6 beauty splurges that are worth it (as an ex-beauty girl who likes to save)
Sometimes the expensive stuff really does work... sometimes.
Give me the good stuff.
After spending the majority of my career working in beauty, I have a LOT of feelings about the industry. I could write an entire dissertation on this, but for now, a quick lil TLDR: drug store brands are not the enemy, ‘clean beauty’ is a marketing term that doesn’t really mean anything, nothing (let me repeat, nothing) works for wrinkles like injectables do, and you don’t need a 10-step skincare routine (just 4 will suffice).
THAT SAID…
There are a handful of more expen$ive products & services that I believe are 100% worth their heftier price tag. Consider them investment pieces.
And before we get started, please see GIF below… I have no effing clue if these will work for you, but I love them.
Red Light Masks.
I partnered with OmniLux for a TikTok video ahwile back and received their Contour Face Mask as compensation. I don’t know if I would have bought one on my own accord… but, W O W. I am forever grateful for that collab. Now, after using it for 1.5 years I can say with certainty that this mask is worth every penny. Here’s what I notice when I use it:
The texture of my skin improves. If I feel a pimple coming on or my skin feels tough/dry, I use the mask and the next morning, my skin is clear and soft. This works better than pimple cream and chemical/physical exfoliants for me.
It prolongs the look of my Botox. The skin-smoothing, line-targeting benefits of red light make my skin look fresh well after the ‘tox has run out.
It’s an easy self-care habit to keep. The mask works for 12 minutes and you can multi-task with it on.
My friend said that the mask helped keep her skin tone even and melasma away during her pregnancy, too!
E-File Manicures.
If I had an affiliate code for my nail salon, I would have racked in thou$ands by now. One of my life missions is to recruit anyone with polished fingers to the good life. Here’s my pitch on e-file manis:
They last 4+ weeks (or longer, they just get grown out)
They never chip/break/pull in your hair, even on week 4
My nails underneath are stronger and healthier than ever
No acetone is used to remove - just expert filing and buffing
My nail beds are longer, making my nails look longer
It’s the only beauty treatment I have a standing, scheduled monthly appointment.
If you are a gel girl, it’s time to jump ship. No more tin foil tips, peeled off polish, and brittle nails. Please, my fingers hurt just thinking about it.
I live in NYC so my prices are $90 for the manicure, $18 tip = $108 total for 4 weeks. Pretty comparable to the standard 2-week gel intervals, but less time commitment and more up front, of course.
NYC Salons: Russian Nails, Yara, Guilded Ritual, Russian Manicure, Bella Nail Studio
(PS, these are also known as Russian manicures, but they’re moving away from that…)
Botox 2x A Year.
“Honey, you’ve never looked better.” - Me to me, 2 weeks after getting Botox.
Your skin is tighter, smoother, and more lifted with a bit of Botox. I get about 30 units in my upper face. I will say, when I also got a little in my lower face I loved the results. That session kicked in right before I went to a wedding in Mexico and all the photos I took that weekend are on my dating profiles.
If a refreshed, youthful look is what you’re after, this is my suggestion.
Oh and one more thing—when people that say their boyfriends/husbands don’t want them to get Botox, I kindly suggest telling them that once the patriarchy falls and we’re held to the same aging standards, you’ll consider their input 😘
Prescription Grade Retinol.
Like I said earlier, drug store skin care is not the enemy. Most of my cleansers and moisturizers are from the drug store (CeraVe & Vanicream, can’t go wrong). Retinol, however, works best at prescription strength.
A quick skincare lesson! Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and the gold standard ingredient for “anti-aging”. Anti-aging is a funny term to me, I think a more accurate descriptor is “youth-promoting.” It won’t stop your skin from further showing signs of age, but it can reveal a more youthful, smooth complexion.
Retinols reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, promote cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, exfoliate dead skin cells - making it also helpful for acne (RetinA being a middle school staple), and help even out the skin.
Arazlo, Tretinoin, Tazarotene… talk with your derm about what works best for you. But don’t waste your money on retinol you can buy at Sephora or CVS. It won’t work the way you want it to!
Keratin Treatments.
The most humbling thing about moving to NYC has been my hair in the humidity (ok, maybe not as much the rats). But, the second the weather drifts into summer territory my hair goes back to its factory settings: frizzy, poofy, unruly, and a hassle. Keratin treatments (once known as Brazilian blowouts) make summer soooooo much easier and they make my hair healthier. BUT be careful when selecting where to get it:
MUST BE FORMALDEHYDE-FREE. The OG, chemical-infused Brazilian Blowout treatments have been linked to cancer (a friend of a friend shared her experience with this and it spooked me!). So do your research and ensure it is a formaldehyde-free formula. The ones I like are Kerasilk and Cezanne.
They do not last that long. Max 3-4ish months, but I think it’s worth it for a summer of carefree hair. The more you shower/swim/wash, the faster it fades.
You have to use sulfate-free shampoo or else it will strip!
It will probably slightly mess with the color of your hair, so schedule it before your color.
It leaves a weird smell for like a week. You will get over it <3
Having One Potent Active Treatment.
I’ve tried every ‘active’ product under the sun and there are two that work quickly and efficiently for me. If I want to look extra ~snatched~ or radiant in the morning, I’ll use these the night before. These products contain higher strength ingredients, so if you have sensitive skin they might be too harsh for you. You only need one of these.
The iS Clinical Active Serum can be used a couple times a week, but a little goes a long way. It helps with reducing the appearance of pores and tightens the skin. Tingles in the best way.
The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads are AHA/BHA based so they work well at exfoliating and leaving skin super smooth. Great to use the day before an event where you want flawless makeup.
What are the expen$ive treatments you swear by? LMK what I am missing.
xx Caylee
Botox. When I realized I was spending $$$ buying potions and serums that didn't do the trick, I decided to just try the botox and go from there. It's the only thing that has real results for me and now I don't waste money on false dreams. Worth it IMO.
Very informative ❤️