The other day I opened the latest edition of British Vogue under the new editorship (I like the more upbeat tone of Chioma Nandi’s first issue ) and started reading. Well, not reading exactly, but skipping from page to page, as sadly glossy articles that are worth reading are becoming as rare as a noteworthy beauty launch by a celebrity. Beauty and wellness pages always make for some interesting browsing, even though in most magazines they have shrunk to barely noticeable, like in UK’s Bazaar, which a decade ago had some great beauty editorials that I remember reading with both curiosity and pleasure.
I won’t surprise you when I saw that prices for beauty products are rising and noticeably so. Yes, the cost of ingredients, manufacturing and logistics are rising, and other economic factors have to be factored in, but many niche beauty brands have an open and honest conversation about this with their customers by the way, unlike luxury brands which has made it a norm to regularly raise their prices because management things its justified. It’s my genuine belief that good skincare should be affordable by most, not select few and many beauty brands might choose a premium segment, vying for the attention of the rich clientele, but they better make sure their formulas deliver efficacy, as competition for that clientele is stiff.
It’s not unheard of for a premium moisturiser now to cost £450 or even £1000 and for some customers not blinking when they spend hundreds of thousands on skincare in a single transaction. What about beauty treatments? Again, the prices are rising and fewer and fewer people are able to afford them, especially when it comes to celebrity practitioners. Vogue features a treatment in a new, ‘holistic retreat nestled in London’t Knightsbridge”, which combines acupuncture lifting and laser technology’, with two practitioners working side by side - not sure how relaxing that is for a customer by the way. The price? £1, 250. Are you tempted? Me not so much.
Even though Vogue is the ‘pinacle’ of luxury aspirations, in the current state of cost of living crisis in the UK - which is becoming progressively worse, all you have to do is look at empty storefronts and number of homeless people on London’s high streets - such treatments might be in demand, but just reading about this and then seeing the price will make many people see red. In the past I have respectfully declined some products and treatments simply because I can’t write about them in good consciousness, knowing how many people are really cutting down on things for themselves because of the rising household bills, raising the children, elder parents or one’s health problems, which take precedence over beauty and wellness whims- and rightly so. The question of how many beauty journalists would write about such expensive treatments and products if they weren’t given them for free is not lost on me either.
I am not trying to compare peaches and apples here, there is a vast difference between L’Oreal make-up and skincare, vs say Sisley moisturiser or Hermes lipstick. What I am saying is that there are plenty of beauty products with an affordable price tags that will deliver efficacy and nurture to your skin, making you feel good through scent as well. Niche beauty is a busy category and more brands are being launched all the time, but very expensive doesn’t necessarily equate worthy of your spending. I have tried plenty of expensive beauty products that have been disappointing - with a high price tag comes an almost instant higher expectation of quick, visible results - and when the product doesn’t deliver, you won’t feel so good about a particular luxury brand that promised you miracles and delivered averageness.
Skincare and make-up are very individual and while you will have to try plenty of products before you figure out your ‘perfect’ routine, you don’t have to spend a fortune on beauty, gadgets and treatments in order to look and feel good. A lot of luxury brands pay celebrities for their ambassadorship and spend millions on marketing - and by buying the products from those brands you are in part paying for the said celebrity and marketing brand spend. Maybe you are better off finding and discovering brands that aren’t as well-known, which will guide you towards the perfect pairing for your skin needs and will actually be grateful for your loyalty and custom. Isn’t it a luxury of being in the know of niche brands that innovate, educate and craft special skincare products rather than just buying the brands that papers and magazines tell you are worthy of buying because they are paid to write that by the advertisers?
It takes bravery to push back and not fall head down the marketing rabbit hole. Looking your best and feeling good in your body is priceless, but it equally shouldn't make you feel anxious about your spending. There are plenty of knowledgeable practitioners, local to you, who can do a great facial or body massage, as well as acupuncture or even laser. There are plenty of good tools that you can use at home, alongside your skincare products, that while won’t have the same effect as say a regular facial, but will certainly enhance the effect of skincare you use. And regular face massage can do wonders for your appearance, mood and feeling good in your body. There are plenty of video tutorials and books which can teach you the basics for your own personal benefit - that’s investment in your own knowledge that can have long-term benefits for your skin and body.
Yes, there are some amazing practitioners whose experience is priced at a premium and you will see and feel the effect of their treatments for days or even weeks afterwards. All I am saying is that paying a high price for something often falls short of the expectations you will have. And if you ever need any brand, product or practitioner recommendation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me - I would gladly share my experiences :)