Alice Hinds, 28, sunday Post writer
Glasgow ESTIMATED ANNUAL SPEND: £1,425.60
Regular daily products:
● Olay Gentle Cleansing Milk, £2.99
● Pixi Rose Tonic, £18
● Laboratoires Filorga Oxygen-peel, micro-peeling lotion, £20
● Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Gel Moisturizer, £25
● Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream, £28
● Beauty Pie Matte Retouch Pore-Minimizing Primer, £4.92
● Beauty Pie Super Luminous Concealer, £4.18
● Beauty Pie One Powder Wonder, £5.32
● Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Liquid Foundation, £5.99
● Benefit Dallas Bronzer, £26 ● No 7 Match Made Powder Blusher, £9
● Beauty Pie Superbrow™ Fine Precision Pencil, £3.44
● Urban Decay ‘Naked 2’ Basics Palette, £26
● Diego Dalla Palma, Extreme Volume Water-resistant Mascara, £17.50
● RODIN, Luxury Lipstick, £28 My obsession with make-up began when I was just a little girl. I would watch in awe as my mum got ready for work, pulling magic looking glass bottles and pots from a drawer – transforming her look. She may have had three children to look after, but her lipstick was always perfect.
Later, when I entered my teen years, self-conscious about my looks and desperate to be noticed, I followed the same path, using foundation, thick eyeliner and layers of mascara as a mask to hide behind. Most of the time the mask didn’t match my skintone and was applied with little finesse, but I felt more confident wearing it.
In my early 20s, my student loan was split between cheap, sticky lip glosses and even cheaper wine. When I started my first proper job I relished the chance to top up my haul of products, taking trips to Boots as soon as the money hit my bank account. These days, I try to invest in make-up and good quality skincare that will enhance rather than hide my looks.
I feel no shame in spending money on beauty products – especially skincare – but I’m pretty shocked my spend peaks at almost £1,500. I started buying products from subscription buyers’ club, Beauty Pie, who promise luxury cosmetics without the price of middlemen and marketing. I’ve loved everything I tried and it has definitely saved me money.
Yes, part of me wonders if my love of make-up stems from social pressure, especially in the age of picture-perfect Instagram influencers. But, a larger part of me simply enjoys the routine of applying powders, creams, serums and oils. It’s the only time of day that’s just for me – and you can’t put a price on that.