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 I love Who gives a crap - but it is pricey - I always look out for offers on Amazon and often The Cheeky Panda comes up - which is really good too. I am currently trying out "Eco Soul"...

I have an empty to report:

• Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes: I only bought these to make up an order on iherb to qualify for free delivery. As I recall they were actually quite pricey. They are individually wrapped face wipes. Smell lovely. Work fine. But I feel guilt about all the unnecessary, in my view, packaging. I suppose very handy for travelling light.

After feeling like no empties for ages I emptied a few close together although I feel like I’m having to try harder now to find items to work through

• CoCo Mademoiselle Hair perfume, no idea what the difference is and I never used it as hair perfume, in the end I decided to use this as if it was regular perfume. Not a RP a hair perfume is too specialist
• Espa body lotion from a hotel, I’d got bored working my way through a large tube of different body lotion so switched to this to use up, ok scent a little strong not a RP
• White company Lime & Bay shower gel, from a present of multi pack small White Company shower gels, wouldn’t RP myself but would be very happy to receive as a gift. Liked not having the same scent for too long. I’d been keeping this as too nice to use 🙄
• Molton Brown body wash, not strictly mine think DH got it as a gift set years ago made him use it up. Not a RP
• Estée Lauder eye serum sample, I have a full size of this serum in my stash I like it but won’t RP when I’ve used the full size
• Touché hand and nail soak. No idea where I got this from or when, decided to just use it as hand wash as I don’t have time to soak my hands wouldn’t RP

@Tarragon123 glad you’re feeling up to a long shower, hope your recovery continues going well 💐

@Tarragon123 I hope you are feeling better.

Few more empties from me, not finishing as many now.

Q&A vitamin c eye cream- this was ok, not sure if I would rp as sometimes it felt like it was dragging across my skin
No7 perfect and protect day cream- this is normally a favourite of mine but I felt it didn't moisturise my skin as well as it normally does. I don't think this was anything to do with the product, I think I'm starting to go through peri and my skin is changing.
Clairns mens exfoliating cleanser- this was a sample of dh's that he didn't want, this was too harsh for my skin.
Kat Burki vitamin c intensive face cream- I liked this until I saw the price tag, probably not a rp.
Gorgeous by Gok body wash- this was so old, thankfully it hadn't expired as it smelt amazing, not a rp as it doesn't exist anymore.
No7 lip care- was ok, think I have another one in my stash.

42/100

I’m eyeing up my day and night moisturisers, they’re about to run out so I get to choose new ones! How funny to be excited about finishing something!

I'm the same! Only for me, I have two cleansers, two toners and a moisturiser about to finish.

My nails are an absolute mess. I love my nails and I take great pride in getting them done regularly. However, I know that once the gel nails are taken off, you take your chances and all bets are off. I saw my consultant today and he is pleased with my progress. I am going to need a further wee procedure, but he confirmed that will be under local anaesthetic. But I still cant get gel nails done just yet.

I've got a wedding this weekend, so my finger nails will just need to be naked. A friend is coming round to put regular polish on my toes. I'm determined to use up a Nail & Cuticle Oil this week. I reckon there's only about 3mls left in it. Its been kicking around since Nov 2022, so if I dont use it up, I've binning the contents.

@Tarragon123 not sure if you can use regular nail varnish but this kit is lovely and this brand use really good ingredients. It gives a French nail effect. I’m not great at this but the applicator makes it much easier (I watched a YouTube video) and apart from the odd white tip they look quite professional.

Hope your procedure goes well and you can treat you and your nails properly very soon.

they also sell it on cult beauty with faster delivery but I can’t copy a link from the app

www.amazon.co.uk/French-Manicure-Set-Manucurist-Raspberry/dp/B0GP1Y944C/ref=asc_df_B0GP1Y944C?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333278604811&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=69231&hvtargid=pla-4583932763987729&psc=1&hvocijid=7729999665276599519-B0GP1Y944C-&hvexpln=0

Empties to report!

Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Serum Serum 50ml - love this but I’ve gone through a couple of 50ml bottles now and got a bit bored of it so sold the one I had stored.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream 50ml - same as above!

Vaseline Gluta Hya Age Protect Body Serum 300ml - I love the fragrance and texture of this. I have three back ups. They don’t sell the Age Protect variant here or the 300ml size (picked these up in SE Asia) so I’ll be sad when they run out. The 200ml size is a lot more expensive here too.

Caudalie Eau de Vignes Shower Gel 200ml - I liked this but it’s nothing special. I’d buy it
again if I run out of shower gel and it was on special.

I've got a few more empties - have ruined my totals by getting a bunch of not wildly exciting freebies at the Harrods event recently, so lots in whilst my pace on full-size items out has become glacial. I did a stock check of all the categories and I have banned myself from buying serums because I think it'll take me about 2 years to use up what I've got (I don't go through serums very quickly) and they are all good products I want to try, so no reselling for me.
74.Exfolikate foaming cleanser - this was only 30ml, took it on holiday in May but didn't use it up in a week then when I got home I reverted to my regular cleansers so it dragged out a bit unintentionally - felt nice, but my skin wants cleansers that add moisture/ don't strip oils so not a RP for me. I am absolutely loving my caudalie almond milk cream cleanser - true HG product for me, perfect for me on every level. My skin never feels tight
75.111 skin rose gold mask - about 6 times the price of the Numbuzin and about 6 times less effective. TBF I did think these were good a couple of years ago before I tried a bunch of others. This was a freebie.
76.Phillip Kingley Elasticizer - a much maligned product because it's turned up in every edit/ BAC for the last 10 years it feels like, but it did a great job on my hair, stopped the mad frizz for a few days.
77.Rosemary Oil - I use this as a hair treatment occasionally. Don't think I'll repurchase as it's not hair growth that's the problem, it's hair looking like a shit, frizzy mess.
78.Neom Sleep spray - absolutely love this, my favourite sleep spray, it smells heavenly. RP'd a big bottle from TKMaxx.
79.Tatcha Dewy Milk sachet - I was given a few of these to try because I spoke to a Tatcha assistant about finding the Dewy cream a bit much in the heat. This is nice, but I prefer the Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium lotion and it's much better value.

Forgot the pic - the rosemary oil isn't pictured and there's a Charlotte Mensah pomade in there I'm chucking - the lid split so it's all dried out. That takes me to 80.

I love manicurist. I got their advent calendar last year. They have some lovely natural polishes. I wear a few of theres. Pic with a sparkly one on.

Pic of the one im using

Another Manicurist fan here 🖐I've got the active glow in Raspberry and something called Active Plump I think? Same sort of colour as @Doglover73 's Active Shine but without the shimmer. They make my nails look natural-but-better, and my hands are pretty raggedy so need all the help they can get. The blurb says they are nourishing @Tarragon123 so maybe something to look into ( a treat after such a difficult time 💅)

Info. Good brand . Less chemicals than regular nail polish

@Doglover73 i didn’t know they did an advent calendar! I must add that too the list! I can’t have professional manicures because my hobbies prevent it but I love how I can use this to look more together and actually it withstands a lot of abuse compared to other brands I’ve tried.
I use the Yuka app to scan ingredients and this is one of the few nail polish brands that gets a positive result.

https://uk.manucurist.com/products/advent-calendar-all-that-glitters?oc=GB

Not cheap but the products as you say are quality. It had a lot of the popular products. I sold a few bits on vinted, dark shades, but overall loved it. 😍

Finally posting my June empties. I think I'm going to have to just post as I go as this took way too long 🤣

June's empties 🤪

Elemis Take it Away makeup remover - really like this, I already have a further 2 bottles of this in my stash.

Hairmed B12 shampoo - love this shampoo, I used olaplex 4 years ago and it completely ruined my hair. I also started on wegovy which made some of my hair fall out. I found that this has really helped my hair grow back and become a glossy mane again. It's harder to get as they've stopped selling in the UK.

Sdj Delicia drench body butter - just gorgeous! My favourite sdj scent. Will rp.

Decree toner mist - I like this, but it's not a wow product, I wouldn't rebuy but would be happy to see it in an edit or AC.

Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Shampoo - I really wasn't keen on this. It was nice on the first day of washing, my hair looked shiny and nourished but on the 2nd day it just looked greasy.

Eve Lom cleansing balm - love it, have many more in my stash.

Omorovicza night cream - I thought this was gorgeous, absorbs well and really makes your skin soft.

Sunday Riley lactic acid treatment - I don't use these types of treatments often as I have rosacea. I found that my skin tolerated this but I didn't see any difference, maybe because I didn't use it consistently. Wouldn't RP as I'm too worried to really use it.

Lancaster creme princiere, really liked this, light weight but hydrating. Would rp.

Bioeffect hydrating cream, like the Lancaster, I really like this, it's also light weight but very hydrating, would rp.

Laura Mercier ambre vanille body cream, liked the smell and texture but it wasn't hydrating enough for me especially after using the sdj.

Matcha hemp hydrating cleanser, it was ok, nothing special, it's not as hydrating as the AoS cleanser that I like. I'm not sure if I'd RP.

Medik8 liquid peptides advanced MP - love love love this! Would rp if it didn't cost so much and I didn't have so many serums in my stash.

Guerlain mascara, nice to begin with but then went clumpy after a few weeks, wouldn't RP.

Chantecaille mascara, I found that it took a lot to get any really product on my lashes. I'm thinking I'll sell the 2 fs that I have. Would rp.

Augustinus Bader sunscreen, as a big ab fan I had high hopes for this. It pilled with my makeup so it's a no from me.

Nip + fab salicylic mask, nice and hydrating but that's the only benefit I felt. Wouldn't RP.

Fugazzi angel dust perfume, I have a few more of these samples in my stash from the CB sample sale. I love it.

If you've read all that, then well done 🤣

@JoRaRaRa have you found anything that is good for Rosecea?

Not @JoRaRaRa obvs but I find just having a decent skincare routine overall has helped so it can be hard to pinpoint a specific product (outside of prescribed medication).

I have recently really enjoyed this from COSRX though. It was a whim purchase on a Prime Deal but I've found it very soothing. My skin always looks calmer in the AM after using.

It will be in my empties fairly soon. I think a there's been others on the thread that like Propolis as an ingredient. I've got a Propolis toner to try too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CX0055-Propolis-Honey-Overnight-Mask/dp/B08N3ZGYS8

Thank you @OvaHere !

Ah, I’ve just finished the Omorovicza night cream and didn’t really like it at all!

My recent empties, numbers 98-101

Ivy aïa face mist. Had a long time. It made my face feel dry and itchy and tight so I tipped it away. Definitely not one to rp

Skin1004 centella soothing cream. Passed it to the teenager. I think it made me itchy. Not a rp.

Omorovicza rejuvenating night cream. 10ml. Greasy! Really heavy greasy texture. I don’t really like the smell either. Also a bit of a cheat as the pot has a curved base so you get less than you expect. Not a rp.

Badedas shower gel. A regular for us, I have stocks!

@JoRaRaRa I post when I accumulate a few empties, keeping them for a month if I’ve a lot would annoy me. I’m using them up I want to be rid of them

Interesting the different views on Omorovicza night cream. I’m going to have to find a new night cream when I’ve used my stash as it’s been discontinued but for the price of the Omorovicza cream I’d really want to know I’d like it

It must have been in an edit for me to have it, so you could probably find the small pot on vinted or eBay….

edited to add, there are many on vinted, one is listed at only a fiver. Worth a punt?

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/9341387279-omorovicza-10ml-rejuvenating-night-cream

thank-you ordered, you’re supposed to be encouraging me to reduce my stash 😂

I would never have occurred to me to look on Vinted for toiletries