Share your empties!

[furbabies]

Technically not empties however I've just thrown away:

The ordinary face acid (the tiktoc famous red liquid one). Far too strong for my skin.

A hair conditioner spray. No idea how old it was so it was time to say goodbye.

A Time Delay gradual face tanner. It has gone bad due to age.

No 7 holiday prep serum. No idea what it was meant to do but it's old so it went too.

Grüm sunscreen. Again, no idea on age so I doubt it's really going to be factor 50 still.

Nip Fab overnight acid treatment. It had done lumpy(!) so in the bin it went!

Overall what I've learnt today is I hoard products until they go bad. In my process of clearing these bits out I've discovered I have 10 cleanser. 10! Who needs 10??

 

[50sGirl]

Talking of St Ives, does anyone remember those facial scrub pads by Aapri in the 1980s?
One side was “soft” and the other side was rough to exfoliate your face and it had some sort of soap in it which lathered a little when wet.
Looking back at it now, the rough side was similar to a non-stick scouring dish pad!

 

[EddieBeds]

Hair:
VO5 hair oil - invisibly light. My hair loved this but replaced with Revlon Orofluido oil elixir to change it up. I like this but it’s very different to the VO5 as it’s thicker.

T-Gel shampoo. Does what I need it to do - replaced with the same.

*Would also recommend the garnier oat milk shampoo range. Doesn’t set my scalp off. I also use the colour wow colour security shampoo (I don’t have coloured hair) and find it great at removing build up which helps with my scalp.

Skincare:
Sali Hughes Revolution - Vit C. Liked this, would repurchase when on offer, just not a fan of Sali so feel a bit torn buying it. I used to use a Bliss Vit C serum but struggle to find it now.

Garnier Vit C Brightening Serum - didn’t finish as my skin hated this. Too many actives in one product so I’ve allowed myself to bin it.

Garnier Invisible Serum face SPF. One of my two holy grail spf. My skin loves it so replaced with the same.

Simply Water Boost Hydrating Booster - really rate this, often on offer on Amazon for £1-£2. Really effective for the price but wish it came in a bigger tube. Have another in my stash to use.

Caroline Hiron’s Cream Cleanser - purchased one of the mini boxes she did for the other items and this was in there. Would not repurchase, took ages to use up as I kept pushing it to the back of the cupboard. I didn’t find it effective for make up removal, made my flannel smell greasy and the product itself smells like bad PVA glue. She’s an oaf too but I clearly have no morals as I purchased it in the first place . Have a Heimish cleansing balm on the go I’ve replaced it with that was a repeat purchase.

Cosrx low ph cleanser - very simple and easy, no frills. Replaced with a Shiseido one from my stash but would repurchase in future.

Aldi Lacura Intensive eye cream - for the price point I really like this. Use to layer over an eye gel and my skin really likes it. Will purchase if/when I see it again in Aldi.

Lip balms - I so relate on a level in that I religiously pop it on before bed and in the morning as part of my skincare routine. But I don’t panic if I don’t have one near etc so don’t think I’m addicted but is that something an addict would say?!

 

[Geranium]

Yes, isn't it a really weird paradox that lip balm dries your lips, so you use frequently to moisturise so they get drier. I find the more you use the more you need.

Loving reading everyone's repurchases.

When I was much younger I used to be addicted to lip balm. I always had one on me or near me. I remember once getting in a total panic because I awoke in the night and couldn’t find my lip balm, I went hunting through the house for ages trying to find one ! My mum used to get angry with me as I would forget to remove them from clothes pockets and they’d end up clanking round the washing machine.
Then I read an article on lip balm addiction and it was all there - the panic about not having it, the frequent applications, the fact that I could no longer remember what “normal” lips felt like - if mine didn’t feel slick with balm I couldn’t bear it.
So I went cold turkey and stopped using them. It took about a week but the habit was broken. I still use lip balms occasionally if my lips are chapped and I put some on before bed if I remember and my lips are perfectly fine.
I often see people obsessively applying lip balm and sometimes I tell them about my experience and many of them have broken the cycle themselves!
Now if only I could stop being addicted to chocolate and crisps

 

[blueblue]

If you have a coil fitted I don't think you're meant to use cups. If you've not got a coil then you should be grand!

Fuck! Why not?
---

If you have a coil fitted I don't think you're meant to use cups. If you've not got a coil then you should be grand!

FFS. Thanks for this. No mention of it anywhere on the cup info. Hmmm. Not sure it's worth the risk having just Googled. For everyone reading it can basically suction an intrauterine appliance free!

 

[pumpkinspice7]

My January empties so far:

- Radox Cosy Cabin shower gel. Wouldn’t repurchase not my favourite smell and found it a bit drying.

- Got2Be Volume Dry Shampoo. Wouldn’t repurchase hair actually felt dirtier after

Clearly a very exciting month for me now just a few hundred skincare and fake tan products to get through

 

[Lynno77]

Are there any products you wish were empty?

My current two that are like the endgame:

• 11ml bottle of nail oil. I'm simply not a nail oil person. Can't stand having it on my nails, can't stand the smell, etc. I knew I wasn't a nail oil person when I bought it and here I am. Peer-pressured by a nasty look a coworker gave my nails.
• The last remains of a 30gr pouch of silk poweder I bought ages ago. I use it on my face to mattify. It does work, but it's a little bit too matte for me, and I don't like the powders granularity, it's not as fine as true cosmetic powder. I hope I get through it this year.

Inecto body lotion, grapefruit scented. Nice enough but just too light for my thirsty skin. It's like the gift that keeps on giving as it takes ages to absorb yet is light in texture and it's taking ages to get through the bottle

I mostly give away things I don't like to younger family members, but then I feel as if I'm wasting so much money as I'm buying twice. So recently made the decision to use all products up before buying a replacement. It's saving me money but making me think about products I like. Sometimes worth paying a little more if I like it and it works for me.

 

[RandomAlpaca22]

Thanks guys, what's everyone using then that actually works. Might give ATK a try.

I'm a mitchum girly through and through - only thing that seems to work! Specifically the natural powder ones (coconut scent is glorious) or the gel versions. I've deviated and tried others but I always seem to come back to mitchum every time x

 

[EllenDeGenerate]

Olay Retinol Max night cream. Love it. Will be repurchasing for the third time,
Sanctuary lavender pillow spray- definitely will repurchase.
Dettol Bar soap. I love it. Leaves you so fresh and clean, yet is luxuriously creamy.
Hennesy Brandy. Magnificent with a flourish of Pepsi Max. I repurchase all the time

 

[blueblue]

Yes, isn't it a really weird paradox that lip balm dries your lips, so you use frequently to moisturise so they get drier. I find the more you use the more you need.

Loving reading everyone's repurchases.

 

[karry1412]

Loving this thread. So far all I have to contribute is a bottle of Zoflora.

 

[hytuhh]

Hey guys! Love the thread idea.
My recent empties:

• Tatcha dewy skin cream - finished this and immediately rebought it! Not the cheapest but it’s sooo good and I use day and night so get my moneys worth

• Sol De Janerio bum bum cream - I got 2 pots from separate advent calendars but have actually repurchased the pink one myself. Its not the most moisturising but the scent is lovely and long lasting

other than that, I did mention in the Do I Want It thread that I’m working my way through the shampoos I’ve got. I have 5 bottles that I need to run down (along with matching conditioners). So far I’ve used 1 fully so another 4 to go!

 

[AshMay]

Do people really stick to the little use by X months on products? I keep going to chuck away but unless the smell or consistency has changed I’m reluctant.

I'm terrible for this, I don't pay attention to dates at all until I've used stuff up

 

[coconochanel]

My last empties were....

Garnier micellar water
Emma Hardie Moisture boost vitamin c cream
Charlotte Tilbury Iconic nude lip liner
Charlotte tilbury Pillow talk lipstick
Cowshed Invigorating shower gel, (mini) came in a set not my fav one.
YSL Lash Clash mascara-wouldn't buy again get cheaper mascaras that are just as good.

 

[Codiaeum]

It's the last day of the year and I emptied my last product of the year just now! This was the month with the most empties this year.

December Empties:

• Nivea Creme Shower Shower Gel travel size: Bought this for business travel as I don’t want to take a barsoap with me. Smelled nice, since I’ll be travelling more often i’ve bought a full size and just refill this small bottle.
• Geek and Gorgeous Vitamin C serum: I think this was the fourth this year. I liked it, but tbh, after a year of use, I can’t really say that I’m seeing a difference so I won’t repurchase for now and see whether I see any difference without it.
• Caprice Glam Doll Mascara: I always buy a version of this, this was getting dry, so I replaced it with another one of that series.
• Beauty on Joseon fresh sunscreen mini size: The rave about this is absolutely justified. I’ve got other sunscreens lined up but will get a bottle of this as well when the stash is down. I don’t think my skin has ever looked so nice with just sunscreen.
• Garnier Whole Blends Argan Oil Almond crème conditioner: As usual, this is a lovely conditioner, I replace this often.
• Balea Ultra sensitive cleanser: Best drugstore cleanser!
• Balea Bodycreme Cica 400ml: This is very very rich and a thick creme, nice if you have got sensitive and very dry skin. The only thing I didn’t like that it comes in a tub and you have to dig your entire hand in by the end. Might replace it, the BF loved it for his shins!
• Alverde Spray leave in conditioner: I think this was my second bottle this year and I already opened the replacement. It’s not 100%, but the best in the drugstore I could find without silicone (don’t like how my hair feels with them, I get flyaways) and affordable
• Balea Ultra Sensitive Cleansing Milk 200ml: Horrible! I bought this as I like the cleansing gel from the same series so much and thought it might be nice for washing my face in the shower in the morning where I don’t actually need much cleansing. This stuff burns the eyes (says on the bottle it’s good for removing eye make-up!) leave a very yucky film on the skin that you have to actively wash off and was very very liberally used up on my legs after my facial skin boldly showed me it didn’t like it.
• Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50: Lovely sunscreen, I can’t count anymore how many of these I used up over the years.
• Alverde all in one body Oil Travel Size 30 ml: Bought this as I wanted to use it for face massages, but I think it was too greasy for that. I used up most of it on my legs. Will not repurchase.
  

Decluttered:

• Chrimaluxe mineral foundation sample in 01 neutral, 0,5g from 2022: Sample shade I bought, this was too light for me. Used some of it for Halloween but it will never suit me and was getting old.
• Chrimaluxe corrector in apricot 0,5 g from 2022: I might just be too dumb to use it but my dark circles are very unimpressed with this. Also was getting old.
• Balea dry shampoo foam (i think early 2024, likely would never expire): Horrible! I was hoping this would be nicer than standard dry shampoo but this is hell in a bottle. I’ve got seborrheic scalp eczema and it freaked out every time I tried using this, even if it was months apart. I binned it. And have since learned that the starch in dry shampoos is exactly what tends to make the eczema thrive. No wonder I always felt I got a flare up after using one.

Roundup:

	Total Count
Total Products Used Up	67
Total Decluttered/Binned	11
Grand Total Removed from Stash	78

Q1 (Jan–Mar): 18 Empties | 2 Decluttered
Q2 (Apr–Jun): 13 Empties | 1 Decluttered
Q3 (Jul–Sep): 17 Empties | 4 Decluttered
Q4 (Oct–Dec): 19 Empties | 4 Decluttered


I've got a couple of items that I wanted to empty this year like a blush - I had hit the pan last year already, but despite using this very consistently, I've got minimally another year to go. I want to make a list of things I either need to use up next year or they will have to go.

 

[LellsBells]

4. Inkey List Oat cleansing balm. Another product that is not empty but I cannot continue to use it. It's all seperated and even after shaking it comes out like and oil with some thicker parts thrown in and runs everywhere.

I had the exact same issues with this product. I’ve seen lots of people using it on TikTok and there’s never any oil to be seen

My recent empties are:
- Glossier Milky Oil Makeup Remover. It’s the only makeup remover I can use on my eyes that doesn’t sting or make my eyes cloudy but actually removes waterproof mascara really well. I’ve got through 5 or 6 bottles and I’ll continue to repurchase.
- Aveeno Calm & Restore Oat Cleanser. For some reason I didn’t immediately like this but I’ve used every drop of it and really like it now. It’s great for removing makeup as a first cleanse but it’s not drying. I’ll definitely repurchase when I’ve used up some of my other face cleansers.

 

[Aceofspades]

Just finished my no7 derm solutions hydration lotion. Got this on an absolute bargain, it was free with any no7 purchase. I bought a no7 face mask for £4.99 and got the lotion worth £22 free.
I’ve used every single morsel and really like it. Quick to absorb, non greasy, and I genuinely think my skin looks better and hasn’t broke me out in ANY spots.

 

[Sibz]

New year resolution - Once I've used up all my skincare and makeup, I'm just going to keep 1 good quality thing of each at a time. I despair looking in my drawer and there's 4-5 face moisturisers half used, serums, I've got 4 foundations on the go, body moisturiser and hand cream coming out my ears from christmas gifts can't wait to use them up and get rid of the clutter

 

[Scorpihoe]

I didnt realise this until a few months ago, but I’ve started recycling my empties at boots, and if you spend £10, you get 500 boots points. So essentially, if I need something from boots, I recycle 5 things, get what I need, and collect the points, which are worth £5. I don’t know if everyone else does this and I’m just really far behind but it’s so good, especially if you need something from boots anyway x

 

[charlie6578]

I’ve just done a big beauty order after everything running out at once (typical!) so thought I’d share.

hair care
Kerastase Genisis shampoo, conditioner, serum & blow dry leave in spray. Yes they’re pricey but first time in about 4 years my hairs actually growing & not snapping off!

make up
Elemis Superfood Glow Primer
Nars Tinted Moisturiser (love this for everyday/work)
Elf instant lift brow pencil

Body
Neom hand & body lotion
Rose & Caramel fake tan (medium)

Not really an “empty” but I’m onto month three of dermatica and my skin has never been better. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for new skincare