Isn't That Rich Podcast

The True Cost of Beauty: How Much Do You Really Spend to Look Fabulous?

Let’s talk beauty – the lotions, potions, and all the magical serums we can’t live without. If you’re like most people, you probably think you’ve got a handle on your beauty budget. But, trust us, you may want to sit down for this one. Recently, Jill, Jared, and Ashley decided to tally up every single beauty product they use in a year, from shampoo to skin care, and gulp come to terms with the grand total. Spoiler alert: it's not cheap to be fabulous!

Jill’s Beauty Confession: Luxury on Another Level

Jill kicked off this challenge with a skincare collection so luxurious, it practically sparkles. And yes, she’s proud of it. Jill is the queen of self-care, with a bathroom shelf that could rival Sephora’s. From her go-to Oribe shampoo at $122 a year to the matching conditioner at $140, Jill spares no expense when it comes to her hair.

And that’s just the start.

Her holy grail? La Mer Moisturizing Cream. A single jar will set you back $390, and she uses it like it’s liquid gold – but only purchases it once a year, so, you know, practical. Jill defends the splurge by swearing that it's the reason she looks like she hasn’t aged since her 20s. And honestly, if she’s right, maybe we should all take notes.

Eyebrow threading? That’s another $220 a year. But wait, she’s not just about the glam treatments. Skincare is her real addiction. From foaming cleansers to retinol treatments and eye creams, she’s clocking in at a whopping $998 just on keeping her face glowing. Jill also goes hard on her fragrance game, indulging in high-end perfumes like Jo Malone and Baccarat Rouge 540, adding another $550 to her yearly tab.

Total? A jaw-dropping $7,264.96 a year on beauty. That’s more than $600 a month just for looking fabulous – and no, she’s not even getting Botox right now. Let that sink in.

Jared: The Low-Key High Roller in Grooming

You might assume Jared’s tally would be a bit more modest, but think again. Jared’s grooming routine is a well-oiled machine, and he’s not shy about spending some serious cash on keeping his look sharp. First up, the haircuts: every three weeks, like clockwork. At $50 a pop, he’s looking at $850 annually just on trims alone.

But that’s not where the story ends. Jared’s a skincare aficionado too. He’s hooked on brands like Le Labo, where he drops $130 a bottle on cologne and another $98 on fancy body lotion. And let’s not forget the infamous PRP hair treatment, where Jared shelled out $1,000 to have plasma injected into his scalp in the hopes of keeping his hairline intact. (Unfortunately, it didn’t work, but hey, beauty is pain, right?)

He’s also a sucker for fancy deodorant (yes, $60 a year on Arm & Hammer – please sponsor him, already), and doesn’t skimp on things like sunscreen, toothpaste, and shaving supplies.

By the time Jared added it all up, his total came to $4,199 a year. And this was without counting that pricey hair treatment. Looks like guys can be just as high-maintenance as the ladies!

Ashley: The Pragmatic Beauty Junkie

Ashley, meanwhile, plays it a little cooler. Sure, she loves skincare and won’t blink at spending big bucks on products that work, but she’s more about getting the job done efficiently. Ashley sticks to Kevin Murphy Angel Wash shampoo at $144 a year and has learned the hard way that cheap conditioner just won’t cut it. She’s had enough bad hair days to know that sometimes splurging is worth it.

Ashley’s real money pit, however, is her skincare routine – and she’s proud of it. She’s all about PCA exfoliating washes, tinted sunscreens, and mandelic serums, clocking in over $1,400 annually. But when you’ve got a favorite esthetician and acne-safe products that work, you make it happen. After all, glowing skin isn’t cheap!

She rounds out her beauty bill with minimal makeup (thank you, Maybelline and Tarte for keeping things budget-friendly) and a love for Chanel Chance perfume, which adds a little $145 splurge to her grand total. In the end, Ashley’s beauty routine came in at a respectable $2,500 a year.

The Bottom Line on Beauty

If you’re sitting there feeling light-headed, you’re not alone. When we break it down, it turns out that the cost of beauty really does add up – fast. Between skincare, haircare, and those little indulgences we all love, Jill, Jared, and Ashley are collectively spending over $13,963 a year on beauty products. And guess what? They all agree that it’s money well spent.

But let’s be real for a second: not all beauty expenses are necessary, right? As Jared admitted, “I don’t need sea salt hairspray or luxury body wash.” And Ashley might reconsider the $12 Target conditioner that felt like glue. But at the end of the day, whether you’re into high-end products or the drugstore gems, it’s all about finding what makes you feel great.

And while Jill’s luxury creams and Jared’s high-end colognes might seem extravagant to some, it’s all about values. Some people spend their money on vacations or fashion, others on their skin or hair. As Jill put it, “What you put on your skin goes directly into your bloodstream – it’s important!”

The real lesson here? Beauty is an investment, and for some of us, it’s a top priority. Whether you’re splurging or saving, knowing what you spend helps you budget – and maybe even rethink a few items (goodbye, glue conditioner!).

So, next time you reach for that fancy serum or designer perfume, just remember: you’re not alone in your beauty spending habits. After all, it takes a little bit of money (okay, sometimes a lot) to feel fabulous. And really, who’s counting?