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!

A mega mix of empties and throwaways I've been meaning to do for ages.

Empties

Ouai Wave Spray - this is a favourite. I've used about 3 now so it will be a RP but I have some similar products to use first.
Caudalie Body Wash - rose scented. Nice. I like these but prefer the purple one.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag serum - really like this when i want a hydrating layer. Would RP.
Dr Althea Grinding Cleansing Balm - the balm itself is really nice but the packaging feels like a waste. There's actually only a small amount of product in this so it took me by surprise when it ran out after what felt like very few uses. For that reason not a RP.
Arkive Dry Shampoo - I like this dry shampoo. It's not too expensive and better than Batiste.
Elemis Frangipani shower cream- Nice. I tend to pick these up in edits rather than specifically buy. Useful size for travel.
BoJ sunscreen - This used to be my favourite but I now have a couple of others I like as much or more. Think I have another one so will continue to use.
Decree Day Elixir - from a Debenhams edit. Nice to use, no complaints but I don't feel like I want to rush out and buy one. I might have another in the stash but that could be the night version.
Moroccanoil Body Serum - I loved this. It was so easy too use and unlike a lot of body creams I felt like I could still get dressed straight away. Texture is a little bit like dry oil. I've got a different body serum to try next but I can see me RP assuming it's not a discontinued product.
Dieux Instant Angel Moisturiser - this is a really popular product in the US but yet to arrive on these shores unless, like me, you get it shipped. I don't love the tube packaging but the cream is lovely and really nice for dry skin without being too thick. Not planning to RP unless it launches in the UK as even on a BF deal last year it was expensive to ship and took about a month to arrive. If anyone takes a trip to the US I can recommend picking one up if it sounds like your sort of moisturiser.
Tatcha Vit C - from 2025 SpaceNK calendar. I wasn't sure about this at first because it's watery Vit C rather than the serum type I tend to go for but I ended up really liking it and it lasted ages. I have plenty of Vit C to use up but I might RP when Tatcha do their Jan goody bag event.
Elemis Marine Cream travel size - old staple, not exciting but a cream I always enjoy.
Maria Nila Styling spray travel size - I really like this and purchased what I thought was a full size replacement but accidentally bought the Finishing Spray which looks exactly the same but just a different name and a stronger hold. I prefer the lighter hold of this one so that's a bit annoying.
No7 Cleansing Balm - was fine, not remarkable, but did the job.
Prai Neck Cream in fancy glitter tub - Bought cheaply in M&S sale. It's okay but I'm not that wowed. I thought the tub might be nice to reuse but it was a mess by the time I finished up the cream. The glitter flaked off and ended up in the cream. I have a normal pot of it to use up but Trinny Elevator is next on my list to try.
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol - I liked this a lot. I have a similar PC product in the CB Advent to try. I would RP this.
Elemis Cherry Cleansing balm mini - another staple Elemis favourite. Always like using these.
YSL Pureshots cleanser mini - I really liked this but have a feeling it's discontinued as you don't seem to be able to buy it anywhere. It's out of stock everywhere I've looked.
Caudalie Premier Cru eye cream - another from 2025 SpaceNK advent. Really nice eye cream and I liked the metal tip. Lasted a good while. Would RP.
Glow Recipe Cloudberry toner mini - forgettable, not a RP.
City Beauty Lid Lifting treatment - this was another foray into a US only brand. I'd say it is more of a make up primer than an eye cream. It's quite thick but I think it did temp tighten a little. Again though, expensive and a faff to ship. I might buy again but would be more likely to if it was sold here.
Dior Paradise sample size EDP - I love this scent. Have some more samples and a travel size.
Shiseido Future Solution FX cream - from 2025 Harrods advent. A very expensive cream. Was nice to use but way too fragranced.
Tatcha Silk Cream mini - first time using this one and I like it a lot, maybe slightly more than the Dewy Cream which I also like. Potential RP.
Tatcha Silk Serum - also nice but a very tiny sample so didn't last long.
Tatcha lip mask mini -this is the 2nd of these I've used. My favourite night lip treatment. Using others up but will RP.
Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads - don't feel like these mild ones do as much but I like using them.
Dr Jart face masks x 2 - nice masks. I've been a bit rubbish at using up my face masks recently. I usually have a lot more in my empties posts. I have been using my jar masks a bit more though.
Pixi eye mask - I thought a full eye mask would be quite good opposed to the under eye patches but they're actually a bit annoying as I can't put my glasses on. Not a RP.
Dermalogica Collagen Bank Water Cream sachet - seemed nice. I used the serum in this line a while ago and liked it.
Tatcha Dewy Milk sachet x 2 - also seemed nice. I have a travel size of it to use.

Throwing out

I had a clear out of my mostly open stuff and gave myself permission to chuck because either I don't like it or it's been open far longer than is healthy.

Dermatica prescription tret - this isn't open but I gave up using tret a couple of years ago in preference to using retinal and it's been in the cabinet ever since.
TirTir Milk Toner - this has been open a couple of years nearly. I do like it but I tried a bunch of similar products around the same time and I prefer Haruharu and Laneige so this just got neglected.
Omorovicza Cleanser - I like this cleanser but it's so difficult to squeeze from the packaging I just didn't reach for it and now it's old. They have since changed the packaging - probably after complaints.
Cosrx Snail Mucin - wanted to try it as it's popular with many but don't feel like it did much for me and the snail thing icks me out a bit. So it got left on the shelf for a long time.
The Ordinary GF serum - used half then tried some Bioeffect and this seemed like a poor subsitute so just never used again.
Jurlique Rose Mist - from a beauty bag and was short dated when I got it. Now expired and I didn't really like it that much.
Sunday Riley Good Genes - I do think this is a good product but my skin reacts to it on application, despite looking good the day after. So I kept skipping using it and now it's been open a long time. I've been recently using the Lactic Acid version in some minis and I find that less harsh.
RMW serum - I think that's the name. A K beauty serum that is good for barrier relief and dry skin I think. It was probably fine but I really dislike dropper bottles and they tend to get neglected. Very old now so it needs to go.
Kate Somerville Supecell serum - expensive and I should have persevered with it really but again it's a packaging dislike. I hate the metal roller and how it dispenses the product.
YTTP Superfood cleanser mini - I really like this cleanser and would have used it up if I could have got the product to come out of this annoying little glass bottle.
Glow Hub Hyaluronic Acid - this was lurking at the back of the cupboard open and I have no memory of acquiring it or using it.
Glossier Milky Jelly cleansing balm - I've battled with this product long enough. It only works properly when at exactly the right temperature. I threatened to throw it in a previous empties post. Then gave it a reprieve. Now it's time is up.

I am behind!

four empties and I liked them all

Caudalie Vinoperfect hydra face wash - this was in a travel set and I liked it a lot. May RP once the cleansing stash goes down 😀

SdJ Beija Fior body cream - again in a travel set woth a shower gel and fragrance 68 spray. Perfectly fine as a cream and I will RP the spray once I have finished but probably a bit too expensive full size. More likely to get a scent less lotion and spray more 68 😀 but it might be an easy gift idea for DH if he’s stuck!

Estée Lauder revitalising supreme firming cream - again from a set! Fine as a rich moisturiser but not The One

Beauty of Joseon SPF 50 - will RP when I have used up other SPF from the Here Comes the Sun box, really handy to shove in my bag, not so expensive that I mind if I put it on my hands too, and the lid doesn’t come off on my bag! (The pic is too big to add apparently, but you all know this one 😀)

One more for me. Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream (a mini). Loved this, it felt so luxurious and left my skin feeling very soft. Lovely spa-like smell to. Shame the full size is so expensive as the mini pots are a bit fiddly, but I’ve got a little stockpile of them to work through.

@OvaHere wow what a haul, that must have created more storage space!

You'd think so! But I opened some new stuff from the stash. 😂I've been trying to work through some of my minis in the last few weeks to get those down.

Empties:

i have had more during the summer but haven’t been able to post them.

As usual, sanex gel and toothpastes aside,

cussons mallow magic hand wash. Love scent and lathers well.

le petit olivier lavender hand wash. Beautiful true lavender scent but it was too watery. There wasn’t a lot of thickness in it, which I missed.

Dove velvet glow body wash. Was ok

Laneige samples. My dd used them. Can’t comment on them but she seems to like the brand

Aveeno baby daily care cleansing milk. Too thick and greasy. Nice soothing scent though. Won’t rp

Lavanda splash body cologne. Brilliant stuff from Spain. Refreshing and lovely

mirel etna verde habd wash. Bought for the case. Nice enough hand wash

lacura foaming cleanser. Cerave dupe from Aldi. Works fine

Sali hughes clean sheet morning cleanser revolution

rituals of namaste cleansing foam. terrible stuff. Too stingy for my skin, smells not great, and all in all is a hard no for me. Glad I finished it

guerlain abelle royale shampoo and conditioner. Very thick and a tad difficult to lather. Smells divine though. A bought the full bottle so I will update when I use it.

Forgot to add but in picture above:

Apoyhekie cashmere and musk body scrub. Very gel like consistency, little beads for scrubbing power. Too light in my opinion. Cool texture and nice scent like a spa. Was very cheap. On offer in heron foods 🫣

I used up two full size serums, the rest were sample sizes/one off items

• Estee Lauder advanced night repair serum, nice to apply, my skin looks good for my age so probably working. Not a RP as not buying Estée Lauder if I can avoid it
• Estée Lauder eye serum, as above
• Deep moisturising foot treatment, was more moisturising than previous pack so other was probably a bit old. The whole plastic bootie doesn’t feel like a luxury experience so not a RP
• la Roche Posay face wash, if I didn’t have so many different cleansers in my cupboard I’d consider a RP
• V05 hot oil treatment for hair, I’ve 4 more in the cupboard that I’ll make sure I use by the end of the year but not a RP
• Elemis pro collagen marine cream too small a sample to make a decision, I’m using the equivalent day cream with spf that I like
• l’Occitane Almond milk concentrate, really nice texture to this, but I’ve lots of body creams in the cupboard so not a RP

This takes me to 123 items so far this year.

A few more empties. Trying to use up some of the random minis (before a load more arrive in December 😆).

APLB Tranexamic Acid Niacinamide Serum - 40ml. This was lovely. I’ve liked everything I’ve tried from this brand.

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm - like these, one of the better lip balms out there.

Perfume minis/samples - Goldfield & Banks Sunset Hour, Fugazzi Cash Flower, Le Labo Another 13.

Future Primitive Rosa Passiflora Body Cream - 50g. Used as hand cream.

Ishga Invigorating Body Oil and L’Occitane Amande Sublime Body Oil - 30ml/15ml. Not a fan of body oil as it never seems to absorb properly into my skin. The Ishga one did smell lovely though.

Lush Honey I Washed the Kids Shower Gel - 100g. My favourite Lush scent. Will RP this.

Byoma Hydrating Body Wash - 100ml. A bit boring because unscented, but it did feel nice on the skin.

Lush Amazonian Shower Jelly - 100g. I love the Lush shower jellies, though wasn’t that keen on this scent. Best used with a mesh soap bag or the jelly keeps slipping out of your hands and is really annoying.

Mon Guerlain body lotion - 75ml. One of my all time favourite perfumes. The lotion itself was the usual thin, crappy stuff you get in perfume gifts sets.

Not used much this month. 16 products, est value £161. These are the last bits for this month.

193. Deviant concentrate. I mentioned a few empties back that glass in a bathroom scares me. And lo and behold, the glass jar of this smashed in the sink💔 I did scrape the rest up and de-pott it. I loved this despite the smash, it kind of smells like soggy lettuce🙈 But its super nourshing and really great for dry and sensitive skin. I actually prefer this over Elemis. Will RP around BF.

194. Aesop Geranium Body Scrub. I love this; I love the scent and how it makes my skin feel. I’ve gone through lots of these. I need to try more from this range; surprisingly, I haven’t!

195. Necessaire eucalyptus body wash. The scent wasnt as strong as i hoped. Very subtle. It almost like and oil-gel texture. I got a mini from the CB GWP, and will happily use. But i wouldnt buy again, just because id prefer a stronger scent.

196. Garnier SPF Fluid. Use all the time. Lightweight, works well under makeup and doesnt break me out. Currently using a BoJ SPF.

197. Batiste dry shampoo. Always have two dry shampoos on the go, so its wasnt far behind my last empty of this. Its OK. Glad to be back to Living Proof.

I really need to join this thread as my beauty spending has been a bit out of control this year. So, my September empties are…

Coola sun cream - got this reduced in boots this year and took it on holiday 2 weeks ago. Was supposed to be tropical coconut scented but smelled a bit musty to me.

Byoma cleansing balm - did its job, just a bit boring, I prefer a scent. Tub is way too chunky too.

Bamford shower gel - think it was jasmine scent, best one I’ve tried but too expensive for a body was for me to repurchase.

Ouai St Bart’s body crème mini - love this scent, have the scrub and spray to use up too.

Sunday Riley Tidal serum mini - went on beautifully and made my skin soft, have a full size from the cult beauty calendar.

Drunk elephant C luma hydrabright serum - not sure this made a difference to how my skin looked tbh.

Prai neck cream - didn’t do anything besides pill, even when I used a small amount. Was a struggle to get through and started on trinny elevator when I was half way through this, much prefer trinny.

Murad restorative hydro hyaluronic cream. Nice cream just took forever to use up as you only need a small amount. Can finally start on a new moisturiser!

Briogeo don’t despair repair hair mask - bought cheap from home bargains, made my hair soft, would buy again cheap

Sisley hair mask - again made my hair lovely and soft but there are plenty of hair mask that are much cheaper and do the same job.

The Nu co supa thick - scalp serum for hair density. Used around my hair line, didn’t notice a difference.

Innisfree daily uv defence sunscreen - loved this, didn’t pill with anything, didn’t sting and make up sat lovely over it. Would repurchase once I’ve used up my many other sunscreens

Rounding off September with these 2:

149: Elemis pro-collagen marine cream spf 30. 15ml. I don’t like the smell, it’s way too scented for me. and it never really sank in, it pilled quite badly and just sat on the surface of my face. Definitely not a repurchase and would sell/gift if I got it again in a box.

150: Badedas shower gel. Standard product. We have 5 or 6 under the bath! I’ve just cancelled my next delivery though, we’re stocked up for now!

@TragicMuse interesting you don’t like the Elemis pro-collagen marine cream spf 30, I’m using a full size jar of this at the moment and I like it I wonder if it behaves very differently on different skin types or over different serums?

@TryingToFindMyStyle I liked it too, from the Boots box. My skin is dry.

I can’t get on with Elemis marine cream, it had the weird effect of increasing peach fluff and random see through long hairs. Shame as I liked everything else about it. I’m fine with other Elemis products.

I had a different Elemis product which I did like. But with the spf marine cream I’ve tried it with and without serum, or other layers, and it’s just not settled.

My skin tends to the dry and sensitive so hydration is my big thing and I do a lot to keep it hydrated.

But my next spf is a Korean one and it’s playing very nicely! DrG green mild up sun+. Lovely and cooperative!

August and September empties! Roughly 40ish, allowing for minis and samples.

Would RP:
Batiste dry shampoo, works well for me and cheap
Estee Lauder youth power crème. I absolutely loved this, gutted it’s finished and may RP regardless of incoming stash from BACs.
La Roche-Posay cicaplast baume B5: this is wonderful, it soothed my skin barrier practically overnight and separately was fantastic on mosquito bites after recent holiday.
Aveeno shampoo and conditioner: love this
Nuxe sun delicious fragrant water: perfect summer fragrance.
ESPA refining skin polish: really liked this, nice subtle fragrance, left my skin feeling clean and smooth.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate: have already Rp’d
Lush Mr Pumpkin Face fresh face mask: gorgeous stuff, really nice, helped heal a mosquito bite on my face and got rid of the mark. As an aside, fuck mosquitoes.
Color Wow Dream coat: already Rp’d
Fugazzi Purple eau de parfum: I love this so much, I’ve still got another one from a kind mnetter but eventually must put my BD credit towards a full size bottle.

Givenchy Irresistible: already rp’d, twice by mistake because I thought the first order hadn’t gone through! Oops.
BeautyPie Orange Absolute Intense eau de parfum: I really really like this, it’s got a lovely autumnal, wintery spiced orange thing going on, I’m trying not to rp for now after realising how many bottles of perfume will be coming my way later this year. Am sorely tempted though.
Nina Ricci Venus eau de parfum: I don’t need to buy this either but I really want to, it’s sweet but layered. Really nice.
Sunday Riley Tidal serum: liked it so much I ordered a BAC because this serum was in it. Logical, normal behaviour…

Would not RP:

Kanzen hypochlorous cleansing spray: it is bleach water. I don’t get it. On a whim I used it to clean my dressing table mirror and realised that I don’t need glasses after all, the mirror was just mucky. Bonus?
Dr. Jart Pore Remedy: this is a minty serum for the face. Prior to this, I believed mint was reserved for teeth and feet, oh and there’s that Original Source shower gel that will give your bits a panic attack. This was an odd but pleasant experience. Refreshing. Didn’t do anything other than make me feel minty fresh.
Wild Source cleansing balm: This seemed to be a fragrance-free lard for the face. As soon as that thought had zipped across my brain, I couldn’t forget it. Every time I used it my little brain goblin would chant, ‘lard, lard, lard’. I realise I’m the problem here, it’s me, hi, and as a cleansing balm it was bloody marvellous but unfortunately the brain goblin can’t be reasoned with.
Lumi Pro polynucleotides: Ahh remember when I wrestled with the syringe and shot rather expensive salmon DNA into my hair? What a pleasant Sunday afternoon that was. Think I’ll leave it to the professionals…

76/100

grace and Stella eye patch - yes, TikTok shop got me and I have a 72 variety pack. I do question my choices…
Luna Rain - this has been waiting for a while and what a great overnight product. It noticeably smoothed and improved my skin.

Sam McKnight conditioner- fine, nothing to stand out
Living Proof conditioner - great for my fine hair, lightweight

@DidILeaveTheGasOn Kanzen hypochlorous cleansing spray: it is bleach water. I don’t get it. On a whim I used it to clean my dressing table mirror and realised that I don’t need glasses after all, the mirror was just mucky. Bonus?

😂 I have an unopened bottle of this in my cupboard from a beauty box that I’m planning to use when I’ve finished the acid toner I currently have on the go. I’ve struggled to get my head around it as I felt I was missing something 😂

@wheresmyshoe – I loved the REN Rose Oil. Amazing stuff.

Welcome @JourneyToHappiness

I’m way behind!

Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Eau de Toilette 100ml RRP £95.
Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Eau de Toilette 1.5ml RRP £1. However, I do have loads of perfume that I want to use up, so probably not looking to RP at the moment.

Floral Street Black Lotus Eau de Toilette 2ml RRP £3.
Floral Street Sunflower Pop Eau de Toilette 2ml RRP £3.
Floral Street Electric Rhubarb Eau de Toilette 2ml RRP £3. I do like Floral Street, but these little test sizes are irritating. They don’t work properly and have a tendency to leak over my hand. Bah. I’ve got another 10 to use up.

Madagascar Centrella Poremizing Light Gel Cream 1.5ml RRP? Just a small sachet and it was nice. However pore minimising is not a concern for me, so probably wont RP, plus I have at 9 moisturisers in the stash. (Not including the travel size ones).

TempleSpa Aaah! Instant Cooling Balm 15ml RRP £5. This is fabulous stuff. It really cools my mozzie bites. Thankfully I have a full size one in the stash.

Gatineau Age Benefit Hyperpigmentation Repair Serum 30ml RRP £79. Lovely and soothing. I think Gatineau might be my favourite brand. I do have loads of stuff in the stash, so no need to RP at the moment. I’m moving onto the Defi Lift 3D-V Firming Serum. Looking forward to making a comparison.

Rodial Vit C Brightening Cleanser 20ml RRP £17. This is gorgeous. Smells fabulous. But it is pricy for a cleanser and I have plenty in the stash. So not a RP at the moment. I may change my mind.

Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque Lavender Pillow Spray 50ml RRP £8.80. Lovely stuff made by monks in Provence. Will happily RP when I’m back in Provence, but in the meantime, I’ll make do with Feather and Down.

Closing out September with 10 items at the cost of £213.29. Running total for the year is 113 items at the cost of £3,830.29. I’ve also given away 54 items at the cost of £986.

Grrr, I forgot the photo!!

The mozzies got you too @Tarragon123 ! Arseholes they are.

🤣 I keep buying the lard cleanser from
vinted. It is very good though. @DidILeaveTheGasOn .

I like the running ££ totals by the way.
I'm currently on 78 out/109 in an about 20 donated.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn LOL about your brain goblin!

Welcome to the thread @JourneyToHappiness!!!

I am so impressed by the sheer quantity of empties that have been reported.

I only have two:
JW Marriott Cannes The Blanc perfume - pleasant smell - I used up as a room spray. This is now my plan to get through an overload of perfumes I appear to have acquired.

Qure microneedling kit - I finished the second treatment last night. Will see if skin looks any different in a few weeks. Is quite painful to do and the serum is a big sticky. Not sure I will RP.

They love me! And yes, they are wee arseholes!!