If my husband had even the foggiest notion of how much of our hard-earned cash I fritter away on trying to look good, he might have a small cow. Scratch that. He'd have a big, honking moose.But, what's a girl to do? There are just some things that you simply cannot scrimp on. And, what's interesting to me is that we all have different ideas of what's splurge-worthy.
My friend Whitney, for example, drops wads of cash on designer nail polishes and high-end body lotions -- both things that I am happy to pick up at my local drugstore. But she's only content if she's rocking the latest Lippmann lacquer or newest "must-have" OPI shade. In fact, a couple of years ago, she plunked down a whopping $250 for a bottle of the "platinum powder" containing "I Do" polish that Allure magazine, Platinum Guild International and Essie joined forces to create. That's just nuts. To me. And, when it comes to moisturizing, an $8 bottle of Lubriderm or Neutrogena won't cut it for Whit. Nope. She's strictly a La Mer The Body Creme, $130 woman. Never mind that it clocks in at a staggering $130 a pop and, unlike a face cream, is for her entire body! But, she justifies the splurge by insisting that her skin is smoother and softer and she just adores the scent. Hey, whatever floats your boat, right?
What then keeps my vessel bobbing contentedly on the high seas? Here are my four financially frivolous (but happiness-inducing) faves:
No. 1: Chanel Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensional, $30
When it comes to my lashes, cute pink and green tubes just don't cut it. This splurge transforms my anemic, pale, poor excuses for lashes into long, thick, dark, perfectly separated lashes. It never flakes, or smudges and is the cosmetic equivalent to crack. Once you try it, you're hooked.
No. 2: Mason Pearson Popular Bristle and Nylon Brush, $215
I've been using Mason Pearson brushes since I was a little kid (thanks Mom) and, truth be told, the initial outlay of over $200 amortizes over the life of the brush. I've only had three or four over the entire course of my time on this planet. They last forever, glide easily through my hair without ripping it out and, truth be told, it is sort of a status symbol.
No. 3: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, $390
I know, I know, spending this much moolah on a face cream is obscene. 100 percent scandalous and outrageous. But I do it. Only about once a year, but I do it. Why? This cream works for me. It leaves my face looking healthy, feeling smooth-yet-not-greasy and, sigh, I just love it. Bonus: as they say (probably as a gigantic rationalization), "a little goes a long way," so a jar will seriously last nearly a year.
No. 4: Cle de Peau Lip Gloss, $47
What kind of whackadoodle spends nearly fifty dollars on a lip gloss? Well, that'd be me. I'm one of those chicks who can't stand real lipstick (something my mother still can't get over) -- I feel like a clown wearing any color on my lips. That said, I also need to have moist lips and, because of that, I love Cle de Peau glosses -- especially #2. They're not gummy or sticky, don't smell or taste, and impart the perfect amount of shimmer and shine. And, it stays on forever, which means you use less. Don't get me wrong, I still love Carmex and Kiehl's Lip Balm #1, $9 but for a real, grown up gloss, this is my go-to.
Scandalized and disgusted by what I've just shared? Never going to read my blog again? What if I told you that tomorrow, I'm going to share my all-time favorite bargain buys? Will that make you like me again? Here's to hoping!