What Would (Or Do) You Sacrifice for Beauty?

According to reports, "one-third of women in the U.K. would prefer to eat less than cut their beauty spending." It's a fairly bold statement to make, but an interesting one nonetheless.

Personally, I find the survey to be too broad to represent an accurate statistic. If it simply translates to the willingness to cut calories (which most of us try to do anyway...) to be able to use the most premium products possible, then you can include me in that group. I don't know about you, but I'd rather invest in the best anti-aging products available than in an indulgent meal at Per Se.

In an ideal world, a girl could have both, but in the reality of this economy- costs need to be cut. That said, starvation is not a viable solution either. So when should one scrimp and where does one splurge? See below for my two cents (currently worth about 1.25)...

Go Cheap: Pigments, Pencils, Powders & Nail Care
You can find fabulous textures and rich pigments in certain drugstore products (like eye shadow, eye/lip/brow pencils, blush, powder, lip color, and mascara...), so don't be afraid to browse the aisles to find the less-expensive versions of your favorite luxury brands. If you're phobic of fluorescent lights, don't fret- just shop online. It's not like you can try the products on in-store, anyway, and most major chains offer free shipping as well.

Find a Happy Medium: Haircare & Body Care
There are loads of cheap hair and body care products out there, but for just a little more you'll see much better results. You don't have to go all out, but moving up a couple of dollars in price range can give you access to nicer emollients, more effective formulations, and better quality ingredients overall.

Where to Invest: Skincare, Treatments & Tools
I'm not too keen on injections and surgical procedures, but firmly believe in using the best possible skincare products on the face and neck. (Non-invasive) corrective and preventative care takes top priority in my books. Every step of one's ritual, from cleansing and moisturizing to the use of at-home/professional treatments, plays a crucial role in keeping the skin looking its best. I also think that beauty tools (like brushes, tweezers, and hair dryers/styling irons) are an investment that show their worth daily, and can last for quite some time.

What are you currently cutting back/splurging on? Are beauty products a priority, or an afterthought?

Comments

[kelly]

I'm glad you brought this up; I don't skimp on meals, but I have cut out the beauty salon for now. My problem is trying to find the right color for my hair, now that I'm no longer having someone else do it. I tried the "guessing" game, but found out the hard way, after my hair was done, that guessing wasn't all that good.

[Lily]

Hi Kelly,

I completely understand... I think many of us have been there at one point or another! Hair color can be tricky. That said, there are a few options available if you're interested:

i) If you have a friendly relationship with your stylist, or are willing to discuss your situation with a new one, I'd just tell them that you're not able to come for frequent visits and would like some direction as to DIY maintenance. This way, you'll still be checking in with a professional every so often for care and can also use their advice to ensure you don't have to guess anymore. Simple things like the choice of tone (beige, red, etc.), brand, or semi vs. permi can alter your at-home results dramatically.

ii) I recently interviewed Rita Hazan, a highly regarded celebrity colorist, about how to 'ace at home hair color'. Perhaps some of her tips might help? The link is:
http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/hairs-the-scoop/blog/how-ace-home-hair-color

iii) If you find at-home just won't work, but a salon visit is out of the question, check out our local listings to find prestigious salons or beauty schools that do training nights. Many of the stylists are qualified, and they usually charge a very low fee for their services. I've seen some as low as $25, which is basically the cost of an at-home kit plus gas/taxi to the drugstore.

Hope this helps?

All the best.
Lily x

[kelly]

Wow! Thanks Lily! I'll certainly give one of your suggestions a try. I guess it really doesn't hurt to ask, heh?

[cheryl]

hi lily i haven't left a comment for a long time but i'm always reading your blog here. i completely agree that skincare is so very important. i use only brands like la prairie, revive, rodial, sjal, taer icelandic, cowshed and such. either organic or cellular technology stuff!
as to makeup, my collection's incredibly small and i dun like spending a lot on it.

[Claudia]

I also watch what I spend in order to have regular facials. However, my largest sacrifice was when I gave up vacations in order to pay for weekly private ballroom lessons. It was certainly worth it--a treat every week.

[Jessica]

Always splurge on skincare and foundation. Everything else, not so much.

[Rosemary]

I have started splurging on shampoo and conditioner, and it has been worth it.

[Sesame]

Beauty is my top priority! But I'm cutting back by using DIY ingredients instead. Some from the kitchen, some purchased from the DIY ingredient suppliers. I make my own Vit C serum for example, and that saved me lots!