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!

I've used another full-size perfume, which I'm glad about. Nothing's worse than going to use one and it smells off because I've had it that long🫣

More empties-

81. Tatcha Brightening Serum. A lovely product from Tatcha; I wouldn't expect any less. It has a slight scent to it, but not as bad as some others. It definitely brightened my skin. I did repurchase during the Fukubukuro promo, but I won't repurchase at £86. If it turns up in an edit, I'll grab it. I still prefer SF CC serum.

82. Lush Dream Cream. Already repurchased.

83. PDM Delina La Rosée. Probably my least favourite from the Delina range. Nice on days when you don't want something overbearing.

84. Revolution Salicylic acid cleanser. Gentle enough, don't use it often. Only when I see blemishes pop up.

85. Dr. Jart Cryo Rubber mask. Found it hydrating; like that it's not saturated in serum and slips down your face. Have the pink version to try next. Would RP.

@Minnie123456 you commented

‘Batiste sensitive scalp dry shampoo- hg product for me’

what does ‘hg product’ mean? (I feel like it’s going to be really obvious but I just can’t think what that would be)

I think it’s Hero Goods, solid favourites

I think it’s Holy Grail?

Ooh could be!

Couple more empties - both RP candidates!

Olay Regenerist Daily Whip SPF 30 - liked the texture of this on my skin and it didn’t sting my eyes. Will probably RP after trying the BoJ one.

Sample of Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt - I love this and have bought a bigger one with my CB discount.

I forgot I finished a 50ml bottle of Valentino Born in Roma Greenstravaganza. Stupid name, but utterly delicious perfume. Didn’t last as long as I’d like, though.
i threw out two lip balms (Romand) because I got to the metal bit and CBA scratching it out.

I’ve managed to use up a primer and now need to work out which primer to choose next. I have four. Who has four blooming primers?! I do actually have another opened primer, but I don’t really like it and I suspect it will end up in the bin.

So I need to pick between Bobbi Brown 7ml (2024), Lord and Berry 10ml (2021), Skinsense 30ml (2023) and Delilah 15ml (2026). I’m swithering between the BB and L&B. I should add that these are all unopened. I’m keen to try the BB as I really like the Aldi dupe, so I’m assuming I’ll like it. But I want to clear the stuff that’s been hanging around for a long time. Any thoughts?

Do the L+B as it's the longest dated. And bin it if you don't like it as you have others :)

@Tarragon123 the L&B primer is only 10 ml and 5 years old. I think you should bin it and try the newer ones.

@OvaHere love that you wrote to Boots xxx Which brush do you use with the CoverGirl foundation (which I am loving BTW).

what a fab way of getting through your stash - love it!

And this is why I have to date not bought any Naturium stuff. She is well dodge. Have you seen the video where she tries to explain it away? And the Jen Luvs one where she explains what really happened?

HG = Holy Grail
RP = Repurchase

I am so impressed by all the empties reported - well done!

I have 3 to report:

1. Simple smoothing gel cleanser - this is fab - 5% lactic acid. Non-drying, definitely smoothing, last for ages. Smell a bit vinegary but absolutely fine. Will defo RP at some point.
2. John Frieda Blonde+ repair system shampoo & conditioner: kinda weird smelling. Not great for my hair - I did really like the pre-shampoo from this range though.

I had a bit of an indulge in The Inkey List - has been a while since I have bought any face skincare and it was on offer. Some items I know work well, plus I got some other stuff I have not tried before.

@SheilaFentiman I have tried the Dossier dupe for teh Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt - it is called "Woody Sage" - absolutely lovely. Not sure how good a match it is BUT very long wearing and so much less expensive than Jo Malone stuff. BTW have you heard about the law suit against her? Very interesting.

Ooh thanks, I will look out for that! I only bought a 9ml one (with the £10 off from CB) but it will definitely get expensive if I don’t carry on getting a deal somewhere!

I did see the lawsuit! As and when I have my brilliant multimillion pound idea, I will remember not to call it “Sheila F Goods” so that I can keep using my name after I make my fortune 😀

I tend to use the brush I love for a lot of foundations at the moment which is the domed brush that came with the Morphe travel set.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/morphe-buttery-blends-six-piece-travel-brush-set_R04589146/

I need to look if they sell this separately as I wouldn't mind a 2nd one.

Chucking a rose lip scrub from sephora which is too painful to use and there’s masses of it left. I have one from Kiko and a Lip Peel from The Ordinary which will hopefully be nicer.

Finished a handcream - Caribbean Shores from Space NK. Quite nice but I prefer the smell of the pink one!

@Experiment627 I am so sick of making arseholes even richer. I had to order from Amazon this morning and the thought of Bezos benefiting makes me feel ill. (No other options for the hair doodad I have purchased.)

I have watched Jen Luvs (we love her) pulling Susan Yara apart. I am frustrated because I used to love Susan Yara’s YT videos before I knew she was a toad.

On the other hand, are we just scapegoating someone because we know their name and face, when companies we associate with who have no “face” don’t have to hold themselves to the same scrutiny and conscience that a visible human does?

Thanks @OvaHere !

@SheilaFentimanI would probably gave used the lip scrib up on my feet 🤣
Jo Malone has started following me on TT and I actually find her quite annoying. But who knows what were in the terms of the agreement when she got bought out. The lawyers certainly do 😬

@FrancesteinI am guilty of spending a lot of cachinga on Amazon 🙈 but I also make money from them too....

I have two more empties to report:
Imperial Leather mandarin & neroli refreshing body wash: man I LOVE how this smells. Can now only find if I buy in bulk but if I see as a single I will defo RP.
Nivea 3 in 1 sensitive cleansing wipes: these are fine but I really want to STOP using wipes - really do not clean like oil or balm and so wasteful.

i just used tge Lanbena nose strip mask thing again after a very long time - I think I must have been using all wrong before & applying too much. This actually did a fab job of getting the blackheads out.

8 empties this week

Lacura Ultimate Light Cream This was an Aldi dupe for AB cream but it is nothing like it. I usually like Lacura products but this is the worst I’ve used. Ended up using it on my neck only.

MZ The Rich Moisturiser Wow! What a face cream! Have already RP two more from TK Maxx, plus two of the MK calming moisturiser (which I like so far after three uses).

Skin Rocks The Moisturiser Absolutely loved this, especially on cold/windy days as it really nourished my skin. Have added to my bday/xmas gift list.

Zelens Instant Recharge It felt like this product would never end! However, now that it has I’m quite sad as it did ‘recharge’ my skin - as you can see from the pic, I even cut the tube to get out every last drop. However, will not RP due to cost.

Sana Jardin Air of Aquarius This perfume sample was fine (unlike a lot from Liberty boxes 😂) but won’t buy.

Bibi Santal Beauty Not finished. Binning as DH and I hate the smell. Why are Bibi scents so weird??

Plus two mini Dior samples that came FWP - pleasant, but not wow enough to purchase full size.

Empty 48
Disciple Shadow Work AHA/BHA Serum. Not wild about the smell but it was ok. Would reuse if I got it again in an edit but wouldn’t actively choose to purchase.

These 8 were given to my sister so not empties exactly, but not in my stash now! I’m counting them as 49-56!

Ren body cream
Margaret Dabbs foot cream
Liberty Hera Reigns sample
Bibbi Santal Beauty sample
Milton Brown Oud Accord & gold sample
Shay & Blue Amber Oud Ahad sample
Charlotte Mensah Manketti shampoo mini
Charlotte Mensah Manketti conditioner mini

@TragicMuse the question is, did you tell your sister about the emu oil? 😂