If you read my guest post on nomeatathlete.com, you already know that I am addicted to cheese, but you may not have known that I also have a problem with high end cosmetics. Because I promised you honesty, I am about to put it all out there. Prepare yourself for some shocking images and price tags. This post is not for the faint of heart.
Here it is, my biggest confession, admission and scream for help. When we had our yard sale recently, I was dumb founded about all the money I had spent over the years. I had bought things that meant nothing to me now. I wondered what my garage sale inventory to savings account ratio really meant.
Then, I started to think about the other places my money was hiding. It was in a beautiful dining room set that is rarely used, a couple of cars, all inclusive vacations, computer equipment and, <deep breath>, my make-up drawer.
Names like Ralph Lauren, Manolo Blahnik and Dolce and Gabbana don’t really do it for me, but whisper brands like, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and Giorgio Armani cosmetics, and I melt. I get lost in department store cosmetic sections. The pretty palettes call my name. The smell of certain creams and lotions send me to a state of bliss. When my sister visits, (with her make-up addiction), I spend hundreds on shadows, sticks and scented goodies.
Ladies, tell me that I am not alone here. Tell me that you have used the rationalization that if you spend $60 on the perfect foundation, it is less than .16 cents per day for one year. If you’ve done that, or get butterflies in your stomach when Bobbi Brown releases new seasonal palettes, you need to join my three step program. (men, please share this with your wives. You may not even know they have a problem.)
Step One – Admit you have a problem. Hi, My name is Courtney and I am a pretty palette addict.
Step Two – Assess the value and show off your inventory. Really understanding how much money is in your make-up drawer is a lesson you will never forget. Here are my before and after (the unclutter) images. This process was painful but necessary.
Lotions & Creams: Approximate value: $290
Hair & Nails: Approximate value: $105
Brushes: Approximate value: $450
Foundations & Primers: Approximate value: $525
Eye Shadows & Liners: Approximate value: $700
Lips & Cheeks: Approximate value: $675
Grand Total: $2745
Step Three – Commit to no purchases from Nordstrom cosmetic counters (or your favorite department store) or Sephora, or any website that leads you into temptation, for three months, and then, you may purchase an item. You must stick with the one in, one out program. If you buy a lipstick, another one goes in the trash. Once you go through your make up and toss what you don’t use or love, your inventory should never increase!
Maybe we share this addiction, but maybe your “make-up drawer” is be a cabinet full of video games, or a shed full of very expensive tools that you don’t use. Perhaps you have several very expensive cooking pans, many of which serve the same purpose. It’s time to come clean! Where is your money hiding?