Is expensive haircare and skincare worth it, or can you cut back?

[Peonies2026]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone else here spends far too much on haircare & skincare, and if anyone decided to cut down, and the results were.

I'm 50 and have a natural look. At least, I wish it were really natural and didn't cost a fortune! Everyone comments on my skin. I've used Clarins for 25 years, and swear by their SPF50 skin protector. Whenever I try a cheaper brand, my skin loses the kind of luminous gloss that Clarins gives me.

Then the hair... I tried various hairdressers and now go to a good London salon. Using them really made a difference. The cut is flattering and the colour is natural (as much as blonde can be natural). But the stylist always pushes for me to have highlights every two visits so it costs a lot.

So I spend about £320 on average a month with all beauty costs combined. I really would like to save that money instead. On the other hand, I'm a bit reluctant to let go. I read everywhere that women are supposed to become invisible at my age, but people still check me out. There's a bit of gossip going around at work about me (I'm very discreet and have a boring job but some people keep trying to find things out and seem a bit obsessed about me!). I'm by no means a great beauty so it's quite nice not to be invisible.

Do people who pay a lot for their 'upkeep' feel it's worth it? Has anyone given it up for a much cheaper routine and what were the results?

I do lots of interesting things on the side, so the only harm this is doing is preventing me from saving more.

Thank you!

Wow, I never thought there would be so many answers! Thank you so much. It's so interesting to read in such detail about other people's beauty routines and how much you pay. Everyone sounds beautiful and younger than their age, too, so it shows that spending tons of money is not always necessary; it's finding the right things that work for you.

I sometimes am tempted to stop it all and go grey but I think I'll start by stretching out the time between highlights and haircuts. And I will alternate my products with cheaper ones. Then I'll figure out what I want to do longer term...I can afford it at the moment, because other costs are quite low, but worried about longer term, when I might want to reduce my hours.

At least, my clothes are casual and quite simple so I don't spend too much on clothing.

I've always prioritised skincare and bough what I think works. I also invest in my health with good quality food, gym membership and some select supplements. For a long time I wasn't really sure if it was worth it but at 49 I can see the pay off I have had and I do think it was worth it so I will prioritise it for now.

I use La Prairie cleansing balm. My skin is so much more even toned and healthier looking since using it. It's expensive but I pre order from duty free to get about a third off and it's a huge tub which lasts 9 months. The difference it makes is noticeable, I can see the before and after.

I used to use Sukin products as they are cheap as it is natural but I realised it was making my skin rough and irritated so I've dumped them.

I've switched to Dr Hauscka rose moisturiser, it's absolutely lovely and really suits my pink easily burnt face, really soothing.

I have a Curel ceramide spray which I use for cooling off when out and about and Vichy invisible stick SPF 50, the stick stays put whereas SPF creams just get in my eyes and irritate them.

The La Prairie cleansing balm is my absolute favourite though. Value for money considering how much good it does and how long it lasts.

Whilst I think I'm sometimes in the same boat buying expensive skincare/makeup, although I've cut down... there are always budget/mid-range options that perform the same (and sometimes better) than the big name luxury brands.

Just need to do plenty of research and make sure you're looking into the ingredients your skin reacts well to and doesn't

I use a cheap cleanser and moisturiser but spend on prescription tretinoin. Mid range SPF for daily use
occasional serums on none tret nights

used to have bad acne but my skin is happy with tret

makeup - a mix of cheap, mid range and high end as I love makeup

hair - expensive cut once a year. Cheap shampoo and conditioner but expensive clarifying one used every week. Mid range to expensive styling products

Hrft but i have had to cut back on expensive products from time to time. My skin suffers sadly, so when I can, I stock up. My products are Liz Earle skin care, Australian bodywork skin wash, aveda hair care, though I've found some shampoo bars which are ok.
Tried a few other products through liberty bix scheme, and like Kiehl stuff but its not cheap either.

I'm not keen on hairdressers, so trim it myself, but its tied back mostly so not crucial..

My main issues are sensitive skin and scalp, so often the dupes don't work for me, but I do try..