume. Quite pleasant, but DH really disliked it.

•Ted Baker eyeshadow trio. I actually really like one of the three colours. No RP as came in a set and not sold individually.

Yes @Francesteinit is a collagen supplement- claim to fame = amount of collagen in supplement + marine & bovine + superior vitamin C to help you absorb collagen. No idea if it will work- from what I gather evidence that collagen supplements actually provide claimed benefits a bit patchy but I am desperado. Not so bothered about skin and hair benefits but my joints and muscles are so so so sore. All the time.

@TryingToFindMyStylewill defo report back. Elavate is mixed with water into a shake - I got chocolate, vanilla and flavourless to try... I am also doing a shake meal replacement so lots of drinks for me!

The Aquafons i found great @countdowntonap.

Caveats on my use: winter, face basically wet with water after cleansing / shower and applied a few shakes and let dry before other layers. I think it has humectants in but that can dry the skin if there is no water on it. Sometimes would be ok on dry skin if I sprayed a moisture spray/ mist just after.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage anti-ageing cleanser. Absolutely not! I hated this, it made my face itch, really stung my eyes, and the micro-beads were just awful. I ended up using it as body wash in the shower and even that was a trial. Never again. Horrible stuff.

Mystic Waters mineralising rescue mist. Very nice as a prep for serum. Probably not a rp as I have other things to do the same job but I liked using this one.

Innisfree green tea seed hyaluronic serum. 10ml so only a small bottle but I enjoyed it a lot. Its added to my face care routine really well. Would rp.

Skin 1004 Hyalu-Cica water fit sun serum spf 50+. 15ml. I really liked this. It’s not quite as matte as I’d like but the sun protection is very good and my face felt lovely with it on. And it lasted well. Would use again.

Trinny Take Back Time Elixir. I really like this. BUT it’s expensive and this one lasted about 5 weeks which doesn’t feel that long! I will rp but only when I’m feeling flush, I can’t really afford to have it all the time! Not with the stash making eyes at me, anyway.

Pixi glow tonic 15ml. Not a current rp. Nothing to say about it really.

Trinny The Elevator. HG product for me. I have just started one from my stash and will rp.

Avon naturals strawberry and white chocolate shower gel. The teen used this up. I don’t think it’s a rp, they didn’t seem keen and I don’t like synthetic strawberry smells!

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. Ok, I don’t use it daily. It’s a bit gritty and gets stuck in the hairline but the end result is quite soft! I have another in stash to use but probably not one to rp when that’s used up.

Thanks @Lurkingshark
I was using it like a toner with cotton wool 😂

A few more from me to round out May and posting to distract me from the neighbours barbecue/rave - they have dire taste in music and like it loud. I either have crap beats to endure, or if I close the window to lessen the impact I will boil to death. Yes, I am a massive fun-spoiling grouch. Ho Hum.
56.Davines OI oil - I can't believe I've finally finished this, could have become a fully qualified lawyer in the time it took to get through it. Nice but no need to repurchase as i have another mini plus 3 x of the oribe version and an olaplex to get through thanks to various gwps.
57.Christophe Robin Hair Mask - a repurchase that I've gone off, hair is untameable apparently.
58.Suqqu Toner - decanted this into a cute little spray bottle, seemed nice when layered but nothing amazing, looking forward to trying the haru haru fermented toner soon, will decant that too as it seems less messy and wasteful to put toner on this way.
59.Tatcha Matcha Cleanse sample - This was nice, annoyingly I misread the sachet and thought it was a sample of the water cream so took it to my local sauna place and smeared a load of it on my face before realising it was not. Seems to be a recurring theme at the moment, perhaps it's time to spend my money on new glasses instead of more moisturisers 😂Wouldn't repurchase as it's not formulated for my skin type and is spendy as are all things Tatcha.
60.Emma Hardie Moringa Body Scrub - I love the smell of the cleanser from the same range, and love body scrubs generally so I picked this up in TKMaxx as a treat, it's nice but the smell is nicer in the cleanser balm, not sure if that's normal or just because it was old stock.
61.Sana Jardin Air of Aquarius - Lemony and fresh so I enjoyed wearing this in the heatwave. Didn't have much sillage or staying power but citrus scents rarely do on me.
62.Sam McKnight Happy Endings Balm, a leftover from an advent calendar I think - Didn't really like this, or see the point of it, didn't seem to do much at all really.
63.Grown Alchemist Gentle Foaming Cleanser - Second bottle of this as I bought 2 of the same edit last year with it in. I didn't hugely like this because it felt like it left a film, but the scent was nice and it was non-drying. It felt like it wasn't cleaning properly but I think I was actually wrong - I started using it as a body cleanser with a mitt to use it up, and then one day used it to wash my yoga mat and it did a great job 😂
So that's it from me for a bit, excited to try the replacement products for variety!

Not as excited as I am for the music stopping at some point this evening though 😂

@LightandBreezy yoga mat cleaner is a new one, very inventive 😀 maybe I will try that for the never ending Baylis and Harding gift set shower gel!

hope you got some sleep in the end