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

369 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
SheilaFentiman · 22/03/2026 23:46

Vit C cream from boots. Have had this for ages, not a RP.

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Thereislightattheendofthetunnel · 23/03/2026 11:49

I can’t see if I have posted these ones, if so I am sorry for the duplicate post:

Jojo maman bebe body milk: very runny. Mild scented which I didn’t like and all in all I don’t think was very hydrating so won’t rp.

Pantene leave in conditioner. Very thick and lovely scent. For curly hair. Seemed to manage DNiece’s hair although lots of product was needed probably because of her length. Might RP of I see it again once I rub put of others in stash.

lacura almond body lotion. Not as bad as the oil shower gel. Nice scent, absorbs okeish woth a bit of rubbing involved. Won’t rp.

Superdrug clay mask. DD got me for mother’s day a couple of years ago, by the time I got it only God knows for how long it may have been lurking into another mum’s cabinet before making it to the donation for Mother’s day. Pleasantly scented like rose. No rashes appeared, I consider it success. Won’t rp though

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Thereislightattheendofthetunnel · 23/03/2026 11:50

*run out of others. Can’t find edit button

TryingToFindMyStyle · 23/03/2026 18:14

I have more empties!

  • Garnier lip mask, I’m not sure why I bought this as bit gimmicky, pleasant enough but probably wouldn’t RP although my lips do feel nice 🤔
  • VO5 hot oil treatment, I used to use this quite regularly but hadn’t for ages so suspect this tube has been loitering at the back of the cupboard for a while, hair feels nice and soft. I will RP except I have lots of hair products to work through first
  • Elizabeth Arden Good Nights Sleep face cream, I love this cream, nice scent love the feel of it on my skin so of course it’s been discontinued 😢 I have two more in the cupboard but I have found a random non spf face moisturiser in the cupboard I’ll use up next as a night cream
  • Hibernicus hand cream, I liked the mild scent and feel but have so many hand and body lotions to use so won’t RP
  • Mural vit C Triple Exfoliating Facial 10ml sample, contained enough for 3 uses. I liked this possible RP
Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
wheresmyshoe · 23/03/2026 21:21

Thank you for the new thread, bringing my 20/100 current total across

Beautyfox · 24/03/2026 18:18

More empties/binned. I feel I am much better at deciding quickly if I don’t like something which is really helping burn through my excessive stash. I’m actually shocked that with the help of this thread I have binned/used 68 products in 3 weeks!! Although maybe embarrassingly that is an indicator of how big my stash is.

40.. body shop shower scrub- quite watery but I really liked the smell. I would def RP for the £2 I paid in the sales but I think it’s been discontinued now.
41.. noble isle shower gel- nice smell but far too watery so wouldn’t RP
42..Oribe mirror rinse- really liked this last a few washes and my hair looks salon fresh. Very expensive but I would RP if on offer as a nice treat. Reminds me of the treatment that my hairdresser use to put in at extra cost.
43..clarins tonic shower gel- nice smell and consistency, but strong for sensitive areas would RP.
44.. aveda nutriplenish mask. Ok. Would use again but not RP as there’s better out there.
45.. clarins relaxing shower gel. Nice smell and consistency would RP.
46..bamford body milk- I liked this when I first started using it but I think I have had it too long and it was beginning to smell odd so binned.
47..diptique body lotion- lovely too expensive to RP
48..bum bum cream- like this but find it in lots of gwp and sets so no need to RP.
49..lancome eye- binned quite old and was a bit lumpy
50..lanergie water bank- far too thick even as a nighttime cream wouldn’t RP
51..omorovicza cream cleanser- lovely would RP.
52..clarins hydrating foaming cleanser. I persevered with this for much longer than I should have. I just didn’t like the smell and I prefer gel cleansers.
53..Rodial soft flow drops- binned awful smell like children’s strawberry antibiotics. Visually looked ok though.
54..who’s Elijah cherry fiesta. Binned. I love cherry smells but this was more pear and watermelon which I can’t stand.
55.patchology rose eye gels- not as cooling as I expected after months in the fridge. Wouldn’t rp.
56..l’occtaine immortal divine cream- binned. Didn’t like the smell.
57..Sunday Riley CEO- binned, far too sticky for me.
58..clarins eye make up remover. Like this will RP.
59..Paula’s choice liquid exfoliant- regularly RP.
60..k18 hair mask. Did nothing for me. Wouldn’t RP.
61..BY Terry lip care. Binned. Awful chemical smell.
62..clarins body shaping cream. Very small sample but would try it again.
63..clarin extra firming night- binned didn’t like it as a bit sticky.
64..espa lip oil- binned. Felt very drying wouldn’t rp.
65..gissou hair serum- binned. Not sure if this is very old but it was like a jelly consistency.
66..l’occtaine night serum- binned. Felt like putting olive oil on my face!
67..byredo Mohave ghost. Liked this but it didn’t last.
68..clarins gentle eye make up remover- no different to the normal one for me would happily RP.

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
TryingToFindMyStyle · 25/03/2026 11:55

@Beautyfox wow that’s amazing, 28 items so far for me as it feels wasteful to buy unless it’s obviously gone off, working through the shame of having spent so much on toiletries and cosmetics 😳

I like the discipline of thinking about whether I’d RP when I report. I use to love a beauty box as a treat but this has made me realise how few of the products I actually used and would RP versus how many just sit in the cupboard.

My feet have never been so soft though with working through body lotions, when I finally get through my stash I’ll have to buy foot cream.

TryingToFindMyStyle · 25/03/2026 12:09

typo above - it feels wasteful to ‘bin’ not ‘buy’

Beautyfox · 25/03/2026 12:51

I agree about it being wasteful but I have a real issue with smells and textures so if it’s a struggle I don’t keep it as I know I will never use it. I also try to start with the smallest sample I have when trying something new so I can gift/donate the bigger sizes of the things I don’t like. Embarrassingly I have a large shopping bag full of items that are unused that are ready to pass on. I’m not sure why I have horded so many products but it’s liberating to let go of products that just aren’t for me.

I love the idea of body lotion on your feet. I might try that when I run out of my foot lotion stash.

Fleecy · 25/03/2026 13:19

Funny you find the Laneige water bank cream too rich, even for night. I've been using it recently and really like it, so bought another 100ml! I also like the SR CEO vitamin C serum. We clearly have very different skin types!

I'm struggling to use stuff up. Haven't had an empty in ages. Still working on it...

Beautyfox · 25/03/2026 13:51

Fleecy · 25/03/2026 13:19

Funny you find the Laneige water bank cream too rich, even for night. I've been using it recently and really like it, so bought another 100ml! I also like the SR CEO vitamin C serum. We clearly have very different skin types!

I'm struggling to use stuff up. Haven't had an empty in ages. Still working on it...

Yes the lanergie was an odd one. It was soo thick and shiny I looked like I had really greasy skin so I tried it a night. This was one I persevered with a bit a night because my skin was so soft and supple the next day but I just hated how it felt like a mix between sudocream and Vaseline so gave up with it. I am getting through some very old stock and I have no idea how long I’ve had this but I didn’t get the impression that it had gone off.

The CEo serum was a revisit because I’d struggled with it before but really love lots of Sunday Riley products so I thought I would give it another ago but it made my skin soo shiny and sticky. It really was a pass from me.

I had never thought how different products act on different skin types. I would probably describe my skin as combination.

Fleecy · 25/03/2026 13:54

Mine is (as you may have guessed!) dry and needs a lot of moisture. I find some things too light.

LightandBreezy · 25/03/2026 16:56

@Beautyfox the Laniege isn't normally heavy and greasy, so I wonder it it had dried out a bit? It sounds really similar to the Dewy Cream I posted recently - I know that normally the dewy cream has a rich but slightly gel-like texture, but that 15ml pot was more like a creamy vaseline and left my skin really shiny. Smelt fine and I still used it just at night as too much for day, but I know that's not it's normal texture. As it was from a recent GWP it should have been fine. Maybe that's what these gel-cream formulations turn into when they evaporate a bit.

Peridot1 · 25/03/2026 17:07

Thanks for the new thread @Experiment627.

Marking my place really. I feel I need to a bit of a sort out. Also need reminders I do not need to buy anything else. No matter how tempting. No matter how much of a bargain!

Beautyfox · 25/03/2026 17:42

LightandBreezy · 25/03/2026 16:56

@Beautyfox the Laniege isn't normally heavy and greasy, so I wonder it it had dried out a bit? It sounds really similar to the Dewy Cream I posted recently - I know that normally the dewy cream has a rich but slightly gel-like texture, but that 15ml pot was more like a creamy vaseline and left my skin really shiny. Smelt fine and I still used it just at night as too much for day, but I know that's not it's normal texture. As it was from a recent GWP it should have been fine. Maybe that's what these gel-cream formulations turn into when they evaporate a bit.

This is a very good point. I don’t think I’ve got another pot in my stash but if I stumble across it again then I will try it as soon as I get it.

Is it the tatcha dewy cream that you are talking about? If so, I have some of that in my stash that I know I have tried previously and really liked so it will be Intresting if this is the expected consistency when I get round to it.

OvaHere · 25/03/2026 18:35

Finally got round to doing these. I've collected so many I needed two photos. Most are empties but there's a few chucks too.

Tatcha cleansing balm - a favourite but cost per gram is not worth it other than on offer. So I tend to RP once or twice a year at most.

Innisfree Blueberry Rebalancing 5.5 cleanser - really liked this. Left my skin very soft, not drying and has a nice light scent. Would RP.

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask - a fave staple. Have a couple more of these as I stocked up when they reformulated. Beyond that I don't know if I will like the new one but I will try it.

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo - another fave and a RP.

SKII travel size - love this stuff. My fave essence. Shame it's expensive and not that easily available in the UK.

Estee L Micro Essence travel size - Probably the best dupe for SKII. It's not as good but I do like it and it makes an okay substitute.

MediK8 C Tetra Advanced - Probably my favourite Vit C which is a good job as I have a few in reserve.

Eborian CC Correct - Really like this. It's great on it's own or as a primer when redness flares up. Have a new full size.

Hourglass Veil Primer sample - Didn't rate this but the sample was a bit useless and difficult to scrape out with the tiny spatula. I know a squeeze tube would look less luxe but more practical for a sample.

Bioeffect serum - Another one I enjoy. Have a couple more from edits but don't think I could bring myself to buy at RRP.

Prada Paradoxe Radical Essence sample - Nice enough scent but way too sweet and strong.

Kosas Brightening Concealer mini - thought this was really nice and bought a bigger one. Creamy, easy to apply and does seem to brighten without creasing.

Dr Sam Flawless Cleanser sample - didn't rate this. Can't remember why exactly. Just very meh I think.

Lancôme Renergie Collagen Lift Extend sample - This is Lancôme's new cream. It was very nice. Can't say it was better than the rest of the Renergie range as it was one use. I really like all their creams.

Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial - this is a chuck, it's half empty and has been hanging around well over a year, maybe two. It's not a bad cream but the fragrance is too much even for someone who likes a bit of fragrance.

Ritual of Karma Shower Oil - It was fine. Like most of Rituals products I'm happy to use them if they come my way but I'm not crazy about most of them.

Color Wow Money Leave in Conditioner - this is very nice and the spray is very fine. I've got a few LiC's to use up but I would use this again.

Suqqu Aquafons - Favourite hydrating lotion. Love the scent too. It's a bit expensive for what it is really but I do really like.

Lancôme Bi facil eye make up remover - discovered this in the holiday set and was impressed. I've started using it to remove mascara as it's more gentle on the eye than just cleanser. Have RP.

Sephora Cotton Flower Body Spray - had this a couple of years. There was about a quarter left and it was smelling past its best. Bought whilst on a trip. I'm sure it's long discontinued.

Sunday Riley A+ Retinol - Like this a lot, it didn't irritate. It's expensive though and it's usually easier to find a good deal on MediK8 retinal than this so I would use it again but not in a rush to RP and I have others to use.

The last of the G&S eye masks - nice, would use again.

Couple of masks - Anua Heartleaf I really like. Dr Jart, can't remember if I liked. I don't think it left much of an impression good or bad.

EL Primer sample - seemed okay. Would need more than a single sachet to reach a verdict I think.

Arencia Rosehip Cleanser - only used once but made my face really red so it's headed for the bin. Also really dislike the texture.

Glossier Milk Jelly Cleansing Balm - was about to chuck this (hence being in the photo) as I thought it was awful and like thick glue. However just tried it on the back of my hand and it feels nice. I think it was too cold on the bathroom window and it solidified. The room with my empties box is much warmer. Going to keep it elsewhere and give it another chance. So I guess it will reappear in this thread again!

Evidens Mask (the blue minty one) - there's probably one or two uses left in this but I didn't love it.

Augustinus Bader Lash and Brow serum - I normally love an AB product but this was terrible. I hated the applicator and I think it made my lashes and brows worse. There's probably some left but I'm done with it. I've had decent results with the Beauty Pie and The Ordinary serum, both far cheaper, so I couldn't advise anyone to buy this one.

Augustinus Bader The Elixr 5ml - This is is a crazy priced serum at £400+. I did get close to a week from this using it just in the evening. It felt nice and didn't have any adverse reaction but not one I will be purchasing to try for longer.

YSL Libre Berry Crush mini - Sort of an empty. I decanted this into a spray bottle and have used most of it. I like it. It's nothing that special but a nice, sweet smelling scent. Good for work as inoffensive.

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
curiousbyprocess0614 · 26/03/2026 06:35

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!

This is genuinely one of the more useful approaches to beauty buying because finishing a product before buying a replacement forces you to actually evaluate whether it worked rather than just chasing novelty, and from a formulation standpoint that patience often reveals whether a product was doing anything meaningful for your skin or whether it just smelled nice and felt good in the first few days before your skin adapted to it.

Experiment627 · 26/03/2026 07:32

I have an empty to report:

  • Rituals The Ritual of Jung deep sleep pillow mist: lovely smell. Mainly used this 20ml spray in the bathroom. Actually no clue where this came from.
OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 26/03/2026 07:32

Three more empties!

M&S sleep serum - I liked this but didn’t like the little dropper, currently using an Inkey List serum that is easier to dispense. Might RP.

Space NK Parisian Gardens hand cream - this came in a gift set of 3, I prefer the Caribbean Shores smell

Elemis revitalise shower gel - travel freebie, wouldn’t RP as didn’t love the smell and also shower gel is not somewhere I spend big brand money 😀

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Francestein · 27/03/2026 13:28

I have been powering through my travel sized items and samples. Laneige Cream Skin toner. This stuff used to be the bomb. Now it’s very underwhelming and smells like plastic. I am keeping the bottle to decant some of my TirTir Milky Skin Toner to take away with me next week. I have used up my handful of Aestura Barrier Repair Cream. Lovely. Will buy in the future. It’s lightweight but very hydrating and moisturising. Purito Oat Cream. Also lovely but not quite enough “oomph” for me. Very soothing though. Probably brilliant in the middle of summer. House of Hur Tropical Glow Sunscreen. (Full-sized one) Very nice, but I will take the Round Lab Camellia one any day. TirTir ceramic cream. Gorgeous. Lovely, whipped formula. Would buy a f/s one on sale. (I have another of these and I am taking it with me - travelling to colder, drier climate). Ulelis Hair Oil. Smelled a bit sugary sweet for my liking. It was fine but I have another I much prefer. I used it up by smearing it all through my hair and massaging it into my scalp to use as a pre-wash treatment. (Unconvinced about it’s efficacy). I used a mini mascara by Peripera in blackened plum. Great color & formula but the tube is missing a stopper. A bit messy. Would buy again as a full-size if I could find it.

TragicMuse · 27/03/2026 17:01

I cut open my tube of Zelens Melatonin and there’s still loads left! I’m itching to get through it!

OvaHere · 27/03/2026 23:03

Another couple of empties.

Banila Clean it Zero Ceramide Cleansing Balm - think this might be my new favourite of the Banila balms beating the pink one. Very effective and lovely scent.

Perricone MD Cold Plasma + Sub D Neck - liked this, it seemed effective. Bit of an odd scent but I soon got used to in. It's bit expensive unless on offer - I got this one on a QVC deal. Would potentially RP if another deal comes up. I've moved on to Prai Neck Cream which I'm also liking. Prai seems to be more widely available and on offer more often so not sure if I will end up buying the Perricone again.

Beauty addicts thread: share empties, chucks and mindful buying tips
Experiment627 · 28/03/2026 08:59

Opened up my new foundation from ELF... FFS absolute pants - am devastated. PLEASE send me your foundation recommendations - I am desperate!

I have an empty to report:

  • Corsodyl active gum repair fresh mint toothpaste: given this small tube from the dentist as apparently my gums were in a terrible state. Tastes of salt. What a relief to go back to my beloved Kingfisher.
OP posts:
GellerYeller · 28/03/2026 09:13

Experiment627 · 28/03/2026 08:59

Opened up my new foundation from ELF... FFS absolute pants - am devastated. PLEASE send me your foundation recommendations - I am desperate!

I have an empty to report:

  • Corsodyl active gum repair fresh mint toothpaste: given this small tube from the dentist as apparently my gums were in a terrible state. Tastes of salt. What a relief to go back to my beloved Kingfisher.

I’ve just gone back to The Ordinary foundations which were discontinued for a long time. They’re quite runny- if you like a thicker texture I liked Laura Mercier.
If anyone from The Ordinary is here, please bring back the coverage foundation!

My empties: Elemis pro collagen eye cream. Replaced with Elemis pro smart eye duo(thanks Santa).
I didn’t love the pro collagen enough to finish it before it went off. I preferred Cerave eye repair.

Experiment627 · 28/03/2026 09:15

Thanks @GellerYeller I did try The Ordinary ones years ago - good shout I could try again.

OP posts:
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