Last week blogger Sally from Wheeling Along 24 got in touch because she had been trying to find other disabled bloggers and found me. Unfortunately there aren't many disabled writers, I have tried searching myself, and haven't found any. The only disabled bloggers I did find (at the time) were people telling the story of their illness or disability.
It does seem strange there aren't any well known disabled writers within the fashion, beauty, food or travel industry. Nothing should hold them back, admittedly I am only temporarily disabled but even so I am not allowing my current circumstances stop me from doing what I love.
Anyway, after chatting with Sally I asked if she would like to write us a little post and she come up with this great piece about how much we spend on our faces.
Take a look at what Sally has to say…..
The cost of my face?
It’s not exactly possible to put a price on the difference a good face of makeup and great skin can make. For me, the effort I put into my appearance is the difference between feeling happy talking to people and being terrified that people will know how ill I am… I know that it’s not just me who is like this - looking good is a confidence boost it is impossible to put a price tag on. Cosmetic companies, however, are quite happy to put a price tag on it.
So I got to thinking, how much do the basics of me being confident day to day really cost? You know - the skincare, the makeup and all the extra bits that go with them.
So, let’s start from waking up…
Face wash = Amie Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash: £4.95
Acid tone = Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner: £3.99
Spray toner = Le Roche-Posay Serozinc: not available in the UK (lets say £10)
Eye Cream = Clinique De-Puffing Eye Massage: £22
Hyluronic Acid Serum = Hydraluron: £24.99
Serum = Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Serum: £26.10
Spot Treatment = La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo: £13
Moisturiser = Nuxe Anti-Fatigue Moisturising Cream: £19.60
Cotton Pads = Boots Cotton Pads 200 pack: £2.50
Total: £127.13
Average: £14.13
Now, let's add the make-up….
Under-eye concealer = Becca Radiant Skin Creamy Concealer: £24
Concealer = Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer: £21
Cream Contour = Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow: £17.50
Foundation = YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat: £29
Sponge = Beauty Blender Pure: £16
Blusher = theBalm Instain blush in pinstripe: £18
Powder = No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder: £11.50
Powder Brush = Real Techniques Setting Brush: £8.99
Blusher Brush = Real Techniques Blush Brush: £9.99
Eye primer = Nars Smudge Proof eyeshadow base: £19
Eyeshadow = Too Faced Boudoir eyes: £29
Blending Brush = Estee Lauder Blending Brush: £19
Eyeshadow = MAC Vanilla Pigment: £17
Pencil Brush = No7 Smokey Eyeliner Brush: £7.25
Eyelash Curler = Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: £20
Mascara = YSL Babydoll Mascara: £24.50
Lipstick = L’Oreal GlamShine Stain: £7.99
Total: £319.40
Average: £18.78
And finally, the night time skincare routine….
Cream cleanser = Botanics Ultra Calm Gentle Cleansing Cream: £4.49
Micellar water = Clarins Water Comfort One Step Cleanser - Peach: £19.50
Acid Toner = Alpha-H Liquid Gold: £31.50
Eye Cream = Nuxe Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream: £17.60
Oil Serum = Therapie Cherish Skin Repair Serum: £42
Night Cream = Origins High Potency Oil-Free Night-A-Mins: £34
Lip Balm = Nuxe Reve de Miel Lipbalm: £9.50
Pillow Spray = this works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: £16
Cotton Pads = Boots Cotton Pads 200 pack: £2.50
Total: £177.09
Average Cost: £19.67
OVERALL TOTAL: £621.12
Average Cost: £18.27
Okay so that looks a lot but if you think about it, the cost per use is a lot less. I worked out that it takes me about 300 uses to finish a bottle of my foundation so at £29 a bottle, my foundation is actually costing me less than 10p a day & the cost per use of the brushes will be less than a penny by the time they have to be retired. In pay per use the beauty blender is probably the most expensive item as, in my experience, they only last a year being used 3 times a week.
Obviously, how you spend your money is up to you and I know I could find similar products for less but like I said, this makes an immeasurable difference to me, my confidence and my capacity to deal with being chronically ill and in a wheelchair. Looking at that total does make me re-think the lusting I’ve been doing over the new Naked 3 palette but it doesn’t make me feel guilty. Every penny of that was spent exactly where it should have been, on products that were acquired over at least a year, probably more like two.
Now, answer these questions honestly and let me know your opinion
- What is it that makes you confident?
- How much does it cost?
- Is it still totally worth it?
- What is it that makes you confident?
- Is it still totally worth it?
Sally x
I think Sally is incredibly brave for working out the cost of her beauty regime, I don't think I would dare calculate what I have spent over the last year.
I shall kick off and answer Sally's questions (I hope you do too)
- The thing that makes me confident is when I have been to the hairdressers, bought some new clothes and shoes and of course, new makeup.
- Hair cut and colour is a bargain as a friend Emma does it £35, new clothes and shoes can be anything between £100-£500 a month (on average) and new make-up is £15-60 a month.
- Is it worth it? YES!!! It cheers me up no end, especially the haircut.
- I would definitely say a new haircut and new clothes make me feel more confident.
- It certainly is worth it! I would say since I have become disabled I have felt I need more of a confidence boost and I have probably spent more than I would normally. New Mulberry handbag, two fancy winter coats, lots of boots and shoes and jewellery.
Teresa xx
