I believe we are all familiar with the popular saying ‘Beauty is pain’ but what they did not tell us is that the real pain is felt in our bank accounts. I know I am not the only that has had this experience where I am skincare shopping, adding things to my cart, feeling myself and the cashier calls out an absurd amount of money and the disbelief on my face is almost embarrassing. After many awkward cashier encounters and mini breakdowns after receiving those debit alerts, learning to take care of your skin in a budget friendly way has become a necessity.
Fear not ladies, I am here as your fairy plug mother to spill all the tea on budget friendly beauty; affordable places to shop, finding the best deals online, product recommendations, how to effectively factor skincare into your budget and how to shop smart when it comes to skincare.
Before we get into it I want to stress the importance of supporting local skincare businesses, because not only are their ingredients naturally sourced, but their prices are also supper affordable. I will be sharing some of my favorite Nigerian skincare brands and a few of my favorite products from them also.
Back to Basics
Skincare can be fun and therapeutic. That ‘on top of the world’ feeling we get when we have been consistent with our skincare routine and have seeing results, is unmatched. My guilty pleasure is that oily look my skin gets after laying on multiple serums, oils, and moisturizers I know I do not need (do not judge me). As a result of this consumerism and some of us being plain shopaholics *guilty af*, it is tempting to spend all our money recklessly on products that we do not even need.
When it comes to skincare, I have noticed from personal experience that less is more. Keep it simple. It is a lot more beneficial to have your core products that go well with your skin and skin type, as against a variety of products that you will barely use. It is important not to overdo it with products when it comes to your skin. Not only will you give your skin breathing space to do its own thing, but your bank account will thank you tremendously. The foundation for a solid routine is a gentle cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
I want to emphasize the importance of product and ingredient research before jumping the gun to buy a full-sized product. This is to avoid breakouts, rashes and most importantly to ensure that you are giving your skin exactly what it needs. Look up product reviews, familiarize yourself with ingredients and what you need to look out for on the ingredient list when buying a product. Do not just go for products that say brightening, hydration, etcetera on the packaging without ensuring the ingredients match the description. Truth be told, nobody will tell you their product does not work.
Quick tip: The first 5 ingredients listed are usually the most potent in the product.
Skincare & Finances
A deterrent we face when it comes to skincare is the financial aspect. It goes without a doubt that caring for your skin in this present day is far from cheap. A lot of us already know our skin type and are familiar with ingredients but the burning question we have is ‘how can I afford to take care of my skin while on a budget’ especially if you are a skincare lover like me.
I have come up with a few tips I am sure will help you around skincare and personal finance.
- Have a budget: This is something we take for granted but I have noticed that a common mistake we make is not factoring in skincare into our budget. We need to ascertain how much we are willing to put aside monthly as an investment into our skincare routine. This enables us save for products little by little to spare us the heartbreak when skincare shopping, especially when it is bulk shopping. Let us face facts, shopping without a budget in mind is irresponsible.
- Open a separate account for personal care: Ever heard of a ‘Self-care trust fund’? I know this might sound strange, but this is something I started doing recently. Self-care and maintenance should not be something restricted to the weekends, it is a lifestyle and should be treated as such. A lot of us have accounts we barely use, so why not convert it into your self-care account? This is where your monthly skincare budget should be kept, avoiding the temptation of overspending and to help you stay organized with your finances.
- At home facials: Spa treatments although superb, can really get pricey especially when you are on a budget. I have been doing my own facials at home once a week #maskmonday. It consists of a thorough cleanse, facial steam, a face masque, scrub and restoring moisture back into my skin. It has been game changing for my skin.
- Substitution: You can substitute a lot of popular, expensive brands with smaller, less expensive brands that work just as well. Research is crucial to find hidden gems that are more affordable and equally as effective.
- Stick with what you need: This is very self-explanatory. It can be tempting to jump unto the next hot product on the market without finishing the one you have on your shelves. Before you make that big purchase, remember to check and finish what you have at home.
- Cheap is expensive: Do not forget that skincare is also an investment and we need to invest wisely. It is more beneficial to have one effective product that is a bit on the high-end side than a bunch of products that are pocket friendly yet yield no visible results.
- Giveaways: This is common especially with smaller brands and you never know when you can win some skincare goodies. Always be on the lookout and be willing to participate.
Plug Time
As your fairy plug mother, it would be wrong if I did not plug you to some budget friendly skincare brands and stores I love to shop at, and I am sure you will love too.
Arami Essentials: I have been following Arami Essentials for a while but I had never actually tried any of their products until I won their Genesis set at a giveaway during their temple talk in July ,and it is safe to say I was not disappointed. My current favorites from Arami are their onyx polish, glow oil and glow scrub. I love the fact that they give free consultations as well when you are looking for a product for your skin type. IG – aramiessentials
Mskinglow: This brand made their debut in July with their best-selling glow oil. The reviews do not lie, and their products sell out fast (do not say I did not warn you). I have not tried any of their products yet, but their glow oil and glow surge mist are on my wish list. IG – Mskinglow
Her Skinbar: This brand caught my attention recently. They make butters, scrubs and masks and are a clean and cruelty free brand. Their yoni and bum bum scrub are also on my wish list. IG – her_skinbar
Figtree Company: Figtree is amazing when looking for natural body and skin care products. They also have such a wide selection of oils to choose from, and all at pocket friendly prices. It does not get better than that. They also run a store in Lekki phase 1 if you are in the area. IG – figtree_company
Deprince Supermarket and Ebeano Supermarket: These two right here honestly do not get the credit they deserve when it comes to how vast their skincare section is. You can find a variety of products not only skincare related, but for body and hair care too, and all at affordable rates. It is mind blowing. They have different outlets in Lagos. feel free to check out the ones around you.
A lot of tea has been spilled; a lot of gems have been dropped and I hope I was able to walk you through the fundamentals of taking care of your skin while taking care of your bank account. Self-care and skincare is for everyone, regardless of how much you have in the bank. Taking care of ourselves not only elevates our mood and confidence, but also enables us take care of those around us. It is time to go out and be smart money women with popping skin too!
Thanks for taking your time to teach out how to care for our skin on a budget and most especially the plugs✨
As your fairy plug mother it is my responsibility, I’ve got you!