How would you spend £100 a month on style and beauty?

[LeveretGrey]

What would you do?

I've never had much spare cash and am now in a position where i can put a modest £100 per month aside for myself. This first month I bought BB cream, primer, and had a mini facial. Next month i plan a haircut and hopefully colour.

I know it's not a huge amount, (especially for things like botox and the like) but I always felt guilty spending on myself. What do you do? What would you do?

Grateful for inspiration!!

What is a "Full face every month"? @WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma

Priority one should be good facial sunscreen you will wear everyday you go outside. Otherwise the facials and skin care are useless and all your efforts will be undone.

But it doesn't have to be expensive. Beauty of Joseon's SPF50+ runs about 12-15 pounds for a 50 ml tube (which lasts a long long time, even with regular use), doesn't irritate most people, and absorbs very well. I like it better than many more expensive ones I've tried (UltraViolette, Supergoop, Allies of Skin - all fine, but BoJ is better for me.). I find it works well as a primer of sorts on the rare days I bother to wear makeup. (Though I can't speak to how it sits on darker skin. You'll definitely want to do some online research on best sunscreen for darker skin if that's the case for you).

Sadly I don't have spare money in my budget at the moment but if I did I'd have no problem spending that amount! (Could easily spend many multiples of it)

Given what you've said about your eyebrows id prioritise that every month. How is your skin? Do you use any skincare currently? I don't have much of a budget but am happy with what I use(Lidl cleansing balm, Lidl Q10 serum, Lidl night cream and cerave factor 50) so even if I had more money I wouldn't change that.

Could you go to one of the beauty counters and arrange a make up session. I'm in Ireland so not the same shops but one of our big department stores you can do a makeup session with Mac for an hour for something like €80, that's then redeemable against any products you buy. At some point I am going to book a session just for day-to-day makeup and get some nice products.

Could you get a personal shopper in a department store and find some items you like and then gradually build up a wardrobe of clothes that you feel good in?

There are a few glow up threads on the go here which are good motivation also. Here's one.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5516385-anyone-interested-in-a-glow-up-support-thread-for-tips-and-accountability?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

I'm very low maintenance (I cut my own hair) and I have my tried and trusted items (Ceravee, how I love thee).

However I'm a member of the Liberty beauty drop. £25 per month gets me £20 credit at Liberty plus free delivery on anything I buy online and four boxes every year. These are a bit hit and miss, but they always contain 5 items including a perfume sample and skincare/makeup. The July one was a good one for me with a Westman Atilier lipliner, a shampoo and conditioner, a perfume sample and a Beauty Pie serum. As someone who's not really up on the latest beauty trends, it's an opportunity to try new things without splashing a lot of cash.

You can save the credit towards one of the best Beauty Advent calendars. If the items are in your wheelhouse, it represents incredibly good value for money. I also love the fact that because I live in London, I can visit Liberty and aquire something special with my credit without feeling I am spending money. Last year I was having lunch nearby with a friend who had recently been through a divorce and was feeling low. We wandered through Liberty on our way home an I was able to treat her to a very nice lipstick using my credit, which cheered her up no end. We refer to it as the "Divorce red lippie"

You are not dumpy. You just haven’t found clothes to fit your shape and colouring.

This is a really good article describing the different shapes and what to wear.

https://theconceptwardrobe.com

Alternatively, get an analysis done e. It’s the best thing I’ve done in recent years, and even though I’m a size 18, I get more compliments now then I ever did (when I was thinner), the last compliment being yesterday. I’m a lot more confident when it comes to clothes now. (Pear/autumn)

A couple of Companies

https://www.stylemehappy.co.uk

https://styledbysusie.co.uk

I'm into clothes rather than skincare so that's where my spare money goes. But, if I was going to spend more on beauty products, I'd prioritise items that added a touch of luxury to my life, such as perfume, fancy lipstick and L'occitane hand cream (or similar).

Another vote for the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen. It’s excellent and there’s often money off.

Chanel lipsticks are expensive but they are amazing and last for absolutely ages. They feel like a real treat to use.

A former boss used to wear Chanel lipsticks. She always looked so amazing that i asked her what her lipstick was. I've never been that bold- but will definitely try that now, you have reminded me!!

I think that for this month (I have £47 leftover) I will get my eyebrows done and save the rest for next month with a trim and colour. Not coloured my hair for 20 odd years. I used to be auburn. Now more grey. I might go for a lighter shade of auburn with caramel highlights.

Sounds fab @LeveretGrey !

I’d prioritise in order:

good sunscreen (I use cerave 50 and altruist, not costly)
good face wash
achievable exercise routine that includes resistance training - look at protein needs for that. (that will help skin and hair)
retinol
niacinamide (the simple one is lovely)
vit c when settled well on retinol
cerave lotion and squalene or rose oil work well as moisturiser
anything that keeps hair shiny
red light therapy things (prioritise eye health there first.)

I’d also add in alongside all of that eating as upf free as possible, loads of variety of plants and fibre, water, a decent basic multi vit, omega 3 and ground flax seeds (helps skin and hair.) I don’t think it’s worth doing any of the above if this isn’t right as it will help skin, hormones, sleep, hair etc.

A few years ago I saw something by a dermatologist who said vit A B and C are the main ones for skin (b is niacinamide).

The research on red light is very interesting. Hannah Fry uses retinol, a mask and vit c based on the best scientific evidence. In my experience niacinamide is very calming.

Haircut
Skincare like L'Occitane Immortelle or Origins Ginzing which I can't usually afford
Facial
Manicure
Brows
Pedicure
Good fake tan
Make up refresh

£36 haircut! I need to move. Can't get a haircut from even a junior for less than £80 where I live, so I only get it done once of twice a year. It's too long right now.

@CypressMoonit is a dry cut, so not a cut and blow dry but I have really thick shoulder length hair and can’t be doing with the faff of having it washed and dried so she can cut it, it cuts my salon time down bay half, which suits me. I’ve been going to her for over 10 years and she’s amazing. She knows exactly what needs doing with my hair. Funnily enough when I mention to friends how much she costs, they say she’s too expensive!

How about taking collagen peptides? Good for your skin and your joints and ligaments. My skin looks better when I supplement with zinc too. If you have the time to use it, you could invest in a red light mask. And/ Or a halo ziip.

@LeveretGrey If I wanted to maximise my £ I would save £20/£25 a month and buy a Christmas Beauty calendar. There are so many to chose from so have a look at Miss Boux who also has a YouTube channel https://www.missboux.com

I would also look at signing up to loyalty schemes e,g, Boots, Superdrug, Dior etc. You earn points as you spend and then can treat yourself. Again making your £ go further.

I splashed out in 2024 and bought the Harrods one, it was £250 but had about £1,500 of products. It was primarily skin care and I found it a real education. I also bought the 2025 and again loved it.

For 2026 it has gone up to £270 and I need to do more research before I commit, https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/p/harrods-of-london-the-harrods-beauty-advent-calendar-2026-000000000000284475

However there are many beauty calendars so have a look at what is on offer to see which appeals to you.

With the other £75 a month, personally I would start with haircut every 6-8 weeks, skin care and then perfumes.