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!

@Tarragon123 Isnt it funny ? The Umberto Gianini Curl Jelly is my Holy Grail

I kept feeling like I must be missing something as I used it as it just didn’t seem to do anything, maybe my hair is too fine and just not naturally curly enough. The sensitive scalp isn’t the fault of the product per se it’s me.

My holy grail for hair styling is Bed Head foxy curls but the container is not travel friendly so I’d hoped the UG tube would be similar, I hate decanting into travel containers I want the option of buying small refillable containers of my favourite products.

Best wishes for your recovery, inability to shower properly is particularly difficult for those of us addicted to nice toiletries!

In Melbourne heading towards Hobart. Massive car trip (2800km which included an extra stop in the mountains, adding about 500km to my OG route…)
I broke my no-buy because I used up all my cleansing balm. I found another for 60% off and didn’t buy two.
I also emptied the mascara I brought with me and lost my eyeliner. Both replaced.
New balm is green Banila Clean it Zero. Eyeliner is Canmake and mascara is Romand.

@Tarragon123 it sounds like you have really been through it - you poor thing. Really hope your daughter can wash your hair - I think that will definitely lift the spirits. Please take care of you and rest up xxxx

BTW I adore that Murad cleanser too.

I have a few more empties:

• KIN B5 mouthwash - sold to me by hygienist - actually one of the nicest ones I have used - was only meant to last a month - this is me 6 months later!
• OGX Bond Protein repair shampoo: too much for my oily roots - smells like Ouai Melrose Place.
• OGX Bond Protein Repair 1 minute treatment mask: despite containing amodemethicone this is not as softening as the Tresemme one.

How did the next bit of your journey go @Francestein? I hope you’ve relaxed in Melbourne before journeying on now.

@Tarragon123 I do hope you are feeling better. Hope you have had some rest now you are home after what sounds like a horrible hospital stay. (They are not restful places at all.) I hope you are being treated royally and being spoiled with all your favourite treats.

@TragicMuse I am still in Melbourne, which is lovely. I am catching up with friends and family today and tomorrow - especially eldest daughter who I see this evening. (She has been working terrible hours) I get the boat across to Tasmania (with my car in the hold) Tuesday night. My husband sent this photo of the view from our lounge room window, so I am excited to be there Wed.

Oh that looks heavenly!

I have long wanted to go to Tas, my great-grandmother came from Hobart!

@Francesteinthat looks amazeballs! May I join the waitlist to come visit?

Two empties

1. Space NK hand cream Paros Tides. Last of a pack of 3, not much scent, not a RP
2. Eve Lom Cleansing Balm. With this I learned that I am not a wet the muslin cloth three times kinda girl. Also not a RP.

Thank you for your lovely messages. I’m getting better and managed to wash my hair! I also managed to shower some of my body. So that has made a huge difference to how I am feeling. I got outside and sat in the sun this afternoon. Again, that made a huge difference. My Latest in Beauty Box turned up and I let DD raid it. She was very restrained and only took 4 products.

I was bad and bought the TSV yesterday on QVC as it was Gatineau and I just cant resist a Gatineau bargain.

Melbourne is so beautiful @Francestein I cant wait to visit again!

@Tarragon123 if you need, for in-between washes I thoroughly recommend the K-18 dry shampoo - I got it in an edit ( not something I'd buy normally as I love the feeling washing my hair) and it's really good - no white cast, it really just refreshes beautifully. Very glad to hear you're getting better too!

Glad to hear you're doing well @Tarragon123 re dry shampoo I like Arkive which are not too expensive. Around £10 ish in Boots.

4 more empties from me -
70.Medik8 C-Tetra advanced serum - Finished at last, opened in Feb I think? I like this but prefer the Skinceuticals over all - although this was a bargain from the CEW beauty awards edit, so for approx £10 can't really compare. I have another 2 from cult beauty gifts so will be sticking with this for the foreseeable.
71.J'aime Bond Leave in conditioner - This has already been reviewed a few times because we all bought the Harrods BAC last year - I really like it, the smell is inoffensive to me and it's moisturising and nourishing. I won't repurchase full price ( £42 I think?) but I have another I bought from eBay for now.
72.Granado Citrus Brasilis 10ml- first Granado scent I've liked. Sillage not great but I like wearing this.
73.Numbuzin 9 face mask ( the purple one) I'm at the end of the 4 pack I purchased and I'll rebuy - my skin looked lovely for an event i was stressing about thanks to this. Plumper, brighter, smoother. Hurrah!

I have a few empties for the week. Nos 92-97. Edging closer to the first hundred finished which is a real surprise. I didn’t think I’d finish this many in a year let alone the first 6 months…

Badedas shower gel. A standard for us. I have it on subscribe and save for a dozen at a time.

Tresemme conditioner. Family standard product. We have stocks under the bath. My only gripe is the shrinkflation from a few years ago. It used to be 750ml and is now 680ml.

COSRX advanced snail mucin 96. 30ml. I felt slightly icky about the snail aspect of this. But it’s not bad! Not too slimy! I’m not in love with it and can’t really see what it’s done for my skin but I suppose I wouldn’t mind if I had it again. Probably wouldn’t rp though.

Haru haru black rice hyaluronic toner. I really liked this. Soft, not stinging, gentle. I have a few kbeauty toners to explore otherwise I’d probably rp this.

Elemis pro-collagen hydrating cleansing mousse. 30ml. I quite liked this. The rose scent was nice but there was another underlying scent which was quite chemically and I wasn’t so keen. It cleansed well though and I like how it made my face feel afterwards. Didn’t sting the eyes either which is always a bonus. Probably wouldn’t rp but wouldn’t reject if I got it again in a box or edit.

Byoma melting balm cleanser. I liked the texture. It didn’t sting my eyes and I liked how it goes from oily balm to milky and easy to rinse off. Skin feels lovely and soft afterwards. It’s a decent price too. Would rp if my stash was low and I didn’t have others to try.

Tretinoin. The best beauty product I've bought. I would put it on par with botox and microneedling for effect. I've ordered from Monderma and Renew and Me. £25.

It wouldn't allow me to include both links.
https://www.renewandme.com/product/nightly-active-treatment/medical-consultation/1/let-us-begin-tell-us-how-we-can-help

Thank you @LightandBreezy and @OvaHere . I don’t think I’ve tried a dry shampoo since the 80s. I guess things have changed since then lol.

@TragicMuse – the Haru Haru Hyaluronic Toner is my HG. Love the stuff! It was someone on here who recommended, but I cant remember who?

@Tarragon123 How are you feeling? Did the hair wash happen? When my older daughter had surgery last year, I paid for her to get a couple of salon washes and blowdrys. I’m not sure if you’re up to that atm but she said it made her feel human.

Thank you @Francestein One step forward and two steps back at the moment. But the good news is that I can now take a full shower and wash my hair myself. Unfortunately, due to my surgery, I couldnt sit in a chair with my head back. It's a lovely thought and I even thought about paying my hairdresser to come to my house to wash my hair over the bath! I managed to wash my hair myself on Sunday and it made me feels so much better. Definitely human again.

Hope you’ve continued to feel better @Tarragon123

I have a few more empties

• Garnier moisture bomb sheet mask, used about 3 times, does anyone really just use them once? I like these as an occasional treat, will RP when I reduce number of products in my cupboard some more
• Estee Lauder Primer, from ages ago, I still had another unopened in my stash which I’ve just started won’t RP
• MooGoo balm sample, threw away unused as the sample pot made my skin flake
• Body shop rose perfume oil, tiny bit in bottle poured it away as ages since bought won’t RP boycotted Body Shop since their snidey message to JKRowling
• Body Shop mentol stuff, poured away won’t RP
• Mentol & eucalyptus inhalation stuff poured away I never actually use these so won’t RP
• Clinque take the day off sample, I still have a larger bottle to use up, both were GWP back when I wore makeup and used makeup wipes for convenience won’t be RP as I don’t like the residue this leaves on my face after using. I still have so many unused cleansers to work through

All small bottles but good to create a little space, cupboard is still stuffed but less piled high. I feel kind of guilty about having so many unused products, almost more so now I’ve used up so many and cupboard is still full. Out of all of these there’s only one I’d RP

I hope you are recuperating physically and emotionally after your surgery @Tarragon123. Sounds like you’ve been going through it!

Couple of empties

Rituals Sakura shower foam - love all Rituals scents, will rp when I go to Gretna outlet next month (excited 👏)

No 7 cleansing wipes - I find these easy to get make up off but going to start using a no7 cleansing water and cotton wool instead

Valentino Donna Acqua - I love this but its been discontinued 😩 this bottle is probably 5 years old and I was keeping it but noticed the perfume was looking darker so decided to use up. Will miss it

Elizabeth Arden night cream - have more to use

Loccitane almond hand cream - have been using all my hand creams on my feet as I prefer Rituals hand balms on my hands.

More empties from June:
94. Daktarin foot spray - medical and beauty essential for manky summer time feet
95. Benefit The Pore Professional - very good make up setter. Will RP if on offer.
96.Dermacologica - Super Rich Repair. Very nice but too expensive to RP.
97. Bioderma Face Wash - very good, big bottle. Will RP when I've used up some of my face wash stash.
98. Mitchum Natural Powder Gel Cream - binning as I don't like the texture unfortunately, and it leaves stains on my clothes.
99. Soap & Glory Perfect Zen Shower Gel - I liked this but was a bit slippy in the shower.
100. YAY 😁 Benefit Roller Lash - good on my meagre lashes but smudged a lot especially in the heat. I have another one in my stash.
101. Surrat mascara - this is a tubing mascara but about an hour after applying it would just crumble off my eyelashes leaving me looking a right mess 🤣
102. Renew & Me Tret - this is prescribed at 0.005% and was supposed to be applied daily. I think I ended up applying it twice a week, then every other day. No noticeable effect yet, but I have more to use. I just hope the one month expiry date is inaccurate.
103. Paw Paw Multi-purpose balm - this was tinted so good for lips and I used it on my cheek as blusher too.
104. Clinique pressed powder - love putting this on when I don't want a shiny face.

More empties:
105. Yes Intimate Foam - love this non itchy product, plenty more in the stash.
106. Dr Sebagh Rose de Vie serum - really lovely on my skin, great scent and texture.
107. Ren Evercalm Gentle cleansing milk - completely unmemorable, did it's job I guess.
108. PK Elasticiser - nice to use when I remember. I just use it as an intense conditioner as I can't be bothered to sit around with it on.
109. Living Proof Full Shampoo - quite nice but I have an itchy scalp so only used infrequently.
110. Jones Road mascara - from Liberty AC and quite a few users commented that it was gunky when they opened it. I thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. I opened it, used it a few days and it was quite good. But then it turned into a bomb of gunk on my eyelashes which I am now binning! I am still searching for my eyelash holy grail.
111. Salt Water Brown Sugar sample - beautiful scent, more in the stash.
112.Sisley Velvet Paris Sleeping Mask. This was lovely, went on my skin beautifully, smelt gorgeous and my skin looked good the next morning.
113. Neat Foaming Bodywash - I ended up using this as a hand wash. Smelt great, did the job.

40/100

ouai - detox shampoo. This is super for ultra clean feeling and removal of any product build up. Colour wow is currently doing a similar job but I would repurchase once stash is reduced.

MZ Skin - rich moisturiser. We all know it well, this is the tk maxx full size follow up purchase. I have another one to happily use.

SDJ - my ridiculous aeroplane kit I didn’t need. One item down.

Diptyque sens sample- lovely fresh eau de cologne type base the reveals sparkling complex scent with staying power. Not in the market for more fragrances but it is lovely.

Hope all with or recovering from health problems feel as well as possible soonest.

Wow @Henowner thats an amazing list of empties, it’s interesting there’s so many different mascaras out there but very few great mascaras. It felt like it was easier to get a good mascara years ago before they tried to make them all extra lengthening, thickening etc