INFLUENCER: ICY LING

Is your New Year’s resolution ‘To Save Big In 2023’? Can you save money but still maintain the beauty habits that you already have? Over the Christmas and New Year break, I had countless conversations with followers and friends about this topic. These are some of the tips I shared with them:

The benefit of starting this list is a great way of tracking your spending, knowing what shades you have got to avoid unnecessary purchases and keeping in mind the expiry dates. You can either type them down, or simply start a new phone album for all the beauty purchases by taking a picture of the receipt with the package before unboxing.

It was only a few years ago, when I learned to recycle by cutting the tubes and use up all what’s left inside, that I realised how much product I had wasted in the past. The amount left sometimes could lead to another week’s usage. Thanks to all the cosmetic companies educating consumers on recycling, we are now more conscious about this.

In general, jumbo sizes are better value. And be aware of the multi-purposed items. Not only they are a money saver, but also a time saver!

Search if there’s anything else that you can use instead of buying something new. Always go through the key ingredient list so the skin gets just the right amount and enough benefits from a cocktail of ingredients. And ensure the products work together to enhance the results.

I saved so much liquid foundation when I stopped applying it all over my face, I instead used concealer and only added it to the areas needed. I also got into a habit of using shades that are too fair to be my highlighters and shades that are too dark to be the contours. Or I simply mix them on the back of my hand to get the right shade. Over the New Year holidays, while going through all the 2023 makeup trends, I also went through my eyeshadow palettes collection. I cleaned them and matched them the wardrobe items that I wear more often. I found so many unused shades that can be utilised again.

I am not telling you to stop following them. But only adapt to what works for you, and ignore the rest. Stop spending impulsively.

I am the ‘When you find what’s right for you, stay with it’ kind of person but lots of people have asked me about dupes of highend beauty brands. I often reply by asking them how much they use their products each day. And I’m always shocked at how many people over-apply them – stop using so much product! . It is sad if we have to stop buying something since we no longer able to afford it. But it doesn’t mean we are downgrading our lifestyle. Dupes may be the best option. The easiest way to find one is to compare the product features and ingredients list, and read online reviews.

If you never bother opening an email newsletter, simply unsubscribe from this list. If you want to hear less, than select carefully from the options at the end of the email and when you are signing up to receive a newsletter. With samples, I always ask the sales assistant very carefully and thank them for the generosity. However, I don’t take samples that I don’t use or already have. Instead, I ask if I could try samples of a product that I’m genuinely interested in. Complexion samples are great for testing shades and textures. Skincare samples are great for testing sensitivities. A lot of people abuse the sampling program at cosmetic counters. But if you do take this opportunity seriously, you will gain respect, and end up getting the right products and avoid wasting money. Don’t be shy to enquire about events and how to be invited. Beauty events are a great way of getting to connect to a consultant to assist in the future, meeting new friends and learning application techniques. Most of the payments are redeemable on purchases, including facials. But the knowledge we get and new friends we make from attending those events is what money can’t buy.

This way you can take the advantage of free-shipping option and/or receive a gift with purchase. Instead of buying items one by one, just get everything in one go, you may also receive more samples or an extra gift.

Next time when you are hosting a home party, ask each guest to bring unwanted products to exchange with other guests. Allow 20 minutes at the dining table to be your ‘beauty moments’ when everyone can share their tips. Trust me, beauty topics help girls to bond quickly!

Don’t forget, sometimes when you ask a friend to go shopping with you, you often spend money on coffee and lunch. Plus, there’s the transportation cost and the parking. Next time when you are planning to go for a brunch with your bestie, ask if she has time to also go shopping with you. Have fun trying on lipsticks and testing fragrances together and you will also get that second opinion.

Let’s face it, looking good and feeling good all the time can be expensive. But if you are seriously considering cutting of your beauty budget this year, you can reset your spending ratio. Have you heard of the 50-30-20 spending rule? 50 per cent of the income after tax should be spent on needs, 30 per cent on wants and 20 per cent should go towards savings. Apply it to your beauty spending and divvy it up even more. Recently I have been telling myself that relying on makeup is not the ultimate goal. Time to twist the beauty desire by spending more on skincare, eating more healthily, turning off the phone to add more time for beauty sleep and using smart devices to create content, read or learn new languages rather than browsing sales catalogues on public transport.

For skincare new purchase and repurchase, this is my ranking of priorities: basics and daily essentials first, followed by prevention, then repairing and problem fixers. Remember, products that can prevent future and environmental damage, that are rich in anti-oxidants, are also important. I see them as part of a future investment of oneself.

My last tip to share with you, is what I have been doing - stop finding excuses to spend money. It may sound reasonable to get a new fragrance or a new lipstick when you start dating someone. But is it all necessary? Will he actually notice the difference? Plus you don’t need to make a change to make him like you! This year I have decided to cut-off my self-rewarding budget on beauty and fashion products. Don’t you think it just another therapeutic excuse to spend? And it also sets a mindset that ‘I worked hard so I deserve a new lipstick’. Instead, I am willing to tell myself that ‘I work hard for my own good and brighter future’. Feeling good after a new goal is achieved is a self-reward, it doesn’t always have to be paid for.

With living costs going up, less income, or having a new baby (congratulations), where does the money go? Saving reasonably is always encouraged. But as I said, spending less doesn’t always mean a downgrade. It may simply because you have found something more meaningful. Brands do want to sell products, but they never want to makie you feel less beautiful if you don’t have sufficient money to enjoy life. Do whatever makes you comfortable! A happier beauty is a true beauty!

@icybutterfly