Do You Treat Yourself In Tough Times?

by BR Amelia

I've always been intrigued by the lipstick effect - the idea that when the world has been in the grips of a recession, the sales of lipsticks have gone up. In fact, I can fully understand why a person would reach for a little luxury during tough times. It lifts the soul, creates hope, and - when we look in the mirror at our prettily painted lips - gives us an immediate boost of self-confidence. It's a little lipstick light that can be switched on during our slog through a gloomy financial tunnel.

With the NPD Group reporting that global lip product sales revenue increasing by 48% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year, combined with the rising cost of living and whispers of recession, it would seem the lipstick effect is back in full force. 

So, along with lipsticks, what are the the little luxuries that we can pop into our shopping baskets to give ourselves a boost that doesn't break the bank? Check these out...

You can't beat a Maybelline lipstick when it comes to quality and bang for your buck! Not a lipstick wearer, but would like to show your lips some love? Treat yourself to a lipbalm! After something a little more luxe, perhaps with a hint of colour? Pick up a lip oil or lip tint.

Feel like upping your makeup game in a wallet-friendly way? There are plenty of drugstore makeup brands - such as Wet N Wild, and Essence - that create products, like mascara and nail polish, that provide excellent results for less than ten dollars. (And who doesn't get a hit of happy when they see pretty fingernails?)

Spending a fiver, or less, can see you enjoy a good twenty minutes of relaxation in the form of a sheet mask. Use that time while the serum infused mask is doing its thing to enjoy a guided meditation or read a book and you'll be enriching not just your skin but your mind.

Hands drier than the Sahara? Throw a cheap and cheerful hand cream in with your loaf of bread, eggs and milk. 

You can even add a little extra luxury into your day by paying more attention to the scents of things like soap, body wash and shampoo. Instead of going for a basic fragrance, take the time to choose something a little more aromatic, a touch more indulgent, and transform shower time, or the simple act of washing your hands, into a moment of spa-like goodness.

The times ahead might see folks backing away from buying top-of-the-line cars and designer brand clothing, but I am here for sneaking a lippy - or some such beautylicious product - into our lives. Goodness knows after the last few years, we deserve to treat ourselves.

So, do tell... Are you more likely to treat yourself to a beauty buy when times are tough, and if so what do you treat yourself to? Or are you tightening up your expenses and only buying the necessities? Get chatting below!