Four Questions To Ask Before Buying Beauty Products ...

Before you spend money on new beauty products (looking at you red light therapy masks), here are four questions to ask yourself first.

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From lip butter to Botox, people today are spending considerable amounts of money on beauty products and procedures. According to The Aesthetic Society, individuals in the U.S. spent $11.8 billion on aesthetic procedures last year. Furthermore, a report from Lending Tree reveals that the average American spends $1,754 annually on beauty, with younger generations allocating even more to beauty (thanks to TikTok).

But do we really need to invest so much in beauty products and procedures to look our best? Val Monroe, former beauty director at O Magazine and author of the popular Substack How Not To F*ck Up Your Face, encourages a return to basics. "Our beauty culture is quite challenging, especially as we age," Monroe states. "If you're spending money on beauty, I'm not here to criticize you, but to help you find ways to spend less."

LISTEN: The Cost of Beauty Culture

Starting with your skincare routine, Monroe suggests that it should be three things: easy, effective, and inexpensive. Her regimen costs under $50 and involves a simple two or three-step process. "I use a gentle non-soap cleanser and a prescription retinoid. If my skin becomes dry, I take a break for a couple of days," she reveals. "If you need a moisturizer, a drugstore option works just fine."

In a world so focused on beauty and anti-aging, it can be easy to feel compelled to buy product after product. To avoid impulse purchases and to ensure you only buy what you genuinely need, Monroe recommends four critical questions to ask yourself before making a purchase.

WHO WANTS ME TO BUY THIS?

According to McKinsey, the beauty industry has seen rapid growth in recent years, expecting to reach approximately $580 billion soon. Essentially, marketers are skilled at making you feel as though you cannot live without their products. "Remember, whenever you enter a store, they're trying to sell you something," Monroe cautions.

Before deciding to purchase a new beauty product, consider who is urging you to buy it, and be wary of recommendations from medical professionals, particularly online. "Many doctors online are selling products, making it hard to tell which ones have your best interest at heart and which are only after your wallet," she advises. It’s best to seek skincare recommendations solely from your own doctor or dermatologist.

WHAT IS IT FOR?

We all have splurged on beauty products that promise to eliminate dark circles or reduce fine lines. But is that really worth $40?

Before making any purchase, reflect on whether the product can deliver on its promises. "If a product claims to reduce wrinkles around your lips, unfortunately, that's not achievable through topical products," she explains. "If a suggested product claims to accomplish something impossible, then it's simply a waste of money."

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WHEN AND WHERE WOULD I USE IT?

LendingTree reports that over 40% of Americans believe social media has led them to spend more on beauty products than they otherwise would. From TikTok to Instagram, a casual scroll showcases the trendiest products that influencers encourage you to buy, such as the viral red light masks that have gained popularity recently.