cetaphil Archives » Beauty Skeptic

I don’t often do empties posts because I don’t tend to run through a ton of products in a close enough time-frame for it to be worth it. I don’t tally up my empties for months. This month, however, was one such month where the stars aligned and I ran out of a handful of things.

clinique

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel – I first tried this in Spring 2015 and really liked it. It ultimately became my daytime moisturizer. Since I revamped my skincare process, it’s become my go-to everything moisturizer; I add in a few drops of oil if my skin is feeling super-parched. I purchased a second bottle a couple months ago since I knew this was coming. Like all of Clinique’s skincare, this is a fragrance-free product. It contains no SPF, so you will need to wear a separate one.

July 2016 Empties - Clinique Black Honey
Clinique Almost Lipstick – Also on the Clinique train, I didn’t realize it until yesterday but my tube of Black Honey is almost spent! I had restocked during a recent Ulta haul without even realizing how far gone my existing one was. Good thinking, past me. Black Honey is effortless.

See the rest of my July 2016 Empties after the jump…

I wish there was a study or survey with data regarding average budgets or amounts allocated to beauty expenses. Unfortunately, it would never be accurate because we, as people, do not want to admit our own vanity. Or perhaps you’re willing to admit to it, but not to its extent.

Many people dole out for cosmetics to cover up and hide what they perceive to be imperfections. I would be willing to bet, however, that most spend more money on things to hide what they feel they need to rather than improve it. Skincare is neglected because, unlike slapping concealer on your face when you feel you need it, taking care of your skin is a daily effort. No amount of makeup is going to, “fix,” poorly cared-for skin – not even high end ones, don’t let the girl at the counter suggest that (be a skeptic!). Clean, well-cared for skin looks and feels better, ages better (who can argue with that?) and takes less effort to, “dress up,” if you will. I have also found that there is this thought that taking care of your skin = huge expense – not so. You don’t need to go drop cash at the Clinique counter or on Murad. My entire routine is readily available online, in various drugstores, and in mass merchants.

After the jump is a peek into my skincare basics and current routine. It isn’t costly, it isn’t very time consuming once you establish a routine. For reference, my skin is normal/combination T-Zone/non-sensitive.