Friday, June 23, 2017

The essence of a luxurious life (on a budget)






Let’s talk about one of my favourite topics – skincare.  I have loved taking good care of my skin from a young age, probably around 13.  In the past, younger days I have coveted fancy brands and their high-priced products.  Estee Lauder was always the brand that I imagined having my bathroom stocked with ‘one day’.  Every so often I would splash out and buy something from their range – always when there was a Gift with Purchase on! – but I always felt a bit sick at the cost, knowing there were less expensive products that would do just as good a job, just not have that touch of luxury.

Over time, I have gotten to the point that the ‘touch of luxury’ has been separated from the product and this has helped me not covet high-priced items so much.  Let me explain.  I now can appreciate the allure of a shiny, gold-trimmed cosmetics counter and all the beautiful jars, yet be happy with my simple skincare routine bought from the supermarket.  I don’t need to use those products from the glamorous jars to be happy.

I get my fix in other ways – by keeping my bathroom clean and spa-like with touches such as white towels, a rose in a bud vase and beautifully scented hand-soap; not by spending lots on a single beauty product.  I polish and clean my small collection of makeup items, displaying them in a way that looks to me like a cosmetic counter seasonal display.

As far as what I now use on my skin, it was brands such as Olay, but I find myself wanting to explore more natural brands now.  I am enjoying New Zealand skincare such as Essano, Moreish and Goodness.  You may not be able to get these brands in your country, but I’m sure you will find reasonably priced natural brands where you live, because they seem to be the trend right now, which is great!

The natural brands feel more nourishing on my skin and more ‘real’, not so plastic-y as some of the big brands have started feeling like.  It’s entirely unscientific, but it feels like there are more ingredients with a purpose in the natural brands, as opposed to ingredients that just fill up the jar and feel slippery on your skin.

It’s my belief that there is a lot of smoke and mirrors in the beauty industry, and that the miracle ingredients which are supposed to make you look younger are not that effective or worth your hard-earned money.  (The book ‘Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Lustre’ by Dana Thomas is an illuminating and fascinating read.)  Mostly the people who are saying how good their skin feels after using X product, either got it for free or at a staff discount.  For me, I have never seen a huge difference after using an expensive product.  Often the jar is nicer, but that’s about it.  More importantly is ‘little and often’ – cleaning and moisturising your face twice a day, every day.

We recently had a bed demonstration, and the man showing us all its features worked for the company, not the store.  He was an excellent demonstrator, never pushy, and even said a few times ‘bear in mind I got my bed for free’.  Imagine if all sales people were so honest?  We didn’t order a bed that day, but he helped us choose a good model of bed if we decided to go with that company – a model that had everything we needed and nothing we didn’t (the fancier bed had Bluetooth and inbuilt speakers!!)

Something I often ask sales people is ‘if it was you buying, which would you choose?’ or ‘if you were helping your mother buy one, would you recommend it given the price?’ or a similar question.  I have found when you turn it around to them, they often pause and give quite a thoughtful and honest answer.  It’s not that I’m trying to trick them, I just want to peek behind the salesperson’s veneer and get a more organic response.

In the photo on this post, I am getting a touch of luxury for $5 – by having coffee at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.  They charge the same as anywhere else for coffee, and you sit in beautiful, fragrant surroundings.  They even bring a tiny slice of cake or a few miniature cookies on the side for no extra cost.  When I mentioned I was strictly gluten-free they exchanged the sweet nibble for a gluten-free option.  That’s service.

What is your favourite way to feel luxurious and spend very little (or nothing)?  Please share your juicy idea for us all to enjoy!

Fiona

PS. I am so passionate about getting my message out to ladies such as yourself that anyone can live a successful and beautiful life without spending a lot of money.  If you know anybody that you think might enjoy my posts I would be so grateful if you could share a link with them.  Thank you!

83 comments:

  1. Hi Fiona, You look beautiful as always - and in your breton stripes. I finally gave in and got a dress similar to the shirt you're wearing (navy stripes on white with a boatneck). It's quite a departure for me as I don't wear prints, so my new dress is now the only "print" I own :)

    I used to buy Shiseido skincare, almost the whole line - cleanser, toner, moisturizer, masque ... plus the makeup! I'm embarrassed to confess that now. I was young, in my early 20's and had no responsibilities - I was still living at home and spent each paycheck on whatever I wanted. To think how much money I spent back then on things like that makes me cringe! Also, I had a subscription to Vogue magazine and I guess I let their ads influence me.

    To answer your question, I think I do what you do. Simple pleasures give me the most joy like keeping the house clutter-free. Sitting in my backyard and watching nature feels very luxurious to me, especially with a good book in hand.

    D.

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    1. You are so cute D, with stripes being counted as a print :)

      A clutter-free home would be the greatest luxury! That is my goal when we move house (right now our current home is a disaster area since we're packing and there is stuff everywhere.

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  2. Hello Fiona, I too have 'discovered' natural brands of skincare and I'm happy with results. I don't have a particular brand but try different things. I love having a coffee in a luxurious hotel and it doesn't cost much. My husband used to work in a 5 star hotel and I often had a drink or coffee while waiting for him.

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    1. I love to try different brands too, Pieta; I get bored using the same thing over and over sometimes :)

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  3. I agree with your Fiona about using local (New Zealand, in our case), skin care brands, especially as so many of them are so good!! I also erroneously believe that if only I could afford... & .... & .... top skin care lines, that my wrinkles and sun spots would disappear. But those beliefs, luckily, are very fleeting. Your skin is beautiful.

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    1. I am 99% certain that your skin would look the same with expensive products. Consistently I have read that the only product to make any difference is a retinol cream from the doctor. You can get it on prescription for the usual ($5 or $7?) fee. I use it about once a week when I remember (it can make your skin sensitive) or much less often when I forget!

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    2. Yes, and I also read if you use no other product, use sunscreen. Retinol and sunscreen are the only products that make a significant difference.

      D.

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    3. Of course, sunscreen. I always make sure my day cream has some sun protection.

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  4. My favorite way to feel luxurious probably would be boring to some. I like to get several books at a time from the library. Then, in the evening, I can sit for an hour or two with whichever book I decide to read, and have a cup of tea in my clean, minimalist livingroom.

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    1. Gosh that sounds blissful, Mimi. Not boring to me at all.

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  5. I recently tried mixing a drop or 2 of frankincense oil with my usual almond oil for facial moisturizer per Jennifer L Scott's idea. My facial texture is amazing and clear! Who knew w such an unusual smelling essential oil?

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    1. I already have some almond oil, so I must track down some frankincense to try this; thank you!

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  6. I've learned to look more at the ingredients rather than the brand or packaging when buying skincare. Just because a product smells nice isn't enough for me. Luckily you can find good ingredients at various price ranges these days.

    Making sure my bed is made in the morning, always clean and fluffed up makes me happy. The feeling of getting home from a long day and climbing into bed is bliss! I think being well rested is very luxurious.

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    1. No matter the price point, I always avoid mineral oil.

      I love a nicely made bed AND hopping into it at the end of the day. Bliss is right, especially with a book :)

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  7. As with yourself, I learned about skincare at an earl age and now (much older than yourself) I still have fewer wrikles than many of my age. How much this is down to genes or my skin-care regime, I do not know, but taking care of my skin is second nature now, and I feel grubby unless I've cleansed my skin, particularly before bedtime.
    The top brands, those large companies, have huge overheads, it is good to bear this in mind. They also have huge profits! The try and blind us with science, but really many less-expensive brands are just as good because (well, in my opinion.) I use L'Oréal Age Perfect day cream and nothing on my skin at night - I like to go to bed with my skin clean without any cream; I have found it sufficient to have moisturizer on my skin during the day, that has been sufficient for me.
    We also have coffee in a local hotel, indeed it is less expensive than in town café and much more civilized. It is not a 4* or 5* as there isn't one in our town, but a 3* but still a very nice place, and we have coffee either in the lounge or in the conservatory, where a pot of coffee will give us two cups each, and they also serve complementary biscuits with the coffee. You can, of course, have special coffes, such as lattes and skinny whites.
    Luxury at home is always lovely scented soap in the shower or on the basin. Also, as with Anna (above) I love to have a lovely clean and tidy bed and change the bedding at least once, sometimes twice a week, and the pillow cases even more often. Lovely white bed linen is truly luxurious. My monthly magazines, read with a cup of Earl Grey or mineral water in summer, or hot chocolate in winter, is another affordable small luxury.
    Before bed, I also spray our bedroom with rose room spray. Again, a small affordable luxury.
    Margaret P

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    1. How interesting that you don't use moisturiser at night, Margaret. Night creams are always heavier than day creams so we believe that we need to use two different products. I haven't worried so much about using a thick night cream since I read about a lady in a UK magazine who said her skin was much better when she started using lighter creams at night. Have the cosmetics industry invented a product we don't need? Surely not!

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    2. I truly believe we do not need to slather our faces in cream at night. I also think that is a great off-putter for our partners, to have a greasy blob next to them!
      I tried cream once, that was quite sufficient to put me off. I'm sure that if we use moisturizer after we have showered in a morning and before applying any makeup, by the time we remove our makeup before bed, our faces will then benefit from being clean and not creamed. It has worked for me and I've got dry skin, too, and I've been told I have good skin. Indeed, as I think I've said before, the shampoo girl in my hair salon was amazed when I mentioned my age. "But you can't be that age ... you don't have any wrinkles!"
      I assured her I was "that age" but there again, a lot depends on genes, and also whether you have sunbathed in your youth. I have never sunbathed, I have pale skin and prefer it. I do not like the vogue for a tanned skin. In the 18th and 19th centuries women did their best to remain pale because only the working classes were tanned as they had to work in the fields! And so, like those 'delicate' women, I have remained pale. Whether "pale and interesting" remains to be seen!
      Margaret P

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    3. I never sunbathed to any great extent either, Margaret, and I think that makes a huge difference to your skin's age.

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    4. I sunbathed when I was very young, because I lived in the time before it was widely known that suntans were aging us. Once this information was out there, though, I embraced my pale skin and did what I could to remain pale. It has worked for me, because even with my youthful indiscretion, my skin has very few lines, let alone wrinkles. Some sagging, oui... but that is gravity more than sun. Alas, we cannot counteract gravity.

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    5. I too only use a bit of daytime moisturizer and nothing at night. I have dry-ish skin, but at 57 have almost no wrinkles. I think the secret is sunscreen in your daytime moisturizer, drinking plenty of water, and eating lots and lots of green veggies!

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    6. Mimi, it's good to know that you can have good skin in spite of past behaviour. Sun wasn't mine but sugar was...

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    7. I agree with water and lots of veges too, Karen!

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  8. You indeed look very chic! I so appreciate that you focus on being chic on a budget. One can spend a fortune yet never manage to be chic. It requires an appreciation for quality and a joy for life that is chic. Not a price tag.
    I go for the pharmacy brands, especially Avène, which is less expensive than, say, Clinique (both were recommended by my doctor). French women love to shop the pharmacy.
    My luxury is Pilates class. On the one hand, I think it's insane to pay to exercise, and I long had a workout routine that I did faithfully every morning for decades. But I've gotten such great results out of Pilates, it's worth the cost and the effort (I have to drive to town; again, driving to exercise just seems wrong to me).
    Another luxury, like Margaret and Anna, is antique linen bedsheets. They feel so great.

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    1. Oh I know just what you mean about exercise! I love my yoga classes, but the fact that I have to drive across town to attend, plus they are $18 per class which is tres expensive in my mind (when I 'could' do yoga at home for free) means I often have stretches of time when I don't go.

      Pilates I think is different because you have equipment, am I right? In any case, paying for exercise as a luxury is surely a good thing for your health and wellbeing.

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    2. Yes, that's expensive! Yoga here is €5 per session. Pilates is pricey at €12, but that goes down to €9 a class if you sign up for several months at a time.
      My Pilates teacher uses foam rollers and circles but not the "reformer." The class is important mostly because she corrects our positions, both so we get better results and also so we don't hurt ourselves. I had learned a bunch of moves from a physical therapist and did them faithfully but over time I started to do them incorrectly.

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    3. $18NZ equals 12 Euros, and that IS the cheaper price when you buy a ten-class concession card! It is more expensive one class at a time.

      In saying that, I do love that the teacher corrects you as you say, because I have learnt a lot and could do my own yoga safely and effectively at home. Operative word: 'could' :)

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  9. I enjoyed reading all the comments and I shall take liberty to borrow many of them.
    My luxury is a little Nivea collection in bathroom: soap, face-wash, moistures and deodorant.
    I agree with Margaret it is lovely to spray the rooms. It is easy to mix lavender essence with a little water. Does not last long, but it is nice.
    And I really like to wash my hands first with pure soap to clean them and then with liquid soap (what ever takes my imagination and it is on special) to add the scent.
    T.

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    1. I love all your luxuries, T, and I too enjoy a nicely scented hand soap :)

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  10. Fiona, you're an amazing source inspiration!! Thank you!
    (Off to get a rose for my bathroom) :)

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    1. Thank you Fresie! Funnily enough, I have a deep red rose in a bud vase in our bathroom that (and you won't believe this) my mother found in her handbag while staying with us last week. It looked a little bedraggled but we put it in some water and it looks perfect now. The crazy thing is, she couldn't remember putting it there... just how often does she clean out her bag?!

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  11. Hi Fiona,

    I always love to read your ideas.
    I feel luxurious when I am organised and that my environment is rather tidy, I have a small agenda where I have my notes and organize my day/ week and even months to come. Putting on crisps clothes that feel comfortable and make you feel pretty as well as spraying some fresh perfume or cologne also feels super luxurious to me!

    Have a great day.
    Myriam

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    1. Oh Myriam, that's when I feel the most luxurious too - having a tidy and organised home/workspace. Plus perfume :)

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  12. Thank you, Fiona. I have pared down my skincare by using olive oil from Japan. And I do the same with sales people by asking what they will choose if they had to. Hi Jessica!❤️

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    1. I have used olive oil on my skin from time to time, just to try it out and feel 'Italian'. I didn't know Japanese ladies used it too - fascinating.

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    2. Yes, many Japanese makeup removers have olive oil as the main ingredient.

      D.

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    3. I learn something new every day. And Japanese women are renowned for their finely textured skin so it must be a good thing.

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  13. I cannot take my eyes off that beautiful rose in the photo! I appreciate your perspective on skin care products. I am often lured in by the fancy cosmetic counters, but find that too often, they irritate my skin. What I really need are more simple ingredients and I can find that at the drugstore.

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    1. Oh my goodness, that rose, I know! They always have a lovely rose in those little vases on each table, but this time they were even more spectacular than usual. I have seen ladies from a stylish florist nearby in this hotel (they wear long black aprons with the florist's name on the front as they go about their business of putting out the flowers), so they outsource their floral displays.

      I also noticed that the liquid in the vase is a kind of gel, so the rose stays upright. It made me think of gelatine in water, but maybe there is a special floral product that they use. I bought a bag of clear marbles because I have seen those used in glass vases to hold flower arrangements in place without being seen much. I put them in the vase, then fill with water and after that it's a matter of pushing the stems into the marbles.

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  14. Hi Fiona

    Another great article. The essence of luxury is being retired and doing anything I want.

    Sharon

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    1. Aah Sharon, you are singing my song. That sounds like bliss!

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  15. Hello Fiona...
    I have only just recently discovered your blog and I am very much enjoying your articles. I live half way around the world in Canada out in the country on a small farm. The nearest "big" city store is over an hour away so I am happy to rely on the grocery store or our local drug store (both still 30 min away) for my beauty products. You are absolutely correct in what you say. The less expensive products, especially the more natural ones, perform in much the same way if not better than the insanely priced ones. The pretty packaging is all very nice but no reason to break the bank. I would rather spend my money on something else like antique linens or books. My idea of luxury is a good cup of Earl Grey tea in a pretty china cup and saucer curled up with a good book after finishing up work on the farm for the day. It is pouring rain here today so I am having that cuppa right now as I write to you. Cheers.

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    1. Earl Grey and a book while it is raining outside sounds just, perfect, Melanie. Welcome to my blog, too, it's lovely to have you here :)

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    2. Absolutely! Earl Grey, a book, rain outside! Enjoy, Melanie!

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  16. I love this thread of comments! No one has mentioned organic coconut oil, so I will. It is fantastic to use to take off makeup, or when your skin needs a really good drink of moisture.

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    1. I do the same thing and absolutely love it!

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    2. I have so coconut oil and do use it on my face every so often. It has to be if I wash my face early, because it can take a while to sink in. I also put it on the ends of my hair before I wash it, maybe once a week or once a fortnight. It feels so nourishing!

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    3. I've never used it to take off makeup though, which I will try, because I love to tissue off makeup before using a hot flannel.

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    4. I use coconut oil as a pre-shampoo treatment. I apply it to the ends of my hair about a half hour before I shampoo. Even my hair stylist is amazed at how well it works, repairing the damage caused by coloring my hair and heat styling it. For makeup removal, though, I use grapeseed oil. It is a "dry oil", which means that it is easily removed when I wash my face with my cleanser. It takes off even waterproof mascara without leaving me feeling greasy.

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    5. Thanks for that Mimi, I will try grapeseed oil. When I've used other oils in the past it has not been pleasant having that greasy feeling in the eyes.

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  17. Organic foods and products are luxuries for hubby and I. As for inexpensive or free luxuries, I would say small yet beautiful indoor plants (live plants, not cut flowers) to purify the air in my home and provide fresh oxygen us.

    In fact, a recent luxury for me involves meditation. I've decided to finally take it seriously and subscribed to Headspace after trying their free 10-day meditation trial. A year of guided meditation with their app for USD$60 is not something I would purchase in the past but I want to fully commit to it and reap the benefits of this much-touted ancient practice. A small investment for my mental and physical health. I also like the idea of supporting a company that is doing good in the world.

    By the way, I always check the Environmental Working Group before I purchase skincare products. Their website has a wealth of other resources to help one making healthier choices too. I highly recommend it to anyone! http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

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    1. Thanks for that website, Natalie, and good for you committing to learn to meditate. The closet I have gotten is breathing/counting to ten. I think even something tiny like this has a benefit, it certainly feels that way.

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  18. Hi Fiona! I have heard many times that all you need for skincare is what's in your kitchen! Olive oil, avocado, oatmeal etc. Honey is supposed to be a very good humectant. Egg whites for oily skin and egg yolks for dry skin. You can make a nice exfoliator out of sugar and olive oil. Of course coconut oil is the new craze also. I just love the idea of using what's already in your kitchen and not buying expensive products. (I actually have a whole bunch of products to use up but I would like to start doing this myself.) Luxury to me is coffee on Saturday and Sunday mornings in our sun room watching home & garden TV and cooking shows!

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    1. I forget about those 'recipes', Carla, I must save some and try them.

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  19. Hi Fiona, I loved this post. I too have been interested in skincare and fragrance from a young age. I try to use natural products that have not been tested on animals, and there are lots of options out there. Essential oils are also a favorite...a few drops in the bath or added to a scent-free lotion. Living in California and being outside a lot means that I use sunscreen almost every day on top of the moisturizer. It's taken me a while to find sunscreens that I like, and there is a brand called Cerave that I've settled on for now. Always looking!

    On a separate topic, good luck with your move!

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    1. Essential oils are so delicious, plus beneficial. I used to use them a lot, but have let my supplies run down. That will be something to try again, I love lavender and orange mixed in a vaporizer but I want to get frankincense to try, as per an earlier comment on this post.

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  20. Fiona you are just so inspiring! I love your ideas and perspective. I agree with Natalie T. that indoor plants feel luxurious. I have been tending to orchids lately and am really enjoying them. They seem to be the same price as a bouquet of flowers, but you get much more bloom for your buck! I have one that has been in bloom for a year. They are elegant and add a touch of class to our bathrooms and bedroom. I go back and forth with beauty products, with a mix of both I suppose depending on the skin issue. I do use Jane Iredale mineral makeup which is $$ but I love. Thanks again for the lovely post.

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    1. Orchids are so luxurious and they always feature in nice home magazines and luxury hotels. I had three white ones that I kept going for years, but they eventually died. I will shout myself a new one once we move - thank you for the reminder!

      I think if you find a good foundation, such as Jane Iredale, it's worth the money. Even if I buy inexpensive other stuff, a good foundation is worth the price.

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  21. I SO agree with you Fiona about everything (despite selling luxuries myself!). I was a marketers dream before having my own business. Now for me luxury is weekly flowers and fabulously cooked food (either at home or out).

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    1. I felt the same when we owned a retail store, Vannessa - I don't shop for leisure and only buy if I need something, but we relied on people buying things from us. I felt quite hypocritical at times, but everyone shops for their own reasons!

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  22. As I aged my skin broke out inti redness And other problems, including flakiness and itching, burni g, when Inused commercial products, so like a previous commenter I have resorted to the kitchen. Online I found a face mask recipe using avocado, oats, honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon and a few other things, and it gives almost clear skin. In daytime I wear organic coconut oil for dry skin, and at night nothing. Soap is clear glycerine, as the fat is still in it and it helps a lot. So far, the only thing I noticed reduces wrinkles is sleep and lying down for a rest during the day. It just relaxes the face so much. Sometimes I break open a vitamin e capsule and apply it to wrinkles but it is heavy and has to be washed off after awhile, but it does make a difference. A naturopath doctor once told me that the condition of your skin was indicative of what what going on in your body I.e. Digestive and elimination and sleep, water (both drinking and bathing) and emotional distress, as well as the way you breathe, (and relation to how you sit and so forth. Taking any pharmaceutical can also effect facial skin, as well as harsh weather.

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    1. Hi Lydia, thank you for sharing your knowledge and what has worked for you. I love stuff like this :)

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  23. We very time my spelling skips around, as in the first sentence there of my post, I tell people I DO have a "fifth grade" education and I CAN spell...the smaller keyboards and the word takeover makes me wonder, though !

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    1. I hear you, autocorrect gets me too at times :)

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  24. I find that picking your luxuries carefully works well. For example, my skin care stuff all comes from the drugstore and is more effective than the expensive brands at a department store. However, I use Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer even though it's pricey because it's the best shade for me.
    Recently I went out and bought new towels for my bathroom. It's so much prettier seeing those luscious pink towels and bathmat in there and it didn't cost that much because they were on sale.
    An inexpensive luxury for me is going out for hot chocolate or a London Fog (Earl Gray tea latte). I pick a nice cafe (not Starbucks!) that does a really fancy one and enjoy the heck out of it.
    This summer my current luxury is to take a glass of water to bed and sit and read old children's books before I turn out the light. Currently I'm reading the Betsy Ray series by Maud Hart Lovelace, which was set in the 1900s and follows the characters from age five up till after they get married. I love it for many reasons, the food and the clothes and the fun, but also because Betsy is a wonderful reminder to live your truth instead of pretending to be someone you're not. Every scrape she gets into as a teen is because she's not being Betsy.

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    1. Pink towels sound so delightfully feminine, Aurora. It makes me think of the Ritz Paris, I think it is, that has all its walls painted in blush pink, because it casts a flattering glow on the skin. Isn't that delicious? And I'm sure your pink towels do the same :)

      And London Fog! I have never tried an Earl Grey latte but now I want to find a place that does these, because it sounds amazing and especially the name - I love the sound of it.

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    2. If you can't find a local place, here's the recipe I use to make them at home. The lavender adds a lovely touch.
      https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/london-fog-tea-latte-london-fog-drink/

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    3. Oh yay, thank you Aurora. It looks like a lovely treat to try. I love the idea of infusing lavender with the tea.

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  25. Cover cream foundation is really essential when dealing with blotchy skin with eruptions, and I have discovered it is what is under the foundation makeup yhat makes a difference, in how it goes on and how it looks, so therefore I can use something cheap, even from the reject and dollar stores, even Rimmel, but I rotate the different inexpensive brands. For some reason, like deodorant, they have to be retired sometimes and then when used again after a break from a particular brand, they go on quite well and look nice, fir u dear makeup cream I have used kitchen priducts and also jojoba and coconut oil. My mother made facial masks from the crushed berries like strawberries that were left after making jellies and jams. She was a redhead with lots of freckles that tended to turn into dry spots, and the berry mask helped. But in my experience, its the skin care that is applies before the cover cream that is important and makes the difference in how smooth and professional the foundation looks. Online there are recipes for foundation using arrowroot, cocoa powder and beeswax, but it's sometimes hard to find the beesac unless you know a beekeeper. If you don't use it, the makeup will not stick to your skin. So I am using inexpensive cover cream and found it has the same ingredients as the high-end brands, and if there is any doubt about the ingredients, the coconut oil as under makeup cream (just a little, not much!) seems to protect your skin from the makeup ingredients. Someone gifted me with makeup finishing spray which I just love, since it keeps makeup from sliding off. I only wear makeup once or twice a week, since I am at home most of the time, however, I found the cover cream is very protective against the sun and wind.

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    1. Didn't The Body Shop do a strawberry moisturiser back in the day? I wonder what is in berries that make them good for the skin.

      I agree that looking after your skin as well as possible makes a huge difference to how your makeup looks. My skin is smooth, but can be high-coloured in areas so I love foundation for blending that.

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  26. Hi Fiona. Like many others here, I've used the expensive department store brands but have stopped using them. I now lean towards natural ingredients, although I do use some products I like. I have very sensitive Irish pale skin with rosacea on my face, so I have to be careful. Luxury to me is coming home from work to a clean house, and my husband and I always turn down our bed before we take our evening showers. We shower in the evening. We turn down our bed, put on our luxurious terrycloth robes and do our whole bathroom routine after work and then relax. It's so nice to come to bed and it's turned down like a hotel room. Also, good wholesome foods, organic soaps and white fluffy towels, beautiful white sheets, and relaxing by the fire. Just a few of our luxuries we indulge in daily. Love your blog by the way.

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    1. Like you have mentioned, it's about choosing the luxury items that you absolutely love, and going low-cost on the things that don't matter to you as much.

      I love your nighttime routine, it sounds so zen and spa-like!

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  27. Years ago I discovered a book, "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" (which came out new for several years, updated) book that broke down the cosmetic industry and told the truth about their sales gimmicks. Their job is to take the money out of your hands, not truly sell you a product that really works - so much hype is totally false and completely unable to do what their claims say! As she teaches, most of the high-dollar products simply use fragrance to make if seem luxurious (which is horrendous on your skin) or as you said, it's that beautiful packaging! I decided that I didn't want the high dollar if it didn't work - she always gives drugstore options that are completely compatible to the higher end - or that works better, like Olay. Then again, some brands like L'Oreal owns Lancome and often test the higher end Lancome in L'Oreal packaging before selling it via Lancome. It's fascinating to see who owns what! It's is a bait and switch, get that money market, for sure!

    I always check out Beautypedia to see if something I'm interested in is faux or really works, too!

    One way I feel luxurious is in scented body lotion. I always try to purchase the lotion that matches my current favorite perfume. Barring that, I buy unscented so it doesn't clash with my fragrance. Scent is something I don't skimp on, especially when I can get a great vintage scent like Coty's La Rose Jacqueminot or Chype, and so many of them are in heavy crystal bottles! THAT is my idea of luxury.

    https://www.beautypedia.com/
    http://www.paulaschoice.com/who-we-are/about-paulas-choice.html

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    1. I read Paula Begoun's books decades ago, too, and she probably started me off on the track of reading ingredients and deciding from that, rather than advertising and fancy images.

      The whole cosmetics industry is mind-bogglingly huge and competitive. Different brands are always watching each other too. Have you noticed that when one brings out a new product, the others suddenly all have the same thing soon after?

      I love scented body lotions too :)

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    2. Yes! They seem to be afraid someone else will corner a market so they rush to put out a similar product. And everyone around thinks, "OH! The new product must work since everyone is trying to get it out!" Or have you noticed how a new ingredient sends people into a frenzy? That is why I always double-check Paula's Choice & Beautypedia to see if there is a review that will keep me a savvy shopper!!

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  28. Oh, Fiona, it's so nice to be back! LOL! I wasn't actually "gone", just silly busy & I haven't dropped by in ages, but I've come back for good because I so enjoy your articles. So many exciting things going on in your life! I can't believe what I've been missing.
    This is such a timely topic. About a month ago I was uncluttering my bathroom cabinets & was horrified by the number of pots & bottles & vials of lotions & potions & creams & "dreams in jars", many of which were expensive & all of which were supposed to revolutionize my skin (which isn't bad to begin with, given my senior status!). Well. No.
    I cleared them ALL out & am using them up for hand-cream & body lotion (a luxury right there, using a $100 face cream on my feet!). I've gone back to Ponds, Nivea, coconut oil & Bag Balm (used by dairy farmers to keep their cows' udders from chapping in cold weather & ideal for human faces & hands!) & my skin's never looked better. I use Ponds to take off make-up, Nivea in winter, Bag Balm (which is very light & absorbs instantly) in summer, coconut oil at night & right after a hot shower. I'm still fine-tuning my regime but something's working, because I have no real "wrinkles", some fine lines around my eyes when I laugh (which I do a lot) & nothing is sagging too badly, in spite of the fact I'm in my 60s now.
    My best advice: DRINK WATER. Litres & litres of clean water. Also (WARNING: sexual content ahead) my doctor -- who's into preventative health-care & very outspoken! -- told me that orgasms are the best thing you can do for your body inside & out, so I'll just drop that here & quietly walk away.
    My extravagances these days (we'll just ignore the foregoing paragraph): fresh produce from the farmers' market, sparkling water & a slice of lime in a pretty wine glass, grapes & pears cut up in my green salad, slow yoga, meditation. And ever since the US election, my guy & I have stopped watching the news or following politics (we're in Canada & it's all very close & toxic), which we were both addicted to, & have discovered we're probably more ignorant but a LOT calmer. And happier.

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    1. Welcome back, Susanne! Water and orgasms, I love it!

      I don't watch the news either. When I do 'indulge', I just get grumpy and unfeminine.

      I love thin slices of pear in a salad too - rocket (arugula), pear and parmesan or blue cheese is amazing.

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    2. Ha, Susanne! I live in California and did not vote for our current president. My husband and I have stopped watching/reading the news too! Way too toxic and stressful; we figure if something really important occurs, we'll hear other people talking about it and find out. On the radio we only listen to classical music now, not NPR. I can't tell you how much less stress we both feel! We should have done this years ago.
      A big salad with all kinds of lettuces, a bit of finely chopped Pink Lady apple, some feta cheese and a sprinkle of chopped almonds, my home made Italian dressing -- yum!

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    3. Hi Susanne! I love what you posted! I also bought some original Ponds on ebay a few months ago and it is as amazing as I remembered. Bought Nivea, too. Love the heavy-duty on y feet. Use coconut oil on my skin and hair (I buy from healthytraditions.com and get the unscented [Expeller-Pressed or Pure]). I also use Dr. Broners' liquid soap in the shower. I'd forgotten about Bag Balm - used to use it ALL the time. I'm also in my early 60's and love going back to classics & seeing results. And I can't wait to tell hubby how he's been helping me stay young... heh heh heh!!

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  29. I love everything you wrote here Fiona. I read the "luxury" book too and it has changed my mindset about everything I buy in the fashion/beauty world. I wish we had a wonderful pharmacy nearby because I"m certain I would be able to find the inexpensive brands I covet. Have you noticed how much the big beauty companies have in their skincare lines? I'm overwhelmed by the different products! I only want four: wash, toner, eye cream, and moisturizer. I get so confused when I go to a cosmetic counter and so I have given up. I will choose my own from drugstores that are local...even WalMart! Great post.

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    1. Yes, Donna - they have a million different items that all do different jobs! Three serums to put on one after the other, then a cream and an eye cream and a lip cream. Really, they are having a laugh :)

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  30. Hi Fiona....great post! Also wanted you to know that YOU have inspired me and I started a blog. Wanted to do it for a few years and thought NOW is the time. Thank you for the great posts and inspiration.

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    1. Congratulations on your new blog Ann! Off to have a read now :)

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  31. An inexpensive item I have come to love is Witch Hazel. It is a great toner and reduces redness. Enjoy all the posts here!

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!

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