Perfecting my skincare while on a budget

My biggest expense this past year for myself was skincare and my cosmetic costs. I’m not surprised by this but I’m also super annoyed with myself because this is now a category that I actually have to pay attention to. I have taken so much pride in taking care of my skin and having the luxury of affording facials and injections. Our current financial state is temporary, so I know I’ll be able to get back to the luxury of it all. However, for the time being here’s what I’m doing to maintain my high maintenance self all while staying in budget.

To add to all of this, my skin really struggled during this change up. This definitely takes trail and error but now that I have found what works, I am so happy! 🙂

my tried and trues that I refuse to lose

These two and then the Skinbetter Science Oxygen Infusion Wash are my absolute favs. I have noticed the biggest difference in my skin with these three beauts. My C E Peptides are I-could-cry expensive… but I wait for my medical spa (I shop at S.thetics here in Lawrence) to do sales and I stock up then. One of these bottles last me about 6 months and I use it every morning so twice a year isn’t so bad. I’ve used this product for a little over a year and the face wash for almost two. They are truly tried and true.

Paula’s Choice Exfoliate is a newer to me product. I’ve gone through one bottle and actually switched from exfoliating pads to the Paula’s Choice. I’m an every day gentle exfoliating kind of girl and really have enjoyed this product. I know it’s getting hyped up on Social Media and it is 10/10 worth it!

What I can’t link is the Tretinoin cream that I was prescribed by my dermatologist. Tretinoin is a form of a retinol and is used to help diminish fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps in the prevention/treating of acne, and treatment of photoaging (look this one up! It’s pretty cool!). I did my research on this way before the appointment and my derm didn’t think twice of writing me a prescription. I have no idea if it’s this easy normally or if you have to go by certain guidelines. My insurance covered most of the prescription too, costing me about $6 a tube! One tube lasts me about four months.

what I swapped to stay in budget

Some of these swaps were not so fun for my skin. Like real brutal. My tinted SPF swap was actually a price increase that I had to swap due to an allergic reaction. I love my new one more so 10/10 there and It’s lasted me longer than the original spf. A plus for switching to the ColorScience Flex is that it color matches itself. I don’t have to worry about color matching when I have self tan on. It’s pretty nice!

I’m still messing around with my moisturizer. The one I loved was about $60 and I truly loved it but I was going through it so fast. I’m currently using one that I don’t love and am almost out so in comes the Avène Restorative Protective Cream. I enjoy a very thick moisturizer. It’s not working if I don’t look like a glazed donut by the end of my routine. I’m sure I’d be fine with either the Avène or La Roche-Posay but see more positive reviews on the Avène.

injections and treatments

If I had to cut out my Botox, Lip Flip, and facials out completely I totally could…but I don’t want to. I decided to cut back drastically and I’m okay with treating these like more of a treat. My plan prior to having to cut back was to get my Lip Blushing touched up. I also considered getting laser in my armpits! I had such a positive experience with my last laser treatment that I was really excited for more.

I was getting Botox and a Lip Flip every 13 weeks religiously. That’s four times a year and I actually am cutting my botox back by getting it done only twice a year. I’ll continue to get my lip flip still every 13 weeks because I love it and it’s inexpensive. I plan to schedule myself a facial around mothers day and also around my birthday, but don’t plan to do anything extra.I still want to treat myself throughout the year!

All of my treatments and Injections are at S.Thetics Medspa in Lawrence. The girls are absolute angels and so dang sweet! Mention my name while scheduling and get $50 off your first service!