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Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:43 pm  |
How do you make sure that you are getting "the last drop" from your beauty products that come in tubes (such as Avene Retrinal, certain sunscreens, etc.)?
If the cap is large enough and flat enough (as with sunscreens) I will stand the tube on the cap end to get the last bit out. But with Retrinal, the cap is too small. So what do you do to get "good to the last drop" out of the tube? I was thinking of buying one of those tube squeegee things... |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:15 pm |
When I am sure that I have removed every last drop possible, I cut it into two pieces in the middle to see if I can salvage any more.  |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:48 pm |
| tam wrote: |
| When I am sure that I have removed every last drop possible, I cut it into two pieces in the middle to see if I can salvage any more. |
I learned that trick from my Mom. She uses expensive skincare and one time she'd run out of some very pricey hand creme and decided to cut the tube open to see if any was left. She was horrified to find that she had at least another week's worth of product that she had in the past just been throwing out! So, after that, every time she had a container that she could cut or pry open, she would.
She taught me to cut the tube on an angle, that way you can sort of wedge one of the pieces inside the other to sort of "reseal" the tube so the product doesn't dry out or get contaminated. I usually put my cut up tubes, wedged together, in a plastic zip-lock bag because it keeps the product even more "fresh" that way.
If you have a tube that has a cap that's large enough to let you stand it on its head, if you wait long enough the product will run down toward the cap. That way you can cut the tube open closer to the cap so you're not digging around too deeply with a spatula, a Q-tip or your finger! |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:07 pm |
I totally cut the tube or container open to get the last drop! There's so much more left in there!  I esp do this with samples that come in tubes. It's nearly like having two sample sizes in one this way.
My grandmother, being a survivor from the depression and war time era, taught me to do this among other money saving "tricks". If she were alive today she would be aghast at all the disposable, time-saving gadgets and gizmos we have on our market today.
And sometimes I will also spatula the contents into a clean sample size jar (that I've rewashed from so other sample). That way it has less chance of drying out. And it's more convenient to keep around (even if it's only for a couple of days!  ). |
_________________
early-mid 30s || oily-combination, sensitive & acne-prone skin || mild breakouts (Aczone helps a lot) || occasional eczema rashes || fine lines around eyes || very dark under eye cirlces- concealer a must || very fair neutral-warm complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:34 pm |
| If the tube is metal (like my beloved L'Occitane handcreams) I take it back to L'Occitane every few weeks to get them to use the squeegee clamp. If it's plastic I cut it open and if there's still a lot left, like too much to leave in the tube, I scoop the contents into a small clean jar. |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:08 pm |
| MermaidGirl wrote: |
| tam wrote: |
| When I am sure that I have removed every last drop possible, I cut it into two pieces in the middle to see if I can salvage any more. |
She taught me to cut the tube on an angle, that way you can sort of wedge one of the pieces inside the other to sort of "reseal" the tube so the product doesn't dry out or get contaminated.
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Oh, thanks for that tip! Great idea! |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:05 pm |
| Same as tam but I always avoid buying tube products. |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:18 pm |
[quote="MermaidGirl]If you have a tube that has a cap that's large enough to let you stand it on its head, if you wait long enough the product will run down toward the cap. That way you can cut the tube open closer to the cap so you're not digging around too deeply with a spatula, a Q-tip or your finger![/quote]
Now these are bona fide survival skills in a time where skincare costs so much money. 
I have a cabinet full of partially cut up tubes. For people like us tubes are a good thing as some containers are hard to pry apart. |
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Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:24 pm |
| Rufus wrote: |
| MermaidGirl wrote: |
| If you have a tube that has a cap that's large enough to let you stand it on its head, if you wait long enough the product will run down toward the cap. That way you can cut the tube open closer to the cap so you're not digging around too deeply with a spatula, a Q-tip or your finger! |
Now these are bona fide survival skills in a time where skincare costs so much money.
I have a cabinet full of partially cut up tubes. For people like us tubes are a good thing as some containers are hard to pry apart. |
You ain't just whistling Dixie, sister! I have a rubber mallet that I've used to pound open a difficult container or two. I've also been known to use a screw driver, pliers and a drill. I have a jigsaw, too, but have not yet had to resort to using it.
My guy just shakes his head when he sees me walk by with power tools - he never knows if I'm using them for "legitimate" purposes (e.g., changing a lock on a door) or "ridiculous girl" purposes (e.g., prying open that pump container of eye serum)!  |
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Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:35 pm |
| I cut my tubes open, too. I use a butter knife or spatula to scoop out what's left and put it into clean little recycled sample jars. |
_________________
Best, Jeannine (40s, fair skin, hazel eyes, sensitive skin). To fight the dread lemming sickness, I promise not to rave about a product until I have used it for a long while. |
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Fri Jan 12, 2007 8:07 pm |
If anyone out there knows how to get into the Prevage canister please let me know...I've tried everything short of a hand grenade!!
Pudoodles |
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Fri Jan 12, 2007 8:15 pm |
| Yup, I'm a tube cutter as well when necessary. After I cut the tube I transfer the contents to these little glass or plastic sample jars I have so I can keep the remaining product clean and away from bacteria. It is surprising how much product gets left behind. I remember I once cut an old tube of Dr H makeup, you know the really hard plastic ones they used to have, and I still had a months use left! Cutting the container was really messy but well worth it. |
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Global Butterfly & Certified Aromatherapist/Holisitc Therapist with a passion for travel and natural health. |
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Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:18 pm |
[quote="MermaidGirl"]
| Rufus wrote: |
| MermaidGirl wrote: |
| some containers are hard to pry apart. |
You ain't just whistling Dixie, sister! I have a rubber mallet that I've used to pound open a difficult container or two. I've also been known to use a screw driver, pliers and a drill. I have a jigsaw, too, but have not yet had to resort to using it.
My guy just shakes his head when he sees me walk by with power tools - he never knows if I'm using them for "legitimate" purposes (e.g., changing a lock on a door) or "ridiculous girl" purposes (e.g., prying open that pump container of eye serum)! |
Mine only worries when I walk by with a hammer  |
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Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:32 pm |
[quote="Rufus"]
| MermaidGirl wrote: |
| Rufus wrote: |
| MermaidGirl wrote: |
| some containers are hard to pry apart. |
You ain't just whistling Dixie, sister! I have a rubber mallet that I've used to pound open a difficult container or two. I've also been known to use a screw driver, pliers and a drill. I have a jigsaw, too, but have not yet had to resort to using it.
My guy just shakes his head when he sees me walk by with power tools - he never knows if I'm using them for "legitimate" purposes (e.g., changing a lock on a door) or "ridiculous girl" purposes (e.g., prying open that pump container of eye serum)! |
Mine only worries when I walk by with a hammer |
I walked by with a drill one time and mine just looked at me and started to say something, then just went "I don't EVEN want to know!" |
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Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:07 pm |
| MermaidGirl wrote: |
She taught me to cut the tube on an angle, that way you can sort of wedge one of the pieces inside the other to sort of "reseal" the tube so the product doesn't dry out or get contaminated. I usually put my cut up tubes, wedged together, in a plastic zip-lock bag because it keeps the product even more "fresh" that way.
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This is exactly what I do too. I hate wasting any product. |
_________________
27~Texas~Oily~ fair~ breakout prone~ easily congested~Cysts caused by emotional stress~ Using Ayurvedic skin care and philosophy~ Dry brushing body and face~ On strict less is more routine~ We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars~ Oscar Wilde |
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Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:14 am |
| I shudder to think how much expensive product I must have thrown away over the years - it never even occurred to me to cut the tube open to see if there was any left in there! Also, I know there are all sorts of sensible, sanitary reasons for those impregnable pump-style dispensers, but they are also really aggravating as you often have no idea if the product inside has really finished or has just shifted away from the end of the pump a bit. I like simple packaging, even if it is a bit old-fashioned ! |
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Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:51 am |
| fifi wrote: |
| I know there are all sorts of sensible, sanitary reasons for those impregnable pump-style dispensers, but they are also really aggravating as you often have no idea if the product inside has really finished or has just shifted away from the end of the pump a bit. |
ITA! That was one of my frustrations with Green Cream. I loved the pump and I know it helped keep the GC effective, but I wondered how much was truly left in there when I couldn't pump anymore out. |
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Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:26 pm |
| fifi wrote: |
| I shudder to think how much expensive product I must have thrown away over the years - it never even occurred to me to cut the tube open to see if there was any left in there! |
Fifi, I'm shuddering right along with you! I can't believe I didn't think to cut open the tube of some pricey product to see what was remaining!!  Ah well...just learned an expensive lesson!!
Mary  |
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43, Confirmed desert rat (Scottsdale, AZ), animal lover (3 kitties and a pup) and hopeless product junkie (I blame EDS...lol!) |
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Mabsy
Moderator
 
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 9644
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Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:23 pm |
| If it is a product that I really like then I will cut the tube open. I've done this a few times and each time I was really surprised to see how much stuff was left in there! |
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Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:40 am |
I want to make sure I am understanding the "wedge" approach with the tubes. Are you cutting off just a corner at the end of the tube, then turning it around so that the point of the wedge (that was one of the "ends" of the tube previously) now wedges back into the opening you just made by cutting it? If so, how does the wedge stay in there? Seems like it would keep coming out.
I was thinking that I might just cut the end of the tube off straight across and squeeze any leftover contents into a little tupperware type container. |
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Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:42 pm |
Marci, the wedge approach goes like this:
(1) cut tube across the middle, but do not use a straight, horizontal cut; instead, cut at an angle.
(2) Its best to scoop out the product from the "top" 1/2 of the tube and put it in the "bottom" 1/2.
(3) Bend the top edge of the "bottom" 1/2 of the tube so its size is thinner (do this by bending the now-pointed, higher end over to the shorted end), and then slip the "top" 1/2 of the tube (that is now empty) over it. The top 1/2 is now the new lid. |
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Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:55 pm |
| MermaidGirl wrote: |
| Mine only worries when I walk by with a hammer |
I walked by with a drill one time and mine just looked at me and started to say something, then just went "I don't EVEN want to know!" [/quote]
Now you're talking, now I have to go find my drill  |
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Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:46 pm |
| tam wrote: |
| When I am sure that I have removed every last drop possible, I cut it into two pieces in the middle to see if I can salvage any more. |
I do the same. |
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Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:20 pm |
If the cap is too thin to stand on its end, just get a little shot glass or something and stand the tube on its end in the glass. The glass stops it from falling over.
I also cut open but usually use a clean spatula and scoop out the content into a clean/new mini pot. |
_________________
SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Mon Jan 15, 2007 1:58 am |
| Another good tool is the Robo Grip plier because it's so adjustable and it REALLY grips what you have it clamped onto. Once when I suddenly ran out of my Clarins concealer (you have no idea when it's going to run out... its the type that's in a clicking tube and has a built in brush) I used two Robo Grips to pull the darn thing apart. I was expecting to have like two more applications left... well it turned out there was enough in there to last me a week and a half! |
_________________
early-mid 30s || oily-combination, sensitive & acne-prone skin || mild breakouts (Aczone helps a lot) || occasional eczema rashes || fine lines around eyes || very dark under eye cirlces- concealer a must || very fair neutral-warm complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair |
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