Curious - how much on average do you spend a year on face creams/make up/ anti-aging stuff?

[nadine_mn]

I am pretty much a hermit these last few years, and every now and then I feel really out of touch. I have been reading articles about various skin care or make-up routines, and when they show the total spent I am shocked.

I am in my 40's and I easily spend less than $50 a year. I don't wear make-up unless I'm going out (since I am a hermit, that isn't often), have no special skin care washes, creams, etc. I know I am at the extreme low end of average spending.

But 5-7 years ago, I could easily spent a couple hundred bucks at Ulta or the Clinique beauty counter - it would last forever but still there was some sticker shock.

Today, there seems to be soooo much more stuff - what the heck am I missing out on? It used to be the basics for me - concealer/blush/eye liner/shadow/mascara and lip stick/gloss. But now there is a whole bunch of stuff to put on the face before you even start with make-up - moisturizers, eye circle cream, primer and then all that contouring stuff (that looks fantastic, but I would look like a clown).

So what is your average a year? Just out of curiosity - and this is for all genders - what's on your face?

9 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Under $50
	6 (67%)
	$50-$100
	0 (0%)
	$100-$250
	1 (11%)
	$250-$500
	1 (11%)
	$500-$750
	0 (0%)
	$750-$1000
	0 (0%)
	Over $1000
	0 (0%)
	Other
	1 (11%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[hlthe2b]

1. Considering sunscreen is the ONLY product with PROVEN antiaging benefits and I wear it religiously

daily year-round--even on cloudy days or under florescent lighting (yup, it is a source), even in Colorado--then at a minimum I'm sure I spend $10-$15 monthly--even for drugstore purchased brands. Anything else is just for moisture and even Vaseline can serve for that function.

While there is some suggestion that anti-oxidant and exfoliating compounds can help, but I think sun exposure prevention is still the only one shown to really reduce/slow aging of skin. So, I try to put those extra $$ into a very healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables instead.

[femmocrat]

2. Other..... I am still using up all the jars I have on hand.

When I was working, I always went for those "free" gifts at the Clinique and Lancome counters. I have tons of little sample jars of various creams and potions. I also must have a couple of dozen brand new lipsticks... I don't wear it.

When I use these up, I think I'll give L'Oreal a try. I think it is the same as Lancome. I won't be buying any more expensive face creams now that I'm retired and pinching pennies!

[nadine_mn]

3. I don't know if you ever watched MadTV, but there was a hilarious

skit that was called the Vancome lady - couldn't help but think of that when I read Lancome. I still have various things from my Clinique bonus gifts I should probably chuck...but the stuff lasts for a long time.

[IcyPeas]

5. Mad tv was so much better than SNL

funny, edgy.

I had forgotten about the UPS guy. he was HIlarious.

(trump would love this particular skit, eh?)

[IcyPeas]

4. I'm a sucker for this stuff...

I use Dermalogica and Neutrogena moisurizers/anti aging face and eye creams. I try to wait for them to go on sale.

I always have Neutrogena lip moisturizer too. I probably buy that 4 or 5 times a year.

I always wear lipstick (sometimes drug store brand, sometimes Sephora). But not much other makeup. If going out, sometimes mascara, concealer, eyebrow pencil, but not often. I can't be bothered and I hate washing it all off.

Now, you wanna talk hair products. That would be another $200 a year probably.

Then there are the nails.............

[nadine_mn]

8. Oh hair products are a whole other story!

I have naturally curly (frizzy in humidity) hair and I have spent so much on flat irons, curl relaxers, smoothing creams etc

Every summer its a new battle

[Skittles]

9. have you found anything that works REALLY well?

I have the same issue - my hair turns into an frizz pile in the summer

[nadine_mn]

10. I know several women who swear by Deva Curl

and Ouidad but currently both brands are a bit out of my price range.

It usually takes more than one product at a time to work effectively - from shampoo/leave in conditioner/ styling cream/finishing cream and that gets pricey. But I know when I have gone to an Aveda salon and they use their Be Curly line on my hair, I am frizz free for a few days if I don't wash it. So it can be done! Just not by me apparently.

[Skittles]

11. wait

the word CURL is throwing me - I want my hair to be bone straight - those products are anti-frizz but pro-curl?

[nadine_mn]

12. Oh I decided to quit fighting the curl and work

With the curl and just reduce the frizz.
I used to use a boxed curl relaxer once a year and that worked well.

But the first week after the process, my hair would be a little rough.

Aveda has some smoothing products that work well. I have found that salon stuff is a lot better than department store stuff.

[Wolf Frankula]

6. Zippy potty.

Wolf

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Not a heck of a lot.

I've been using Oil of Olay for some 40 years now, and I use a little eyeliner in order to look "dressed." At this point in my life nobody gives a shit what I look like so all I do now is try to look reasonably well-groomed and not too close to death.

[RebelOne]

13. I spend a lot.

At my age, I need all the help I can get.

[csziggy]

14. You're lowest cost break is not low enough

I buy one bottle of Eucerin a year - mostly for my hands. I mostly stay out of the sun these days so sunscreen doesn't get used much, maybe one container a year. So I might spend about $10 a year.

I gave up on makeup about forty years ago - even the hypoallergenic stuff made me sneeze and my eyes run, plus I got fierce acne for days after wearing it for one day.

I'm just going to age however my biology wants me to. Considering I've good great genes and most people think I'm at least ten years younger than I really am, that will be pretty painless. My Mom at 95 looks about 80-85 and still has some brown in her hair. I'll just follow her example!