She Strengthens

The Art of Simplicity: Streamlining My Beauty Routine

As a twenty-something woman, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of perfection – thick, shiny hair, flawless skin, and a wardrobe that turns heads. However, I’ve learned that achieving this level of perfection comes at a cost, and I’m not willing to break the bank to get it.

Growing up, my mother was a self-proclaimed product hoarder, with an arsenal of creams, oils, and shampoos at her disposal. While I benefited from her extensive collection, I realized that I didn’t need an entire cabinet full of products to achieve my beauty goals. In fact, I wanted the opposite – a simple, effortless routine that wouldn’t drain my wallet.

Cutting Through the Clutter

To start, I purged my bathroom of any products I didn’t use regularly. This was no easy feat, but it helped me identify the few products that I truly loved and relied on. Next, I spent months tracking how long each product lasted, which helped me make informed decisions about what to keep and what to cut.

Categorizing and Budgeting

I created categorized lists for my products, including Hair, Skincare, Makeup, and Body. For each item, I noted the cost and how often I’d need to repurchase it. This exercise helped me identify areas where I could cut costs without sacrificing quality.

The Finalized List

After making some adjustments, my finalized list looked like this:

• Hair: $54/year
  • Hask Shampoo ($6, 3x/year)
  • Hask Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Conditioner ($6, 3x/year)
  • Batiste Dry Shampoo ($6, 3x/year)
• Skincare: $191/year
  • Lush Herbalism Cleanser ($15, 3x/year)
  • Lush Aqua Marina Cleanser ($12, 3x/year)
  • Lush Vanishing Cream Moisturizer ($45, 2x/year)
  • Neutrogena Sunscreen ($10, 2x/year)
• Makeup: $70/year
  • Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ($6, 2x/year)
  • Rimmel Stay Matte Powder ($5, 2x/year)
  • NYX Micro Brow Pencil ($10, 3x/year)
  • CoverGirl Waterproof Mascara ($8, 1x/year)
  • Blistex Medicated ($4, 1x/year)
  • e.l.f Studio Blush ($3, 2x/year)
• Body: $69/year
  • Dove Body Wash ($6, 4x/year)
  • Palmer’s Cocoa Butter ($6, 3x/year)
  • Coppertone Sunscreen ($8, 3x/year)
  • Dove Deodorant ($6, 3x/year)
  • 12 Pack of Disposable Razors ($9, 1x/year)

The Total Beauty Budget

My total beauty budget comes out to $411 per year. While it may seem like a lot, I’ve found that having a clear understanding of my expenses has taken the guesswork out of my beauty routine. I no longer feel the need to constantly search for new products, and I’m confident in the ones I’ve chosen.

The Key Takeaway

For me, simplicity is key. By streamlining my beauty routine and creating a budget that works for me, I’ve been able to achieve the look I want without breaking the bank. This approach may not work for everyone, but it’s helped me take control of my finances and focus on what truly matters – using only products I love and trust.