FenellaMaxwell would you please, please share your £1.99 secret hair weapon with us?
I spend a stupid amount of time on myself (religiously at least half hour morning and evening as everyday basic regimen and an average of extra hour/week for more time consuming jobs). I never tell people in RL of course. But I do wake up earlier in order to do so and it is my ‘me’ time. I can’t imagine not doing it. And I would be quite disappointed in myself if I didn’t look groomed or not stayed at (what I think it is ) the ideal weight and shape for me.
However, monthly spending would average at only around £30 - some months I don’t need to buy anything. Not sure if dental care goes here but that’s regular checkups and hygienist around £250/year I think and I view it as personal preventative care.
Only thing I get done by someone else is a hair trim every 8-10 months only because it would be impossible to do it myself. That’s about £15/visit to hairdresser. I cannot stand them fiddling with my hair and all the non-sensical small talk so I go in with damp hair, get the job done and am out the door as soon as possible.
Equally, I am very fussy about facials so don’t have those. Pre children I found a very nice beauty salon where the owner made her own treatments using some old French recipes and would only stock Guerlain, she was very particular and very strict with a no-nonsense approach which I loved. Her treatments were amazing, no idea what she was doing but it was like which-craft, getting out of there with fresh, clear and smooth skin. Sadly the placed closed down. I attempted some further facials at various other places but they were a complete waste of money and time and simply could not bear the whole approach of making it into some sort of event. I don’t want a drink, I don’t want to chat, I don’t want to listen to music, I just want the job done (and done well) without wasting time. So I never bother anymore.
Ditto spas would be my worst nightmare making me feel like wasting time.
I don’t go to the gym and can’t see the point of it myself.
I never have a manicure/pedicure done by other people (as above plus complete distrust of potentially unsterilised instruments). So I do these myself.
I am lucky I can dye my own hair and it comes out looking natural.
I’m not fussed about fake tanning so only use a gradual tan a few times a year.
No hair extensions, false nails.
Nothing done to my eyelashes, luckily I am happy with the way they are so far.
Pluck my own eyebrows, they don’t need a lot of attention luckily.
Minimum makeup which seems to last for ages so that’s quite a saving.
The only brand I truly like consistently is Clarins and DH is very considerate and gets me products from this brand when travelling or for my birthday.
Otherwise, I buy the cheapest shampoo where the packaging matches my bathroom and use the conditioner which comes with my hair dye. I make my own hair treatments every single week and do massage every evening. It seems to work maybe that’s why I get away with rare hair trims. I do however use a Dyson hairdryer (a one off expensive purchase) and it definitely keeps my hair in good condition. And in general I don’t abuse my hair.
I only use basic bars of soap (similar to Simple) because I don’t like shower gels or scented soaps.
I’ve always done my own waxing everywhere once a month including regular Brazilian for over two decades. I have had an IPL machine (another expensive one off purchase) for quite a few years so nowadays I only need to wax very few specific areas which is a quick job).
I make my own toners, Vit C serum and various face masks. I have quite a stash of clay powders, masks powders, oils and various other ingredients which are (mostly) inexpensive (Bleu&Marine powders are a bit dearer) and have accumulated over the years.
I use a very affordable retinoid acid.
I don’t use moisturiser on my face or specific eye cream.
I use a facial oil (I change them all the time if I find an interesting one but I don’t spend more than £15 and a small bottle lasts about 6 months).
I massage my face regularly so that’s free.
I make my own body scrub (oil and sugar) and use an oil to moisturise (about £10 from Bleu&Marine some of them smell amazing and a bottle lasts me about 4 months) or NipFab glycolic fix (downgraded from Ameliorate). There’s even a cheaper similar product from Palmer’s but can’t stand the fragrance.
I use Flexitol mixed with Lanolin balm (Amazon, tiny jar it last for ages around £8 I think) for feet and sometimes on knees and elbows for maintenance. I always have an expensive magic hand cream which does absolutely nothing but lasts a long time and use it every day.
I don’t use products in abundance, try to not over-apply but I use them regularly and they seem to last a long time.
I make my own cellulite oil (tried various products over the years, nothing really works on its own) and use it every single day, it’s the only way to make a difference. I am scared to wake up one day and find myself covered in the blasted thing so do what I can to keep it under control and prevent it nowadays.
I buy all my deodorants when abroad because they have nicer or more interesting fragrances in other countries. Maybe about £30/year. I only buy perfume every 3 years or so. DH, bless him, tries his best but I don’t like what he gives me, I suspect sales assistants just sell him whatever is some new fragrance at a high price and he is very proud to present me with something every now and then but they all end up at some bottle tombola 
So I don’t spend a lot of money but a lot of time doing stuff myself. However, going to get regular various treatments done and gym would probably take at least as long.
My DD on the other hand, costs me a pretty penny starting with gym membership and gym kit (apparently it can’t be just any odd gymwear), occasional false lashes, nails, fake tan. Regular hairdresser. Obscene amount of (expensive) makeup, makeup brushes, hair products etc etc.