Hey there, I’m Jess ✨. On The Signature, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th. You're welcome to join.
I have over 300 beauty products in my apothecary and I am adamant about finishing what is opened before trying something new. Proof of that are over 20 articles written about beauty, skincare and makeup products I have finished in the past 3 years. Alas, even if I consider myself quite disciplined, I have a blindspot with some products I could call legacy: they remind me of a certain moment of my life and even if I don't use it anymore, I held onto it. As I need to spruce things up and make some space in my inventory, here are 7 products I have held onto for the past decade and it is time to let them go even if they aren't completely finished and what I would rather really use instead.
- the concealer from a brand that doesn't even exist anymore
- that purchase from a spa experience you regret once at home
- the gel I used on my wedding day
- the famous texture formula that was discontinued
- the detangler that only tangled my hair more
- the acne stick when you don't have acne anymore
- the active I was scared to use because it said peeling
Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
Age: I don't even know!
I have no recollection of when, how, where I purchased this corrector. But it was a time when Becca was all the rage with its Champagne Pop highlighter - which I never had - and the eye shadow palette it created with Chrissy Teigen over 10 years ago - which I purchased and keep in my legacy beauty inventory. Maybe I should write about it sometime. But I digress: I didn't use concealer when I purchased it and I think it was too dry and thick for me. Furthermore, Becca announced the brand was shutting down after 20 years of operations in 2021, so imagine how old this product is. I am saddened to throw it still full but gotta do it, no messing with eye area makeup.
What I really use instead? The eye concealer from Clinique and this one from Hourglass are my favourites. The dot method works better for me.
My expired Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
ESPA Optimal Skin Procleanser
Age: almost ten years!
I remember regretting this purchase as soon as I made it. It was almost ten years ago, at the amazing Macdonald Monchique, which used to be an exquisite hotel in Monchique, in northern Algarve and lately turned into a cheap family mountain resort. They had an amazing sensorial spa by ESPA and as I finished one of their water parcours, I bought their 3-in-1 cleanser which I really didn't need because I wanted to be nice. I instantly regretted it as it was very expensive and I don't like 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 products. This tri-phase gel cleanser promises to cleanse (ha!), exfoliate and also turns into a mask if you applied it on for 15 minutes. Indeed it was fresh but I would always forget about it and it never became a favourite.
What I really use instead?
- As a cleanser, I love this one from Lumene's Puhdas range.
- As a face scrub, I prefer a chemical scrub to a physical one lately, like this one from The Ordinary.
- As a mask, my favourite is the refreshing Cryoflash mask by Clarins, for sure.
Jean Louis David Go Style Shine Wax
Age: over 4 years!
My wedding makeup artist helped me do my hair on my wedding day over 4 years ago. She asked the hotel concierge to bring up some gel and some pins and they came up with this Jean Louis David gel I have only used on my wedding. I tried to use it at home but I am not a gel girl and I wish I knew how to make my edges fly but I just never managed to do it. I am also weary of having my hair heavy with very textured products because of my scarring alopecia. So this one is still full and I will not repurchase any other gel for the aforementioned reasons. I am mostly saying bye bye to a sweet wedding souvenir!
Jess
Shani Darden Texture Reform
Age: over 7 years!
I purchased this serum that was in every beauty blogger's feed back in 2019 and I was so thrown off by it's strong acidic smell. I should have stuck to it and used it more attentively as I have seen results on texture are really positive on many women. The price is high but I might give this type of product a fair go in the future, as I don't use anything for my skin texture right now.
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Extra Moisture Detangler
Age: over 3 years!
I purchased a few Shea Moisture products in April 2023. I did not adore this shampoo & conditioner range and I have to unfortunately say the same about this detangler. The texture was extremely heavy and hard to come out of the packaging, as I would have to keep it turned upside down for over an hour for the product to come out! Also I never felt it was the correct product to detangle my hair, as it was very heavy and made the experience harsher, not softer. Although I am sad to throw it away half full, will not repurchase this.
What I really use instead? I'd rather use this detangler from Amika.
Jess
The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel
Age: over 10 years, for sure!
I was a massive The Body Shop lover in the early 2000s but the love has faded in the past decade, so I can only imagine this product is older than a teenager at this point. I remember when their Tea Tree Oil range was very popular and I was a steady customer as I truly struggled with severe acne. But I did an acne treatment over 5 years ago and I don't need acne prone products any longer. Having my skin change from acne prone and oily to dry with no acne but some texture has made me change my products over the years even if not at the pace I'd really need. I am not even sure this product still exists but I won't repurchase it as I rarely have spots nowadays.
Jess
The Ordinary Peeling Solution
Age: I don't even know!
I don't remember when I purchased this AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution from The Ordinary, but as with the aforementioned texture serum, I had a hard time being disciplined enough to use it. Also, I was thrown off by its burgundy colour and the name peeling, I thought it would burn my face. I used it a couple of times and it never burned my face - duh! - but it's been opened long enough for me to believe I should not try it on again. So, when I am ready to be disciplined enough about taking care of my skin texture, I might give it a go again.
Like this content and want more? You can subscribe to get a monthly edit and we can connect also on BlueSky | TikTok | Youtube | Pinterest