It’s the typical morning fiasco: waking up at least an hour early to do our hair and makeup, fumbling over bottles and tubes to achieve your daily ‘do. Meanwhile (in the time it took for your straightener to heat up), you watched your husband get up, kiss the kids, and fly out the door. Maybe today you’ll have time for breakfast…?
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What are the costs of looking “put together”?
Time
If your daily beauty regimen lasts about as long as an episode of Scandal, you are not alone. According to Women’s Health Magazine, the average woman will spend about 55 minutes primping every day. We can all relate to concealing dark under-eye circles, or taming those frizzy flyaways, but 55 minutes per day over the course of a full year comes to about 335 hours of primping! That is 14 days of time you could spend doing other things like eating breakfast, spending time with loved ones, and – of course – sleeping in!
Money
How much money have you spent on those name brands in your lifetime? Finance site Mint.com reported some eye-catching facts about beauty shopping. Stunningly, the average woman will drop about $15,000 just on makeup and styling tools during her lifetime; $3,770 on mascara alone! Replenishing these items can leave a seemingly unnecessary financial strain.
Health
There is one other cost that tends to slip under the radar: our health. In the pursuit of looking “acceptable,” there is growing concern regarding ingredients in popular makeup and personal care products. Phthalates, commonly found in makeup, include a class of chemicals that have been linked to health concerns such as hormone disruption and has been linked to lower IQ’s of children when exposed at the maternal level during pregnancy.
The “Makeup Tax” – or long-term costs of time, money, and health concerns associated with our daily makeup regimens – is a reality for most women. Save some time and money by opting for fewer products, and be aware of toxic ingredients the next time your makeup bag needs a makeover. By being skin-conscious you can stay healthy, save money, and sleep in a little longer.
