Thursday, September 26, 2013

My Fashion & Beauty Budget

Shoes: Mix No 6

I was asked recently about my fashion & beauty budget—how much do I spend a month?

To be honest—hardly anything. I don't really enjoy shopping, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. Lately, I've only been shopping for clothes when I attend fashion or blogger events—is that awful? I just never really go to the mall or into any clothing stores, so I can't say I have a budget for fashion. It seems like every season, I'll pick up a new piece or two, but my closet is so full already that I just don't need much more. This season, I'm on the hunt for a good pair of rugged tall boots (wish I could afford these Steve Madden boots), a couple new pairs of work pants (I have these Mossimo ones and just need a smaller size), and a bright purse (I love this leather purse by Rabeanco). When I do shop, I usually only hit up the sale racks, so now the goal is to find all those things at budget-friendly prices. I'd say I spend $50 or less per month on clothes, and that's being generous.

As far as a beauty budget goes, I'm a former makeup-purchasing addict (I was a "regular" at Sephora), so I have a HUGE stock of eyeshadows, blushes, eyeliners—you name it, I have it in almost every color. I used to drop well over $100/month when I was shopping at Sephora regularly. I'm a sucker for eyeshadow palettes, and those things are spendy (this little LancĂ´me one is my daily go-to, and it's $49!). The only things I still pick up every month or so are mascara (this is the only one I use—and trust me—I've tried them all and drugstore mascara is the way to go) and chapstick (this is my favorite). I probably spend about $5-$10 a month on beauty products.

So overall I'm maybe spending $50 a month on my clothing & beauty purchases. Some months it's far less, some months it's a bit more. What do your beauty & fashion budgets look like?

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Rabeanco

17 comments:

Amanda @ Eloquent English said...

WOW seriously! I wish I could spend $50 or less a month. Wait let me rephrase that, my husband wishes I would spend $50 or less a month! lol

Hannah Bunker said...

Hmm...I don't really have a budget set for clothes. It's basically the extra spending money left over once bills are paid can go to "wants." Some months we choose to eat out more so there's less to spend on clothes or home decor. Some months we eat at home and we have some extra cash to spend on ourselves or home projects. Beauty products are mixed in with our grocery budget since I don't tend to get adventurous. I stick to the same stuff. And if I do get adventurous then it comes from that "wants" budget.

Cody Doll said...

Haha. I didn't think that you would really post about this. That is amazing on how much you spend. Right now, I am saving money by trying to wear every piece of my closet at least once. So far, no repeats. I really need to start taking pictures of them. It's just hard with this really busy schedule.

Eleanor said...

Nice post, Aunie. :) I'm a sale rack girl too! Have you heard of 6pm.com? It's zappos.com sister website. I can't remember how I learned about it, but last fall I bought a pair of white Jack Purcell Converse for $20 shipped. They always offer free shipping, but returns are not free (like zappos). Everything they sell is usually more than 50% off the original price and SOMETIMES zappos will carry the exact same item for more money, which I don't understand... Anyway, I also bought a pair of $250+ pair of ultra tall uggs last year for I think $150-$170 which is A LOT for me, BUT I wear my uggs out before buying a new pair (my previous pair I had for nearly ten years...yikes). And about you pants, I wonder if having them tailored would be more cost effective. It all depends, prices can vary quite a bit.
xo
Eleanor
www.milkandhoneyonline.com

Joelle Duff said...

I have a shopping problem. That's all I have to say about this.


Clothes and shoes and bags and accessories are my weakness. I do spend a lot on my makeup, but I don't wear much and really only wear it maybe 2 to 3 days a week? Which means I can stretch that a bit :)


Good for you that you are able to keep from spending hundreds a month on clothes. I can't really say the same for me...I keep saying that I need to start taking outfit posts to make it worth it!

Michelle said...

My fashion budget is pretty flexible because I try to be conservative with what I buy. I ask myself if it's something that would hold up and pass the five year test. I'm trying to grow my work wardrobe w/ classic pieces, and then mix and match with fun accessories, shoes and makeup. So, if I see something that's kind of pricey but a good investment, maybe I'll buy it but then refrain from buying anything else for a while. That being said, sale racks are also my best friend. :D


For beauty, I buy a lot of things on vitacost.com -- trying to do the natural beauty thing, and their prices are really reasonable compared to whole foods. Unfortunately, I have a nail polish addiction. I'm trying to do a one-in, one-out policy and shop my stash for now.

Marina Skater said...

Grate I love!

http://afinaskaterblogspotcom.blogspot.ru/

Annelise Rowe said...

Ha! Isn't that the truth most of the time? :)

Annelise Rowe said...

That's a great way to look at it. I don't try to spend money on clothes... I try to NOT spend it... but if it happens, it happens. Same as you :)

Annelise Rowe said...

I know what you mean! And of course I posted on it... told you I would ;)

Annelise Rowe said...

Hi Eleanor! Thanks for your comment. I've never heard of 6pm.com, but I'm excited to check it out! And you're right, I totally could have my pants tailored. What a great idea!

Annelise Rowe said...

Your outfits are ALWAYS so cute... no wonder! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Nice! I love that... the 5-year test. I need to remember that next time. It would stop me from making a lot of purchases, that's for sure! And I used to be addicted to purchasing nail polish, too. For a while there, I owned EVERY polish that China Glaze made. It was crazy! Over 200!

Lauren @ Love is the Point said...

I'm gonna have to try out that mascara!

Carly Anderson said...

I totally need to try that mascara!


Carly
www.lipglossandcrayons.com

Martha said...

I try to only shop for clothes once per season--spring, summer, fall and winter. I try to save up between one and two hundred, and I figure that's enough to get several nice new pieces.


For makeup, as I turned into a bit of a spender, I'm trying something new. I still buy my regular items--regular perfume, mascara, etc.--the basics, so to speak. But for extra--new nail polishes and such--I have to "buy" them by completing a certain number of hours worth of workouts. It's a way to keep my spending in check and force myself to work out even when I don't want to!

Cody Doll said...

I know you said you would but I thought it would be a post for down the road.

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