August 5, 2010

The Beauty Budget: What Are You Spending Your Money On?

Although it’s difficult for me to believe, I do realize not everyone is dropping hard cold cash on cosmetics daily. I consider doing so a perk of Musings of a Muse but prior to there ever being a MusingsofaMuse.com I still made room for Jello aka beauty.

My beauty budget tends to flow in different directions all the time, it really all depends on what my current obsessions are. Like right now I’m on a weird fragrance kick and I’ve been trying and purchasing out new perfumes and such so my color cosmetic budget is down and my fragrance one is up. Come Winter my skincare budget will rocket as I attempt to find some miracle cure for my dry skin and of course, in the Fall I search out all the best brown and gold eyeshadow so my cosmetic budget goes back up again.

It’s every changing you see.

But on a whole, I think my beauty budget stays pretty much the same.

Jump!

So basically my budget looks like this, or at least I think it does.

Some days I feel like I’m spending way more on skincare but looking at my collection as is, I’d say ALOT of my cash goes to color cosmetics in general.

What does your beauty budget look like?

What are you spending your money on?

Are you splurging more on your nail polish than you are on your cosmetics?

Or perhaps skincare is your poison and you’re buying more of it than anything else?

Share your statistics!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Marina

    I don’t buy much all that often, but if I’m saving for something or if I’m going to buy something it’s usually cosmetics. I adore the Pure Ice nailpolish collection at Wal Mart, so I don’t really consider that splurging ($2 a pop)…but I have too many polishes for it to be healthy at my age. Some I’ve gotten at Christmas in manicure sets, but a good chunk of it has been accumulated over the years.
    Typically, I’m more attracted to eyeshadow than anything else. It’s a rare occasion that you’ll find me buying blush or skincare. But now that I have a couple great, versatile palettes, I’m going to focus on getting some liners 🙂

    • the Muse

      god I wish I can say that my money is going to nail stuff lol but no way marina 😀 w00t ud 24/7 dude!

      • Marina

        For sure 😉 I’m an UD junkie…I guess it’s just my style. I love things with edge. I actually just bought the Covet/Stage Dive duo off of eBay…I was a little warry at first, but all the feedback from the seller was positive, so I’m giving it a go.
        The thing is, once you try the 24/7’s you just want to get them all! I can see Electric, Lust, and Graffiti in my future…

        • the Muse

          it’s your age too Marina 😉 ugh yes! but the good news is Holiday is around the corner, GIFT SETS!

  • Nia

    I think with lot of people it varies.

    Have found my ideal skin care, so I am not experimenting any more and therefore have less budget needs. Perfume I only have one.
    So mostly cosmetics and nails, but nails a lot less.

    Big chunk for MAC, Chanel and Co 😀

  • sara

    Makeup spender for sure! But saving my money as I am Hawaii bound in 10 days!!! I have found now that I’m in my 30’s my skin really loves natural oils and unrefined shea butter for moisture..( I have dry skin too:() So I don’t spend as much on skincare anymore…..My skin loves argon oil!!!!

    • the Muse

      sara, dude, hawaii will suck you dry haha 😀 I spent more $$ than I care to admit every time I visited Hawaii 😀 HAVE FUN!

  • Anitacska

    I don’t know the exact ratios, but I definitely spend the most money on cosmetics (say 75%), followed by skincare (10%), fragrance (10%), bath&body and hair (4%), and then some measly 1% on nailpolishes.

    • the Muse

      anita about same for me. I was thinking 65% but most days feels like I’m dishing out 95% on cosmetics 😀

  • Storm

    Color Cosmetics
    Fragrance (BPAL all the way…I am OBSESSED with oils. They last and don’t bother me as much. And I have one L/E that I love that I buy when I find it)
    Nail
    Skin care (drug store brands all the way lol)/Hair (close to the same amount)
    Bath and Body (St. Ives <3 I'll splurge on Philosophy but I decided I could spend that money on BPAL!)

    • the Muse

      are u kidding storm? my bpal collection rivals my makeup one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! I’m waiting for the Halloweenies by holding my breath until Beth releases hehehe 😀

      • Storm

        Then you have a bigger fragrance budget! LOL I LOVE Red Lantern and snap them up when I can. My friend does it for me too ;-D

        • the Muse

          ooo no red lantern not for me 😛 I order ’em online, sadly not in CA so can’t indulge in Bpal call 😀

          • Storm

            Oh, no, we’re in GA! We’re odd Southern Ladies ;-D No, my friend and I stalk the forum looking for the LE scents and for Red Lantern, which to me smells like everything that could ever be right with a Japanese tea room or a sushi place. It smells divine and on…it dies down to a coconut and tobacco scent. “Odd…but AWESOME” was what I was told the first time the Mr. smelled it on me lol

          • the Muse

            oh now lovely! 😀 GA is SO very southern 😀 Smut and Red Lantern have the same tobacco drown down for me, can’t STAND it. No offense. Too incense-y and awful on me. I’m a fruity sweet type 😀 Hamptons is one of my favs and Sugar Skull!

          • Storm

            Oh, GA is the Deep South. That is an entirely different conversation though!

            No offense taken! I firmly believe that scent is a highly personal thing and what one nose and body loves, another will not. 21 dries to straight gin on my friend, while it dries down to something…not quite gin but gin on me. Very much a going out scent! I TweedleDee–smells like Fruity Pebbles 😀 And Dirty is my “wake up in the morning and go to work” scent. <3 I also love House of Mirrors…and Queen Mab…Oh, so now I'm going to go make a new wish list for BPAL! lol Thanks, Muse!

          • the Muse

            ahh southern goth 😀

            AGREED! Scent is such a funny little thing isn’t? TweedleDee is fruity pebbles for me too. We REALLY differ scent wise 😀 Hamptons, Monster’s Panties, Etc…these are more my speed. I like the sweet candy like stuff 😀 don’t go spending money yet, the Halloweenies should be up soon! Yayyyyyyyy! and Xmas! Lick it ONE more time! haha!

          • Storm

            Ah, Southern Goth…IC lol Flannery O’Connor is my home girl. There are just scents that remind me of home–tobacco has and always will remind me of my Godfather. My wish list will be long, and added to as time goes on–I can’t drop any money just yet! But people always want to know what to get me for the Holiday…

            And we do differ! I’m not a sweet candy girl at *all* when it comes to scent. I like things a bit darker and muskier. I like fruits, but the odd ones (kumquat in TweedleDee <3).

            I've also found that, if I don't like a scent on, I can just use it as a room scent. That always works, because it stays "pure."

  • Phyrra

    The vast majority of my money is spent on color cosmetics. I spend a decent amount on hair (dyeing it, at least). I usually buy nail polish when it’s on sale (or like during the Zoya polish exchange). I do get samples of lots of fragrance, same with skincare. My bath and body has seen the least purchases lately since I’m trying to use everything up that I currently have.

    Actually, I’ve been trying to use up all my bath and body products, all my skincare products and all my shampoos/conditioners before I purchase anymore. Since I always buy the giant size, they last a long time.

    However, I’m a sucker for eye shadows and lip products and continue to buy those.

  • Cindy Khor

    currently going nuts on everything makeup. am exploring the world of different brands. but of course, some people think i’m crazy to own several same colour lipsticks but different brands. oh well, i think i’m getting my priorities wrong though by skipping meals just to shop for mac mineralized skinfinishes.

  • Kim

    I tend to go through these kicks, my biggest lately have been eyeshadow & lip gloss. I just when on a super huge Perfume & bath care items, aka thanks to Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale, lol.

    Sometimes it’s just whatever strikes me, but I’m gonna have to curb a little so I can can save up for the Mac Villainous Villains Collection.

    • the Muse

      awwww yeah kim love me some annual sale haulin! 😀 I always say I’ll curb but yeah, that never happens somehow!

  • Leah

    Hmmm… I’m a cheapy on the skincare, tend to bag whatevers in the supermarket or Avon stuffs… Cosmetics is my thang, gimme Benefit, UD, Clarins… my beauty budget tends to creep into my household budget… meaning I end up eating cheap noodles for a week before payday cos I just had to have UD Razor Sharp HD powder….

    Woohoo!

  • Wendy

    Its always lipgloss and concealer for me and skincare its moisturizer.
    I’m a total girl I see something pink and sparkly and I feel the need to purchase, like the new Dior glosses.

  • Brooke

    My beauty budget fluctuates. A few weeks ago, I bought NARS Sheer Glow foundation, more Rosebud Salve (my heart beats for you), Shu lash curler, MUFE eyeliner, and various other goodies at Sephora. Needless to say it wasn’t a cheap trip.
    Unfortunately, now my car is on the verge of dying so I’m trying to save money to have a good down payment for a new one. Sooooooo my beauty budget will be down for a bit. Boo for that.
    I keep telling myself that it’s for the best so I can buy items from all of the fantastic Fall collections coming out!
    Muse – you said you were on a fragrance kick so maybe you can help – I work in healthcare and can’t wear a lot of fragrances due to it being quite overwhelming, but I feel better if I have some kind of good smell on me…haha. Do you have any suggestions for any lightweight fragrances, whether it be sprays, lotions, etc?

    • the Muse

      aww brooke me too love me some rosebud salve nice hauling to say the least. boo 🙁 beauty way more important hehe!

      mmm lightweight….hmmmmm…..have you tried any bpal? some of the scents are really soft and pretty but not cloying or overpowering!

  • Leah

    Love love love! Gotta buff well though, I nearly Kidmanned the first time I went out, caught myself just in time! My Mum asked me if I’d been airbrushed, which I think is a compliment?!