Concession Stand

Image via Love Your Place

I have a list -- perhaps you have one, too -- of things I would really like to treat myself to. It's more of a figurative list, but it's indelibly marked on my mind. The lovely little luxuries that must wait until I have more time and/or disposable income. Until then, I make concessions. I thought I'd share some of them with you:

Want: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer ($40)

Got: Almay Smart Shade Tinted Moisturizer ($10)

Who has time to find the perfect shade of foundation, especially at a drug store? Not I. This one does the guessing for me at a quarter of the cost of my dream tinted moisturizer. Luxury can wait.

Want: Lancome Definicils Mascara ($29)

Got:  Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara ($9)

Definicils was always my favorite mascara and I was loyal to it for ages. But now, not only do I not want to spend the $30, I don't want to go to a department store to get it. I'll grab the Neutrogena when I'm at the drug store picking up my dentifrice. 

Want: Botox ($500)

Got:  Cetaphil ($10)

Well, secretly, who doesn't want to try Botox? Me? I'd just like a little around the eyes; my forehead is fine. Until then, it's all about the moisturizing, and Cetaphil is a simple go-to. And that huge bottle for $10 will last quite a while.

Want: Laser Hair Removal ($1,000+)

Got: Daisy Razors ($8)

I dream of the day I will no longer have to shave or wax. Until then, those little pink razors do the job just fine.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But things tend to look a lot better when they aren't costing a pretty penny.