Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
Let’s discuss grooming:
I have two kinds of tinted moisturizer; Organic Wear, which is too dark/yellowish for me, and Burt’s Bees, which has separated and become clumpy. Any day I wear makeup, I wonder “Do I have time to smoosh the lumps out of the Burt’s Bees stuff, or should I save time by wearing the wrong shade?” Tough call.
Then there’s my Giovanni hair styling foam. It’s mostly organic, non-aerosol, and cruelty free, but I hate the way it makes my hair feel. Nevertheless, I’ve used it since April. Oh, I OWN better mousse, but I feel morally obligated to use up the Giovanni.
Sometimes, I’m proud of myself for making do. “Ha!” I think, smearing clumpy makeup across my cheeks, “Most poor saps would shell out for new products, but not me! I’m RESOURCEFUL.”
Other days, I think “SWEET CUPPIN’ CAKES, WOMAN, WOULD IT KILL YOU TO BUY SOMETHING THAT WORKS?!“
Ah, but what if it DID kill me? I only have a few hundred dollars to my name. Mr. Jaunty and I are living with his father while we job-hunt. I have no idea when we’ll be able to afford our own place again, and every dollar I spend puts me further from independence. What if I spend $7 on concealer that actually matches my skin, and that $7 is the final straw?
On the other hand, do you know what it’s like entering a job interview with crunchy hair, wearing discolored makeup and praying no one notices your thrice-hemmed trousers?
Where’s the balance between pinching pennies and looking good? Where’s the line between buying into appearances and putting one’s best foot forward? When is making do virtuous, and when is it self-flagellation?
What do you think?
Psst— I took a gamble and bought a stick of appropriate-colored concealer this week; no regrets so far.
Yeah, as soon as I use up this Burt’s Bees shampoo and conditioner, I’m springing for the Aveda Rosemary Mint (not actually more expensive ounce for ounce). I would feel like a big waste-y waster if I just tossed it, because it’s not doing me any damage. But if it were actively doing me damage (like being lumpy and contaminating my skin with its lump-forming microbes, or making me funny-colored) I would probably suck it up and toss the stuff.
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Yeah, I usually take “separating and getting clumpy” to mean that it’s gone bad/got a bunch of bacteria/generally not a good idea to use, but I think that’s much more critical with something like mascara than for foundation. That said, my Burt’s Bees moisturizer separated really quickly after I got it, so maybe it’s not as much of an indication of sketchiness as other brands?
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I have never seen you look sloppy or distasteful and I think since you are a naturally tidy and put together person you are in the clear. That being said: most likely nobody will notice the thrice hemmed pants but you, but sometimes that can be enough (for me) to cause unnecessary nerves that otherwise wouldn’t be there. I’d say splurge a little on yourself when that first paycheck rolls around. It doesn’t have to be much, but sometimes it feels nice to have something shiny and new. Maybe at H&M????
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Cynthia – Hola, Cynthia! I just skimmed your entire blog; I am now enchanted with Sasha Bell and curious about bellydancing again….
Microbes. MICROBES?
Millie – My research shows that the Burt’s Bees “Wings of Love” makeup line has been discontinued, and makeupalley.com reviews suggest that plenty of women LOATHED the stuff. It came in such beautiful packages, though, little metal compacts and such. Sigh.
Bacteria, microbes… it’s nice knowing scientists. These things would never occur to me otherwise.
Bridget – Oh, it’s so nice to hear a second opinion. PLEASE tell me if I ever walk around looking crazy.
Maybe we should make that H&M trip together, hmm? =)
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