We Added Up The Total Cost Of Our Entire Beauty Regimes Again

Two years ago, we did a piece inspired by Allure’s article.

This time, we did the same thing — categorised our beauty products into three groups: Skincare, Makeup and Fragrance/Haircare/Body Care, and calculated the total cost of each of our beauty regimes.

You’ve already seen how high the numbers could go so this might be no shocker to you — receiving endless amounts of beauty products from brands is part of the job and possibly a cause of our expensive beauty regimes, but it’s also a privilege the editorial team is endlessly appreciative for. In any case, outside of the job, you bet we’d still be as dedicated to them, R.I.P our wallets though.

What items would we absolutely — unbiasedly — recommend, and what lessons can we glean from our extensive beauty regimes? Will you be inspired to do the math for your own beauty stash as well? Read on to find out.

Amelia Tan, Deputy Editor

Total cost: $4,291.60

“Am I surprised it’s a ridiculous amount? Not anymore. How about the fact that my beauty regime has nearly quadrupled in just two years? Shocking — and I don’t mean it sarcastically. I blame Dyson’s pricey hair dryer that I now can’t do without, but then again, the average price of everything I use has gone up too.

Two years on, I’m more inclined towards luxury skincare, which I’ve truly been spoiled with, though I’d argue that a drugstore sunscreen could be just as impressive. I’m also more generous with the number of skincare items I use throughout my regime – and that’s a good thing. Rather than relying on, say, one moisturiser that does all the work, I alternate between Laneige and Sisley in the day, and go for Fresh’s night cream in the evening, sometimes layered with a facial oil. I’m also an avid fan of masking. Depending on my skin condition, I’ll reach for masks that hydrate, plump, soothe, or detox. The Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask is one that I’ve been raving about since it launched, and I love it as a spot treatment for zits. All this to say, my skincare regime’s definitely more informed, and also more targeted to what my skin needs.

“For makeup, my everyday look’s something I can achieve under ten minutes — a sheer and dewy base, minimal eyes that’s usually just eyeliner, rosy blush up my cheekbones, and the most defining thing, a good lip. Problem is, there’s just so much more I can vouch for now. And yes, lipsticks in red, coral, nude, even orange, are my staples; it’s the easiest way to switch up a vibe. Other than that, I’m now way more partial to scents, especially from niche fragrance brands. Still loyal to Margiela, though I’ve since added a breezy mediterranean Aerin scent, and more recently, purchased my first bottle of Le Labo’s Thé Noir 29, a fresh woody scent that lifts my spirits in a single whiff. So see, you can buy happiness after all.”

Skincare

Makeup

Fragrance/Haircare/Body care

Shazrina Shamsudin, Writer

Total cost: $3,309

“My initial reaction was “oh”. As in, “Oh, is that what I’ve been pampering myself with so much?” I personally didn’t know my beauty regime would’ve costed me this much — but at least I do now. As I started to add the cost of our beauty products, it never really came across to me that it’d add up to this much (well, except for my Dyson hair kit which I had already foreseen raking up the cost of everything). Ever since I started working in the beauty industry, I’ve been so accustomed to trying out new things, especially the ones that come to my desk. Not that I’m complaining but it definitely made me feel really spoiled — in fact, its actually appalling given that I literally spend less than 15 minutes on my face everyday (and also because I don’t stray away from my usual day-to-day look).”

Skincare

Makeup

Fragrance/Haircare/Body care

Sinead Lee, Writer

Total cost: $2,687.75

“As many award recipients usually say, “I would like to thank my mother.” The same sentiment follows for me. Good skin genetics aside, taking care of my body and face was something that my mom endorsed as much as studying hard.

Having been a loyal subscriber to skincare and body care products since I was 11, my beauty routine has followed suit and grown to be the stars of this winning formula (see: my face). Drench my skin in intense hydration? Give it to me. Grant a radiant glow within minutes? Talk dirty to me. Fight off the signs of ageing? Where have you been all my life, Lancome?

I’m kissing the ground in appreciation for all the beauty items I’ve been blessed to try… even those that made me dip into my future BTO fund just so my complexion can flourish. I might be kidding.”

Skincare

The Body Shop Drops of Youth™ Youth Gentle Foam Wash, $27
Sigiskin Kaleanser Face Wash, $38.85
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, $220
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, $289
SK-II Mid-Night Miracle Essence, $93
La Roche-Posay Serozinc, $12.90
L’Oreal Revitalift Micronized Centella Essence Water, $35.90
Shu Uemura Sakura:Hydrability Rose Petal Mask, $20.90
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum, $75
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme + Global Anti-Aging Power Soft Crème, $182
Ci: Labo Aqua Collagen Gel Enrich Lift EX, $120
SK-II R.N.A. Power Radical New Age Eye Cream, $149
SK-II Cellumination Day Surge UV, $139
Utena Premium Puresa Golden Jelly Mask Hyaluronic Acid, $16.90
Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask, $43
Hera Blue Clay Cooling Mask, $38
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask Seaweed Radiance Facial, $105
April Skin Real Calendula Peel Off Pack, $23

Makeup

Fragrance/Haircare/Body Care

Kora Organics Enriched Body Lotion, $77
John Frieda Miracle Drops Blonde Brightening Hair Mask, $4.90
IGK Expensive Amla Oil Hi-Shine Topcoat, $43
Chloe Love Story Eau De Parfum, $178
Elizabeth Arden White Tea Vanilla Orchid Eau de Toilette, $64.50

Natalie Tan, Writer

Total cost: $741.80

“I was surprised to see how much everything cost in total, since the majority of the things I use are drugstore products, but I guess everything adds up. Without any of my brand-name purchases, my number would’ve been waaaay lower, but they’ve become staples in my routine. The saddest part of all this is that these are just the basic items that I use on a daily basis (if I even decide to use makeup that day) — I have way too many products in my makeup collection that I rarely use, and I’m afraid to tally THAT number up. Another thing I wasn’t expecting are the amount of products I’ve been using since I was living abroad — they seemed a lot cheaper before I converted their prices to SGD.”

Skincare

Makeup

Fragrance/Haircare/Body care

Germaine Leow, Writer

Total cost: $812.52

“Splurging on expensive products used to be unthinkable when I was a student (not too long ago) hence, I’ve always been a fan of affordable yet effective products. Drug store brands, particularly Korean make-up, make up majority of my beauty regime and the pricier products I own are either gifts or copped from Sephora’s annual sale. My beauty regime used to make up of nothing above $50 and while that has been changing lately, I was still sure my total cost wouldn’t be alarmingly high.

Naturally, I’ve been exposed to a lot more products that are more effective and expensive after I started working at NYLON — got to try a cleanser that costs $115 and added several luxury brand lipsticks to my collection, all of which I wouldn’t have purchased with my own money. So, do I think my total sum will increase in a few years’ time? Yes.”