What Else Did The Red Lipstick Make Me Do?

If it sparkles, I probably like it. If it’s shiny, I probably want it. And if you add glitter, I’ll hand over my credit card right then and there. That’s the thing though, I love everything that’s meant to be pretty. My favorite lipsticks are by Gucci and Tom Ford. Why? Because they last. After that, I’ll take the newest and boldest (red) lip NYX has to offer. For fun and a cause, I’ll wear something from Lipslut (I’m waiting for LipRevolt to come out! I will be shopping with them, too.) What you should see trending here, though, is that I love makeup and the best part it, I wear it for me. 

Since March, I have been working from home and honestly, my routine really hasn’t changed that much. Sure, I may not be doing a full face every day and my skincare brand of choice has also changed but (that’s more out of cost and results thing though) I’m still doing all of this for me and me alone. As I sit and think about all of things I do for me, I’ve been starting to think, what is this costing me? While the likelihood of needing to rush out and replace my whole make-up kit and skin care regime all at once is fairly low and I don’t have to replace each of these items after each use, the last time I checked, these individual items add up. This week, I thought it would be great idea to absolutely hate myself and see how much I’ve actually spent on these items. 

I know this is a list that absolutely no one asked for but, then again, no one has wanted to be in quarantine this long either so, I apologize for once again, finding my own form of entertainment.

The rules on this personal project are very simple: if it touches my face more than three times a week, I have to count it. Without further ado, I introduce you to my personal hell of skincare, cosmetics, and my daily routine.

It’s morning! I’ve set two alarms and I still don’t want to get out of bed. It’s almost 7am and my cat has a lot of feelings about my continuing to lounge in bed. Her meowing is getting louder and more things are being knocked off of my end table. It’s time for me to get out of bed. Into the bathroom I go. 

First up: Skincare!!! I personally like to do my skincare and then brush my teeth so that I give my product a couple minutes to sit on my face prior to adding makeup.

• Rose Gold Rescue, Gentle Foaming Cleanser for Sensitive Skin by Bliss, $13.⁰⁰
• Rose Petal, Facial Toner by Thayers, $10.⁹⁵
• Glow & Hydrate, Day Serum by Bliss, $22.⁰⁰
• Bright Idea, Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting Eye Cream by Bliss, $24.⁰⁰
• Rose Gold Rescue, Gentle Moisture Cream for Sensitive Skin by Bliss, $21.⁰⁰
  • This feels like hand cream for your face. I love it so much.

Total: $90.⁹⁵

Now that my face is clean, and I’ve moved on from Chip Skylark and have some shinny teeth, it’s time for the fun part: Make-up!!! Please note, I do not use all of these products daily. That would just be a lot. Do you know what my face would look like? A damn, clown. 

• Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer by Elizabeth Mott, $20.⁰⁰
• Dipbrow Pomade, in Caramel by Anastasia Beverly Hills, $21.⁰⁰
• Dual Ended, Angled Brush by Anastasia Beverly Hills, $18.⁰⁰
• Venus XL Eyeshadow Palette by Lime Crime, $58.⁰⁰
• Love Lust Disco, Livin’ Lavish Shadow Palette by NYX, $18.⁰⁰*
• Away We Go Shadow Palette by NYX, $22.⁰⁰
• Eye Blender Brush by Charlotte Tilbury, $34.⁰⁰
• Detail Crease Brush by E.L.F. Cosmetics, $4.⁰⁰**
• Skywash, Sheer Matte Lid Tint, in Echo, Pool, and Terra, $18.⁰⁰ (each)
• 137 Synthetic Long Blending Brush by MAC Cosmetics, $42.⁰⁰
• Blush Brush #22 by Ulta, $14.00***
• Small Stipple Brush by E.L.F. Cosmetics, $4.⁰⁰
• Blush, in Exhibit A by NARS, $30.⁰⁰
• Filmstar Bronze & Glow, Contour Duo by Charlotte Tilbury, $68.⁰⁰
• Liquid Glow in Perla by Anastasia Beverly Hills, $25.⁰⁰
• Makeup Setting Spray, Matte by NYX, $8.⁵⁰
• Extra Curl Eyelash Curler by Revlon, $7.⁹⁹
• Mascara L’Obscur by Gucci, $35.⁰⁰
  • This shit HOLDS. I constantly tear (thanks contacts!) and after an entire day, I do not look like a racoon unless it’s heavy allergy season and then I have to skip out on the makeup as a whole.

Total: $470.⁴⁹

It is now 10:30 pm. I have spent the day styling away and watching something completely ridiculous on Netflix (yes, I have been watching everything from Selling Sunset to rewatching Gossip Girl. Don’t judge me!) It’s time to wrap my day up and take everything off so that I can get into bed and watch Friends (again and again and again.) 

• Daylogic Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover from Rite Aid, $3.⁹⁹
• Vacation Eyes, Brightening Eye Gel by Versed, $17.⁹⁹
• Renew and Smooth, Night Serum by Bliss, $25.⁰⁰

Total: 46.⁹⁸

With everything spelled out, tick, tied, and accounted for, my face total is: $608.⁴²

Some takeaways from this personal experiment:

1. This number is not as high as the last time I personally added this up. 
   1. Why? Well, at the beginning of this pandemic I switched up my skincare. As I haven’t worked at Nordstrom in over a year, it means I no longer have that discount and thought it was time to switch to a less expensive product. I still love Fresh Skincare, it’s just significantly more expensive.
2. That New Year’s Resolution I had back in college about 10 years ago now, really took a toll on my wallet.
3. As far as cosmetics go, the biggest thing that is keeping my cost down is that I still don’t do heavy makeup.
   1. You’ll see some key item missing from my list: foundation, concealer, setting powder, and heavy contour products.
      1. Why? I have fairly sensitive skin and when I wear heavy makeup, particularly foundation, I break out. It’s a little counterproductive to wear foundation for me.

So, now I am asking you… what does your daily routine cost and look like? Let me know while I go drown myself in gin. I need it after this.

*I believe this roughly what I paid for it. I bought this palette over the holidays and it is no longer available.

** This is not actually the brush that I use. I have an older brush that I love (yes, I do clean it, regularly) and the label and brand are nowhere to be found on it. This brush is very close to it, though.

*** The brush I use from Ulta is no longer made. This is, however, a similar brush.