Has your beauty budget increased or decreased in recent years?

It’s increased overall, though this year seems to be running a little under the last few years–we’ll have to see how the year closes out, and then I can actually try to dive into the details to see why (I’m very curious).

— Christine

26 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

My budget has certainly increased now that all my children are on their own and financially independent and my husband and I are both still working and also collecting pensions so in that sense, I’ve more money to spend on makeup and skincare and other indulgences but as I’ve mentioned before, I have amassed so much makeup that there’s really very little that I see out there in the marketplace that I really, really crave.

xamyx Avatar

It’s definitely increased, but mainly because I’m in a better position financially. That said, after picking up a few more eyeshadow palettes this month, I do plan to embark on an extreme low-buy for 2020, and actually focus on finishing up some things, and only buying something new if I finish a comparable item, or several smaller items.

Nancy T Avatar

Definitely increased. Against my better judgement, which may have jumped out a window and fled from me! I’ve tried to do better, but I’m guessing that it may finally be time to go to Reddit’s Makeup Rehab. This past year was *supposed* to be a low-buy year for me, but that didn’t exactly work out for me. I have finally found out the psychological reasons for my spending, though. It’s a start, I guess.

Eileen Avatar

I don’t have a beauty budget per se, but I do notice that the amount I spend varies year by year depending on what’s in style. How much I spend increases in years where I find the trends are in keeping with my personal esthetic and it decreases when the looks in vogue aren’t to my liking. As for skin care, that’s pretty consistent and has only gone up over the years as would be expected due to inflation.

Moxie Avatar

Decreased now that I’ve stopped buying on impulse, instead only repurchasing things I need: sunscreen, Vitamin C serum, protein shampoo, argan oil, Nivea creme. I’ll treat myself to non-essentials once I reach a goal.

I think it’s a combination of growing up and realizing how much things cost in terms of money and resources.

Lesley Avatar

I have never had a beauty budget. When I was working, I wore neutral makeup and did not see the point of spending a lot on brown eyeshadow so it mainly was Nyx. I did not own an eye shadow palette. My hair was one color and I did the roots myself. My annual Sephora spend was around $400 and I never went to Ulta. I did spend money at the dermatologist, however, and had Botox and filler done on a regular basis. I stopped working four years ago and. now my Sephora spend is $1,000 a year, Ulta is $500 a year, and I am at the salon once a month to maintain my magenta highlights. I don’t get Botox or fillers any longer but my guess is that I am spending more now.

Ana Maria Avatar

Although I buy less (just replacing what I end up using up), I actually find I tend to spend the same or even more (especially when it comes to skincare). I like to invest more in better formulas, packaging, not compromise for a 90% drugstore dupe. Although there are many cheap gems I still enjoy. So budget is mostly the same, although I don’t track it diligent; I mean, it might be a quarter when I only replace the mascara, while in just one month I might finish both my concealer and foundation. 😆

Genevieve Avatar

My budget is pretty much the same this year as in the past, but I don’t really spend that much on makeup as compared to 5 years ago. I have a lot already, so I am fairly cautious about adding newer additions. When I feel like a ‘makeup fix’ I tend to buy lipsticks. I also have plenty of those too.
I tend to wait for sales, especially on skincare products, my basic makeup staples like foundation, mascara etc.
I also think that perhaps people here are actually buying less, but what they buy is from more expensive brands like PMG, ND, Viseart, UD etc – which can push up the budget.

Rachel R. Avatar

Decreased. My mom passed away a year ago, and we spent quite a bit having her cremated, clearing out her house, etc., my brother moved in with us when she passed, we just got a new roof… Life stuff. Plus, we went on vacation this summer. I’d rather travel than buy loads of stuff I don’t need. I just like to have some stuff I don’t need. lol

Serioiusly, I don’t need a lot of new things, and was spending less on makeup every every year anyway, so it’s not a huge deal.

TropicalCowgirl Avatar

Rachel, I am so with you on the skincare front. I even invested in a steamer. I was recently thrilled to watch my stepdaughter and my face clear up from a season change breakout! Like in a day. I can’t wait for the skincare kits that come out in November. I’d love to hear what you get.

Rachel R. Avatar

* Cleanser: I was using NuSkin’s 180 and am half-way through my last tube, but I’m going to switch to Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser.
Currently using:
*Paula’s Choice Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner.
*Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
*Volition Beauty Strawberry-C Serum
*L’Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Fragrance Free Anti-Aging Moisturizer
*Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream

*I forget to mask all the time. I used to mud mask because my skin was super oily, but I think I need to find something less agressive now.

Renee Avatar

Decreased, quite drastically I’m afraid. I usually do much ‘research’ before making beauty purchases. I prefer to buy online; as the years have gone by I’ve found trying to make on the spot decisions at the beauty counter to be too stressful. As there is how costly mistakes are made. Fortunately, there are wonderful lines that have come into their own in the last decade or so that offer very affordable dupes for nearly any shade. Well, almost any. 🙂

TropicalCowgirl Avatar

I am oddly spending way more if I look at purchases between Sephora, Nordstrom and Ulta year over year. But I am now buying sunscreens, soaps and lotions for the hubby and I’ve amped up skincare. I do find skincare more personable and certainly not one size fits all. I just finished masking my husband’s 4 friends tonight. ?. During football.

I get two hair cuts a year (devacurl stylist) and am now doing my own roots for gray…my stylist from Miami sends me the kit to match my weird brown, golden auburn color for my roots.

Also, I have always hated acrylic nails. With a passion. My mom did them for a living and they were painful if I tapped them. The maintenance was too much. But this year, discovered Next Gen…amazing. I get a very natural color and always look polished.so that adds to it. So $50 every 3 weeks.

Ironically, I’ve been very good with makeup. I actually get a huge fix reading all the lovely ladies here. i used to have serious FOMO.

We are doing quite well financially but in all honesty, I reviewed my excessive purchases this year from Sephora and Nordstrom before posting. I found I am spending mostly the same year over but in different categories on me (makeup vs skin). I also want less “thing” and more experiences, like vacations. I have friends in Australia that are begging us to visit and I live Australians.

But the increase in spend has been in gifting. Two years ago it was gifting Instapots, gadgets, subscriptions, etc. So I’m spending less elsewhere. Now, I love giving something in line with self care. This year, we have a no buy for adults. I’m getting every adult a simple sleeping eye mask for sleeping. Gift of health! Sleep. I get my nieces something fun but instead of $$$ for things, every opportunity we put into a find. This year, they are getting Sephora treats though which adds to my spend.

Deborah S. Avatar

Until this year I would say that it increased every year and on a somewhat staggering level. Last year was my first year trying not to be Rouge at Sephora and I failed miserably and was Rouge by about April. This year I again had a goal of not being Rouge and I did pretty well until the surprise sale in August which coincided with my wanting to make some skin care changes. So, I feel like not being Rouge until August was a big improvement from last year and previous years. I plan on continuing to whittle away at it each year!

Tina Avatar

It’s increased as I know am salaried and finished college and other advanced education. All the things I used to get with saving allowance and buying drug store items is now fallen to the wayside. I am definitely will still be conscious of what I buy since I know get through makeup at a much slower pace that these influencers and I want the satisfaction of using what i have. But my budget has certainly increased as I’m looking at brands like Natasha Denona instead of Urban Decay or Too Faced.

Sarah Avatar

Decreasing. I’m focusing on buying only what I will finish up.

I also am buying less mid-range and luxury brands…drugstore brands fills my wants for the most part, and I have no interest in spending extra for the packaging/branding that pushes luxury brand prices up.

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