After listening to Jessica and Katie, I've been a lot more ruthless with cutting things out of my beauty/personal care routine. It's hard to describe, but if something doesn't feel texturally indulgent and luxurious and I'm not just talking about physical texture of a product, I try to find a cheaper, more functional replacement. Here are some switches I've made plus some ride-or-dies I've kept, without feeling like I'm really sacrificing anything:
Kept:
- Tatcha The Rice Wash (nothing compares, the dupes are a lie)
- Summer pedicures for around $50 a pop (hate doing my cuticles)
- Haircuts at Masa Kanai (nothing like a precise cut! ~$200)
- Regular quarterly massages (Press Massage is a favorite) and Theragun saves my life in between
- Facials 2x a year @ Facie Studio (Alexandra is amazing!)
- Manicures -> Au naturel, I file and shape them consistently and always get compliments!
- Fresh Lip Balm ($26 each!!!!) -> Caudalie Vinoperfect Lip Balm ($4-7 each depending on if I get them in France)
- Highlights (I might go back, but would probably max do 1x/yr and stretch it out by going for a cool tone, going as light as possible, and toning darker over the course of the year)
In my early 40s here, but this really depends on your lifestyle. You like to go out and travel lots for work, so you have to look put together on a regular basis. But it's all about how you feel in your skin. Are you happy with the way you look?
My two cents: my hydrating cream that I was gifted and now can't live without is Guerlain's Abeille Royale Day Cream. Plumped out my wrinkles and I look less deflated and my skin looks great. Win-win. In winter, I use Dongibi's Red Ginseng Night Mask, in the morning wash it off and looking hydrated.
My aunt (who is in her 70s) still gets her gel manicures and has done so for at least 30yrs. Some women are ride or die on certain things. I also think you look amazing, so if you think you're doing too much, cut back for a couple of months, see how that feels and switch if you need. All about balance!
Love this, and totally agree on all this being lifestyle-dependent. I'm sure if I moved to the countryside and started gardening, I'd care much less about the nails!
I’m scared to do laser hair removal (for now). My go-to for removing upper lip hair is my trusty cordless epilator. The slight pain took some getting used to initially, but now I barely feel more than the pain level of a pinch. I use the epilator 1-2x/week, and it’s way faster than plucking hairs one by one!
I was just talking to a friend about how much it costs to "keep up" as a woman. For me, it's skincare, skin treatments like laser/sculptra/botox/peels, and my personal trainer 2x/week. I have been doing lash lifts but hate the grow out period. I am getting a keratin treatment for my hair in an effort to make styling lower maintenance and avoid the blowouts I get for fancier occasions. It's exhausting and expensive.
I've been cutting my own nails and using Dior Nail Glow. I do miss having professional manicures, but gel nails are horrible for my nail's and regular polish chips within 48 hours, and I hate sitting in the salon.
Pedicures are a must, though, especially in the summer. I also use Baby Foot, which I HIGHLY recommend.
I use an epilator and waxing for my upper lip and I get my eyebrows waxed at a salon. I use hair gel or actual glue for my eyebrows. I find Colorpop products to be really good (and of course Anastasia).
The biggest spend is regular massages and my gym membership because my body just hurts all the time.
It's also frustrating that men are socially expected to engage in far less of this. It bothers me that we end up spending years of our lives and thousands of dollars on this at the end--men have that time and money free.
would love any weigh in on laser hair removal! in my mid 20s and wondering if i should just bite the bullet. im caught between the price tag and the sensory nightmare of being between shaves.
also (ironically) currently trying out oral minoxidil for thicker hair and waiting to see results!
I think you would enjoy this, if you haven't seen it already: https://jessicadefino.substack.com/p/hot-girl-hamster-wheel-money-with-katie-beauty
After listening to Jessica and Katie, I've been a lot more ruthless with cutting things out of my beauty/personal care routine. It's hard to describe, but if something doesn't feel texturally indulgent and luxurious and I'm not just talking about physical texture of a product, I try to find a cheaper, more functional replacement. Here are some switches I've made plus some ride-or-dies I've kept, without feeling like I'm really sacrificing anything:
Kept:
- Tatcha The Rice Wash (nothing compares, the dupes are a lie)
- Summer pedicures for around $50 a pop (hate doing my cuticles)
- Haircuts at Masa Kanai (nothing like a precise cut! ~$200)
- Regular quarterly massages (Press Massage is a favorite) and Theragun saves my life in between
- Facials 2x a year @ Facie Studio (Alexandra is amazing!)
Gone/Replaced!
- Tatcha The Dewy Skin Moisturizer -> Dear Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream
- SKII -> Origins Mega Mushroom Relief Toner
- Manicures -> Au naturel, I file and shape them consistently and always get compliments!
- Fresh Lip Balm ($26 each!!!!) -> Caudalie Vinoperfect Lip Balm ($4-7 each depending on if I get them in France)
- Highlights (I might go back, but would probably max do 1x/yr and stretch it out by going for a cool tone, going as light as possible, and toning darker over the course of the year)
Thank you for this!! I'm looking up Facie as I type. Looks amazing.
Love hearing your other replacements and ride or dies.
In my early 40s here, but this really depends on your lifestyle. You like to go out and travel lots for work, so you have to look put together on a regular basis. But it's all about how you feel in your skin. Are you happy with the way you look?
My two cents: my hydrating cream that I was gifted and now can't live without is Guerlain's Abeille Royale Day Cream. Plumped out my wrinkles and I look less deflated and my skin looks great. Win-win. In winter, I use Dongibi's Red Ginseng Night Mask, in the morning wash it off and looking hydrated.
My aunt (who is in her 70s) still gets her gel manicures and has done so for at least 30yrs. Some women are ride or die on certain things. I also think you look amazing, so if you think you're doing too much, cut back for a couple of months, see how that feels and switch if you need. All about balance!
Love this, and totally agree on all this being lifestyle-dependent. I'm sure if I moved to the countryside and started gardening, I'd care much less about the nails!
I’m scared to do laser hair removal (for now). My go-to for removing upper lip hair is my trusty cordless epilator. The slight pain took some getting used to initially, but now I barely feel more than the pain level of a pinch. I use the epilator 1-2x/week, and it’s way faster than plucking hairs one by one!
Seconding a spring epilator! So fast and easy. Laser hair removal on the face really makes me worried.
ooh I've never seen a spring epilator before! Gonna give it a try. Is there a particular brand you guys like?
Bavooa, just from Amazon. Takes a little practice but then it like takes 30 seconds maybe once a week or less
I swear by monthly acupuncture sessions - the best! It feels different than massage, working from the inside out rather than the outside in.
I was just talking to a friend about how much it costs to "keep up" as a woman. For me, it's skincare, skin treatments like laser/sculptra/botox/peels, and my personal trainer 2x/week. I have been doing lash lifts but hate the grow out period. I am getting a keratin treatment for my hair in an effort to make styling lower maintenance and avoid the blowouts I get for fancier occasions. It's exhausting and expensive.
I've been cutting my own nails and using Dior Nail Glow. I do miss having professional manicures, but gel nails are horrible for my nail's and regular polish chips within 48 hours, and I hate sitting in the salon.
Pedicures are a must, though, especially in the summer. I also use Baby Foot, which I HIGHLY recommend.
I use an epilator and waxing for my upper lip and I get my eyebrows waxed at a salon. I use hair gel or actual glue for my eyebrows. I find Colorpop products to be really good (and of course Anastasia).
The biggest spend is regular massages and my gym membership because my body just hurts all the time.
It's also frustrating that men are socially expected to engage in far less of this. It bothers me that we end up spending years of our lives and thousands of dollars on this at the end--men have that time and money free.
would love any weigh in on laser hair removal! in my mid 20s and wondering if i should just bite the bullet. im caught between the price tag and the sensory nightmare of being between shaves.
also (ironically) currently trying out oral minoxidil for thicker hair and waiting to see results!
Whatever you are doing...works! You look great!
I still haven't given up on the lash lifts, unfort for my wallet. Would love to know who you went to in BK!
Chito and her team are the best! https://www.lashesbychito.com/
So gentle, and they work all the little baby hairs upward as well.